Week in Review 7.10.15

Spring Awakening Revival Confirmed
We learned last week that Spring Awakening was all but certainly returning to New York, but this week we have confirmation, as well as a theatre and dates. Beginning September 8, the Deaf West Theatre re-imagination of the Tony-winning musical will play at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. The production, which will feature actors performing both in American Sign Language and spoken word, will officially open on September 27, and continue through January 9, 2016. Michael Arden and Spencer Liff (Hedwig), who directed and choreographed, respectively, the West Coast production, will reprise their work in New York. No casting has been announced. Broadway.com has more, and, on his blog, lead producer Ken Davenport (Godspell) explains why he's producing the revival. Check out the video, below, in which the actors and creatives explain the process of creating a musical for and with people who are deaf.


Casting News
Broadway—Though NYCB principal dancer Megan Fairchild is departing the Broadway revival of On the Town, ABT principal dancer Misty Copeland is waiting in the wings. Copeland was just promoted to principal, becoming the first African-American female dancer to rise to the rank at ABT. Copeland will begin her run on August 25, and continue through September 6. During the two-week run, Copeland will perform Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, and Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees. Playbill has more.

Television—Jeffrey Dean Morgan and the terrific Margo Martindale (August: Osage County) will join the cast of The Good Wife. Morgan fills the investigator shoes left empty by Kalinda (Archie Panjabi)'s exit while Martindale will portray a political operative who goes toe-to-toe with Alan Cumming's Eli Gold. Vulture has more about Morgan, and Variety has more about Martindale.

Broadway—Javier Munoz, who has been involved in the development of Hamilton and was Lin-Manuel Miranda's alternate in the show's Public run, will perform once a week during the show's Broadway run, allowing Miranda to play just seven performances each week. Playbill reports that during previews, you'll see Javilton on July 18 at 2; July 25 at 2; and July 29 at 2. After opening and through September 7, he'll continue to play Saturday matinees. After Labor Day, Munoz will switch to Sunday matinee performances. I had the pleasure of seeing Munoz when I went for a repeat viewing of the show at the Public. He's fantastic. You'll love him.

Off-Broadway—Tony nominee Reed Birney (Casa Valentina, I'm Gonna Pray for You So Hard) will lead the cast of Stephen Karam's The Humans. He'll be joined by Jayne Houdyshell (Fish in the Dark, Dead Accounts), Greg Keller, Cassie Beck, Sarah Steele (The Country House) and Joyce Van Patten. Previews begin September 30, with opening night set for October 25. The limited engagement, directed by Joe Mantello (The Last Ship) will conclude on December 27. Broadway.com has more.

Television—Stage and screen favorite Aaron Tveit (Next to Normal, Graceland) will star as Danny Zuko in Fox's live telecast of Grease. He joins a company that includes Julianne Hough as Sandy; Keke Palmer as Marty; Carlos PenaVega as Kenickie; and his Rent (at the Hollywood Bowl) co-star, Vanessa Hudgens, as Rizzo. Tune in on January 31, 2016. In a statement shared on Broadway.com, Tveit says he's "thrilled and honored to be joining this incredibly talented team of actors in reimagining this classic and beloved musical. Playing Danny Zuko is a dream role and I can't wait to be a part of all the fun that comes along with performing live on television."

Hamilton in the News
The Broadway run of Hamilton begins previews on Monday, July 13. (Opening night is set for August 6.) Leading up the Broadway bow, as you might expect, Hamilton is being talked about in the press, in addition to the above mentioned casting news.
Miranda and Hamilton are also the subject of a fantastic New York Times Magazine feature in which Miranda talks about the work, and Stephen Sondheim, Black Thought and Questlove (of The Roots), and Alexander Hamilton author Ron Chernow talk about Miranda and Hamilton. The Times piece also includes the news that Black Thought and Questlove will serve as executive producers of the cast album, set to be released in September. It was also announced that a Hamilton for a Hamilton, cash-only lottery will be instituted, beginning with the first preview. Broadwayworld.com has more about the lottery. Visit hamiltonbroadway.com for more information about the show and to purchase tickets.

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