#Cherry Lane Theatre

[transpondster]

Independent film studio A24 has purchased a small Off-Broadway venue, the Cherry Lane Theatre.  The theater, which is located in New York City’s West Village, was purchased for just over $10 million, according to a deed filed Friday. Cherry Lane Theatre is the longest continuously running off-Broadway theater in New York and features a 179-seat mainstage and a 60-seat studio theater.  

 A person with knowledge of the deal told The Hollywood Reporter that A24 plans to keep the space as a venue for live theater.

[the-hottest-band-tournament]

Round 5 of The Hottest 80s Band Tournament

Warrant

Defeated opponents: Yes, Spadau Ballet, Sepultura, Metallica

Formed in: 1984

Genres: Hard Rock, Hair Metal 

Lineup: Jani Lane- vocals and acoustic guitar

Joey Allen- guitar

Erik Turner- guitar

Steven Sweet- drums

Jerry Dixon- bass

Albums from the 80s: 

Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich (1989)

Propaganda: The Cherry Pie music video. That’s it, that’s my answer

Mötley Crüe 

Defeated opponents: Cybotron, The Beach Boys, XTC, The Clash

Formed in: 1981

Genres: hard rock, metal rock, Glam metal, heavy metal

Lineup: Vince Neil- vocals 

Mick Mars- guitar

Nikki Sixx- bass

Tommy Lee- drums 

Albums from the 80s: 

Too Fast for Love (1981)

Shout at the Devil (1983)

Theatre of Pain (1985)

Girls, Girls, Girls (1987)

Dr. Feelgood (1989)

Propaganda: the all black, the messy hair, the sloppy makeup, the good makeup, the skimpy clothes, the high heels, the fingerless gloves, I could fix him (I absolutely could not), MORE HAIR. I love these trashy goth bitches

Visual propaganda for Warrant:

Visual propaganda for Mötley Crue:

[saturnisfallingdown]

wikipedia trick or treating is officially the best tradition I have ever seen!! Trick or treat! :D

IM GOING TO HAVE TO BRING IT BACK NEXT YEAR !!! here's a treat for youu!!

[lboogie1906]

Katori Hall (born May 10, 1981) is a playwright, screenwriter, producer, actress, and director from Memphis. Her known works include P-Valley, the Tony-nominated Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and plays such as Hurt Village, Our Lady of Kibeho, Children of Killers, The Mountaintop, and The Hot Wing King, for which she won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Her parents moved the family from Raleigh to Memphis, when she was five years old. She graduated from Craigmont High School as the first African American valedictorian in the school’s history and received her BA from Columbia University with a major in African-American Studies and Creative Writing. She was a student in the theater department. She switched majors because she felt the faculty and students were inhospitable to her perspective and writing. She was awarded top departmental honors from the university’s Institute for Research in African-American Studies.

She graduated from the American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theater Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University with a MFA in Acting. She revised the script for Hoodoo Love, the first full-length play she wrote. In 2006, it was selected by Lynn Nottage for the Cherry Lane Theatre Mentor Project. It premiered off-Broadway at Cherry Lane Theatre and received positive critical reception.

She graduated from the Juilliard School’s Lila Acheson Wallace playwriting program. She workshopped the script for The Mountaintop.

She is married to Alan Tumusiime, a video editor and photographer. They have two children. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #deltasigmatheta

[bitter69uk]

Born on this day 90 years ago: Neil Flanagan (3 May 1934 – 6 June 1986). The two-time Obie winning stage actor and director had a long and distinguished career in Off-off-Broadway theatre and his TV credits include Lou Grant, Wonder Woman, General Hospital and The Jeffersons. But for aficionados of the sleazier fringes of exploitation movies like me, Flanagan is an indelible presence in the gutter cinema of notorious maverick no-budget director Andy Milligan, including The Ghastly Ones (1968), Seeds (1968) and Guru the Mad Monk (1970). But I love him best as world-weary middle-aged transgender hooker Cherry Lane in Fleshpot on 42nd Street (pictured, billed as “Lynn Flanagan”). Whether singing “Some Day My Prince Will Come” while painting her nails or lamenting, “It ain’t easy being a freak. Look at me, hun. I’m no prize package. I’m a cocksucker. I’m not even a good one”, Flanagan steals every scene. She also gets the best line of dialogue: “It’s getting so you can’t give a blowjob on Times Square without some cop looking over your shoulder!” Read more here.

[fourohfourrealitynotfound]

Double Agent

For @flashfictionfridayofficial #FFF230 - Fool Me Once

549 words

"I've got her! Stay after the others," I said, planting my hand on the corner of the building and swinging into the alley after the girl.  

She was still on fire, the blaze on her shoulders growing taller than her head. She was trying to reach a fire escape ladder on the building to my left, but she was just a hair too short. The flames on her fingertips licked the bottom rung every time she jumped up. 

I pressed a finger to my ear, muting and silencing my comm. "Hey," I said, softening my voice as best I could around my panting breaths. 

The girl started and whipped around. When she recognized my uniform she tried to back away, but she just ended up with her shoulders pressed to the bricks behind her. 

"I'm not going to hurt you." I started to raise my hands up beside my head, but thought better of that gesture when she flinched. Instead I clasped them behind my back and knelt. The pavement bit my knees at their sudden meeting, but I ignored the spike of pain. "I just want to help." 

Slowly, the girl's fire died down, leaving a low burn at her hands. I could see her face finally: she was younger than I'd thought, only ten or eleven. Her eyes were wide, and the tip of her long, dark braid smoldered. 

"You should head towards Lexington Street," I said. "There's people there who can help you. Do you know where that is?"  

