Taking 'The Scene' to New Heights!
Discover the exciting new additions to The Scene. 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 BIG IDEA – Taking 'The Scene' to New Heights! Discover the exciting new additions to The Scene.
BROADWAY BEAT- Steve Carell to make Broadway debut in ‘Uncle Vanya’ | The Cast of ‘Spamalot’ Amp Up the Comedy on Opening Night | ‘White Lotus‘ star Michael Imperioli will join Jeremy Strong in ‘An Enemy of the People’ | Go Inside the Opening Night of ‘Danny and the Deep Blue Sea’ Off-Broadway
HOT TOPICS - How to Be the 1st High School in Your State to Stage ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ | 2024 Jimmy Awards Set June Date at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre | ‘A Beautiful Noise,’ ‘Aladdin,’ ‘Chicago’ will perform on the CBS Thanksgiving Day Parade | ‘How to Dance in Ohio’: A Story About Autism and Connection
WEST END WATCH - Elton John ‘Tammy Faye’ Musical Will Come from London to Broadway Next Season | Gwyneth Paltrow Ski Trial Musical To Hit London Stage | Ian McKellen to Star as Falstaff in Robert Icke's Henry IV Adaptation | See Highlights From U.K. World Premiere To Wong Foo Stage Musical
THE SPOTLIGHT - The Scene Podcast: An interview with host Justin Borak
REGIONAL THEATRE NEWS - ‘Christmas in Connecticut’ Stage Adaptation Set at Pioneer Theatre Company | How Autistic Artists Are Reclaiming ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ | Matthew Broderick, Julie Halston, Ann Harada, More Star in La Jolla World Premiere of ‘Babbitt’ | Broadway's Kevin S. McAllister Directs All-Black Rodgers and Hammerstein ‘Cinderella’ at Baltimore Center Stage
PLAYSCRIPTS FREE READ OF THE WEEK - ‘And a Child Shall Lead’ by Michael Slade
The Big Idea
Taking 'The Scene' to New Heights!
Discover the exciting new additions to our weekly newsletter.
As the curtain rises on this special edition of The Scene newsletter, we want to thank you, our subscribers, for making The Scene the number one weekly free newsletter for theatre educators! This standing ovation goes out to you, our dedicated subscribers, whose passion for theatre mirrors our own.
Act One: A Toast to Our Subscribers and A Promise - Forever Free!
It's not every day that a newsletter takes center stage, but together, we've made it happen. Your commitment to theatre education has inspired countless students and played a pivotal role in shaping our newsletter. Each week, you've joined us on a journey through the wings and beyond, where the love for theatre thrives. We're beaming with pride, knowing that our collective dedication to the arts has made a resounding impact. For this, we raise the proverbial curtain and say, "Thank you!"
We also solemnly promise The Scene Newsletter will remain a free service as we continue to grow. We believe that the flow of news, knowledge, and the spark of theatrical passion should never come at a cost. So, rest assured, our commitment to free access for theatre educators is one script that will never see rewrites.
Act Two: The New Scene Podcast
The new Scene Podcast pairs perfectly with our weekly newsletter. Together, they offer a comprehensive and engaging theatre education experience. Host Justin Borak serves up an array of enriching content tailor-made for theatre educators. New Episodes drop every Monday morning, making The Scene Podcast the perfect addition to your daily commute or that tiny sliver of “me time” you get in your packed schedule. The Scene podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Goodpods, and YouTube. Check out our Spotlight section below for an interview with Justin and more information on the new podcast.
Act Three: The Spotlight Shines on TheSceneNews.com and The Scene Premium
Our gratitude and promises, however grand, are the prelude to an even more exciting development. We are overjoyed to draw back the curtains on our brand-new website, TheSceneNews.com. This digital stage is set to be the go-to spotlight for even more resources, articles, and a treasure trove of theatrical wisdom.
But wait, there's more! We heard your calls for deeper dives into the world of theatre, so for those who wish to take their passion to new levels, meet The Scene Premium. Our new Premium subscription offers an array of exclusive content designed to enrich the educational tapestry of teachers and students alike. The Scene Premium goes beyond the content in our free weekly newsletter. For just $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year, you can become a Premium subscriber and receive exclusive access to all the following:
The Broadway On Demand Master Class Library – 6 Series, more than 30 episodes! The library includes Broadway Masters, My First Year in New York, and the Emmy-nominated Broadway Master Class Actors, Auditions, Directors, and Producers series. Each series features Broadway stars, including Denee Denton, Taye Diggs, Lindsey Mendez, Danny Burstein, and many more icons of the stage.
