Just So - 1985 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 4

Just In Time’s origin story as well as overall conceit has much in common with one of Broadway’s very first jukebox musicals, which was ahead of its time. In 1985, Leader of the Pack, telling the story of pop singer-songwriter Ellie Greenwich, opened at the Ambassador on Broadway. Learn all about pop music bio-musicals here!

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!

BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL lands at Providence Performing Arts Center. National Tour delivers spectacle, nostalgia, and a flying DeLorean.

Once again, Broadway's biggest night has come and gone! With the 78th Annual Tony Awards now behind us, we have compiled a list of some of the most memorable moments from the evening, including fun references and Easter eggs you may have missed, standout segments, performances, and more.

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Jenn Colella, and more. See the full lineup here.

Dear Readers, when discussing the musical of Alice Walker’s classic novel “The Color Purple”, you must acknowledge the production’s own journey from the tepidly received original 2005 Broadway production to the enthusiastically received 2015 Broadway revival which launched the career of the incredible Cynthia Erivo. We can discuss them in a bit but to start I will say that the current production at Village Theatre is certainly in the 2015 camp, with its streamlined production and roof shaking performances.

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Tracie Thoms, Jenn Colella and more. See the full lineup here!

This fall, Jon Muq will join GRAMMY®-winning trio I’m With Her as direct support on their Wild and Clear and Blue tour. The run includes major stops in Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, and Muq’s adopted hometown of Austin.

Today’s subject Francesca Zambello is currently living her theatre life as the Artistic Director of Washington National Opera (WNO). She has been in the position since 2012. Her production of Porgy and Bess begins performances this evening in the Opera House at Kennedy Center where it will play through May 31st.

The new musical Goddess can currently be seen in its New York premiere production at the Public Theater on Lafayette Street. Directed by the Public’s associate artistic director and resident director Saheem Ali, who is currently Tony Award-nominated for directing Buena Vista Social Club, Goddess is playing at the Public’s largest space by capacity, the Newman Theatre.

Clue is based off of the 1985 black comedy film of the same name, based on the Hasbro game also of the same name. Reimagined by Sandy Rustin, with the help of Hunter Foster and Eric Prince, Clue provided roughly an hour and twenty-five minutes of continuous entertainment. It was a joy to watch.

This June, the Hollywood Fringe Festival shines a light on the raw, darkly funny, and heartbreakingly human story of Dolores, a one-act play by Edward Allan Baker. Starring Davonna Dehay and DeeDee Woche, staged at the Stephanie Feury Studio Theatre.

Jerry Harrison doesn’t have too many regrets in his musical career. The Talking Heads’ keyboardist, who was in town to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band’s landmark film STOP MAKING SENSE May 4 at the Southern Theatre (21 E. Main Street in downtown Columbus), is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with his bandmates in 2002 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 2021.

The 92nd Street Y, New York will present Benjamin Verdery & Friends: Some Towns and Cities with special guests next week. Learn more about the upcoming performance here!

Back to the Future at the Straz wasn’t just a performance but a phenomenon. It was a collision of story, skill, and science fiction that made the impossible feel intimate.

A bevy of Broadway’s brightest stars - from icons Jennifer Holliday and Andrea Martin to show-stopping newcomers Tom Francis and Jasmine Amy Rogers - lit up the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on April 28, 2025, at the inaugural Broadway Dream Roles. The lineup brought to life the characters they’ve always longed to play through spectacular performances and heartfelt storytelling. Check out photos of the show.

Music Theatre International has acquired the rights to the “Hits Musicals Collection” from Lively McCabe Entertainment, the theatrical development company behind Clue and Mystic Pizza. Learn more!

The curtain rises on Tina Turner (Jayna Elise) in her iconic red leather minidress and lioness mane about to ascend a set of stairs to a stadium of eager fans. She panics, steps back down the stairs, sits cross-legged on the floor, and begins chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, a Buddhist chant invoking inner strength and transformation of suffering.

Say “I Do” to the Most Totally Tubular Musical Coming Your Way! The Colony Theatre (Heather Provost, Producing Artistic Director) has announced a new production of The Wedding Singer, the musical comedy.

Kristine Nielsen has made her name on Broadway playing roles in all kinds of comedies and dramas, but only a very few musicals. She’s changing that up this season, however, portraying Susan Proctor, an Actors’ Studio teacher and confidante to Ivy Lynn, a Broadway star preparing to play Marilyn Monroe, in the new musical comedy “Smash,” at New York’s Imperial Theatre.

Tivoli Theatre Foundation has announced its upcoming Broadway season. The season will kick off in November with Clue, and will continue with Kinky Boots, The Sound of Music, Mamma Mia!, The Wiz, and Mrs. Doubtfire.

PNC Broadway in Columbus and CAPA has announced the 2025-2026 Season, headlined by the Ohio premiere of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD in the fall of 2025.

Director Kevin “Blax” Burroughs and the cast and crew of “Once on This Island” invite you to this Caribbean fairytale where gods and humans find out if love truly can conquer all. Burroughs talks about working with the creative team to bring this show to the stage, and why it’s a good show for audiences to see at this moment in time. “Once On This Island is playing through April 13th at Oceanside Theatre.

Jon Muq will be embarking on a North American tour this Spring and Summer. Muq will play all over the country, including Bonnaroo, Smoky Hill River Festival, Woof Stock, Calgary Folk Festival and more.

The Trip to Bountiful is set in Houston, Texas in the 1940s after World War II. The story follows Carrie Watts, an elderly Southern woman who dreams of escaping the bustling city to return to her rural home of Bountiful. She sets out on a risky journey to her beloved hometown with her family in hot pursuit.