ROUNDABOUT BLOG

2013-2014 Season

From the Artistic Director About New Plays at Roundabout

Posted on: December 19th, 2016 by Todd Haimes

Dear Theatregoer,

If you had told me ten years ago that Roundabout would be at the forefront of producing new American plays, I never would have believed you. I started our Roundabout Underground program back in 2007 because I saw a need to support playwrights early on, giving them a space to launch their careers. What I didn’t realize at the time was how incredible it would be to watch these young artists blossom into some of the most outstanding writers working in the theatre today.

Last season, we had the remarkable experience of taking on The Humans, our third collaboration with Stephen Karam, whose debut play Speech & Debate opened the Underground. Not only was The Humans met with an incredible response in our own Laura Pels Theatre, but it then transferred to Broadway, becoming a Pulitzer Prize finalist and winning the Tony Award^® for Best Play. I can’t tell you how thrilling it has been to witness the impact Stephen is having on the American theatre after debuting at Roundabout.

The company of THE HUMANS

And Stephen isn’t alone in his success. Joshua Harmon, who you first met here with Bad Jews, will make his Broadway debut this spring with the transfer of Significant Other, another play first seen at the Pels.

I’m so proud that, in supporting young voices that we believe in, Roundabout is able to bring you such incredible new work. In 2017, we will continue this commitment with two more plays. In the winter, you can see Steven Levenson’s bold family drama If I Forget. Steven is currently making his Broadway debut as a writer of the acclaimed new musical Dear Evan Hansen. In the spring, join us for the world premiere of Napoli, Brooklyn, Meghan Kennedy’s moving and vibrant tale of an Italian family in 1960s New York.

Like Stephen and Josh before them, both Meghan and Steve made their debuts with Roundabout Underground, and I am thrilled to continue showcasing their work. Don’t miss out on seeing the next great plays to hit New York before anyone else.

Sincerely,

Todd Haimes

Artistic Director/CEO

Related Categories:
2016-2017 Season, Bad Jews, If I Forget, Napoli Brooklyn, The Humans

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Just Announced: Casting for National Tour of Cabaret

Posted on: December 11th, 2015 by Roundabout

Randy Harrison

The musical masterpiece returns, direct from Broadway!

We are proud to announce casting for the national tour of Sam Mendes (Spectre, American Beauty) and Rob Marshall’s (Into the Woods and Chicago, the films) Tony Award®-winning production of Cabaret. Randy Harrison, best known for his portrayal of Justin in the Showtime drama “Queer as Folk,” will step into the role of the Emcee while Andrea Goss, a veteran of Roundabout’s Cabaret on Broadway will return to the role of Sally Bowles when the tour premieres in Providence, RI at the Providence Performing Arts Center with performances beginning Tuesday, Jan. 26. Joining them are Shannon Cochran (August: Osage County) as Fraulein Schneider, Alison Ewing (Cabaret/Broadway,) as Fraulein Kost, Mark Nelson (Picasso at the Lapin Agile) as Herr Schultz, Ned Noyes (You Can’t Take It With You) as Ernst Ludwig and Lee Aaron Rosen (The Normal Heart) as Clifford Bradshaw.

Andrea Goss

The cast will also include Kelsey Beckert (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), Sarah Bishop (42nd Street), Margaret Dudasik (Chautauqua!), Hillary Ekwall (How the Grinch Stole Christmas), Lori Eure (Cabaret/Broadway), Aisling Halpin (Peter and the Starcatcher), Leeds Hill (Cabaret/Broadway), Andrew Hubacher (Cabaret/Broadway), Joey Khoury (Altar Boyz), Tommy McDowell (American Idiot), Evan D. Siegel (Cabaret/Broadway), Dani Spieler (Legally Blonde) and Steven Wenslawski (Spamalot).

John Kander, Fred Ebb and Joe Masteroff’s Tony-winning musical features some of the most memorable songs in theatre history, including “Cabaret,” “Willkommen” and “Maybe This Time.” Cabaret is set in the infamous Kit Kat Klub, where the Emcee, Sally Bowles and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd––and to leave their troubles outside.

The creative team for the North American tour includes original direction by Sam Mendes, original co-direction and choreography by Rob Marshall, tour direction recreated by BT McNicholl (Spamalot), tour choreography recreated by Cynthia Onrubia (Victor/Victoria), set design by Robert Brill (Assassins), costume design by William Ivey Long (Chicago), lighting design by Peggy Eisenhauer (Ragtime) and Mike Baldassari (“Nine”), sound design by Keith Caggiano (The Radio City Christmas Spectacular) based on the Original Broadway design by Brian Ronan with hair and wig design by Paul Huntley. Cabaret features orchestrations by Michael Gibson (The Boy From Oz), music supervision & vocal arrangements by Patrick Vaccariello (On Your Feet) and music direction by Robert Cookman (Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark). Cabaret is based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.

Following the run in Providence, the tour will continue on to more than 20 cities during its first season. For tour dates, locations and more information, visit the tour website.

Related Categories:
Cabaret

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Roundabout remembers Roger Rees

Posted on: July 13th, 2015 by Todd Haimes

The Roundabout family is mourning the loss of a beloved member, Roger Rees. We had the pleasure of being a home to this uniquely talented artist on our stages over the years, with The Rehearsal in 1996, Uncle Vanya in 2000, and, most recently, with 2013’s The Winslow Boy.

I have such fond memories of these collaborations, in which Roger brought his impeccable training, warm humor, and fullness of heart to our audiences. He was a consummate professional and the very definition of a class act. Roger was a generous performer who will be remembered not only for his performances on stage but for the way that he took so many other artists under his wing, sharing the knowledge of his experience and offering mentorship to a new generation.

I feel privileged to have seen Roger perform so many times over the years, from his breakthrough in Nicholas Nickleby to his sly turns on “The West Wing” to his directing work on the wonderful Peter and the Starcatcher. But it’s Roger’s extraordinary work in Terrence Rattigan’s The Winslow Boy that I am thinking about in this sad moment. How lucky we all were to see that beautiful, measured performance from one of the true greats. For all that you gave to your audience, your friends, and the theatre, Roger, we thank you.