The Big List Library – Over 30 Lists with hundreds of resources! Our extensive big list library is your source for all things theatre education. Are you looking for prop shops? We have a list for that. Colleges with Theatre Programs? That list is also there. Upcoming Theatre Education Events and Conferences? That List and many others are all part of this ever-growing library for all things theatre and theatre education.
Production Templates - Over 15 ready-to-use Templates! Our production templates are adaptable to meet the needs of your theatre program. Designed to assist you throughout the production process, our templates can be printed and used today, or you can customize them to meet your program's specific needs. Templates include Rehearsal Reports, Script Analysis Worksheets, Checklists for Publicity Materials, Sponsorship Thank-you letters, and more.
Live Webinars – 3 Live Webinars events each Quarter, 12 Live Webinars Per Year! Learn from some of the theatre’s best while participating from the comfort of your home or classroom. The Scene’s Live Webinar Series lets you learn from and interact with many of today’s most celebrated theatre artists. Our first three webinars of 2024 will feature Actor and Almost, Maine playwright John Cariani; One of the most-produced playwrights in American schools over the past decade, Don Zolidis; And actor and playwright Sandy Rustin, whose adaptation of Clue has been the most-produced show in US high schools for the past four years, in addition to the recent Broadway run of her hit Play The Cottage.
News Archive – Premium subscribers can access our archive of original news, articles, and interviews from past editions of The Scene.
Exclusive Discounts - With our partners at Broadway Licensing Global, The Scene is proud to offer premium subscribers unique access to exclusive discounts on books, production licenses, and/or material fees. New discounts are added every few weeks. Discounts include:
Book Discounts- Save on titles from Dramatists Play Service, Playscripts, and Broadway Licensing.
License and/or Materials Fees Discounts - Save on licensing and/or material fees on select titles from the Broadway Licensing catalog.
All that for just $1.99 per month. However, if you still need convincing, check out this short video:
We hope you will become a Scene Premium subscriber, but if you need a day or two to think about it, fear not—the core of The Scene remains unchanged. Our newsletter, the weekly roundup of theatre news you may have missed, will still continue. Our new Podcast, Website, and Premium sections are merely additional acts, an optional chorus to the melody we all know and love. The Scene is here to accompany you on every step of this thrilling journey, and we look forward to shaping the future of Theatre with you!
Visit thescenenews.com today.
The Broadway Beat
STEVE CARELL TO MAKE BROADWAY DEBUT IN ‘UNCLE VANYA’ by Andy Lefkowitz, Broadway News - Anika Noni Rose, Jayne Houdyshell, and more will appear in the revival.
THE CAST OF SPAMALOT AMP UP THE COMEDY ON OPENING NIGHT by Diep Tran, Playbill - The cast of the hit Broadway revival on how to make sure the audience laughs.
‘WHITE LOTUS’ STAR MICHAEL IMPERIOLI WILL JOIN JEREMY STRONG IN ‘AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE’ by Michael Abourizk, Broadway News - Plus, a Broadway theater, opening night date, and additional producer have been announced.
GO INSIDE THE OPENING NIGHT OF DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA OFF-BROADWAY by Meg Masseron, Playbill - Aubrey Plaza and Christopher Abbott star in the revival of John Patrick Shanley's Play at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.
Hot Topics
HOW TO BE THE 1ST HIGH SCHOOL IN YOUR STATE TO STAGE HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill - A new competition from Broadway Licensing Global will award first-of-their-kind licenses of the new high school edition of the Olivier- and Tony-winning play.
2024 JIMMY AWARDS SET JUNE DATE AT BROADWAY'S MINSKOFF THEATRE by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill - The annual event celebrates the best in high school musical theatre.
A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, ALADDIN, CHICAGO WILL PERFORM ON CBS' COVERAGE OF THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE by Andrew Gans, Playbill - Kevin Frazier and Keltie Knight will host the telecast live from New York City.
