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Are you looking for world premiere dance? Some jazz? A revival of a play that was likely ahead of its time? A celebration of Tin Pan Alley? A Broadway Festival unlike any other? We have them all in Best Bets: August 10th – August 16th.
NOW: PREMIERES at Vail Dance Festival – Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater – Vail, CO – August 10th
In celebration of 20 years with Damien Woetzel as the artistic director of Vail Dance Festival, Now: Premieres will present 12 world premieres.
The choreographers of these works are Robert Battle, Lil Buck with Kayla Mak & Ringdown, Chun Wai Chan, Michelle Dorrance in collaboration with Chelsea Hoy, Robbie Fairchild, Larry Keigwin, Tiler Peck, Alexei Ratmansky, Pam Tanowitz, Amanda Treiber, Takehiro Ueyama and Christopher Wheeldon.
Amongst the musicians performing are Brooklyn Rider, Caroline Shaw, Davóne Tines and Derek Wang.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
AN AMERICAN DAUGHTER – The Irene Diamond Stage at The Pershing Square Signature Center – New York, NY – Now – September 20th
OPENING NIGHT: AUGUST 11th
This play by Wendy Wasserstein (The Heidi Chronicles, The Sisters Rosensweig) had its world premiere at Lincoln Center in 1997. It was greeted with mixed reviews, but a Lifetime movie version in 2000 revealed how prescient the play truly was.
Dr. Lyssa Dent Hughes finds her life and nomination to be Surgeon General falling a part due to her once have failed to appear for hurry duty. That one issue pits her against the press and those who oppose her nomination.
In other words, it sounds like another day in politics in America in 2026. No wonder it is getting a new production.
Jean Lichty plays Dr. Hughes. Robert Sean Leonard plays her husband, Walter Abrahamson. Montego Glover plays her friend, Judith B. Kaufman. Dakin Matthews plays her father, Senator Alan Hughes. Mary Beth Peil plays her stepmother, Charlotte “Chubby” Hughes. Ryan Spahn plays a conservative commentator who is also good friends with Dr. Hughes and Abrahamson.
Sarna Lapine directs.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT: TIN PAN ALLEY – Little Island – New York, NY – August 12th– August 16th
3-time Grammy Award winner Salvant celebrates the songs that came from New York’s legendary Tin Pan Alley.
Much like last week’s series of shows by Anthony Roth Costanza, Salvant has five shows with various guests:
August 12th and 13th: Lillias White (Tony Award winner); pianist Billy Stritch, drummer Buddy Williams and saxophonist George Farmer.
August 14th: Mikaela Bennett (vocalist) and a special guest to be announced.
August 15th: Salvant and pianist Sullivan Fortner.
August 16th: Salvant, Fortner, drummer Kyle Poole and bassist Paul Sikivie.
Tickets are sold out, but I’d be on the lookout for last-minute releases of house seats. I wouldn’t miss this one if I were you.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
THE FESTIVAL – Hutton Brickyards – Kingston, NY – August 14th – August 16th
This 3-day music festival is likely top-of-mind for any true Broadway fan. Throughout those three days you have the opportunity to see and hear Audra McDonald, Kelli O’Hara, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Christopher Jackson, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Adam Pascal, Adrienne Warren, Eva Noblezada, Reeve Carney, Jason Robert Brown, Jenn Colella, Lauren Patten, Andrea McArdle, Lena Hall, Mandy Gonzalez, Norbert Leo Butz, Seth Rudetsky, Tom Kitt and more.
There’s a 30th anniversary reunion celebration of Rent with most of the original Broadway cast; a 90-minute preview of seven new musicals and a screening of the document Satisfied about Goldsberry during her time with Hamilton.
Jerry Mitchell and DB Bonds direct The Festival.
I will be attending all three days. If you see me, come up and say hello!
Single tickets are available for Friday and Sunday. General admission tickets for all three days are sold out. Reserved, Premium Reserved and VP Premium Reserved 3-day passes are still available.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
We have an interview with producers Josh Saltman and David B. Schwartz which you can read or watch HERE.
MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL – Montclair, NJ – August 15th
You can get a full 12 hours of jazz by starting with Gotham Kings, the Second Line Band walking from Church Street and Park to the Festival Main Stage at Lackawana Station for the Downtown Jamboree. Activities continue until 11 PM.
Each artist on the main stage is honoring a city in America.
Going on at 12 PM is the Spanish Harlem Orchestra honoring New York City. 1:30 PM Dianne Reeves takes the stage honoring Detroit. At 3:00 PM Take Me to the River New Orleans All Stars featuring Cyril Neville goes on and they will honor, of course, New Orleans. Patrice Rushen takes the stage at 5:00 PM honoring Los Angeles. The Christian McBride Big Band featuring Bilal goes on at 7:00 PM honoring Philadelphia.
The Jazz House Stage runs from 12 PM to 8 PM with the Jazz House Collective honoring Miles Davis & John Coltrane. The Jazz House Emerging Talent will be performing as will Joel Ross’ Good Vibes.
There is a Block Party from 8 PM to 10 PM with DJ Prince Hakim. There’s also a Post Party at Egan & Son from 9 PM to 11 PM.
The Montclair Jazz Festival has a Pay What You Wish option. There are also VIP Club and Tent Access tickets.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
That’s all for Best Bets: August 10th – August 16th.
Enjoy your week!
Go see a show!
Main Photo: Taye Diggs (Photo by James Willis Photography/Courtesy The Festival)