BroadwayWorld Gets a Makeover — Plus a $6B Theater Deal in the Works
Mari eyes ATG, Maybe Happy Ending makes history, and the Jimmy Awards crowns its winners.
Industry News - June 30, 2026
This week's newsletter is a big one for BroadwayWorld — we've launched a fully redesigned website and new On Demand TV apps, bringing our content to over 700 million televisions worldwide. On Broadway, Maybe Happy Ending is on track to become the longest-running show in Belasco Theatre history, while the 17th Annual Jimmy Awards crowned Jake James and Samia Posadas as its top performers at the Minskoff. Off the stage, Ari Emanuel's events company Mari is in exclusive talks to acquire ATG Entertainment — owner of more than 70 venues across the U.S. and U.K. — for £4.5 billion. Regional organizations from Chicago to Cleveland to Austin announced new leadership, as did London's Society of London Theatre, rounding out a week packed with personnel moves from coast to coast.
Industry Trends
BroadwayWorld Unveils New Redesigned Website & On Demand TV Apps
Today marks a major milestone for BroadwayWorld. We've launched a fully redesigned website, rebuilt to be faster, easier to navigate, and better at connecting you to the growing stable of features that make BroadwayWorld the world's largest theatre news source. (Read more)
Ari Emanuel's Mari is in Talks to Acquire ATG Entertainment
Ari Emanuel's events company Mari, founded in 2025, is in talks to acquire ATG Entertainment. Mari is looking to acquire the West End and Broadway venue owner and ticketing company for £4.5B ($6B). (Read more)
Broadway/New York
2026 Jimmy Awards Recap: Full Performance Videos, Winners, and Highlights
Just last night, the most talented teenagers from across the country took the stage at the Minskoff Theatre for the 17th Annual Jimmy Awards, hosted by Bowen Yang. As BroadwayWorld reported, Jake James (Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards - Shuler Hensley Awards) and Samia Posadas (The Monte Awards) won Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress. Check out video highlights from the big night here. (Read more)
MAYBE HAPPY ENDING to Become Longest Running Show at the Belasco Theatre
New tickets are on on sale for Maybe Happy Ending on Broadway, through February 2027. The production has also broken a record at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway. (Read more)
Regional
Lyric Opera of Chicago Names Kate Brueggemann as Chief Development Officer
Lyric Opera of Chicago has appointed Kate Brueggemann as its new Chief Development Officer. Brueggemann joins Lyric following leadership roles at some of the nation's leading cultural and nonprofit organizations. (Read more)
Playhouse Square Promotes Laura Smith to President
Playhouse Square has promoted Chief Operating Officer Laura Smith to President, formalizing a shared leadership structure alongside CEO Craig Hassall to support the Cleveland theater district's continued growth. (Read more)
Milwaukee Repertory Theater Adds 8 New Board Trustees
Milwaukee Repertory Theater revealed eight new Board Trustees, including former TCG President Ben Cameron and Medical College of Wisconsin President Dr. Shekar Kurpad, to serve three-year terms guiding the theater's next chapter. (Read more)
Wharton Arts Names Carol Chickering Burden as New President & CEO
Wharton Arts announced the appointment of Carol Chickering Burden as President and CEO, bringing over two decades of leadership in arts, education, and youth development to the New Jersey organization. (Read more)
TexARTS Theatre Appoints Andrew Cannata as Executive Director in 20th Anniversary Year
TexARTS Theatre and Academy named Andrew Cannata as its next Executive Director during its 20th anniversary season. Cannata, former head of Zilker Summer Musical and founder of Magnolia Musical Theatre, succeeds Sandy Cox. (Read more)
International
Darren Atkins Elected President of the Society of London Theatre; Becky Barber and Patrick Murphy Join Board
Darren Atkins, Co-CEO of LW Theatres, has been elected as the next President of the Society of London Theatre, with a three-year term set to begin at the 2027 SOLT AGM. (Read more)
Samantha Lane to Step Down as Artistic Director of Little Angel Theatre After 11 Years
Samantha Lane announced she will step down as Artistic Director of Little Angel Theatre after more than 11 years leading the organisation, having been appointed in 2015. (Read more)
Missed Our Last Newsletters?
Industry Pro Newsletter: Leadership Shakeups Across the Country + Heidi Schreck Honored
This week's newsletter is packed with leadership news, as theaters across the country — from San Francisco's Magic Theatre to Manhattan Theatre Club to the Cape Playhouse — announced new appointments and restructured their teams. We've also got honors for Heidi Schreck and Cate Blanchett, plus a reminder that the 17th Annual Jimmy Awards stream live from the Minskoff Theatre tonight! (Read more)
Industry Pro Newsletter: The Lost Boys Wins Big in the Theater Fans Choice Awards — Plus the WNO-Kennedy Center Drama Heats Up
The theater world never really slows down — and this week is proof. The Lost Boys dominated our Theater Fans' Choice Awards, sweeping nearly every musical category, while the Washington National Opera's legal battle with the Kennedy Center over $17 million in disputed funds continues to unfold. On a more hopeful note, Berkeley's beloved Aurora Theatre is planning its comeback after a year in the dark. All that, plus BroadwayWorld has launched a brand-new Producer Fantasy Game — so if you've ever thought you could pick the hits, now's your chance to prove it. (Read more)
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