Me and my Grandpa Jed

Dear Family and Friends,

     How good it feels to write to you. It’s been a month since I left Playbill, but I’m thrilled that even in this change, I still have you and these updates. Happy Chanukah to all of my fellow Jews. Tonight marks night six and I’ve found more meaning in Chanukah this year. Chanukah isn’t actually that big a deal in terms of Jewish holidays; in fact, it’s not technically a holiday, it’s a festival. But, landing near Christmas, it’s more well-known. I’ve never made a fuss. But this year, I feel like we can use all of the light we can get. Darkness just is, but light breaks through that. Light is a creation. A spark is a beginning. Light is hope. Fire is passion. So I’m loving this celebration of the Festival of Lights.

     Chanukah is also a celebration of miracles. A little history: Around 200 BCE Seleucids (Greek-Syrians) ruled Judea, but allowed Jews to practice their religion. When a new king took over around 168 BCE, those rule changed and the Seleucids desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees rebelled and when they went to restore the temple, there was only enough oil to light the traditional menorah for one night—but the oil lasted eight. Whether you are Jewish or not, whether you believe the story literally or not, I think the history teaches that we often have more than we realize—even in the most oppressive times. My yoga teacher often recites this Rumi philosophy: “The wound is where the light gets in.” We all feel wounded right now. But that means we are ripe for healing.

     So many of us have lost jobs, opportunities to work, family, and friends. We all have had to sacrifice freedoms (freedom to move about, freedom to gather) to keep each other safe. Ten months in, the weariness is real, the burden is heavy. But those cracks are also where the light gets in. My family feels it right now, especially. My Grandpa Jed, the light of my life, is ill with COVID. We now experience what so many families have. The worry. The wondering. The distance. We can’t visit him and see for ourselves how he’s doing. We can’t be by his bedside to advocate for him. Then again, we are also experiencing the generosity of healthcare professionals who take care of him, who take extra time to make sure we FaceTime with him. Until a stranger held a phone up for me and my parents (just so I could tell my grandpa I love him) I hadn’t fully felt that capacity of human caring. We are at the mercy of each other. So let’s take that as an opportunity to show up for each other. To give what we can—be it time, money, or emotion. I learned a lot witnessing Amanda Kloots care for her husband and my friend, Nick Cordero, during his battle with COVID. As she often professed, “With positivity, we have options.” With light, we have hope. That, above all else, is my wish for you.

     Of course, in this time of change, I have also been up to some fun things. During my last week at Playbill, I wrote about 15 features—my last hoorah to champion artists under that yellow awning (links below). Since leaving, I’ve been able to continue that work with two upcoming panels for the 92Y (Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Emily in Paris). You can still listen to Season 1 of Why We Theater as I plan Season 2. I compiled a full list of holiday specials and events to tune into before 2020 ends in a “Mark Your Calendar” section, plus you’ll find my usual list of recommendations below.

     This past month, I invested in rest and recuperation after a sustained period of demand. Some days, I feel like I’m indulging or being lazy. Luckily, I have friends who reassure me of the importance of self-care. I pass that reminder on to you. Ten months of constant global anxiety, hardship, unpredictability, a threat to our physical bodies, a stressful Election, the exhaustion of democracy (I decided that if you’re doing it right it’s exhausting), the labor of loneliness. You earned that face mask, that workout, that nap, that pie, that afternoon reading, that dance-it-out, that back-to-back movie day. Take care of you. Then take care of each other. And please add a little prayer for Grandpa Jed. Love and all that jazz, Ruthie

An artistic reminder to PAUSE. (Read about the making of the video here.)

Mark Your Calendar

Home for the Holidays

Premieres Dec. 15, 8pm ET; Available to stream through Dec.19

Broadway Cares; Free. Watch here.

My ¡Viva Broadway! teammates Jaime Lozano, Eric Ulloa, and Jack Noseworthy have been slaving away on a holiday spectacular featuring Alan Cumming (Cabaret), André De Shields (Hadestown), Heather Headley (Aida, The Color Purple), Ramin Karimloo (Les Miz), and so many more Broadway stars singing Christmas, Chanukah, and wintery tunes.

Stars in the House for Congregation Beit Simchat Torah

Premieres Dec. 15, 8pm ET; then streaming forever

Free. Watch here.

Benj Pasek, Judy Gold, Jackie Hoffman, Steven Skybell and more of the Jewish gliteratti of Broadway gather for a benefit for the congregation. Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s talking or singing or both, but with this crew it’ll be a rockin’ good time. And you can watch anytime on YouTube.

Emily in Paris in Conversation with…Me!

Dec. 16, 8pm ET

92nd Street Y, FREE. Watch/set a reminder here.

