Rain and Zoe Save The World

Grantors

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Sponsors

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Sponsors

Donors

Tributes

Performers

Jordan Benjamin

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Rain

Rose De Vera

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U/S Zoe & Ensemble

Mei Henri

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Zoe

Richard Holt

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Ensemble

Salma Shaw

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Ensemble

Joshua Sinclair-Evans

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U/S Rain & Ensemble

Setting

Songs & Scenes

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Production Staff

David Adkin Limited

Producer/General Manager

David Adkin

Production Co-ordinator

Adam Line

Dramaturg

Aida Rocci

Accountancy

Breckman & Company

Legal

Jonathan Hull

Drew & Dane Productions

Producers

Drew Desky Dane Levens

Associate Producer

Clayton Howe

Chief Admin Officer

Sarah Nowak

Evan Bernardin Productions

CEO/Producer/General Manager

Evan Bernardin

General Manager

Hillel Friedman

General Manager

Jenna Lazar

Assistant General Manager

Sami Pyne

Venue Staff

School Administration Staff

Artistic Director

Tom Littler

Executive Director

Penny Horner

Carne Deputy Director

Ebenezer Bamgboye

Resident Producer

David Doyle‍

Marketing Officer‍

Darcy Dobson

‍Graphic Designer‍

Ciaran Walsh‍

Building Manager‍

Jon Wadey‍

Artistic Associates‍

Stella Powell-Jones Natasha Rickman

Associate Designer‍

Louie Whitemore‍

PR‍

David Burns‍

In-House Technical Staff‍

David Harvey‍ Steve Lowe

Box Office Manager

‍Kayleigh Hunt‍

FOH Duty Managers‍

Christina Gazelidis‍ Adam Ishaq‍ Adam Lilley‍ Mark Magill‍ Alex Pearson‍ Rohan Perumatantri‍ Grace Wessels‍

Day Staff‍

Laura Jury-Hyde‍ Ritchie Xavier

Bar Team‍

Mandy Berger‍ Aren Johnston‍ Ritchie Xavier

Business Development

Chris Parkinson‍

Web Design‍

Robin Powell / Ideasfor‍

Web Development‍

Robert Iles / Dynamic Listing

Musicians

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Board Members

Student Advisory Board

Credits

Lighting equipment from PRG Lighting, sound equipment from Sound Associates, rehearsed at The Public Theater’s Rehearsal Studios. Developed as part of Irons in the Fire at Fault Line Theatre in New York City.

Special Thanks

We are grateful that Rain and Zoe Save the World received new play development from the The New Harmony Project, the Earth Matters on Stage Festival and Symposium, Brave New World Repertory Theatre, and HERE Arts Center.

Special thanks to Claire Kennedy for pre-show music from her upcoming album Hindsight, produced and arranged by Bobby Cronin; also special thanks to Alex Mendelson on guitar and Casey Wehr on female vocals.

*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

“Actors’ Equity Association (“Equity”), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 actors and stage managers, Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors’ Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an International organization of performing arts unions. www.actorsequity.org

United Scenic Artists ● Local USA 829 of the I.A.T.S.E represents the Designers & Scenic Artists for the American Theatre

ATPAM, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers (IATSE Local 18032), represents the Press Agents, Company Managers, and Theatre Managers employed on this production.

A Message from Tom Littler

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Welcome to Jermyn Street Theatre.

We are delighted to present the world premiere of Rain and Zoe Save the World. From the moment we first read Crystal Skillman's new play, we passionately wanted to stage it. As you are about to discover, it is a timely and important piece of theatre - but just as vitally, it is vibrant, funny, and exciting. It offers a personal way into thinking about our contemporary world. Thank you to everyone involved in this trans-Atlantic collaboration - never an easy feat, but even more of a challenge right now - especially to Drew & Dane Productions and to David Adkin.

Rain and Zoe Save the World is the second production in our spring Outsiders Season, which celebrates and investigates the stories of those who do not, or cannot, follow the rules. Next up is The Marriage of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein, directed by its celebrated New York author, Edward Einhorn. It's a dizzying 'marriage farce' in which four actors play dozens of characters. This production was originally set for 2020 so we're really pleased to producing its European premiere at last. After that, we produce the London premiere of Sarah Ruhl's adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Orlando - I cannot wait to see one of my favourite novels brought to life on stage. And in June, I'll be directing the world premiere of Howard Brenton's Cancelling Socrates, which sees one of our most renowned playwrights dramatising the final days of a firebrand philosopher.

Don't miss our exciting programme of work on Sunday evenings, from poetry to drama to literary events. Our new JST Conversations series includes talks, explorations and regular debates which unpack the issues raised by our productions.

If you enjoy coming to Jermyn Street Theatre, please join our Friends. This group are invited to exclusive performances and given a real insight into life behind the scenes. The cost is under £5 a month. For the price of a slurp of warm white wine in a big West End theatre, you can make a significant difference to our producing and support our work with young and emerging theatremakers.

Enjoy the show - and come back soon!‍

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- Tom

A Message from the Writer

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As I write this, we are in the middle of a global health crisis, and yet another worldwide disaster is coming. Parts of the world experience flooding and global warming continues at an alarming rate. As the NY Times puts it: “Those who are least responsible for polluting Earth’s atmosphere are among those most hurt by its consequences.” And the damage only grows worse.

When I began to develop Rain and Zoe Save the World five years ago, I wrote this play to shed a light on this. My goal was to do this in a new and theatrical way in a coming of age story. In a way, I felt I was coming of age. Rain and Zoe is highly personal. It’s my life.

My family has a history of activism, and my cousin-in-law (“The Reluctant Radical”, Amazon), is a pioneer in the environmental activism movement using his peaceful, but direct actions (stopping coal barges, etc.) to save the planet using “self-defense” as an argument to save the earth. My only-child household was a real hippie unit with my racer “Bike Dad” and my “creative soul” mom. They fled the oppressive household of their own parents and drove cross country together. Outsiders Rain and Zoe’s voices are based on my experience teaching playwriting to teenagers in high schools over the past five years as a guest artist. The relationship Zoe has with her mother, whom she idealizes, is my own relationship with my mother.

Throughout this play’s evolution, I discerned that the story of climate change is truly an intergenerational story. The older generation who created the problem, together with the younger generation who must stop it in order to save their own lives, are united in this cause together.

