Theater Articles
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A Bronx Tale's Nick Cordero and Bigger-Than-Life Life
Few Broadway shows have the professional pedigree brought to life in the memory musical A Bronx Tale. Born of actor-writer Chazz Palminteri’s hit one-man stage/childhood-through-young-adulthood 1960s flashback, this indelible production shines brightly thanks in part to the performance by Nick Cordero as complicated gangster/mentor to Calogero (Chazz) that strikes the loudest and most poignant chord with theatergoers.
Broadway Behind the Scenes: BroadwayCon Update, Aladdin Changes, and More
For the next couple of weeks leading up to BroadwayCon’s three days kicking off on January 27th, I expect there will be one, two, or several more updates to my original story. This is the first.
Unprecedented Broadway: Cirque de Soleil PARAMOUR
It may be teeming with virtuoso acrobats, tumblers, aerialists, unicyclists, and an irresistible clown (Nate Cooper), but Cirque de Soleil PARAMOUR is a world apart from conventional circus creations. Here these acts serve as a Cirque celebration and as a backdrop to one of Broadway’s most creative productions to date.
A Confident and Compelling 'Othello: The Remix'
I first read Othello in high school; I directed a scene from it in college; I’ve sat through countless stage productions and I’ve caught a few film versions here and there (thank you, TCM). But I have never been as swept up in the emotional trajectory of the characters as I was in the Q Brother’s hip-hop take, Othello: The Remix.
New to Broadway: Debuts from Cate Blanchett, Mel B & More!
When it comes to New York in the throes of winter, the thrill of the chill is a plus only for those who get a kick out of all things arctic. For the rest of us, it’s not as alluring to be hopping giant puddles at street corners and scaling grungy piles—January’s slush fund concept isn’t so much an illicit nest egg as it is an investment in waterproof boots.
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Broadway's Latest: Closings and Openings for January 2017
As it is most Januarys, Broadway is up to its eyeballs in New York theatre bloodletting. Still, this year the adieus are coming so thick and fast it’s hard to believe the Great White Way will ever reach capacity again.
Catch 'Em Before They're Gone! Finishing the Year on Broadway
The New Year will soon be upon us, and while it brings about a new slew of theatrical attractions (hello, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! How you doin’, Groundhog Day?!), it also signals its fair share of closings…The early days of 2017, unfortunately, mark the final hours for some of Broadway’s greatest recent hits.
The Best Alternative Holiday Shows in NYC
Face it—we all love The Nutcracker and The Rockettes, but sometimes during the holidays, it’s nice to branch out. With that in mind, we’ve come up with some alternative holiday entertainment in New York City. We’re not suggesting you forego the classics, just add on to them with these special holiday shows.
Eric Petersen Takes the Lead in School of Rock
The talented children at the exclusive Horace Green prep school in School of Rock: The Musical are taught to strive (but conform); to achieve (but stick to old traditions). Their parents don’t listen to them. Clearly, these kids are ripe for change, and they get it from an unlikely source: schlubby Dewey Finn (Eric Petersen), who has scammed his way into a job as a substitute teacher after being ousted from his hard-rock band.
Cats on Broadway: One for the “Memory” Book
The musical Cats is back and all kinds of iconic Andrew Lloyd Webber mastery has once again pounced onto Broadway. This time it’s at the Neil Simon Theatre, where a vibrant revival has introduced a new generation (or two) to T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.”
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In Transit: Broadway’s New “Underground” Musical
On first glance, Donyale Werle’s subway station set for Broadway’s new a cappella musical In Transit reads eerily familiar—especially for New Yorkers who do most of their traveling beneath the city. After staring at it a while, however, you realize that it’s an “everystation”: the signage is non-specific, allowing characters to navigate multiple stops—and encounters.
Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy: The Best of NYC's Holiday Theatre + Gifts
In New York, the holiday theatre season means a feast of heavenly holiday goodies that sing, dance, jingle, and light up stages across the Great White Way and beyond. Here’s a list designed to entertain everyone from tiny tots to the young at heart. Read on for the best of NYC's holiday theatre season.
