All stories by Debra Birnbaum on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

TV Review: ‘Cobra Kai’ on YouTube Red by Debra Birnbaum

If the Broadway musical “Wicked” has taught us anything, it’s that even villains have sympathetic backstories. This is certainly the case with the new YouTube Red dramedy “Cobra Kai.…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:22PM
Thursday, February 22, 2018

Television Academy Sets New Standards of Professional Conduct by Debra Birnbaum

Following the lead of the film academy and other Hollywood guilds, the Television Academy has established its own new code of ethics and standards of professional conduct. Chairman Hayma Was…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:03PM
Friday, February 9, 2018

Remote Controlled: ‘2 Dope Queens’ Jessica Williams and Phoebe Robinson, Plus Alan Cumming on ‘Instinct’ by Debra Birnbaum

Welcome to “Remote Controlled,” a podcast from Variety featuring the best and brightest in television, both in front of and behind the camera. In this week’s episode, Variet…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:05PM
Thursday, January 4, 2018

Seth MacFarlane on Disney/Fox Deal and That Kevin Spacey Joke by Debra Birnbaum

The pending Disney/Fox deal has raised plenty of questions about the future of content creators, but “Family Guy” uber-producer Seth MacFarlane, who has an overall deal with 20th…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:59PM
Sunday, November 26, 2017

‘House of Cards’ Extends Production Hiatus in Wake of Spacey Investigation by Debra Birnbaum

“House of Cards” has extended its production hiatus, in the wake of the ongoing investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against series star Kevin Spacey. The Netflix dra…

SOURCE: Variety at 12:45PM
Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Kevin Spacey to Seek ‘Evaluation and Treatment’ by Debra Birnbaum

Actor Kevin Spacey is now seeking treatment in light of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, Variety has learned. “Kevin Spacey is taking the time necessary to seek evaluation a…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:40PM
Monday, October 30, 2017

International TV Academy Revokes Kevin Spacey Award Amid Sexual Assault Claims by Debra Birnbaum

Kevin Spacey will not be receiving a planned award from the International Television Academy. “The International Academy has announced today that in light of recent events it will not …

SOURCE: Variety at 07:29PM
Saturday, October 28, 2017

Tony Goldwyn on Sexual Harassment: ‘We Have to Keep Talking About It’ by Debra Birnbaum

Tony Goldwyn says he has been “surprised” by the response he’s gotten since coming forward with his own story of sexual harassment. The “Scandal” star had share…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:49PM
Friday, October 27, 2017

Tony Goldwyn, John Wells on Why They’re Playing Their Part in MPTF by Debra Birnbaum

For Tony Goldwyn, working with the Motion Picture and Television Fund is the family business. The “Scandal” star’s grandfather was involved in starting the MPTF, and his fa…

SOURCE: Variety at 07:52PM
Thursday, August 3, 2017

Elisabeth Moss and Sterling K. Brown on Politics, Plot Twists & Season 2 Plans by Debra Birnbaum

Two of the year’s most talked about performances came from actors we’ve been watching for years. Elisabeth Moss grew up onscreen, from “West Wing” to “Mad Men” to her now acclaim…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:30AM
Thursday, December 8, 2016

Inside ‘Hairspray Live’s’ Social Media Push by Debra Birnbaum

It’s an hour before the live broadcast of NBC’s musical “Hairspray Live,” and the show-within-the show is going through last-minute rehearsals. Darren Criss, who̵…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:38PM

Aaron Sorkin to Receive WGAW Paddy Chayefsky Award by Debra Birnbaum

Aaron Sorkin, the creator of “The West Wing” and “The Social Network,” will receive the Writers Guild of America, West’s 2017 Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Telev…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:20PM
Friday, December 2, 2016

Remote Controlled: Craig Zadan and Neil Meron on Reinventing ‘Hairspray’ by Debra Birnbaum

Welcome to Remote Controlled, Variety’s podcast series featuring the best and brightest in television, both in front of and behind the camera. This week’s episode features Variety exec…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:07PM
Thursday, November 17, 2016

Kristen Chenoweth Looks Ahead to ‘Hairspray Live!,’ ‘American Gods’ by Debra Birnbaum

Kristin Chenoweth, who’s been performing since childhood, has made her mark on the stage, screen and television, with memorable roles on “Wicked” and “The West Wing.” Never one to …

SOURCE: Variety at 02:00PM
Wednesday, November 16, 2016

‘Gilmore Girls’: Secrets of the Musical in the Netflix Revival (Watch) by Debra Birnbaum

Broadway is coming to Stars Hollow. The return of “Gilmore Girls” not only heralds the much-anticipated reunion of all the fan favorite characters — along with Rory’s li…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:12PM
Wednesday, November 9, 2016

How Busy Chad Hodge Manages His Projects by Debra Birnbaum

In a town full of multi-taskers, producer Chad Hodge certainly has a full — and varied — plate: a new drama, “Good Behavior,” debuting on TNT; a feature in the works, “Darkest Mind…