Climate change is an issue that should unite us, not divide us.

I hope families can see this play, generations sitting side by side. Over the years of development, I have witnessed firsthand how the piece can actually connect audience members of different mindsets through the strong, spiritual nature that Rain and Zoe develop in the story.

Zoe and Rain face difficult choices as young activists. What is the most effective use of environmental activism? What WORKS? What has an EFFECT? And how does friendship impact that journey?

Of course, I don’t believe in spoilers, and you may be listening to this before the short of after … I hope not during… but I can say this: I believe plays should prepare an audience to go back into this intense, terrible, beautiful world with hope and clarity of action. And when they are, and taking an action like being here tonight … just like Zoe says your soul grows. As her father says your soul grows out of the trying. Thank you for coming tonight. We are growing up together. We are ready for this journey, to change the world. To save it one action at a time.

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- Crystal Skillman, Writer

Message from the Director

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When I first read Rain and Zoe Save the World, I immediately connected with how it examines the emotional toll of activism. It involves cyclical feelings that rotate like phases of the moon. Unadulterated, adrenaline-inducing hope lives firmly on the light side of the cycle, and soul-crushing despair is found lurking on the dark side. And without fail, these cycles rotate. The enduring hope of etching a lasting effect into the world that catapults us on a path towards utopia alternates with wondering if any effect we might have is futile in the face of an existential cataclysm. But then, if you let it, and you do have to let it, the hope sneaks around again, waxing brighter and brighter. Along the way, this cycle translates into a series of small victories and profound disappointments. Crystal seems to be asking, "What does all this emotional spinning add up to?"

I’ve certainly noticed the constant emotional evolution in my life...especially during these politically tumultuous, pandemic-dominated past several years that Crystal and I have been developing Rain and Zoe.

What’s fascinating about this cycle is that each time we made plans to work on Rain and Zoe, we had no idea where in the spinning we would be when we actually walked into the rehearsal room. As American creatives, the play resonated differently in the early days of our previous presidential administration than during the earth-shattering moments of the summer of 2020’s reckoning. So where do we find ourselves now? Well, most notably, America's new administration is trying to pass its first substantial climate legislation in our country's history. Yet, it’s stalled in legislative hell, and with each passing day it seems less likely to pass. As such, we’re in the gray, one of the middle phases of the cycle. Like Rain and Zoe, we are living in both hope and despair at the same time, proving we’re capable enough to hold onto both simultaneously.

I’m writing these words in early January, prior to starting rehearsals, and weeks before anyone will read or hear them. I’m trying to imagine where in the cycle we’ll be in six weeks when the production opens. In our rapidly changing world, will that be the same place as later in our run? Who knows? But I do know the one phrase that makes a sad man happy and a happy man sad: “This, too, shall pass.”

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- Hersh Ellis, Director

Meet the Cast

Jordan Benjamin

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Rain

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Jordan trained at Young and Talented School of Stage and Screen. Theatre includes: Duane and understudied and played Seaweed J. Stubbs in Hairspray (London Coliseum). Workshops include: Dom in The Little Big Things (Michael Harrison Entertainment). Television includes: Dibber in Rocket’s Island (CBBC), Tito Jackson in Man in the Mirror (ITV), Young Luther Vandross in Autopsy (ITV Studios).

Rose De Vera

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U/S Zoe & Ensemble

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Rose received her B.A. in Acting from the London College of Music. Her theatre experiences include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, the Angel in Angels in America, and Pargeia in Welcome to Thebes. She is set to appear in an upcoming Apple TV+ series.

Mei Henri

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Zoe

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Mei graduated from London Studio Centre in 2021 and is thrilled to be making her professional stage debut. Credits include: The Birth of Daniel F Harris (Channel 4) and a new Netflix series, both to be coming out later this year. Mei would like to thank her family, friends and agent for their continued support.

Richard Holt

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Ensemble

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Richard trained at ALRA, London.Theatre includes: A Christmas Carol (Antic Disposition 2017 & almost '21) Apples and Angels (Wassail Theatre 2021), United Queendom (Les Enfants Terribles), When Swallows Cry (Rada Festival), Mr Popper's Penguins (Kenny Wax, UK and USA), Romeo and Juliet (Insane Root); Alice's Adventures Underground (LET 2015, Company Associate 2017); Partners in Crime (Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch); Swallows and Amazons (West End and Tour); The Game's Afoot (LET); Captain Flinn (Speigeltent, Edinburgh); The Light Princess (Tobacco Factory); Macbeth (UK Tour); The Pillowman (New Theatre, Oxford), Curiosity Shop (UK Tour), Bloody Poetry (White Bear); Love’s Labour’s Lost (Rose Theatre, Kingston); Three Musketeers (Pleasance, Edinburgh); Romantics (Keats House). Screen includes: Liaison (Apple TV), Sherlock Holmes: An Online Adventure (LET), Theresa v Boris (BBC), Captain Webb (feature, Marathon Films), RU-486 (feature, Xylomancy Films), Wrestling Yetis (short, Ben Mills), Puppy Pulling Power (Sony Commercial, Irresistible Films). Audio productions include: Wireless Theatre Company.

Salma Shaw

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Ensemble

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Salma is a versatile and accomplished Scottish-Pakistani actor, singer and producer, who works steadily in TV, booking roles across ABC, NBC, CBS, HBO, HBO Max, Hulu and MTV, and in Off-Broadway and Broadway-bound productions. She is a two-time Helen Hayes Award recipient and 2020 AUDELCO nominee for Off-Broadway’s Bars and Measures. Her multi-award-winning short film, Silent Partner, premiered at the Oscar-qualifying RSF Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival and is currently on the festival circuit. Selected credits include Acquittal (Off-Broadway), That Damn Michael Che (RECUR, HBO Max), People You Know (SERIES REGULAR, HereTV), Monsoon Wedding (Broadway-bound workshop), and Rain + Zoe (Brave New World NYC workshop). Graduate of Stanford, MIT and Harvard. Proud member of SAG-AFTRA, Actors’ Equity Association and Equity. For my Mum in the Moon.

