S.F. musical about Luigi Mangione looks to expand internationally after extending run
' Luigi: The Musical,' inspired by the social media discourse surrounding the 27-year-old suspect in the murder case of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has added an Aug. 6 show at the Independent after selling out all previous performances.
The satirical show follows Mangione as he encounters his prison mates — Sean 'Diddy' Combs, who was recently convicted on prostitution-related charges, and fallen FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried — at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, in a production staged in the style of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical 'Chicago.'
Tickets for the August show, currently the only upcoming performance, are available now.
Even before its debut at Taylor Street Theatre on June 13, the musical attracted national attention — 'If only the show itself could justify the hype,' wrote Chronicle theater critic Lily Janiak in her opening night review of the production.
Nonetheless, 'Luigi: The Musical' went on to sell out its initial run at the 49-seat venue through June 28. Due to high demand, four additional performances were staged in July at the Independent, a 500-capacity venue on Divisadero Street.
Now its creators are considering runs in Los Angeles, New York, and Edinburgh, Scotland.
'It's so fun and cathartic for us to perform the show, and audiences are really loving it,' Caleb Zeringue, an executive producer, writer and actor in the show, told the Chronicle. 'We are hearing from the audiences that the show helps them process our current society. … We want to give more people the chance to see it.'
Despite describing the show as 'terrible,' Janiak acknowledged that it drew 'younger-than-usual theatergoers' and serves as proof that people 'still crave theater that helps us make sense of current events and envision fresh political possibilities.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Natasha Richardson's Sister Reacts to Liam Neeson's New Romance with Pamela Anderson
Joely Richardson is the sister of Neeson's late wife, Natasha Richardson, who died in 2009NEED TO KNOW Joely Richardson is sharing her love for her brother-in-law Liam Neeson amid news that he and Pamela Anderson are dating Joely commented with seven red heart emojis on Anderson's Instagram post that featured photos of herself with Neeson Joely is the sister of Neeson's late wife, Natasha Richardson, who died after a skiing accident in 2009Joely Richardson is sharing her love for her brother-in-law Liam Neeson amid news that he and Pamela Anderson are dating. Anderson, 58, shared a post to Instagram that featured photos of herself and Neeson, 73, celebrating their new film, The Naked Gun. "The Naked Gun is finally in theatres! Bring your friends, family, lovers… whoever… just go and have a laugh… it's good for you!" Anderson said in the caption on Aug. 1, alongside romantic and silly shots of Neeson sprinkling some popcorn over her head. "I'll see you there 🤍🍿." Joely, the sister of Neeson's late wife, Natasha Richardson, then shared seven red heart emojis in the comments section. Joely, an actress known for movies like The Patriot and television series like Nip/Tuck, and Natasha — a Tony Award-winning actress — are the daughters of celebrated actress Vanessa Redgrave and Tony Richardson. Natasha and the Irish-born actor met in 1993 when they starred opposite each other in a Broadway revival of Anna Christie. They married one year later on July 3, 1994, and went on to welcome two children together, Micheál, 30, and Daniel, 28. Richardson died in March 2009 after suffering a head injury while skiing on Quebec's Mont Tremblant. Joely has been candid about her sister's death over the years. In January, Joely shared a black-and-white childhood photo of herself and Natasha as she reflected on turning 60. "Me and my sister Tasha. On my birthday people seemed astonished that I was happy to be turning sixty," she wrote in a caption at that time. "Why wouldn't I be? It's not like the numbers jumped from 25 to 60. All the years and decades in between were LIVED. Now I get to be this number and investigate how I find it. '60 is the new 40' people say — I say 'Why does it need to be? I did that one 2 decades ago.' ' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Neeson's current relationship with Anderson began on the set of their new comedy. A source close to the movie told PEOPLE in July: "It's a budding romance in the early stages. It's sincere, and it's clear they're smitten with each other." Neeson and Anderson are "enjoying each other's company," added the source, as the costars promoted their new comedy. Another source close to the movie told PEOPLE soon after: "It's a budding romance in the early stages. It's sincere, and it's clear they're smitten with each other." The Naked Gun is in theaters now. Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Rüfüs Du Sol, Twice Excite As Lollapalooza 2025 Continues In Chicago