The girl chewed at her lip and shook her head. 

I exhaled. "Okay . . . when you get to the top of that building, find the Spire. Keep it on your right. The buildings will start to look older and worse. That's where you want to be. Stop and ask for directions to the old Cherry Lane Theatre. You got that?" 

She nodded.  

"I'm going to lower the ladder now, okay?" When she nodded again, I latched my eyes onto the fire escape and pulled down the ladder, keeping my hands behind my back. 

I watched as she scrambled up. Just as her sneaker disappeared over the lip of the roof, a voice behind me said, "What do you think you're doing?" 

My heart hopscotched its way into my throat. I whirled around to find blue eyes freezing me in place. "Finn!" I gasped. "I—she was just a kid! I don't think she meant to--" 

"Chill," he said. "I agree with you; that was a good call." He nudged my shoulder with his fist. "Since when have you been so nice?" 

I shrugged. "She didn't seem like she meant to be using her power. I think she was just scared."  

I didn't say that this was my first time letting someone go, but I didn't admit to my sins, either. If Finn didn't see through my lack of admission, then could it really be called lying? 

A grin spread across Finn's face, and he shook his head. "There's hope for you yet. Just invite me the next time you decide to be rebellious. I'll keep lookout."  

"Uh-huh," I said, but I was already calculating ways to keep my next rescue mission away from his sharp eyes.  

"C'mon, we've gotta tell the boss man how your target 'got away.'" 

[popculturebrain]

A24 Buys Off-Broadway’s Cherry Lane Theatre

The studio, behind 'The Whale' and 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' joins Netflix in purchasing theatrical real estate. Independent film studio A24 has purchased a small Off-Broadway venue, the Cherry Lane Theatre.

Subscribe to the Pop Culture Brain Daily newsletter for more stories like this!

[upwiththegood]

2nd December Photograph quiz

Well, we can’t come out of the original front door of this public house and lots of things have changed. Regular fights and punch ups occurred and there was a regular run in with the local farmer who used to get his muck spreader out and redecorate the exterior and customers cars, as his farm bordered the car park. The old farm house was where the embryonic Sutton Valence Temperance Society met and usually after a session at the Swan followed by one Dick Perrin, the landlord, furnishing the farmer with a decent bottle of Grouse. Nobody knew just what had occurred because everyone was usually too plastered to remember.

So we come out of the boozer and continue our ramble along pass the service station with what was once a little industrial estate down

the side and round the back, I think that planning was obtained and a little estate of houses was built there, of course it was originally owned by a co-director of a company of which I was the Company Secretary. almost immediately opposite were a row of terraced cottages once owned by a certain Dan Mackleden. He who went to America and came back with some wonderful marketing ideas and branded his Bramley Apples, "Dan's Souper Doupers" marketed in a wooden non returnable 30lb box with the cover printed by a local stationary company. One of our irregular members used to live in those cottages but never visited that local pub, or so she said but one of our puddle jumper drivers had his nose broken in there one Saturday evening. Just along the road a bit further there's a raised layby with another row of houses and a farm entrance into a decent cherry orchard or two and we tried our hardest to get involved as this grower had planted new Canadian varieties, like Sunburst or Sunset on Colt 45 rootstock and these were making over £10 per 10lb tray, A £1 a pound wholesale, so lots of commission and I can't remember the grower's name. Perhaps it was Fermor, who nose. We're heading down the road and pass what was a dance theatre before it burnt down but was once a decent farmyard complete with cold stores and access at the top of an awful hill for large lorries. We tried to purchase his twice but were beaten off, as this would've been and excellent depot for our puddle jumpers and there was a decent house onto the adjoining lane with a connecting footpath. The daughter living in the house became a well known film star and at the next crossroads on the left sits another house rented by another film star of old and a few of us regulars at the Sutton Valence Swan one Saturday night were invited to a party there. Once again, nobody still alive can remember anything. Oh dear. The crossroads are famous throughout the area and the farmer previously stated also ran the farmland in the south east corner and immediately opposite, in a row of cottages lived Jacko Jackson, the East Sutton opening fast bowler. Next door to these cottages is a new hospice, where those suffering from an outbreak of MRSA were transferred from the Boxley Unit to recuperate before returning. This was overlooking an excellent cricket ground complete with pavilion. On the other side of the road was the local village sports ground where cricket and hockey were played

I played there once for the Swan team and the whole eleven had one particular attribute, plus the demon farmer bowler mentioned before had a windmill type of action and nobody, even he, never knew just which arm he would bowl from. Very confusing for everyone

His sister stated in a recent post in the “Maidstone, I remember it well “ that he was threatening to retire soon. Crikey, no more the raconteur taking centre stage in the Raglan or Lashing’s kit man. There’s a footpath to the north of the sports field which circumnavigates the excellent public school where my eldest two won scholarships but ended up at the cheaper option, the grammar school. So we’ve by passed three public houses and an hotel. The first on the main road is now under new management and the hotel has been run by the same sporting family for ever or so it seems and then to the village post office opposite s little chapel that did an excellent Christmas Eve service

Then straight over Boyton Crossroads where we meet up with that aforementioned footpath that Barry Walker is so familiar with and via Bob Skinners farm pass Court Brooms and take a left to pass the naughty girls home again and we’ll end up where the hall with the odd door handles were

Happy daze

15 related questions 1)farm next door 2) farmer's name 3) local area name 4)service station name 5)industrial estate name 6)irregular attendee 7) pub name 8)hotel name 9) pub name 10)pub name 11) chapel name 12)Bob Skinner's Farm 13)Court Brooms ? 14)local naughty girl;s home 15)local pub name complete with hall Perhaps for a tie break one could ask just who the original farmer's sister was and what was her father's profession and just what she has to do with Three French Hens

