All stories by John Bonazzo on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Meet the Convicted Con Man Behind George W. Bush & Michelle Obama’s Viral Candy Video by John Bonazzo

Roland Scahill tricked Twitter just like he tricked investors in his fake Lupita Nyong'o show.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:54PM
Thursday, August 16, 2018

Here’s How Broadway Marketers Use Deceptive Tactics to Make Their Shows Look Better by John Bonazzo

'Gettin' the Band Back Together' is the latest show attempting to trick consumers.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:55PM
Friday, July 27, 2018

NY Times Theater Critic Under Fire Over Transphobic Review Comments by John Bonazzo

Ben Brantley apologized for the "flippant" remark, but the damage was done.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:40PM
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Friday, June 8, 2018
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Audible’s Partnership With NYC Theater Shouldn’t Ape Amazon Bookstores by John Bonazzo

'Customers who enjoyed this show may also like Shakespeare.'

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:52PM
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Monday, April 30, 2018
Monday, February 19, 2018

‘Mockingbird’ Broadway Play Won’t Ruin Harper Lee’s Classic by John Bonazzo

If 'Go Set a Watchman' didn't, Aaron Sorkin's play certainly won't.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 08:00AM
Thursday, February 15, 2018

Audible Is Now Producing Plays Just So It Can Publish Them as Podcasts by John Bonazzo

Tonight's performance is brought to you by... Audible?

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:05PM
Monday, November 13, 2017

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s New Contest Uses ‘Hamilton’ to Fight Climate Change by John Bonazzo

Anyone who donates to the Natural Resources Defense Council is entered to win a trip to London for the West End 'Hamilton' opening night.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:32PM
Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Lin-Manuel Miranda Bringing ‘Hamilton’ to Puerto Rico in 2019 by John Bonazzo

Most seats for Hamilton's Puerto Rico run will be awarded through a $10 lottery.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 01:43PM
Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Harry Potter Fans Can’t Catch the Snitch After Ticketmaster Verified Fan Fails Again by John Bonazzo

Tickets for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child' went on sale today, but many people failed to get seats.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:49PM
Thursday, October 5, 2017

Ticketmaster Sues Scalping Company That Used Bots to Buy 30,000 ‘Hamilton’ Tickets by John Bonazzo

The company alleges Prestige Entertainment bought 30,000 'Hamilton' tickets, along with seats at a Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:57AM
Friday, September 8, 2017

Broadway Play Starring Uma Thurman Will Be Updated Weekly to Reference Trump’s Tweets by John Bonazzo

Beau Willimon, who also created House of Cards, will update the show, which stars Uma Thurman, weekly.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:43AM
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Bruce Springsteen Fans Kept ‘Waitin’ on a Sunny Day’ by Ticketmaster Verified Fan by John Bonazzo

The new system was supposed to cut down on bots and scalpers, and give diehard fans a better chance at getting tickets.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:18PM
Friday, August 11, 2017

‘Hamilton’ Launches a Mobile App—but Fans Aren’t ‘Satisfied’ by John Bonazzo

The app allows users to enter lotteries, buy merchandise and get stickers. But people still wanted more from Lin-Manuel Miranda.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:44AM
Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Bruce Springsteen and Harry Potter Are Fighting Ticket Bots—With Ticketmaster’s Help by John Bonazzo

The new technology is meant to fight bots and ticket scalpers. It's also being used by 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.'

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:11PM
Thursday, July 27, 2017

Fans Protest After Mandy Patinkin Replaces ‘Hamilton’ Star in ‘Great Comet’ by John Bonazzo

Okieriete Onaodowan, who replaced Josh Groban as Pierre, is black. Fans were mad he was being forced to 'make room' for another white actor.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 07:00AM
Monday, July 10, 2017

30 Hilarious Photoshops of Chris Christie and His Beach Chair in Broadway Shows by John Bonazzo

Actor Stephen Wallem was sick this weekend, and so decided to pair Christie up with Bette Midler, Josh Groban, Ben Platt and Patti LuPone.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 01:45PM
Thursday, July 6, 2017

Brits Use Heart Monitors to See if Shakespeare Shocks More Than ‘Game of Thrones’ by John Bonazzo

The Royal Shakespeare Company will monitor audience members to find out if Shakespeare still shocks in the age of 'Game of Thrones.'

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 06:45AM
Wednesday, June 28, 2017

How Social Media Became a Character in a Tony-Winning Broadway Hit by John Bonazzo

The show's message of "You will be found" resonates with millennials, Steven Levenson and Stacey Mindich said on the Recode Decode podcast.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:58PM

Celebs Are Taking the #Ham4All Challenge and Singing ‘Hamilton’ for Charity by John Bonazzo

Lin-Manuel Miranda is raising money for immigrant groups through the contest. Weird Al Yankovic and Ben Stiller have already taken part.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 06:15AM
Friday, June 23, 2017

Paula Vogel’s ‘Indecent’ Isn’t Closing on Broadway This Weekend After All by John Bonazzo

Producer Daryl Roth said Paula Vogel's drama, which won two Tony Awards, will stay open for six weeks thanks to an outpouring of support.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:55PM
Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Pulitzer Prize Winner Tweets: Bad Reviews from the NY Times Doom Female-Written Plays by John Bonazzo

Vogel tweeted that lukewarm reviews from Ben Brantley doomed her play Indecent and Lynn Nottage's Sweat, which are both closing June 25.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:27PM
Monday, June 12, 2017

Delta, Bank of America, AmeEx Accused of Attacking Poor After Ending Theater Funding by John Bonazzo

The two companies, along with American Express, criticized the Public Theater's 'Julius Caesar,' which resembled President Trump.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:55PM

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and ‘Hello Dolly’ Win Big at Tony Awards by John Bonazzo

Stars Ben Platt and Bette Midler won acting awards, while on the play side 'Oslo' and 'Jitney' won the big prizes.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:07AM
Wednesday, June 7, 2017

The Observer’s 2017 Tony Award Predictions by John Bonazzo

We also predict that 'Hello Dolly' and 'Jitney' will win in the revival categories. Bette Midler and Kevin Kline will win for acting.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 06:00AM
Tuesday, May 30, 2017

In Broadway Orchestras, Nostalgia Gets a Second (and Third) Act by John Bonazzo

These musical revivals, along with the recently closed 'Sunday in the Park With George,' make decades-old music sound new and exciting.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 06:00AM

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