Danny DeVito, who most recently starred in Roundabout’s I Need That by Theresa Rebeck and made his Broadway debut in Roundabout’s The Price by Arthur Miller, will be honored for his contribution to the theater with The Jason Robards Award for Excellence in Theatre, named after the late Jason Robards for his longstanding relationship with Roundabout and memorable body of stage work. The award is given to those who have made an indelible impact on both theatre and Roundabout.  All tickets and tables include a seat for dinner, live auction, and Mr. Groban’s performance.

‘I NEED THAT’: Danny DeVito in the acclaimed 2023 Broadway production. Photo: Joan Marcus.

Proceeds benefit Roundabout programs

All proceeds benefit Roundabout’s many programs, including Education at Roundabout, which offers nationally recognized programs that use the stimulating power of the arts to inspire, engage, and promote social equity.

The Gala is presented by The Mustang Foundation. The Official Auto Sponsor of the Gala is Tri-State Cadillac.

‘NATASHA AND PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812’: Josh Groban in the 2016 Broadway production. Photo: Chad Batka.

The evening is chaired by Samantha Rudin Earls and David Earls, Jeanne and Tom Hagerty, Fran and Paul Turner, and Johannes and Regis Worsoe.  Vice Chairs are Bank of America, Cynthia and Ron Beck, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Roxanne and Scott Bok, Karen McKeel Calby, Michael T. Cohen, Colliers International NY LLC, John and Colleen Cook, Sylvia Golden, Tom and Kitty Patterson Kempner, Stephanie and Ron Kramer, Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence and Dr. Ryan P. Shelhamer, Alan P. Mark and Jeffrey Fraenkel, Janet and Marvin Rosen, Jennifer and Owen Thomas, & Diane and Tom Tuft.

The Gala Auction is chaired by Wendy Barker and Colleen Cook and Auction Committee includes Regaye Fulcher, Nancy Lee Molesworth, and JT Tsou. The Education Paddle Raise is sponsored by Capital One. The Gala performance is underwritten by Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence and Dr. Ryan P. Shelhamer.

Ticket information

Gala Tickets range from $2,500 – $10,000 and include seating for the dinner and performance, and an invitation to the private cocktail party with Roundabout artists starting at $3,500. Gala Tables start at $25,000 and include a table of ten for dinner and the performance.

To purchase tickets or a table to Roundabout’s 2025 Gala, contact: events@roundabouttheatre.org

For more information: https://gala.roundabouttheatre.org

Roundabout Theatre Company presents a variety of plays and musicals on its five stages: Broadway’s Todd Haimes Theatre, Studio 54 and Stephen Sondheim Theatre, and Off-Broadway’s Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre, which houses the Laura Pels Theatre and Black Box Theatre.

Roundabout Theatre Company has been working to prioritize and actively incorporate anti-racism, equity, diversity, inclusion and accountability throughout the institution. Read more about the company’s social justice progress and timeline at edi.roundabouttheatre.org.

Roundabout productions are supported, in part, with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature.

Roundabout’s 2024-2025 season includes English by Sanaz Toossi, directed by Knud Adams; Liberation by Bess Wohl, directed by Whitney White; and The Pirates of Penzance by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, adapted by Rupert Holmes, music direction by Joseph Joubert, choreographed by Warren Carlyle and directed by Scott Ellis.

www.roundabouttheatre.org

Follow ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY on X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and on Facebook.

Biographies

JOSH GROBAN.  Tony®, EMMY®, and five-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor, and philanthropist Josh Groban possesses one of the most outstanding and instantly recognizable voices in music. Moreover, he continues to captivate fans everywhere as both a powerhouse vocalist and dynamic renaissance man. He has sold over 35 million albums worldwide, headlined legendary venues all over the world, and has also entertained audiences with acclaimed film and television appearances. In 2016, he made his Tony-nominated Broadway debut as Pierre in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1912, and in the Spring of 2023, Josh took to Broadway once again, performing in the highly anticipated revival of Sweeney Todd, playing the title role which earned him Tony and GRAMMY Nominations along with widespread acclaim.

Danny DeVito’s career

Danny DeVito. Photo: Daniel Bergeron.

DANNY DEVITO is one of the entertainment industry’s most versatile players, excelling as actor, producer and director.  The award-winning performance as Louie De Palma on the television show “Taxi” was what propelled DeVito to national prominence. He won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe. In a 1999 readers’ poll conducted by TV Guide, DeVito’s Louie De Palma was voted number one among “TV’s Fifty Greatest Character’s Ever.” 

Thus far, 2024 has seen DeVito reunite with friend and former co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Super Bowl commercial for State Farm, and again on stage presenting together at the 96th Academy Awards. In March he narrated his role in the beloved 1996 classic “Matilda,” with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra performing the music live, while the film played on screen. He had a cameo appearance in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” which released in theaters September 2024. He served as an executive producer on Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming docuseries Game 7 with his children Jake and Lucy, which Premieres October 22.

