Spoke Man - 1996 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 1

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.

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. 

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!

Discover the 12th annual IN SCENA! ITALIAN THEATER FESTIVAL NY, showcasing top Italian theater in NYC with free performances in Italian and English across all five boroughs. Learn more and see how to attend.

The romantic comedy is alive and well on Broadway in the charming new play, Left On Tenth. The dramedy, starring Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher, is an adaptation of the 2022 memoir from novelist, essayist, screenwriter, and rom-com icon, Delia Ephron. Read our interview with the playwright here!

With the stars of Pascal & Julien and the theatre’s creative team, we explored what it means to deeply engage children and families in theatre, how theaters can open up to the community, working with child actors, discovering authenticity and delicious subtext on stage, and the creative journey of the play in its US Premiere.

The South Carolina New Play Festival has announced that Andy Mientus and Jon-Michael Reese have joined the cast of All the World’s a Stage by Adam Gwon, directed by Jonathan Silverstein with music direction by Andrea Grody.

The South Carolina New Play Festival has announced casting for several upcoming productions. Learn more about the lineup here!

A 'Big' salute to songwriters Maltby & Shire, hosted and music-directed by Michael Lavine, brings us 'Closer Than Ever' to perfection. As tributes go, the one filled with the songs of Maltby and Shire, as they were bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award, was tops. Filled with theatre and cabaret performers, it was a great night.

The South Carolina New Play Festival has announced the 3rd annual festival. It will take place over four days, starting on Thursday, August 8, and will feature a wide range of musicals, plays, town halls, an outdoor variety stage, and will culminate in a Cabaret featuring Tony-nominee Phillip Boykin (Hadestown) on August 11.  

Some highlights of the last year and some optimism for an uncertain future

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, I had the excellent opportunity to sit down with Eric Sciotto, Director and Choreographer of Rock of Ages at MTWichita, and Brian J. Marcum, Artistic Director at MTWichita. It was a wide ranging interview, with a very stream of consciousness feel, and they were gracious enough to grant me an hour over a lunch break during rehearsal last Tuesday. The energy was high, and I was able to get some excellent insight into Eric’s choreographic process. I also spoke to Brian about leading MTWichita into a new era.

Shakespeare Theatre Company has announced the cast and creative team for the upcoming production of Tectonic Theater Project's Here There Are Blueberries. 

What did our critic think of WHAT HAPPENED TO STEVE: A CONVERSATION WITH STEVE BURNS at Reynolds Performance Hall?

As Cirque du Soleil returns to the Royal Albert Hall this month with Kurios: Cabinet of Curiosities, we speak to its artistic director Rachel Lancaster.

Discover the story behind one of the greatest musicals in history as we dive deep into the history of Broadway's longest-running American musical, John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse's, 'Chicago.'

Check out over 80 events that are happening in the Philadelphia area.  From food and fun to entertainment, there’s something for everyone!

One of the songs from the project, 'Pura Vida', particularly caught my attention. It is about environmental preservation and nature. Pura Vida literally means 'pure life', but in Costa Rica it's like a motto; it's an expression used in almost every conversation. It means that everything is fine, but it can also mean thank you. When I first listened to the song I wondered if Jonathan Larson had ever been to Costa Rica. How did he come up with the phrase?

Read all the reviews for the National Tour of Pretty Woman, which is now on stage touring the country. See what the critics thought!

Legendary actor, activist and philanthropist Ed Asner passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, surrounded by family at 91.

I’m in this place where my questioning of Shakespeare is revolving around some of the same issues as these three characters are dealing with as they look at this painting, then consequently, as they look at each other.  What is the value of friendship?  What’s the cost of a contemporary painting and what’s the value of that painting? 

Chemistry and balance! Two key ingredients that are (oddly!) in short supply in Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre’s current production of THE ODD COUPLE, directed by Virginia Olivieri. Simon’s brilliant lines and zingers are there to be uttered, but the execution stumbles. The show runs through April 5th.

Thirty-three years later, these are the shows that Stephen Mosher remembers most vividly, from his first time in a Manhattan nightclub to the last night, on March 12th, 20202

The screen adaptation of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was brought to life by the legendary Ruben Santiago-Hudson, whose connection to August Wilson spans from the personal to professional - not only was he a close friend of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, but Santiago-Hudson has established himself as a key interpreter of Wilson's work.

Happy Gay Pride! BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the 101 greatest LGBTQ songs and anthems from 1920-2020. See if your favorite songs or artists made the grade!