With a Little Help From My Friends

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. 

The Broadway production of Ragtime was a glorious accomplishment, a riveting testament to the original American musical and to all that America itself could be. The show ran for 834 performances at the Ford Center, closing in the final year of the 20th century. It was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, taking home four.

During his prolific and storied career, Sondheim collaborated with many other artists, from book writers to directors, from actors to musicians. Seeing Sondheim’s regular collaborators, close friends, one-time associates, mentors, and rare connections make appearances in his collection was both moving and illuminating.

“I'll tell you what it is. It happens because of the audience,” Iris said in an interview with BroadwayWorld.com in April. “The audience is there with you, you know what I mean? The joy we give them, they give it back to us. We just keep going back and forth with them and it’s a wonderful thing. It really is.”

Next month, 54 BELOW will presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Lorna Luft and Andrea McArdle, Marilyn Maye, and many more. See the full lineup here!

OPERA America has revealed the eight recipients of the 2025 Discovery Grants from its Opera Grants for Women Composers program. Learn more about the program and the awardees.

Rochester storyteller Penny Sterling's one-woman show, Mounting Washington, the Story of a Mountain & a Miracle, has been accepted into the 18th annual United Solo Festival, the largest solo theatre festival in the world.

Some of the shows that the Orpheum has been best known for are Stomp, which ran there for an astounding 29 years, from 1994 to 2023, and the original production of Little Shop of Horrors which spent over five years at the theater from 1982 to 1987. 

The nominations for the 77th Annual Tony Awards were announced this morning by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Renée Elise Goldsberry. Follow us throughout the day, as we'll bring you Tony nominee reactions!

Stream Original Comedy Specials “Leo Reich: Literally Who Cares?!” For HBO And “Gary Gulman: Born on 3rd Base” For Max, Max Original Documentary “Oprah and The Color Purple Journey,” HBO Original Documentary Series “Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage & Reckoning,” and more. Check out what's coming to Max and leaving Max in December 2023.

This time, the reader question was: With Merrily We Roll Along back on Broadway as a hit, how many musicals are flops in their original Broadway production and then return as smashes?

O Positive and Three Colors, two of the premier bands that helped make the Boston music scene legendary in the 1980s, are reuniting at the Paradise Rock Club on Friday, January 19 (doors open at 7pm, show at 8pm) for WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS-A Benefit Concert For A Friend In Need. 

Shakespeare Theatre Company has revealed the cast and creative team for the holiday production of As You Like It, playing in STC's Harman Hall DEC 2 – 31.

La Cage, an immersive variety show inspired by the La Cage Aux Folles nightclub (which opened in 1981 on La Cienega Blvd) will launch the Hollywood Roosevelt’s iconic Cinegrill Theatre October 5, 2023, and then run every Friday through January 19, 2024. Original La Cage member Tommi Rose steps into the formidable emcee heels of the La Cage Aux Folles nightclub drag legend James 'Gypsy' Haake in this new re-imagined La Cage!

Live at Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater will feature a number of exciting performances from top jazz artists this October. Check out the lineup here!

Prolific writer Garry Michael Kruger is bringing the world premiere of his latest play, Walking In Space, to Theatre West for a five-week run beginning September 8, directed by Arden Teresa Lewis. It centers on a family in crisis with a drug-addicted single mother needing the assistance of her children to overcome her demons.

On August 17, 2023, the public will get their first access to single event tickets for the Lied Center's 2023-2024 season featuring more than 30 events including top artists and ensembles from around the world in dance, classical music, jazz, musical theater, comedy, family, illusion, and more.  

The court of the St. James Theatre has assembled! The Tony Award-winning Best Musical comedy Monty Python’s SPAMALOT has just announced its cast and we have the full list!

The Lied Center’s 2023-2024 season will feature more than 30 events including top artists and ensembles from around the world in dance, classical music, jazz, musical theater, comedy, family, illusion, and more.  

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present renowned pianist and singer Billy Stritch and award-winning jazz vocalist Gabrielle Stravelli in the return of their special show “Mel and Ella Swing!” on Monday, June 5 at 7:00 PM.

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present two-time Tony Award nominee and two-time Drama Desk winner Gavin Lee – making his Birdland debut with his solo show “Steppin’ Out with Fred Astaire” – on Monday, May 29 at 7:00 PM.

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. See February's lineup and learn how to purchase tickets!

The cast has been announced for the world premiere of BERLUSCONI at Southwark Playhouse. Rehearsals begin on 13 February with first preview on 25 March and press night on 29 March.

I grew up in a musical family. My grandmother was my piano teacher and she actually lived with us pretty much my whole life until I moved to Nashville. I remember going to Davidson's Record Shop in Huntington, West Virginia and getting the the single to Let It Be and I Want to Hold Your Hand by the Beatles.

Tony Award & Emmy Award Nominee Jessica Hecht will join Tony Award & Academy Award nominee Laura Linney in Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of Summer, 1976 written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn and directed by Tony winner Daniel Sullivan.