DeVito returned to Broadway in Fall-Winter of 2023 in a brand-new play called “I Need That,” at the Roundabout Theatre. Written by Theresa Rebeck, he acted alongside his daughter Lucy, who made her Broadway debut. The actor previously made his Broadway debut in 2017 in Arthur Miller’s “The Price” in the role of Gregory Solomon. Mr. DeVito earned his first Tony Award nomination.  The legend also won a Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award and Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for the role.

Recent & current projects

He was the voice Uncle Dan in the warmly received 2024 Universal family film “Migration.” On television, he returns as “Frank Reynolds” in the 17^th season of FXX’s acclaimed cult comedy “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” The show was renewed in 2020 for seasons 15-18. The hit became the longest-running scripted comedy in television history.  Other recent TV appearances include Mel Brooks’ “History of the World: Part II.  He did a guest role in the first season of Netflix’ “The Kominsky Method.”

DeVito is the principal of Jersey Film’s 2nd Avenue, a successor company of Jersey Films. In film, they most recently optioned the screen rights to Tom’s River: A Story of Science and Salvation, the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Dan Fagin.  The first season of their animated comedy “Little Demon,” was picked up by FXX in 2022, including characters voiced by DeVito, daughter and actor Lucy DeVito, and Aubrey Plaza, with Dan Harmon executive producing.

DeVito’s other recent VO work includes the character Bob for Walt Disney Pictures’ “The One and Only Ivan,” released in 2020. In 2018, he was heard voicing Dorgle in Warner Bros.’ animated feature “Smallfoot.”  Other voiced characters include the Lorax in Universal Pictures’ animated feature “The Lorax,” based on the book of the same name by Dr. Seuss. His voice was also heard in the German, Russian, Spanish and Italian versions of the film.

Other projects

He was in Sony Classics’ 2016 film “The Comedian,” with Robert De Niro and Leslie Mann, directed by Taylor Hackford.  DeVito directed, starred in and co-produced short film “Curmudgeons.” It premiered at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival and was later seen at the 2016 Seattle Film Festival and 2016 London Film Festival. The same year, DeVito also co-starred in the Todd Solondz’ dark comedy “Wiener-Dog.”

 DeVito and Richard Griffiths received rave reviews in the 2012 London stage revival of Neil Simon’s comedy “The Sunshine Boys.”  The following year, DeVito reprised his critically acclaimed role together with former “Taxi” co-star Judd Hirsch in Los Angeles.

 In 2015, DeVito was executive producer on the biographical documentary “Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story.” He co-produced Universal Pictures’ crime drama “A Walk Among the Tombstones” and starred in “All The Wilderness in 2014. DeVito starred in Sebastian Gutierrez’s black and white crime drama, “Hotel Noir” in 2012.

Actor also a prolific director

 Throughout his career, DeVito has directed more than 25 projects. These include “Matilda,” “Death To Smoochy,” “The War of the Roses,” “Hoffa,” “Throw Momma From the Train,” “The Ratings Game.” He was in short films, TV movies and episodes of television, including “Taxi.”

Jersey Films  produced over 20 motion pictures. Films include “Freedom Writers,” “Be Cool,” “Garden State,” “Along Came Polly,” “Man on the Moon.” In addition, “Pulp Fiction,” “Out of Sight,” “Get Shorty,” “Hoffa,” “Matilda,” “Living Out Loud.” “Erin Brockovich” received an Academy Award nomination).

Apart from his work with Jersey Films, DeVito has starred in such films as “The War of the Roses,” “Junior,” “Batman Returns,” “Twins,” “Romancing the Stone,” “Jewel of the Nile,” “Ruthless People,” “Throw Momma From the Train,” “Tin Men,” “Anything Else,” “Big Fish,” “Renaissance Man,” “The Big Kahuna” and “Heist.”  He also starred in “The Good Night,” “Deck The Halls,” “Relative Strangers,” “The OH in Ohio,” “Be Cool” and “Even Money.”

DeVito’s early days

DeVito attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel grammar school and Oratory Prep School in Summit, N.J. He appeared in only one school play, as St. Francis of Assisi.  After graduation, he pursued several odd jobs, always with the idea of acting in the back of his mind. He finally entered the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. “They had fencing and a speech class,” he said mockingly, “So you don’t talk funny.”

