All stories by Mervyn Rothstein on BroadwayStars

Monday, December 27, 2021

FROM THE ARCHIVES: A Life in the Theatre—Harvey Evans by Mervyn Rothstein

Read an interview with the late actor-singer-dancer that originally ran in August 2007.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:01AM
Friday, November 26, 2021

The Last Word: Stephen Sondheim by Matthew Orr, Mervyn Rothstein and Robin Stein

In a never before seen interview, Stephen Sondheim sat down with The New York Times in June 2008 to talk about his life, career and accomplishments.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:42PM
Sunday, April 25, 2021

When Kathleen Turner Returned to Broadway in 1995's Indiscretions, Co-Starring Jude Law and Eileen Atkins by Mervyn Rothstein

Turner sat down with Playbill for this interview before opening in the adaptation of Jean Cocteau's Les Parents Terrible April 27, 1995.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM
Friday, February 5, 2021

A LIFE IN THE THEATRE: Christopher Plummer, From Stratford to The Sound of Music to Barrymore by Mervyn Rothstein

In this 2012 profile, the late Christopher Plummer talks about his theatrical roots in Canada, his plays and movies, and his return to a favorite character—John Barrymore—on screen.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:50PM
Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Tony Winner Hal Holbrook Shares the Pain That Led to Mark Twain by Mervyn Rothstein

Read an interview with the late actor that originally ran in October 2011, on the occasion of the publication of his memoir.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:54AM
Friday, September 11, 2020

How the Works of William Shakespeare Have Illuminated American History by Mervyn Rothstein

From John Quincy Adams to today, scholar James Miller looks at the ways in which the Bard's works reveal truths about our politics in new book Shakespeare in a Divided America.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:56AM
Sunday, September 6, 2020

Red Bull Theater Company and Artistic Director Jesse Berger Continue to Keep Jacobean Drama Alive With September 14 Stream of The Revenger's Tragedy by Mervyn Rothstein

A partial reunion of the company's 2005 cast, the live stream will be available through September 17.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, July 22, 2020

When Nathan Lane Resurrected Stephen Sondheim's The Frogs by Mervyn Rothstein

Does art matter? That’s the question posed and answered in the 2004 production, directed by Susan Stroman.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Flashback to When Nathan Lane Resurrected Stephen Sondheim's The Frogs by Mervyn Rothstein

Does art matter? That’s the question posed and answered in the 2004 production, directed by Susan Stroman.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, April 27, 2020

Bernard Gersten, Offstage Star of Nonprofit Theater, Dies at 97 by Mervyn Rothstein and Bruce Weber

He helped run Joseph Papp’s Public Theater (shepherding “A Chorus Line”) and the New York Shakespeare Festival, then helped revive Lincoln Center Theater.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:48PM
Friday, February 21, 2020

NOT THE TIME,NOT THE PLACE by Mervyn Rothstein

Ivo van Hove s revival attempts to reimagine the classic show but nearly shreds it to pieces.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 02:32AM
Thursday, February 20, 2020

DISMAL DISASTER by Mervyn Rothstein

Ivo van Hove s revival attempts to reimagine the classic show but nearly shreds it to pieces.

SOURCE: Theater News Online at 08:42PM
Friday, February 14, 2020

3 Crazy Tales From a Broadway Press Rep by Mervyn Rothstein

Having worked in theatre for more than 30 years—and with talents like Liza Minnelli, Mandy Patinkin, and Savion Glover—Keith Sherman shares memories from his storied career.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:02AM
Sunday, December 22, 2019

Stage Directions: Inside Diane Paulus’ Vision for Broadway’s Jagged Little Pill by Mervyn Rothstein

The Tony Award-winning director of Pippin shares how she became a director, her directing philosophy, and forming the story of her latest musical with Alanis Morissette and Diablo Cody.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:00AM
Saturday, December 14, 2019

Famous For Her Barbra Streisand Impersonation, Christina Bianco Pushes Streisand Aside to Play Funny Girl by Mervyn Rothstein

The actor takes on the role of Fanny Brice in the acclaimed Paris production of the 1964 Tony-nominated Best Musical.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:00AM
Sunday, November 24, 2019

Before The Lion King, Julie Taymor Came to Broadway With a Jaguar Cub in Juan Darien by Mervyn Rothstein

In this 1996 Playbill interview, the director discusses her then-upcoming Broadway production with Elliot Goldenthal, which opened November 24, 1996.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:30AM
Friday, November 22, 2019

