2020 Tony Nominations announced
The 2020 Tony Award nominations, recognizing the productions that opened during the 2019–2020 theater season before it was suddenly cut short, were announced last week on YouTube by Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart (“Aladdin”). The Alanis Morissette musical “Jagged Little Pill” received 15 nominations, followed by “Moulin Rouge!” at 14 and “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical” at 12. Jeremy O. Harris’ extremely divisive “Slave Play” received 12 nominations, followed by Matthew Lopez’ AIDS epic “The Inheritance” at 11 nominations. Due to the limited number of eligible shows, Aaron Tveit (“Moulin Rouge!”) is the only nominee in the category of Best Actor in a Musical. It is currently unclear when, where and how the Tony Awards will be presented.
Stage actress Doreen Montalvo dies
Broadway actress Doreen Montalvo, who had an ensemble role in the new musical “Mrs. Doubtfire” (which was still in previews when the pandemic hit), has died at age 56. Born in the Bronx, Montalvo also appeared on Broadway in “On Your Feet!” and “In the Heights.” On Twitter, Lin-Manuel Miranda recalled how Montalvo was the first actress to audition for “In the Heights” in 2002. “It is monstrously unfair that we did not get more time with her. More shows with her. More music with her. More life with her,” Miranda wrote. Thankfully, Montalvo will be seen in small roles in the forthcoming film adaptations of “In the Heights” and “West Side Story.”
Theater industry restaurant Joe Allen reopens
Joe Allen, an iconic dining destination for the theater community (where the posters of flop shows cover the walls), reopened last week right after being closed for seven months. Architect and scenic designer David Rockwell (“Hairspray”) has redesigned the restaurant in order to comply with health and safety mandates. “Even though we know we’ll have to wait a few more months before we can enjoy a Broadway show, the fact that we can now pop into Joe Allen for a meal gives me more comfort and joy than I can explain,” Rockwell said in a statement.
Weinstein accuser’s new musical to premiere
Louisette Geiss, one of the women to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, has cowritten the lyrics and book of a new musical about a female movie producer who learns that one of the most powerful men in Hollywood has been abusing women for years. Titled “The Right Girl,” it will have music by pop songwriter Diane Warren (“How Do I Live,” “Because You Loved Me”) and direction by Susan Stroman (“The Producers”). On Nov. 1, the Barrington Stage Company in MA will present a filmed performance of the musical for a live audience.
This week’s streaming recommendations…
“Death of a Salesman” (filmed performance of the 1999 Broadway revival starring Brian Dennehy as Willy Loman), Oct. 21–25, playbill.com…“A Touch of the Poet” (digital production of Eugene O’Neill drama by the Irish Rep), Oct. 27–Nov. 1, irishrep.org…”Debate: Baldwin vs. Buckley” (live staging of televised debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley Jr.), Oct. 22–24, theamericanvicarious.org.
