Michael McElroy News

Three more stars have joined the lineup of stars bringing LGBTQ+ twists to beloved show tunes at this month's Broadway Backwards, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

Black Theatre United has announced the BTU Design Expo 2026, a dynamic gathering celebrating the artistry and innovation shaping the future of theatrical design.

Additional stars have joined the lineup of Broadway luminaries bringing to life LGBTQ+ stories through show tunes at Broadway Backwards, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Current star of Masquerade Telly Leung discusses with Jennifer Ashley Tepper playing the Phantom in the immersive production, the full circle from Rent fan to Rent actor, Gavin Creel’s leadership during a production that never was, and much more. 

The Museum of Broadway recently hosted a 30th anniversary panel of RENT alums and a special reading of Making RENT: The Story Behind the Music that Changed Broadway. Check out photos here!

For one night only, Broadway’s buzziest stars and legendary icons will flip the script on beloved show tunes, reimagining them as powerful stories of LGBTQ+ love and pride when Broadway Backwards returns for its 20th anniversary on Monday, March 23, 2026. 

The Museum of Broadway will host a 30th anniversary panel of RENT alums and a special reading of Making RENT: The Story Behind the Music that Changed Broadway.

Black Theatre United (BTU) just announced the BTU Collective, a new wave of leadership within the organization. The BTU Collective is a dynamic collective of leaders, artists, and advocates committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the theater industry.

Black Theatre United is inviting the public to celebrate Black History Month with a special one-night-only talkback exploring Syncopated Stages: Black Disruptions to the Great White Way.

New York City Center will present its 2025–2026 Winter/Spring season. From the Tony-honored Encores! series to internationally acclaimed dance companies and singular ballet artists, the season brings unforgettable performances to its stage.

Take a very, very deep breath. Hold it. And let your mind leave everything else at the door. This is just one of the things I do to prepare myself for a performance.

New York City Center has revealed additional cast members for the 2026 Encores! series, including Rachel Dratch, Wayne Brady, Claybourne Elder, and more.

Now on display at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is an exhibition highlighting the history of Black musical theater- Syncopated Stages: Black Disruptions to the Great White Way. Watch in this video as Curatorial Advisory Michael McElroy gives us a tour and some insight into how the exhibition came to be!

See photos from inside the Black Theatre United 2025 Gala. The evening was directed by (for the third year) by Jerry Dixon with musical direction by Joseph Joubert. 

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced a slate of Beyond the Stage programming around their Broadway premiere of Punch, which will offer audiences and the general public opportunities to enrich their experience with the show.

Broadway Inspirational Voices, in partnership with The Riverside Church, will present The Gathering: Rooted and Rising on September 15, 2025, in New York City. The evening will feature Gospel, Broadway, and Inspirational music alongside spoken word, and more.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, located at Lincoln Center, has just announced a new exhibition highlighting the history of Black musical theater. The exhibition, Syncopated Stages: Black Disruptions to the Great White Way celebrates the rich history and enduring impact of Black artists in musical theater through hundreds of items from the Library’s Billy Rose Theatre Division archives.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts will present a new exhibition highlighting the history of Black musical theater. Learn more about the exhibition here!

Black Theatre United will present its third annual Gala. This year’s theme is “United: Today & Beyond.' Learn more about the gala and see how to attend!

Black Theatre United will commemorate the rich history of Black American culture and music, across genres and eras, for a memorable Juneteenth Celebration as part of Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City Festival. Learn more!