THEATER NOTEBOOK

Two new streaming plays kick off monthlong runs at local theaters

“Trying,” a memoir about the final years of famous American jurist Francis Biddle, and “Higher and Higher,” a one-man rock ’n’ soul revue, both premiered last week in filmed theatrical productions that will play through April 18.

San Diego Repertory Theatre is a presenting partner on a new production of “Higher and Higher: A Rock ’n’ Soul Shindig,” starring Chester Gregory, which launched on Monday. Gregory, the Broadway star of “Motown: The Musical,” “Hairspray” and “Dreamgirls,” presents a concert of the music of Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, James Brown and more. Tickets are $35. Order at sdrep.org.

On Wednesday, North Coast Repertory Theatre opened for streaming Joanna Mcclelland Glass’“trying,” based on her real-life work as an assistant to the chief judge at the Nuremberg Trials. The play stars Emily Goss as Glass and James Sutorius as Biddle. Tickets are $29. northcoastrep.org.

Coming soon

Several new streaming local theater productions have been announced this spring:

“The Mountaintop”: Katori Hall’s play, about Martin Luther King Jr. meeting with a surprise visitor at his Memphis hotel the night before he died, will be presented in a co-production by American History Theater, The Roustabouts Theatre Co. and Teenage Youth Performing Arts Theatre Co. (TYPA). It will play at set times on April 24, 25, May 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16. Tickets will range from $25 to $100. Details at themountaintopsd.com.

“Pippin”: The Stephen Schwartz musical, about a young prince’s struggle to find meaning in his life before ascending to the throne, will be presented by San Diego State University’s School of Theatre, Television and Dance. It will play at 7 p.m. May 4, 5 and 6 and 2 p.m. May 8. Tickets are $10 to $15. Visit ttf.sdsu.edu/events/pippin.

“Constellations”: Nick Payne’s time-hopping play about a romantic relationship with endless possibilities will be presented by Coronado Playhouse in a streaming on-demand production May 12-30. Tickets are $25. Visit coronadoplayhouse.org/ constellations/.

‘Jersey Boys’ popular on Spotify

In honor of World Theatre Day on March 27, a survey was conducted of the 10 most popular streaming musical theater albums on Spotify during the past pandemic year.

It’s probably no surprise that “Hamilton” came out on top in the money.co.uk survey, with more than 3.9 billion streams during the pandemic. Nor is it shocking that four Disney musical soundtracks were popular with quarantining families, including “Disney’s Lion King” at No. 2, “Aladdin” at No. 4, “Beauty and the Beast” at No. 6 and “Mary Poppins” at No. 9.

But “Jersey Boys,” the Four Seasons-inspired musical born at La Jolla Playhouse in 2004, ranked No. 8 overall with 349 million streams, and its song “December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)” ranked No. 2 among the most-streamed songs, with 229 million streams. The No. 1 streaming song was “A Whole New World” from “Aladdin.”

Also ranked among the top 10 musical album streams were “Mamma Mia!” at No. 3, “Les Miserables” at No. 5 and “The Book of Mormon” at No. 10.

‘Tough Talk’ dates announced for April

William “BJ” Robinson, a BIPOC San Diego theater artist, has announced six new dates in April for his “Tough Talk” series, an ongoing program of conversations that have focused since last June on accountability and change in the San Diego theater community.

“The Tough Talk platform was originally created to amplify Black voices as leaders of the conversations,” Robinson said in an email. “Our focuses grow and shift from week to week, and the lead mic is passed accordingly. A ‘Tough Talk’ isn’t meant to be easy because growth is hardly ever easy. And that’s OK. All faces, backgrounds and beliefs are always welcome to join the discussions.”

Upcoming dates are at noon April 4; 4 p.m. April 10; 5 p.m. April 14; noon April 18; 4 p.m. April 24; and 5 p.m. April 28. The show can be viewed at facebook.com/ Tough.talk2020, instagram.com/tough.talk2020 and on the William “BJ” Robinson channel on Youtube.com.

pam.kragen@sdunion tribune.com

AARON RUMLEY Emily Goss and James Sutorius in North Coast Rep’s filmed production of the play “Trying,” which is now streaming on demand through April 18.

K.C. ALFRED U-T William “BJ” Robinson hosts the “Tough Talk” series, which focuses on Black voices in theater and other topics. The next show is April 4.

COURTESY PHOTO Broadway performer Chester Gregory stars in San Diego Repertory Theatre’s “Higher and Higher: A Rock ’n’ Soul Shindig,” streaming through April 18.