Broadway To Vegas

Copyright: September 14, 2025
By: Laura Deni
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AUSTRALIAN THEATRE FESTIVAL SHOWCASES IN NEW YORK CITY AND WASHINGTON DC

The Australian Theatre Festival NYC stages its annual festival September 16-23 in New York and Washington D.C. Season 2025 includes a dynamic line-up of Australian performing arts with 9 events and 15 performances to attend.

This year marks a significant evolution for the Festival, featuring new partnerships, expanded programming, and a groundbreaking D.C. tour. A major highlight of the 2025 season is a partnership with House of Oz, the award-winning global producing company led by the esteemed Georgie Black.

House of Oz, a philanthropic powerhouse dedicated to championing Australian creative arts internationally, brings a remarkable track record of over 1,000 produced performances and extensive international tours for Australian artists. This collaboration underscores the Festival’s commitment to showcasing the rich diversity and excellence of Australian talent on the global stage.

The Festival will present two fully-staged productions with multiple performances at Theatre Row on 42nd Street:

FLICK written and performed by Madelaine Nunn, Purse Prize Award Winner, presented by House of Oz.

A nurse. Her patient. A secret.

Flick is a nurse, Mark has cancer, the kind you can’t come back from. He's also dangerously attractive. When Mark asks Flick for a favor it doesn’t take long for boundaries to blur and lives to intersect. From award winning writer/performer, Madelaine Nunn. Flick is a darkly funny thriller about life, death, and really bad decisions. Don't miss this critically acclaimed one woman show!

All performances on Theatre Row in New York City.

SKINNY by Michelle Pearson, presented by House of Oz.

Both productions come directly from the Edinburgh Festival and will include talkback panels with the artists, offering audiences unique insights into the creative process of taking Australian theatre around the globe.

Skinny is more than a word. It’s a societal chokehold. An absurd universe of shakes, shapewear and shifty surgeons. But there is an alternative.

In this empowering fusion of pop, power ballads and biting comedy, multi-award-winning singer, Michelle Pearson, encourages us to face the mirror and embrace our bodies for all they are. Featuring songs Pretty Hurts (Beyonce), I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Whitney Houston), Karma Police (Radiohead) Money (Pink Floyd), We Didn’t Start the Fire (Billy Joel) & many more!

The popular collaboration with Australian Theatre Live returns in 2025, featuring a special screening of Nakkiah Lui’s hilarious comedy "Blaque Showgirls." This screening, showcasing Griffin Theatre’s premiere season, will be held at the Dolby Screening Room in midtown.

The much-anticipated ATF Cabaret returns to Green Room 42, hosted by Broadway’s Amelia Cormack and starring Barnaby Reiter, Jennifer Reed, Brenton Cosier and emerging artist Jaimee Gaston.

This year, the ATF Cabaret will be presented as a double bill with a concert presentation of Happy People, Music & Lyrics by Matthew Lee Robinson, Book by Matthew Lee Robinson & Scott Morris, co-presented with EQ Endeavours and Rebecca Morris.

Starring a Broadway star cast: Caroline O’Connor as Poppy, Ainsley Melham as Jeff, Elise McCann as Sally, Daniel Assetta as Benny, MiG Ayesa as Bobby and Heather Makalani as Sunny.

The Festival will continue to foster community connections, co-presenting the Community Party with America Josh, bringing together diverse audiences and Australian artists.

In an exciting new development, the Australian Theatre Festival NYC is proud to announce a partnership with The Embassy Of Australia in Washington D.C. This collaboration will culminate in a Washington D.C. Tour of the 2025 festival, taking place the week after the New York City season, extending the reach of Australian performing arts to a wider audience.

“We are honored to lead the Festival forward into a new era and celebrate even more Australian stories & artists in New York City," said Co-Artistic & Executive Directors, Mark Barford and Connor Delves.

"As we herald this new era, we are excited to transition into this next chapter which presents inspiring and sustainable opportunities for us to continue to grow."

