Media Morsels 6.14.13

(Scroll down for some awesome Muppet news!)

Tony Awards Extras

The 67th annual Tony Awards are behind us and so the 2013-2014 Broadway season has commenced. In case you missed it, here's my Tony Awards Wrap Up, complete with the full list of winners and lots of photos. And herein is some post-Tonys news:
  • On the heels of its win for Best New Play, Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike has extended its run. The already-extended play will now run at the Golden Theatre through August 25. Though original cast member Sigourney Weaver must exit the show to prepare for a film role, Tony-winning actress Julie White will take over the role of Masha. Weaver plays her final performance July 28; White joins the cast July 30. Playbill has details.

  • Tony nominee Carrie Coon (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) has been cast in the new HBO pilot for The Leftovers, the series adaptation of the Tom Perrotta novel. Coon joins the previously announced Justin Theroux. Broadwayworld.com has details.

  • After winning Best Revival of a Musical, Pippin tickets are now on sale through January 5, 2014. The show was selling well before its Tony win, so snatch those newly released tickets while you can! Pippin also won for Best Actress (Patina Miller), Best Featured Actress (Andrea Martin) and Best Director (Diane Paulus). Playbill has details.

  • Following a win for featured actress Judith Light, the MTC production of The Assembled Parties has extended for a third and final time. The new play will continue its run through July 28. Playbill has details.

  • Broadway.com notes all the historic wins from Tony night.

  • This year's Best Musical, Kinky Boots will launch a national tour in Las Vegas in 2014. Playbill has details.

  • Vogue followed Pippin's Matthew James Thomas, Kinky Boots' Stark Sands and Trip to Bountiful nominee Condola Rashad as they got ready for the Tonys.

  • The first post-Tony casualty: Ann will conclude its Broadway run earlier than planned. Rather than closing on September 1, Holland Taylor's play about the legendary Texas governor Ann Richards will close on June 30. Broadway.com has details.
Television Awards

From theatre award season into television award season. Last month, the Critics' Choice Television nominees were announced and on Monday, we found out who won. Among others:
  • The Daily Show with Jon Stewart won for Best Talk Show;

  • Bunheads was named the Thalo Inspiration in the Arts Honoree; 

  • Jane Fonda won for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series (The Newsroom);  

  • Breaking Bad tied with Game of Thrones for Best Drama Series; and 

  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus won Best Actress in a Comedy Series (Veep).
Visit Playbill for the full list of winners.

Also this week, we learned the nominees for the Television Critics Association Awards. (Anyone know the difference between the two organizations?) Here's an abridged list of nominees. Find the full list of nominees on Hit Fix.
  • Individual Achievement in Drama: Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad; Vera Farmiga, Bates Motel; Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black; Monica Potter, Parenthood; and Matthew Rhys, The Americans

  • Individual Achievement in Comedy: Louis C.K., Louie; Lena Dunham, Girls; Jake Johnson, New Girl; Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep; and Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

  • Outstanding Achievement in Drama: The Americans; Breaking Bad; Game of Thrones; Homeland; and Mad Men

  • Outstanding Achievement in Comedy: The Big Bang Theory; Louie; New Girl; Parks and Recreation; and Veep

  • New Program: The Americans; Elementary; House of Cards; The Mindy Project; and Orphans Black

  • Program of the Year: The Americans; Breaking Bad; Game of Thrones; House of Cards; and The Walking Dead

  • Other notable nominees:
    • Downton Abbey for Outstanding Movie, Miniseries or Special
    • The Daily Show with Jon Stewart for News and Information
    • Sesame Street and Bunheads, for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming
Broadway in Bryant Park

Dates and performances for the annual summer event have been set. Throughout the summer (July and August), New Yorkers and tourist can gather in Bryant Park (42nd and 5th, near the library) to watch performances from Broadway and off-Broadway shows - for free! Performances are every Thursday at 12:30, beginning on July 11 and continue through August 15. Some notable performances include Cinderella on July 11; Murder Ballad on July 25; and Kinky Boots, First Date and a sneak peek at Big Fish on August 1. Visit Broadway.com for the complete performance schedule.

Dig This

  • The Newsroom is now out on DVD! Pick up your copy to rewatch the first season before the second season premieres on July 14, and for bonus materials, like roundtable discussions with creator and writer Aaron Sorkin and cast members! Visit store.hbo.com to order. Then check out these character posters on the Huffington Post.

  • After they successfully collaborated on Year of the Rabbit, choreographer Justin Peck and musician Sufjan Stevens are teaming up for another ballet, set to premiere at NYCB's Spring Gala next May. Pitch Fork has details.

  • Holy smokes! Disney is exploring bringing The Muppets to the Broadway stage (Manhattan Melodies, anyone?), and they've snagged Alex Timbers to help them do it. (Timbers recently worked with Disney Theatrics on Peter and the Starcatcher.) Nothing is set, but an industry presentation was held on May 31. Playbill has details about this amazing development.

  • Lincoln Center Theatre has announced its 2013-2014 season. It includes a new play by the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning scribe of Clybourne Park, Bruce Norris, as well as a new production of Macbeth starring Ethan Hawke. Broadway.com has details.

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