The Buzz Stream

• Engaging – Live from the Bardo: My Dinner with Mary

  Live from the Bardo: My Dinner with Mary, which premieres January 13-30, 2022, at Theater for the New City, New York City, is billed as “An Absurdist Comedy with Music.” Written by Coni Koepfinger and Dan Carter with music by Joe Izen, it transports us to a world that we can only imagine.

  It is the world of the dead. In Live from the Bardo: My Dinner with Mary, the two principal characters, Mary and Mary Ellen, are on a journey. That journey challenges both of them, as Mary Ellen attempts to help Mary attain a new stage of existence.  In the process, the spirits of legendary actors come to life. Thus, Joseph Jefferson, Helen Hayes, Katharine Hepburn, Jose Ferrer, Bea Lillie, and Bert Lahr all make appearances.

  You Mean Live from the Bardo is Not Realistic?

  Theatre is many things. But it is rarely realistic. No matter how real it may appear to be, only a small percentage of the plays that have been written over the past 2,500 years can be considered realistic. Live From the Bardo: My Dinner with Mary is a lot of things, inventive, funny, and engrossing. And, like most theatre, it is not realistic. But, as it is with all theatre, especially absurdist plays, it is inextricably connected to our lives, as we connect with the two main characters, Mary and Mary Ellen.

  Connecting with Mary and Mary Ellen

  What are some of those connections to our lives we find in Live from the Bardo: My Dinner with Mary? What are some of the aspects of this absurdist comedy that we can identify with? First, the main characters are estranged friends, each of whom is unique. Yet, they share a common history. Also, each is dealing with a new, challenging situation, is in transition, and is experiencing a wide range of emotions. Consequently, reunited after years of estrangement, they work towards a related but individual goals.

  Live from the Bardo: My Dinner with Mary – Tickets

  Live from the Bardo: My Dinner with Mary is the essence of theatre. As a result, it transports us to another world for a finite period of time. That world is unique. In fact, it is otherworldly, somewhere in the nether regions, and beyond distant. Yet, it is immediately accessible to us, funny, moving, intellectually challenging. See it! Get tickets today.

  For more information and tickets to Live from the Bardo: My Dinner with Mary, which premieres January 13-30, 2022, contact Theater for the New City, New York City by following this link.

  Please see Coni Koepfinger’s guest article Imagination and Beyond the Curtain at Broadway Educators.

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• Three Broadway Revivals You Don’t Want to Miss!

  New shows and revivals are filling up what were empty theatres. Thus, the lights are bright on Broadway once again. Broadway group tickets are available to three upbeat revivals set to open in early 2022. They’re not to be missed. The Music Man, Plaza Suite, and Funny Girl are coming in early 2022. Thus, if you’ve got a theatre group looking to have a premium Broadway experience at great group rates, then start planning to see one of these three revivals. Consequently, here’s a quick look at each one.

  The Music Man

  Meredith Wilson’s masterful musical The Music Man stars two mega-talents. Hugh Jackman plays the fast-talking Professor Harold Hill and Sutton Foster is the reserved librarian Marian Paroo. The creative team, which includes director Jerry Zaks and choreographer Warren Carlyle, is composed primarily of those who brought the Tony-winning revival of Hello, Dolly! to the stage. Consequently, we anticipate that this revival of this classic musical, which made Robert Preston a Broadway star, will be first rate. The Music Man, which will be at the Winter Garden, starts previews December 20, 2021, and opens February 10, 2022. Get great Broadway group tickets now for what is sure to be a popular, award-winning revival.

  Plaza Suite

  This revival of Neil Simon’s comedy Plaza Suite, which ran for over 1,000 performances when it premiered in 1968, was originally set to open at the Hudson Theatre in 2020. However, it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is on again. This classic Neil Simon comedy, which is about marriage, stars the real-life married couple of Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker. Broderick and Parker, who have been married 24 years, will play the three couples featured in the three-act comedy. The show, which is directed by John Benjamin Hickey, will preview February 22, 2022, and open March 28, 2022.