"2025 is a year of new partnerships and collaborations. We’re really proud to welcome these new organizations into the Festival that share in our vision and mission. It is in this togetherness that we believe Australians achieve great things. We are focused on creating impactful experiences for our artists and audiences alike and 2025 will offer that in spades."

The Australian Theatre Festival NYC is a non-profit organization committed to showcasing the diverse and compelling narratives of Australian playwrights, performers, and creatives to New York City audiences.

Through its annual festival and ongoing initiatives, the organization fosters cultural exchange and provides a platform for Australian talent on an international stage.

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In the pages of How To Earn A Living As A Freelance Writer (the first to be lied to and the last to be paid) you'll find sex, celebrities, violence, threats, unethical editors, scummy managers and lawyers, treacherous press agents, sex discrimination; as well as a how-to for earning money by writing down words.

ART AND ABOUT

TATE MODERN HAS ANNOUNCED THAT SECOND ARTIST TO UNDERTAKE THE INFINITIES COMMISSION

Nora Chipaumire. Photo Knight Foundation

the new annual commission to showcase the limitless experimentation of contemporary art. Each year, an expert panel is asked to select an innovative and boundary-breaking international artist to create a visionary new work for the Tanks, Tate Modern’s unique spaces dedicated to performance, installation and time-based art.

This year’s jury has selected Zimbabwean artist, dancer and choreographer nora chipaumire, whose commission will be unveiled in June 2026. Tate also announced that funding for the Commission has been secured for the next decade, enabling it to happen each year until at least 2035.

Internationally acclaimed choreographer and performer nora chipaumire is known for her powerful and thought-provoking work that explores identity and personal storytelling. These performances fuse practices of dance, theatre, music, and visual art together to create immersive experiences that invite participation from the audience. Her dynamic style combines movement, sound and video to challenge perceptions and spark dialogue. The artist works with her own body as a core tool for expression in order to address expansive themes such as migration and resilience. The artist continues to push artistic boundaries, harnessing the live dynamics of performance as a space for education, empowerment and cultural dialogue.

This year’s selection panel included artist and academic Tony Cokes, curator Elvira Dyangani Ose, critic and writer Nora Khan and researcher and curator Daniel Blanga Gubbay.

In addition to selecting the commissioned artist, the panel are invited to choose three artists or collectives to receive a grant of £10,000 to fund research and development in their respective practices. This year’s panel has selected:

CATPC, Cercle d'Art des Travailleurs de Plantation Congolaise: A Congolese artist collective based in Lusanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Working from a belief that art making is a sacred action, the collective uses the income from their art sales to preserve and protect the land. They previously presented at the Dutch Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale.

Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme: A Palestinian artist duo whose art encompasses video, installation, performance and sound and explores dialogues of the body as it interacts with histories of dispossession and anti-colonial resistance across the globe. Their most recent exhibition spanned two venues at the Copenhagen Contemporary and the Glyptotek in Denmark.

Sahej Rahal: A storyteller who works across multiple media including video games and AI programs, Rahal seeks to interweave fact and fiction to form creative narratives in his work. He has participated in major shows at venues including ACCA Melbourne, CCA Glasgow and the Liverpool Biennial.

The Infinities Commission is made possible through philanthropic support to Tate. The selection panel was chaired by Catherine Wood, Director of Curatorial and Chief Curator, Tate Modern, and the commission will be curated by Valentine Umansky, Curator, International Art, Tate Modern, Francis Hardy, Assistant Curator, International Art and produced by Nancy Cooper, Production Manager, Commissions and Amelia Francis, Production Coordinator.

The Infinities Commission: nora chipaumire will be on display June 3 – August 26, 2026 at Tate Modern, Bankside, London.

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SWEET CHARITY

PAPER MILL'S GOLF TOURNAMENT Co-chaired by Howard Albert and Glenn Yarnis, the tournament will be held on September 15, at the exclusive Due Process Stables Golf Course. A day of swings, sunshine and stage-worthy fun.

