The Rocky Horror Show (Broadway)

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Newly engaged couple Brad (Andrew Durand) and Janet (Stephanie Hsu) go on a road trip to celebrate their most recent milestone in life but their car gets them stranded in the middle of nowhere. They see a castle not so far away and decide to go there to ask for help. They are welcomed by a weird butler named Riff Raff (Amber Gray) who introduces them to the other househelp Magenta (Juliette Lewis) and Columbia (Michaela Jae Rodriguez). It doesn’t take long for them to get spooked out by the ambiance of the place, but there probably isn’t anything more unsettling than meeting the master of the house himself. Dressed in a tight corset and, later on, a nurse’s uniform, Frank-N-Furter (Luke Evans) welcomes his guests and eventually introduces them to Rocky (Boy Radio), a sort of Frankenstein-ish muscle man he has created in his laboratory down there in the basement.

Chess (Broadway)

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Serving as the narrator, the Arbiter (Bryce Pinkham) reflects on the role of Chess as a game and as a tool of diplomacy. Amidst the Cuban missile crisis, the United States and the Soviet Union are on the brink of war, but most of the battles are fought via other channels through showcases of soft power. One such event is a chess tournament in Merano, Italy, where arrogant American champion Freddie Trumper (Aaron Tveit) is to face Russian contender Anatoly Sergievsky (Nicholas Christopher) who must confront the threat of a possible state-sponsored disappearance should he lose the match. Freddie’s romantic partner and coach Florence Vassy (Lea Michele), a refugee from Hungary, is tired of her boyfriend’s bipolar tirades and ends up in a romantic fling with Anatoly. More problems arise when Anatoly’s estranged Russian wife Svetlana (Hannah Cruz) is sent by their government to coerce Anatloy to go back home via emotional blackmail.

Fallen Angels (Broadway)

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Julie Sterroll (Kelli O’Hara) and Jane Banbury (Rose Byrne) have been friends since they were single ladies. Nowadays they are both married and playing the role of the bored housewife. Julie’s husband Fred (Aasif Mandvi) is always taking care of business or playing golf with Jane’s husband Willy (Christopher Fitzgerald). Suffice it to say that the honeymoon phase of their marriage is now but a distant memory, which is why it doesn’t require much to excite the two women lately. Perhaps this is the reason why the prospect of a French debonair, with whom they’ve both had an affair that one summer in Italy, coming over for a visit turns them into shrieking high school girls. Anxious, both indulge in wine kept in abundant supply by the Sterroll’s all-around housemaid Saunders (Tracee Chimo), a woman of many talents and too many opinions. By the time Maurice Duclos (Mark Consuelos) arrives, both women are already wasted. What shenanigans will they all get themselves into this time around?

Drunk Shakespeare (Broadway)

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The concept of Drunk Shakespeare is simple: You have five professional actors in the group and one of them is required to take shots of liquor, in this case whiskey, before performing one of Shakespeare’s plays. For this particular season, Romeo and Juliet is the chosen material. Gracie Lee Brown was the designated actor to get drunk and she played a variety of roles, but mostly, Juliet’s nurse. Romeo was portrayed by Ryan Farnsworth while Sarah Ann Leahy played Juliet. Another two actors join them, one given the role of Mercutio and the priest while the other serves as the narrator and sort of the audience’s surrogate within the play. Two royal seats are auctioned before the play begins and the two members of the audience who sit there can dictate quick changes within the play. They can also decide whether the designated drunk actor needs more shots. For this particular production, I believe Gracie ended up with six or seven shots all in all.

Dog Day Afternoon (Broadway)

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Sonny Amato (Jon Bernthal) and Sal DeSilva (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) decide to rob a bank with another companion who chickens out when shots are fired. They haven’t planned this well, and it shows. Bank tellers Lorna (Wilemina Olivia-Garcia), Alison (Andrea Syglowski), Guadalupe (Paola Lázaro), and Roxxanna (Elizabeth Canavan) are traumatized at first but learn to co-exist with their captors in the small space they momentarily have to share, perhaps even developing Stockholm Syndrome in the long run. Head teller Colleen (Jessica Hecht), in particular, is quite headstrong and goes toe to toe with the bank robbers, ever protective of her girls. Detective Fucco (John Ortiz) is eventually brought in to negotiate, but his lack of progress prompts FBI agent Sheldon (Spencer Garrett) to step in and use Sonny’s boyfriend Leon (Esteban Andres Cruz) as bait. After an entire afternoon of negotiations, who will come out on top? Will Sonny and Sal get out of that bank alive?

