Danny Mefford News

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee cast members Lilli Cooper and Jasmine Amy Rogers will each complete their extended runs in the production this summer.

You may ask yourself—is seeing a touring stage production of the globally and generationally ubiquitous 1959 musical THE SOUND OF MUSIC still worth experiencing live on stage in 2026? While the stage musical in its current touring form certainly doesn't offer anything revolutionary or new to the show's now timeless canon, this latest iteration is, overall, a genuinely enjoyable, unabashedly earnest, and pleasantly nostalgic revival of a classic, featuring everything that made the show so gosh darn lovable to our parents and their parents before them. Sticking to the familiar, the show remains a comfortably cozy revival that will satisfy those expecting more of the same. The tour continues at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through June 14, 2026.

Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International announced that Kimberly Akimbo, the winner of the most Tony Awards of the 2022–2023 season, including Best Musical, is now available for licensing. 

The best of the New York City theatre community was at Town Hall for the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards, the theater award honoring excellence across all of New York City’s theatrical landscape. Check out a full list of winners here.

The best of Broadway and off-Broadway were on hand at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to celebrate 92nd Annual Drama League Awards, hosted by Emmy Award winner Frank DiLella. Check out a full list of winners here.

The 41st Annual Lucille Lortel Awards – the  only New York theatre award to exclusively honor Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway – were presented at the annual ceremony at NYU Skirball. See photos from the red carpet here!

Raúl Esparza and Helen J Shen will announce the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards nominations on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 10:00AM ET. Check out the nominees so far and check back later for teh complete list.

For Broadway fans, the highlight of every spring is the announcement of the Tony Award nominations—the most prestigious recognition in American theatre. But how are Tony nominees chosen, and who gets to decide? In this guide, we break down the Tony Awards nomination process and reveal how Broadway’s biggest honors are determined.

The Drama League has announced the 2026 Drama League Awards Nominees, which include Chess, Heathers, Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Titanique, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), and more. Check out the full list here!

The Perelman Performing Arts Center has revealed programming for the fourth artistic season at the recently opened performing arts center at the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan.

The Fitzgeralds of St. Paul – a new musical by Christie Baugher – will have three industry presentations this spring, starring Julie Benko and Bobby Conte as Zelda Sayre and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Orlando is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Check out our top picks in Florida for Spring 2026!

In this edition of Words From The Wings, we catch up with Matt Manuel, who plays Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee off-Broadway, to share some of his favorite backstage moments, must-haves, and more!

Whitney Leavitt made a special appearance at The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee this week. Watch a video of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star and Dancing With the Stars alum as a 'guest speller' on her night off from Chicago.

There was a special Glee reunion at The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! Amber Riley, who played Mercedes Jones in the hit musical series, joined co-star Kevin McHale, who played Artie Abrams, as a guest speller. Watch the video!

BIGFOOT! A NEW MUSICAL opened Off-Broadway at New York City Center Stage, and critics are sharing their reviews of the new musical comedy, running now.

Some musicals are flashy and loud, but Kimberly Akimbo captivates quietly, drawing you in with humor, heart, and honesty. From the first moment on stage, it becomes clear that this is a story about people — messy, awkward, hopeful people — rather than spectacle.

You can now get a first look at produciton photos of the Off-Broadway musical Bigfoot!, now playing at New York City Center Stage. The show features Grey Henson and more.

You can now get a first look at footage from the new Off-Broadway musical Bigfoot!, now in previews at New York City Center Stage I. The production is written by Amber Ruffin, Kevin Sciretta, and David A. Schmoll.

Writer Amber Ruffin recently visited The View to discuss Bigfoot! A New Musical, which is currently in previews off-Broadway at New York City Center. Watch the segment now.