The online auction for Paper Mill’s "Fore!" The Love of Theater Golf Tournament Auction supports the Paper Mill’s mission to bring high-quality theater and arts education and accessibility.

The Papermill Playhouse is located in Millburn, NJ.

THE NEW YORK POPS UNDERGROUND their annual fall cabaret fundraiser in support of PopsEd, takes place on Monday, October 6th at 54 Below in New York City.

Jessica Vosk will perform a special set. Renowned for her electrifying performances on Broadway and concert stages worldwide, Jessica Vosk currently stars in Hell’s Kitchen and is beloved for her iconic portrayal of Elphaba in "Wicked."

At 54 Below, Jessica promises an intimate and eclectic evening of songs, like your very favorite curated playlist, with theatrical moments and pop elements, highlighting the music of Hell’s Kitchen, Wicked, Waitress, Chappell Roan, ABBA, Linda Ronstadt, Don Henley, and more. She may even take you on a little holiday ride, it’s never too early to celebrate.

All proceeds from The New York Pops Underground support our PopsEd music education programs. This is our only fundraiser dedicated exclusively to PopsEd, and your support is vital in helping us provide life-changing music education experiences to New York City students.

Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke will serve as host, and guests will enjoy a three-course meal with wine pairings during the night’s performance. With opening act The PopsEd Alumni Ensemble.

Event Chairs: David Blakelock and Andrea Reiser.

SPREADING THE WORD

OLIVER! EXTENDS WEST END RUN WITH A NEW CAST The hit revival, devised by Cameron Mackintosh, has direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne, and co-direction by Jean-Pierre van der Spuy.

Adapted from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist by Lionel Bart, Oliver! follows an orphaned boy of the same name as he escapes the confines of the workhouse and finds refuge in the city’s underworld. Tunes include “Food Glorious Food”, “Consider Yourself”, ”You’ve Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two”, and “As Long As He Needs Me.”

The musical is now booking to October 4, 2026.

The production has also confirmed that Ava Brennan will now play Nancy, while the role of Oliver Twist is shared by William Barker, Ralphael Korniets, Isaac Nelson and Odo Rowntree-Bailly.

Also appearing in the West End cast are Simon Lipkin as Fagin, Aaron Sidwell as Bill Sikes, Billy Jenkins as the Artful Dodger, Oscar Conlon-Morrey as Mr Bumble, Katy Secombe as Widow Corney, Stephen Matthews as Mr Sowerberry/Dr Grimwig, Jamie Birkett as Mrs Sowerberry/ Mrs Bedwin and Philip Franks as Mr Brownlow.

Also on the creative team are designer Lez Brotherston, musical supervisor and conductor Graham Hurman, lighting designers Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs, sound designer Adam Fisher, and projection designer George Reeve, with original orchestrations by William David Brohn, orchestral adaptation by Stephen Metcalfe, choreographic associates Etta Murfitt and Sam Archer, casting directors Felicity French and Paul Wooller and children’s casting director Verity Naughton.

EMMY AND TONY WINNING ACTRESS KRISTIN CHENOWETH

Kristin Chenoweth with Thunder.

her husband musician Josh Bryant, who fronts his band Backroad Anthem and their dog Thunder celebrated their second wedding anniversary this past Labor Day week-end.

The I Do's were said in Dallas, Texas, on September 2. 2023 in a pink wedding ceremony held held at a private residence included celeb guests Kathy Najimy, David Foster, Katharine McPhee, Kenny Ortega, Chely Wright, Ty Herndon, Jennifer Aspen and Broadway composer Andrew Lippa.

An important part of the bridal party and this year's anniversary celebration was Thunder, a cockapoo mix whose accessories were cordinated to match the bridal couple. Thunder was the ring bear wearing a pink bow. Her collar was embellished with baby's breath. Thunder four footed it down the aisle to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck."