After all it is Christmas

[pixelsfm]

and we’re open ! below the cut are all the accepted characters. please make sure to look over our checklist and send in your character blog within 24 hours to prevent any glitches. welcome to litwick ⸻ it’s got it’s ups and downs, but you can’t deny the tranquility.

jenna ortega & she/her/cis woman — i see you’ve settled on cassandra goth ! fill your inventory, you’re heading to litwick. you look 23 years old and i hear you’re from las vegas, nevada ? well, i think sakura avenue will be the perfect fit for you. make sure you stop by litwick central museum and introduce yourself as their new taxidermist ! it’s strange, you almost remind me of cassandra goth from the sims. we hope you enjoy the slow life ! ( manes, gmt, they/she, 26 )

hannah dodd & she/her/cis woman — i see you’ve settled on zelda hyrule ! fill your inventory, you’re heading to litwick. you look 27 years old and i hear you’re from madison, new york ? well, i think chanterelle gardens will be the perfect fit for you. make sure you stop by community theatre and introduce yourself as their new director ! it’s strange, you almost remind me of princess zelda from legends of zelda. we hope you enjoy the slow life ! ( patches, cst, she/her, 25 )

peter gadiot & he/him/cis man — i see you’ve settled on alan wake ! fill your inventory, you’re heading to litwick. you look thirty-nine years old and i hear you’re from olympia, washington ? well, i think chanterelle gardens will be the perfect fit for you. make sure you stop by the books & the bees and introduce yourself as their new bookseller ! it’s strange, you almost remind me of alan wake from the remedy connected universe. we hope you enjoy the slow life ! ( guppy, mst, she/her, twenty-two )

jack wolfe & he/them/demi man — i see you’ve settled on harvey lancaster ! fill your inventory, you’re heading to litwick. you look 25 years old and i hear you’re from litwick ? well, i think lemon lane will be the perfect fit for you. make sure you stop by the cherry tree clinic and introduce yourself as their new trainee doctor ! it’s strange, you almost remind me of harvey from stardew valley. we hope you enjoy the slow life ! ( manes, gmt, they/she, 26 )

nicholas galitzine & he/him /cis man — i see you’ve settled on dylan lenivy ! fill your inventory, you’re heading to litwick. you look 27 years old and i hear you’re from new york ? well, i think lemon lane will be the perfect fit for you. make sure you stop by cypress high school and introduce yourself as their new music teacher ! it’s strange, you almost remind me of dylan from the quarry. we hope you enjoy the slow life ! ( em, gmt, she/they, 26 )

fiona palomo & she/her/cis woman — i see you’ve settled on isabel campana ! fill your inventory, you’re heading to litwick. you look twenty-six years old and i hear you’re from roswell ? well, i think sakura avenue will be the perfect fit for you. make sure you stop by the mayor’s office and introduce yourself as their new personal assistant ! it’s strange, you almost remind me of isabelle from animal crossing. we hope you enjoy the slow life ! ( lis, est, she/her, 30 )

zain iqbal & he/him/cis man — i see you’ve settled on connor malik ! fill your inventory, you’re heading to litwick. you look 26 years old and i hear you’re from detroit, michigan ? well, i think willow road will be the perfect fit for you. make sure you stop by the books & the bees and introduce yourself as their new sales associate ! it’s strange, you almost remind me of connor from detroit become human. we hope you enjoy the slow life ! ( mira, gmt+8, she/they, 24 )

amadeus serafini & he/him / trans man — i see you’ve settled on leon s. kennedy ! fill your inventory, you’re heading to litwick. you look twenty-five years old and i hear you’re from chicago ? well, i think sakura avenue will be the perfect fit for you. make sure you stop by their home (self employed) and introduce yourself as their new mechanic ! it’s strange, you almost remind me of leon s. kennedy from resident evil series. we hope you enjoy the slow life ! ( pb, cst, he/they, 26 )

michael malarkey & he/him / cis male — i see you’ve settled on jacob frye ! fill your inventory, you’re heading to litwick. you look thirty-nine years old and i hear you’re from london ? well, i think maple park will be the perfect fit for you. make sure you stop by community theatre and introduce yourself as their stunt coordinator ! it’s strange, you almost remind me of jacob frye from assassin's creed syndicate. we hope you enjoy the slow life ! ( pb, cst, he/they, 26 )

oscar isaac & he/him / cis man — i see you’ve settled on apollo de león ! fill your inventory, you’re heading to litwick. you look 43 years old and i hear you’re from litwick ? well, i think willow road will be the perfect fit for you. make sure you stop by cypress high school and introduce yourself as their new principal ! it’s strange, you almost remind me of apollo from animal crossing. we hope you enjoy the slow life ! ( zeal, est, she/he, 23, n/a )

madeleine madden & she/her/cis woman — i see you’ve settled on helena walker ! fill your inventory, you’re heading to litwick. you look 27 years old and i hear you’re from darwin, australia ? well, i think sakura avenue will be the perfect fit for you. make sure you stop by litwick central museum and introduce yourself as their new curator ! it’s strange, you almost remind me of helena walker from ark: survival evolved. we hope you enjoy the slow life ! ( ali, est, she/they, 32 )

devyn nekoda & she/her/cis woman— i see you’ve settled on kairi nakajima ! fill your inventory, you’re heading to litwick. you look 23 years old and i hear you’re from yokohama, japan ? well, i think lemon lane will be the perfect fit for you. make sure you stop by elm grove kindergarten and introduce yourself as their new teacher's aide ! it’s strange, you almost remind me of kairi from kingdom hearts. we hope you enjoy the slow life ! ( ali, est, she/they, 32 )

[asdamagicbiscuits]

My Top Theatre Highlights and Moments of 2023 (in no particular order) 

Mary Poppins final show in London

So my first trip of the year saw me pop on down to Cherry Tree Lane for the final show of Mary Poppins. The show is so dear to me, I grew up with the film and the musical has become a firm favourite. To be in the audience for the final show was very special and to witness and be part of the standing ovation at the end of Step In Time was magical and a moment I won’t forget. Zizi and Charlie were the perfect Mary and Bert and delivered outstanding performances, along with the whole company. 

