At the 2019 Stage & Screen Sleep Out with Gideon Glick (To Kill a Mockingbird) and Adrienne Warren (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical)

Dear Family and Friends,

     Summer lovin’ happened so fast. I cannot believe I am already greeting you post Labor Day. While it may be the unofficial end of summer, I hope you guys will make the most of the sunny weather for however long it lasts. My summer was the most low key I’ve had in years. I underwent (planned) ankle surgery, which forced me to slow down in a way I had not since (probably) elementary school. Working from home, I did a ton of phone interviews from the comfort of my apartment, including what is now one of my favorite conversations of all time: my talk with original Phantom of the Opera Michael Crawford. (He was also the original Cornelius in the film version of Hello, Dolly!, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in August.) But I went from a Phantom high to a Phantom low in 24 hours when, the very next day, the theatre community lost the incomparable Hal Prince, the original director of Phantom and countless other masterpieces.

     It’s impossible to overstate the impact Hal bestowed upon the theatre—its history, its present, its future. I surprised myself when I took the loss with a fair share of tears. Yes, I had the privilege of meeting Hal a handful of times, but I didn’t know him intimately. (To listen to him talk was to sit so far on the edge of your chair, you were basically just in Award Pose.) But I realize my sadness was for those dear to me; Hal was a personal mentor to some of my closest friends and I felt their loss. Then, I felt the blow to theatre as a whole. Hal emanated a purity of heart and imagination. A rare work ethic and devotion. (You don’t walk away with a record-holding 21 Tonys for nothing.) His life is a reminder to me of why we do what we do—why I send this newsletter every month. It’s because I want to share with you. I am so excited by what I get to learn and see and I want to excite you, too.

     But I also send this newsletter to thank you: Thank you to all who donated to my Covenant House Sleep Out! With your help, I surpassed by $2,000 personal fundraising goal to support these homeless youth. After my second Sleep Out, I cannot describe to you how deeply connected I feel to this cause and this organization. The people who run CH are like an extended family; these kids feel so loved when they see us sleep out on their behalf—and it’s love so many of them have not felt in their lives. You can read about my experience here. AND, they extended the deadline to donate through September 6. If you are so inclined, you can donate here. I am also becoming a regular volunteer and led my first career workshop last week! These kids are amazing, I can’t wait to work more with them.

     I must also thank you, in general, for all of your support. Your cheerleading fueled my healing this summer—plus this personal project: my reel. Watch my new reel below for the hosting highlights and celebrity encounters you cheered me through.

     I’ve rambled on enough, but below you can check out practical tips for getting the toughest tickets on Broadway, interview highlights with theatre hotshots from around the country, and my personal recommendations for this month. Until next time, sending love and all that jazz.

Recommendations: 

1. Betrayal. The smash revival of Harold Pinter’s play transfers from London’s West End to Broadway starring Tom Hiddleston (yes, The Avengers' Tom Hiddleston), Charlie Cox (yes, Daredevil’s Charlie Cox), and Zawe Ashton (get ready to know her name). The trio is outstanding (all of them come from theatre). It’s a very British play. So much subtext. That means a lot of pregnant pauses, but I actually think it's good for us to take in something intentionally slower. Absorb it. Closes December 8. And there are $40 seats available.

2. Sell/Buy/Date. This show is one of the best, most important plays I have ever seen. I saw it back in 2016, I think about it at least bi-weekly. Sarah Jones is a brilliant writer and performer. The concept she created calls into question our current culture around sex and gender by looking centuries into the future. It’s fascinating and vital theatre. I’m actually begging you to see it. September 12–21.

3.@morganharpernichols. This Instagram account is the comfort we all need. My dear friend, Wesley, (thanks, Wesley!) turned me on to it. Morgan takes stories people send her and uses them to write/draw words of encouragement as art. If you’re gonna scroll, let this be part of your feed.

4. The Politician. Ben Platt. Gwyneth Paltrow. Jessica Lange. The Netflix original series from Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Horror Story) drops September 23 and it is WILD. Ben plays a high schooler with dreams of becoming President, but first he wants to win on a micro-level: student-body president. It’s the political wheeling and dealing of House of Cards with the fashion of Sex and the City and the outlandishness of Ryan Murphy. It does get bloody so maybe not for the youngest of Dear Evan Hansen fans.

5. Sea Wall/A Life. One more reminder to catch Jake Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge on Broadway. They each deliver a single monologue, but you haven't encountered such intimate storytelling on Broadway until you’ve been in this audience. Closes September 29. And there are $59 seats available.

My Philosophy

I believe in art's power to create change. Art—particularly theatre—can help us reflect, determine, and, sometimes, change our beliefs. I hope that you all continue to engage with the storytelling and art around you—wherever you are and whatever level—and that you entertain different points of view. Advocate for your principles while always leaving room to hear others and evolve. Let's stay engaged, thoughtful, and active. 

As always, if you need show recommendations or if you have theatre questions, please get in touch! I LOVE to answer. Keep tabs on Playbill.com and RuthieFierberg.com, and thank you for your enduring support.