All stories by Mark Peikert on BroadwayStars

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.13: 'This Is Our Last Goodbye' (Except for the One Coming Up in the Series Finale) by Mark Peikert

Characters act unprofessionally, Eileen starts to feel optimistic, and Ivy just wants to watch Girls.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM

Watch Idina Menzel Sing 'Easy to Be Hard' From the 2001 Encores! Hair by Mark Peikert

Menzel played Sheila in the staging, which also included Tom Plotkin, Luther Creek, Miriam Shor, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:37AM
Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.12: The Hit List Team Gets Literal at Bombshell's Opening Night by Mark Peikert

Plus Eileen is disappointed by a man, Julia acts unprofessionally at a work function, and Ivy gets compliments!

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM
Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.11: The Naked Truth by Mark Peikert

Hit List and Bombshell are set on a collision course by that devious Richard Francis at The New York Times!

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM

Watch a One Man, Two Guvnors Reunion With Original Star James Corden, Director Nicholas Hytner, and More by Mark Peikert

The National Theatre brought members of the cast and creative team back together as it makes its archive of filmed performances available to stream on YouTube.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:34AM

Playbill Viewing: Ann Reinking, Barry Bostwick, Barbara Harris, and More Spoofed 1930s Double Features in Movie Movie by Mark Peikert

Starring George C. Scott and Trish Van Devere, the Stanley Donen–directed movie lovingly sends up boxing movies and backstage musicals.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:16AM
Monday, April 6, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.10: 'Call Liza' by Mark Peikert

It's Ivy Lynn's birthday, and she gets the gift of song from Liza with a z! Plus Julia flirts with a man, Jimmy yells at Derek, and Eileen has a martini.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM
Sunday, April 5, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.09: 'We're Not Friends Anymore' by Mark Peikert

Ivy draws a line with Tom, Eileen finds a new man with whom to flirt, Julia focuses on something other than her troubled show, and Bernadette Peters gets a song!

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM

Playbill Viewing: An 80th Birthday Celebration for Terrence McNally at 92nd Street Y by Mark Peikert

A host of famous faces came together in 2018 to pay homage to the Tony-winning playwright and librettist in a laughter-filled evening you can now watch.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:25AM
Saturday, April 4, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.07: Coffee and Croissants, Anyone? by Mark Peikert

Julia apologizes, Eileen is imperious, Jimmy scowls, and more on this episode of Smash!

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM

Recapping Smash 2.08: Coffee and Croissants, Anyone? by Mark Peikert

Julia apologizes, Eileen is imperious, Jimmy scowls, and more on this episode of Smash!

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM
Friday, April 3, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.07: 'Ce n'est pas ma faute!' by Mark Peikert

There's a miscommunication and an inappropriately public confrontation in this episode of Smash!

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM

First Look at Reed Birney in Apple TV+'s Home Before Dark by Mark Peikert

All 10 episodes of the new drama, starring Jim Sturgess and Brooklynn Prince, are available.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:05PM

Almost Love, Written and Directed by Mike Doyle, Now Available to Stream by Mark Peikert

The modern romcom stars Augustus Prew, Scott Evans, Kate Walsh, Colin Donnell, and more stage favorites.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:07AM
Thursday, April 2, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.06: 'It Isn't Art' by Mark Peikert

Jimmy scowls, Julia gets defensive about her work, Tom and Derek fight, and Ivy has to pick up the pieces for another man—it must be an episode of Smash!

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM

Playbill Viewing: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's Heartfelt, Satirical, and Catchy 4 Seasons by Mark Peikert

Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna's series offers 62 episodes of smart musical theatre writing and frank discussions about mental health.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:43AM
Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.05: The Story of 2 Marilyns (Again) by Mark Peikert

Jimmy scowls, Julia gets insecure about her work, Ivy stares aghast as a man threatens to destroy her career, and Eileen gets misty-eyed a lot in the fifth episode of Season 2.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM
Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.04: 'Connext With Your Body!' by Mark Peikert

Sheryl Lee Ralph stops by to add some class, while Jimmy scowls, Derek pushes his performers to be sexual, and Julia overreacts to criticism.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM

Recapping Smash 2.04: 'Connect With Your Body!' by Mark Peikert

Sheryl Lee Ralph stops by to add some class, while Jimmy scowls, Derek pushes his performers to be sexual, and Julia overreacts to criticism.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM

Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group Postpones Remainder of 2019-2020 Season by Mark Peikert

1776, Sakina's Restaurant, and King James will not go on as planned this summer.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:40AM

Theatre Barn Will Live Stream Excerpts From New Mommie Dearest Musical by Mark Peikert

Based on Christina Crawford's memoir about growing up with Joan Crawford, the show features a book by CRawford and score by Crawford and David Nehls.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:24AM

Manhattan Theatre Club Cancels 2 Off-Broadway Productions by Mark Peikert

Both Qui Nguyen’s Poor Yella Rednecks and Emily Feldman’s The Best We Could (a family tragedy) were scheduled to begin performances in May.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:08AM
Monday, March 30, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.03: Steam Heat by Mark Peikert

Ivy moves on, Julia proves she knows about sex, and Jimmy scowls. Yes, it's Season 2 of Smash!

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM

Playbill Viewing: Tony Winner Cady Huffman Goes Meta With Cady Did by Mark Peikert

The Producers and The Will Rogers Follies star plays a version of herself in her new YouTube comedy series.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:18AM
Sunday, March 29, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.02: 'A Toast to Resurrection' by Mark Peikert

Derek's troubles deepen; Karen and Jimmy do not hit it off; Kyle runs after Bobby; and Ivy Lynn brings down the house with the show's greatest song.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM
Saturday, March 28, 2020

Recapping Smash 2.1: 'I'm Your Muse. It's What We Do.' by Mark Peikert

With the Season 2 premiere, Smash cleans narrative house and brings in some new faces while Karen and Ivy remain locked in perpetual battle.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM
Friday, March 27, 2020

Recapping Smash 1.15: A Lot Can Happen in 12 Hours (and in 42 Minutes) by Mark Peikert

Bombshell is ready to start previews in Boston again in the Season 1 finale—but is it really?

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM
Thursday, March 26, 2020

Recapping Smash 1.14: Let Me Take Time Out of My Troubled Job to Indulge in Personal Drama by Mark Peikert

Only Eileen manages to serenely rise above her troubles this episode, slinging one leg over another in a hotel bar to warble a tune.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM

Selection of National Theatre Live Productions Will Be Available to Stream for Free by Mark Peikert

The venerable London theatre will launch National Theatre at Home April 2 with James Corden in One Man, Two Guvnors.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:26AM
Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Recapping Smash 1.13: "I'm in Tech." by Mark Peikert

The gang travels to Boston, leaving behind their real lives but, in Ivy Lynn's case, perhaps bringing a framed photo of Bernadette Peters in Follies?

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:50PM

Join the March 27 Watch Party for Hugh Jackman in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! by Mark Peikert

The recording of the 1988 National Theatre of London production will be made available for free on BroadwayHD for one night only, starting at 8 PM Eastern.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:00AM

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