Just in Time (Broadway)

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Walden Robert Cassotto opts for the stage name Bobby Darin (Jeremy Jordan) to up his chances of becoming a breakout star, but stardom has been quite elusive. He settles for composing songs and one of his first clients is 50’s songstress Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, more popularly known as Connie Francis (Isa Briones). The two soon start dating and end up in a relationship but marriage plans are foiled by her father, who does not approve of Bobby. Bobby finally scores a hit with Splish Splash, but dreams of more artistic control and success outside jingles and novelty songs. He gets his wish when he finally scores some legit hits with Dream Lover and Mack the Knife. And then he meets actress Sandra Dee (Carrie St. Louis) who becomes the wife he eventually divorces. Bobby fades into obscurity but manages to get back into the limelight, his comeback cut short by his longtime heart ailment.

Oh, Mary! (Broadway)

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Mary Todd Lincoln (John Cameron Mitchell) is not really having a good time at the presidential palace. Mary’s Husband (John-Andrew Morrison) is always busy dealing with the war in the south and flirting with his Assistant (Tony Macht). He also finds Mary to be insufferable, what with all of her daytime drinking and cruel behavior toward her Chaperone (Jenn Harris). Mary wants to be a cabaret star, but her Husband believes it is a bad idea for publicity considering how the country is currently at war. Even then, he hires an unsuccessful actor to serve as Mary’s Teacher (Julian Manjerico), finding an opportunity to finally get her off his back. A love affair blossoms between Mary and her Teacher, which quickly escalates to a plan for them to secure an audition slot for Mary in a play and eventually flee north of the border to Canada. However, destiny seems to have other plans.

Every Brilliant Thing (Broadway)

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Every Brilliant Thing follows the main character (Daniel Radcliffe) who, in an attempt to dissuade a parent from succumbing to depression and suicide, comes up with a list of every brilliant thing that makes life worth living. The list evolves over time, from something as simple as ice cream to start it off to more specific occurrences in life. As he reaches adulthood and goes through various life challenges, he loses sight of what the list stands for. Even then, life always finds a way to remind him of the list, leading it to consistently grow and even include submissions from other people. As he goes through his own trials and tribulations, he adds even more items to the list and ends up collating them, deciding to put it in a form that is more accessible to readers who might also be in constant need of inspiration to get through life.

Becky Shaw (Broadway)

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Max Garrett (Alden Ehrenreich) and Suzanna Slater (Lauren Patten) grow up together; her father making a promise to his that he would take him under his wing and be like his own son. His upbringing leads to a profitable university degree and eventually an important role taking care of the family’s finances, even now that the patriarch has died. Susan Slater (Linda Emond) is difficult to deal with and smitten with a much younger man, refusing to discuss the dwindling assets of her husband’s estate. Max and Suzanna give in to the sexual tension they have always felt for one another but they immediately ghost each other afterward. A few years later, Suzanna is married to Andrew Porter (Patrick Ball), an academic he met at a ski trip. Looking out for Max, the couple pairs him with Becky Shaw (Madeline Brewer), Andrew’s eccentric officemate who doesn’t seem to have any luck with men.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Broadway)

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Rona Lisa Peretti (Vanessa Magula) is the number one realtor in Putnam county but today her role is to moderate the 25th annual Putnam county spelling bee. As she gets ready for the event, she recalls her time as champion of the 3rd annual event, winning the event after spelling “syzygy” correctly. She is joined by Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Brandon L. Armstrong) who has his own professional grudges. The competitors start to rush in. There’s: Olive Ostrovsky (Jasmine Amy Rogers) who seeks the attention of her absentee parents; William Barfee (Kevin McHale) who is notorious for his “magic foot” spelling method; Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Cecilia Snow) who doesn’t shy away from political commentaries despite her young age; Marcy Park (Leana Rae Concepcion), an overachiever fluent in six languages; Leaf Coneybear (Justin Cooley), the third option from his district who is just happy to be there; and Chip Tolentino (Philippe Arroyo), last year’s champion returning to defend his title.

