A.A. Cristi is a Managing Editor and Features Writer for BroadwayWorld. For more than a decade, she has covered theater news from coast to coast, attended major industry events including the Tony Awards, and contributed extensive special features ranging from in-depth interviews and original exclusives to long-form historical research projects.
She is a graduate of the College of Staten Island, where she earned a degree in Communications/Journalism. Her performance and production experience includes work both onstage and behind the scenes with La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, Theater for the New City, Midtown International Theatre Festival, Richard Frankel Productions, NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Scorpio Entertainment, Commercial Theater Institute, FringeNYC, Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, and CAGE Theatre Company.
Outside of her work in theater journalism, Cristi is an award-winning children’s author. Her debut book, Bruce the Spruce: A New York City Fairytale About the True Meaning of Christmas Trees, is published by Mascot Books.
LEARN MORE ABOUT A.A. Cristi
First Show:
Thoroughly Modern MillieFavorite Show:
West Side StoryFavorite Stories:
- BWW Exclusive: Bringing Back Broadway, Part 3- Curtain Up! Light the Lights! - This article is the third installment in a three-part series examining Broadway’s return after the pandemic. While the first two pieces focused on tourism, economics, and the broader industry, this final entry went behind the scenes—into costume shops, rehearsal rooms, wings, and dressing rooms—to show fans what it actually took to bring Broadway back after a year-and-a-half shutdown. It was especially meaningful to spotlight the labor and dedication of the people working out of the spotlight.
- SWEENEY TODD, A History- Part 2: The Demon Barber Slashes His Way From Page To Stage And Beyond - In-depth historical research has become a major part of my work at BroadwayWorld, and this two-part history of Sweeney Todd is the most extensive project I’ve ever undertaken. The first part traced the story’s Victorian-era origins, while the second explored its journey to the stage and beyond. Diving into the creative worlds of figures like Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince, Tim Burton, John Doyle, and the many performers who have embodied these roles was both fascinating and deeply rewarding.
- BWW First Person: Dear Phil Connors- Finding Truth in GROUNDHOG DAY, A Musical For All of Us - This piece is especially personal to me—it grew out of my reaction to seeing Groundhog Day and feeling that it was an undervalued and deeply meaningful musical. It marked the first time I really turned inward as a writer to explore my own response to a work of art. The piece unexpectedly went viral, was embraced by the show’s creators, and sparked an outpouring of messages from readers who shared how the show had affected them, making it a genuinely wonderful experience.
- How the Scourge Stole Broadway: A Christmas Tale of 2020 - Written during the pandemic, this parody poem compared Broadway’s shutdown to The Grinch, focusing on how creativity endured even after everything was “taken away.” It became a cathartic and hopeful way to celebrate the resilience of the theatre community, while also allowing me to merge my identities as a Broadway journalist and a children’s book author by using a beloved story to reflect a collective artistic experience.
- BWW Exclusive: Everything's Up To Date On Broadway: The People Versus Classic Musicals - This article tackled the challenging question of how older Broadway musicals and plays fit into a modern cultural landscape shaped by evolving conversations around representation and inclusivity. Through interviews with leading theatre thinkers and practitioners, including Jennifer Ashley Tepper, Ted Chapin, and Tony-winning directors Daniel Fish and Bartlett Sher, the piece explored how these works can be contextualized, reexamined, and responsibly carried forward without dismissing their historical significance.
VIDEO: On This Day, July 3- Happy Birthday Audra McDonald and Betty Buckley!
July 3, 2018
July 3, 2018
Happy Birthday Audra McDonald and Betty Buckley!
VIDEO: On This Day, July 2- Remembering Michael Bennett
July 2, 2018
July 2, 2018
On this day, we celebrate the life and legacy of legendary Broadway choreographer and director, Michael Bennett.
Will Jeremy Jordan Be Giving His Regards to Broadway Soon?
June 29, 2018
June 29, 2018
It's been an interesting afternoon in the land of Jeremy Jordan's social media, where the actor and some former collaborators have been hinting at...well, something. Maybe.
Cynthia Erivo to Join Shoshana Bean at the Legendary Apollo Theater!
June 29, 2018
June 29, 2018
It has just been announced that Tony Award-winner Cynthia Erivo will join Shoshana Bean onstage Monday, July 30, at the world famous Apollo Theater!