Joshua Sinclair-Evans

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U/S Rain & Ensemble

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Josh's TV and Film credits include: Kevin in A Christmas Number One; True Things; Spider-man: Far From Home; Josh Dixon in Disney's The Lodge (Seasons 1 and 2); Joel in Ruth; Shane in High Strung: Free Dance and Sheridan in Casualty (BBC). Theatre credits include: Liam in The Distance (Orange Tree Theatre); Jack in Digging Deep and Tom in Rubber (Vault Festival).

Meet the Team

Crystal Skillman

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Playwright

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Crystal is a member of the Playwrights’ Center & alumni of Orchard Project, The Civilians, Soho Rep, EST, & Women’s Project. Plays include: NY Times Critic Picks’ GEEK (Vampire Cowboys), CUT (Theatre Under St. Marks), and OPEN (The Tank/AFO, Offie Nomination 2021). Recipient of NY Innovative Theater Award for Outstanding Play, Earth Matters on Stage Prize (RAIN AND ZOE SAVE THE WORLD), & Clifford Odets Ensemble Prize for PULP VÉRITÉ (Kilroys List). UK credits include BIRTHDAY at Waterloo East (Kibo Productions). Musicals include MARY AND MAX (Landestheater Linz, Theatre Calgary) with composer Bobby Cronin, winning several BroadwayWorld Austria Awards & Germany’s MUT Prize. POSTCARD AMERICAN TOWN (Composer Lynne Shankel) premieres this April (SDSU New Musicals’ Initiative). Audio drama includes KING KIRBY (Co-written w/Fred Van Lente, scored by Bobby Cronin) on the Broadway Podcast Network & THE MAGICIAN’S MAGICIAN. Work in comic books include Adventure Time & Marvel.

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Bobby Cronin

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Composer

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Bobby Cronin is the award-winning composer/writer of Mary and Max (2017 Pace New Musicals Award, 2018 MUT Critics Award, 2019 Canada BroadwayWorld Awards, 2020 Austria BroadwayWorld Awards, 2021 Austria BroadwayWorld Streaming Awards) book by Crystal Skillman, ’Til Death Do Us Part (2018-2020 SDSU New Works Award) book by Caroline Prugh; Concrete Jungle, commissioned for London’s ArtsEd with a new version currently under a Broadway option; Welcome To My Life a rock musical-concert hybrid also under a Broadway option. Bobby has composed numerous award-winning scores for musical short films in festivals worldwide, and the hit audio drama King Kirby (by Crystal Skillman and Fred Van Lente) on the Broadway Podcast Network. He's also written songs for artists such as Tony and Emmy winner Billy Porter and Tony winner Jordan Roth. A Yale graduate where he won the Michael P. Manzella Award. Member of ASCAP, Dramatists Guild. UK rep: The Artists Partnership.

Hersh Ellis

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Director

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Hersh was artistic director of Home Grown Theatre Co. in Kansas City for six seasons, directing over 20 productions. For several years, he directed the Century Clubs annual benefit of A Christmas Carol (Starring Alec Baldwin, Sam Waterston, Marsha Mason and Chuck Cooper). Recent projects: Mary and Max: The Musical by Crystal Skillman and Bobby Cronin (Dramatists Guild), Pulp Verite by Crystal Skillman (Urban Stages), Disruption by Andrew Stein (Sheen Center), Wanderer, or the Literal Extraterrestrial I Met on Grindr and Turn Back Now both by Kaleb Tank (Chicago’s Otherworld Theatre).

Assistant & associate work includes: The Public, Rattlestick, Theatre Row, CSC (Pacific Overtures, directed by John Doyle) and on the world premiere of Heathers the Musical (New World Stages). He is currently working on short films Question and Block. Member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab, alum of Pace Performing Arts, SDC Associate Member, represented by A3 Artists.

Jasmine Ricketts

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Movement Director

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Jasmine holds both an MA in Choreography from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (kindly supported by the Trinity Laban Dance Scholarship) and a BA in Drama from the University of Exeter. Jasmine was also part of the Overture 2017/18 cohort of Community Dance Artists with New Adventures Dance Company.

Credits include: Venus and Adonis (Blackheath Halls Opera); The Middle by Mandi Chivasa (Park Theatre); The Elixir of Love (Into Opera); Eugene Onegin (Buxton International Festival); Slow Motions (music video by Molly Mango); Morph by Mandi Chivasa (Tristan Bates and Tramshed Theatre); Paul Bunyan (ENO); The Day After (ENO); Phoenix (dance film by Aislinn King); No Quarter by Polly Stenham (Duelling Productions); A Single Act by Jane Bodie (Duelling Productions); Blink (RAW Festival, Exeter Northcott).

As a facilitator, Jasmine works with English National Opera, Disney Theatrical Group, Eastside Educational Trust and Best Theatre Arts.

Zoë Hurwitz

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Set & Costume Designer

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Recent UK credits include: Malindadzimu (Hampstead Theatre); Deciphering (New Diorama); The Language of Kindness (Shoreditch Town Hall); Fen (LAMDA); We Anchor in Hope (Bunker); The Five Plays Project (Directors Programme, Young Vic) and Living Newspaper collective (Royal Court).

Zoë has designed for US venues including: Here Arts Center, Ars Nova (AntFest), The Wild Project, and Brown/Trinity Rep.

Associate credits include: Caroline or Change (Fly Davis) at Studio 54, Broadway & Social! (Christine Jones) at the Park Avenue Armory NYC.

Awards and nominations include: Linbury Prize (2019 winner), JMK Award (2020 finalist with Emerald Crankson), Best Set Design - Off West End Awards (twice finalist). 2 designs have been selected to represent the UK at World Stage Design 2022.

Zoë is a graduate of the MFA Design Programme at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, and holds a BA in Fine Art from Chelsea School of Art, UAL.

Pablo Fernandez Baz

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Lighting Designer

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Pablo’s recent lighting design credits include Oliver Award-nominated show Warheads, directed by Toby Clarke at the Park Theatre. Contemporary Circus production Staged, Winner Total Theatre awards for Circus 2019. United Queendom, a site-specific, immersive production at the Kensington Palace, produced by Les Enfants Terribles. Nearly Human by Perhaps Contraption, offie nominated (IDEA 2020). Valhalla, site-specific directed by Rich Rusk, nominated Offfest short run 2019. Other companies with which Pablo has collaborated include Talawa Theatre, The Sleeping Rrees, Little Soldier Production, Nofit Circus State. Recent credits as LD assistant: “El Medico, El Musical” , “El tiempo entre costuras” (Spain Tour).

