Category: theatre

As the speeches are performed by a succession of people in the videos, it feels “as if they are in conversation even though they are in different parts of the world” said Terry. The three speeches suit our current period of contemplation under lockdown as they “ask questions about our place in the planet and where we go when we are no longer physical beings”. They provide an opportunity for questioning – “rather than worrying about what the answers might be”. – The Guardian

“Its vast army of 1,800 artists relies on international travel to get from show to show, regularly crossing borders, performing on cruise ships, and interacting with fans. Daily training regimens require constant physical contact. The entire operation depends on an intricate logistical network of cargo ships, trucks, hotels, and food-service businesses, all of which have ground to a halt. In effect, government bans on large gatherings are a ban on Cirque itself, leaving a company that generated an estimated $950 million last year with essentially ‘zero revenues'” and debt that S&P and Moody’s have now assigned junk-bond status. – Fast Company

Earlier this week, Helen Shaw wrote that the Broadway.com stream of Jonathan Tolin’s Buyer & Cellar was “the proof-of-concept for low-budget live-capture.” So she talked to the people who made it happen — director Nic Cory, star Michael Urie, director of photography (and Urie’s partner) Ryan Spahn, digital director (and Broadway.com editor-in-chief) Paul Wontorek — about the details that really made it work (including the ones they learned the hard way). – Vulture

The once-mighty, now-struggling comedy improv institution is giving up the leases to both its theater and its training center on Manhattan’s West Side. Nothing about the company’s Los Angeles location was said in the announcement, which stressed that “UCB is not leaving New York City. The school and the theater will continue on in a pared-down form, which will be very similar to how we operated when we first started in NYC over 20 years ago.” – Vulture

EduHam was born as an offshoot of “Hamilton” itself, and Lin Manuel Miranda says the project — in which 250,000 students nationwide have participated — has proved to be a hit as much with cast members as younger people. – Washington Post

Helen Shaw: “After five weeks of valiant internet productions that looked a lot like readings (even when they weren’t), Buyer & Cellar” — with Michael Urie, live from his living room, his partner as cameraman, returning to the role that kick-started his career — “is the proof-of-concept for low-budget live-capture. It turns out that even without an audience laughing and rustling, a 100-minute comedy can be funny.” – Vulture

“No one in live comedy is thrilled about moving shows online. ‘Doing standup without an audience is like sex without an orgasm,’ quipped Felicia Madison, the booker for West Side Comedy Club. ‘Why bother?’ …
[Yet] there’s been a startling amount of entrepreneurial experimentation in the last few weeks, proceeding in fits and starts, and it should have an impact on the culture long after the lockdown ends.” – The New York Times

Turns out that many actors, writers, and producers were already in theatre – and that balancing the arts and sciences came naturally. Now that it’s all science, and all terrifying, they’re stepping up. One playwright who’s part of a critical care team for those with Covid-19: “I do think that theatre helps you make sense of things, because you can feel very small. … I have just been writing about what it looks like. I’m so overwhelmed; you just have so much emotion at the end of each day, so I’ve been trying to make sense of it.” – The Stage (UK)

The actor, a Tony nominee and Broadway regular, has been through a lot while fighting the virus. Now, doctors had to amputate his right leg to stop clotting. – Variety

It’s hard to describe this, but basically, actress Kathryn Hahn and her family are staging Glengarry Glen Ross with American Girls dolls, filming the results, and uploading them to YouTube. Please, just go watch. – Vulture