Mother Mary

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Pop diva Mother Mary (Anne Hathaway) simply cannot hide her dissatisfaction with the costume options for her latest concert. When it comes to clothing choices for her performances, nobody dresses her better than Sam Anselm (Michaela Coel), her erstwhile collaborator and fashion designer friend forced to take a step back when their artistic visions regarding her career drifted apart to irreconcilable territory. Repentant and desperate, Mother Mary flies all the way to the UK to seek Sam’s help, and she is reluctantly welcomed to her barn/makeshift fashion workshop after she barges in unannounced. After a bit of taunting, Sam agrees to craft a dress for her, but not until they settle the ghost of their past, a literal vermillion clothlike entity that has haunted both of them at different times in the past few years. They carry out a fashion forward exorcism, all in search of that perfect dress worthy of her stage comeback.

Topograpiya Ng Lumbay

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Isang lalaking nagngangalang Garcia Romualdez ang kukulitin ng tawag si Melody Aria. Sasagot lamang ang huli sa pangatlong tawag at dito siya aanyayahan siya ng lalaki na lumipad patungong Cebu upang samahan siya sa kasalukuyang kinalalagyan ng kanyang nawalay na inang si Ronaria. Hindi pa handa si Melody na harapin ang mga sugat ng nakaraan ngunit marahil ito na rin ang paraan upang makatakas siya sa pangungulila sa anak na sumama na sa ama nito upang mag-aral sa Boston. Isang manunulat naman na naghahangad ng bagong pagkakakitaan ang luluwas sa Tacloban. May mga ilang aklat na rin naman na nailimbag sa pangalan ni Ruis Quijano subalit hindi rin naman talaga siya sumikat. Hindi rin nakatulong ang pagkakalugi ng kayang hanapbuhay kaya ngayon ay nagtatangka siyang balikan ang pagsusulat. Ang hindi niya alam ay gagamitin lamang siya upang humabi ng paninira, isang bagay na pinagbantaan siyang buhay niya at ng dating asawa ang magiging kapalit kung hindi niya paninindigan. Magtatagpo ang landas ng tatlo sa paghahanap ng katotohanan sa isla ng Samar.

Isang Taong Resty

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Makalipas ang sampung taon ay mabibigyan tayo ng bagong kaalaman tungkol sa kasalukuyang buhay ni Resty. Ngayon ay dalawampu’t anim na taong gulang na ang binata at naninirahan sa pangunahing lungsod sa kanilang lalawigan kung saan siya iniwan ng kanyang inang si Aling Tonya. Mabibighani si Resty sa ganda ng kasamahan na nagngangalang Renata subalit mayroon na itong kasintahan at sila ay malapit nang mag-isang dibdib. Sa pag-alis ng dalaga upang lumipat sa Maynila ay magpapasya si Resty na lumuwas na rin upang makipagsapalaran kahit na hindi tugma ang pananaw ng kanyang ina at lola. Sa Maynila ay mararanasan ni Resty ang hirap ng buhay manggagawa pati na rin ang kasawian sa pag-ibig. Mamumulat naman din siya sa mga di pangkaraniwang pamamaraan upang kumita ng salapi habang nakikitira sa barong-barong ng kanyang amang si Mang Ador kasama ang kanyang kapatid na si Totoy at ang ina nitong si Aling Daisy.

A Dance with Dragons

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Across the Narrow Sea, Daenerys faces revolt as Meereen is racked by rebellion in the form of the Sons of the Harpy, who murder at least one of her soldiers every day, leading to suggestions of marrying a noble to tame the locals, all while facing the repercussions of her ever growing dragons. Tyrion finds himself in Essos as an exile, taken in by a strange group of boatmen who seem to be hiding a secret. Arya continues her training as a faceless assassin in Braavos. Meanwhile, in Westeros, Jon Snow deals with new challenges every day as Lord Commander of the wall, especially now that he is hosting Stannis’ men as well as his demanding queen, and the red priestess Melisandre, too. The Boltons regroup with northmen at Winterfell where Stannis directs his men after defeating the iron born at Deepwood Motte and taking Asha captive. Cersei confesses her sins and is ordered to do a walk of shame as atonement.