‘HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO’: A STORY ABOUT AUTISM AND CONNECTION by Erik Piepenburg, The New York Times - In a first for Broadway, openly autistic actors are playing the autistic characters in this new musical about a doctor helping neurodiverse clients.
West End Watch
ELTON JOHN TAMMY FAYE MUSICAL WILL COME FROM LONDON TO BROADWAY NEXT SEASON by Molly Higgins, Playbill - The new musical's London premiere received four Olivier Award nominations, including Best Musical.
GWYNETH PALTROW SKI TRIAL MUSICAL TO HIT LONDON STAGE by Zac Ntim, Deadline - Gwyneth Paltrow’s high-profile legal battle with a 76-year-old retired optometrist over a ski slope collision has been adapted for the London stage. Gwyneth Goes Skiing, a musical, will run Dec 13 – 23 at Pleasance London Main House Cabaret.
IAN MCKELLEN TO STAR AS FALSTAFF IN ROBERT ICKE'S HENRY IV ADAPTATION by Matthew Hemley, The Stage - The production will run at the Noël Coward Theatre from April 1 to June 22, 2024.
SEE HIGHLIGHTS FROM U.K. WORLD PREMIERE TO WONG FOO STAGE MUSICAL by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill -Douglas Carter Beane has adapted his screenplay to a score by Lewis Flinn.
The Spotlight
The Scene Podcast: An interview with host Justin Borak
By Zach Dulli, The Scene
If you are a theatre educator searching for fresh, inspiring content to enhance your classroom experience, look no further than The Scene Podcast, the newest addition to “the Scene” newsletter. Each episode of The Scene Podcast is like a smorgasbord of material tailor-made for theatre teachers like you. With new episodes dropping every Monday, you can start your week with a burst of creativity and fun that will get you off to a great start. Leading The Scene’s new podcast is dynamic host Justin Borak, a multi-talented playwright, comedian, actor, content creator, and theatre influencer who knows how to captivate his audience. With his infectious enthusiasm and vast knowledge of all things theatre-related, Justin proudly flaunts his title as the biggest theatre nerd in the world - but don't worry; he wears it with pride! The Scene’s Zach Dulli sat down with Justin to talk about the new podcast and what readers of The Scene should expect when they subscribe. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
ZACH DULLI: As the curtain rises on 'the Scene' Podcast, can you share a little about yourself with our readers?
JUSTIN BORAK: Of course! I’m a playwright (Community Garden, Cabin Chronicles), comedian, and theatre content creator most known on TikTok as @mediocrejokes or the guy who says, “Here are four plays you probably haven’t heard of and if you have, let’s be friends!” I’m one of TikTok’s resident theatre librarians, and I proudly hold that title with a few fellow theatre nerds on the app! I’m also a master’s student currently in theatre at West Virginia University. Still, most people know me from talking about Lynn Nottage, Don Zolidis, and Annie Baker on TikTok and YouTube!
ZACH: What do you hope educators will take away from the Scene Podcast?"
JUSTIN: I’ve been so lucky to gain a significant following of young theatre nerds over on TikTok, and I think I have a solid grasp on the obsession, passions, and interests of the #TheatreKid community. When approached by The Scene to do this podcast, I was so pumped because I really think this is the perfect method to bring educators (or anyone) information on what plays are cool right now, how to bring theatre education to students in a palpable way, and indeed just the best way to connect and talk about theatre. Also, KJ (The Scene Podcast producer) and I are pretty goofy, so hopefully, we'll make them chuckle a bit too!
ZACH: Your TikTok presence is 'Tony-worthy' in its own right. How does your social media savviness influence the content and promotion of 'The Scene' Podcast?
JUSTIN: Other than being able to bring a whole new audience to what you are already doing with The Scene newsletter, I’m hoping to bring a new voice to the team as well, literally! Making a podcast with the team at The Scene has been an awesome and collaborative effort where I’ve been able to share marketing and social media ideas, and they’ve been able to make this content educator-focused. At the same time, I’ve been able to bring a more contemporary perspective. This has been the perfect pairing, and we are making something everyone can enjoy.
ZACH: Theatre can be transformative for students. How do you envision 'The Scene' Podcast's role in that transformation?
