In the News: NEWSical streams the musical fund for the benefit of actors, musicians launch initiative to develop BIPOC pipeline

Read on for a few recent theater titles you might have missed in today’s news.

Film version of NEWSical The musical Will Stream for the benefit of the actors’ fund
A September 26 performance of NEWSical The musical, filmed at the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska, will air October 26 at 8:15 p.m. ET and will be available until November 2. Part of the proceeds will be donated to The Actors Fund and the Lied Center. Produced by Tom and Michael D’Angora and created and written by Rick Crom with directing by Mark Waldrop, the topical musical stars original actor Michael West as well as NEWSical alumni Taylor Crousore, Amy Hillner Larsen and Carly Sakolove. Ed Goldschneider, the show’s original music director, returned for social distancing with Brent Michael Jones as production manager. Click here for ticket information.

Musicians launch initiative to develop BIPOC pipeline
A group of musicians has launched a new initiative to help BIPOC artists find work in the theater. MUSE will host an online directory, offer musical assistant scholarships and create opportunities for mentorship, education and outreach relationships. “The desire to participate in the creation of MUSE arose from the recognition of the under-representation of black and brown musical artists and the resources on the creative and departmental side of musical theater projects,” said Co-Chair Kenny Seymour. To learn more about MUSE, Click here.

The batting spirit Will make a world premiere at the Southwark Playhouse in London
The Southwark Playhouse in London will present the world premiere of Philip Ridley The batting spirit for three performances on November 20 and 21. Directed by Wiebke Green, the show stars Joseph Potter, who made his stage debut in Paul Miller’s production of Candidiasis at the orange tree in 2019, like Sasha. Ridley’s dark and comedic new play is about art, family, memory, and being haunted by the life we’ve never lived. In addition to having an audience of 110 socially distanced seats, the show will simultaneously be broadcast live worldwide with unlimited tickets available. Click here for more information.

To concern Empire‘s Alexandra Gray perform the melody of the new musical pop star
Empire‘s Alexandra Gray performs “How Can You Ask” from the musical pop star in the new video below. An industry read of the 2019 musical, about Hollywood record label director “Buzz” Michaelson, who is on the hunt for the next big thing in pop music, featured Hamiltonis Sydney James Harcourt, Dear Evan HansenRoman banks, Promby Kalyn West, Sally Wilfert, Ashley D. Kelley, Eddie Cooper, Perry Young, Amy Keum, Liam Allen, Ian Campayno, Erik J. Christensen, Alex Hartman, Carolyn Miller, Genny Lis Padilla, Nico de Jesus, Cajai Fellows Johnson, and Monica Woods. Pop star has music and lyrics by Sophie Dupin and Jay Levine, a book by Martin Casella and staging by Sharon Rosen, who conceived the project.