For the most part, this past summer offered some really good theater (Gypsy, Summer Broadway Festival, Grease, R+J, Grease, ect). For a complete list, scroll down to a few weeks ago. But the past two weeks have been extraordinarily quiet. Such that when I see WALMARTOPIA tonight, it'll be the first show I've seen in a week. That's almost a record. So, let's take a look at what this September will offer.
1. New York Musical Theatre Festival - it's not so trustworthy as seeing a musical produced by a major Off-Broadway theater, but more trustworthy than Fringe and all the rest of the other summer Off-Off-Bway festivals put together. Of last year's lot, I believe only PARTY COME HERE has moved on, gaining another limited run at Williamstown (I personally didn't like the show, but whatever.) A fair number of stage celebs have been announced for the varied productions, giving them more credibility. So we'll see what's to be offered.
2. No Broadway openings. But have no fear. A lot is on the docket for later in the fall.
3. 100 Saints at Playwrights Horizons - good cast! Louis Smith.
4. Sarcity at Atlantic Theater Company - another good cast. Kristin Johnson.
5. Walmartopia - seeing that tonight. I viewed it at Fringe one year ago and am interested in seeing what they've done now with a bigger Off-Bway commercial budget.
6. Hair - well, as of now there are two productions of HAIR. There is the Real Theater Company's production at Theater Row, for two weekends beginning tonight; as well as the Public Theater's three-night concert version in the Park. But I'm starting to fear the Public's isn't going to happen. No casting has been announced, it's supposed to be in three weeks from now, and that's never a good sign. And it sounds like something they could easily announce they're going to postpone.
7. The Misanthrope at NYTW - five years ago, the first theater review I ever wrote was of a production of The Misanthrope at Arena Stage in DC.
8. King Lear/Seagull with Ian McKellan - this is going to be awesome.
9. The New Forbidden Broadway - again, this is going to be awesome.
Did I miss anything?