  Funny Girl

  Funny Girl was last on Broadway the first time it was on Broadway. That’s right, this is the first revival of the musical that in 1964 made Barbra Streisand a star. It ran for over 1,300 performances. The revival cast includes Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice, Ramin Karimloo as Nick Arnstein, Jane Lynch as Mrs. Rosie Brice, and Jared Grimes as Eddie Ryan. Harvey Fierstein has revived the original book, which was written by Isobel Lennart. Additionally, Jule Styne composed the music and Bob Merrill wrote the lyrics. Michael Mayer directs. Also, Ellenore Scott choreographs while Ayodele Casel choreographs the tap numbers. Purchase Broadway group tickets for what is the most anticipated revival of the 2021-22 season.

  Get the Best Broadway Group Tickets

  There are more great upcoming Broadway revivals and premieres. Contact All Tickets Inc. today to secure the best Broadway group tickets at the lowest prices. We are a complete group agency and can arrange a variety of quality experiences, including restaurants, museums, hotels, and much more. To contact us, simply follow this link or call us toll free at 1-800.922.0716. We’ll be happy to answer your questions, help you create your group event, and provide you with the best discounts available.

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• Buy Group Tickets for 2020 Tony Nominees

  

  Get 2020 Tony nominees group tickets at great prices. Three 2020 productions are currently running on Broadway. Each was nominated for various Antoinette Perry Awards.  Catch the best of the best when you book group tickets for Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and Jagged Little Pill.

  By-the-way, you may be wondering which of these three shows won the Tony? Remember the excitement, glamour, and surprises of the 2020 Tony Awards? Consequently, it’s hard to forget the musical that crushed the awards. So, which musical scored a string of honors?

  2020 Tony Award Winners

  

  What musical did? The answer is none of these shows. That’s because due to COVID, the 74th Tony Award ceremony was postponed. However, the awards will be given out on Sunday, September 26, 2021, in a special ceremony. Although, COVID interrupted theatre for more than a year, it is fantastic that these three nominees are up and running. In addition, the Tonys are about to rebound just as Broadway has. Of course, simultaneously, a brand-new Broadway season is also taking off. Thus, this September, we have a unique crossover between the 2020 and 2021 theatre seasons.

  Best 2020 Tony Nominees Group Tickets

  All Tickets, Inc. has the best group seats at the lowest prices to the trio of nominees. Our 2020 Tony Nominees group tickets are the best you’ll find anywhere. Uniquely, Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Al Hirschfeld Theatre) takes audiences to a time and place in Paris when Bohemians and aristocrats rubbed elbows amongst the glitz, glamour, and grandeur of a lavish cabaret. Set in turn-of-the-century France and taking its inspiration from Baz Luhrmann’s visionary film, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a celebration of creativity, beauty, truth, and love.

  

  On the other end of the spectrum, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (Lunt-Fontanne Theatre) offers audiences a wild ride, as it takes us from Turner’s tiny hometown of Nutbush, Tennessee to the fast-paced and hyper-sensational world of rock and roll. As a result, this bio-musical captures the energy, passion, trials, and triumphs that define the Queen of Rock and Roll.

  Based on Alanis Morissette’s groundbreaking music, Jagged Little Pill (Broadhurst Theatre) offers a vision of an imperfect American family as they experience every emotion that gives shape and meaning to our lives. Special note, Jagged Little Pill recently won the Grammy® for Best Musical Theater Album.

  Purchase 2020 Tony Nominees Group Tickets

  Contact All Tickets, Inc. to secure the finest tickets available for these great musicals. Of course, we also have tickets to long-running favorites such as Wicked. Plus, we offer amazing group discounts for up-and-coming shows. Call All Tickets, Inc. today at 1-800-922-0716. Also, you can contact us via our website to plan your next Broadway experience and purchase Broadway or Off-Broadway tickets for your group.

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• Broadway’s Beautiful Hits Are Back!