If you read the last newsletter, you know I’m obsessed with this new rom-com series from Darren Star (Sex and the City, Younger). Join me as I talk with Star and the cast (Lily Collins, Ashley Park, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Lucas Bravo) all about the culture clashes, the fashion, the musical moments, the sexy scenes, and more.

Dr. Anthony Fauci & Alan Alda in Conversation

Dec. 17, 6pm ET

92nd Street Y, $20. More info. Buy tickets.

Our scientific leader in this pandemic, Dr. Fauci, talks COVID-19, vaccines, and his story of a career that started in Vietnam as a Soldier of Science.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical in Conversation with…Me!

Dec. 21, 7pm ET

92nd Street Y, FREE. Watch/set a reminder here.

The five Tony-nominated performers (Karen Olivo, Aaron Tveit, Danny Burstein, Sahr Ngaujah, Robyn Hurder) of the 14-time Tony-nominated Best Musical join me to talk all things Moulin Rouge!. My favorite new musical of the past year (by far), hear about the secret backstories they gave their characters, the creativity behind Sonya Tayeh’s choreography and the pop music score, and more.

Christmas With the Tabernacle Choir

Airing on BYUtv Dec. 17, 8pm ET; Dec. 20 & 23, 7:30pm ET. Streaming on PBS.

The resonant bell tones of Kelli O’Hara’s soprano combine with the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir. I was able to see the show live last December in Salt Lake City. Wow. But it’s honestly Richard Thomas’ (yes, Johnboy’s) fairytale reading that brought me to tears.

Broadway Inspirational Voices presents

A Season of Hope and Inspiration: Virtual Holiday Celebration

On Demand through Jan. 5

Free with subscription or free trial on Broadway On Demand

The power of this ensemble will lift you out of your chair. Broadway’s Grammy– and Tony-winning gospel choir puts the spirit in you. Holiday songs, gospel standards, Broadway, transcendence.

26 Pebbles

Streaming Dec. 16-20

Broadway On Demand

If you snag that trial for Broadway On Demand for the BIV concert, be sure to watch this play (a benefit for Sandy Hook Promise) by my dear friend and collaborator Eric Ulloa. Brilliant writer alert.

Josh Groban's Holiday Concert

Streaming Dec. 19, 4pm & 8pm ET

$30. Buy tickets here.

The man with the mellifluous voice offers a special holiday concert online.

A Christmas Carol

Geffen Stayhouse; On Demand through Jan. 3

$50. Buy tickets here.

No other actor excels at inhabiting multiple characters in a single work like Jefferson Mays. He won his Tony for 40+ roles in the play I Am My Own Wife and earned another nomination for eight roles in the musical A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Now, he does ALL of the characters in this Dickens classic, directed by the genius Michael Arden (of the Tony-winning Once On This Island revival). Watch the trailer.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special

Streaming, Disney+

Creator and showrunner Tim Federle gathered his HSMTMTS cast for a delightful 45-minute holiday special and there’s just something about it that made me smile the whole time. These kids are ridiculously talented, there’s some legit Chanukah love, but I think it’s the earnestness of these performers and the personal stories that made me feel cozy and holiday-y.

Recommendations: 

*If these recommendations inspire you to check out something new, I’d love to know! Tag your post about it with #ruthierecommends.

1. Dash & Lily. Did I watch this in a single day? Yes. Not just because I love a good romance in the snow. The series reminds us of the importance of adventure and daring, curiosity, and faith in others. Lily leaves a journal full of riddles and dares on a shelf at The Strand bookshop; Dash picks it up, intrigued by the quirky nature of it all. She is a sucker for rom-coms and all things Christmas; he’s jaded and hates the holidays. She crafts; he broods. And yet… Theatre’s Midori Francis leads as Lily (yay theatre people recognized for their talent). Troy Iwata (another theatre name) stars as Lily’s brother and damn near steals the show. Other fun theatre cameos include NaTasha Yvette Williams, Michael Park, Patrick Vaill, Nick Blaemire, and a big plot point tied to the TDF Costume Shop. An homage to the spontaneity and singularity of New York, pour yourself a warm beverage and prepare to be whisked away.

2. Madam Secretary. I am very late to this party, but I arrived. This is the series that got me through my month of rest and recuperation. And my best friend Kevin answered my daily M-Sec texts because I could not shut up about this show. Executive produced by Morgan Freeman (that Morgan Freeman) and Barbara Hall, the shows stars Téa Leoni as the Secretary of State to Keith Carradine’s POTUS. The series appeals to our higher principles without waxing too poetic about moral government. It goes just far enough to get you thinking “What if we tried diplomacy this way?” Madam Secretary covers politics and affairs of state, but also features a poignant commentary about a woman in charge. What is her partnership like with her husband? How does she parent three adolescent/adult kids? It doesn’t hurt that the casting director stacked the ENTIRE company with theatre people. Series regulars include the Bebe Neuwirth, Sebastian Arcelus (Wicked, Jersey Boys), Patina Miller (Pippin), Erich Bergen (Beautiful), and every episode a new ambassador or FBI agent or member of the joint chiefs is yet another Tony nominee. Trust me and start it.  

