A.A. Cristi - Page 6

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 Millie

Favorite Show:

West Side Story

Favorite 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.

Getting To Know AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE Power Couple Amy Herzog and Sam Gold
March 17, 2024

This season, Broadway welcomes a star-studded revival of Henrik Ibsen's An Enemy of the People starring Emmy Award-winners Jeremy Strong and Michael Imperioli, and Victoria Pedretti. Behind the production is powerhouse pair, Tony Award-winning director Sam Gold and acclaimed, award-winning playwright Amy Herzog, a real-life married couple who are making their debut as collaborators on the production. Meet Broadway's newest power couple here!

Interview: Cabaret Star Stacy Polley Returns With ACT V At The Cutting Room, Benefiting Alzheimer's Research
January 13, 2024

Read our interview with performer and philanthropist Stacy Polley and learn how this dynamic entertainer went from Wall Street wonder to cabaret queen, as she returns with her newest show ACT V, raising funds for Alzheimer's research.

Dance Into 2024 With Advice From Your Favorite Musicals
January 1, 2024

2024 is officially here! As we head into the new year, we here at BWW know that sometimes it takes a little inspo to help pull us out of the doldrums of the post-holiday slump and launch us into the future!

Interview: Heather Alicia Simms Talks the 'Enormous' Legacy of PURLIE VICTORIOUS And More As the Play Hits 100 Performances on Broadway
December 22, 2023

The acclaimed Broadway revival of Ossie Davis's play Purlie Victorious will play its 100th performance today December 22. Joining stars Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young is veteran actor Heather Alicia Simms in the role of Missy Judson. Read our interview!

Broadway Math: Sutton Foster As 'Mrs. Lovett' in SWEENEY TODD
January 27, 2024

You've heard of Boy Math. You've heard of Girl Math. Well, we're here to introduce you to Broadway Math. Read our equation of which roles have best prepared Tony Award-winner Sutton Foster for her upcoming residency in Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's horror classic, Sweeney Todd.

The Hidden History of BOOP! THE MUSICAL Animation Icon, Betty Boop!
November 27, 2023

Betty Boop is currently making her musical theatre debut in BOOP! The Musical, a colorful new tuner from director and choreographer, Jerry Mitchell. Go inside the hidden history of this animation icon!

Interview: Broadway's Newest Power Producer, LaChanze, Talks JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING and More
November 12, 2023

One of Broadway's best, Tony Award-winner LaChanze, has broken the fourth wall and crossing the footlights to perform a new role- producer. Read our interview with this theatrical legend!

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG: A [Backwards] History of Old Friends
November 4, 2023

Go inside the complete history of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Merrily We Roll Along, playing at Broadway's Hudson Theatre now!

Interview: Jessica Hecht & Maura Tierney Talk the campfire project and Using the Arts to Promote Healing In Refugee Communities
October 12, 2023

In 2017, Tony-nominated actress Jessica Hecht and producer Jenny Gertsen, founded the campfire project, an program that travels to refugee spaces to impart arts-based wellness to displaced communities around the globe. Read our interview with Hecht and actress Maura Tierney from their latest program in Uganda.

See Which Celebs Are Taking The Stage For the 2023 Broadway Fall/Winter Season
September 23, 2023

Every season, more than a few household names swing through the Theatre District to perform alongside all of our Broadway faves!

These Celebs Are Coming to Broadway Fall 2023
October 7, 2023

Every season, more than a few household names swing through the Theatre District to perform alongside all of our Broadway faves! See which stars are making their mark on midtown for the Fall/Winter 2023 season!

SWEENEY TODD, A History- Part 2: The Demon Barber Slashes His Way From Page To Stage And Beyond
August 26, 2023

Learn how Sondheim made Sweeney sing and how Mr. Todd made his mark on mass media in Part 2 of SWEENEY TODD, A History.

SWEENEY TODD, A History- Part 1: Murder, Meat Pies, Men and Myths
August 19, 2023

Since 1979, Stephen Sondheim’s take on the Victorian myth about an exiled barber who pairs up with a cunning pie maker to seek revenge on the men who wronged him has delighted and enthralled audiences with its thrilling score, pitch black humor, and chaotic plot, but what is the real story behind this penny dreadful turned musical delight? Was there a real Sweeney Todd? Where did the story come from? And, most pressingly of all, what inspired Sondheim to spin this nauseating nightmare into gothic musical comedy gold? The answers just might surprise you as we delve into the history of Sweeney Todd.

Don't Bet Against Clyde Alves- How NEW YORK, NEW YORK Brought A Dance Dynamo Back To Broadway
July 9, 2023

Read our interview with New York, New York star Clyde Alves and find out what it takes to bring the show's love letter to New York City to life eight times a week.

Photos: Tony Awards Fashion- See Who Turned Up And Turned It Out On Broadway's Biggest Night!
June 13, 2023

See photos of your favorite fashionistas who turned up and turned it out for Broadway's biggest night!

From The Winner's Circle: GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR Star Sean Hayes Celebrates His Tony Win In The Press Room
June 11, 2023

Sean Hayes has won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR. Hear what he had to say about his win in his visit to the press room!

From The Winner's Circle: PARADE Composer Jason Robert Brown Completes His Acceptance Speech In The Press Room
June 11, 2023

Parade has won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. During his acceptance speech, composer Jason Robert Brown was cut off by the orchestra while discussing the show's legacy. In his visit to the press room, the acclaimed composer shared what we missed on the Tony telecast.

From The Winner's Circle: SOME LIKE IT HOT's J. Harrison Ghee Takes Home A Tony!
June 11, 2023

J. Harrison Ghee has won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Some Like It Hot. J. joins Alex Newell as the first gender nonconforming performers to win a Tony Award. In their trip to the press room, J. discussed the impact of his take on Jerry/Daphne in a show that celebrates nonbinary identity.

From The Winner's Circle: KIMBERLY AKIMBO Star Bonnie Milligan Makes Her Sh*tty Life Better With A Tony Win!
June 11, 2023

Bonnie Milligan has won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for Kimberly Akimbo. In her visit to the winner's room, Bonnie discussed the process of building the musical's twisted fairy godmother Aunt Deborah and what she has taken out of portraying her casually criminal alter-ego.

From The Winner's Circle: LEOPOLDSTADT's Brandon Uranowitz Celebrates His Tony Victory!
June 11, 2023

Brandon Uranowitz has won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for Leopoldstadt. In his visit to the winner's room, Brandon celebrated the impact of Tom Stoppard's epic drama and reacted to his director, Patrick Marber's win in real time!

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