stagefanatic

09/28/2026

CLOSING DAY. Les Misérables at Hudson Valley Shakespeare — final performance of the season.

I've seen this show more times than I can count: Radio City (three times), Manila, Boston, the original Cameron Mackintosh production. But nothing prepared me for seeing it outdoors in Garrison, NY, with the Hudson River and the hills as the backdrop.

It started at 5 PM in full daylight and turned to dusk right as "One Day More" began. I've never experienced Les Mis like that.

Josh Young was a powerhouse Jean Valjean. The Thénardiers made it their own. An all-American cast, pure American accents — so refreshing.

I'll be back next year.

What's the most beautiful venue you've ever seen a show in?

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Josh Young
musicaltheatre
— stagefanatic

The stage

Intermission

Final scene

Josh Young leads the cast

The curtain call

Final bows

Look at that cast

Farewell

Hudson Valley Shakespeare

Beautiful view

Entrance to the amphitheater

Outside the stage

The theater

Meadow

Hudson Valley

Pathway to the theater

Some stone structure

Hudson River in the horizon

Look at that view

09/28/2026

09/27/2026

Curtain call at DISRUPTION — closing October 4 at the Signature Center 👏

An algorithm that makes your major life decisions for you — it chooses you, it tells you what to do, if you let it. The kind of show that makes you think about how much AI is already part of our lives… and sometimes that's scary.

Went for Conrad Ricamora — he did not disappoint. Understudy Lauren Marcus (Joe Iconis's wife!) was excellent filling in for Elizabeth Stanley, and I sat next to Joe himself. Great night.

Conrad Ricamora Jason Ralph Lauren Marcus Joe Tippett Shaunette Renée Wilson Emma Kikue Schwab Irene Sofia Lucio johndavidwashington disruptionplay


— stagefanatic

09/27/2026

Caught DISRUPTION at the Signature Center before it closes October 4 — and I'm really glad I did.

Honestly I went for Conrad Ricamora, one of my favorite actors. Had to show up and support a Filipino American artist 🇵🇭 — and he was fantastic as always.

The play is so of this moment: an algorithm built to make your major life decisions for you. It chooses you, it tells you what to do — if you let it. It's the kind of show that makes you think about how much AI has already become part of our lives, and honestly, sometimes that's scary. Really engaging from start to finish.

The staging is wild too — you're looking straight through the set to the audience on the other side, mirroring you.

Elizabeth Stanley was out at my performance, but her understudy Lauren Marcus — Joe Iconis's wife! — was excellent. And in a fun twist, I ended up sitting next to Joe himself, there supporting her. Love a night like that.

Don't sleep on this one — final performance October 4.

Conrad Ricamora Jason Ralph Lauren Marcus Joe Tippett Shaunette Renée Wilson Emma Kikue Schwab Irene Sofia Lucio johndavidwashington disruptionplay


— stagefanatic

09/26/2026

Launching a new series: DIVA SPOTLIGHT. And there's only one place to start — the one and only Audra McDonald.

Six Tony Awards — the most of any performer in history, and the only person to win in all four acting categories: Carousel (1994), Master Class (1996), Ragtime (1998), A Raisin in the Sun (2004), Porgy and Bess (2012), and Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill (2014) — and nominated an 11th time for Gypsy (2025), the most nominations of any performer in Tony history.

There's nothing like watching the rain fall as Audra emphatically sings "I Am What I Am." Dammit, it's just stunning.

Audra McDonald The Tony Awards

LaCageAuxFolles KingstonNY BroadwayLegend

stagefanatic

09/25/2026

Flashback Friday ✨ — I just love beautiful summer nights at the park. Shakespeare in the Park's The Winter's Tale at the Delacorte was one of those nights — I didn't know this play well, but Daniel Sullivan's direction made it riveting and clear, and Lily Rabe and Raúl Esparza were fantastic. What a company 🌙

Raúl E. Esparza Lily Rabe Steven Skybell Marsha Stephanie Blake Isabela Katie Griffith daniel kyri Gilbert Owuor 🇰🇪🇺🇸 Michael Khalid Karadsheh michael thanh trần The Public Theater

Full company: Teagle F. Bougere, Chuck Cooper, Matthew Eby, Alex Hernandez, Denise Kolodja, Violeta Picayo, Heschel Bay, Jackson Whitman, Everett Lonergan, Matt E. Russell, Jennifer Mogbock, Aubie Merrylees, Bianca Rogoff, and musician Peter Douskalis

PublicTheater

— stagefanatic

09/25/2026

Flashback Friday ✨ to a magical night in Central Park — Shakespeare in the Park's The Winter's Tale at the newly renovated Delacorte Theater.

I'll be honest, I didn't know this play well — but I was riveted from start to finish. Daniel Sullivan's direction made Shakespeare feel so clear and alive, and Lily Rabe and Raúl Esparza were fantastic. Shout-out to Steven Skybell and the whole company too.

Should've posted this sooner — what a beautiful evening. 🌙

Raúl E. Esparza Lily Rabe Steven Skybell Marsha Stephanie Blake Isabela Katie Griffith daniel kyri Gilbert Owuor 🇰🇪🇺🇸 Michael Khalid Karadsheh michael thanh trần The Public Theater

Full company: Teagle F. Bougere, Chuck Cooper, Matthew Eby, Alex Hernandez, Denise Kolodja, Violeta Picayo, Heschel Bay, Jackson Whitman, Everett Lonergan, Matt E. Russell, Jennifer Mogbock, Aubie Merrylees, Bianca Rogoff, and musician Peter Douskalis



— stagefanatic

09/24/2026

Second new play of the fall season on Broadway — and it's the funniest. Saw it off-Broadway years ago and now it's back with a stacked cast! Jasmine Amy Rogers and Denée Benton ran away with this show. Funny as ever.

Starring Lucia Aremu, Denée Benton, Patina Miller, Erin Morton, Nia Otchere-Sarfo, Jordan Rice, Jasmine Amy Rogers and Heather Alicia Simms. By Jocelyn Bioh, directed by Whitney White. Shoutout to Onyi Aba who was on as Nana (understudying Erin Morton) at my performance — she was great!

Jasmine Amy Rogers Denée Benton patinamiller Erin Morton Nia Otchere-Sarfo🤍 Actress Jordan Rice Heather Alicia Simms Onyi Nwosu Jocelyn Bioh W H I T N E Y W H I T E Manhattan Theatre Club



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05/06/2026

on the night of the Tony Nominations first performance with best musical and acting nominations for with