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

Rising in the Ranks at NYCB Several New York City Ballet  dancers were promoted just before the February 19 performance. Russell Janzen  was promoted to principal dancer. He joined the company in 2008, and was promoted to soloist just a couple years ago. In addition, seven corps de ballet members were promoted to soloists: Sara Adams , Harrison Ball , Emilie Gerrity , Joseph Gordon , Unity Phelan , Troy Schumacher , and Indiana Woodward . Merde to all the dancers! The NYCB winter season continues through this weekend, and the spring season begins in April.  The New York Times  has more about the promotions. Oscar Isaac–led Hamlet Confirmed You might recall that a production of Hamlet , starring Oscar Isaac ( Inside Llewyn Davis ) and directed by Tony winner Sam Gold ( Fun Home , John ), was supposed to play at Theater for a New Audience this year. Those plans fell through, and it was heavily rumored that the production would play at the Public. This ...

Benjamin Scheuer to Release Songs from The Lion You might recall that a couple of years ago, musician Benjamin Scheuer debuted his musical memoir, The Lion , at Manhattan Theatre Club. His personal tale of love, loss, and resilience surely touched all who saw it. Subsequent to the debut run, Scheuer, now on tour with the show, headed into the recording studio to lay down Songs from The Lion , which, it was just announced, will be released on June 3. The first single from the album, "Weather the Storm," was just released, along with an animated video (see below). Visit Glide magazine to learn more, and head to your favorite music retailer to purchase "Weather the Storm," and pre-order Songs from The Lion . Casting News Initial casting for the hotly-anticipated Falsettos  revival has been announced. Two-time Tony winner Christian Borle  ( Peter and the Starcatcher , Something Rotten ), Tony nominee Stephanie J. Block  ( The Mystery of Edwin Drood , Li...

Robbie Fairchild Sets Return to NYCB Tony nominee Robert Fairchild  will depart An American in Paris  on March 13, one year after playing his first preview on Broadway. This will free up Fairchild to return to New York City Ballet  for the spring season, where he'll make his debut in Balanchine's Agon  and originate a role in the new Christopher Wheeldon  ballet. (Wheeldon, as you know, is the Tony-winning choreographer of An American in Paris. ) Garen Scribner , who is Fairchild's alternate on Broadway, will take over the role full time before heading out on the road, leading the first national tour of An American in Paris  alongside Sara Esty .  The New York Times and Broadway.com have more. Frozen Coming to Broadway A stage adaptation of Frozen  will hit Broadway in spring 2018. The show will be written by married songwriting duo  Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez (who won an Oscar for the film's anthem, "Let It Go";...

Mourning David Bowie, Recording Lazarus We lost a legendary artist this week. David Bowie passed away on Sunday, January 10, just days after celebrating his 69th birthday and releasing his final (critically acclaimed) album, Blackstar . Tributes to the musician poured in from all over, including the theatre community , Hollywood , and the music world . On the heels of this news (but not necessarily because of it), the cast of Bowie's off-Broadway musical, Lazarus (which can now be interpreted as Bowie's farewell letter), headed into the studio to record a cast album. As Theater Mania reports, no release date has been announced. The cast is led by Michael C. Hall, and features Michael Esper and Cristin Milioti. Ensemble member Nicholas Christopher posted a photo of himself in the studio, saying, "Couldn't imagine a better way to spend today." HBO Premiere Dates HBO has announced premiere dates for several highly-anticipated shows and specials: Game of Th...

The 73rd Golden Globe Awards were handed out on Sunday in a Ricky Gervais -hosted ceremony. Herein, the full list of winners. (Winners are notated with an asterisk and bold typeface.) Film Best Motion Picture, Drama Carol Mad Max: Fury Road The Revenant * Room Spotlight Best Motion Picture, Comedy The Big Short Joy The Martian* Spy Trainwreck Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama Cate Blanchett, Carol Brie Larson, Room* Rooney Mara, Carol Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama Bryan Cranston, Trumbo   Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant * Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl Will Smith, Concussion Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical Jennifer Lawrence, Joy* Melissa McCarthy, Spy Amy Schumer, Trainwreck Maggie Smith, The Lady in the Van Lily Tomlin, Grandma Best Performance...