3. Jingle Jangle. Netflix continues to invest in musicals and I am here for it. If The Greatest Showman, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Christmas had a baby, it would be Jingle Jangle. With music by John Legend, Philip Lawrence, and Davy Nathan, the original movie musical tells the tale of the world's greatest inventor: Jeronicus Jangle. At the start, Jeronicus receives the final ingredient to complete his invention and change his family’s life, including that of his daughter Jessica. But when his apprentice steals Jeronicus' prototype and book of ideas, the inventor takes a downward spiral. Years later, the now much older Jeronicus (Forest Whitaker who, excuse me, can sang!) needs to come up with a revolutionary idea or lots of money by Christmas. Can his granddaughter Journey be the solution? The movie reeks of wonder and vibrance a là Mary Poppins with a grounded, R&B sound, and sick dance moves. Merry Christmas to us!

4. The Prom. This musical holds a special place in my heart. Not just because it marked my Broadway debut, but because it is such a celebration of theatre. The flashy, broad musical comedy sends a  message the whole world needs—which is why Ryan Murphy adapted it for Netflix starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Rannells, Kerry Washington, and Keegan-Michael Key. The movie captures the essence of the stage musical: the music is as catchy as ever; the jokes are as clever as before; the choreography will wow you. The story goes: Dee Dee Allen and Barry Glickman open Eleanor! The Eleanor Roosevelt Musical on Broadway and immediately close it due to terrible reviews of their narcissistic performances. To prove their altruism, they become celebrity activists and hop a tour bus to Indiana to protest one teen’s ban from her prom. The true achievement is how theatrical the movie feels. It amps up the over-the-topness and the glitz and the lighting cues and leans in to the show’s original form. I know it will change lives.

5. The Crown Season 4. Though I didn’t watch Seasons 1-3, I couldn’t stay away from the behind-closed-doors Season 4 story. I needed Olivia Colman. I needed Charles and Diana (even though I’ve never been overly-intrigued by their story). I needed to loathe Margaret Thatcher. The Netflix hit doesn’t exactly need my endorsement, I’m just here to say if you skipped the first few seasons, you’re still good to go here.

6. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga. If you need a bit of silly, Will Ferrell to the rescue. I must preface this entry with a thank-you to my friend Sam Kuttner, who first introduced me to the beauty and ridiculousness of the actual Eurovision Song Contest in 2019. Eurovision is like the Olympics, but for outrageous pop songs. Every country holds their own competition and then send their winners to the ultimate international singing competition. ABBA won with "Waterloo" in 1974. Celine Dion won in 1988. Weird things: 1. Politics are involved. 2. Singers don't have to be from the country they represent in the competition. 3. These five songs that Sam recommended as “Top of the List of Weird.” And Ferrell, the comedic genius he is, made a Netflix movie about it. He and Rachel McAdams play Lars and Sigrit, a musical duo called Fire Saga. His dream? To win Eurovision. Her dream? To win Lars. It features Dan Stevens as a Russian pop star, a human-size Hamster wheel as a stage prop, Icelandic accents, and elves. Ja ja.

7. Clouds. I don’t understand why the entire world isn’t talking about this movie. All of #JustinBaldoniTikTok is, but that’s not really enough people given how good this film is. Inspired by a true story, expect the good cry you need to release all of these pandemic emotions. Zach Sobiech wrote the song “Clouds” in 2013 and it eventually hit No. 1 on the iTunes chart. Zach was 17 when he co-wrote and recorded the song. He was also in his last months battling osteosarcoma. Director Baldoni made a name for himself not just as the star of Jane the Virgin and, more importantly, as an advocate for emotional expression and availability. This movie emerges from his impulse to make us feel. The movie is sad, but it’s also one of the most hopeful pieces of art I’ve seen. Zach emanated happiness. Even knowing he would die, he was always cracking a joke. He made music. He established a research foundation. He loved fully and truly. Baldoni made this movie with such integrity, and the story sticks with me and actually makes me smile even in its sadness because it motivates me to think how much we can do in one day and in one life.

Playbill/BPN calendar. Craving theatre? There are galas and conferences and classes and Zoom readings and streams galore. Find ALL of them in this streaming calendar from Playbill and the Broadway Podcast Network.

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.