Walking the silver carpet of the 75th Annual Tony Awards | June 12, 2022

Dear Family and Friends,

     It feels like forever since I last wrote, even though I sent my last email just six weeks ago. So much has happened. Some of it has been thrilling (the Tony Awards! Rafael Nadal winning his 14th French Open!!), some of it shattering (the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the Jan 6 hearings, still more mass shootings). I must admit that, lately, I’ve felt everything from discouraged to hopeless. And yet, an experience I had two weeks ago reminded me of the inherent goodness in people.

     A couple of weeks ago, I left a doctor's appointment feeling normal, but 10 minutes later—on a subway platform—felt flush and woosy. I got on the train that arrived, thinking I just needed to sit down. Immediately, I knew this was a mistake and I prayed to make it to the next station without getting sick all over the train car. I made it, ran off, and heaved in a trash can on the platform before pretty much collapsing on the subway stairs. Picture me: Curled up with my head in my lap, half-conscious, sitting on the bottom stair. (If it had been a different time of day, passersby would probably have shaken their heads thinking, “Poor drunk girl.”) But I was really lucky. A woman came up to me and asked, “Are you ok?” “No.” “What’s going on? Do you need some water?” She sat with me for a little, making sure I was awake and when I said I needed to get to a bathroom, she said didn't hesitate: “Ok, let’s go.”

     She helped me to my feet, took my bag in one hand and my arm in the other and walked me up the four flights of subway stairs to the top platform (for New Yorkers, we were at the W 4th Street stop). She talked to me the whole way; I realize now she was probably trying to keep me awake. After an underground maze and final flight of stairs, we entered the first restaurant we could find. I beelined for the bathroom, not even locking the door. She stood guard, making sure no one walked in. She checked on me through the door and eventually said she had to leave to get to work. Imagine. All that time and she was on her way to work! She asked if I could make it to the door. I practically crawled to it. She had a bowl of water and a take-out menu for me. “This is where you are,” she said, pointing to the address on the pamphlet. “Make sure whoever is picking you up comes here.” Her name was Emma. I don’t know anything more about her. Well, I know some important things: I know she is kind and thoughtful; I know she is generous; I know she helps those in need; I know she’s smart and quick-thinking. And I know I wouldn’t have made it through that day without her. There are caring people in this world. Humans can be good to each other—and are.

     Coincidentally, this past weekend’s episode of the podcast This American Life told three stories to try to answer the question: Are people good? Claybourne Elder shared his story in Act 2 of this episode, “The Possum Experiment.” Clay currently stars as Andy in the Tony-winning revival of Company (you only have until July 31 to see it and you MUST). When Company first opened, Clay posted on his Instagram offering a pair of tickets to the show to “someone who could maybe not afford to come to the show otherwise” (honor system). He was inspired by someone who did this for him. He wrote: “On one of my first visits to New York the man in this picture approached me and my friend after we went to see Putnam County Spelling Bee in standing room. He said ‘you looked like you were having more fun than anyone in the expensive seats. Here's $200, go but yourself tickets to Sweeney Todd it will change your life.’ And now here I am years later working alongside Patti LuPone on a Sondheim show on Broadway.” The fuller story—including tracking down that man with the $200—is on TAL. I cried real tears. The entire episode reminds us of the goodness in people—we’ve just done such a spectacular job of burying the good under muck. It's time to dig it up.

     Even more inspiring (and indicative of goodness): Clay’s act of kindness to give away these Company tickets multiplied. Someone asked for his Venmo. They wanted to donate tickets for him to give away...and this kept happening. To date, Clay has received over $10,000 in donations to purchase tickets that he then gives away. He takes photos with the recipients after the shows. Today, Clay is in the process of setting up an official 501c3 called City of Strangers that will continue to provide access to tickets to those who would otherwise not be able to afford them. This is wildly important because these tickets are paid for, which means this does not sacrifice the value of the show or detract from the box office (aka how shows run). Plus, this provides access to theatergoers. If you want to donate money for tickets, email freeticketstocompany@gmail.com. If you want to stay abreast of City of Strangers news, follow @claybourneelder on Instagram.

