Ben Brantley News

On Wednesday, March 4th 2020, eight days before New York City theaters closed, Broadway was booming. I had tickets to see Matthew Lopez’s, The Inheritance.

Classic Stage Company has announced OBIE-winning playwright Marcus Gardley (The House That Will Not Stand, “The Chi”) as the March 11 guest for the online version of its Classic Conversations series.

Today, Sophia Anne Caruso releases her latest single “Goodbye.' The single follows the release of her debut artist single “Toys” which was released in May of 2020. Caruso's debut EP is set for release this spring.

The School of Communication at Northwestern University will host a virtual residency with Hope Abelson Artist-in-Residence Michael R. Jackson Feb. 15 to March 5. During the residency, Jackson will visit classes, lead workshops for performers, dramatists, composers and lyricists and participate in a free livestream panel discussion at 7 p.m. CST, Thursday, Feb. 25.

Andréa Burns (IN THE HEIGHTS, ON YOUR FEET, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE FULL MONTY) and Maulik Pancholy (IT’S ONLY A PLAY, “30 Rock,” “Weeds”) will headline New Jersey's George Street Playhouse 2021 season, starring in two hilarious full-length comedies audiences can stream at home.

Broadway’s Andréa Burns (On Your Feet; In the Heights) and television and film’s Maulik Pancholy (30 Rock; Weeds; Phineas and Ferb) will headline the start of George Street Playhouse’s newly announced 2021 season, starring in two hilarious full-length comedies audiences can stream at home. 

Classic Stage Company has announced the Spring 2021 season of the free, online version of their discussion series Classic Conversations, premiering Thursdays at 6pm on YouTube and Facebook, and available to view afterwards on these platforms and Instagram IGTV.

SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE – Basil Twist's now-legendary underwater puppet production set in a 1,000-gallon fish tank   – will be released as a film on VIDEO ON DEMAND December 18, it has been announced by Mr. Twist, who makes his full-length film directorial debut.  Created for the theater by Mr. Twist in 1998, SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE is set to the celebrated classic score of Hector Berlioz's 19th century composition. 

“Road to the North Country: Interpreting Dylan,” a virtual live stream event presented by the Bob Dylan Center, will feature cast members Todd Almond, Jeannette Bayardelle, Colton Ryan, Kimber Elayne Sprawl, and Mare Winningham from the acclaimed Broadway musical, Girl From The North Country, which features the music of Bob Dylan.

his evocative one-act musical charts the spiritual journey of nun and missionary Mother Teresa

Theater in Quarantine, a pandemic performance laboratory from writer, director, and performer Joshua William Gelb and choreographer Katie Rose McLaughlin, will present the world premiere of I Am Sending You the Sacred Face by Obie Award-winner Heather Christian.

“Road to the North Country: Interpreting Dylan,” a virtual live stream event presented by the Bob Dylan Center, will feature cast members Todd Almond, Jeannette Bayardelle, Colton Ryan, Kimber Elayne Sprawl, and Mare Winningham from the acclaimed Broadway musical, Girl From The North Country, which features the music of Bob Dylan.

Classic Stage Company today announced its final virtual Classic Conversation of 2020, with Tony-winning actress and singer Faith Prince (Broadway: A Catered Affair, Noises Off, Guys and Dolls) on December 3.

Some stories hold significant power in their retelling - The Laramie Project is a prime example. The play tells the story of Matthew Shepard, who in 1988, at age 21, was victim to a brutal and fatal homophobic attack.

Artistic Director Michael Ritchie announced Center Theatre Group’s 54th season at the Ahmanson Theatre will begin in August 24, 2021, four months later than it was formerly scheduled. The season features the previously announced “The Lehman Trilogy,” “The Prom,” “Hadestown” and “Dear Evan Hansen” plus “1776” which was previously announced for the 2019 – 2020 season.

The Pulitzer Prize for Drama almost always goes to a critically-acclaimed straight play by someone really serious like Eugene O’Neill or August Wilson, but on rare occasions, it goes to a musical. Only ten musicals have ever won.

An indispensable new book for the theater, Cast of Mentors, by Tony Award-winning producer Ken Davenport will be released this holiday season. A deep dive into the workings of Broadway from Broadway's own, Cast of Mentors features choice excerpts from interviews with 50 theatrical luminaries, all from Davenport's own podcast.

Musical theatre has a history of big, splashy, high-kicking casts, and that’s what many people think when they hear the word “musical.” The increasing trend for writers wanting to tell a poignant, dramatic story (and producers wanting to pay fewer actors) is to use a tiny cast of six or fewer to narrow the focus without getting distracted by glitter.

The TheaterMakers Studio will present the fourth annual TheaterMakers Summit on November 14 and 15. This year, the event will be held virtually for attendees and speakers.

Classic Stage Company today announced a virtual Classic Conversation with Tony-winning actress and singer Anika Noni Rose (Broadway: Caroline, or Change; Off-Broadway: Carmen Jones at CSC; Film: The Princess and the Frog, Dreamgirls) on October 29.