Elizabeth Mak

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Projections Designer

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Elizabeth is a theatre artist and designer based in New York and Singapore. New York: The Tricky Part, A Walk in the Woods (The Barrow Group); They, Themself and Schmerm (The Public’s UTR Festival INCOMING!); Rocco, Chelsea, Adriana… (HERE Arts). Regional USA: Miss You Like Hell (Baltimore Center Stage); already there (Kennedy Center); Tiny Houses (Cleveland Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse); Bridges of Madison County (Philadelphia Theatre Company); Square Root of Three Sisters (International Festival of Arts and Ideas); The Phantom Tollbooth (Weston Playhouse). Resident designer with Albany Park Theater Project. MFA Yale School of Drama. Represented by A3 Artists Agency. Member of IATSE Local USA 829 and Wingspace Theatrical Design Inc. Founder of Rainshadow Studios, a non-profit dedicated to making art addressing climate change and environmental destruction.

Will Burton

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Casting Director

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West End Theatre includes:

Be More Chill (Shaftesbury), Heathers (Haymarket), Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Apollo), Matilda (Cambridge), Ghost (Piccadilly).

London Theatre includes:

Origin (Almeida), Evita (Regent’s Park), Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican & Regent’s Park), Local Hero, Jekyll & Hyde, High Society (Old Vic), Othello, I Think We Are Alone, Fatherland (Frantic Assembly), Bugsy Malone (Lyric Hammersmith), The View Upstairs (Soho), But I’m a Cheerleader, My Night With Reg, Torch Song (Turbine), In the Heights (Kings Cross) Five Guys Named Moe (Marble Arch), Xanadu, Carrie, Side Show (Southwark Playhouse).

Regional Theatre & Tours include:

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Sheffield Crucible), Piaf (Nottingham Playhouse), Bugsy Malone (UK Tour), The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (UK Tour), RENT 20th Anniversary (UK Tour).

TV & Film includes:

Matilda (Netflix), Mary Poppins Returns, Beauty & the Beast (Disney), The Voice, So You Think You Can Dance, Over The Rainbow (BBC) and Superstar (ITV).

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Ellie Roser

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Associate Designer

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she/her

Ellie is a Bristolian artist and performance designer now working in London. With a background in devised performance and fine art, Ellie takes a multidisciplinary approach to her practice and she is interested in work grounded in community, sustainability and collaboration. She has made work at The Bristol Old Vic, for shows in Brighton and Camden fringe and as part of Iris Theatre's 2021 design cohort. Recent credits include working as Design Assistant on both National Youth Theatre's 5* production of Animal Farm at Northampton's Royal & Derngate and renowned community company The Big House's Redemption. Ellie is thrilled to be part of bringing Rain and Zoe Save the World to life and to be sharing the necessary message of this show with Jermyn Street's audience.

Drew & Dane Productions

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Producers

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Drew Desky and Dane Levens are award-winning producers for theatre and web series. They have produced the award-winning revival of Little Shop of Horrors (Drama Desk Award, Drama League Award and Outer Critics Circle Honor for Outstanding Revival of a Musical), Pageant (Drama Desk nomination), Application Pending (Drama Desk nomination), Who’s Holiday! (Lortel nomination), The Other Josh Cohen (Off Broadway Alliance nomination) Unexpected Joy, Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, R.R.R.E.D., and Fairycakes. They are currently supporting Dear Evan Hansen (including the North American Tour and West End), Hadestown (including the North American Tour), Come From Away (Australia/NZ), and Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Australia/NZ). They are leading the upcoming production of Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors. They earned the Emmy® Award for Best Digital Drama Series as Executive Producers of After Forever in 2018. Drew is the Founding Co-Chair of the Leadership Council of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Drew and Dane are also members of the Artists Circle of the Bucks County Playhouse, where they have the honor of being the only couple married on its stage.

Yarit Dor

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Fight Director

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Yarit is co-director of Moving Body Arts and Ensemble Associate Artist of Shakespeare’s Globe. Theatre includes: Rockets and Blue Lights (National Theatre), The Shark Is Broken (Ambassadors Theatre), Death Of A Salesman (Piccadilly/Young Vic Theatre), Love & Other Acts Of Violence (Donmar Warehouse), Richard II, Hamlet, As You Like It, Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe), NW Trilogy (Kiln Theatre), Changing Destiny, Wild East (Young Vic Theatre), Daddy (Almeida Theatre), Macbeth (Royal Exchange), Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act, Last Easter (Orange Tree Theatre), Miss Julie (Storyhouse), Assata Taught Me (Gate Theatre), The Effect (Boulevard Theatre), Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare in the Squares).

Dance includes: Rooms (Rambert Dance Company), Self And An Other, Leah, 2B, Sunday Morning (Hagit Yakira Company).

Film includes: The Colour Room, Knives Out 2.
Television includes: The Wheel Of Time, Adult Material, Atlanta 3, Pistol, Starstruck.

Amanda Stephens-Lee

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Voice and Accent Coach

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Amanda is a graduate of the MFA (Voice) program at Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA). Recent Voice/dialect coaching credits include: The Sugar House (Finborough Theatre). In Sydney she has coached dozens of productions including The Rolling Stone, Gloria;You Got Older, The Cripple of Inishmaan; If We Got Some More Cocaine I Could Show You How I Love You; The Caretaker; Nell Gwynne and Next Lesson. She has a busy private coaching studio, and has taught Voice, Accents and Acting at East 15, ArtsEd, LAMDA, Mountview, NIDA and in all the major drama schools in Sydney.

David Adkin Ltd

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U.K. General Management

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David is a producer and general manager. Credits include: Clybourne Park, Rothschild & Sons (Park Theatre); Blindness (Donmar/UK Tour/International); Rocky Road (Livestream); The Realistic Joneses, Wild Goose Dreams (Theatre Royal Bath); The Grinning Man (Trafalgar Studios); The Life; Dessert; Stalking the Bogeyman; Next Fall (Southwark Playhouse); Agnes Colander (Jermyn Street); Our Friends the Enemy (UK Tour/New York); Sweeney Todd (Twickenham Theatre, Winner of Best Off West End Production Whatsonstage Award); and Our House The Musical – 10th Anniversary Concert (Savoy Theatre).