     Goodness is within us. These stories have reinvigorated my belief that we actually want to help each other, that our impulse is to be kind and caring. Let’s foster that instinct. Invest in your own goodness. Give kindness freely. You don’t know who it will inspire, but I wager it’ll be contagious.

     This newsletter is long enough, but it wouldn’t be an update if I didn’t share you the good work I’ve been up to. Below is the full video of my Company panel with Katrina Lenk, Patti LuPone, and Marianne Elliott at the 92nd Street Y. Please watch it — it’s the best panel I’ve ever led. You’ll also find links to all six articles I wrote for Broadway News over the six weeks of Tony Awards season. Even though Awards season is over, these features encapsulate the full season and Broadway’s return on the whole. I hope you’ll bookmark and read each of them. (Subscribe to the Broadway Briefing and never miss a Broadway News article.) I’ve also been writing more for Backstage and Dance magazines; my first invited speaking engagement was a hit; and I gave my best advice alongside some other way bigger-name professionals in a SAG-AFTRA panel (watch below). Of course, you’ll find my monthly recommendations and show calendar below, including some insider knowledge about theatre titles for which to keep an eye out. Thank you, as always, for your loyal readership, support, and kindness. Love and all that jazz, Ruthie

SAG-AFTRA panel (Clockwise from top left: Lori Hammel, Betsy Capes, Georgia Stitt, Jeremy Beiler, Me, Tanya Birl)

Tony Awards Glamour!

Recommendations: 

*If these recommendations inspire you to check out something new, I’d love to know! Tag your post about it with #ruthierecommends. (To know the full breadth of what I have already seen, check out my Instagram.)

1. Just for Us. This is my reminder that Alex Edelman’s brilliant solo comedy show currently plays its fourth New York run through August 26. My previous recommendation read: Jewish comedian Alex Edelman (who, by the way, wrote the Saturday Night Seder of 2020 that everyone was talking about) shares the true account of what happened when he attended a white supremacist meeting in Queens. The story is wild—not unconcerning—and hilarious. But it's also a show about identity, specifically Jewish identity, and how it impacts his outlook on life. Alex is gifted. And don’t just take my word for it. Sarah Jessica Parker called this show “Special. Special. Special. A surprise, a revelation and a gift to everyone in your audience.” Jerry Seinfeld, Billy Crystal, and Hasan Minhaj have all been in the audience. Produced by Mike Birbiglia, the show is a swift 75 minutes of clap-out-loud too-true fun. Tickets here. BONUS: Alex will be in conversation with Stephen Colbert at 92NY July 17. Tickets for the Talk here.

2. Halftime (aka the JLo documentary). The INCREDIBLE Netflix documentary chronicles Jennifer Lopez’s days from July 2019 through Super Bowl LIV (aka February 2020), but it’s really a portrait of a woman clawing to prove her talent, her belonging, and her worth. JLo is synonymous with "superstar," but this film illustrates how hard stars (even at the height of superstardom) have to fight to defend their ideals, execute their vision, and be valued. JLo’s story is one of a woman who we all think of as an actor, a singer, a dancer... a powerful woman, but was never considered an actor in a room full of actors or a singer around other singers. For someone who we think has so much power, it is wild to see how desperately she has to convince the people around her that she knows what she’s doing in order to be allowed to do it. Honestly, I related to her throughout much of the doc, on the level of a woman trying to build a career and accomplish a lion’s share. Watching her tactfully deal with snubs and tabloids, watching her discipline and creative fire in rehearsals, watching her deal with her family on Thanksgiving, watching her demand what she was told she’d get…all of it was amazing. (It’s also cool to see how a Super Bowl halftime show comes together.) Watch it on Netflix.

3. This American Life: The Possum Experiment. The episode I mentioned in my letter above reinvigorated my faith in the goodness of people. Frankly, I don't know anything more necessary at this moment. In three acts, TAL shares stories to try and answer the question: Are most of us bad or good? Naturally, the true answer is not black-and-white, but the podcast made me feel like the answer is: Mostly. Hear how one woman's practical joke led her to this conclusion, how a blind comedian sees people, how a random gift inspired a Broadway star, and how a literary classic's ending reveals a lot about human nature. Listen to the episode.

4. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Taylor Jenkins Reid is a powerhouse author. I have yet to read a novel of hers that doesn’t keep me up way past my intended sleep time just because I need to read one more page. Reid also has the uncanny ability to conjure intoxicating fake worlds of fictional famous people. Just as she did in Daisy Jones & The Six, Reid creates an entire alternate Hollywood universe—this time one where Evelyn Hugo is the biggest star to ever live. A Marilyn Monroe-esque figure, Evelyn finally decides to tell her life story…to a no-name magazine writer. What’s the connection? You’ll have to read this sharp novel to find out. Get your copy.

5. Only Murders in the Building. Season 2 has arrived! Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez return for Part 2 of the murder-mystery comedy series on Hulu. The trio of true-crime podcast fans became famous true-crime podcasters themselves when they solved the murder of a man in their Manhattan apartment building. No sooner had they buried that body than they discovered the Board President of their co-op (played by Tony winner Jayne Houdyshell) with a knitting needle through her heart. This season follows them investigating her murder—and clearing their names in the process. (After all, you don’t just find a body without become persons of interest.) The humor still delivers (though at the moment it has yet to reach the debut season’s peak) and the guest stars are still outrageous (Amy Schumer?). I recommend this one to unwind. After all, one’s problems seems smaller when you realize you’re not framed for murder. Catch up on all of Season 1 and the first four episodes of Season 2 on Hulu.

Keep an eye out for:

1. Kiss My Aztec! My new obsession. This original musical is on CRACK in the best way. Hilarious. Irreverent. At times unhinged. I laughed nearly nonstop for 2.5 hours. Written by John Leguizamo with music by Benjamin Velez and lyrics by Velez and David Kamp, it’s a farce about when the Spanish conquistadors landed in modern-day Mexico and the Aztecs fought back. The music is fresh, catchy, complex, and HOT; the lyrics actually surprising. Joél Perez should win a Tony for it. I saw it at Hartford Stage in what was called a “pre-Broadway” run, so keep your eyes peeled for news.

2. Exception to the Rule. Set in detention, this new play by Dave Harris is a heartbreaking allegory about those we leave forgotten and offers rarely seen perspectives from six Black high schoolers. I saw it in the black box at Roundabout Underground. We’ll see if it moves to a bigger theatre.

3. The Bedwetter. Named for Sarah Silverman’s memoir, the musical by Silverman, Joshua Harmon (Prayer for the French Republic), and Adam Schlesinger (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) exemplifies of musical comedy. I cackled and cried. With the pedigree of this team (not to mention Bebe Neuwirth in the cast), I’d be surprised if they’re not trying to move it to a bigger venue.

4. Water for Elephants. This one is far off, but I saw a workshop presentation that thrilled me. It made me believe people are still making daring and inventive musical theatre. The story (based on the novel by Sara Gruen) takes place in the circus, so, of course, there are acrobatics and kinetic choreography that feels earned. There’s going to be puppetry and a beautiful folk score. Stay tuned!

Calendar  

BROADWAY

Into the Woods (Now playing through August 21)

St. James Theatre

Book by James Lapine, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Starring Brian d’Arcy James, Sara Bareilles, Patina Miller Gavin Creel, Joshua Henry, Phillipa Soo, Julia Lester & more

The Kite Runner (Now in previews, Opens July 21, Set to close October 30)

Hayes Theatre

Based on the novel by Khaled Hosseini, adapted by Matthew Spangler

Starring Amir Arison (The Blacklist) and Faran Tahir (Iron Man)

Coming this fall to the Main Stem… (that we know so far)

& Juliet, pop jukebox musical imported from London’s West End

1776, all-female revival directed by Diane Paulus (Pippin)

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical, starring Will Swenson and Robyn Hurder

Ain’t No Mo, acclaimed Off-Broadway play coming to Broadway

Almost Famous, new musical with a book by Cameron Crowe and a score by Crowe and Tom Kitt

