Groff expected to play King George in ‘Hamilton’
Playwrights Horizons may have accidentally revealed that Jonathan Groff (who took over as King George during the Off-Broadway run of “Hamilton” after Brian d’Arcy James left the cast) will play the role on Broadway. As part of an auction benefiting the Off-Broadway theater, tickets to “Hamilton” followed by a meet-and-greet with Groff are being auctioned.
In other “Hamilton” news, Lin Manuel-Miranda revealed at the New York Drama Critics’ Circle awards at 54 Below that although changes are being made to the musical, he does not intend to cut 15 minutes from its about 3-hour running time — as recommended by many critics.
Steve Guttenberg to do ‘Henry IV’ in Riverside Park
Film actor Steve Guttenberg will take part in a production of Shakespeare’s history play “Henry IV, Part I” produced by Hudson Warehouse, which offers free Shakespeare during the summer. It will take place at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park. Performances begin on June 4. No tickets are required.
‘Neverland’ to get spot at Tonys
The musicals “Finding Neverland” and “It Should Have Been You” did not receive any Tony nominations, and the revival of “Gigi” netted only one for Victoria Clark. Nevertheless, the casts of all three musicals will perform at the Tony Awards in addition to those nominated for Best Musical and Best Revival of a Musical.
Critics cast in ‘Fanny’s First Play’
Bernard Shaw’s 1911 drama “Fanny’s First Play,” which satirizes theater critics, will receive a one-night reading by Project Shaw on Monday, June 22 at Symphony Space. Appropriately enough, four theater journalists (including myself) have been enlisted to portray the critics in the play. The main cast will include Reed Birney, Emily Skeggs and Nancy Anderson.
‘Spelling Bee’ cast to reunite for Town Hall concert
The original cast of the 2005 Broadway musical “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (including Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Dan Fogler) will reunite for a one-night concert of the musical on July 6 at Town Hall. The event will serve as a benefit for the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative.
‘Fun Home,’ ‘Something Rotten!’ to tour the country
Following the recent news that “An American in Paris” will embark on a national tour, word now comes that “Something Rotten!” and “Fun Home” (which also received Tony nominations for Best New Musical) also have tours in the works. Numerous Tony voters represent theaters throughout the country that book national tours. These announcements are no doubt intended to appeal to them.
Sheldon Harnick to host ‘Fiddler’ concert at 92 Y
In advance of the upcoming 50th anniversary Broadway revival of “Fiddler on the Roof” (in which Danny Burstein will play Tevye), the 92nd Street Y’s Lyrics and Lyricists series will present a concert next weekend celebrating the musical and exploring its development. It will be hosted by the show’s own lyricist Sheldon Harnick.
Spotted …
Bill and Hillary Clinton at “The Audience” … Angela Lansbury at “Something Rotten!” … Sarah Jessica Parker at “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”
