Lee Grant News

Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, and Hal Luftig announced today that Tony Award® winner Marc Shaiman will write original music for the recently announced production of Neil Simon's comedic play about marriage, Plaza Suite, starring two-time Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick and two-time Emmy Award® winner Sarah Jessica Parker, directed by Tony Award winner John Benjamin Hickey. 

Academy Award winning producer Joseph Feury may be best known for his work on groundbreaking films like “Down & Out in America”, “What Sex Am I?” “Nobody's Child,” and “Baghdad ER”, but in recent years he's turned his attention to the canvas. Michael Douglas, Elaine May, and Lee Grant are proud to present the first complete retrospective of his work, on display at The National Arts Club through October.

Tickets go on sale to the general public today at 10:00 AM for both the Boston and Broadway engagements of Neil Simon's classic comedy about marriage, Plaza Suite, starring two-time Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick and two-time Emmy Award winner Sarah Jessica Parker, directed by Tony Award winner John Benjamin Hickey.

BroadwayWorld has learned that real-life married couple Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker will come to Broadway in Neil Simon's Plaza Suite following an out of town run at Boston's Colonial Theatre - where the 1968 production also originated, before a 17 week run on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre with previews set to being in March. The production will be directed by John Benjamin Hickey.

'The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages,' presented by Harlem Repertory Theater (HRT) and Yip Harburg Foundation, has been extended through January 11, 2020 due to continuing and steady audience interest. The production has played since October 8, 2016 at Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd Street (near 2nd Ave.), Manhattan, and has previously been extended seven times.

Writer/performer Moti Buchboot will bring his world premiere solo show Five Pieces of Paper: Stories My Hungarian Grandmother Refused to Tell Me and Other Family Tales to the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival in June. There will be four performances only at the Los Angeles LGBT Center's Davidson/Valentini Theatre Monday 6/10 at 8:30pm; Tuesday 6/18 at 6:30pm; Tuesday 6/25 at 8:30pm; and Thursday 6/27 at 6:30pm. Running time will be 70 minutes.

The Harlem Repertory Theatre's chamber version of the musical Sweet Charity unabashedly ventures into Bob Fosse's adult-themed musical drama about women who make their living in the sex trade. HRT's company of seven talented actor/singers/dancers tell the tale of the abusive (emotionally and physically) cycle in which our star, Charity Hope Valentine, finds herself inextricably trapped. She falls in love with the same wrong man over and over again. The current #MeToo movement inspired HRT's AUDELCO award-winning director and choreographer, Keith Lee Grant, to take on the challenge of mounting this production of Sweet Charity. The #MeToo era has thankfully forced the way we perceive the treatment of women as depicted in this musical from the late 1960s. Charity's desperate yet ever hopeful search for love is in stark contrast to the vicious cycles of abuse that are the 'accepted' realities of her workplace.

The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages, presented by Harlem Repertory Theater (HRT) and the Yip Harburg Foundation, has been extended through June 8, 2019 due to continuing and steady audience interest. The production has played since October 8, 2016 at Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd Street (near 2nd Ave.), Manhattan, and has previously been extended six times.Upcoming performances are Saturdays at 3:00 PM: December 15, 2018; January 26, February 9 & 23, March 9 & 23 and June 8, 2019.

Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken have reunited this Christmas season for a holiday themed Broadway show. Inspired by the sketch shows starring the likes of Dean Martin, Andy Williams, and Carol Burnett, this duo plans to amuse and delight with vocal performances and light-hearted comedy skits. To get the inside scoop on this show, we sat down with writer and performer Ken Arpino to chat about this first annual holiday spectacular.

'The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages,' presented by Harlem Repertory Theater (HRT) and Yip Harburg Foundation, has been extended through June 8, 2019 due to continuing and steady audience interest. The production has played since October 8, 2016 at Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd Street (near 2nd Ave.), Manhattan, and has previously been extended six times.

BroadwayWorld is sad to report that legendary playwright Neil Simon has died at 91. 

Although Hal Ashby directed a remarkable string of acclaimed, widely admired classics throughout the 1970s—HAROLD AND MAUDE, THE LAST DETAIL, SHAMPOO, COMING HOME, BEING THERE—he is often overlooked amid the crowd of luminaries from his generation. Amy Scott's exuberant portrait explores that curious oversight, using rare archival materials, interviews, personal letters, and audio recordings to reveal a passionate, obsessive artist.

HB Studio, one of New York's legendary institutions for theater training and practice, is pleased to announce the appointment of actor, writer, and producer Paul Pryce as Director of The Hagen Summer Intensive, a 6-week summer conservatory for actors.

'The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages,' presented by Harlem Repertory Theater (HRT) and Yip Harburg Foundation, will not close June 16. It has been extended through November 24, 2018 due to continuing and steady audience interest. The production has played since October 8, 2016 at Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd Street (near 2nd Ave.), Manhattan, and has previously been extended five times.

Killian and the Comeback Kids is a movie about the power of music. It's the story of a bi-racial man who lands back in his hometown in rural America after an exorbitantly priced education. Back in his failing hometown, a chance encounter with a childhood acquaintance gives the summer new direction. The two throw together a rag-tag band of other 'failed' locals for one shot to play the huge local music festival. It's a story of hopes, dreams and music.

The Unique Panel Discussion will celebrate a new book by Ronald Rand, "CREATE! How Extraordinary Artists Live to Create and Create to Live" at the historical theatrical club, The Lambs 3 West 51st Street, New York City, Monday, March 12th, 2018, 7:00-8:00pm. There is no charge for the Event. Seating is limited - reservations are necessary at: (212) 586-0306 or RSVP@The-Lambs.org     

'The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages,' presented by Harlem Repertory Theater (HRT) and Yip Harburg Foundation, will not close January 13. It has been extended through June 16, 2018 due to continuing and steady audience interest. The production has played since October 8, 2016 at Tato Laviera Theatre, 240 East 123rd Street (near 2nd Ave.), Manhattan, and has previously been extended four times.

New York's most exciting theatre companies will be taking to the stage this February to celebrate Black History Month. See full listings below!

Director Isaac Klein stops by the studio to talk about his new book, SCHOOL OF DOING, featuring the lessons of Master Teacher, Director, and personal mentor, Gerald Freedman.

HB Studio, one of New York's legendary institutions for theater training and practice, this winter offers musical theater performers the opportunity to study 'The Musical Theater Works of Leonard Bernstein' in a five week masterclass led by Broadway Director Lonny Price.