  

  Chicago group sales are hot as Broadway comes back! Along with Chicago, which is one of Broadway’s most popular musicals, groups can presently enjoy other great shows. Currently running are Waitress, The Lion King, Hamilton, and Wicked. These well-known shows are offering fantastic group prices. Looking for a night out for your theatre group? We can help you make it a reality.

  Hit Shows

  Long Running Hit!

  Chicago – With music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse, this salty, sweet, brash, brassy, and sensuous musical takes us to 1920s Chicago, telling the story of two incarcerated vaudeville lovelies, Velma and Roxie. After finding her husband in bed with her sister, Velma kills both. On the other hand, Roxie is in the slammer for taking down the man she’s cheating with on her husband. Both are doing time. In order to persevere, both woman use every talent, skill, and move they possess to make a comeback. And, all while behind bars.

  Innovative and Insightful

  

  Hamilton – When Hamilton hit Broadway in 2015 it was already a hit due to its successful run at the Public Theater. The brainchild of Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also starred in the original production, this rap/hip-hop/sung musical tells the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton and his ambition, intelligence, ego, and legacy in relationship to the founding of the United States of America. As a result, this is a truly insightful experience.

  Family Entertainment

  The Lion King – Based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name, this musical features music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi. The Lion King is the story of the young heir to the throne, Simba, whose life is drastically altered when Scar, his uncle, kills his father, King Mufasa.  Consequently, Simba’s journey to reclaim the throne is exciting, touching, and exhilarating. As a matter of course, this is a great family show.

  Uplifting

  Waitress – This show is based on the 2007 film of the same name. Waitress has music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and book by Jessie Nelson. This musical tells the story of Jenna Hunterson, a talented baker and hardworking waitress.  Jenna wants a way out of her abusive marriage. But when she unexpectedly becomes pregnant by her husband, Earl, she copes with the changing currents of her life by finding hope through a new doctor in town and the promise of a better future through a pie baking contest. Thus, this heartwarming musical celebrates motherhood, friendship, and self-determination.

  Family Favorite

  Wicked – This musical tells the story of Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (later known as Glinda the Good Witch). With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Winnie Holzman, Wicked focuses on the rivalry and relationship between the two witches. Wicked is about power, family, and interconnection. It asks us to consider whether good and evil are to some degree a matter of perspective. This is a winning show that’s perfect for the family.

  Chicago Group Sales – Great Deals for This and Any Musical

  If you’re interested in Chicago group sales or group tickets for any of these musicals, this is a great time to check out our special prices. As Broadway gears up, the desire and competition for tickets will increase. Consequently, we feel this is prime time for deals. Plus, if you’d like to include lunch or dinner, a tour of NYC, or another event, we can create an attractive, personalized group package.

  Contact ATI Now – Fantastic Group Sales and Deals

  

  There’s no hard sale here. These shows and NYC experiences sell themselves. As already noted, Chicago group sales are healthy, as are those for other hit Broadway musicals.  Contact All Tickets Inc. today at 1-800-922-0716 to find out more. We will individually craft the New York experience that you desire and at a great price.

  If you’re looking to see a new play or musical, we’re standing by to assist you. We’ll ensure every aspect of your group experience exceeds your expectations. Additionally, for more information regarding contacting us, please follow this link.

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• Countdown to Broadway

  

  As Broadway wakes back up, we stand in the middle of history.  There are forty-one Broadway Theatres in New York City.  There are over forty Broadway shows opening from now through fall and into the new year.

  Keeping track of everything that is opening and where and when is complicated. So we built a tracking tool called Countdown to Broadway.  We have listed all shows with  scheduled openings, plus their return dates, previews, openings, and Broadway venues.

  We have included a countdown timer for every show.  As each counter hits zero, Broadway will be back at full, one theatre at a time.

