Theater News

Photo File

Matthew Broderick, Cedric the Entertainer, Harvey Fierstein, John Gallagher Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Nathan Lane, John Leguizamo, Chris Noth, Haley Joel Osment, and Hunter Parrish catch up with the cameras.

Joseph Marzullo Tristan Fuge Clay Williams
New York City

On Wednesday night, the Atlantic Theatre Company officially opened its production of the political thriller Farragut North, which stars Tony Award winner John Gallagher Jr. as young press secretary Stephen Bellamy and Atlantic stalwart Kate Blumberg as ambitious news reporter Ida Horowicz.

Sex and the City star Chris Noth makes an impressive return to the stage as seasoned campaign manager Paul Zara.

Olivia Thirlby, best known for her work in the Oscar-winning film Juno, makes a smashing stage debut as precocious intern Molly.

Playwright Beau Willimon used his experiences working for presidential candidate Howard Dean for the show.

Atlantic artistic director Neil Pepe — currently represented on Broadway by the revival of Speed-the-Plow — and wife Mary McCann attended the opening.

Here’s David Pittu, the star and co-creator of the Atlantic’s What’s That Smell: The Music of Jacob Sterling, which recently transferred to New World Stages.

On Thursday night, there was a massive protest in New York City against California’s passage of Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriages in the state. Tony Award and Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg was one of many celebrities who showed up to lend their support.

On Tuesday night, solo performer Mike Birbiglia (center) premiered Sleepwalk With Me at the Bleecker Street Theatre. Joining him on opening night were good pals Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane (who is presenting the show).

Spring Awakening star Hunter Parrish was one of the many celebrities in attendance.

Here’s the always hilarious Judy Gold, best known for her solo show 25 Questions For a Jewish Mother.

Comedian Horatio Sanz, a former cast member of Saturday Night Live, also came out for the opening.

Here is the hilarious Demetri Martin, who will star on the big screen next year in Taking Woodstock.

On Tuesday night, Tony winner Harvey Fierstein — the original Edna Turnblad of Broadway’s Hairspray — returned to the musical for the final two months of its run. At his curtain call, Fierstein got a special greeting from filmmaker John Waters.

After the show, Fierstein celebrated with co-librettist Mark O’Donnell, director Jack O’Brien, set designer David Rockwell, co-librettist Thomas Meehan, co-lyricist Scott Wittman, producer Margo Lion, and composer and co-lyricist Mark Shaiman.

Finally, on Tuesday morning, the stars of the current Broadway revival of David Mamet’s American Buffalo, Cedric the Entertainer, Haley Joel Osment, and John Leguizamo gathered at Sardi’s to meet the press and unveil Cedric’s and Haley’s new caricatures.

For TheaterMania’s review of Farragut North, click here
For TheaterMania’s review of Sleepwalk with Me, click here