Wake Up With BroadwayWorld January 12, 2026- Critics Stop By BUG On Broadway and More
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is January 12, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
Jan. 12, 2026
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Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is January 12, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
| Picked For You |
Good morning, BroadwayWorld! We’re kicking off another day with all the top news, videos, and must-see moments from the theatre world. Last night was abuzz with Whitney Leavitt—known for “Dancing with the Stars” and Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”—making her way to CHICAGO on Broadway, plus the highly-anticipated digital release of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of RAGTIME’s cast recording. Critics have weighed in on the sci-fi thriller BUG starring Carrie Coon, and there’s more in store with exclusive performances from the KINKY BOOTS tour and a first look at the Metropolitan Opera’s I PURITANI. Plus, Tony Kushner stopped by MESSY WHITE GAYS off-Broadway, and we celebrate big news from the industry’s brightest stars. Whether you’re looking for hot photo moments, exclusive videos, or the latest show extensions (BUG, STARLIGHT EXPRESS), we’ve got you covered. Let’s jump into today’s headlines!
| The Front Page |
 Video: From TV to Broadway... Whitney Leavitt Is Dancing Her Way to CHICAGO The Broadway company of Chicago will welcome “Dancing with the Stars” semi-finalist and actress/breakout star of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” Whitney Leavitt. Watch as she checks in ahead of her debut in this video. |
 Video: RAGTIME Releases 2025 Broadway Cast Recording; Watch the Cast Perform 'Journey On' The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, is now available digitally! CD and vinyl releases will follow on February 6 and April 3, respectively. Listen to the album here! |
 Review Roundup: Carrie Coon, Namir Smallwood and More Star in BUG on Broadway Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting the first Broadway production of Tracy Letts' Bug, the sci-fi thriller written by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts and directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer. Read reviews for the production! |
| Must Watch |
 Video: KINKY BOOTS Tour Stars Perform Acoustic 'Not My Father's Son'by Michael Major Watch a video of Omari Collins “Scarlett D. Von'Du” and Noah Silverman singing an acoustic version of “Not My Father's Son” from North American tour of KINKY BOOTS, with accompaniment by Callum Murphy on guitar.. (more...) |
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 Video: Bellini’s I PURITANI at the Metropolitan Operaby Joshua Wright Get a first look at The Metropolitan Opera's new staging of Vincenzo Bellini’s I Puritani, marking the company’s first new production of the opera in nearly 50 years.. (more...) |
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Video: Alan Cumming Receives Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame |
Exclusive: Krystina Alabado & More Stage Alums Star in Trailer for New Dark Comedy SMILE… THE WORST IS YET TO COME| Hot Photos |
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Photos: Demi Moore Hosts Los Angeles SONG SUNG BLUE Screening with Kate Hudson Photos: Tony Kushner Visits MESSY WHITE GAYS Off-Broadway |
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Photos: Tony Kushner Visits MESSY WHITE GAYS Off-Broadway| Industry Insights |
by Stephi Wild
The Association of Performing Arts Professionals as announced that Colleen Jennings-Roggensack has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the national Arts Champion Award. Learn more here!. (more...)
| Around the Broadway World |
by Clementine Scott
Opera as a whole may be too reliant on museum pieces, on endless identikit revivals designed to secure bums on seats. But in the case of Richard Eyre’s 1994 La traviata, the old adage might be true: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.. (more...)
Staged Reading of New Musical About Johnny Maestro Comes to The Vogel
by Stephi Wild
A new theatrical event is coming to The Vogel Theater on Monday, January 12th at 6:00 PM. It is an invitation only reading The Last Carol, a new musical about the life and music of the legendary Johnny Maestro.. (more...)
Original Stars of OPERATION MINCEMEAT to Depart Broadway Production in February
by Chloe Rabinowitz
The original cast members of Operation Mincemeat on Broadway have extended their run with the show for an extra week!. (more...)
Broadway and Screen Actor John Cunningham Dies at 93
by Stephi Wild
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that stage and screen actor John Cunningham died on Tuesday, January 6 at the age of 93. Learn more and read his obituary here.. (more...)
BUG on Broadway Starring Carrie Coon Will Extend for Additional Two Weeks
by Chloe Rabinowitz
Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway premiere of Bug, written by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts and directed by Tony Award winner David Cromer, will extend its run for an additional two weeks.. (more...)
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW Releases New Block of Tickets
by Stephi Wild
A new block of tickets will go on sale for the Tony Award-winning Broadway production of STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW. Tickets go on sale on January 9 at 10:00AM ET.. (more...)
WICKED: FOR GOOD, HAMNET & More Top 2026 BAFTA Film Awards Longlist
by Josh Sharpe
Wicked: For Good, Hamnet, Blue Moon, and more have made the longlist for the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, which includes the films that will advance to the nominating stage of voting.. (more...)
HELL'S KITCHEN to Present 'Legends of Gospel Week' Honoring Donald Lawrence and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz
In continued celebration of Dr. King’s life and enduring legacy, Hell's Kitchen on Broadway will present a special activation, “Legends of Gospel Week,” saluting the trailblazing gospel artists and faith leaders.. (more...)
STARLIGHT EXPRESS Sets Final West End Extension, Plus 2027 World Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express will extend its award-winning run at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre for the final time. The production will launch a world tour in 2027.. (more...)
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See you bright and early tomorrow, BroadwayWorld!
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