Camelot, a revisal of the classic by Aaron Sorkin

Death of a Salesman, starring Wendell Pierce and Sharon D. Clarke

Kimberly Akimbo, new musical starring Victoria Clark with music by Jeanine Tesori

KPOP, Lucille Lortel-winning hit musical

Leopoldstadt, new Tom Stoppard play

Some Like It Hot, musical revival starring Christian Borle

The Collaboration, new play starring Paul Bettany as Andy Warhol and Jeremy Pope as Jean-Michel Basquiat

The Piano Lesson, August Wilson play revival starring Samuel L. Jackson directed by LaTanya Richardson Jackson

Topdog/Underdog, Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize–winning play

OFF-BROADWAY

Notre Dame de Paris (July 13-24)

Lincoln Center, David H. Koch Theatre

A pop-rock blockbuster of Victor Hugo’s Quasimodo tale

Between the Lines (Opens July 12, On sale through October 2)

Based on the novel by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer, this is a fairy tale musical about a high-schooler who falls in love with the prince in the pages of a fairy tale. Sweet and simple — but the performances are amazing.

Listen to a sample of the score here.

Fat Ham (Now playing through July 31)

The 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner by James Ijames

Little Shop of Horrors (Now playing)

Rob McClure joins the cast as Seymour July 12 (which means he and Christian Borle are on the same stage now!)

The Nosebleed (Previews begin July 16, Opens August 1, Set to close August 28)

A New York Times Critic’s Pick during its run at the Japan Society by Aya Ogawa

The Panic of ’29 (Previews begin July 23, Opens July 31, Set to close August 20)

A dark screwball comedy about the stock market crash of 1929 with a cast including Will Roland (Dear Evan Hansen)

Richard III (Now playing, closes July 17)

Shakespeare in the Park, Delacorte Theatre

Starring Danai Gurira (The Walking Dead, Black Panther) in the title role (She’s incredible.)

Titanique: Une Parodie Musicale (Now playing, Set to close September 25)

A parody musical of Celine Dion songs starring Marla Mindelle, Frankie Grande, John Riddle,

REGIONAL

Goddess (August 13-September 25)

Berkeley Repertory Theatre | Berkeley, CA

World Premiere

I wrote about this original musical while it was in process at New York Stage & Film. I’m excited about it simply because Jocelyn Bioh (School Girls... and podcast guest!) is writing the book. Conceived and directed by Saheem Ali (The Public Theater) with a score by Michael Thurber, “a young man returns home to Mombasa, Kenya to marry his fiancée and step into his family’s political dynasty. But when he visits Moto Moto—a steamy afro-jazz club and the stomping ground of his youth—he finds himself drawn to a mysterious new singer.”

Here There Are Blueberries (July 26-August 21)

La Jolla Playhouse | La Jolla, CA

World Premiere

I’ve had my eye on this since I heard about it at a works-in-progress presentation by Tectonic Theatre Company, the vehicle behind The Laramie Project. Blueberries was conceived by Moisés Kaufman (the writer of Laramie). Kaufman directs this new work, which he wrote alongside Amanda Gronich. “An album of never before seen World War II-era photographs arrives at the desk of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum archivist Rebecca Erbelding. As Rebecca and her team of historians begin to unravel the shocking story behind the images, the album soon makes headlines around the world. In Germany, a businessman sees the album online and recognizes his own grandfather in the photos. He begins a journey of discovery that will take him into the lives of other Nazi descendants – in a reckoning of his family’s past and his country’s history. Here There Are Blueberries tells the story of these photographs – what they reveal about the Holocaust and our own humanity.” 

Anne of Green Gables (July 17-September 4)

Goodspeed Musicals | East Haddam, CT

World Premiere

Based on the L.M. Montgomery classic, this is a new folk-rock musical about a feisty redhead adopted by the Cuthbert siblings. It features a book and lyrics by Matte O’Brien and music by Matt Vinson. My friend and colleague Justin Nichols is producing and I’m already making my plans to see it.

As always, if you need show recommendations or if you have theatre questions, please get in touch! I LOVE to answer. Keep tabs on RuthieFierberg.com. 

Thank you for your enduring support.

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.