David worked for legendary Producer Robert Fox on the UK premiere of David Bowie and Enda Walsh’s musical Lazarus (Kings Cross Theatre). David was the Festival Producer for the Old Vic New Voices Festival in 2015 and the Producer of the award-winning Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath in 2019/20. David is a member of SOLT and Chairman of Cherwell Theatre Company – an arts charity for young people in his hometown.

Evan Bernardin Productions

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US General Manager

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Evan Bernardin Productions is a full-service theatrical management company that provides general and production management for productions, tours, and immersive experiences in North America. Select: Seven Deadly Sins by Moisés Kaufman's, Afterglow, We Are The Tigers, Douglas Carter Beane's Fairycakes. Touring: CocoMelon, Million Dollar Quartet, Charlie Brown Christmas, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, Counting Sheep. Additional collaborative projects have included performances at Lincoln Center, The United Nations, The Harvard Club, The White House, Cornell University, Georgetown's Gaston Hall, The Culture Project, The Ohio Theatre and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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2021 National Touring Cast

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"I'm Overwhelmed with Gratitude" The 2026 Tony Nominees React To Their Nominations

Theatrely Staff

May 5, 2026

This morning was a very exciting moment for the theatre industry as the 2026 Tony Award Nominations were announced. Below, see live reactions from the various 2026 Nominees. Keep checking back throughout the day as we update the below.

"I am grateful to be counted among such luminaries as my friend Kelli O’Hara, the truly gifted Rose Byrne, an astonishing Susannah Flood, and the legendary Leslie Manville. I’m also thrilled for my BUG design team, who made a difficult job look deceptively simple." Carrie Coon, nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for BUG.

“I think it most appropriate to quote from the song, ‘My legs may be tottery. I must go slow, and be careful of Old Deuteronomy.’” André De Shields, nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for CATS: The Jellicle Ball

"My heart is pounding, pouring over with gratitude. Thank you to the Tony Committee for this humbling recognition. Returning to Broadway has been so artistically fulfilling and it moves me deeply to be witnessed and celebrated by the community. Gosh, I love the theater and I love being in The Rocky Horror Show in the limitless sandbox that Sam Pinkleton has cultivated. It is a gift to unleash Janet Weiss night after night. I can’t wait to keep sharing her with you." Stephanie Hsu, nominated for Best Performance by a Lead Actress for The Rocky Horror Show.

"This is a bit of a moment for me. To be recognised in this way by such an esteemed body is as good as it gets. I couldn’t be prouder of Oedipus and the remarkable team I got to navigate this highly complex play with 8 times a week, most notably the magnificent Mark Strong." Leslie Manville, nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for Oedipus.

"What a sweet, thrilling surprise! I'm humbled and happy to be in the company of these wonderful actors in my category. And I can't wait to celebrate tonight by playing this beautiful play with such a superb company. Wow." Richard Thomas, nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for The Balusters.

"I’m beyond honored to have The Balusters included among this year’s Tony nominees—especially in a season with so many bold, beautiful new plays. The nomination is really a testament to the remarkable artists who brought the play to life—our astonishing director, Kenny Leon, our extraordinary ensemble of actors, our brilliant designers, and the tireless crew, along with everyone at MTC. I’m so grateful to get to make theater and be part of a community that continues to sustain and inspire me in so many ways." David Lindsay-Abaire, nominated for Best Play for The Balusters

"I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this honor. To be working in the theatre, let alone on Broadway, has been my dream since I transformed my grandparents' garage into a stage as a kid. More important than the personal honor is the deep sense of pride I have for my fellow collaborators who poured their souls into the monumental undertaking that is The Lost Boys. They are all my heroes and I am so grateful for the selflessness, rigor, and passion they brought to work every day. Congrats to all the nominees and all the countless artists and technicians who make every show possible and who continue to delight and inspire audiences 8 times a week on Broadway." - Michael Arden, nominated for Best Direction of a Musical and Best Lighting Design of a Musical.

"The Lost Boys was as much of a thrill ride to make as it is onstage. I am incredibly honored to be nominated amongst the best designers working on Broadway and as part of a creative team that was recognized across the board for this biggest of swings." Dane Laffrey, nominated for Best Scenic Design of a Musical for The Lost Boys.

“What fantastic news to wake up to. I was working out, not watching it directly, but I got a text. I’m grateful to the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League. Congrats to all of the other nominees, what a spectacular group. My deepest thanks Scott Ellis and everyone at Roundabout. Scott is the most amazing leader, and he created the opportunity to bring this Noël Coward world to stage. And congratulations to Kelli, Rose, and Jeff Mahshie and everyone else involved. This is a total total thrill.” David Rockwell, nominated for Best Scenic Design of a Play for Fallen Angels

"I’m beyond excited to be nominated alongside the most daring collaborators. The Lost Boys took a big, fearless leap, and getting to take that jump with my collaborators is something that I will never forget. I am indebted to and so proud of the greatest lighting team on Broadway!" Jen Schriever, nominated for Best Lighting Design of a Musical for The Lost Boy

“I’m completely over the moon to be nominated for my work on Oedipus which was redesigned for New York after the initial London run. It was, and always is, a pleasure to be welcomed by the Broadway community.” Natasha Chivers, nominated for Best Lighting Design of a Play for Oedipus

“I’m currently on New Jersey Transit to Penn Station to go observe a brain surgery to research a television show I’m filming, but I think they are going to have to put me on an operating table because I cannot comprehend this news. I first heard from my manager David Williams and then my phone just started blowing up. I’m just trying to take it all in. Before David called, my phone sent me a notification about a memory from a year ago where my family was all gathered for my father’s funeral. And it’s so apropos because my dad has been with me this entire process and I just think about him and how supportive he was my entire life. And how I would have loved to have shared this with him in person. But I know I get to share it with him now and every day moving forward. Thank you, dad. Thank you Crystal, my wife, and Chase my son. And all of the Waiting for Godot team, Alex, Keanu, Michael, Zayn, Eric, and Jamie Lloyd, our director, our stage management team, the designers, and especially the crew at the Hudson Theatre who made it a joy to come to work every day. It’s really clarifying how many people it takes to arrive at a singular moment in your life, but it is just a really profound honor to represent everyone who worked so hard on the show and bringing it to the audiences. Here we go!” Brandon J. Dirden, nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Play for Waiting for Godot.