Unable to get work, Danny bought a round-trip ticket and headed to Hollywood.  After years of unemployment, he returned to New York.  He called an old friend and former American Academy professor who, coincidentally, had been seeking him out for a starring role in one of three one-act plays presented together under the title of “The Man With the Flower in His Mouth.” In no time, Danny was into big money ($60 a week), and other stage performances followed.  Among his credits were “Down the Morning Line” and The Line of Least Existence.” He also appeared in “The Shrinking Bride” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

Under a grant from the American Film Institute, Danny and his wife, actress Rhea Perlman, wrote and produced “Minestrone” (1975). “Minestrone” was shown twice at the Cannes Film Festival and translated into five languages.  Later, they wrote and produced a 16-millimeter black-and-white short subject, “The Sound Sleeper,” which won first prize at the Brooklyn Arts and Cultural Association competition.

Honored in NJ hometown

The mayor of Asbury Park, NJ declared November 17, 2018  (DeVito’s birthday) as Danny DeVito day in Asbury Park. The actor grew up there.

DeVito carries his success well.  Never forgetting that there were more difficult times, he maintains a healthy sense of perspective.  As “Taxi” character Louie DePalma, would say, “If you don’t do good today, you’ll be eatin’ dirt tomorrow.”

The post Josh Groban to perform at Roundabout 2025 Gala honoring Danny DeVito appeared first on StageZine.

‘SWEENEY TODD’: Josh Groban & Annaleigh Ashford. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
From an adaptation by Christopher Bond
Directed by Thomas Kail
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
205 West 46th Street
(877-250-2929), www.SweeneyToddBroadway.com

By David NouNou

Most theatergoers can recite all of Stephen Sondheim’s works and he was prolific indeed. Quite possibly, the best and most intricate song wordsmith of any generation. First produced in 1979, starring Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou and winner of eight Tony Awards, the original production of Sweeney Todd closed after only 557 performances. A barber slitting the throats of his clients for revenge and then making pies out of their bodies wasn’t exactly what people wanted to see from a musical. For most people it was quite jarring, and it wasn’t the usual musical fare one came to expect from a Sondheim musical. Honestly, I was one of those people that just didn’t get it. Let’s just say it was decades ahead of its time

The years have transformed this musical into a masterpiece. Audiences have finally come to appreciate it not only as a musical but it also has the grandness and style of an opera. The songs don’t come trippingly off the tongue, but they are among Sondheim’s greatest compositions.

You know the plot: Sweeney Todd (Josh Groban) rescued at sea and befriended by a young sailor, Anthony Hope (Jordan Fisher) on a dock in London. They are met by a Beggar Woman (Ruthie Ann Miles). Sweeney recounts to Anthony how he used to be a barber and married to a beautiful woman. A corrupt judge, Judge Turpin (Jamie Jackson), lusted for his wife and sent Sweeney away on trumped-up charges. Leaving Anthony, Sweeney goes to Fleet Street where his barber shop used to be above a meat-pie shop. The shop is run by Mrs. Lovett (Annaleigh Ashford) who tells him how awful her pies have been because of the lack of meat in them. When Sweeney asks about renting the barber shop, Mrs. Lovett reveals to him that she recognizes him as Benjamin Barker, the former barber that stayed there, and presents him with his old sterling silver straight razors that she kept for him all these years. She also informs him that his wife, Lucy was lured by the judge and his assistant, Beadle Bamford (John Rapson) to a masked ball at the judge’s home—where she was raped and ultimately, she poisoned herself. The judge then took Sweeney’s infant daughter, Johanna (Delaney Westfall) and raised her as his ward. This starts the tale of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street.

From the moment I heard that Josh Groban was going to play Sweeney Todd, I have been counting down the days to see this show. For me, this was the show I was longing to see in the 2022/23 season, and wow, it offered everything I’ve been waiting to see in Sweeney Todd. I’ve seen the original Sweeney with Len Cariou, also George Hearn, Bob Gunton, Michael Cerveris—all great in their own right. However, Mr. Groban is the definitive Sweeney. His acting is subtle, provides the proper menace, but his voice, whether singing the bittersweet “The Barber and His Wife”, the bitterness in “No Place Like London,” the anguish for his blades in “My Friends” or the tormented “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd,” the voice is heaven-sent—from its purity to operatic scale, his voice is spellbinding.

One always associates the robust Mrs. Lovett with Angela Lansbury. Let’s face it, who can top Angela Lansbury? Annaleigh Ashford has taken a different path. Ms. Ashford is known for her mastering the art of comedy. Since she is a much younger Mrs. Lovett, she doesn’t go for the robust innocence, but taps into every aspect of the comedic and the sinister that Mrs. Lovett possesses, and this makes her the perfect foil to Mr. Groban’s possessed Sweeney.