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Interactive Entertainment for Kids: Pip's Island Thrills in NYC
Looking for fun with kids in New York? Pip's Island is new in town, offering up a unique take on interactive theatre.
Chicago at 20 and All That Jazz
NaTasha Yvette Williams dazzles as the duplicitous Mama in Chicago on Broadway.
Local Color: Blue Man Group Celebrates 25 Years
If there's one thing to be learned from 25 years of the Blue Man Group, it's that every so often it’s a good idea to liberate the 10-year-old boy tsunami surfing somewhere between your superego and id. Oh, he’s there all right, chowing down on junk food, tossing back Jell-O shots, eagerly hoping you’ll free him—if only for 1 hour and 45 minutes—from his perpetual time out.
Griffin Miller On and Off Broadway: Breaking News
A Tony-winning show bows out and a dual-diva Broadway drama opens its ticket sales.... all in all a bad-news/good-news Tuesday for New York theatre.
Celebrity Sightings on Broadway
Regarding the current collection of celebrity draws—well, let’s just say audiences are in for a seriously mind-blowing season, with Off-Broadway giving Broadway a run for its superstars thanks to the Tony, Emmy, and Oscar winners who opted for projects “Off” the Great White Way.
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A Guide to Broadway's Theatre Ghosts
We’re in the thick of October, and for most Americans, that can only mean one thing—Halloween is right around the corner! In honor of the ghoulish holiday, we’ve rounded up a list of New York theaters notorious for harboring ghosts. From former owners dropping in for a visit to apparitions of famous faces that played those theatres long ago (and even some who just show up to make mischief), we’ve got your complete guide to ghost-hunting in New York’s famed Theatre District! Read on—if you dare. And happy Halloween!
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Todrick Hall Kicks Up Seriously High Heels in Kinky Boots
The sensational musical Kinky Boots adds Todrick Hall (Lola) to the dream team of Harvey Fierstein (book), Cyndi Lauper (music/lyrics), and Jerry Mitchell (director/choreographer).
Gary Busey Comes to Off-Broadway!
Hollywood actor Gary Busey (who catapulted to fame and picked up a Best Actor Oscar nomination in 1978 for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in The Buddy Holly Story) will be making his Off-Broadway debut when he joins the cast of Perfect Crime, on November 21st.
White House Chef to Bake for Sweeney Todd in NYC
Former White House Pastry Chef Bill “the Crust Master” Yosses will serve as “official pie maker” for the U.S. transfer of London’s West End hit, the Tooting Arts Club’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. The show will begin performances on February 14th, with opening night set for March first.
New Broadway Musicals: The Rush Is On
The opening round of the new fall-winter production schedule is up, running and zigzagging all over the Big Apple, scorching a wildly diverse path across Broadway stages. For theatregoers, this means that no matter where your heart or preferences lie it’s pretty much a slam-dunk you’ll find your perfect match (no online dating required). Read on for the latest on the new musicals coming to Broadway now.
Breaking News: Hello, Dolly! Breaks Broadway Record
$9,082,497. That’s the official ka-ching heard 'round the Great White Way last Saturday when the first caboodle of tickets for Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler went on sale. This hefty amount marks a very comfy cushion for the revival of the Michael Stewart/Jerry Herman mega-musical, especially when you consider there’s half a year to go before the show starts previews on March 15th.
Breaking News: Something Rotten! Closing & More
Just when you thought the hemorrhaging of Broadway shows had reached its peak with the closing announcements of Matilda and Jersey Boys, the bloodletting picked up more momentum. Joining Matilda in its January 1st exodus will be the musical Shakespearean farce Something Rotten! (final performance count: 742).
Breaking News: Leona Lewis Not Long for Cats
Leona Lewis will soon be leaving her little cat’s feet—or thigh-high boots, as the case may be—at the Neil Simon Theatre’s stage entrance. She’ll be out the door after her Sunday, October 9th performance.