'Lollapalooza, this is surreal…' mused Rüfüs Du Sol vocalist Tyrone Lindqvist on stage Saturday night during a massive headlining performance at Lollapalooza in Chicago. 'We played this festival maybe ten years ago and 300 or 400 people were there,' he continued midway through the group's set, introducing 'Fire/Desire.' 'This is so special to us.' Following appearances at Lollapalooza in 2016 and 2019, and stops at Lollapalooza Chile, Argentina and Brazil this past March, Australian alternative dance group Rüfüs Du Sol made a triumphant return to the Windy City Saturday night, with Lindqvist's comments on stage coming as he addressed a massive festival crowd assembled on Grant Park's south end as South Korean girl group Twice performed concurrently on the festival's north main stage. With themes like love, heartache and strength emerging from their latest studio album Inhale / Exhale, their fifth, Rüfüs Du Sol speak directly to their fans, creating a connection that was visible throughout the band's 90 minutes on stage Saturday night. 'We've been in town for the last few nights and can see that there's a lot of energy in town,' said keyboardist Jon George backstage Saturday night prior to the group's set. 'We've been looking forward to the show in general for a very long time ourselves. So, bringing all of that energy, we're excited to put on the show that we've been working on for the last year for everyone here,' he said. 'We've really built out a show that is pretty much consistent for our headline slots. And then for festival sets, things can change and we can kind of choose what the best setlist is to keep the energy up,' explained Lindqvist of how the trio goes about tweaking the set in order to connect with the larger festival crowds. 'Our main thing is making sure everyone has a good time out there. It's Saturday night, it's the middle of the festival. It's a really cool, eclectic lineup of all genres of music and I feel like we live in a fun, interesting spot between electronic music and alternative music,' said the singer. 'We've played this festival three times. So, it's a real gift and an honor to get to headline.' Following 'Pressure,' synths and percussion percolated early, driving 'Next To Me,' more synths kicking in as the beat dropped, driving the energy level of the huge crowd. 'You're gonna make everyone at home jealous watching this!' joked Lindqvist with a wink and a nod to those watching the set on Lollapalooza's Hulu live stream. 'Fire/Desire' raised the energy with the trio crafting an ethereal soundscape throughout 'Underwater.' 'There's another Australian band called Royel Otis. They actually played yesterday and we missed them. But we're huge fans of what they're doing,' said drummer James Hunt, pondering the group's weekend in Chicago. 'Doechii's playing - she's killing it. It's a pretty stacked lineup.' Playing opposite singer songwriter Clairo, Doechii attracted one of Saturday's largest crowds, with an overflow audience assembling at Lolla's T-Mobile main stage. 'Lollapalooza!' shouted the Florida-born rapper midway through her biggest hit 'Anxiety,' nearing the end of a 50 minute set. Scorching guitar tore through the song's early moments, giving way to a sample of Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used to Know.' Climbing to the upper level of a two-tiered stage Saturday night, Doechii dropped 'GTFO,' heading for home in Grant Park. A heavier rock element can be tough to find at times on the Lollapalooza stage but over the course of 45 minutes Bilmuri delivered on the festival's Grove stage. 'Can't complain, man. Aftershow was fun. Weather's great - ready to f–in' play!' said singer and guitarist Johnny Franck matter-of-factly backstage Saturday. Delivering a whopping 14 studio albums since 2016, Bilmuri adds a remarkably catchy element to songs skewing closer to hard rock and metal, recently dropping the single 'More Than Hate' while working on the next album. 'I just wanted to go heavier. Because that's where my roots are,' said Franck of the new single. 'It wasn't like it was a concerted effort - but it's just kind of what came out of me when I was writing the song. It's cool It's a good direction,' he said. 'I was working on the next album the day of American Motor Sports' release. 'So, we're crankin' away, dude. I think we're about 80% of the way there. We've got a full album's worth of songs. And now we're just kind of like, 'Let's see if we can beat it…' Which is a good place to be.' L.A. singer songwriter Charlotte Lawrence wrapped up a one hour set on the Lakeshore stage with a cover of Depeche Mode's 'Enjoy the Silence' one hour before rapper BossMan Dlow took to the same stage 'Chicago, what the f–k, man?' said Dlow on stage at Lollapalooza, initiating a classic call and response moment with the audience as he set up 'Pop My S–t.' 'If you're having a good time, lemme hear you say 'yeah!'' Following the release of her latest single 'Rhythm,' Naomi Scott performed for 45 minutes Saturday afternoon on the Grove stage. 'I'm really blown away actually. I feel like everybody was so lovely and willing. And I was playing a lot of new music,' said Scott backstage Saturday following her festival debut. 'I feel really blessed to be able to perform music I've worked on for a long time and worked so hard on and love. I'm just feeling really grateful to be honest.' The actor, who's appeared in films like the Guy Ritchie-directed 2019 live action take on Aladdin, has released a trio of EPs since 2014 with more music in the works. 'It's been a long time. But I feel very blessed. Because I get to make music with friends and people that I love and people that I reached out to that I thought was dope. And it's all been a process of finding the right people,' Scott explained. 'Also, for me personally, it's going back to basics. And many years ago deciding to just get back on the piano and write some of the cheesiest songs you can think of and go from there - and figure it out. And I think that's really worked for me. And I feel very excited to share it with the world.' Indie pop act Winnetka Bowling League opened up the Lakeshore stage early Saturday, knocking out an aftershow as opening act for Still Woozy at Chicago's House of Blues. 'The aftershow was fun. It was rad to play it before the actual show and get some of the nerves out,' said frontman Matthew Koma backstage following the group's set Saturday. 'You never know what it's gonna be with these early slots. But, luckily, a lot of people showed up today and made us feel a lot of love. And it was a great first Lollapalooza for us.' As a songwriter and producer Koma has worked with artists like Shania Twain, Bruce Springsteen and Britney Spears. Following the release of the debut Winnetka Bowling League album Sha La La last year, he's able to apply those experiences as work on the next record begins. 