First Down

Before hitting the road in support of his new music, Tony-winner John Gallagher Jr. spoke to BroadwayWorld about writing and recording 'Almost OK', sharing why he considers it to be a favorite of his own records, and if he has any plans to bring his songwriting to Broadway. 

NJPAC revealed the lineup for the 15th annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival in Newark, featuring an Ben Vereen 80th birthday celebration, and performances by Gregory Porter, Charles Lloyd, and Christian McBride.

Philadelphia's Tony Award-winning Wilma Theater announced Lindsay Smiling as its sole Artistic Director, transitioning from his Co-Artistic Director role to lead the company alongside Managing Director Leigh Goldenberg.

THE NOTEBOOK The Musical was a charming chamber piece when I first read Bekah Brunstetter's adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' breakout bestseller. But the touring version is now playing to bigger houses than either its original Chicago premiere or its New York engagement. With Broadway-extravaganza pretensions. Call me back when a local company decides to mount this musical at an appropriate scale.

Based on Ron Chernow's 2004 biographical book titled Alexander Hamilton, this musical tells the true story of America's $10 Founding Father. The story begins when he was an immigrant who came to New York from the West Indies. Eventually, he became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and was later named the nation's first Treasury Secretary.

Activating Lower East Side community gardens on weekends this May, see first look photos  of Remote Theater Project's free interactive community play EVERYBODY HAS A STORY TO TELL, an original work by Obie Award-winning playwright Carmen Rivera.

Gunai artist Kirli Saunders' one-woman show YANDHA DJANBAY (GO SLOWLY) returns to Merrigong Theatre Company, exploring love, grief, and responses to the 2024 referendum after standing ovations at its 2025 debut.

Chicago's Shattered Globe Theatre named Ian Frank as its new Producing Artistic Director following a national search. Frank previously served as Executive Director of Mudlark Theater in Evanston.

Grosses for all the Broadway shows for the week ending 5/17/2026.

THE CHASE star Anne Hegerty and panto dame Josiah Eloi are set to appear in JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at Fareham Live, produced by Imagine Theatre. Learn more here!

Manhattan School of Music will confer Honorary Doctor of Musical Arts degrees on mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges, Misty Copeland, Donna McKechnie, Jane Chu, and Jason Moran at its annual Commencement Ceremony at The Riverside Church in New York City.

Just yesterday, the 2026 Tony Award nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there for the special day. Check out photos of the 2026 nominees here!

Further details are now known about the forthcoming remake film of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, written by Enda Walsh, which will have music written by Tim Minchin. Learn more here!

The June 4th show, AND HAVE WE ALL THE TIME?, centers on the songs of Jacques Brel and reflections on life, love, and the human condition. We spoke with Rian Keating about the show.

One thing about a Charlie Puth concert is that the music is almost guaranteed to sound great. The real question is whether the live performance can live up to the level of precision people have come to expect from him. At Vancouver’s Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre on May 5, Puth answered that question quickly. From the opening moments of the sold-out night, the WHATEVER’S CLEVER! WORLD TOUR felt built around the strengths that have defined his career for over a decade: polished production, strong live vocals, and an understanding of music that goes deeper than catchy hooks alone. 

New York Festival of Song announced the release of MY BROTHER'S KEEPER on NYFOS Records, featuring six leading Black male vocalists co-produced by baritone Justin Austin and GRAMMY-nominated pianist Steven Blier.

Lizzy Caplan has signed on to join the fifth season of The Morning Show, and will play the role of Gwen, a Broadway theater director. Learn more about the show here!

The Soraya announced its 2026-27 season featuring 45 performances, eight major debuts including Sutton Foster, Snarky Puppy, Audra McDonald, and Dance Theatre of Harlem, plus the introduction of incoming Executive & Artistic Director Chad Hilligus.

Following a sold-out opening weekend at Dolby Live at Park MGM, superstar Mary J. Blige has added 10 additional performances of Mary J. Blige: My Life, My Story The Las Vegas Residency.

Grosses for all the Broadway shows for the week ending 5/3/2026.

You may have seen Preston Taylor at BYU, Hale Center Theater Orem, Sundance, Tuacahn, or Hale Centre Theatre. Or you may have seen him the ensembles of the MOULIN ROUGE touring company (understudy for Christian and the Duke) or THE GREAT GATSBY on Broadway (understudy for Tom and Wolfsheim), where he has been dazzling audiences for the last year. Also a model and influencer, he is featured in the recently unveiled marketing campaign for this year’s Broadway Bares charity event. Taylor spoke openly and genuinely with BroadwayWorld about making the leap from Utah to Broadway and working hard so you’re ready for the unexpected. 

What did our critic think of GEM OF THE OCEAN at Actors' Shakespeare Project?

Hello Gorgeous! Lakewood Theatre brings the curtain down on its 73rd season in spectacular fashion with the heartfelt, funny, and moving musical comedy Funny Girl. What a way to say goodbye to a landmark season. Get tix https://lakewood-center.org/

Philadelphia's Highmark Mann Center announced its 50th anniversary season, featuring more than 50 performances, world premieres, and a $70 million campus transformation coinciding with America250 celebrations.

The Muny announced the cast for its premiere production of AIN'T TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS, starring James T. Lane, Nick Rashad Burroughs, Jawan Jackson, Elijah Ahmad Lewis, and Daniel Yearwood.