On a sad note, last month Kristin's dog, Madeline Kahn "Maddie" Chenoweth wagged her tail for the last time.

PAN ASIAN REPERTORY THEATRE presents a Staged Reading of EMPRESS MEI LI LOTUS BLOSSOM, a new work by award-winning playwright Christine Toy Johnson, directed by Nina Zoie Lam.

Featuring Rin Allen, Michelle Liu Coughlin, Andrew Dobbie, Doug Harris, and EJ Zimmerman.

Stage Directions read by Hannah Jew.

A modern Comedy of Errors of a young Asian artist trying to make it on Broadway.

Christine Toy Johnson (Playwright): A Tony and Obie honored writer, actor, and advocate for inclusion, whose works have been staged by Roundabout, Ars Nova, Goodspeed, and more. Her plays are part of the Library of Congress’s Asian American Playwrights Collection.

Nina Zoie Lam (Director): From international dance stages to Broadway’s Miss Saigon, Lam has built a celebrated directing career, co-founding the National Asian Artists Project and directing for Lincoln Center, Joe’s Pub, and Pan Asian Rep.

Friday, September 19 at 5 PM. Doors open at 4:50 PM with snacks and wine.

A.R.T/New York Bruce Mitchell Room i New York City.

MADE IN N.Y. AWARDS

The first-ever Made in NY Awards Ceremony for Theatre and Live Performance, celebrating individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to these vibrant communities in NYC. will take place Monday, September 15, at Gracie Mansion in New York City.

The exclusive industry gathering will celebrate artists, administrators and community leaders from the worlds of theatre, dance, & live performance from Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, concert halls, community centers and all the NYC venues that serve to produce and incubate fresh new talent across the five boroughs.

The upcoming event, honors LaChanze (Tony Award® winning actor/producer and co-Founder/President of the Advocacy movement Black Theatre United); Susan Feldman (Founder and Artistic Director of Brooklyn’s St. Ann’s Warehouse); Ken Sunshine (Public Relations Executive and Founding co-chair of the NYC Theatre and Live Performance Industry Council); Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck (Tony Award® Winning Choreographers of Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway); and brings the grand total of "Made in NY" Awards presented throughout its existence to 82. These include Joe Benincasa, Danielle Brooks, Alan Cumming, Neil Patrick Harris, John Leguizamo, Audra McDonald, Patina Miller, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and The New Victory Theatre.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) Commissioner Pat Swinney Kaufman will host. Created in 2006 by MOME, the “Made in NY” awards shine a light on excellence in New York City's creative community, recognizing the achievements of individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the City's entertainment and digital media industries. The specific theatre focused event comes on the heels of the first “Made in NY” Awards Ceremony in 10 years, which celebrated the film & TV industry in June.

Attendees include some of the leaders of NYC’s Theatre and Live Performance Community – Ken Billington (Tony-winning Lighting Designer for Chicago), Gerry Bryne (Publisher of Variety), Anthony Cantalupo (Producer/General Manager), Len Cariou, (Original Star of Sweeney Todd), Trip Cullman, (Director of Becky Shaw), Jack DePalma (Producer), Cheryl Duncan (PR Strategist), Eric Falkenstein (Film Producer), Lindsey Ferrentino (Bookwriter of The Queen of Versailles), George Forbes (Executive Director of the Lucille Lortel Foundation), Tom Harris (President of Times Square Alliance), Vy Higgensen (Founder/Executive Director of the Mama Foundation), Barry Hughson (Executive Director of American Ballet Theatre), Susan Jaffe (Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre), Ken Jockers (Executive Director at Hudson Guild), Judy Kuriansky (TV Commentator), David Leopold (Creative Director of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation), Willis Loughhead (General Manager of the Algonquin), Mitch Mattson (Director of Career Training at Roundabout Theatre), Jaden McKnew (Actor), Jeff Miele (Account Group Director at Situation Interactive), Andrew Millers (Producer at Troma Entertainment), Dara Roach (Head of Marketing and Operations at JCRA Financial LLC), Ilene Rosen (Managing Partner/Founder of RPM), Linda Shelton (Executive Director of the Joyce Theatre), Ashley Steinberg (Account Manager at Pekoe Group), Danny Strong (Bookwriter of Chess), Nicole Touzien (Executive Director of Dance Wave), Barbara Toy (Development Executive), TJ Witham (Vice President of Communications at Times Square Alliance), Anja Wood (Cellist).

