Reworked ‘Gigi’ in the works for Broadway adaptation A new stage adaptation of the MGM movie musical “Gigi,” which was previously staged on Broadway in the 1970s, is in the works. It will be directed by Eric D. Schaeffer, who staged last season’s revival of Sondheim’s “Follies,” with a revised book by Emmy-nominated screenwriter Heidi Thomas. Set in La Belle Époque-period Paris, “Gigi” observes how a cute young girl is turned into a knockout. 
 Encores! ponders movie theater transmissions Although the Metropolitan Opera has achieved considerable success with its live transmissions of performances at movie theaters throughout the country, Broadway has yet to catch on. A filmed version of the musical “Memphis” failed to garner enthusiasm two years ago, but at an audience talkback following the Saturday matinee of “It’s a Bird … It’s a Plane … It’s Superman,” City Center Encores! artistic director Jack Viertel said that City Center is in “active discussions” with producers about offering screenings of future Encores! productions. 
 Playwrights artistic director defends divisive play In a rare and very unusual move, Tim Sanford, artistic director of Playwrights Horizons, emailed a letter to thousands of the theater’s subscribers last weekend to defend Annie Baker’s new play “The Flick,” which won raves from some critics but has angered countless others due to its length, many pauses and slow pace. “Annie had a vision and this production beautifully executes that vision,” Sanford wrote. He noted how many subscribers have walked out at intermission and complained “emphatically” to the house manager about the play. 
 ‘Comet’ to make comeback in meatpacking district “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812,” an electro-pop opera based on “War and Peace” that briefly played the nightclub Ars Nova a few months ago, will be remounted in May at Kazino, a new meatpacking district venue being created specifically for the show, which will resemble a Russian supper club. 
 Kazee finally addresses his absence from ‘Once’ musical Steve Kazee, who officially exited the musical “Once” last weekend but had been out of the show on vocal rest since early February, finally addressed the situation on his personal blog. Kazee said that he sustained a “vocal injury” on Feb. 6, and although he is getting better, he ran the “risk of hemorrhaging a vocal cord” if he re-entered the show too soon. “This is not how I had imagined the run of the show would end for me, and to say it has been disappointing would be understating it quite a bit,” he wrote. 
 Protesters show up at first preview of ‘Testament’ Dozens of protesters representing the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, a Pennsylvania-based Catholic group, protested outside the Walter Kerr Theatre on Monday night before the first preview performance of “The Testament of Mary,” as reported by Playbill.com. Colm Tóibín’s play, which is based on his novel, depicts the Virgin Mary after the death of Jesus. On its website, the group called the novel “blasphemous.” In a statement provided by Playbill.com, the show’s producers said the show “is neither anti-Mary nor anti-Christianity, but rather a portrait of a very human woman.” 
 ‘Mormon’ panned in London, but still brings in big bucks Unlike its rapturous reception on Broadway, the London critics did not take kindly to “The Book of Mormon,” which just opened there. The Daily Mail found it to be “a cowardly, coarse, cynical show, worth avoiding.” The Times went so far as to call it “pretty racist.” But the musical still managed to break the record in London for the most money earned in ticket sales by any show in a single day. 
 Spotted … Neil Simon at “Hands on a Hardbody” … Shia LaBeouf at the first preview performance of “Orphans” … Joe Biden at “Once” … Aretha Franklin at “Motown” … Robert DeNiro, Tommy Mottola and Jim Carrey at “Lucky Guy.”