A Feast for Crows

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Cersei Lannister assumes her role as Queen Regent to her son, newly-crowned King Tommen. A childhood prophecy from an eastern witch continues to hound her, however, that of dying in the hands of a younger sibling and being eclipsed by a younger and prettier queen. She believes the prophecy to be referring to Margaery, and so begins her schemes to get rid of her son’s queen. Meanwhile, Brienne leaves King’s Landing to keep her oath and find Lady Catelyn’s daughters: Sansa who is masquerading as Petyr Baelish’s bastard daughter Alayne at the Eyrie; and Arya, training to be a faceless assassin in Braavos on the other side of the Narrow Sea. Samwell accompanies a dying Aegon Targaryen and Gilly on a ship that will take them to Oldtown where they intend to seek refuge, but they encounter difficulties along the way. All this while the death of Balon Greyjoy embroils the Iron Islands in a succession crisis as Prince of Doran down south in Dorne deals with his own royal family squabbles.

A Storm of Swords

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Jon finds his way back to the Wall but is pursued by the Wildlings he has double crossed. The death of the Old Bear sparks a succession issue. As the Wall is about to fall, Stannis and his men come to the rescue. In the Riverlands, Robb attempts to repair House Stark’s relationship with the Freys after he reneges his commitment to marry one of Walder’s daughters. Catelyn accompanies her son to the Twins for Edmure’s wedding. Joffrey and Margaery are to wed in a grandiose feast while Tyrion is left with the problem of funding after being named Master of Coin. Daenerys double crosses the slavers of Astapor and upon acquiring the Unsullied, leads a campaign to free the cities of Essos, starting at Mereen. Brienne leads Jaime back to King’s Landing in an oath to bring back Sansa and Arya, but things don’t go according to plan.

A Clash of Kings

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The death of Robert Baratheon sparks a succession crisis in Westeros as various kings lay claim to the throne. Robb declares himself King of the North while Stannis and Renly duke it out: the former with a red sorceress from the east; and the latter, with the forces of the south backing him. Joffrey sits on the Iron Throne but it is really his uncle Tyrion who pulls the strings as his Hand. Arya is stuck in Harrenhal and gains the good graces of its new ruler after helping instigate a coup, while her brothers in Winterfell face an uncertain fate as Theon defects and takes his adoptive northern home hostage. As Catelyn travels south to wager an alliance, to no avail, she earns a new knight in her service in the person of Brienne of Tarth. Meanwhile, Daenerys impatiently waits for her trio of dragons to grow stronger as she tours the east searching for allies that could help her cross the Narrow Sea.

A Game of Thrones

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The game of thrones continues in the western landmass of Westeros, even more than a decade after the defeat of house Targaryen. The house of the dragon’s last remaining heirs with legitimate claim to the throne, Viserys and Daenerys, have fled to Essos and are forging alliances there to gain an army to reclaim their birthright. Meanwhile, Robert Baratheon, the usurper, sits on the iron throne and is in need of a new Hand of the King after Jon Arryn of the Vale is murdered. He takes his entire family, among them Cersei Lannister, his queen, north to Winterfell to convince his old friend Eddard Stark to serve the kingdom as his Hand. Eddard is apprehensive, but duty calls. He leaves behind his eldest son Robb to rule in his stead while taking his daughters Sansa and Arya to live at court. As for his bastard Jon Snow, he is sent to the wall in the north, where the threat of a long winter is looming.

Endo (PETA)

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Leo (Royce Cabrera) has been juggling jobs given to him by a temp agency but he cannot seem to catch a break and only lasts a few weeks before getting kicked out of each opportunity. It doesn’t help that he is also the breadwinner of the family, what with his sickly dad and a brother he is supporting currently at university. His girlfriend Candy (Iana Bernardez) is looking for better opportunities and breaks up with him, choosing a life in Singapore with a much older man of better financial standing. In this regard, the prophecy of the shop attendant who sold him the shoes he gifted his ex comes true. Tanya (Jasmine Curtis-Smith) believes that footwear is a bad present because the person it is given to is bound to leave the giver. Leo and Tanya cross paths some more and begin a situationship threatened by her impending job opportunity in Switzerland. She wants to move there with Leo, but his reluctance puts her own dreams on the line.