Off-Broadway News & Features

List of Off-Broadway Shows suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic

<span style="color:#FF0000;"UPDATED on April 3, 2020: According to Bill de Blasio, Mayor of New York City, ​ALL theaters, concert venues and nigtclubs are now forced to temporarily shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The executive order took effect on the morning of March 17, 2020. This follows the announcement by The Broadway League, resulting in the shutdown of ALL Broadway theaters through April 12, 2020.Here is a list of theaters and productions affected, which we will regularly...

Atlantic Theater Company announces initial casting for A Play is a Poem

Initial casting has now been confirmed for Atlantic Theater Company's upcoming world premiere production of Academy Award winner Ethan Coen's A Play is A Poem, a collection of one-acts under the helm of Atlantic's Artistic Director Neil Pepe.The cast will include Ro Boddie, Max Casella, Micaela Diamond, Peter Jacobson, Nellie McKay, Saul Rubinek, Miriam Silverman, Joey Slotnick, Sam Vartholomeos and CJ Wilson, with additional casting to be announced shortly.Previews are now set to begin at...

Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show begins performances at Radio City Music Hall

Come and meet those dancing (Irish) feet! Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show arrives at Radio City Music Hall tonight, marking the international dance phenomenon's first return to the iconic venue in ten years. Comprised of eight performances, the limited engagement runs through March 15, 2020.Synopsis: "Riverdance 25th Anniversary Show is Riverdance, as you've never seen it before! A powerful and stirring reinvention of this beloved favorite, celebrated the world over for its Grammy Award-winning...

John Doyle announces 2020-2021 season at Classic Stage Company

John Doyle, Artistic Director of Classic Stage Company, has now revealed details of his upcoming 2020-2021 Off-Broadway season.In fall 2020, Mr. Doyle will direct a new production of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.Synopsis: "A Midsummer Night's Dream is Shakespeare's beloved, effervescent tale of love and chaos. Mischievous fairies, quarreling lovers, and a floundering amateur acting troupe take center stage in this delightful tale of joy and romance that famously—and with...

Manhattan Theatre Club announces complete cast of Poor Yella Rednecks

Manhattan Theatre Club has now announced complete casting for the upcoming New York premiere of Poor Yella Rednecks, written by Qui Nguyen and directed by May Adrales.The cast will include Tim Chiou (as Quang/Danny), Samantha Quan (as Huong/San/Clarence/Cop), Maureen Sebastian (as Tong), Paco Tolson (as Playwright/Immigration Officer/Translator/Paul/Bobby), and Eugene Young (as Nhan/Little Man/Cowboy/Harry).Synopsis: "The author of the acclaimed Vietgone returns to MTC with the second play of...

Brandon Victor Dixon & more to star in The New Group musical Black No More

The New Group will present a world premiere musical to kick off its 2020-2021 Off-Broadway season at Pershing Square Signature Center in October 2020.Based on George S. Schuyler's 1931 satirical Harlem Renaissance-era novel, Black No More is a modern musical adaptation which features a book by Academy Award winner John Ridley and music & lyrics by Tarik Trotter.Synopsis: "It's June 1928 in New York City, and Howard University graduate Dr. Junius Crookman promotes a mysterious machine that...

Coal Country extends limited run at the Public Theater

Ahead of tonight's official opening of the world premiere of Coal Country, the Public Theater has announced a 1-week extension. Coal Country began previews at the Public's Anspacher Theater on February 18, 2020 and will now run through April 5, 2020 (instead of March 29).Coal Country is written by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, with original music by Steve Earle, and directed by Ms. Blank.Synopsis: "In 2010, the Upper Big Branch mine explosion killed 29 men, and tore a hole in the lives of...

CSC announces complete cast, creative team & extension for Assassins

Casting is now set for the wildly anticipated Off-Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's cult favorite Assassins, which is set to begin previews at Classic Stage Company's Lynn F. Angelson Theater on April 2, 2020, ahead of an official opening on April 16.Joining previously announced cast members Adam Chanler-Berat (as John Hinckley, Jr.), Tavi Gevinson (as Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme), Tony Award nominee Andy Grotelueschen (as Samuel Byck), four-time Tony Award nominee Judy Kuhn...

Roundabout Theatre Company announces full cast of Exception to the Rule

Roundabout Theatre Company has now confirmed complete casting for its forthcoming world premiere of Exception to the Rule, written by Dave Harris and directed by Miranda Haymon, as part of the Roundabout Underground 2019-2020 season.The cast includes MaYaa Boateng (as Erika), Malik Childs (as Tommy), Toney Goins (as Dayrin), Galen Kane (as Abdul), Claudia Logan (as Dasani), and Kadijah Raquel (as Mikayla).As previously reported, Exception to the rule is set to begin previews at the Black Box...

Signature Theatre announces second extension for Cambodian Rock Band

Signature Theatre has now announced a second 1-week extension for its current New York premiere of Cambodian Rock Band, written by Lauren Yee and directed by Chay Yew, which began previews at Pershing Square Signature Center's Irene Diamond Stage on February 4, 2020, ahead of an official opening on February 24 (read our 5* review here). The limited engagement was originally scheduled to close on March 8 and, following an initial extension through March 15, the production will now run through...