New York - the OG trip

Now this was an insane trip. New York has always been on my list of places I wanted to visit. I mean it’s home to Broadway and being the absolute stagey bean I am, I was naturally going to visit at some point.

Had a some trials pre going though. So me and Sarah were originally going to see Kinky Boots as I was desperate to see Danielle Hope as Lauren in the show. Also Kinky Boots is just one of those shows which is so good for the soul. Then it got announced it was closing early. Okay. Sad but plenty of shows to still see. So we booked Almost Famous. Now I didn’t know anything about it to be honest other than it had Chris Wood in it and I’d seen him in some tv shows and was like, it would be awesome to see him live and in a musical. That show closed early. I was starting to feel like this trip was cursed or I was. Haha. So me and Sarah had chats and we came to the decision that we would see Wicked as it was Brittney’s last show as Glinda during our trip so we kind of had to. We also were able to get tickets for the Behind The Emerald Curtain tour which they do and it was luckily on when we were there. We also booked Moulin Rouge as I really wanted to see Derek Klena as Christian and we both were keen to see Hadestown as our Broadway exclusive show. We both wanted to see a show in New York we couldn’t see in the UK. We also visited the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island which were so interesting and rich in history. The Museum of Broadway was a MUST visit for me and Sarah. We did that on our first day in New York and it really set up our trip so nicely. They have a Playbill room which is a really good visual indicator of what is currently on on Broadway. Also I fully made sure to have a lil photoshoot with the Nederlander playbill sign. (Sarah was SO THRILLED that I fully took 10 minutes for my photoshoot) nothing was currently playing at the Nederlander when I went or else I would have fully seen whatever was in at that time. (For context - the Nederlander theatre was home to Newsies when it was on Broadway)

The Museum of Broadway had so many artefacts and exhibits from so so many shows. I saw a pair of shoes which were worn in the original Broadway production of Grand Hotel. A stack of Newspapers from Newsies. But the most insane thing which they had was a model of the Gershwin Theatre. Stage, dressing rooms, front of house. THE MERCH DESKS. LIKE ACTUAL MODELS OF THE MERCH DESKS. Safe to say me and Sarah lost our damn minds over this model. I also didn’t realise that my theatre collection was missing a model Merch desk so that is something I need in my life!! 

Hadestown - this was our first show and it seemed very fitting that our first show on Broadway was a Broadway exclusive. I knew nothing going in and it can be a risk as I may have sat there so confused but I sometimes think going in knowing nothing is great as you can just sit and enjoy. My mind was blown. The performances from the whole company were outstanding. It felt very much like they moved as one and the roles were equal. It was very special to watch such an ensemble piece, it’s quite rare to come across a show like that. It was so great to see Eva Noblezada on stage again, gorgeous vocal from her and she absolutely stole the show for me. All I’ve Ever Known had me transfixed and her and Reeve Carney performed so beautifully opposite each other. 

Hadestown is currently playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway and will be opening at the Lyric Theatre in London’s West End in February with Previews beginning on the 10th. 

Moulin Rouge - now do you remember me saying we booked as I wanted to Derek Klena as Christian? Well it was announced he was taking a sabbatical from the show for another role and Aaron Tveit was returning to the role for that time. Now sad I wouldn’t see Derek, super exciting to see Aaron who originated the role in the musical but I was concerned. Like most people on the planet I’d seen the Les Mis movie where Aaron played Enjolras and he was outstanding. Loved him in the role as the blonde charismatic revolution leader, like absolutely in awe of his performance and talent but I was concerned I wouldn’t feel the same watching him perform live. Weird as that is I know. Honestly though, SO GLAD I got to see him live in the role. I didn’t think it was possible to be more in awe of someone but here we are. Aaron blew me away. Roxanne. DAMN. 🔥🔥 Speechless. The whole show. Vocal. Phenomenal. Acting. Masterclass. 

Ashley Loran as Satine. Omg I didn’t know perfection existed until I saw her in the role. She came down on the swing for Satine’s entrance and my jaw hit the floor. What. A. Vision. Such a presence. Dancing was incredible, she led the company in Satine’s opening number wonderfully. So playful. Gorgeous vocal throughout the show and every time she sang I got goosebumps. Powerhouse!! Again. A Masterclass in acting and what a leading lady. 

Ashley and Aaron were insane together. The Elephant Love Medley which closes Act One, is my favourite moment in the show and they did not disappoint. They melted my heart and played opposite each other so beautifully. This show was my trip highlight and those two solidified it with their performances.

I didn’t expect to leave with adding two Broadway performers to the stagey favs but here we are. 🤷‍♀️🤪

It was weird sitting in the theatre before the show started and looking at the set as it felt like I should be watching the London company but I was gonna be seeing the Broadway company. The strangest feeling. Haha. 

Moulin Rouge is currently playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on Broadway and at the Piccadilly Theatre in London’s West End. 

