PLAYS FOR EARTH DAY!
Plays That Will Inspire You for Earth Day! Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week’s email:
THE BROADWAY BEAT: ‘An extraordinary feat’: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA ends its 35-year Broadway run - PBS Great Performances Sets 'Broadway's Best' Lineup with Sutton Foster, Sara Bareilles, Chita Rivera & More - HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD recoups investment - WAITRESS, THE MUSICAL – LIVE ON BROADWAY! to premiere at 2023 Tribeca Film Festival!
HOT TOPICS: For two playwrights, a connection that began when one made the other cry - Museum of Shakespeare to open in London next year - How Lynn Nottage and Her Daughter Are Exploring Their Relationship in Writing - Take the 2022-23 EdTA Annual Play Survey
THE BIG IDEA: Plays That Will Inspire You for Earth Day!
The Broadway Beat
‘AN EXTRAORDINARY FEAT’: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA ENDS ITS 35-YEAR BROADWAY RUN - Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical has played its final performance in New York, leaving behind an intense fanbase.
PBS GREAT PERFORMANCES SETS 'BROADWAY'S BEST' LINEUP WITH SUTTON FOSTER, SARA BAREILLES, CHITA RIVERA & MORE - Celebrating 50 Years of Broadway’s Best premieres Friday, May 12 at 9 p.m. ET on PBS.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD RECOUPS INVESTMENT - The formerly two-part play returned as a single play after the shutdown and has become one of the great post-pandemic success stories on Broadway.
WAITRESS, THE MUSICAL – LIVE ON BROADWAY! TO PREMIERE AT 2023 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL - The Broadway live capture of “Waitress,” starring Sara Bareilles as Jenna, will debut at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival on June 12. The annual festival will run from June 7-18 in New York City.
Hot Topics
FOR TWO PLAYWRIGHTS, A CONNECTION THAT BEGAN WHEN ONE MADE THE OTHER CRY - Sarah Ruhl met Paula Vogel as a student in her class. Thirty years later, they still exchange first drafts.
MUSEUM OF SHAKESPEARE TO OPEN IN LONDON NEXT YEAR – The new museum will focus on the culture of London in the 16th Century and the life and inspirations of the famous playwright.
HOW LYNN NOTTAGE AND HER DAUGHTER ARE EXPLORING THEIR RELATIONSHIP IN WRITING - Can you collaborate with your mother, a Pulitzer-winning playwright, and develop your own voice too? Ruby Aiyo Gerber wasn’t too scared to try.
TAKE THE 2022-23 EDTA ANNUAL PLAY SURVEY – For more than 80 years, EdTA has conducted the survey of most-produced plays and musicals in US middle and high schools.
The Big Idea
Plays That Will Inspire You for Earth Day!
Today is Earth Day, The Scene wanted to take a moment and reflect on the state of our planet. Climate change, deforestation, and pollution are just some of the challenges we face as a global community. Earth Day is a time to consider the impact of our actions and to ask ourselves what we can do to make a difference.
Theater has always been a powerful tool for social commentary and exploration, and there are several plays that remind us of the importance of our shared planet. Here are four plays that tackle environmental themes and offer insight into our relationship with nature.
After the Blast by Zoe Kazan is a post-apocalyptic play set in a world where the Earth has been devastated by environmental disaster. The story follows a young couple as they grapple with the decision to have a child in a world that seems to be coming to an end. The play raises questions about our responsibility to future generations and the impact of our choices on the environment.
Lungs by Duncan Macmillan explores the complexities of climate change through the lens of a relationship. The play follows a couple as they consider whether or not to have a child in a world that is rapidly changing. It examines the emotional toll of grappling with the enormity of the climate crisis and the difficult decisions we must make as individuals and as a society.
If There is I Haven't Found It Yet by Nick Payne is a play that examines the relationship between a troubled teenager and her environmentalist uncle. The uncle is passionate about saving the planet but struggles to connect with his niece and make a meaningful impact. The play asks important questions about how we can inspire change and make a difference in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
When the Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell is a play that explores the interconnectedness of all things. The story follows four generations of a family as they grapple with the consequences of their actions and the impact of climate change on their lives. The play uses a complex, nonlinear structure to show how our choices have far-reaching effects and highlights the importance of taking responsibility for our actions.
Each of these plays offers a unique perspective on the challenges we face as a global community. They remind us of the importance of our relationship with the natural world and encourage us to consider our impact on the environment. As we celebrate Earth Day, let us take inspiration from these plays and recommit ourselves to protecting our shared planet.
