John McMartin News

What is it about juicy backstage drama that so intrigues audiences? For decades, people have flocked to films and plays portraying the exciting events that happen behind the curtain. Arguably, the most famous musical on this topic was written by the God of musical theatre: Stephen Sondheim. It’s title: Follies.

Leopoldstadt marks the 19th production of a Tom Stoppard play to open on Broadway since Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead opened 55 years ago. Stoppard has won four Best Play Tony Awards, more than any other playwright in history. What are the 18 other productions of Tom Stoppard plays to open on Broadway? Let's take a look back!

Like Sweeney Todd's right arm, I haven't thought of the Theatre District as being complete again until the reopening of that historic watering hole and bistro on 44th Street, Sardi's.

In this episode, Ben and Daniel discuss the results of Roses and Daffodils: The Essential Follies Playlist. For this project, listeners voted weekly for their favorite versions of the Follies female solos, and 'Friends of the Pod' appeared with Ben and Daniel on 'Next Year, Some Year' to weigh in on the deeper cuts.

Dress Circle Publishing has announced the release of THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 4, the latest in a series by historian and producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper. The book will be available on Tuesday, March 9 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the 2020-2021 Broadway shutdown.

Érase una vez… en un teatro de Broadway llamado Martin Beck Theatre, se estrenaba el musical INTO THE WOODS en 1987 un día como hoy con un reparto de lujo, un libreto excelente de mano de James Lapine y una partitura que permanecería en el imaginario colectivo desde entonces como una de las grandes obras maestras de Stephen Sondheim.

In this time of social distancing and remaining responsibly indoors, we are all looking for ways to brighten our days and get moving any way we can! In the spirit of celebrating theater and providing motivation to get up and get shakin', we're taking a look back and paying tribute to some of the greatest dance numbers in musical theater history! Today's number, 'Big Spender' from Sweet Charity!

In this time of social distancing and remaining responsibly indoors, we are all looking for ways to brighten our days and get moving any way we can!

BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best film musicals since the sound era began; see if your favorites made the list!

The Great Society is currently in previews, ahead of its October 1 opening night. The play, written by Robert Schenkkan, is the sequel to the play All The Way, which played on Broadway in 2014. These plays work together to celebrate Lyndon B. Johnson's legacy. In honor of LBJ's return to Broadway, we're looking back on All The Way's Broadway journey in 2014.

Like the rest of you, I've spent this week obsessing over 'Fosse Verdon' on FX and especially Gwen Verdon, played brilliantly on the series by Michelle Williams, in a performance that makes you want to reinvestigate what made Gwen so great. Sweet Charity is the perfect place to start. Gwen became a star and won her first Tony in a featured role in Can Can and she gained worldwide acclaim (and number 2 in a total of four Tonys) as Lola in Damn Yankees on stage and screen and of course there were many other shows and movies and TV appearances, but Sweet Charity was the show Bob Fosse (and Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields and Neil Simon) created just for her. She may have lost the Tony to Angela Lansbury in Mame, but Gwen got that iconic poster and all those songs.

From the high-spirited bustling and gritty streets of 1960s New York City comes the Tony Award-winning Broadway phenomenon, SWEET CHARITY, continuing Marriott Theatre's sensational 2018 season, running September 5 through October 28 with a press opening on Wednesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Based on Federico Fellini's screenplay for "Nights of Cabiria", SWEET CHARITY features a captivating, groovy, mid-1960s score by Cy Coleman, sparkling lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and a hilarious book by Neil Simon. 

From the high-spirited bustling and gritty streets of 1960s New York City comes the Tony Award-winning Broadway phenomenon, SWEET CHARITY, continuing Marriott Theatre's sensational 2018 season, running September 5 through October 28 with a press opening on Wednesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.

From the high-spirited bustling and gritty streets of 1960s New York City comes the Tony Award-winning Broadway phenomenon, SWEET CHARITY, continuing Marriott Theatre's sensational 2018 season, running September 5 through October 28 with a press opening on Wednesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.

11th Hour Theatre Company brings its consistently sold out concert series back home and as the series begins its 2018-2019 season it has grown. 11th Hour's Next Step Concert Series is now set to run over two weekends. They begin their season with a concert performance of Grey Gardens. Grey Gardens features Music by Scott Frankel, Lyrics by Michael Korie and a Book by Doug Wright. 11th Hour Theatre Company Associate Artistic Director and Co-Founder Steve Pacek directs.  Amanda Morton is the Music Director. Grey Gardens runs October 6-14. The official Media Opening is Sunday, October 7 at 2 p.m.  Tickets cost $36 (which includes a $4 service fee). $19 tickets are available online for Students and Industry. Tickets are available online at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by phone 267-987-9865. All performances will take place at The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 South Hicks Street.

From the high-spirited bustling and gritty streets of 1960s New York City comes the Tony Award-winning Broadway phenomenon, SWEET CHARITY, continuing Marriott Theatre's sensational 2018 season, running September 5 through October 28 with a press opening on Wednesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.

This coming Saturday, August 4 that 1:00pm, Kevin Winkler, the author of the recently acclaimed book, BIG DEAL: Bob Fosse and Dance in the American Musical, will introduce the film "SWEET CHARITY" at the Quad Cinema, 34 West 13th St NYC 10011. The film is part of the current Bob Fosse film series. This screening will be the uncut, original roadshow version of the film, that starred Shirley MacLaine, Chita Rivera, John McMartin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Stubby Kaye, Paula Kelly, Ben Vereen. This was Fosse's first film that he directed. The film received three Academy Award nominations.

This coming Saturday, August 4that 1;oopm, Kevin Winkler, the author of the recently acclaimed book - . BIG DEAL: Bob Fosse and Dance in the American Musical, will introduce the film "SWEET CHARITY" at the Quad Cinema, 34 West 13thSt NYC 10011.  The film is part of the current Bob Fosse film series.  This screening will be the uncut, original roadshow version of the film, that starred Shirley MacLaine, Chita Rivera, John McMartin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Stubby Kaye, Paula Kelly, Ben Vereen.  This was Fosse's first film that he directed. The film received three Academy Award nominations.

Dennis Grimaldi will present Tony®Award-winner Len Cariou (Sweeney Todd) in two staged readings ofHarry Townsend's Last Stand, a new play by George Eastman.  Directed by two-time Emmy®Award-winner Peter Scolari (Wicked) and featuring Warren Bub ('Gotham'), the readings will be held on Monday, May 21 and Tuesday, May 22 at 3pm at Nola Studios (250 West 54th Street - 10th Floor/Studio 1).