'New record starts in 24 hours - we start making it. So, right back to L.A. and start making the new album,' said Koma. 'I think, if anything, helping other people achieve the destination of their search and their identity puts into focus how that's really what we should all kind of be striving for and doing. So, it kind of keeps you honest,' he explained. 'It kind of keeps you making sure that you're staying in a lane and saying things that are really true to your experience. And I think working with other artists who are working so hard to create that world for themselves, you bring that back to your desk a little bit,' Koma said. 'And you can't help but keep that in mind when you're making your own collection.' Måneskin frontman Damiano David dropped his debut solo album Funny Little Fears this past spring and performed for 45 minutes Saturday on the Grove stage. 'This song is about falling in love at the end of the world,' said David on stage at Lolla, setting up 'Mars.' 'Which seems very possible these days!' he joked. Nearby, the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra built a classical bridge as K-pop closed the evening on the festival's Bud Light north main stage, wrapping up a 60 minute set with a gorgeous Stars Wars suite along the lakefront in Chicago. 'Are you ready?' asked the massive video screens rhetorically as TWICE readied to take the Lollapalooza stage, the first all girl K-pop act to do so in Lolla's 20 years as a destination festival in Grant Park. 'We got here two days ago. And it's been very nervewracking. And very busy,' said singer Jihyo through an interpreter about an hour before the group's history making performance as part of their 'This Is For' world tour. 'We've been rehearsing every day so it's been a very busy, hectic weekend.' Sparkling synths were resplendent Saturday night leading into 'The Feels' as temperatures dropped into the low 70s, a funky bassline soon accompanying the group's well-choreographed dancing. Lollapalooza's unparalleled downtown setting provided the perfect backdrop as fireworks soared overhead early during an extraordinarily entertaining take on the opener. Backstage, the group shouted out fellow Lolla performers Sabrina Carpenter and Clairo, with an eye on the idea of connection. 'I think it's music that connects us,' emphasized singer and rapper Chaeyoung via interpreter. 'This one is called 'MORE & MORE!'' exclaimed singer Nayeon on stage Saturday night. 'You know what to do,' she said, working the packed mainstage crowd into a frenzy, with guitar ringing out moments later during the live take on the track. Dueling drone shows lit up Grant Park as both TWICE and DJ duo Two Friends closed out Lollapalooza opposite Rüfüs Du Sol Saturday night. For TWICE, whose philanthropic efforts benefited victims of an earthquake in Turkey and Syria two years ago, giving back remains part of their global effort to connect. 'It's been very meaningful. Because a lot of times when we give back, I think we do it together with our fandom as well,' said Jihyo at Lollapalooza, stressing the strength of the group's relationship with its international fanbase. 'So, I think we're able to give a good influence to a bigger crowd.'
Buzz Feed
4 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Sterling K Brown Chooses Black Women As Love Interests
Sterling K. Brown knows the importance of representation. In an interview with Refinery29, the Emmy-winning star spoke candidly about regularly having Black women play his love interests — a decision he says is very intentional. Sterling has appeared in over 70 TV and movie projects — and often with a Black love interest by his side — whether that's Susan Kelechi Watson in This Is Us or Teri Rogers-Collins in Paradise. When asked whether he makes those casting decisions "consciously," Sterling confirmed he does. "I'm aware of the sort of Eurocentric standards of beauty that tend to predominate media," he explained. "Light-skin oftentimes is seen as more beautiful than dark-skin, etc. and Brown wants to be someone that sort of shows all of the beauty that is Blackness, right?" He continued, "Brown don't discriminate, to be perfectly honest with you. I understand the power of representation and how often Black women seem to feel unseen by Black men, in particular. And there's so many sisters that are waiting for brothers to be like, 'Hey, man, I'm here for you and whatnot.' And brothers sometimes don't tend to see them." Sterling, who's married IRL to fellow actor Ryan Michelle Bathe, said he's hoping to change that narrative through his casting choices. "I want them to know that SKB sees them," he explained, "and hopefully in the people that he chooses to be paired with onscreen or whatnot, there's an appreciation for them and that they know that they are as beautiful as I know they are." Sterling's comments were met with widespread praise online, with many commending him for using his platform to uplift Black women in such an intentional way. One person wrote, "Well, ok Sterling flips hair over shoulder." Another said in part, "Yes , thank you ! good for himWay too often , its a light skin if not white love interest in tv and movies." Another comment read, "Love him he makes a great point, I think the first time I saw a dark skinned black woman treated as a beauty was the original Vivian in fresh prince, she was stunning." Someone else said, "Ok. I'm in love." "Truly appreciate this from Sterling, representations matters," a fifth fan said, as someone else gushed, "He's perfect." Yes, Sterling!! Now, BRB — I'm going to stream Paradise and This Is Us all over again.
