BROADWAY: THE NEW SEASON BEGINS

William Jackson Harper (“The Good Place”) gives a mesmerizing, heartwarming performance as Kenneth, a socially stunted 38-yearold orphan who moves beyond the childhood trauma that has limited and damaged his adult life into new friendships and trust in the world premiere of Eboni Booth’s lovely, gentle new play “Primary Trust.” Under Knud Adam’s direction, Eric Berryman plays Kenneth’s constant companion, drinking buddy and best friend Bert (who happens to be imaginary), Jay O. Sanders plays Kenneth’s various employers and April Matthis plays the various waitstaff and bank depositors Kenneth encounters. (Laura Pels Theatre). https://www. roundabouttheatre. org/get-tickets/20222023-season/primarytrust/

Conceived by former Talking Heads’ David Byrne (who also wrote the music and co-wrote

2023 Dumbo Dance Festival

On Thursday, June 22nd, WHITE WAVE Dance celebrates their 22nd Anniversary season of the DUMBO Dance Festival (DDF) with a GALA Opening that heralds the most anticipated four-day festival of contemporary dance in the greater New York City region.

Committed to developing dance as an important art form, WHITE WAVE scours the globe in search of the most innovative of today’s dance makers, both emerging and established, and brings them to Brooklyn for one extended weekend. For four nights and three days, dance lovers will experience a veritable cornucopia of the best of contemporary dance.

“This is a festival about opportunities,” says Young Soon Kim, Artistic Director of White Wave Dance. “The DUMBO Dance Festival provides an opportunity for over 300 performing artists to showcase their work. Further, it offers New York audiences the chance to participate in one of the most diverse displays of leading-edge choreography and excellence at an affordable price.” GALA & Festival Tickets can be purchased at https://whitewavedance.networkforgood.com/events/56063-2023-dumbo-dance-festival More info at www.whitewavedance.org

by Jane Klain

the lyrics with Fatboy Slim), this immersive disco musical about the rise and fall of the corrupt former first lady and president/dictator of the Philippines Imelda (Arielle Jacobs) and Ferdinand Marcos (Jose Llana), “Here Lies Love” has transformed the Broadway Theatre into a disco dance club with the audience standing on the dance floor or seated in traditional or innovative theater-seating. Alex Timbers developed and directs the all-Filipino cast that also features Lea Salonga and Conrad Ricamora. The Broadway musicians’ union has protested the show’s use of pre-recorded instead of live music. (Previews begin June 17; Broadway Theatre) http:/www.herelieslovebroadway.com

“Back to the Future: The Musical” the Olivier Award-winning musical adaptation (by the film’s creators Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale) of the 1985 cult time-travel movie stars Casey Likes as Marty McFly, Roger Bart as Doc Brown, Hugh Coles as George McFly and Liana Hunt as Lorraine McFly. With new music by Alan Silvestri and lyrics by Silvestri and Glen Ballard, the musical also features songs from the original film. (Previews begin June 30; Winter Garden Theatre) http://www. backtothefuturemusical.com

Obie-winning standup comedian Alex Edelman brings his solo show “Just for Us” to Broadway for nine weeks. Directed by Adam Brace, its central story recounts how after anti-Semitic online threats, Edelman secretly infiltrated a white nationalists meeting in Queens. (Previews begin June 22: Hudson Theatre) http:/www.justforusshow.com

“Rock & Roll Man,” with original music by Gary Kupper (along with rock & roll classics) and a book by Larry Marshak and Rose Caiola, imagines the last day of 1950s disc jockey Alan Freed’s life as a fever dream in which J. Edgar Hoover serves as prosecutor and Little Richard as defense attorney with Freed’s legacy on trial. Constantine Maroulis stars as DJ and promoter Alan Freed who brought Black music to mainstream America and helped integrate audiences and artists. (New World Stages) www.rockandrollmanthemusical.com