‘Doctor Zhivago’ to shutter
The new musical “Doctor Zhivago,” which received mixed-to-negative reviews and not a single Tony nomination, will close on Sunday after just 23 performances. It is based on the Boris Pasternak novel of the same name, which is best known for David Lean’s film version. In a statement, producer Anita Waxman pledged that the show will have “a long future with productions playing not only in North America, but also around the world.” Perhaps Siberia is next?
‘King and I’ to keep running and tour
Lincoln Center Theater announced Wednesday that its Broadway revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The King and I,” originally slated to run only through July, will continue definitely at the Beaumont. LCT also revealed plans for a national tour starting in 2016. Likewise, the producers of “On the Town” have confirmed that the Broadway revival will tour and that Tony nominee Tony Yazbeck will lead the cast.
Schwartz working on musical about librettist
Songwriter Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked,” “Pippin”) told Playbill.com this week that he is currently at work on a new musical about Emanuel Schikaneder, an 18th-century opera librettist best known for working with Mozart on “The Magic Flute.” It will be staged in Vienna next year.
Guarini, Cox, Criss to host free outdoor events
Justin Guarini and Deborah Cox will host a live telecast of the Tony Awards in Times Square on June 7. In other news about free outdoor events, Darren Criss (currently in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”) will host the “Stars in the Alley” outdoor concert on May 27 at 10:30 a.m., in which Broadway cast members perform in Shubert Alley (between 44th and 45th Streets, next to the Shubert Theatre).
Public Theater to present ‘Awake’ with Asian cast
The Public Theater will host an encore run of the National Asian American Theatre Company’s (NAATC) production of “Awake and Sing!” over the summer. An all-Asian cast will portray the Jewish family depicted in Clifford Odets’ Depression-era drama.
Two more weeks for ‘Twentieth Century’
The Broadway revival of “On the Twentieth Century” has extended its limited run by two weeks through July 19. Although the production received great reviews, it is unlikely to extend any further since Kristin Chenoweth will embark on a concert tour in the fall and Peter Gallagher is involved with a new television series. A cast album will be released later this month.
‘Celeb Autobiography’ to tackle Broadway books
The long-running comedy series “Celebrity Autobiography,” where actors recite portions of gossipy autobiographies written by celebs, will present a “Broadway Edition” on June 1 and 6 at the Triad. Roger Bart, Mario Cantone, Carol Kane and Rachel Dratch will read the words of Carol Channing, Patti LuPone, Ethel Merman and Barbra Streisand.
‘Bayside’ producers now doing ‘Full House’
“Bayside! The Musical!,” an Off-Broadway parody of “Saved By the Bell,” will end its run at Theater 80 on St. Mark’s Place in August. The show’s producers are now working on “Full House! The Musical!,” which will premiere in the fall. It apparently revolves around Danny Tanner losing his ability to solve any problem with a “Dad Speech” set to soft piano accompaniment. Remember those magical moments?
Spotted …
Michael Douglas at a concert staging of the musical “Sweet Smell of Success” benefiting the American Cancer Society … Barbra Streisand at “An American in Paris” … Tina Fey at “Fun Home” … Cher at “Hamilton” … Angela Lansbury at “It Shoulda Been You.”