Stage Directions: Phyllida Lloyd’s Career Spans Mamma Mia!, Mary Stuart, All-Female Shakespeare, and now Tina—How Does She Do It? by Mervyn Rothstein

Why it took 20 years for the Tony Award-nominated director to helm another musical.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM
Thursday, October 10, 2019

Stage Directions: Why Des McAnuff Said ‘Yes’ to Directing Ain’t Too Proud for Broadway by Mervyn Rothstein

The Tony-winning director talks a possible Who’s Tommy revival, working with Christopher Plummer, and why he decided to direct The Temptations bio-musical.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:36PM
Thursday, September 12, 2019

Bringing Funny Girl—and Christina Bianco—to Paris by Mervyn Rothstein

For Théâtre Marigny’s Jean-Luc Choplin, musical theatre is the music that makes him dance.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:34PM
Monday, July 22, 2019

From the Archives: When Nathan Lane Resurrected Stephen Sondheim's The Frogs by Mervyn Rothstein

Does art matter? That’s the question posed and answered in the 2004 production, directed by Susan Stroman.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:03PM
Thursday, July 18, 2019

Stage Directions: How Carrie Cracknell Came to Finally Direct Jake Gyllenhaal by Mervyn Rothstein

After years of searching for a project, the British director and her stars Gyllenhaal and Tom Sturridge finally found the perfect project in Sea Wall/A Life.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:00AM
Sunday, July 14, 2019

Stage Directions: Why Jo Bonney Has Dedicated Her Life to New Dramatic Work by Mervyn Rothstein

The two-time Obie-winning director reveals her motivations, mistakes she’s learned from, and what to know about Off-Broadway’s the way she spoke.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:00AM
Saturday, June 29, 2019

Stage Directions: Daniel Sullivan Shares His Secrets Behind Helming Pulitzer Prize– and Tony Award–Winning Drama by Mervyn Rothstein

The longtime director reveals stories of working with Wendy Wasserstein and why he’ll never tire of Shakespeare.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:00AM
Friday, May 31, 2019

Stage Directions: How Broadway’s Arin Arbus Directs Opera, Audra McDonald, and Prison Inmates by Mervyn Rothstein

The Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune director gets real about her directing struggles, successes, and how Shakespeare has helped her with the most contemporary of plays.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:00AM
Thursday, May 16, 2019

Stage Directions: Soho Rep.’s Sarah Benson Reveals Fairview Secrets, Why Her Actors Don’t Wear Characters As Masks, and More by Mervyn Rothstein

The Fairview director uncovers how Act 2 of the Pulitzer Prize–winning play was made, her directing philosophy, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00PM
Thursday, April 11, 2019

Stage Directions: What Makes Bartlett Sher an 8-Time Tony-Nominated Director by Mervyn Rothstein

Inside the mind of the South Pacific Tony winner and man behind Broadway smashes To Kill a Mockingbird, My Fair Lady, The King and I, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00PM
Thursday, March 7, 2019

From the Archives: Donna Murphy Brings Passion to Her Tony-Winning Role by Mervyn Rothstein

Shortly after winning the Tony Award as Fosca in the 1994 Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine musical Passion, Murphy sat down for an interview with Playbill.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:28PM
Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Stage Directions: Tyne Rafaeli Combines the Best of British and American Theatre for Her Own Singular Approach to Directing by Mervyn Rothstein

The Usual Girls director and associate of Tony winner Bartlett Sher describes what makes her tick, why she and Sher hit it off, and two upcoming premiere works.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00PM
Thursday, February 7, 2019

Stage Directions: Leigh Silverman Takes Us Inside Directing Lifespan of a Fact, Violet, Off-Broadway’s Hurricane Diane and More by Mervyn Rothstein

The Tony-nominated director shares her directing style, insider details from the rehearsal rooms with Sutton Foster and Daniel Radcliffe, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00PM
Thursday, January 24, 2019

Stage Directions: Why Joel Grey Decided to Direct Yiddish Fiddler On the Roof Without Speaking a Word of Yiddish by Mervyn Rothstein

The Tony– and Oscar-winning actor and Tony-nominated director shares why he directs, how he chooses his work, his Jewish roots, and how this Fiddler became “magical.”

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00PM
Thursday, January 10, 2019

Stage Directions: The Tony-Nominated Director Behind Avenue Q, Pitch Perfect, and More On Turning Niche Projects Into Monster Hits by Mervyn Rothstein

Jason Moore reveals how he chooses what stories to tell, secrets behind Superhero, and why his The Cher Show is his favorite type of musical.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00PM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards