New York Spotlight: April 2010

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis head the cast of the Broadway revival of August Wilson’s Fences, at the Cort Theatre, April 14-July 11. Kenny Leon directs, with original music by three-time Grammy winner Branford Marsalis.

Emmy Award winner Kelsey Grammer stars in the Broadway revival of the Harvey Fierstein-Jerry Herman musical La Cage Aux Folles (Longacre Theatre, beginning April 6). Terry Johnson directs the production, which also features Douglas Hodge, Fred Applegate, Veanne Cox, Christine Andreas, and Elena Shaddow. A late entry into the Broadway season is Sherie Rene Scott’s autobiographical musical Everyday Rapture, which has replaced the Roundabout’s production of Lips Together, Teeth Apart at the American Airlines Theatre, beginning April 19. The piece uses a diverse selection of pre-existing tunes to serve as the soundtrack to Scott’s life story.

One of the most infamous scandals in financial history is brought to theatrical life in Lucy Prebble’s Enron, at the Broadhurst Theatre beginning April 8. The play features Norbert Leo Butz as Jeffrey Skilling, Gregory Itzin as Kenneth Lay, Marin Mazzie as Claudia Roe, and Stephen Kunken as Andy Fastow. Linda Lavin and Sarah Paulson star in Donald Margulies’ Collected Stories at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, beginning April 9. Lynn Meadow directs this play, about a celebrated New York author and her bright-eyed young protégé.

In MTC’s Off-Broadway venue at City Center, Laila Robins stars in Polly Stenham’s That Face (beginning April 29), about an affluent family dealing with problems that cannot be solved by wealth. Oscar winner Jonathan Demme directs MCC Theater’s revival of Beth Henley’s Family Week (Lucille Lortel Theatre, April 9-May 23), with a cast headed by Kathleen Chalfant and Rosemarie DeWitt. Dianne Wiest stars in Alexander Ostrovosky’s The Forest at Classic Stage Company, April 23-May 30.

Two-time Tony nominee Chistopher Sieber stars in the new musical The Kid, based on sex columnist Dan Savage’s book about his and his boyfriend’s efforts to adopt a child. The Vineyard Theatre teams with Playwrights Horizons for the new musical The Burnt Part Boys at the latter venue, April 30-June 13. The show follows a group of teenagers whose fathers were killed in a mining accident. Raúl Esparza, Sutton Foster, and Donna Murphy are among the cast of Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents’ Anyone Can Whistle, presented by New York City Center Encores!, April 8-11. Sara Gettelfinger stars as Cruella De Vil in The 101 Dalmatians Musical, which wraps up its national tour at the WaMu Theater, April 7-18.

Atlantic Theatre Company offers Moira Buffini’s World War II-set Gabriel (April 23-June 6), while Second Stage presents Kristoffer Diaz’s The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (beginning April 27), set in the world of professional wrestling. Betty Buckley and Tuc Watkins star in White’s Lies (New World Stages, beginning April 12), about a womanizing bachelor whose life changes when his mother announces she has cancer.

Emmy Award winner Leslie Jordan brings his autobiographical solo, My Trip Down the Pink Carpet to the Midtown Theater, April 14-July 3. Two-time Tony Award-nominee Claudia Shear stars in her new play Restoration at New York Theatre Workshop, April 30-June 13. Polly Noonan, Keith Reddin, and T. Ryder Smith are featured in the cast of Sarah Ruhl’s Passion Play, presented by Epic Theatre Ensemble at the Irondale Center, April 27-May 30.

Annie Baker’s The Aliens (Rattlestick Theatre, April 14-May 23) focuses on two angry young men and a lonely high school student. Theater Breaking Through Barriers presents the world premiere of Kate Moira Ryan’s Bass for Picasso (Kirk Theatre, April 17-May 23), as a food writer throws an unusual dinner party. Austin Pendleton and Eleanor Handley star in the New York premiere of Charles L. Mee’s romantic comedy Limonade Tous Les Jours (Cell Theatre, April 3-17).

Sally Mayes, Lynne Wintersteller, George Dvorsky, and Sal Viviano star in a new production of Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire’s revue Closer Than Ever (Queens Theatre in the Park, April 16-25). Earl Wilson’s revue Let My People Come – The Party (Ritz Bar and Lounge, April 17-May 5) is an abbreviated version of the hit 1970’s stage production. Judith Blazer and Heidi Blickenstaff star in Inner Voices: Solo Musicals, featuring works by Cheri Steinkellner & Georgia Stitt and David Simpatico & Josh Schmidt. Celebrated African-American poet Langston Hughes is the subject of the new musical Langston in Harlem, at Urban Stages, April 9-May 2.

Cirque du Soleil’s Ovo (beginning April 9) performs on Randall’s Island, showcasing a colorful ecosystem teeming with life. The company’s other new work, Banana Shpeel, is scheduled to begin performances at the Beacon Theatre on May 29, following weeks of delays as well as a number of rewrites.

The Pearl revives Frank D. Gilroy’s The Subject Was Roses (New York City Center Stage II, April 9-May 9), while Mint Theater presents Jules Romains’ 1923 satire Dr. Knock, Or The Triumph Of Medicine (April 14-May 30). BAM’s Harvey Theatre hosts two visiting revivals: The Maly Drama Theatre’s Uncle Vanya (April 7-11) and the Donmar Warehouse’s Creditors (April 16-May 16).

Also worth noting: Linda Eder in her cabaret show All of Me at Feinstein’s (April 6-17); Eduardo Machado’s new play Havana Journal , 2004 (Theater for the New City, through April 18); the world premiere of Anton Dudley’s Letters to the End of the World (Theatre Row Studio Theatre, April 29-May 16); Joe Iconis’ new musical Bloodsong of Love (Ars Nova, April 1-May 9); playwright/performer Richard Sheinmel’s Post Modern Living (La MaMa E.T.C., April 16-May 2); the New York premiere of John Morogiello’s Engaging Shaw (Dorothy Strelsin Theatre, April 9-May 2); Reid Farrington’s video theater work Gin & “It” (PS 122, April 24-May 9); and the musical improv show Baby Wants Candy (Players Theatre, April 10-May 29).