After the Fair

Musicals and plays based on movies? Many. Based on books? Also plentiful. Based on true stories? Of course. But musicals and plays based on or inspired by magazine articles? These are a rare breed. One recently opened on Broadway at the August Wilson Theatre.

A key staple of going to a Broadway show is acknowledging the tuxedo-clad figure at the helm of the stage, waving fervently to signal a crescendo, a ritardando, or a rest. The presence of the conductor reminds us that the instruments we hear in musicals are, well, live, and not pre-recorded karaoke tracks.

It’s a hot, beautiful summer in 1905, and Russia’s elite retreat to the countryside to swim, sip champagne and start affairs. When they’re having this much fun, why care about anything else? But Varvara just can’t shake the feeling that their holiday idyll is built on borrowed time. As the party continues, how long can they ignore the storm on the horizon?

The sign of a good play is that it can ring out its truth through different eras and still seem utterly relevant to the moment. 

Students from New York City Public Schools serenaded Just In Time star Jonathan Groff with a rendition of Bobby Darin's 'Beyond the Sea.' Watch a video of their performance at Circle in the Square!

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!

2025 was a stellar year from theatre, but now the New Year has rolled in, we can put away the festive decorations, throw out the last bit of leftover turkey and look forward to an even better twelve months of theatrical goodies.

While the large majority of plays that make it to Broadway were written in English, a small fraction of plays were originally penned in a different language and translated. 

Joining Emmy and Tony Award-winner Billy Crudup and Olivier Award-winner Denise Gough are Billy Howle, Rosa Salazar, Simon Chandler, James Doherty, Misha Handley, Joshua Hill, Jonah Russell, Rebecca Lee and Tim Steed.

While different tryout theaters have different relationships to the development of new shows, it’s worth looking at both which commercial rental theaters and which non-profit theaters have had the most Best Musical Tony Award winners come from their stages.

Negotiations continue as two of Broadway's biggest unions, Actors' Equity Association and Local 802 AFM (Broadway musicians) work toward new working contracts with the Broadway League. 

Saturday morning, we're excited to report news from Equity that one deal has been tenatively reached. Learn more about the deal and what it means for the chances of a Broadway Strike.

The Broadway production contract has officially expired, leaving both Actors Equity Association (actors) and Local 802 (Broadway musicians) in heated negotiations with the Broadway League for a fair working contract. Find out all of the latest!

Gracie Lawrence took her final bow in Just in Time on Broadway on Sunday, October 5. Watch a new video of Lawrence taking her final bow in the musical, alongside Tony-winner Jonathan Groff.

In October of 2025, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Joy Woods, Adrienne Warren and more. Learn more!

Did you know that the Equity Production Contract officially expired on September 28. Actors’ Equity Association and the Broadway League are currently negotiating the terms under which actors and stage managers will work on Broadway for the next several years.

Mark Minnick directs SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER at Toby's in Columbia through November 2, 2025. The music is most of the Saturday Night Fever album by the incomparable BeeGees. It’s a terrific immersive experience, filled with color and sound. The band is flawless, the vocals impressive, the choreography inspired, and the cast’s commitment to the performance unrestrained.

BroadwayWorld is here with your fall 2025 guide to all the shows lighting up New York’s stages. From world premieres to long-awaited revivals, this season’s Off-Broadway lineup delivers something for every kind of theater fan!

The Times Square Church, located on 51st Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue, is an extremely storied New York City spot. While it may not be apparent to those who unknowingly pass by the church, the venue across from the Gershwin’s stage door was once a glorious Broadway theater… and could potentially be one again someday.

Written by Justin Butcher. On Millenium Eve, a 100-year-old clown comes offstage after his final ever performance to tell the story of his life: epic, hilarious and tragic. Performed by Fringe legend Thom Tuck (Penny Dreadfuls, Horrible Histories, Play What I Wrote). Tuck presented this play at the Fringe 2005 and 2015, and plans to revive the piece every decade as he approaches the age of the character.

For anyone who’s seen Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a lot of the familiar story beats remain here. However, this local production by Encore Performing Arts takes a unique approach to their mounting of this stage musical.

With Wicked: For Good fast approaching, we have put together a guide for newly released products, including new Mattel dolls, squishmallows, LEGO sets, books, t-shirts, and more.

This edition highlights significant developments in industry advocacy and funding, with arts organizations both fighting for increased government support and grappling with budget challenges in various states. We also cover key updates from Broadway, including the new Tony Awards Nominating Committee and local efforts to protect the Times Square theater district, alongside inspiring international news showcasing the resilience of the arts.

For years, Broadway musicals have spawned multiple film adaptations, from the early days of cinema to Steven Spielberg's remake of West Side Story. Take a look at our list of 15 musicals that have danced their way to the screen more than once!

Few honors in entertainment are as coveted—or as rare—as achieving EGOT status. This elite distinction marks a career filled with versatility, longevity, and extraordinary talent across multiple mediums. What does it all mean? We're taking a closer look at the artists who have managed to join one of the industry’s most exclusive clubs.