Matthew Murphy News

Broadway's corniest musical comes to Hollywood! 🌽 SHUCKED at the Pantages is stuffed to the ears with puns from racy to ridiculous.

Ahead of the Broadway premiere of The Queen of Versailles this fall, New York's Angelika Film Center will host special screenings of the 2012 documentary on which the musical is based, with the filmmaker and members of the musical team in attendance at select shows.

'Tale as old as time,' the lyric goes in the heart warming production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST now playing at Shea's Buffalo Theatre. I knew I was in good hands when the sparkling new production of the beloved classic begins with Angela Lansbury's voice reciting the story that has captured children's minds for years. It was a lovely touch to settle into the familiar story,  hearing the voice of Mrs. Potts from the Disney animated film beckon us.

xIn the city where Houdini once extricated himself from a straitjacket while dangling upside down above Times Square, it’s surprising that we don’t get major magic acts on stage more often than we do in New York. This relative paucity is thrown into relief when magic, illusion, escape and the like actually do take up residence on New York stages, as is the case right now with Lord Nil extricating himself from threat of the Seven Deadly Sins at Stage 42 while just eight blocks uptown Jamie Allan is conjuring motorcycles and reams of playing cards at New World Stages with his show Amaze.

Atlantic Records has released the original Broadway recording of Just in Time, serving as the official companion to the Broadway production starring Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff as the legendary Bobby Darin. Listen to it now here!

Following the conclusion of Season 3, we spoke to choreographer John Carrafa about the challenges of working on a period piece, the casting process for the dancers, and his experience bringing Mrs. Russell's latest ball to life.

If SHUCKED were a snack, it’d be kettle corn: a little bit sweet, a little bit salty, and a delightful treat to enjoy at Broadway San Diego through August 17th

There’s something surreal about sitting in a packed Orpheum Theatre, surrounded by kids in Belle dresses and adults mouthing lyrics under their breath, watching a story you’ve known since forever unfold with so much earnestness it almost disarms you. This new touring production of Beauty and the Beast doesn’t try to rebrand the fairy tale or shake up the formula — and honestly, that might be its smartest move.

Whether you're a Shakespeare devotee, a musical theater lover, or simply someone who believes in the transformative power of love and second chances, & JULIET delivers.

After leading Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway and across North America, Stephen Christopher Anthony is returning to Actors' Playhouse to direct the South Florida Regional Premiere of Dear Evan Hansen. Learn more!

Today’s subject Emmet Smith is currently living his theatre life on tour playing Albus Severus Potter, the son of wizarding legend Harry Potter, in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The tour continues its two month engagement at the National Theatre through September 7th.

Interview with Miki Abraham who stars as Lulu in SHUCKED. A member of the original Broadway cast and now leading the role on tour, we caught up with Miki ahead of the San Diego performances at Broadway San Diego, August 12 - 17.

It’s clever and smart but not smirking. It’s romantic and sweet, but never saccharine. Everything about SOME LIKE IT HOT fires on all cylinders, gleaming like a brass band.

Dear Readers, you should know by now my disdain for the Juke Box Musical. But, as egregious as they can be (I’m looking at you “Flashdance, The Musical”), sometimes they manage to pull it off. And why? A good book and songs lovingly curated to fit the story and not jammed in. It’s really that simple. “Mamma Mia” and “Beautiful” are two wonderful examples as is “& Juliet”, currently playing at the Paramount Theatre. So, let’s discuss a few things. First, why this Juke Box Musical works so amazingly well. And second, the power of the understudy.

It’s not every day that a Disney classic gets a fresh new life on stage, but that’s exactly what’s happening with the latest North American tour of Beauty and the Beast. For the first time in over 25 years, audiences are being treated to a reimagined production of this beloved tale — complete with stunning new sets, dazzling costumes, and all the magic you remember.

For all its clashing parts, like an overstuffed jewelry box where diamonds, pearls, and plastic trinkets jangle together, MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL’s visuals are hard to resist, and that’s what most audiences will respond to. It sparkles wonderfully even when it confuses.

First look photos have been released from the world premiere of Ginger Twinsies which is now playing Off-Broadway at the Orpheum Theatre. See the photos here!

The best-selling book series in history, which in turn became one of the highest-grossing franchises of filmdom would naturally spawn a big Broadway hit, the nationally touring version of which is playing D.C. at the National Theatre after four months each in Chicago and Los Angeles. 

The first production photo from global icon Dolly Parton’s brand new musical, Dolly: A True Original Musical, has just been released — and it’s giving rhinestones, heart, and pure Nashville sparkle! The world premiere bows with a sold-out first preview at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Belmont University — right in Dolly’s hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.

MJ The Musical is a high-energy tribute to the King of Pop that delivers everything you could want from a Michael Jackson show. This Tony Award-winning production (4 wins, including choreography) combines spectacular performances with Jackson’s legendary catalog into a celebration of one of the biggest music stars of all time.