NEA terminates grants to theater companies, sending off alarms
On Friday night, the National Endowment for the Arts notified arts organizations across the country that their 2025 grant awards were being terminated because they “fall outside the funding priorities of the President.” In response, countless nonprofit theater companies have been sending out red alert emails to their patrons seeking donations to make up for the sudden loss in funding.
I have received emails about revoked grants from organizations such as En Garde Arts ($40,000 grant to support its Uncommon Voices program), Moliere in the Park ($20,000 grant to produce a free production of “The Imaginary Invalid”), the Philadelphia Theatre Company ($50,000 grant to produce a new musical about caretakers and cancer), The Brick ($20,000 grant for its new work incubator program).
The Classical Theatre of Harlem announced that it lost NEA funding for its annual free Uptown Shakespeare in the Park production in Marcus Garvey Park. “This isn’t just a line item—it’s a devastating blow to the working artists, small businesses, and Harlem families who count on this production every year, Producing Artistic Director Ty Jones said in a statement.
Looking ahead, the Trump administration has proposed eliminating the NEA in its 2026 budget. In an email following the grant terminations, Erin Harkey, CEO of Americans for the Arts, noted that “the NEA reaches every Congressional district, supporting programs that reflect the full spectrum of American communities—from rural arts initiatives and veterans’ healing programs to youth education, local festivals, and the preservation of our cultural heritage.”
‘Wonderful Town’ at Encores! lacks spirit of earlier production
One of the greatest, most commanding musical comedy performances I have ever seen came from Donna Murphy as Ruth Sherwood in the 2003 Broadway revival of the zany 1953 musical “Wonderful Town,” which originated as a City Center Encores! production in 2000 and was staged by Kathleen Marshall (who won a Tony Award for her choreography).
A few months ago, Encores! announced that it was replacing the final show of its current season, which was to be Michael John LaChiusa’s “The Wild Party” (which has been shifted to next year), with a new production of “Wonderful Town” directed by Zhailon Levingston (who co-directed last year’s acclaimed “Cats: The Jellicle Ball”).
Although there are many cast albums of “Wonderful Town,” it is wonderful indeed to hear a live 28-piece orchestra play through the effervescent score, which has music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. However, the new production, which stars Anika Noni Rose as Ruth, is rough in execution, sluggish in pace, and lacking in the magic that made the 2000 staging so spectacular. More attention seems to have been placed upon adding ensemble tap choreography than the characters or storytelling, with some staging choices that make no sense at all.
Speaking of musicals produced at City Center that transfer to Broadway, it has finally been officially confirmed that “Ragtime,” which City Center presented for a short run in the fall under the direction of Lear deBessonet, will be produced on Broadway in the fall by Lincoln Center Theater (which deBessonet recently joined as its new artistic director). Joshua Henry (Coalhouse), Caissie Levy (Mother), and Brandon Uranowitz (Tateh), who appeared in the City Center production, will repeat their performances.
‘Purpose’ wins Pulitzer and Drama Critics’ Circle Award
Monday was a good day for Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, who not only attended the 2025 Met Gala but also won both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Play for “Purpose,” his dark family comedy currently running on Broadway. The Drama Critics’ Circle (of which I am a member) also gave awards to “Maybe Happy Ending” for Best Musical, Andrew Scott for Best Individual Performance in “Vanya,” the cast of “Liberation” for Best Ensemble Performance, and special citations to playwright-performer Cole Escola (“Oh, Mary!”), “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” and David Greenspan for lifetime achievement.
