Quite recently, six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald denied rumors that she would play Mama Rose in a Broadway revival of the classic musical “Gypsy.” However, those rumors have turned out to be true, with an official announcement that “Gypsy” starring McDonald will reopen the Majestic Theatre (which was the home of “The Phantom of the Opera” for more than three decades) in the fall. Two decades ago, “Gypsy” received Broadway revivals starring Bernadette Peters (2003) and Patti LuPone (2008). The role of Rose was originated by Ethel Merman (1959) and has also been played on Broadway by Angela Lansbury (1974) and Tyne Daly (1989). The new production will be directed by George C. Wolfe (“Shuffle Along,” “Angels in America”) and have choreography by Camille A. Brown (“for colored girls”). No other casting has been announced, including for the roles of Louise, June, and Herbie.
Cellino & Barnes law firm becomes subject of new comedy
“Cellino v. Barnes,” a 75-minute comedy by Mike B. Breen and David Rafailedes about the rise and fall of the once ubiquitous plaintiff’s personal injury law firm of Cellino & Barnes (perhaps best remembered for popularizing its phone number with an easy-to-remember jingle), will be produced this summer at Asylum New York with direction by Wesley Taylor (“SpongeBob SquarePants”) and Alex Wyse (“Good Night, Oscar”). A lengthy article in 2020 in New York magazine detailed the tortured breakup of attorneys Ross Cellino and Steve Barnes.
‘Appropriate’ receives final extension on Broadway
While this season’s financially successful Broadway revival of “Merrily We Roll Along” makes for an unlikely success story (especially compared to the flop original 1981 production), so does the Broadway revival of “Appropriate,” Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ 2013 comic drama about three dysfunctional adult siblings who discover some disturbing artifacts while cleaning out their late father’s plantation house. Whereas the original 2013 Off-Broadway production received a muted reception, Second Stage’s starry Broadway revival (led by Sarah Paulson, Corey Stoll, and Michael Esper) received raves during its limited run at the Hayes Theater, prompting a commercial transfer to the Belasco Theatre, where it has continued to do strong business, even in the midst of heavy competition from other new shows. The production (which also recently received eight Tony Award nominations) announced last week that it will receive a final extension through June 30 due to popular demand.
With Broadway run canceled, ‘Forbidden Broadway’ sets Off-Broadway return
During the winter, it was announced that “Forbidden Broadway” would make its Broadway debut this summer following decades of on-and-off Off-Broadway runs and numerous updates. However, the Broadway run was indefinitely postponed last month, likely due to an inability to raise the capitalization costs. Instead, “Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole A Song” will open Off-Broadway at Theater 555 at the end of the summer, with previews beginning Aug. 23. Creator, writer, and director Gerard Alessandrini has been at work on the new edition for over a year, which will include parodies of the newest Broadway musicals and selections from “Forbidden Sondheim.”
Stephanie Mills to return to Broadway in ‘Hadestown’
Stephen Mills, who as a teenager originated the role of Dorothy in “The Wiz” in 1975, will make a long-delayed return to Broadway this summer, taking over as Hermes in the musical “Hadestown.” Interestingly, Hermes was originally played by André De Shields, who played the title role in the original Broadway production of “The Wiz.” Since then, Hermes has been played by both men and women, including Lillias White (“The Life”) and Jon Jon Briones (“Miss Saigon”).