Mayor Adams, the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, and other members of the administration have collaborated on many new initiatives to support the city's theatre and live performance industry and open doors for New Yorkers to jobs in this sector. These include: convening of the first-ever Live Performance Industry Council, which gathers leaders in live performance and government to address challenges and drive inclusive growth in the sector; a partnership with Seats on the Spectrum accessibility initiative, meant to make mainstream theatre performances welcoming to audience members on the autism spectrum; and ongoing support for the “Made in NY” Stagecraft Bootcamp in partnership with the Roundabout Theater Company Theater Workforce Development Program, which has trained and placed over 150 New Yorkers in good paying jobs in the theater, many of which joined unions or who are on track for membership.

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

NO POCKET TO PICK The producers of Cabaret have announced that they are unable to repay their investors. The popular production also announced that the revival will move up its closing date from October19 to September 21. In addition, its star Billy Porter was forced to leave the production due to a case of sepsis. One of the investors, entertainment lawyer James L. Walker, Jr. is suing the show.

Entertainment lawyer and Broadway producer James L. Walker, Jr. filed a lawsuit August 29 with the state of New York. Walker, Jr. invested $50,000 in the production - normally considered the minimum investment amount; he alleges that Cabaret lead producers have not returned any money to its investors, and have not provided a full accounting of its finances to investors. The lawsuit seeks the show's full financial records, disbursement of profits to investors, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees. Walker. Jr. is also seeking a jury trial.

According to "Broadway Journal", which first reported this news, its lead producers waived their own fees and royalties for the last year. The show's landlord, ATG (who is also a producer on Cabaret), also waived the theatre rent to bring operating expenses down.

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TRIANGLE Book by Thomas Mizer, Curtis Moore & Joshua Scher.

Directed by Michael Baron.

Music Direction by Eric Nordin.

The other creatives are: Scenic Designer Adam Koch. Costume Designer Allie Schluchter-Cox. Lighting Designer Larry Larsen. Props Designer Sam Manilla. Sound Designer Brian Karl Moen. Stage Manager Jessica Junor.

Set against the backdrop of the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York and its modern-day inhabitants, this musical follows two romances: a Jewish immigrant seamstress and her Italian foreman, and a graduate student and his relationship with a handsome free-spirited stranger. The show parallels their stories as they are set in the same location, a century apart. Filled with fresh melodies and a poignant narrative, the couples discover what it means to risk everything for love.

Starring Alex Foutos as Ben/Vincenzo, Collin Carver as Brian, Barney Stein as Howard/Boss and Sophie MacKay as Jenni/Sarah, Jennifer Lynn Teel as Dr. Zimmerman/Theresa and Malia Tippets as Cynthia/Chaya.
September 18 - October 12 at the Broadway Rose New Stage in Tigard, OR.

THE HONEY TRAP by Leo McGann. Directed by Matt Torney.

Belfast, 1979. At the height of the Troubles, two off-duty British soldiers think they’ve hit it off with two local girls at a unionist pub on the city’s outskirts. But what begins as a night of flirtation and playful sparring soon turns dark. Decades later, as one of the soldiers recounts the events for an American oral history project, long-buried memories resurface, drawing him back to Belfast in search of answers and revenge.

The cast will include Tony & Olivier Award nominee Michael Hayden, Doireann Mac Mahon, Daniel Marconi, Samantha Mathis, Molly Ranson, Harrison Tipping, and Annabelle Zasowski).

