This Week in Theater News

By Bennett Liebman

Will Swenson Bowing Out as Neil Diamond

‘A Beautiful Noise’ on Broadway: Who is replacing Will Swenson as Neil Diamond? - Deseret News

Karen Allen in the Berkshires, Actress Karen Allen has made a life in the Berkshires that blends all the creative things she loves to do (bostonglobe.com)

Some Like it Hot Closing

‘Some Like It Hot’ Closing on Broadway in December 2023 – The Hollywood Reporter

Chicago Arts Report

Navigating Recovery: Arts And Culture Financial And Operating Trends In Chicago

Reviews of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding

Reviews: What Do Critics Think of Jaja's African Hair Braiding on Broadway? | Playbill

Spamalot Cast Set

Full Cast Set for SPAMALOT on Broadway Starring Iglehart, Kritzer, Urie, Killam & More (broadwayworld.com)

David Byrne on Broadway

‘Here Lies Love’: David Byrne on How ‘Radical’ Musical Hit Broadway – Billboard

Rocky Horror Show as a Political Act, ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ is now a political act in anti-drag Texas - The Washington Post

Infinite Life Pursues Truths

With minimal plot, Annie Baker's ‘Infinite Life’ pursues truths - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)

Variety’s New Power of New York List

Rachel Zegler, Alex Newell, J. Harrison Ghee, and More Included in Variety's New Power of New York List 2023 (broadwayworld.com)

The Road Back for Merrily, "Merrily We Roll Along" and its long road back to Broadway - CBS News

Reimagining Andrew Lloyd Webber

How Directors Are Reimagining Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Shows - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

LaChanze on Diversifying Theater

LaChanze reflects on diversifying theater, returning to Ground Zero (nydailynews.com)

Purlie Victorious Boosts Box Office

‘Purlie Victorious’ sees boost in opening week as Broadway box office remains steady (broadwaynews.com)

Analyzing the Grosses

Broadway Grosses Analysis: Merrily We Roll Along Revival Joins the Top 5 Highest Grossers | Playbill

A 21st Century Scarecrow, Meet Avery Wilson, “The Wiz” revival’s 21st-century Scarecrow - The Washington Post

Bob Geldof Approves Live Aid Musical

Bob Geldof shares approval as Old Vic announces musical based on 1985 Live Aid (yahoo.com)

Gutenberg and Junior High

Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells Channel Two Pals from Junior High | The New Yorker

Unionizing the Theatrical Assistants

Actors’ Equity files with National Labor Relations Board to unionize Broadway production assistants (broadwaynews.com)

Old Friends in London

Reviews: What Are Critics Saying About Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends in London's West End? | Playbill

New Location for the Tony Awards

2024 Tony Awards sets date and venue (broadwaynews.com)

Environmental Protests at Les Mis

Just Stop Oil protest disrupts Les Misérables performance in London | Just Stop Oil | The Guardian

Drama Schools Responding to Theater Events

Actors are Striking. Theaters are Closing. How are Drama Schools Responding? | Backstage

Are Ticket Prices too High

AMERICAN THEATRE | Are the Ticket Prices Too Damn High?

A Russian Director in Exile

A Russian Theatre Director in Exile | The New Yorker

A New Spotlight for Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys Steps Into a New Spotlight - The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Ian McKellen on Trigger Warnings, ‘It’s ludicrous’: Ian McKellen sparks debate over trigger warnings in theatre | Theatre | The Guardian