Reworked ‘Gigi’ in the works for Broadway adaptation A new stage adaptation of the MGM movie musical “Gigi,” which was previously staged on Broadway in the 1970s, is in the works. It will be directed by Eric D. Schaeffer, who staged last season’s revival of Sondheim’s “Follies,” with a revised book by Emmy-nominated screenwriter Heidi Thomas. Set in La Belle Époque-period Paris, “Gigi” observes how a cute young girl is turned into a knockout. Encores! ponders movie theater transmissions Although the Metropolitan Opera has achieved considerable success with its live transmissions of performances at movie theaters throughout the country, Broadway has yet to catch on. A filmed version of the musical “Memphis” failed to garner enthusiasm two years ago, but at an audience talkback following the Saturday matinee of “It’s a Bird … It’s a Plane … It’s Superman,” City Center Encores! artistic director Jack Viertel said that City Center is in “active discussions” with producers about offering screenings of future Encores! productions. Playwrights artistic director defends divisive play In a rare and very unusual move, Tim Sanford, artistic director of Playwrights Horizons, emailed a letter to thousands of the theater’s subscribers last weekend to defend Annie Baker’s new play “The Flick,” which won raves from some critics but has angered countless others due to its length, many pauses and slow pace. “Annie had a vision and this production beautifully executes that vision,” Sanford wrote. He noted how many subscribers have walked out at intermission and complained “emphatically” to the house manager about the play. ‘Comet’ to make comeback in meatpacking district “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812,” an electro-pop opera based on “War and Peace” that briefly played the nightclub Ars Nova a few months ago, will be remounted in May at Kazino, a new meatpacking district venue being created specifically for the show, which will resemble a Russian supper club. Kazee finally addresses his absence from ‘Once’ musical Steve Kazee, who officially exited the musical “Once” last weekend but had been out of the show on vocal rest since early February, finally addressed the situation on his personal blog. Kazee said that he sustained a “vocal injury” on Feb. 6, and although he is getting better, he ran the “risk of hemorrhaging a vocal cord” if he re-entered the show too soon. “This is not how I had imagined the run of the show would end for me, and to say it has been disappointing would be understating it quite a bit,” he wrote. Protesters show up at first preview of ‘Testament’ Dozens of protesters representing the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, a Pennsylvania-based Catholic group, protested outside the Walter Kerr Theatre on Monday night before the first preview performance of “The Testament of Mary,” as reported by Playbill.com. Colm Tóibín’s play, which is based on his novel, depicts the Virgin Mary after the death of Jesus. On its website, the group called the novel “blasphemous.” In a statement provided by Playbill.com, the show’s producers said the show “is neither anti-Mary nor anti-Christianity, but rather a portrait of a very human woman.” ‘Mormon’ panned in London, but still brings in big bucks Unlike its rapturous reception on Broadway, the London critics did not take kindly to “The Book of Mormon,” which just opened there. The Daily Mail found it to be “a cowardly, coarse, cynical show, worth avoiding.” The Times went so far as to call it “pretty racist.” But the musical still managed to break the record in London for the most money earned in ticket sales by any show in a single day. Spotted … Neil Simon at “Hands on a Hardbody” … Shia LaBeouf at the first preview performance of “Orphans” … Joe Biden at “Once” … Aretha Franklin at “Motown” … Robert DeNiro, Tommy Mottola and Jim Carrey at “Lucky Guy.”

News

New York

Behind the Curtain: Reworked 'Gigi' in works for B'way adaptation, more

Newsday

amNY -- Heidi Thomas

Most Popular

Latest video

New York video slot

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani shared a pre-recorded message on the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, asking New Yorkers to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice that day.

Mamdani shares a message on 9/11 anniversary

Yogesh "Aadi" Dangol, of Queens Village, was visiting Nepal, where he witnessed and filmed the flood that destroyed his birthplace of Betrawati.

'They're gone. We couldnt save them.'

Luigi Mangione plead guilty to stalking that resulted in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson nearly two years ago.

'The defendent very carefully prepared for the attack'

The boat's driver, Manuel Hernandez, 46, has been charged with misconduct and neglect. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Boat operator charged in fatal capsizing

Sign up for the Breaking News newsletter

New York Newsletter Widget

The sit-down marked the third in-person meeting between two elected officials with very different political philosophies.

Mamdani and Trump talk immigration, housing during NYC meeting

New York Article Bottom Module

The meeting is scheduled for Monday. The political opposites have developed a cordial relationship.

Mamdani, Trump to meet at Gracie Mansion

The speed camera program began on June 30, but drivers have been issued only written warnings so far.

MTA to begin fining speeders in work zones on bridges, in tunnels Tuesday

The popular watering hole, frequented by commuters and others, closed seven years ago as stationwide renovations were getting underway.

Holy spirits: Penn Station's Tracks bar gets blessed, and commuters cheer its reopening on the concourse

There will be numerous restrictions and street frozen zones around the UN headquarters on the East Side of Manhattan, officials said.

Security tightening for UN General Assembly

Top limit would be 20 mph in some neighborhoods, according to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's "Vision Zero Reimagined" plan.