VIDEO: On This Day, June 29- Happy Birthday, Brian d'Arcy James!
June 29, 2018
June 29, 2018
On This Day, we're celebrating the birthday of Broadway favorite, Brian d'Arcy James!
FROZEN Star Jelani Alladin Responds to Racist Troll in New Instagram Post
June 28, 2018
June 28, 2018
This evening, Frozen star Jelani Alladin clapped back at a racist Instagram troll who had invaded his comments to criticize the casting of Kristoff as a person of color and hurled racial epithets at the talented actor in hate-filled rants.
Broadway and New York City Nightlife Renaissance Man Trent Armand Kendall Passes Away at 51
June 28, 2018
June 28, 2018
Trent Armand Kendall enjoyed a long and thriving career as writer/producer, actor, front man, international headliner, recording artist and radio host. HIs Broadway credits included The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Hair, Into the Woods, and the Actors Fund concert of Chess.
Lily James and Gillian Anderson Join Ivo van Hove ALL ABOUT EVE Stage Adaptation
June 28, 2018
June 28, 2018
According to Baz Bamigboye, film star Gillian Anderson has been confirmed to star as Margot Channing in an upcoming stage adaptation of the classic film All About Eve.
Additional Gender-Swapped Casting Announced for Marianne Elliott COMPANY
June 28, 2018
June 28, 2018
Baz Bamigboye of The Daily Mail has reported some additional casting for the upcoming Marianne Elliot directed West End production of Stephen Sondheim's Company.
VIDEO: On This Day, June 28- Happy Birthday, Mel Brooks!
June 28, 2018
June 28, 2018
On this day, we celebrate the birthday of legendary funnyman, Mel Brooks!
VIDEO: On This Day, June 26: Remembering Nora Ephron
June 26, 2018
June 26, 2018
Today we celebrate the life, work, and spirit of writer and director, Nora Ephron, who passed away on this day, June 26, 2012. She was 71.
Photo: The Chers of THE CHER SHOW Cher A Moment with Cher!
June 25, 2018
June 25, 2018
Cher swung by the out of town tryout of her new musical this week and went nose to nose backstage with the three actresses who share the mammoth task of portraying this American icon. Stephanie J. Block tweeted an exclusive photo from Cher meeting the Chers of The Cher Show.
Michael Feinstein Says Liza Minnelli is 'Feeling Very Good' in New Interview
June 25, 2018
June 25, 2018
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Michael Feinstein. provided some rare details into the condition of entertainment legend Liza Minnelli ahead of their upcoming performance at Orange County's Segerstrom Center.
VIDEO: On This Day, June 25- Happy Birthday, Annaleigh Ashford!
June 25, 2018
June 25, 2018
On this day, we want to wish a Happy Birthday to Tony Award-winner, Annaleigh Ashford!
VIDEO: On This Day, June 24- Happy Birthday, Michele Lee!
June 24, 2018
June 24, 2018
On this day, we celebrate the birthday of legendary actor and entertainer, Michele Lee!
VIDEO: On This Day, June 23- Happy Birthday, Bob Fosse!
June 23, 2018
June 23, 2018
On this day we're celebrating a giant in a the world's of dance and directing, the legendary Bob Fosse!
VIDEO: On This Day, June 21- Happy Birthday, Al Hirschfeld!
June 21, 2018
June 21, 2018
On this day, we celebrate the birthday of a legendary figure in the world's of art and theatre, the 'Line King', the great Al Hirschfeld.
VIDEO: On This Day, June 13- tick, tick...BOOM! Explodes Off-Broadway!
June 13, 2018
June 13, 2018
On this day in 2001, Jonathan Larson's musical tick, tick...BOOM! opened Off-Broadway!
Broadway Beauties: Rounding Up the Fetch Fashion From the 2018 Tony Awards!
June 12, 2018
June 12, 2018
Tony Awards night has come and gone. The songs have all been sung, the dances danced, the trophies awarded, and the champagne popped to toast another tremendous Broadway season.
Extra, Extra! Disney's NEWSIES to Return to Cinemas Next Month!
June 8, 2018
June 8, 2018
It has been reported that the acclaimed stage adaptation of the cult-hit musical film Newsies will make its return to the big screen this summer. Screenings are scheduled to take place July 26 and 28 at select cinemas. See details here!
Videos