Behind the Emerald Curtain - this is something which is exclusive to Broadway. We don’t have anything like this in the UK. It was a behind the scenes talk and Q and A with a couple of the cast members of the show. We got to see how the show was put together and then see a few of the costumes and props up close and we could actually touch the costumes. It was such an insightful experience, so the Tony winning Elphaba dress (you know the one!) - the colours in it represent that Elphaba is a child of the earth. Would recommend anyone checking it out if you’re in New York and this is on when you go. 

Wicked - now it’s always special to be in the audience for a cast change or a performer’s first or last show. Me and Sarah were lucky enough to be able to go to Brittney’s last performance as Glinda on Broadway. This concluded the shows we saw on this trip and we couldn’t ask for a more fitting show to end it with. 

Brittney was INCREDIBLE. From start to finish. Breathtaking. She absolutely stole the show, as she should. Comic timing was outstanding, the vocal. Oh my. Goosebumps. It felt like I was watching a piece of magic up on that stage and not a dry eye in the house. 

Wicked is currently playing at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway and at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London’s West End. 

On this trip I got to meet one of my best friends irl. It was so lovely to see Shelbi and explore New York and also to meet the New York pogo squad. Shoutout to those guys. Looking forward to seeing them again when I’m next in the city!

Shelbi took me to Grand Central Station and oh Lordy it was so pretty. She also showed me Bryant Park and the Library. We also ended up in Theatre Circle, which we stumbled across accidentally when we were hanging out. Theatre Circle is a Merchandise shop opposite the Majestic Theatre (where Phantom was on Broadway) so NATURALLY we had to go in and have a look. What happened? Well I basically had a breakdown and was nearly in tears as I found a bit of Newsies Merch in there 🤪🤷‍♀️🙈 long story short RE Merch shops, this one, Broadway Up Close and the one Araca owns on Shubert Alley, I’m basically going with an empty suitcase to fill up next time as I’ve got my eye on a lovely Beetlejuice hoodie which looks like the cosiest thing ever!! 

Blood Brothers

It’s always a treat to see this show again. This time it was on my home turf at my local theatre I saw the show. I went to see Richard Munday as the Narrator in the show. One of my favourite performers in an iconic show as my favourite character. No way was I going to miss this and it didn’t disappoint. Richard was insanely good. Strong vocal, excellent acting. I’m getting chills just remembering how good his performance was. It was also so lovely to see him on stage again and to say hello after so long! 

Strictly Ballroom the Musical

When I say it was a show 3 years in the making I am NOT joking. Haha. Me and Sarah had this booked literally in 2020 so it took some time to see it 🤪🙈

Absolutely worth the wait though. Kevin Clifton as Scott Hastings was such a perfect casting for the role. Faye Brooks as Fran. FLAWLESS!! Outstanding choreography, brilliant performances and to be front row for it was mind blowing. York is such a beautiful city so getting to have a wee adventure up there and to go to the most magical place ever (the place where you can get a roast dinner in a massive Yorkshire pudding. Honestly, heaven!) was so lovely. I’ll deffo be back in York, even if it’s just to go for a roast 🤪

Newsies 

Now you could argue that I spent most of my free time at the Troubadour Theatre seeing Newsies in 2023. And you wouldn’t be wrong 😜 ZERO REGRETS HAD!!

From my birthday, to one of my best friends: George’s birthday, to cast change, to the final show at the Troubadour and many many trips in between. So many moments and highlights to talk about so will try and condense as much as possible. Sitting front row of Brooklyn for George’s birthday was pretty damn special. Getting to see the show from so close, to say it was magical would be the understatement of the year. 

So many outstanding covers I was able to see throughout the run. Bobbie Chambers as Katherine, Damon Gould as Davey, George Crawford as Jack, Matt Trevorrow as Jack, Morgan Gregory as Race are five which stand out to me. It was a pleasure to see the Newsies company so many times. To be there at Cast Change for Newsies felt so special, having been there at the their first show so to be there at the last was lovely and very full circle.

I will say the first show I saw after Newsies won Best Choreography at the Oliviers was so so special. Seize The Day is my favourite song in the show and choreographically it’s stunning, I did tear up seeing the lads perform it for the first time. They gave so much in the whole show but in that number especially. They deserved to win the Olivier so much. 

The final show. Holy shit. That was out of this world. I thought the first show was insane. Closing night was next freaking level. Every number. Standing ovation. Seize The Day Standing Ovation went on for so long you could see it in the boys' faces it meant so much and they gave it their all in that number. I was so thrilled Bronté got a standing ovation for Watch What Happens. Gorgeous performances from the whole company. It was a magical night and I can’t thank this company enough for every show they did. This show holds such a special place in my soul (yep soul) and I will forever be grateful to each company member.

I do want to give a special shoutout to Sam Bailey who portrayed my favourite Newsie, Specs, so wonderfully. He took such brilliant care of him and was the perfect Specs. In Seize The Day Sam shouts ‘boys’ when the lads start to walk away during the number and it broke my heart every time. Such a lovely lovely touch. 

I can’t wait to see what happens next for this show but until then I’ll carry the banner in my heart until the next bunch of Newboys bring it to life on stage again ☺️🎭🎶💛🗞️📰 hashtag Newsies Forever 

New York part 2

SOOO… Went to New York again. Hehe 🙊 another super fun trip exploring the city. I know I could never get bored of this city as there is just so much to see, do and explore. Like London, I will never get tired of New York. This trip was a little more flexible in terms of seeing shows what day. I had my list I wanted to see but I only pre booked Hadestown for the first night in New York (which idiot thought that would be a good idea to see a show after an 8 hour flight? This one right here 🙈🙈) it was so lovely see the Hadestown Broadway company again and they were just as phenomenal as the first time I saw them. 