   

  September Hadestown Returning September 2 The Tony-winning musical tale of the lovers and dreamers from Greek mythology sings out once again at the Walter Kerr Theatre. Tickets now on sale![hurrytimer id=”48390″] Waitress Returning September 2 Sara Bareilles returns as Jenna Hunterson in this limited-run musical revival based on the 2007 film of the same name. Tickets now on sale! Barrymore Theatre. [hurrytimer id=”48390″] Hamilton Returning Sept 14 The revolutionary Broadway blockbuster by Lin-Manuel Miranda returns to the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Tickets now on sale![hurrytimer id=”48396″]

  View the full list.

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• Broadway Reopening & Covid Protocols

   

  Broadway is reopening this fall. People are once again thinking about the excitement of live theater. Not all shows are opening at once, but productions are announcing their show returns daily.

  As a part of the efforts to minimize the spread of the coronavirus, Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters will be instituting practical, but reasonable, covid-safe protocols. These range from up-scaled theater-cleaning & refitted air systems, to limited-contact ticketing.

  Each production will have it’s own procedures & policies. The full Vaccination and Mask Policy for Broadway Shows in NYC is available at https://www.broadwayleague.com/covid-19-updates/

  These measures are all to provide a safe environment for groups to enjoy the Broadway experience once again.

  There are 41 Broadway Theatre venues in New York City. Almost every theatre has a re-opening date already set. It is an historic time to bring a group to New York City to build memories that will last forever.

  Broadway Theate has been with us for over 280 years. After a very brief nap, Broadway is back. There is a small group of very friendly people who are interested in you. Together, we can plan experiences that you and your group will remember forever.

  Please call for detailed info.

  Thank you,

  All Tickets
  1-800-922-0716
  https://allticketsinc.com/

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• Theatre Offers Many Gifts

  Theatre Offers Many Gifts

  The theatre offers many gifts. It’s a simple statement, direct and to the point. And it’s appropriate to make it at this time of the year. After all, it is the season to be giving gifts, to friends and family, to those in need, and to those who have served us well. The holiday season is often one where we show appreciation to others, engage in altruistic acts of kindness, and simply try to be a bit more generous, caring, and loving.

  It is also the bleakest time of the year. Over the next few months, we will be surrounded by darkness. In a time that seems to be occupied with and dominated by negativity, each of us seems to be more and more isolated. With depression and anxiety in the US at the highest levels ever, we can certainly use more optimism, community, and meaningful communication. Where might we find it? You may find what you need at the theatre. To reiterate, the theatre offers many gifts to those who take the time to engage it. Why should we do so?

  Some REAL Facts

  First, consider the facts below. They have been garnered from various publications and reports that were published in 2018. They are all reflective of the condition of those living in the U.S.

  • Alcoholism is on the rise and killing more people than ever
  • Depression is at an all-time high
  • Suicide rates continue to rise
  • Stress and anxiety levels have never been higher

  There are many reasons for the spikes noted above. In a report filed by NBC News, Dr. Laurel Williams, chief of psychiatry at Texas Children’s Hospital talked about some of the reasons for the rise in depression.

  Dr. Williams noted, “Many people are worried about how busy they are.” Plus, she added, “There’s a lack of community. There’s the amount of time that we spend in front of screens and not in front of other people. If you don’t have a community to reach out to, then your hopelessness doesn’t have any place to go.”

  Theatre Creates Community – A Shared Experience

  Theatre, which is unlike any other art form, offers audiences a unique experience. When we go to the theatre, we form a community. Sometimes this community is primarily made up of strangers, and other times, we may know quite a few people in the audience. But rarely does one go to the theatre alone. That means we’re sitting and sharing an experience with a larger group, and, if we go with someone, a smaller group.

  When we go to the theatre, we are to put away our various media-connected devices, focus on one area, and watch from the darkness of the auditorium a special place bathed in light and occupied by people performing live. Not only are they performing, but they are creating characters on stage who are engaged in solving a problem, tackling an issue, or dealing with the ups and downs that life has to offer. In other words, when we watch a stage play or a musical we are viewing a representation of life, a living, three-dimensional model that represents us. As we react to it, the performers hear us. In live performance, the actors take the energies we give them through our attention and reactions, and use them to support their next moments.

