Broadway Bound: Events Centered Around New York Theatre

By Troy Segal

You don’t have to make a trek to the Theatre District to experience the world of Broadway. Check out these screenings and talks for alternative tastes of the dramatic arts in NYC.

Watch a washed-up movie action hero (Michael Keaton) struggle to revive his career by mounting a play on the Great White Way in Birdman—much of which was actually shot around Times Square and inside the St. James Theatre. The much-praised movie is still playing at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), thru Dec. 25. 

Image: Flickr — Rosmary

Receive a Backstage Pass to Broadway, its scandals, secrets and stories of what it takes to get a show up and running, courtesy of press agent Susan L. Schulman, who’s worked with almost all the A-list stars, directors and producers over the years (and lived to tell about it). New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Jan. 8.

Image: Brigitte Lacombe — Metropolitan Opera

For several years now, the worlds of opera and musical theatre have been converging. At the Metropolitan Opera, a new production of The Merry Widow has Renée Fleming performing the title role for the first time (she’s previously done excerpts). The direction is by Susan Stroman, better known for helming musicals like The Producers and Bullets Over Broadway. In the supporting role of Valencienne is Broadway golden girl Kelli O’Hara (South Pacific, The Bridges of Madison County), making her Met debut. Catch the live HD simulcasts at the Walter Reade Theater, Jan. 17 & 23.

Allison Williams—aka Marnie, the most glamorous of Lena Dunham’s Girls—just got a career boost playing a boy: specifically, Peter Pan, title character of the vintage musical that was recently broadcast live on TV. She’s conversing about careers—is more stage stuff in her future?—with Seth Myers. 92nd Street Y, Feb. 18.

As we swing into the second half of the theatre season, a lot of buzz is building about Honeymoon in Vegas, a new musical based on the 1992 movie. Hear from stars Tony Danza and Rob McClure (Chaplin), as well as the backstage creative team, explaining how what happens in Vegas ends up on Broadway. 92nd Street Y, March 15.