Maxine Elliott

What Is the History of Shubert Alley?

This month on Broadway Deep Dive, the reader question was: What is the history of Shubert Alley?

CSC's THE CRADLE WILL ROCK Announces Rush Ticket Policy For Union Members

In the spirit of Classic Stage Company's new production of The Cradle Will Rock, Marc Blitzstein's historic pro-labor American play in music (March 21 - May 19), CSC is implementing a policy through which members of any union will receive $25 rush tickets to the show. In order to redeem these tickets, patrons must show their union ID at the box office the day of the performance they would like to attend, pending availability. This will be in addition to CSC's regular and student rush policies.

Tony Yazbeck to Lead John Doyle's THE CRADLE WILL ROCK At Classic Stage Company

Classic Stage Company presents Marc Blitzstein's allegorical play in music The Cradle Will Rock, directed by John Doyle, March 21 - May 19, 2019. A Depression-era indictment of rampant capitalism told almost entirely in song, The Cradle Will Rock maintains a twinkle in its eye while bearing sharp fangs. The 1937 premiere of this story of American class tensions-directed by Orson Welles-was famously shut down on the eve of opening night by federal authorities over so-called 'budget cuts,' commonly considered a thin veil for fears of the play's pro-labor stance. The artists involved rebelliously circumvented its cancellation, making for one of the most memorable stories in 20th century theater history. While Blitzstein's libretto is very much a product of its own 1930s political context, The Cradle Will Rock pulses with immediacy in an era of expanding economic inequality and policy for purchase. CSC's 2018-2019 season began with The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Bertolt Brecht's allegory about the rise of fascism via a charismatic tyrant; this spring, it closes with an all-American Brecht-and-Weill-inspired work, which carries a message of defiance built into its very title.

TWITTER WATCH: Historic Photo of Controversial Composer/Lyricist Marc Blitzstein at Marie's Crisis

When this photo was taken, Blitzstein was best known for having written a musical that the US Government tried to prevent from opening.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 1/25/16- PYGMALION

Today in 1938, Pygmalion opened at the Maxine Elliott's Theatre. Written by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, the play centers on Professor of phonetics Henry Higgins. He makes a bet that he can train a bedraggled Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, to pass for a duchess at an ambassador's garden party by teaching her to assume a veneer of gentility, the most important element of which, he believes, is impeccable speech. The play is a sharp lampoon of the rigid British class system of the day and a comment on women's independence, packaged as a romantic comedy.

THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT Has The Ed Sullivan Theater Looking Like Its Old Self Again

A breathtaking dome and ornate stained glass are once again on display at the former Hammerstein's Theater.

Olive Stanton, The Actress Who Started a Labor Rebellion on Opening Night of THE CRADLE WILL ROCK

When the United States government takes action to close a pro-labor musical, a little-known actress lets her voice be heard.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 1/25/15- PYGMALION

Today in 1938, Pygmalion opened at the Maxine Elliott's Theatre. Written by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, the play centers on Professor of phonetics Henry Higgins. He makes a bet that he can train a bedraggled Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, to pass for a duchess at an ambassador's garden party by teaching her to assume a veneer of gentility, the most important element of which, he believes, is impeccable speech. The play is a sharp lampoon of the rigid British class system of the day and a comment on women's independence, packaged as a romantic comedy.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 1/25- PYGMALION

Today in 1938, Pygmalion opened at the Maxine Elliott's Theatre. Written by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, the play centers on Professor of phonetics Henry Higgins. He makes a bet that he can train a bedraggled Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, to pass for a duchess at an ambassador's garden party by teaching her to assume a veneer of gentility, the most important element of which, he believes, is impeccable speech. The play is a sharp lampoon of the rigid British class system of the day and a comment on women's independence, packaged as a romantic comedy.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 1/25- PYGMALION

Today in 1938, Pygmalion opened at the Maxine Elliott's Theatre. Written by Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, the play centers on Professor of phonetics Henry Higgins. He makes a bet that he can train a bedraggled Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, to pass for a duchess at an ambassador's garden party by teaching her to assume a veneer of gentility, the most important element of which, he believes, is impeccable speech. The play is a sharp lampoon of the rigid British class system of the day and a comment on women's independence, packaged as a romantic comedy.

BROADWAY RECALL: Protest Theatre

If the Occupy Wall Street movement had an official musical, it would likely be The Cradle Will Rock, Marc Blitzstein's allegorical tale of a union leader who leads a fight against a wealthy businessman who controls his town's police, press, church, elected officials and even some artists.

Burstyn, Kane to Star in West End's CHILDREN'S HOUR?

According to a report by Baz Bamigboye for UK Daily Mail, Ellen Burstyn and Carol Kane are in talks to star in the upcoming West End production of The Children's Hour. Ian Rickson is set to direct the production, while Keira Knightley and Elisabeth Moss are attached to the project as well.

Newman, Peters, Ventre & More Star In HOWL's THE CRADLE WILL ROCK 9/21-24

HOWL is proud to present Downtown Music Productions in 'The Cradle Will Rock,' the historic musical theater work by Marc Blitzstein, whose allegory of corruption and corporate greed is as timely today as when it was premiered in 1937.

HOWL Presents THE CRADLE WILL ROCK At The 45 Bleecker Street Theater 9/21-24

HOWL is proud to present Downtown Music Productions in 'The Cradle Will Rock,' the historic musical theater work by Marc Blitzstein, whose allegory of corruption and corporate greed is as timely today as when it was premiered in 1937.

Newman, Peters, Ventre & More Star In HOWL's THE CRADLE WILL ROCK 9/21-24

HOWL is proud to present Downtown Music Productions in 'The Cradle Will Rock,' the historic musical theater work by Marc Blitzstein, whose allegory of corruption and corporate greed is as timely today as when it was premiered in 1937.

HOWL Presents THE CRADLE WILL ROCK At The 45 Bleecker Street Theater 9/21-24

HOWL is proud to present Downtown Music Productions in 'The Cradle Will Rock,' the historic musical theater work by Marc Blitzstein, whose allegory of corruption and corporate greed is as timely today as when it was premiered in 1937.

Newman, Peters, Ventre & More Star In HOWL's THE CRADLE WILL ROCK 9/21-24

HOWL is proud to present Downtown Music Productions in 'The Cradle Will Rock,' the historic musical theater work by Marc Blitzstein, whose allegory of corruption and corporate greed is as timely today as when it was premiered in 1937.

HOWL Presents THE CRADLE WILL ROCK At The 45 Bleecker Street Theater 9/21-24

HOWL is proud to present Downtown Music Productions in 'The Cradle Will Rock,' the historic musical theater work by Marc Blitzstein, whose allegory of corruption and corporate greed is as timely today as when it was premiered in 1937.

Full Casting For Roundabout's 'The Constant Wife' Completed

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents Kate Burton as 'Constance Middleton', Michael Cumpsty as 'John Middleton', John Dossett as 'Bernard Kersal' and Lynn Redgrave as 'Mrs. Culver' in the new Broadway production of W. Somerset Maugham social comedy The Constant Wife, directed by Mark Brokaw at the American Airlines Theatre (227 West 42nd Street).