Mamdani wants to slow speed limit to 20 mph in entire NYC neighborhoods

Drivers can be fined $50 — or more — for speeding in the zones.

NYC lowering speed limit to 15 mph near hundreds of schools

New York Video Playlist

245 E. 42nd St. is being monitored because it could collapse. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Midtown Manhattan building found to be unstable

The climbers, who displayed a banner once they reached the top, identified themselves on social media as daredevils who are known for climbing skyscrapers across the world. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

Daredevils arrested after climbing Empire State Building

Beefed up security measures are in place around Madison Square Garden in preparation for President Trump's attendance at Game 3. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Avoid the MSG area tonight if you do not have tickets'

A runway at LaGuardia Airport was closed due to a sinkhole. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

Sinkhole closes runway at LGA

The judge showed no mercy to the 36-year-old Guy Rivera, who was convicted of killing Diller during a street shooting in Far Rockaway. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'He mattered, his life mattered'

After a three-week trial, Guy Rivera was convicted of aggravated manslaughter, but acquitted of the top count of first-degree murder in the killing of NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller of Massapequa Park. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'The pain will never go away'

The airport was closed until about 2 p.m. Monday after a plane crashed into a fire truck on a runway Sunday night, killing two pilots and injuring dozens of others. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'It was chaotic'

The crash happened at about 11:40 p.m., when a Jazz Aviation flight, operating on behalf of Air Canada, struck a Port Authority firefighting and rescue vehicle that had been responding to a separate incident, the Port Authority said in a statement.

Video of the crash scene at LaGuardia

Michael Canders, associate professor of aviation at Farmingdale State College, weighs in on the crash that killed two pilots and injured dozens on a runway at LaGuardia Airport Sunday night. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'Inconclusive communication'

The deposed Venezuelan leader made his first court appearance on Monday in Manhattan as large crowds gathered outside the courthouse. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Maduro makes first court appearance

In his inaugural address, Mamdani said that today "begins a new era" for New York City.

'Today begins a new era'

Crowds cheered as Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as mayor of New York.

Crowds cheer as Mamdani sworn in

Homepage Trending

Fall Fun Book

LI's Top 50 restaurants

Wallet Watch

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

Ken Buffa sees what it takes to make signs glow at Going Sign & Servicing in Plainview in this week's LI Works.

LI Works: Ken is all aglow at neon sign maker

Floyd twin seniors Anabel and Lydia Van Cott are double trouble for the competition on the tennis courts, NewsdayTV's Tess Fergurson reports.

Double trouble on the tennis court for Floyd

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits a unique sanctuary in Calverton where veterans and first responders find healing through equine therapy with rescue horses.

Out East: Warrior Ranch Foundation

NewsdayTV's Andi Berlin visits No Good Burger Joint in Baldwin.

Newsday's Top 50 restaurants: A burger joint joins the list

A renovated Belmont Park unveils new amenities on Friday, as it reopens after more than three years and $550 million in renovations, NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Horse racing returns to Belmont Park after renovation

Hampton Shipyard was bought by a new ownership group two years ago and it is seeking to expand. But nearby residents say the expansion would not fit their neighborhood. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

One year into Suffolk's waterfront preservation program, 'hard questions' and no 'slam dunk'

Residents say deer have been spotted in backyards and local streets as a result of the uptick in population. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

Nassau's North Shore fights exploding deer population

As fixed-rate mortgages approach 7%, the highest level since 2007, Long Island homebuyers are also contending with low inventory and high prices. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Homebuyers face high mortgage rates and prices

Supporters of "through-running" would like to see LIRR trains adding stops beyond Long Island. NewsdayTV's Alfonso Castillo reports.

What is through-running and will it work at Penn Station?

Sample knishes, loaded mashed potatoes, a beer garden and more at the Long Island Potato Festival at Farmingdale State College on Sept. 26-27.

A carb-lover's dream

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

Questions over waterfront preservation program ... LI Sound water quality ... Man sentenced in deadly yacht club stabbing ... LI Works: Lighting up Long Island

Questions over waterfront preservation program ... Man sentenced in deadly yacht club stabbing ... LI Works: Lighting up Long Island

Questions over waterfront preservation program ... Fake vaccination crackdown ... What's next for Giants after Jaxson Dart injury ... Potential nor'easter could bring rain, wind, flooding

Most Popular

Latest video

Stay logged in.