Director Thomas Kail, best known for directing the blockbuster musical Hamilton, has seen to every aspect of this production. From fine-tuning his two leads to the supporting players, including: Jordan Fisher as Anthony, Gaten Matarazzo as Tobias, Ruthie Ann Miles as Beggar Woman, Delaney Westfall as Johanna, Jamie Jackson as Judge Turpin, and John Rapson as Beadle Bamford, they all excel in their performances. What Mr. Kail has also seen to is the perfect set design by Mimi Lien. The original by Eugene Lee, although a Tony winner, was way too overwhelming. The steeliness of it overtook everything that was going on. Most other sets were minimal and underwhelming. This one is a perfect mood setter.

Whether it is the material or the timing, suffice it to say this version of Sweeney Todd has reached the pinnacle of perfection.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published April 2, 2023
Reviewed at April 1, 2023 press performance.

‘SWEENEY TODD’: Josh Groban, Annaleigh Ashford & cast. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘SWEENEY TODD’: Ruthie Ann Miles. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘SWEENEY TODD’: Gaten Matarazzo, Annaleigh Ashford, Josh Groban, Nathan Salstone & cast. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘SWEENEY TODD’: Gaten Matarazzo, Annaleigh Ashford, Alicia Kaori, DeLaney Westfall & Kristie Dale Sanders. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘SWEENEY TODD’: Nicholas Christopher & cast. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘SWEENEY TOOD’: Jamie Jackson & John Rapson. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘SWEENEY TODD’: Jordan Fisher & Maria Bilbao. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

‘SWEENEY TODD’: Josh Groban. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman.

The post ‘Sweeney Todd’: Razor-sharp revival best ever appeared first on StageZine.

‘NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812’: (left to right) Josh Groban & Denée Benton. Photo: Chad Batka

By David NouNou

I saw Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 exactly three years ago at the Kazino Theatre, which was in a tent set up with heaters right next to the Imperial Theatre. I thought I was experiencing one of the most dreadful musicals I had seen in a long time. It was bleak, dark, claustrophobic, listless and pointless; after all it was set in Russia. It was freezing inside the tent, my partner and I had our coats, gloves and scarves on all night–which I guess for some it might seem atmospheric, getting a sense of what it would be like to be in Siberia. I remember ushers/servers pushing vodka, beverages, and various food items at exorbitant prices and the audience was piled on top of one another on chairs and tables. I just wanted to get the hell out of there; needless to say the evening warranted one star.

What a difference three years later makes. It is now at the Imperial Theatre. The theatre has been magnificently redesigned with sets by Mimi Lien, beautifully and warmly lit by Bradley King and the costumes by Paloma Young are extraordinarily colorful. It is now colorful, open, and energetic, with a deliciously eclectic score by David Malloy that has Slavic overtones that captures the mood from sad ballads to the contemporary sound. In addition, the cast has been expanded, which now makes the musical more jubilant and exciting. And, of course, you have the wonderful Josh Groban. with his thrilling baritone voice.

You must remember that this is based on Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace; there will be a lot of grief and heartbreak, characters that have at least five first names and a Moscow that was brimming with life and opulence. The story centers on Natasha (Denée Benton) saying goodbye to her fiancée, Andrey (Nicholas Belton) who goes off to war and she comes to Moscow to be with her cousin Sonya (Brittain Ashford) and her Godmother, Marya (Grace McLean). In the course of her socializing and experiencing new delights, she falls in love with Anatole (Lucas Steele), whose sister Helene (Amber Gray) is married to Pierre. In the midst of all this is somber Pierre, a friend to all and ultimately he has to clean up the mess that has taken place by all the revelers and revelry.

With all the revelry going on stage, the real deal here is Josh Groban. As an actor, he is perfect as Pierre, and as a singer he is outstanding. If nothing else he is worth the price of admission and more. Denée Benton is lovely as Natasha. Also noteworthy is Amber Gray as Helene, Pierre’s promiscuous wife. As for the rest, they vary in degrees of overplay due to the direction they were given by Rachel Chavkin. There is so much going on stage that you never know where to look; it is a lavish spectacle, frenetic, that at times it seems like a mashup of Cirque De Soleil butchering Leo Tolstoy. In this case so much is too much.

If you go with the purpose of seeing Josh Groban, you’ll not be disappointed, for he delivers the goods and his voice is heaven sent.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published January 4, 2017
Reviewed at performance on January 3, 2017

‘NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812’: Josh Groban. Photo: Chad Batka

‘NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812’: Nick Choksi. Photo: Chad Batka

‘NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812’: Denée Benton & Brittain Ashford. Photo: Chad Batka

‘NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812’: Denée Benton. Photo: Chad Batka

‘NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812’: (left to right) Lucas Steele & Denée Benton. Photo: Chad Batka

‘NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812’: Josh Groban. Photo: Chad Batka

‘NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812’: Denée Benton & Amber Gray. Photo: Chad Batka

‘NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812’: Josh Groban & cast. Photo: Chad Batka

The post ‘Great Comet of 1812’: Tolstoy meets Broadway appeared first on StageZine.