  In the theatre, there is this give-and-take between actor and audience that does not exist in film, TV, or online. Thus, the community includes audience and actors, as well as often unseen technicians, all engaged with one another for a few hours where the darkened audience is transcended and transformed by the light emanating from the stage.

  What Dr. Williams alluded to as lacking from so many of our lives, community, is created by the theatre. Broadway creates one type of community, while Off-Broadway creates another. Unique communities are the product of Off-Off-Broadway, touring, regional theatre, elementary through high school theatre, university and college productions, and community theatre shows. In fact, if you talk to anyone who works in the theatre, whether they be a professional or an amateur, they will point to the feeling of community as being one of the best aspects of any show or production.

  True, Theatre Offers Many Gifts – The Most Important One

  We said at the beginning that theatre offers many gifts. What are some of those gifts? The theatre allows us to unabashedly feel a range of emotions, to simultaneously forget and remember, to go back in time, and to dream. It can challenge us intellectually, teach us about a range of subjects, and entertain us for a few hours.

  When we go to see a play or musical, we have something new to talk about with those with whom we went. We can share our ideas, emotions, and reactions to the event, as we foster connections between the part of the temporary community of which we were just a member. That after-show drink, snack, or dinner allows us to communicate about what we just saw. And we may continue to do so for years to come. When we are at work, see some friends, or meet someone new, we may share our experiences, thoughts, and emotions connected with that show.

  But perhaps the most important gift offered by the theatre is one engaged in alone. Contemplation. We can turn that shared event, experience, live performance over and over in our mind, remembering, dissecting, and analyzing it to find comfort in, learn from, or to renew a belief in ourselves, our potential, our goodness, and our caring. In a time that is so negative, the theatre provides us with a chance to be exceedingly positive.

  And the play or musical does not have to have an upbeat ending for us to take something affirmative from it. Because after we leave the theatre, having gone on a shared journey with a group that has found a common energy and engaged in a unique experience where audience, performers, and technicians have shared in the creative process, we possess a new understanding of and renewed energy for life. And when that happens, anything is possible. Indeed, the theatre offers many gifts.

  Written by Paul Mroczka, Director of Theatre, Plymouth State University

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• The Cursed Child to NYC

  Harry Potter and all the events around the franchise really shaped my childhood. My whole family would make plans to attend midnight book release parties at Barnes and Noble and we would meet up at the movie theatres every time to see Hollywood try to take on the characters well loved. The newest installment in Rowling’s neverending story is coming to Broadway from the West End where Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been a sold out hit!

  In Previews: Opening April 22nd!

  Harry Potter and The Cursed Child is currently in previews and opens April 22nd at the Lyric Theatre. It is the eighth installment to the Harry Potter saga about the boy who lived, grew up to defeat the Dark Lord Voldemort, and saved the wizarding world. In this installment, we see older versions of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and other notable characters. We also see the children of our triumvirate including Harry’s son, Albus Potter, who must deal with the unwanted legacy of his father. As the show synopsis says: “As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.”

  The Story That Lived

  I have to admit that I wasn’t a big fan of the book when it was released. For whatever reason, I didn’t think the stage directions and character dialogue matched what I knew from the original series. It felt like a fanfiction version of the story…and maybe partly because the show’s main conceiver is not J.K Rowling at all. Playwright Jack Thorne used ideas from Rowling to create the work.

  Despite my beliefs about the book, the production has received some incredible reviews. TIME Magazine reviewed the production after its opening night on the West End and stated: “…this is a story that feels made for the stage. Yes, it’s packed with effects as characters cast spells, fly and even transform, achieved through old school stagecraft rather than digital trickery.”

  Even though I was skeptical about the book, I have to admit that I have a “blow my savings” attitude about seeing the production in NYC. If I had tickets, I would be there in a heartbeat in a cape and a big old sorting hat right next to my mom who would be dressed the same way!

  Will you be reliving your childhood by going to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child? Let us know on Twitter @AllTicketsInc!

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