2026 Tony Award Nominations Complete List: SCHMIGADOON! and THE LOST BOYS Lead The Noms

Kobi Kassal

May 5, 2026

The champagne is chilled and the ballots are ready. The nominees for the 2026 Tony Awardswere announced today and now let the campaigning begin!

Eligible for the 2025-2026 season are 30 productions, with six new musicals, nine new plays, five musical revivals, and ten play revivals, who all hoped to hear their name called this morning. The nominations were revealed by Uzo Aduba and Darren Criss, live from the Sofitel Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

The winners of the 79th annual Tony Awards will be revealed on Broadway's biggest night on June 7 at Radio City Music Hall. Grammy Award winner Pink will host the main event, which will air from 8:00-11:00 PM, ET/5:00-8:00 PM, PT on the CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+*.

Stay here for live updates as the nominations are being announced:

Best Musical

The Lost Boys

Schmigadoon!

Titaníque

Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)

Best Play

The Balusters

Giant

Liberation

Little Bear Ridge Road

Best Book of a Musical

The Lost Boys

David Hornsby and Chris Hoch

Schmigadoon!

Cinco Paul

Titaníque

Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Jim Barne and Kit Buchan

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Music: Caroline Shaw

August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Music: Steve Bargonetti

The Lost Boys

Music & Lyrics: The Rescues

Schmigadoon!

Music & Lyrics: Cinco Paul

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Music & Lyrics: Jim Barne and Kit Buchan

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Will Harrison, Punch

Nathan Lane, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

John Lithgow, Giant

Daniel Radcliffe, Every Brilliant Thing

Mark Strong, Oedipus

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Rose Byrne, Fallen Angels

Carrie Coon, Bug

Susannah Flood, Liberation

Lesley Manville, Oedipus

Kelli O’Hara, Fallen Angels

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Nicholas Christopher, Chess

Luke Evans, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Joshua Henry, Ragtime

Sam Tutty, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Brandon Uranowitz, Ragtime

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Sara Chase, Schmigadoon!

Stephanie Hsu, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Caissie Levy, Ragtime

Marla Mindelle, Titaníque

Christiani Pitts, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Christopher Abbott, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Danny Burstein, Marjorie Prime

Brandon J. Dirden, Waiting for Godot

Alden Ehrenreich, Becky Shaw

Ruben Santiago-Hudson, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Richard Thomas, The Balusters

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Betsy Aidem, Liberation

Marylouise Burke, The Balusters

Aya Cash, Giant

Laurie Metcalf, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

June Squibb, Marjorie Prime

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Ali Louis Bourzgui, The Lost Boys

André De Shields, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Bryce Pinkham, Chess

Ben Levi Ross, Ragtime

Layton Williams, Titaníque

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Shoshana Bean, The Lost Boys

Hannah Cruz, Chess

Rachel Dratch, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Ana Gasteyer, Schmigadoon!

Nichelle Lewis, Ragtime

Best Scenic Design of a Play

Hildegard Bechtler, Oedipus

Takeshi Kata, Bug

Chloe Lamford, Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman

David Korins, Dog Day Afternoon

David Rockwell, Fallen Angels

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

dots, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Soutra Gilmour, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Rachel Hauck, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Dane Laffrey, The Lost Boys

Scott Pask, Schmigadoon!

Best Costume Design of a Play

Brenda Abbandandolo, Dog Day Afternoon

Qween Jean, Liberation

Jeff Mahshie, Fallen Angels

Emilio Sosa, The Balusters

Paul Tazewell, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Linda Cho, Ragtime

Linda Cho, Schmigadoon!

Qween Jean, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Ryan Park, The Lost Boys

David I. Reynoso, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Isabella Byrd, Dog Day Afternoon

Natasha Chivers, Oedipus

Stacey Derosier, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Heather Gilbert, Bug

Heather Gilbert, The Fear of 13

Jack Knowles, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Kevin Adams, Chess

Jane Cox, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Donald Holder, Schmigadoon!

Adam Honoré, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Adam Honoré and Donald Holder (Lighting Design) and 59 Studio (Projection Design), Ragtime

Jen Schriever and Michael Arden, The Lost Boys

Best Sound Design of a Play

Justin Ellington, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Tom Gibbons, Oedipus

Lee Kinney, The Fear of 13

Josh Schmidt, Bug

Mikaal Sulaiman, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Kai Harada, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Kai Harada, Ragtime

Adam Fisher, The Lost Boys

Brian Ronan, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Walter Trarbach, Schmigadoon!

Best Direction of a Play

Nicholas Hytner, Giant

Robert Icke, Oedipus

Kenny Leon, The Balusters

Joe Mantello, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Whitney White, Liberation

Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden, The Lost Boys

Lear deBessonet, Ragtime

Christopher Gattelli, Schmigadoon!

Tim Jackson, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Best Choreography

Christopher Gattelli, Schmigadoon!

Ellenore Scott, Ragtime

Ani Taj, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant, The Lost Boys

Best Orchestrations

Doug Besterman and Mike Morris, Schmigadoon!

Ethan Popp, Kyler England, Adrianne “AG” Gonzalez and Gabriel Mann, The Lost Boys

Lux Pyramid, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Brian Usifer, Chess

Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Wilson, Trevor Holder and Doug Schadt, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Tony Nominations by Production

The Lost Boys - 12

Schmigadoon! - 12

Ragtime - 11

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman - 9

Cats: The Jellicle Ball - 9

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show - 9

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) - 8

Oedipus - 7

August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone - 5

The Balusters - 5

Chess - 5

Fallen Angels - 5

Liberation - 5

Bug - 4

Giant - 4

Titaníque - 4

Dog Day Afternoon - 3

Becky Shaw - 2

Every Brilliant Thing - 2

The Fear of 13 - 2

Marjorie Prime - 2

Little Bear Ridge Road - 1

Punch - 1

Waiting for Godot - 1

Inaugural BROADWAY BREAKOUT BRUNCH To Celebrate Next Generation Of Broadway Talent

Theatrely Staff

May 4, 2026

Get those bagels toasted and mimosas poured, we got brunch plans! Today, Theatrely Editor-in-Chief Kobi Kassal and Christopher Ketner and Hunter Regian of Origin Story Productions announced that they will host an inaugural Broadway Breakout Brunch, on Friday, May 22 at Ascent Lounge in New York City to celebrate the next generation of Broadway talent on stage and off.

