Matthew Murphy News

2025 has kicked off on a high note for Vancouver's theatre scene. Among the many shows debuting this month is one that perfectly captures the essence of chaos, featuring a quirky plot, catchy songs, and eccentric characters. BEETLEJUICE The Musical made its debut in Vancouver, BC on January 21 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Running until January 26, the show based off of the 1988 Beetlejuice film by Tim Burton, brings audiences into a new era of musical theatre.

The Saturday, January 25th 2pm matinee of THE OUTSIDERS has been cancelled due to a Con Edison power outrage. Learn more about the show's upcoming schedule here.

Theater fans have a long and affectionate history with the musical “Peter Pan,” and the J.M. Barrie play, “Peter Pan; or the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up,” and subsequent novelization, “Peter and Wendy,” of the classic story of the little boy who can fly that inspired it.

Discover New Production Shots of Darren Criss and Helen J Shen in MAYBE HAPPY ENDING and Get All the Details on the Exclusive Fan Event with $64 Tickets!

The full cast has been announced for the Broadway premiere of STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW, which is now in rehearsals. Check out rehearsal photos here!

Tune into The Tonight Show next week to watch the cast of Death Becomes Her perform from the hit musical. Their performance will air on Monday, January 27 at 11:35/10:35c on NBC.

Water for Elephants is now available for licensing exclusively to high schools. This exciting opportunity allows high schools to stage the show beginning in early fall 2025, alongside the launch of the musical’s First National Tour.

You can now get a first look at photos of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends starring Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga and more. Learn more about the new cast members joining the upcoming Broadway production!

It's showtime! What did our critic think of BEETLEJUICE at The Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.

What did our critic think of SOME LIKE IT HOT at Oprheum Theater?

SHUCKED is a corny musical...in the best way possible. Book writer Robert Horn and composer team Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally’s lyrics are chock-full (or should I say husk-full?) of puns, double entendres, and cringey punchlines. I was grinning ear-to-ear (of corn). SHUCKED is joyful, creative, and fun. 

Death Becomes Her on Broadway has cancelled its January 8 performances due to illness in the company. Learn more about the upcoming performances in the production and see how to purchase tickets.

What did our critic think of Broadway Across Canada's Presentation of MJ THE MUSICAL at the National Arts Centre?

A riotous, mostly silly, but also sometimes laughably odd theatrical entity, this touring production of this enjoyable, endearingly-familiar stage musical adaptation of the hit 1985 sci-fi comedy is definitely a fun time—but mostly due to its visual wow factor. For those who cherish the original film, the musical is a delightful tribute. For newcomers or those seeking a deeper narrative experience, it's an entertaining-enough spectacle.

With a clever script, beloved music, and strong teams both on and off the stage, '& Juliet' is an incredibly witty, thoughtful, and joyful show, and the National Tour’s run at the Kennedy Center is the perfect way to cap off the year.

BroadwayWorld talks with the touring crew of BACK TO THE FUTURE to get the scoop on how the high-tech show makes it on the road.

If you mix the Hee Haw cornfield joke skits with a PG-13 RomCom, you get SHUCKED, which is playing at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville now through December 22nd. This hilarious Broadway musical (Book by Robert Horn with Music and Lyrics by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally) combines down-home humor with a heartwarming love story, filled with witty one-liners that will have you laughing non-stop.

Today’s subject Rachel Simone Webb is currently living her theatre life onstage at the Kennedy Center in the North American Tour of & Juliet playing the role of Juliet. The show runs through January 5th in the Opera House.

Watch a video of Whoopi Goldberg explaining on The View why she won't read the reviews for her performance as Miss Hannigan in Annie. The production is currently playing at the Theatre at Madison Square Garden.

Peter Pan dazzles with stunning sets, magical flying effects, and catchy new songs. This Peter Pan may never want to grow up, but it certainly deserves to be part of the conversation on how we tell timeless stories for modern audiences.