Which TV comedian will be hosting this year’s Emmys? What Seinfeld vet is returning to the Broadway stage? And which Broadway mega musical is finally coming to a close? Find out all this and more in Stagelight’s Top 10 Theater Stories of the Week!

 

10. Kathleen Marshall’s Living on Love starts previews
Straight from the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Living on Love will begin previews at Broadway’s Longacre Theatre this Wednesday. The production is directed by Kathleen Marshall and follows the story of a celebrated opera star, played by real-life opera singer Renee Fleming.

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9. Airline Highway begins previews this week
Also starting previews this Wednesday is Airline Highway directed by Joe Mantello. Prior to its Broadway run, the play ran at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre. The play features an ensemble cast that includes Tony winner Julie White.

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8. Tickets now on sale for Off-Broadway’s 39 Steps
The box office is now officially open at the Union Square Theatre for the Off-Broadway revival of the Tony Award winning 39 Steps. Tickets to the Hitchcock spoof start at just $39 for the first 39 performances. Previews begin this Wednesday.

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7. And this year’s Emmy Awards will be hosted by…
The Emmy Awards will hold its annual awards show on September 20 with television actor Andy Samberg in the role of host. Nominations are set to be announced on July 16. But with the Tony Awards scheduled for June 7, the Emmys will have to wait for now.

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6. Bedlam Theatre Company serves up Shakespeare two ways
Five Actors. One Play. Two Ways. Bedlam Theatre Company officially began its eight week run at the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre this past weekend, with the same play told two different ways. The critically acclaimed troupe will present William Shakespeare’s TWELFTH NIGHT (or what you will) in rep with
William Shakespeare’s WHAT YOU WILL (or twelfth night).

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5. Skylight opens on Broadway this Thursday
The latest David Hare play Skylight will officially open at the John Golden Theatre this Thursday. The play features Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan, and is directed by Stephen Daldry. Skylight played a successful run in London’s West End in 2014 prior to its New York arrival.

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4. Cabaret officially comes to a close
The revival of a revival of the Tony Award winning Cabaret officially played its final Broadway performance at Studio 54 this past Sunday. The production closed with Alan Cumming, Sienna Miller, Linda Emond, and Danny Burstein, after playing since its April 24 opening.

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3. Audra McDonald in talks to join Beauty and the Beast
The Hollywood Reporter reported this week that Tony Award winner Audra McDonald is in final negotiations with producers to join the cast of Disney’s live action Beauty and the Beast, which already will feature Emma Watson, Emma Thompson, Kevin Kline, and Josh Gad. McDonald last appeared on the Broadway stage in the Tony winning role of Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill.

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2. It’s Imelda Staunton’s turn as Mama Rose
Imelda Staunton officially reprised her role as Mama Rose as previews began this weekend for Gypsy at the West End’s Savoy Theatre. While Staunton has yet to appear on the Broadway stage, she boasts a long list of London theater credits, and may be best known for her onscreen work in films such as Vera Drake and the Harry Potter series.

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1. Jason Alexander to take over for Larry David
Producers announced a piece of genius Seinfeld swap casting this week: Broadway and television veteran Jason Alexander (best known for his portrayal of George Costanza) will take over for Larry David in Broadway’s Fish In the Dark. David has always been scheduled to leave the production, and Alexander will begin performances in the play beginning June 9.

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