The brunch will honor breakout stars Anania (The Rocky Horror Show), Isa Briones (Just in Time), Aidan Close & Emmet Smith (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), McKenzie Kurtz (Schmigadoon!), Whitney Leavitt (Chicago), Jake Shane (All Out: Comedy About Ambition) and Runyonland Productions (Thomas Laub and Alyah Chanelle Scott) for their contributions to the Broadway landscape this season and beyond.

Performers, presenters, and host will be announced at a later date.

“It has been such an honor serving as the Editor-in-Chief of Theatrely for the past few years, watching the history of our industry being written in real time.” said Kassal. “I know I speak for the entire team here and our partners at Origin Story Productions when I say that we are so proud to celebrate and honor the young artists both on and off the stage who make Broadway what it is. And what better way to celebrate than with brunch! I look forward to continuing to champion the next generation for years to come. Now pass the avocado toast!”

In a joint statement, Ketner and Regian said: “This event is a celebration of the artists and creatives helping to make this season on Broadway so exciting, and we are honored to produce it alongside our friends at Theatrely. At Origin Story Productions, bringing our community together in creative and showstopping ways is at the core of what we love to do, and the Broadway Breakout Brunch is exactly that. Expect a room full of energy, talent, and the kind of joy that makes Broadway so special.”

Ketner and Regian’s new production company, Origin Story Productions, will serve as Executive Producers for the event. To learn more about the brunch and how to get involved, reach out to info@theatrely.com

Theatrely News

EXCLUSIVE: Watch A Clip From THEATER CAMP Starring Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon

Theatrely News

READ: An Excerpt From Sean Hayes Debut YA Novel TIME OUT

Theatrely News

"Reframing the COVID-19 Pandemic Through a Stage Manager’s Eyes"

EXCLUSIVE: Watch A Clip From THEATER CAMP Starring Ben Platt, Noah Galvin, and Molly Gordon

By: Maia Penzer

14 July 2023

Finally, summer has arrived, which can only mean one thing: it's time for camp! Theater Camp, that is. Theatrely has a sneak peak at the new film which hits select theaters today.

The new original comedy starring Tony Award winner Ben Platt and Molly Gordon we guarantee will have you laughing non-stop. The AdirondACTS, a run-down theater camp in upstate New York, is attended by theater-loving children who must work hard to keep their beloved theater camp afloat after the founder, Joan, falls into a coma.

The film stars Ben Platt and Molly Gordon as Amos Klobuchar and Rebecca-Diane, respectively, as well as Noah Galvin as Glenn Wintrop, Jimmy Tatro as Troy Rubinsky, Patti Harrison as Caroline Krauss, Nathan Lee Graham as Clive DeWitt, Ayo Edebiri as Janet Walch, Owen Thiele as Gigi Charbonier, Caroline Aaron as Rita Cohen, Amy Sedaris as Joan Rubinsky, and Alan Kim as Alan Park.

Theater Camp was directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman and written by Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman & Ben Platt. Music is by James McAlister and Mark Sonnenblick. On January 21, 2023, Theater Camp had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

You can purchase tickets to the new film from our friends at Hollywood.com here.

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READ: An Excerpt From Sean Hayes Debut YA Novel TIME OUT

By: Kobi Kassal

29 May 2023

Actor Sean Hayes is what we in the biz call booked and blessed. On top of his Tony-nominated performance as Oscar Levant in Good Night, Oscar, Hayes has partnered with Todd Milliner and Carlyn Greenwald for the release of their new YA novel Time Out.

Heralded by many as Heartstopper meets Friday Night Lights, Time Out follows hometown basketball hero Barclay Elliot who decides to use a pep rally to come out to his school. When the response is not what he had hoped and the hostility continually growing, he turns to his best friend Amy who brings him to her voting rights group at school. There he finds Christopher and… you will just have to grab a copy and find out what happens next. Luckily for you, Time Out hits shelves on May 30 and to hold you over until then we have a special except from the book just for Theatrely:

The good thing about not being on the team the past two weeks has been that I’ve had time to start picking up shifts again at Beau’s diner and save up a little for college now that my scholarship dreams are over.

The bad part is it’s the perfect place to see how my actions at the pep rally have rotted the townspeople’s brains too.

During Amy’s very intense musical theater phase in middle school, her parents took her to New York City. And of course she came back home buzzing about Broadway and how beautiful the piss smell was and everything artsy people say about New York. But she also vividly described some diner she waited three hours to get into where the waitstaff would all perform songs for the customers as a way to practice for auditions. The regulars would have favorite staff members and stan them the way Amy stans all her emo musicians.

Working at Beau’s used to feel kind of like that, like I was part of a performance team I didn’t know I signed up for. The job started off pretty basic over the summer—I wanted to save up for basketball supplies, and Amy worked there and said it was boring ever since her e-girl coworker friend graduated. But I couldn’t get through a single lunch rush table without someone calling me over and wanting the inside scoop on the Wildcats and how we were preparing for the home opener, wanting me to sign an article in the paper or take a photo. Every friendly face just made the resolve grow inside me. People love and support the Wildcats; they would do the same for me.

Yeah, right.

Now just like school, customers have been glaring at me, making comments about letting everyone down, about being selfish, about my actions being “unfortunate,” and the tips have been essentially nonexistent. The Wildcats have been obliterated in half their games since I quit, carrying a 2–3 record when last year we were 5–0, and the comments make my feet feel like lead weights I have to drag through every shift.

Today is no different. It’s Thursday, the usual dinner rush at Beau’s, and I try to stay focused on the stress of balancing seven milkshakes on one platter. A group of regulars, some construction workers, keep loudly wondering why I won’t come back to the team while I refuse proper eye contact.

One of the guys looks up at me as I drop the bill off. “So, what’s the deal? Does being queer keep ya from physically being able to play?”

They all snicker as they pull out crumpled bills. I stuff my hands into my pockets, holding my tongue.

When they leave, I hold my breath as I take their bill.

Sure enough, no tip.

“What the fuck?” I mutter under my breath.

