News Item: Starting Dec. 14, children aged 5 to 11 must show proof of receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to attend a Broadway show, and must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult. If the child has been vaccinated less than 14 days before the performance, he or she must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test for entry.
The Slave Who Loved Caviar, the latest work for the stage by Ishmael Reed, the man The New Yorker called “America’s most fearless satirist.” It’s a theatrical investigation into the relationship between Jean-Michel Basquiat and the art world, challenging the notion that Basquiat was merely Andy Warhol’s “mascot.” Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave., will present the play’s world premiere December 23, 2021 to January 9, 2022, directed by Reed’s frequent collaborator, Carla Blank. www.theaterforthenewcity.net
Theaterlab, in association with Lawryn LaCroix, presents the U.S. premiere of This Beautiful Future by Rita Kalnejais, which marks the playwright’s New York debut. Directed by Jack Serio, This Beautiful Future is a story of young love set during World War II and features Francesca Carpanini (Broadway: All My Sons, The Little Foxes) and Justin Mark (Lauren Yee’s In a Word) with Bill Buell (Broadway: Ink, Cyrano, Equus) and Angelina Fiordellisi (Zorba, Out of the Mouths of Babes). Performances begin January 13 at Theaterlab (357 W 36th Street, Manhattan), with an opening set for Sunday, January 16, for a limited run through January 30. Tickets are now on sale at www.theaterlabnyc.com.
The iconic tale of The Little Match Girl returns to New York City in a special concert presentation on Saturday January 22, 2022 at 7PM in The Nave at Riverside Church (490 Riverside Drive). Yaya Youth Theater and Emma Wang present the concert directed and choreographed by the award-winning Greg Ganakas. Based on the story by Hans Christian Anderson, with book by Oxygen Media Shenzen, China, additional book and lyrics by Jeff Edmond, and music and musical direction by Alastair William King. Tickets can be purchased by clicking by HERE.
Following a successful limited Broadway engagement this fall that included a 2020 Special Tony Award®, the critically-acclaimed improv sensation FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME, conceived by Anthony Veneziale and created by Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Anthony Veneziale, announced a national tour to kick off in San Francisco on January 21, 2022. Produced by Kail, Miranda, Jenny & Jon Steingart, and Jill Furman. The touring company includes Andrew Bancroft AKA “Jelly Donut;” Jay C. Ellis AKA “Jellis;” Aneesa Folds AKA “Young Nees;” Kaila Mullady AKA “Kaiser Rözé;” Morgan Reilly AKA “Hummingbird;” Chris Sullivan AKA “Shockwave;” and Anthony Veneziale AKA “TwoTouch.” The show is an intermission-less, roller-coaster ride of a show with unannounced guests dropping in. www.freestylelovesupreme.com
Off-Broadway theatre company Ars Nova will honor writers Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu and Steven Levenson at this year’s Nova Ball. The annual gala benefit will be held February 7 at Capitale in New York City. Both writers have held residencies at Ars Nova and are past members of the company’s Play Group, a two-year residency for emerging playwrights. www.arsnovanyc.com
Producer Christopher Maring is proud to present a return engagement of The Lucille Lortel Award-winning and critically-acclaimed Ars Nova production of Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future, for seven weeks only, at the Space at Irondale (85 S Oxford St, Brooklyn, NY) on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Rags Parkland was written by Andrew R. Butler, directed by Jordan Fein and will star the original cast from Ars Nova’s world premiere production. For tickets, please visit www.RagsParklandMusical.com.
