If It Was Easy - 2001 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 1

Some musicals fade with time, but more than 25 years after its London premiere, MAMMA MIA! seems determined to do the opposite. The musical continues to fill theatres around the world, introducing new audiences to the story while giving longtime fans another reason to revisit the songs they already know by heart. Few productions have maintained the kind of global appeal that MAMMA MIA! has enjoyed since its debut, and its latest stop at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, BC this week offers another reminder of why. 

BroadwayWorld chats with lesbian icon Lea DeLaria about her upcoming performances at Feinstein's at the Nikko on May 29th & 30th. DeLaria will perform an evening of classic jazz tunes leavened with comedic tales.

An utterly convincing rollercoaster of life, death, and the world around us. See what our critic had to say.

THE BOOK OF MORMON has been delighting audiences for 15 years with its audacious blend of irreverent comedy and genuine heart. As the show enters its second decade of touring, it's currently running its long-awaited New Orleans engagement at the Saenger Theatre.

There’s a strange dichotomy that exists in live theater. I may not like the material, but will still find reason to love its execution. And at Theater West End, they’ve culled together a company of players who help elevate the material of POTUS into a comedy that now exists thanks to their approach to the characters. They form a symbiotic relationship with the audience throughout the two acts to make us still care for them, for their arcs, and for their resolutions – no matter how far-fetched it may seem. This is where the production of POTUS shines.

Astounding triple-threat talent is on display in big production numbers with attention-grabbing scenic elements by brilliant designers add to the artistic wonder of the entire production helmed by EWP Artistic Director Lily Tung Crystal, choreographed by Janelle Dote Portman, with music direction by Marc Macalintal.

BroadwayWorld chats with Bay Area theater icon Robert Kelley about his production of the Tony and Olivier-Award winning musical 'Come From Away' playing April 15th to May 10th at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in Mountain View

From April 1st-19th, Theatre Raleigh will be presenting the Tony-winning musical COME FROM AWAY at the De Ann S. Jones Theatre. Sara Jean Ford and I previously spoke in 2023 talking about North Carolina Theatre’s production of MARY POPPINS.

Need a great book to spring into the new season? This spring, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 16 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's Spring 2026 reading list.

A win and a nomination, and this cabaret shows why Frank Dain deserves all the accolades.

This history gives context to the legacies of theatrical dynasties—considered to consist of at least three subsequent generations of theatre creators. In 2026, there is a stigma around any successful professional who follows a parent into their line of work, with this being seen as a pattern of nepotism.

In honor of the Aida’s 25th anniversary, BroadwayWorld spoke to stars Heather Headley (Aida), Adam Pascal (Radames), Sherie Rene Scott (Amneris), Schele Williams (Nehebka), as Thomas Schumacher (original producer and Disney Theatrical Group chief for its first three decades), lyricist Tim Rice, and book writer David Henry Hwang to compile an oral history of the show’s early days, transition to Broadway, and legacy beyond the boards.

As Tess and Frank, Ellen Adair and Michael Frederic skillfully bring to the stage the requisite range of emotions engaged when lovers go a-quarreling, then make up, then rinse, repeat. We all know how that goes and they keep it going with the right rhythm of dramatic impact. Director Joe Brancato is masterly at keeping his productions light on their feet, rooted in a canny instinct for audience appeal. in an exquisitely rendered performance by Alexander Rios as AI Percy, he leaves an indelible impression through carefully articulated physicality that captures the essence of a bot without caricaturing it. His soft, soothing vocal inflection recalls iconic computer HAL in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Musicals about historical events are nothing new. From 1776 to EVITA to HAMILTON, such stories can be enlightening and inspirational. They highlight significant historical moments that many may not have known or appreciated.

At its heart, Sister Act: The Musical is a celebration of sisterhood and the unexpected bonds formed in the most unlikely places. While Deloris Van Cartier begins her journey chasing fame, her time with the nuns reveals a deeper calling: not spiritual in the traditional sense, but rooted in connection, community, and self-worth.

The once and future idol has come of age in the most delightful ways, all of them on display in his recent releases, current concerts, and fabulous fashions. David talks his new music, moves, and memoir with BroadwayWorld Cabaret.

This summer, LEGALLY BLONDE the musical struts onto the Malkin Bowl stage for a summer of sparkle and show-stopping songs. Back by popular demand, the hit show makes its highly anticipated return as part of Theatre Under The Stars’ 2025 season, playing in repertory with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from June 27 to August 16.

Brian Wilson, musical genius and founder of the Beach Boys, died today (Wednesday, June 11, 2025), so in honor of him, here is an article of the 40 greatest Beach Boys songs that I wrote for Broadway World two years ago.  Love & Mercy, Brian!

It’s become the custom in recent years to present memorial concerts which pay tribute to musicians after they leave this mortal plane.

The 2025 Tribeca Festival has unveiled its audio storytelling lineup, sponsored by Audible, featuring a dynamic mix of live episodes, immersive audio experiences, and world premieres.

The title role in Shakespeare’s enduring tragedy Hamlet is on the bucket list for many actors wishing to challenge their range of emotions while offering their own interpretation of the iconic role. And in his new solo play, Hamlet (Solus), creator and performer David Melville (pictured), co-founder of Independent Shakespeare Co., plays all the roles while intertwining the text with original songs. I decided to speak with David about his interpretation of the role he has played many times, including why he decided to stress the grief in the story as well as making (the skull of) Yorick an important character, and how the production evolved.

From Tony Award nominees Bess Wohl (Grand Horizons) and Whitney White (Jaja's African Hair Braiding) comes Liberation, a provocative and revealing new work about what really goes on when women meet behind closed doors.

Performances are now underway for the US tour of LIFE OF PI, Lolita Chakrabarti’s stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s best-selling novel. Read the reviews so far here!

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this November with a full slate of nightly performances. Learn more about the November 2024 lineup, featuring a diverse array of performances from renowned jazz musicians and emerging artists.

Dan Duling’s Tesla: A Radio Play for the Stage opens October 4, 2024, for five performances only as part of the Getty-led PST ART: Art & Science Collide Festival. Michael Arabian directs the stellar cast of: Gregory Harrison, Dan Lauria, Hal Linden, Charles Shaughnessy, French Stewart and Vanessa Claire Stewart at the Ramo Auditorium on the Caltech campus.