JUSTIN: We hope to make theatre education accessible and digestible for everyone. We want to make it fun while also staying educational. With segments on the show like “Theatre in a Minute,” we get to do a quick history lesson where a teacher could play it for their students in class. Hopefully, within a few minutes, they laugh and learn about Chekhov, The Goodman Theatre, Paula Vogel, or anything! And then, with segments like “Shows You Should Know,” I get to geek out about plays many people haven’t heard of, hopefully inspiring some kids and educators to read more plays and show students that plays can be more than they’ve ever imagined. With another segment, “THAT’s Theatre?!”, I get to talk about theatre companies and people who are explicitly doing things you didn’t even know could be done in the theatre! We hope to open people’s minds to what theatre can be and help them explore this fantastic art form even more!
ZACH: How does 'The Scene' Podcast complement the existing content of The Scene’s long-form weekly newsletter, and what unique role does it play in a theatre educator's arsenal?
JUSTIN: I’ve been a long-time reader of The Scene. I go to it for Broadway news, great articles, and tips and tricks to be a theatre-maker and artist right now! So, I hope the podcast pairs nicely because we live under the same idea. Our goal is to make something to help people in being theatre artists and educators today. With segments like “Theatre in a Minute,” we literally want to give educators something to show their students while teaching, and then with “Shows You Should Know,” “Pro-Shot Pick Em,” and “Regional Round-Up,” we want to expose educators, students, and theatre makers alike to new plays, theatres, and content that can help them grow as creatives. Overall, we want to help educate, build, and grow the theatre community, which is precisely what The Scene newsletter does brilliantly.
ZACH: Finally, if you could invite any theatre legend—past or present—to make a guest appearance on 'The Scene,' who would it be, and what burning question would you ask them?
JUSTIN: Look, there are some easy answers here. Anton Chekhov to ask him how his work in medicine inspired him in his humanistic writing. Alice Childress to talk about her choice to adapt the Langston Hughes novel Simple Speaks His Mind as one of her first full-length Plays. But, seriously, no jokes… I’d have Annie Baker and just ask her how she creates hyper-realism in a literal, perfect way. I’m a huge Annie Baker fan and think the world of her and her work. It would be an honor to meet her one day! Hopefully, this podcast will become a hub for her and others to discuss their feelings and thoughts on theatre, theatre education, and much more.
ZACH: We look forward to listening to The Scene Podcast. Thanks for speaking with us, Justin.
The first episode of The Scene Podcast drops this coming Monday, November 20, 2023. Subscribe now to The Scene Podcast. Available from Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Goodpods, and YouTube.
Regional Theatre News
CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT STAGE ADAPTATION SET AT PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY by Molly Higgins, Playbill - Following a 2022 world premiere at Goodspeed Musicals, Shelley Butler directs the holiday show based on the 1945 film.
HOW AUTISTIC ARTISTS ARE RECLAIMING THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME by Margaret Hall, Playbill - Common Thread Theatre Company in Massachusetts is reimagining the Play.
MATTHEW BRODERICK, JULIE HALSTON, ANN HARADA, MORE STAR IN LA JOLLA WORLD PREMIERE OF BABBITT by Andrew Gans, Playbill - Christopher Ashley directs Joe DiPietro's new Play.
BROADWAY'S KEVIN S. MCALLISTER DIRECTS ALL-BLACK RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN CINDERELLA AT BALTIMORE CENTER STAGE by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill - Go behind the scenes to see "Impossible" and "In My Own Little Corner" from the rehearsal room.
FREE READS
Read entire plays for free! Free Reads titles are perfect for your theatre, school, and competition performances. Click on the Play’s title or image to be taken to the Play’s page; once you are there, click the "READ NOW" button and enjoy!
Free Read of the Week
And a Child Shall Lead
by Michael Slade
The Story: This is the heroic and true story of children coming of age in Terezin, the "Jewish city" established by the Nazis near Prague as a way station before the death camps. In the face of unspeakable horror, these children use their determination and creativity to build lives filled with hope and beauty -- playing, studying, making art, and writing an underground newspaper -- all at the peril of being executed. Their actual poems and stories are woven into a fast-paced drama, evoking the universality of children caught in the insanity of war.
Drama | 90 - 100 minutes | 4 W, 4 M, (8-30 actors possible: 4-15 W, 4-15 M) | Set: A suggestive representation of the Terezin camp and barracks. Various levels of platforms may suggest different locations.
