This Week’s Picks! Honor Teen Talent with Sutton Foster & See Patti LuPone Do…Community Theater?

Hey you, standing outside New York City Center sobbing because you don’t have a ticket to see Jake Gyllenhaal and Ellen Greene in Little Shop of Horrors. Unless someone takes pity on you, we’re sorry, but it’s not gonna happen (unless you shell out $475). But don’t worry—there’s tons of other great stuff happening in NYC this week too, from an awards show filled with talented kids to a patriotic Broadway reunion. Time for this week’s picks!


Watch Pros Tackle Community Theater
Begins June 29 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater
Here’s all you need to know: Patti LuPone. The legend returns to the stage in Douglas Carter Beane’s semi-autobiographical Shows for Days as the force of nature who introduces young Car (Michael Urie) to the wacky world of community theater in 1970s Reading, PA. Need more enticement? Perhaps you should hire a life coach—your priorities might be a smidge askew. Click for tickets!


See Broadway’s Future Talent Today
June 29 at the Minskoff Theatre
We believe the children are our future. Chita Rivera and Nathan Lane aren’t going to be around forever, you know? That is unless we refine our immortality elixir (it needs more strawberry Yoo-hoo) or holograms become socially acceptable. In the meantime, check out the next generation at the National High School Music Theatre Awards—also known as the Jimmy Awards—which honors the best high school performers in America. The best part? Sutton Foster’s hosting. Click for tickets!


Sing Happy Birthday to Larry Kramer
June 29 on HBO
In between its terrific original series and too-frequent airings of Larry Crowne, HBO produces some fantastic documentaries. Tonight features a premiere you must see. The premium cable channel airs Larry Kramer in Love & Anger, an intimate look at the past and present of the author, activist (Kramer founded ACT UP and The Gay Men’s Health Crisis), and writer of The Normal Heart...on the week of his birthday! You might want to have a handkerchief nearby.


See the New Lady of Gentleman’s Guide
June 30 at Walter Kerr Theatre
Change is good. It leads to pizzas with hot dog crusts, movies featuring Channing Tatum in a thong, and being entertained for hours on our phone. And change works on the Great White Way, where established shows get fresh blood. Such is the case at A Gentleman’s Guide to Murder, where Broadway veteran Judy Blazer (Titanic, 45 Seconds from Broadway) replaces Carole Shelley as Miss Shingle. Click for tickets!


Celebrate July 4th with Song
July 4 and 5 at 54 Below
Independence Day needs some new traditions beyond boisterous (but boring) fireworks and eating grilled meats with people we can’t stand. Thankfully, Broadway can help. For the second consecutive year, an array of talent will assemble at 54 Below to sing selections from 1776. Among those expected to appear: Michael Halling, Adam Shapiro, and Daniel Marcus, who starred in the musical’s Broadway revival. Click for tickets!