There’s so much to keep up with this week in the theater world. Here are notable happenings!
Lea DeLaria (Photo: Sophy Holland via The Broadway Blog.)
Obie Awards Update
The American Theatre Wing (Heather Hitchens, President) and The Village Voice (Peter Barbey, Owner) have announced that the star-studded line-up of presenters at the 61st Annual Obie Awards will include Obie Award winner Colman Domingo, Obie Award winner Danai Gurira, Maura Tierney, Kate Burton, Obie Award winner Savion Glover, three-time Obie Award winner Elizabeth Marvel, Carrie Preston, Norm Lewis, Obie Award winner Tovah Feldshuh, Marlo Thomas, and two-time Obie Award winner Lisa Kron. The evening will include special performances by cast members of “Orange Is The New Black,” 2016 Tony Award nominee Leslie Odom Jr., and Ben Platt.
As was previously announced, Obie and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actress Lea DeLaria will return as the host of this year’s Obie Awards, which will take place on Monday, May 23, at Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street.
This year’s Obie Awards will be live streamed on the official Obie Awards Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ObieAwards
Stars in the Alley
2016 Tony Award Nominee Alex Brightman and his School of Rock The Musical co-star, Sierra Boggess, have been named social media correspondents for the 2016 STARS IN THE ALLEY concert, presented by United Airlines. The pair will post on social media throughout the event, keeping fans up-to-date on all of the action behind the scenes and on stage.
Stars in the Alley will be hosted by Sean Hayes and Mo Rocca. Sean Hayes will be starring in Broadway’s An Act of God and was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in Promises,Promises and Mo Rocca is a Correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning and appeared on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Stars in the Alley will take place on Friday, June 3 from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. in Shubert Alley, between Broadway and 8th Avenue and 44th and 45th Streets. To add to the festivities leading up to the Tony Awards, the free outdoor concert in the heart of the Theatre District will celebrate Broadway with star appearances and exciting performances from over 30 new shows and long-running favorites, accompanied by a 12-piece live orchestra.
Alex Brightman and Sierra Boggess in ‘School of Rock.’ (Photo: Matthew Murphy via The Broadway Blog.)
“I’m so excited to serve as co-social ambassador alongside my School of Rock co-star Sierra Boggess at Broadway’s best block party – Stars in the Alley! The next best thing to rocking out at a free outdoor concert is following along with us online. Looking forward to see you there, one way or another!” said Alex Brightman.
“I’m honored to be the social media correspondent this year at Stars in the Alley alongside my incredible co-star Alex Brightman,” said Sierra Boggess. “This is one of my favorite Broadway events of the year, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this special free concert!”
NY Pops Heads to Forest Hills with Megan Hilty and Matthew Morrison
Megan Hilty (photo provided by MiWeb via The Broadway Blog.)
The New York Pops will return to its new summer home, Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, NY, for a program starring Tony nominees Megan Hilty and Matthew Morrison. After a wildly successful outing at the open-air venue in summer 2015, The New York Pops is proud to return to Queens with a full orchestra. The concert will also continue the expanded version of the orchestra’s Kids in the Balcony program, offering 1,000 children an opportunity to attend and learn about live music for free.
“I am beyond thrilled to return to the stadium – we had such a blast last summer, and I know that the orchestra, Matthew, and Megan are going to knock it out of the park in July!” said Music Director Steven Reineke. “Matthew and Megan have performed with the orchestra before, and they are always absolutely electric. I am so glad they will bring their larger-than-life talent to join our full orchestra in this incredible venue. This concert is going to be a home run!”
For ticket information, visit: www.newyorkpops.org or www.foresthillsstadium.com.
