Theater Update: She became a star in London. Now she’s back on Broadway.

August 27, 2025

Dear Theater Fans,

“The Lion King” transformed Tshidi Manye’s life. Now, after more than 9,000 performances as Rafiki, she is about to hang up her shaman costume for good. She talked to Laura Collins-Hughes about the freedom the musical has brought her and her family. (Amir Hamja shot the rich photographs and video.)

Family is also at the heart of “Twelfth Night,” in the story of the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. At the newly renovated Delacorte Theater, Viola is played by a luminous Lupita Nyong’o; her real-life younger brother, Junior, plays Sebastian. In her lovely review of the play, Laura wrote that Saheem Ali has directed “an energizingly comic production whose casting with so many boldface names veritably screams, ‘Shakespeare in the Park is back, baby.’”

On Broadway, Marisha Wallace is headlining the final months of “Cabaret,” alongside Billy Porter. Years ago she struggled to gain a foothold as an actress here, so when an opportunity came to work in London she took it. Two Olivier nominations later, she’s back as a dual citizen. “They saw me for who I was,” she told Laura recently. “I didn’t have to change anything about myself.” People have been buzzing about her performance for good reason (here’s a video of her singing “Maybe This Time”).

Please reach out to me at theaterfeedback@nytimes.com with suggestions for stories or to offer your thoughts about our coverage. And urge your friends to subscribe to this newsletter.

Have a wonderful week,
Nicole Herrington
Theater Editor

Manye in makeup chair getting baboon cheeks applied.

The Longest-Running Rafiki Says Goodbye to ‘The Lion King’

After more than 9,000 performances as the shaman in the Broadway show, Tshidi Manye prepares to hang up her mandrill costume.

By Laura Collins-Hughes and Amir Hamja

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NEWS AND FEATURES

A portrait of a woman with short blond hair who is looking to the right. She is wearing a black dress with a white color.

Vincent Alban/The New York Times

In London, She Became Musical Theater Royalty. Now She’s Back on Broadway.

Marisha Wallace, headlining the final months of “Cabaret” in New York, returns to the city with Olivier nominations and newly minted British citizenship.

By Laura Collins-Hughes

Rebecca Clarke

By the Book

David Adjmi Has a ‘Perverse Love’ for Ayn Rand

“Not her politics, but the relentlessness and archness of her characters,” says the prizewinning playwright behind “Stereophonic,” which is now up in London.

Jeff Hiller Came Out of Nowhere. It Only Took 20 Years.

His role in the dramatic HBO comedy “Somebody Somewhere” earned him his first Emmy nomination. It was also, more or less, his first major role.

By Michaela Towfighi and Blaise Cepis

FROM THE CRITICS

Sandra Oh in a black and white ball gown onstage with Lupita Nyong’o, dressed in a gray pinstriped suit.

Richard Termine for The New York Times

Critic’s Pick

‘Twelfth Night’ Review: Lupita Nyong’o in Illyria

The actress is luminous, alongside her look-alike brother Junior Nyong’o, Sandra Oh and Peter Dinklage, in Shakespeare’s comedy at the newly revived Delacorte Theater.

By Laura Collins-Hughes