Reviewing the Drama: Broadway, Off-Broadway, Ballet, Movies, and TV Reviews

Big Brother on Broadway In a politically and socially savvy move, producers Sonia Friedman and Scott Rudin are bringing the stage adaptation of George Orwell 's 1984 to Broadway. This production debuted in London in 2013, and had multiple engagements in the area since. Performances will begin this summer (with an exact first preview date TBA), and opening night is scheduled for June 22. The London creative team, including co-writers and co-directors Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan , will make the transfer. 1984 will play the Hudson Theatre, which reopens this month with a 10-week revival of Sunday in the Park with George . Visit Playbill for more. Roundabout Off-Broadway Season Announced Roundabout Theatre Company has announced its 2017-2018 off-Broadway shows. Returning to Roundabout are playwrights Joshua Harmon ( Bad Jews , Significant Other ) and Lindsey Ferrentino ( Ugly Lies the Bone ). Harmon's Skintight will be directed by Daniel Aukin , and Ferrentino...

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees The nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2017 have been announced. Artists are eligible (though not always nominated and, certainly, not always chosen for induction) 25 years after their first release. First time nominees include Pearl Jam (first year eligible), Tupac (first year eligible), and Bad Brains , while Janet Jackson , Chic , Chaka Khan , Journey , and Yes are among repeat nominees. Fans can see all the nominees and vote for their choice on Rolling Stone . Those artists selected for induction into the Rock Hall will be announced in December. The ceremony will be held in Brooklyn in April 2017, and HBO will air an edited version of the ceremony in May. Coming to Broadway and the West End Emmy winner and Tony nominee Allison Janney ( The West Wing , 9 to 5 ) and Tony winner John Benjamin Hickey ( The Normal Heart ) are heading back to Broadway in a revival of John Guare 's Six Degrees of Separation . Dire...

Hamilton News So, this (→) is happening. The cast of Hamilton will perform on the Grammys . It is not unprecedented for Broadway to be featured on the Grammys. (You might recall, in fact, that the cast of American Idiot performed "21 Guns" will Green Day during the 2010 Grammys, just a month before Broadway previews began.) What's different about this appearance, though, is that the cast will be performing live, via satellite, from the Richard Rodgers Theatre. USA Today has a video of the cast announcing the appearance, as well as statements from the show's producers and its creator and star, Lin-Manuel Miranda. Tune into the Grammys on Monday, February 15, on CBS. In other Hamilton news: The national tour will make a stop in Atlanta during the 2017-2018 season. Broadwayworld.com has details. Casting News Tony Award winner Annaleigh Ashford ( You Can't Take It With You , Sylvia ) has joined the cast of the upcoming Rocky Horror remake. Ashford...

Winners for the 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards have been announced. Winners are notated with bold typeface and an asterisk. Film Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Beasts of No Nation The Big Short Spotlight * Straight Outta Compton Trumbo  Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Bryan Cranston, Trumbo Johnny Depp, Black Mass Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant * Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl   Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Cate Blanchett, Carol Brie Larson, Room* Helen Mirren, Woman in Gold Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn Sarah Silverman, I Smile Back    Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Christian Bale, The Big Short Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation* Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies Michael Shannon, 99 Homes Jacob Tremblay, Room    Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Ro...

(Scroll down for some Muppets news.) Casting News Broadway — Marlee Matlin has joined the company of the Spring Awakening revival. Matlin will play Adult Woman. Matlin won an Oscar for Children of a Lesser God , and was memorable as Joey Lucas on The West Wing . This will be her Broadway debut. Spring Awakening begins previews on September 8, with opening night set for September 27. The strictly limited engagement, playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, will conclude on January 9, 2016. Broadway —An unbelievable roster of stars is assembling for the Roundabout revival of Noises Off , one of my favorite plays. Joining the previously announced Tony winner Andrea Martin are Tracee Chimo ( Circle Mirror Transformation , The Heidi Chronicles ); Kate Jennings Grant ( The Country House ); Megan Hilty ( 9 to 5 , Smash ); Rob McClure ( Chaplin , Honeymoon in Vegas ); and Jeremy Shamos ( Dinner with Friends , The Qualms ), among others. The Michael Frayn play begins previews D...