All stories by Ellise Shafer on BroadwayStars

Friday, December 15, 2023

‘Stranger Things’ Play Break Down: How ‘The First Shadow’ Explains Vecna’s Origins and Sets Up the Final Season by Ellise Shafer

SPOILER ALERT: This post contains spoilers for “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” now playing on London’s West End. “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a prequel play to Netflix…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:27PM
Tuesday, December 12, 2023

‘Paddington’ Musical Adaptation in the Works by Ellise Shafer

Britain’s most beloved bear, Paddington, is set to take the stage in an upcoming musical adaptation. “Paddington: The Musical” (working title) is now in development from Sonia Friedman…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:57AM
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

‘Stranger Things’ Stage Play ‘The First Shadow’ to Open in London’s West End This Year by Ellise Shafer

“Stranger Things” is coming to London’s West End. Netflix announced on Tuesday that “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” a stage play spinoff of the wildly popular series, will wor…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:00AM
Sunday, June 20, 2021

Vivendi Sells Stake in Universal Music Group to Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square by Ellise Shafer

Vivendi has reached a deal with Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square to sell a 10% stake in Universal Music Group, a transaction that values the world’s largest music company at $40 billion. In…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:40PM
Thursday, June 17, 2021

Rita Moreno Walks Back ‘In the Heights’ Colorism Defense: ‘I’m Incredibly Disappointed With Myself’ by Ellise Shafer

Rita Moreno has posted a new statement saying that she is “incredibly disappointed” following her comments about the lack of Afro-Latino representation in “In the Heights.” During an…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:42AM
Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Rita Moreno Defends Lin-Manuel Miranda Over ‘In the Heights’ Colorism Criticism: ‘You Can Never Do Right’ by Ellise Shafer

Rita Moreno is defending Lin-Manuel Miranda and “In the Heights” following criticism over the film’s lack of Afro-Latino representation. On tonight’s episode of “The Late Show With…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:52AM
Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Lin-Manuel Miranda Addresses Lack of Afro-Latino Representation in ‘In the Heights’: ‘We Fell Short’ by Ellise Shafer

“In the Heights” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is addressing criticism over the film’s lack of Afro-Latino representation. In a statement posted to Twitter, Miranda apologized for not inc…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:22AM
Saturday, June 12, 2021

Box Office: ‘In the Heights’ Dancing to Subdued $13 Million Debut by Ellise Shafer

Warner Bros. movie musical “In the Heights” is poised to top the domestic box office this weekend, though its 3-day estimate now sits lower than previous predictions. Earlier in the week…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:16PM
Friday, June 4, 2021

Cynthia Erivo Drops Soul-Pop Single ‘The Good’ and Reveals Debut Album Release Date by Ellise Shafer

Oscar-nominated actor Cynthia Erivo, who already has a Tony and Grammy under her belt, is making her original music debut with anthemic single “The Good” from her upcoming album. “Ch. …

SOURCE: Variety at 06:47PM
Sunday, May 23, 2021

BTS’ ‘Butter’ Breaks Spotify Record for Biggest Song Debut Ahead of BBMAs Performance by Ellise Shafer

It’s proving to be a record-breaking weekend for BTS. The group’s new single, “Butter,” has officially racked up the most opening day streams in Spotify history with 20.9 million unf…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:00PM
Wednesday, May 5, 2021

From Amber Ruffin to Ziwe: New York Women’s Impact Report 2021 by Ellise Shafer

Variety highlights the talent, executives and producers that are making an impact on the entertainment industry. These high achievers have prevailed under often challenging circumstances.