Sweeney Todd - now as a young British theatre fan I came across this show called Wicked. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it. 🤷‍♀️😜🙊☺️ but I watched a lot of Bootlegs of that show and others. Lots of great shows out there. Now for me I watched a certain bootleg with Annaleigh Ashford as Glinda and oh my word. She blew me away. She instantly became one of my stagey favs and I knew I wanted to see her perform live. So in 2020 (remember that crazy year?!) Sunday In The Park With George was going into the Savoy Theatre and Annaleigh was coming over to be in the show. Then the craziness happened which meant the show was cancelled and it never came to be. I was gutted as I thought I’d never get the opportunity to see her perform live. It was announced she was going to be in Sweeney Todd as Mrs Lovett and I was like 👀 will this happen? Will I get my chance? In my February trip I had photos with her production shot outside the theatre (I theatre girl nerded HARDDDDD. Haha) and was like this is probably gonna be the closest I get. I had no idea I would be back in New York in less than 3 months with the aim and determination to see her perform live.

I dragged my friend out to dayseat for tickets. We were first in the queue at 6:45am (Starbucks opened at 6:30am or else we’d have been there earlier). No one was going to get in my way from securing a ticket to see the show. Now obviously it’s a risk as per the terms and conditions ‘the producers can not guarantee the appearance of any performer due to illness and/or holiday’ but I was risking it. Fast forward to the box office opening and they still have seated tickets to sell before standing tickets could be sold (that’s what we were queuing for). Me and my mate were deliberating the $99 tickets in the Mezzanine when the box office clerk says she’s got a pair of tickets in the orchestra stalls for $69. Sold. I’ve never been so excited before in my life. I didn’t need to stand, which my friend was super happy about and I had a ticket to see Annaleigh perform live. I was BUZZING and had a rush of adrenaline. I was soaring the whole day. When it came to showtime, I want to briefly discuss the Merch stand. Bloody good display and such an excellent range of Merch. The hoodie was purchased, naturally (is anyone surprised??). The show blew my mind. The whole company was just outstanding. It was all so fluid and flowed wonderfully. The opening set the scene and it made me so happy to see Josh got a cheer on his entrance and when it came to Annaleigh’s entrance I was gonna cheer for her (thankfully I wasn’t the only one) and I had the BIGGEST smile on my face every time she was on stage. She stole the show for me (this surprises no one) but she was always going to command my attention. Excellent acting, vocals were insane. Loved the on stage chemistry her and Josh had as Mrs Lovett and Sweeney Todd. She was EVERYTHING and then some live. I’m so thrilled I got to see her perform live. Big bucket list item ticked. 

I will say this one thing I ADORED about the show (I’m hoping they bring this production over) - when Mrs Lovett was telling Sweeney essentially his story it was all done in shadow up on the walkway above them which was simple but oh so effective and it really stuck and stood out in my mind. The set was so so good. Overall I’d go as far to say it was a perfect production from casting, choreography, set, everything. Also I’m gonna go and say it - Annaleigh was robbed of the Tony. In my mind that is. 

Sweeney Todd is currently playing at the Lunt Fontaine Theatre on Broadway and stars Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster as Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett from February 6th. 

Shucked - so this an interesting story. Me and my friend dayseated for Shucked. Now I wasn’t sure what to expect to be honest or how I’d fare with a show about corn. This is a bit of an odd tradition but basically if a show is in the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway I would see it regardless if it was a play or a musical. The Nederlander was home to Newsies on Broadway but I thought with that tradition it would be a great way to see shows which I wouldn’t necessarily automatically see. So anyway, went to the show and oh my goodness. Me and my friend turned to each other at the interval and we both went we love it. Really enjoying it and it was only the interval. It wouldn’t have even been on our radar to see it had it not been in the Nederlander so it was one of those lovely surprises. I came out of the show so so obsessed with it. It was a fun show with a lot of heart and soul. So comical and the ending (which I will not spoil) I did NOT expect. It was brilliantly written, hilarious, expertly performed by the whole company. If there was time I’d have absolutely seen it again had I had another night in New York.

Shucked has closed on Broadway but it’s due to be coming over to the the West End, I personally can not WAIT to get Shucked in London. Shucked is also due to be a feature film so keep ya eyes peeped for that. It’s not to be missed!!

Moulin Rouge - yep. I went back and saw the show on Broadway again. Derek Klena had returned to the show and I was determined to see him as Christian. I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity. I booked a ticket for the Saturday night performance the day I landed in New York. (I got into New York on the Wednesday) I must have looked absolutely crazy, 8 hours on a flight and a bit frazzled and I literally couldn’t have made it clearer to the box office person that I wanted to see Derek in the show. I must have checked that he was scheduled to be on at least four times. I didn’t fly over 8000 miles again to not see him in the show. Haha.

Again for context - way back when, I had watched a bootleg of Derek as Fiyero in Wicked and listened to his vocals in Anastasia so I was aware of his work. Like with Annaleigh I really wanted to see Derek perform live. He was every bit as phenomenal as I thought he would be and more. The vocal. THE VOCAL. I can’t express the goosebumps I got every time he sang, Elephant Love Medley melted my heart and Roxanne. ROXANNE. It was like my heart was ripped out and stamped on and crushed and I was so happy about it. Derek was outstanding as Christian and so so worth the wait to see him in the role.