SOURCE: Variety at 12:45PM
Friday, November 4, 2016

Remote Controlled: ‘Once Upon a Time’ EPs Eddy Kitsis, Adam Horowitz on Disney Characters, ‘Lost’ Lessons by Debra Birnbaum

Welcome to Remote Controlled, Variety’s podcast series featuring the best and brightest in television, both in front and behind the camera. This week’s episode features Variety executi…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:15PM
Monday, October 24, 2016

Lady Gaga Joins James Corden for ‘Carpool Karaoke’ (Watch) by Debra Birnbaum

James Corden is having a “Bad Romance” — with none other than Lady Gaga. She’s the latest superstar to go for a ride in his passenger seat, and judging from this new …

SOURCE: Variety at 08:53PM
Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Cherry Jones Joins Cast of ‘American Crime’ Season 3 (EXCLUSIVE) by Debra Birnbaum

Emmy-winning actress Cherry Jones has signed on for Season 3 of ABC’s “American Crime,” Variety has learned exclusively. Jones, who will have a recurring role, will play …

SOURCE: Variety at 01:00PM
Saturday, July 23, 2016

Kristin Chenoweth Cast in ‘American Gods’ by Debra Birnbaum

It’s a “Pushing Daisies” reunion: Kristin Chenoweth has joined executive producer Bryan Fuller in his upcoming Starz series “American Gods.” The announcement wa…

SOURCE: Variety at 07:58AM
Monday, June 13, 2016

Tony Awards: James Corden’s Producer on Orlando Tragedy, Last-Minute Changes, Carpool Karaoke by Debra Birnbaum

The show went on at last night’s Tony Awards after the day’s events in Orlando shocked the nation, and the producers say they faced difficult decisions about how to address the n…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:42PM
Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Emmy Awards: Joan’s on Third to Get ‘Grease’ Makeover by Debra Birnbaum

Fox’s production of “Grease: Live!” back in January hit high notes on every level — scoring record ratings for the network and setting a new standard for live TV musical…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:46PM
Monday, May 30, 2016

Anika Noni Rose on ‘Roots’ Remake: ‘It Is the Story of America’ by Debra Birnbaum

When “Roots” debuted on ABC in 1977, it shattered ratings records and went on to win nine Emmy Awards. Now History is remaking the classic for modern audiences. The story of Kunt…

SOURCE: Variety at 12:35PM
Monday, April 25, 2016

Jennifer Hudson and Harvey Fierstein to Star in NBC’s ‘Hairspray Live’ by Debra Birnbaum

Jennifer Hudson and Harvey Fierstein have signed on to NBC’s “Hairspray Live!,” the network’s next live Broadway musical. Hudson will play Motormouth Maybelle, while Fierstein will…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:59PM
Tuesday, February 2, 2016

‘Grease Live’ EP Marc Platt on Ratings Success, Vanessa Hudgens and Weather Woes by Debra Birnbaum

Sunday night’s live musical performance “Grease Live” on Fox was a resounding success, winning raves from fans and critics alike. The three-hour production, from Paramount…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:48PM
Sunday, January 31, 2016

‘Grease Live’ Star Vanessa Hudgens Mourns Her Father: ‘Tonight I Do the Show in His Honor’ by Debra Birnbaum

On Saturday afternoon, “Grease Live” star Vanessa Hudgens was belting out “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” as Pink Lady Rizzo in the final dress rehearsal of Fox&#…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:03PM

‘Grease Live’: Inside the Final Dress Rehearsal by Debra Birnbaum

“Let’s just hope it doesn’t rain.” No, that’s not a quote from one of “Grease Live’s” executive producers — though it might well have been, …

SOURCE: Variety at 09:03PM
Monday, January 18, 2016

PBS Chief Paula Kerger Talks ‘Mercy Street’ Renewal, ‘Downton Abbey’ Legacy and ‘Hamilton’ Special by Debra Birnbaum

“We’re very happy today,” PBS president and CEO Paula Kerger told reporters Monday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Pasadena, Calif., basking in early ratings…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:01PM
Friday, August 28, 2015

Lea Michele and ‘Glee’ Producers on Moving On to ‘Scream Queens’ by Debra Birnbaum

“Scream Queens” reunites star Lea Michele with the triumvirate that created “Glee” — Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan. And while they all still miss Cory Monteith…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:16PM
Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Lea Michele on Finding Her Glee in ‘Scream Queens’ by Debra Birnbaum

After seven seasons on “Glee,” Lea Michele has taken on a decidedly different role in “Scream Queens,” as the glamour-challenged, neckbrace-wearing Hester who despera…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:37PM
Saturday, January 17, 2015

Lea Michele to Star in ‘Scream Queens'; Julianne Hough, Vanessa Hudgens in ‘Grease’ by Debra Birnbaum

Fox revealed the stars of “Scream Queens,” its new comedy-horror anthology series: “Glee” star Lea Michele, Joe Manganiello (“True Blood,” “Magic Mike XXL”),…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:08PM

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