The Honey Trap will feature set design by Charlie Corcoran, lighting design by Michael Gottlieb, costume design by Sarita Fellows, sound design by James Garver and properties by Nicole Rozanski. April Ann Kline will serve as Production Stage Manager, with Pamela Brusoski (Aristocrats) as Assistant Stage Manager. Casting is by Geoff Josselson, CSA.

Previews begin September 17, 2025, in Irish Rep’s Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage, with opening night set for September 28, for a limited run through November 9, 2025.

THE GLITCH a timely new play by Kipp Koenig.*

Directed by Mark Koenig.*

*Mark and Kipp are not related.

A sci-fi dramedy about the daughter you haven’t had and the person you realize you want to become.

Amy has found the perfect man. He dreams of five kids, but she’s not even sure she wants one. In search of clarity, she visits a futuristic lab where advanced emotional AI generates a holographic teenager based on her and her partner’s DNA. However, when a glitch in the system reveals something impossible, the actual spirit of her future daughter, Amy must decide whether to listen to the voice reaching across time or retreat to the life she thought she wanted.

When Amy walks through the door, Wyatt, the lab’s brilliant but reclusive founder who hides behind a false identity and a lifetime of guilt, is forced to confront a childhood tragedy, the possibility of redemption, and the stunning truth that love, memory, and forgiveness are more intertwined than ever imagined.

Blending humor, heartbreak, and sci-fi intimacy, The Glitch explores the nature of connection in an increasingly synthetic world. It dares to ask: what if the AI you feared could help you become the parent you always wished you had? What if it could connect you with the one person meant to guide you there?

The Glitch is a story about finding grace in unexpected places and discovering that we may be more than our programming, and so are the machines.

The production stars Danielle Augustine as Amy a high-powered real estate agent with secrets of her own, Jacquie Bonnet as Wendy a brilliant but cautious product safety lead, Hannah Rose Doherty as Hailey a holographic teenager who just might be more "real" than anyone expects, Sunny Makwana as Wyatt, and Amilia Shaw as Aurora.

The production features scenic design by Josh Oberlander, costume design by Danny Colon, and lighting design by Zack Lobel. Sound design is by Kipp Koenig and Bryan Kohl, and Kayla Katona is the stage manager. Publicity by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR.

"The Glitch" will play a limited six-week engagement at the Jerry Orbach Theater, The Theater Center, NYC, from September 24–November 2, 2025.

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This is not your typical, totally boring textbook.

In the pages of How To Earn A Living As A Freelance Writer (the first to be lied to and the last to be paid) you'll find sex, celebrities, violence, threats, unethical editors, scummy managers and lawyers, treacherous press agents, sex discrimination; as well as a how-to for earning money by writing down words.

FINAL OVATION

MUUMI a white Pomeranian who co starred with Kristin Chenoweth in the new musical The Queen of Versailles, suddenly passed away backstage while the show was in Boston tryouts.

The musical: The Queen of Versailles, based on the 2012 documentary of the same name, is set to open on Broadway in fall 2025. Chenoweth stars as Jackie Siegel, a real-life socialite and wife of "Timeshare King" David Siegel. The musical features a dog character, representing the real-life Siegels' many pets, including a dog named Chyna. Muumi played one of these dogs during the Boston run.

Onstage reference: A New York Times article notes that the musical re-enacts infamous scenes from the Siegels' life, which include a dead pet lizard and the mansion being filled with dog poop.

That article mentioned that the musical re-enacts infamous scenes from the Siegels' life, which include a dead pet lizard and the mansion being filled with dog poop.

The Queen of Versailles is scheduled to begin previews on Broadway on October 8, 2025, at the St. James Theatre in New York City. Opening night is set for November 9, 2025. A different dog is being cast.

Next Column: September 21, 2025
Copyright: September 14, 2025 All Rights Reserved. Reviews, Interviews, Commentary, Photographs or Graphics from any Broadway To Vegas (TM) columns may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, utilized as leads, or used in any manner without permission, compensation and/or credit.
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Laura Deni