I do also want to give a special shoutout to the lovely Sophie Carmen-Jones who was Nini. Having seen her in London many times it warmed my heart so so much to see her as Nini on Broadway, it felt like there was a little piece of home. Sophie was flawless, as she always is. Stunning performance. 

Derek Klena returns to the role of Christian on Broadway from February 6th alongside Courtney Reed as Satine (so keen to see them together. Know they are gonna be fire!!) 

Operation Mincemeat 

Now whilst I’ve technically seen this show twice I only really remember the second time properly. I got very distracted during Act 1 of my first visit so went back to watch the whole show and to not get distracted by anything I sat front row of the stalls, naturally. 

I had the same company both trips aside from who was playing Montague. I had Natasha the first time and the second time I had Holly.

Now this show really caught me by surprise. I thought I’d go in, see it, come out and be like. That was nice. Enjoyed it. probably won’t see it again. How VERY wrong I was. I’m literally obsessed with it. The talent in that company. Off the charts. Dear Bill gets me every time and not a dry eye in the house. Making A Man and Useful are two of the songs I’ve played the most of the whole soundtrack. Comedy which then delivers hard hitting emotion. I can’t sit through the ending without crying. 

Sitting front row and getting to see the emotion and facial expressions and performances from so close was incredible. I will say Holly absolutely stole the show for me. I couldn’t take my eyes off her and Making A Man had my jaw on the floor. 

I do also want to say I didn’t have my programme when I saw it the second time so at the interval I turned to my friend George and go ‘Monty is brunette this time. They were blonde last time’ George ‘is that all you noticed?’ Me ‘yeah…’ George ‘anything else? Like the fact it’s a DIFFERENT PERSON’ Me 😳😳🙈🙈 so then we went on a Google and discovered I’m an idiot! Excellent casting though with Natasha and Holly is what I’m taking from it. 🤪☺️ you MUST go and see this show. Beg, borrow, steal a ticket to see this!

I’m currently working out when I can see it again. 

Operation Mincemeat is currently playing at the Fortune Theatre in London’s West End. 

Mates in Chelsea

So my final show of the year was a new play, Mates in Chelsea at the Royal Court which I was able to see three times. A play Anne? Are you feeling okay? If I said the name Natalie Dew would it all make sense? 😜 hehe

Yep. This was the first time I was getting to see one of my stagey faves perform LIVE. It had been four years since I saw Nat perform on stage so I was thrilled to be able to see her in this, quite genius play. I throughly loved it. It was funny, heartfelt and at the end it really made me think. Also got quite confused during the second act when we were seemingly in Russia? Don’t worry fam. It all made sense in the end but I was FULLY confused for the whole monologue. 

It was so so great to see Natalie on stage again, and in ways I hadn’t seen her as before. I jumped out of my seat every time her character told their boyfriend to ‘sell the fucking castle’. I don’t own a castle but every time my first thought was ‘must sell my castle for Nat’ 🤪🙈 

Phenomenal performances all round from the whole company but nothing made my soul happier to see Nat on stage again. Truly ended my year in the best way possible! 

So that pretty much wraps up an insane year of theatre for me. Never did I think I’d be discussing TWO trips to New York in one blog post. Hey, at least I can say ya girl was well travelled for the theatre in 2023. 

If you’re still here, thanks for reading, apologies for the lateness and make sure to come back next time to see what makes the cut and where adventure took me in 2024…

Until next time, cheerio! 

[realtorjamier]

Things to Do in the DMV in February!

Love and patriotism are alive and well in the DMV this February, with events and festivities that warm the heart and feed the soul. 

Feb. 1 – 26

George Washington Birthday Celebration

Alexandria, VA

As the adopted hometown of George Washington, the City of Alexandria celebrates his birthday every year throughout the month of February with events like the Cherry Challenge Restaurant Contest where each participating restaurant creates its own cherry cocktail, appetizer, entree and/or dessert. Washington-themed tours, ceremonies, balls, and galas educate and entertain guests. The George Washington Birthday Parade marches a mile-long route through the streets of Alexandria on Monday, February 20 beginning at 1 p.m.

Feb. 1 – 11

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience

Morven Park 41580 Sunday Morning Lane Leesburg, VA

Set in the beautiful woodland on the Morven Park grounds, this nighttime woodland trail experience is filled with wizarding wonders – all brought to life by award-winning theatrical designers. This 60-90 minute interactive walk through the woods allows guests of all ages to cast spells, meet magical creatures, and enjoy a selection of Harry Potter-inspired food and drinks.

Feb. 1 (ongoing exhibit)

Powerful Partnerships: Civil War-Era Couples

National Portrait Gallery 8th and G Streets, NW Washington, DC

This exhibit features five dynamic duos who made their mark on U.S. history during tumultuous times. Also on display and similarly themed, is “Family Ties: Daguerreotype Portraits,” which reflects familial relations documented by early cameras.

Feb. 3 – 5

Chocolate Lovers Festival

City of Fairfax, VA Check the event schedule for exact locations.

Search for the GOLDEN TICKET in historic downtown Fairfax City during the Chocolate Lovers Festival! Three of the limited-edition chocolate bars that are scattered throughout the city will include golden tickets for chocolate lovers gift baskets. But everyone who attends the festival will be a winner as they will be surrounded by the finest chocolate confections in the region: cakes, candies, brownies, fudge — so much sweetness!

Feb. 3 – 5

Spring Home Show

Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway Fredericksburg, VA

Get inspired for your upcoming landscaping projects, home improvements, updated decor, and more.

