I Do! I Do! - 1996 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 1

Director David Valdez guides a wonderful production of this famous but flawed musical.

Next month, 54 BELOW, Broadway’s Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Grammy and Emmy winner Will Roland, Tony winner Norm Lewis and more. 

Even These Things, written by Rory Mullarkey, recently had its world premiere at the Royal Exchange Theatre. The play takes a look at three different years - 1846, 1996 and 2026 - and explores both Manchester and Ireland, with the final performance taking place on the 30th anniversary of the devastating IRA bomb in the heart of Manchester.

THE NOTEBOOK The Musical was a charming chamber piece when I first read Bekah Brunstetter's adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' breakout bestseller. But the touring version is now playing to bigger houses than either its original Chicago premiere or its New York engagement. With Broadway-extravaganza pretensions. Call me back when a local company decides to mount this musical at an appropriate scale.

The stage production does make a lot of strides that strengthens the endurance and popularity of this love story. It repeats iconic moments from the popular 2004 film, but isn’t aping the original screenplay in any way. A new libretto offers a fresh take that borrows the basic structure of the novel and memorable film moments, whilst breathing in new voices and new scenes that add different layers to these familiar characters.

Friendship is nearly always a side element in musicals. From the comic sidekick of the leading character to the backup pals who provide background vocals, friends are part of the fabric of many shows—but rarely are they the main event. 

It’s been 30 years since Jonathan Larson’s rock opera Rent opened at the Nederlander Theatre on April 29, 1996, and arguably changed the theatrical landscape of Broadway.

Samuel Beckett’s acclaimed masterpiece Endgame (Fim de Partida) opens April 30 at Teatro Paulo Autran, inside Sesc Pinheiros, in a new production directed by Rodrigo Portella. Starring Marco Nanini, Guilherme Weber, Helena Ignez, and Ary França, the tragicomic classic revisits Beckett’s haunting post-apocalyptic world, where Hamm, a blind and paralyzed old man, and his servant Clov remain trapped in a tense relationship of dependence, cruelty, and endless waiting. Written in the aftermath of World War II, the play remains one of the most powerful works of the Theater of the Absurd, exploring power, isolation, and the search for meaning in a collapsing world.

We learn that the suburban fantasy is not sustainable, primarily because such a fantasy can only ever be a dream. The reality of suburban living, as told by Kimberly Akimbo, shows there is much more nuance to everyday life than the nuclear family with a white picket fence and a wholesome dinner at eight. If everyone got what they wanted, after all, they wouldn’t want for more.

We had the opportunity to interview Music Director Robert W. Butts about his career, The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, and the upcoming performance at The Growing Stage.

Today, exactly 114 years after RMS Titanic sank to to the bottom of the North Atlantic, Titanique arrives in New York City at last. The splash-hit musical comedy inspired by the 1997 film Titanic and powered by the songs of Céline Dion, officially opened on Broadway at the St. James Theatre. Check out what the critcis are saying about the production...

The play is just… it’s about everything. I’ve read it maybe 200 times over the years. It used to be my favorite thing to do—get friends together after the bar closes and read it out loud

When the original production of Chicago opened on Broadway in 1975, its subtitle read “A Musical Vaudeville.” And as distinctively Bob Fosse-style as it was (and is in this excellent touring production of the 1996 revival), Chicago has always been a slight history of vaudeville.

A second batch of shows for this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe has been announced, bringing the current total number on sale for 2026 to 2,083. Learn more here!

Carter Brey will retire from the New York Philharmonic after 30 seasons. The principal cellist will give final performances in New York in May and June. His tenure with the orchestra began in 1996.

Jane Comfort and Company will debut a world premiere alongside two existing works at LaMama's Ellen Stewart Theater March 19-22 2026

BroadwayWorld chats with award-winning playwright Migdalia Cruz about the world premiere of her adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' running at the Magic Theatre from March 18 through April 5 in San Francisco.

New York City Children's Theater will celebrate its 30th anniversary by honoring Broadway's Stephanie Klemons and the educational Common Sense Fund. The event, set to recognize significant contributions to children's theater and education, underscores the theater's commitment to impactful storytelling and educational outreach. This milestone event highlights the theater's ongoing dedication to nurturing young audiences with enriching theatrical experiences.

Every so often, we encounter stories so powerful that they remind us of the fragility of our human lives. We do our best to avoid thinking about death, mortality, and other crippling fears that are hard to handle, but it is important to have an appreciation for these truths. In a world of increasing online presence and reduced human connection, it can be tough to see the good in the world, but this show will remind the audience of just that.

Next month, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond for Women's History Month, including Linda Eder, Kate Baldwin, Jenn Colella and more. 

Next week, 54 Below will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Allison Bailey, Jordan Tyson and more. 

Broadway's Andrew Keenan-Bolger is making a showstopping YA debut with Limelight (now available where books are sold), a poignant coming-of-age novel about identity, first love, and the power of the arts to help young people feel seen. BroadwayWorld is very excited to bring you an exclusive excerpt from the book!

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. 

Fasten your seatbelts! The Musical Theatre Guild is a non-profit membership theatre company founded in 1996 by a dedicated group of professional musical theatre artists. Beginning in living rooms, these artists were interested in exploring and preserving the unique American art form of musical theatre by presenting either forgotten, neglected, or unfairly dismissed Broadway musicals. Brian Kim McCormick is playing the only leading man who can handle Margo Channing portrayed deliciously by Barbara Carlton Heart. Live extended orchestrations by the generosity of the David Lee Foundation under the direction of the very talented Brad Ellis.

It’s… Hairspray! BroadwayWorld is taking a look back at what the cast of this beloved musical has been up to since the show first graced the Broadway stage!