SOURCE: Variety at 01:41PM
Sunday, April 25, 2021

Rita Wilson Says Scott Rudin Made Her Feel ‘Replaceable’ After Breast Cancer Diagnosis by Ellise Shafer

As Scott Rudin’s fallout from allegations of workplace abuse continues, Rita Wilson has spoken out about her experiences with the producer. In a New York Times article published on Saturda…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:56PM
Saturday, April 24, 2021

Scott Rudin to Resign From the Broadway League by Ellise Shafer

Following allegations of workplace abuse, Scott Rudin is resigning from the Broadway League, Variety has confirmed. In a statement to the New York Times on Saturday, Rudin apologized for his…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:00PM
Monday, April 19, 2021

Scott Rudin Fallout Intensifies With Sutton Foster Statement, Emotional Video From Late Assistant’s Twin by Ellise Shafer

The outrage surrounding producer Scott Rudin intensified over the weekend, with Broadway star Sutton Foster speaking out while the twin brother of a late former Rudin assistant posted an emo…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:10AM
Saturday, April 17, 2021

Scott Rudin to ‘Step Back’ From Broadway After Workplace Abuse Allegations by Ellise Shafer

Producer Scott Rudin has announced that he will “step back” from Broadway following allegations of abusive workplace behavior, Variety has confirmed. The move marks an extraordinary fa…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:37PM
Saturday, April 3, 2021

Nathan Lane, Savion Glover Usher Broadway’s First Performance Since Pandemic Shutdown by Ellise Shafer

On Saturday, just over a year since COVID-19 shuttered Broadway, three-time Tony winner Nathan Lane and Tony-winning choreographer Savion Glover performed before an audience at the St. James…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:22PM
Sunday, March 14, 2021

Grammys 2021 Winners List (Updating Live) by Ellise Shafer

This year’s Grammy Awards are finally here. Originally set for Jan. 31, tonight’s Trevor Noah-hosted ceremony will be broadcast on CBS, from the Los Angeles Convention Center, beginning …

SOURCE: Variety at 07:31PM
Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Pasadena Cancels COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic After Slots Filled by Hollywood and Media Employees by Ellise Shafer

A COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Pasadena, Calif., set to take place on Thursday was cancelled on Tuesday after the majority of its time slots were filled with those who work in Hollywood and th…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:29AM
Sunday, February 21, 2021

James Franco Settles Sexual Misconduct Suit by Ellise Shafer

A settlement deal has been reached in a 2019 lawsuit alleging that James Franco intimidated his students into sexual situations at the acting school he founded. According to a joint status r…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:17PM
Sunday, February 7, 2021

Donald Trump Banned From Future Readmission to SAG-AFTRA by Ellise Shafer

On the heels of Donald Trump’s resignation from SAG-AFTRA on Thursday, the union has passed a resolution banning the former president from ever applying for readmission. The decision was m…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:17PM
Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Cicely Tyson Public Viewing Set for Feb. 15 by Ellise Shafer

The family of Cicely Tyson has set an official public viewing for the late Hollywood icon, who died on Jan. 28 at the age of 96. The viewing will take place on Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:17PM
Sunday, January 24, 2021

Seth Rogen and Ted Cruz Clash on Twitter Over Paris Climate Agreement and Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ by Ellise Shafer

Seth Rogen and Sen. Ted Cruz have been engaged in a heated Twitter exchange for a few days now, sparring over everything from the Paris Climate Agreement to the Disney film “Fantasia.” I…

SOURCE: Variety at 03:38PM
Wednesday, January 20, 2021

James Corden Celebrates ‘One Day More’ of Trump With ‘Les Misérables’ Spoof by Ellise Shafer

James Corden celebrated Trump’s last day in office with a parody of “Les Misérables” number “One Day More,” featuring a slew of Broadway stars. In the video, which aired during Tu…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:43AM
Tuesday, December 29, 2020

SAG-AFTRA Says ‘Most’ Productions Will ‘Remain on Hiatus’ Until Mid-January During COVID-19 Surge by Ellise Shafer

In a message to members on Tuesday, SAG-AFTRA president Gabrielle Carteris and national executive director David White said that many productions will remain on hiatus for the next few weeks…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:36PM
Saturday, December 26, 2020

Tom Hanks Says Movie Theaters Will ‘Absolutely’ Survive COVID-19, Calls Shift to Streaming a ‘Due’ Change by Ellise Shafer

Tom Hanks has no doubt that movie theaters will survive the COVID-19 pandemic. During an interview with Collider for his new film, “News of the World,” Hanks addressed the impact this ye…

SOURCE: Variety at 07:39PM

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