Feb. 4

Black Homesteaders of the South

National Museum of African American History & Culture Concourse, Oprah Winfrey Theater (and online streaming) 1400 Constitution Ave. NW Washington, DC

Genealogist Bernice A. Bennett tells the stories of African American families who became landowners through the Homestead Act of 1862. She explores how these families navigated the process and what this legacy means for their descendents. Make sure to catch the NMAAHC’s many February exhibitions including “Spirit in the Dark,” the story of religion in Black America, and “A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond,” which explores contemporary Black life.

Feb. 4

Fire in Ice

Downtown Frederick, MD

Experience a winter wonderland in Downtown Frederick. The city will be transformed by  hundreds of unique ice sculptures.  

Feb. 10

I Dream a World Selections from Brian Lander’s Portraits of Remarkable Black Women: Part II

National Portrait Gallery 8th and G Streets, NW Washington, DC

Pulitzer-Prize winning photographer Brian Lanker’s subjects include women who have made significant contributions to the arts, activism, literature, politics, sports, and more. This installation includes Althea Gibson, Odetta, Cicely Tyson, and Oprah Winfrey.

Feb. 15 – 19

Romeo and Juliet

American Ballet Theatre John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts 2700 F St. NW Washington, DC

Enjoy the beauty of Renaissance Italy as you experience the most iconic story of star-crossed lovers. The American Ballet Theatre’s and The Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra present this lavish production through Sergei Prokofiev’s music, Kenneth MacMillan’s choreography and Nicholas Georgiadis’ colossal sets and lavish costumes. 

Feb. 17 – 19

Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival

Hilton Hotel and Executive Meeting Center 1750 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD  

Enjoy three days of jazz on four different stages including concerts, master classes, interviews with artists, dancing, and jam sessions. 

Feb. 24 – 25

Virginia Black History Month Association Events

Hilton Alexandria Mark Center 5000 Seminary Road Alexandria, VA

Attend the free Black Health Fair and Relationship Seminar on Friday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. The Black Health Fair includes dozens of health organizations who will provide lifesaving information, perform on-the-spot prescreening, and/or set up health appointments. The Relationship Seminar features professional relationship experts to empower guests with information on how to keep their relationships healthy and positive.

The keynote speaker for the 2023 Virginia Black History Month Gala is veteran actor, singer, and producer Leon Robinson who played the lead role in the 2000 film “Little Richard.”

[lboogie1906]

Keith Hamilton Cobb (born January 28, 1962) is an actor. He is known for his roles as the ruthless Nietzschean mercenary Tyr Anasazi in Andromeda from 2000 to 2005 and as Noah Keefer on All My Children from 1994 to 1996. He was born in North Tarrytown, New York; he graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. A classically trained actor, he appeared in several Shakespearean productions in the New York area before breaking into television in the mid-1990s. One of his first movies was Eyes Beyond Seeing in which he plays a mental patient who claims to be Jesus Christ. In 1996, was named on People magazine's annual list of the "50 most beautiful people". In 1999, he was in two episodes of the Beastmaster, portraying a character very similar to his character from Andromeda. He left Andromeda at the start of the fourth season, citing dissatisfaction over the development of his character. His 2015 play American Moor explores the experiences of African American actors performing texts as written and directed by white writers and directors. The play garnered great academic acclaim. The play debuted Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theatre in August 2019. He continues to act in theater productions, including roles as Oberon and Duke Theseus in A Midsummer Night's Dream at New York's Geva Theater Center and the bigoted Juror #10 in Twelve Angry Men at Briggs Opera House in White River Junction, Vermont. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence https://www.instagram.com/p/CoAP8fGLU3I/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[luckilyiris]

“Still” had a great run but not much press. Since I didn’t get to see the pictures I wished for, I went digging for old press 😅

This was from the 2019 Dorset Theatre Festival Summer Stars Gala. I remember seeing pictures of Tim and Téa walking towards a tent holding hands in some beautiful place, I guess that must’ve been the Dorset Theater gala.

Here’s Tim’s bio listed on the website, so many theatre credits/awards 🥰🥰

Actor, director, producer and philanthropist, Tim Daly currently stars as “Henry McCord” in the hit CBS series “Madam Secretary.” Before beginning “Madam Secretary”. Daly appeared on the small screen on critically acclaimed series such as CBS’ remake of “The Fugitive,” ABC’s ”Private Practice,” NBC’s “Wings,” and HBO’s ”The Sopranos,” for which Daly received an Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. Daly served as executive producer on the Showtime feature Execution of Justice, which garnered him a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Made for Television Movie. He also produced the film Edge of America, which opened the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, and won the Humanitas Prize and the George Foster Peabody Award.

Always eager to return to the stage, Daly most recently starred opposite his sister, Tyne Daly, in Theresa Rebeck’s new play, DOWNSTAIRS, at the Cherry Lane Theater. The play was first produced at the Dorset Theatre Festival, where Daly has done several other productions. Daly’s first Broadway appearance in Coastal Disturbances earned him the Theatre World Award. He also won the DramaLogue award for Best Actor in the Los Angeles Coast Playhouse production of Colorado Catechism. Other theater credits include Six Degrees of Separation at the Williamstown Theater Festival, The Cain Mutiny Court-Martial at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, The Exonerated at the Bleeker Street Theater, Henry Flamethrowa at Studio Dante, and Oliver, Oliver at the Manhattan Theatre Club. For the past eight years, Daly has served as president of The Creative Coalition and serves on the board of InsideOUT Writers. Daly, a father of two, studied theatre and literature at Bennington College and divides his time between New York, Vermont, and Connecticut.

[biglisbonnews]

A24 Buys Cherry Lane Theatre Another studio rescues an endangered venue. https://www.curbed.com/2023/03/a24-cherry-lane-theater-purchase.html