“Language,” Amy says as she glides past me, imitating the way Richard says it to her every shift, and adds, “even though they are dicks.” At least Amy’s been ranting about it every free chance she gets. It was one thing when the student body was being shitty about me leaving the team, but the town being like this is even more infuriating. She doesn’t understand how these fully grown adults can really care that much about high school basketball and thinks they need a new fucking hobby. I finally agree with her.

[She’s wearing red lipstick to go with her raccoon-adjacent eyeliner as she rushes off to prepare milkshakes for a pack of middle schoolers. I catch her mid–death glare as all three of the kids rotate in their chairs, making the old things squeal. My anger fades a bit as I can’t help but chuckle; Amy’s pissed-off reaction to Richard telling her to smile more was said raccoon makeup, and her tolerance for buffoonery has been at a negative five to start and declining fast.

I rest my arms on the counter and try not to look as exhausted as I feel.

“Excuse me!” an old lady screeches, making me jump.

Amy covers up a laugh as I head to the old lady and her husband’s table. They’ve got finished plates, full waters. Not sure what the problem is. Or I do, which is worse.

“Yes?” I say trying to suppress my annoyance.

“Could you be bothered to serve us?”

Only five more hours on shift. I have a break in three minutes. I’ll be with Devin at Georgia Tech tomorrow. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” I say, so careful to keep my words even, but I can feel my hands balling into fists. “What would you—?”

And suddenly Amy swoops in, dropping two mugs of coffee down. “Sorry about that, you two,” she says, her voice extra high. “The machine was conking out on us, but it’s fine now.”

Once the coffee is down, she hooks onto a chunk of my shirt, steering us back to the bar.

“Thanks,” I mutter, embarrassed to have forgotten something so basic. Again.

“Just keep it together, man,” she says. “Maybe you’d be better off with that creepy night shift where all the truckers and serial killers come in.”

Honestly, at least the serial killers wouldn’t care about my jump shot.

It’s a few minutes before my break, but clearly I need it. “I’ll be in the back room.”

Right before I can head that way though, someone straight-up bursts into the diner and rushes over to me at the bar. It’s a middle-aged dad type, sunburned skin, beer belly, and stained T-shirt.

“Pickup order?” I ask.

“You should be ashamed,” he sneers at me. He has a really strong Southern accent, but it’s not Georgian. “Think you’re so high and mighty, that nothing’ll ever affect you? My kid’ll never go to college because of you and your lifestyle. Fuck you, Barclay Ell—”

And before this man can finish cursing my name, Pat of all people runs in, wide-eyed in humiliation. “Jesus, Dad, please don’t—”

I pin my gaze on him, remembering how he cowered on the bench as Ostrowski went off, how he didn’t even try to approach me. “Don’t even bother,” I snap.

I shove a to-go bag into his dad’s arms, relieved it’s prepaid, and storm off to the break room.]

Amy finds me head in my arms a minute or two later. I look up, rubbing my eyes. “Please spare me the pity.”

She snorts and hands me a milkshake. Mint chocolate chip. “Wouldn’t dare.” She takes a seat and rolls her shoulders and neck, cracks sounding through the tiny room. “Do you want a distraction or a shoulder to cry on?”

For more information, and to purchase your copy of Time Out, click here.

‍

Reframing the COVID-19 Pandemic Through a Stage Manager’s Eyes

By: Kaitlyn Riggio

5 July 2022

When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a national emergency in the United States in March 2020, Broadway veteran stage manager Richard Hester watched the nation’s anxiety unfold on social media.

“No one knew what the virus was going to do,” Hester said. Some people were “losing their minds in abject terror, and then there were some people who were completely denying the whole thing.”

For Hester, the reaction at times felt like something out of a movie. “It was like the Black Plague,” he said. “Some people thought it was going to be like that Monty Python sketch: ‘bring out your dead, bring out your dead.’”

While Hester was also unsure about how the virus would unfold, he felt that his “job as a stage manager is to naturally defuse drama.” Hester brought this approach off the stage and onto social media in the wake of the pandemic.

“I just sort of synthesized everything that was happening into what I thought was a manageable bite, so people could get it,” Hester said. This became a daily exercise for a year. Over two years after the beginning of the pandemic, Hester’s accounts are compiled in the book, Hold Please: Stage Managing A Pandemic. Released earlier this year, the book documents the events of the past two years, filtering national events and day-to-day occurrences through a stage manager’s eyes and storytelling.

When Hester started this project, he had no intention of writing a book. He was originally writing every day because there was nothing else to do. “I am somebody who needs a job or needs a structure,” Hester said.

Surprised to find that people began expecting his daily posts, he began publishing his daily writing to his followers through a Substack newsletter. As his following grew, Hester had to get used to writing for an audience. “I started second guessing myself a lot of the time,” Hester said. “It just sort of put a weird pressure on it.”

Hester said he got especially nervous before publishing posts in which he wrote about more personal topics. For example, some of his posts focused on his experiences growing up in South Africa while others centered on potentially divisive topics, such as the 2020 election and the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Despite some of this discomfort, Hester’s more personal posts were often the ones that got the most response. The experience offered him a writing lesson. “I stopped worrying about the audience and just wrote what I wanted to write about,” Hester said. “All of that pressure that I think as artists we put on ourselves, I got used to it.”

One of Hester’s favorite anecdotes featured in the book centers on a woman who dances in Washington Square Park on a canvas, rain or shine. He said he was “mesmerized by her,” which inspired him to write about her. “It was literally snowing and she was barefoot on her canvas dancing, and that seems to me just a spectacularly beautiful metaphor for everything that we all try and do, and she was living that to the fullest.”

During the creation of Hold Please, Hester got the unique opportunity to reflect in-depth on the first year of the pandemic by looking back at his accounts. He realized that post people would not remember the details of the lockdown; people would “remember it as a gap in their lives, but they weren’t going to remember it beat by beat.”

“Reliving each of those moments made me realize just how full a year it was, even though none of us were doing anything outside,” he adds. “We were all on our couches.” Readers will use the book as a way to relive moments of the pandemic’s first year “without having to wallow in the misery of it,” he hopes.

“I talk about the misery of it, but that’s not the focus of what I wrote... it was about hope and moving forward,” Hester said. “In these times when everything is so difficult, we will figure out a way to get through and we will move forward.”

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