All stories by Matthew Blank on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

With Bette Midler on the Horizon, An Exclusive Look Back at the Playbill Covers of Hello, Dolly! by Matthew Blank

There'll be a brand new Mrs. Gallagher Levi in town next season when Bette Midler headlines a brand new Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! We take a look back at the Playbill covers feat…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:32PM

From Channing to Grable to Merman, Don’t Miss These Rare Vintage Shots From Hello, Dolly! by Matthew Blank

Hello, Dolly! is coming back to Broadway in a new production starring Better Midler. We dug through the archives and uncovered a treasure trove of rarely-seen vintage production shots a…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:26PM

With the Cast Album Coming Soon, Spend a Day With Hunchback of Notre Dame Star Michael Arden by Matthew Blank

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the new musical based on the Victor Hugo novel and animated Disney film, releases its much-anticipated cast album Jan. 22. Michael Arden, Patrick Page and Ci…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:32AM

Don’t Miss These Stunning Onstage Pics From Marriott Theatre’s Spring Awakening by Matthew Blank

A new production of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater's Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening is now playing at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, IL. It stars Patrick Rooney as…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:33AM
Monday, January 18, 2016

See Corbin Bleu, Jared Gertner, Emma Hunton and Co. Rehearse For New Vietnam-Era Play The Dodgers! by Matthew Blank

Corbin Bleu ("High School Musical"), Emma Hunton (Wicked) and Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon) will head the cast of the world-premiere staging of Diana Amsterdam's new p…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:25PM
Friday, January 15, 2016

As It Enters Its Final Week, an In-Depth Look Backstage at Spring Awakening’s Pre-Broadway Run by Matthew Blank

The Broadway revival of Spring Awakening is preparing to enter its final week at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. We look back to the very beginning, when cast member Amelia Hensley offered an …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:05PM

Noises Off, With Megan Hilty and Andrea Martin, Opens on Broadway; Red Carpet, Curtain Call and Part by Matthew Blank

The Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway revival of the award-winning Michael Frayn comedy Noises Off officially opens Jan. 14 at the American Airlines Theatre. Andrea Martin, Megan…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:48AM

Before the Final D’Ysquith Death, We Look Back at a Killer Day With Gent’s Guide Tony Nominee Lauren by Matthew Blank

Lauren Worsham, a Tony Award nominee for her performance in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, documented a two-show day spent with the loving, murder-obsessed company of ac…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:44AM

Noises Off, With Megan Hilty and Andrea Martin, Opens on Broadway; Red Carpet Arrivals and Curtain C by Matthew Blank

The Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway revival of the award-winning Michael Frayn comedy Noises Off officially opens Jan. 14 at the American Airlines Theatre. Andrea Martin, Megan…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:12AM
Thursday, January 14, 2016

Noises Off, With Megan Hilty and Andrea Martin, Opens on Broadway; Red Carpet Arrivals! by Matthew Blank

The Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway revival of the award-winning Michael Frayn comedy Noises Off officially opens Jan. 14 at the American Airlines Theatre. Andrea Martin, Megan…

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:46PM

As She Returns to the Broadway Stage, We Celebrate Megan Hilty’s Career So Far! by Matthew Blank

Megan Hilty is back on Broadway in Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway revival of Noises Off! We chart her career through photos.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:43PM

See the Stunning Transformation of Cynthia Erivo’s Color Purple Dressing Room! by Matthew Blank

Performing 8 shows a week on Broadway, an actor's dressing room truly is a 2nd home. For her star-making turn as Celie in The Color Purple, Cynthia Erivo wanted something to evoke th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:31AM
Thursday, January 7, 2016

With School of Rock Bringing Down the House, a Look at Andrew Lloyd Webber Through the Pen of Al Hir by Matthew Blank

Andrew Lloyd Webber has returned to Broadway with School of Rock, but Sir Andrew has schooled Broadway in having hits for decades. Hirschfeld was already in his sixth decade on Broadway when…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Neverland Like You’ve Never Seen! Backstage at the Dazzlingly Innovative Threesixty Peter Pan by Matthew Blank

Audiences recently experienced Neverland in a whole new way with a spectacular innovative stage production of Peter Pan that combined intimate theater-in-the-round, overhead surr…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Their Talents Are Unlimited! Check Out This Truly Incredible Fan Art Celebrating Wicked by Matthew Blank

The hit Stephen Schwartz-Winnie Holzman musical Wicked, now in its 13th high-flying year on Broadway, has launched countless careers and played to packed houses all around the globe.…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Staunch! See the First Pics of Sheila Hancock and Jenna Russell in the U.K. Premiere of Grey Gardens by Matthew Blank

The European première of the Broadway musical Grey Gardens officially opens its six-week season in The Large at Southwark Playhouse Jan. 7 following previews that began Jan. 2…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:26PM

Feel Your Soul On Fire With These Backstage Portraits From Les Miz Star Chris McCarrell! by Matthew Blank

The Broadway production of Les Misérables continues to thrill audiences at the Imperial Theatre. Resident heartthrob Chris McCarrell, who stars as Marius, snapped some gorgeous portraits o…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:40AM
Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Ringing in 2016, Siam-Style! Ashley Park Takes Us Behind the Scenes at King and I’s Festive New Year by Matthew Blank

The King and I had Broadway all to itself this New Year's Eve. Indeed, the Tony-winning production was the only show to offer an evening performance. There was a festive, celebrato…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:42PM

Corbin Bleu, Jared Gertner, Emma Hunton and More Are The Dodgers in New Vietnam-Era Play by Matthew Blank

Corbin Bleu ("High School Musical"), Emma Hunton (Wicked) and Jared Gertner (The Book of Mormon) will head the cast of the world-premiere staging of Diana Amsterdam's new p…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:30PM

Play It Cool With Max Clayton, The Charismatic “Riff” of Signature’s Intimate New West Side Story! by Matthew Blank

Signature Theatre's energetic, intimate new production of West Side Story has been dazzling DC-area audiences. Max Clayton, who lends his skills to iconic gang leader Riff, …

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:00AM
Friday, January 1, 2016

Stick It to the Man! Spend a Two-Show Day Behind the Scenes at Broadway’s School of Rock by Matthew Blank

School of Rock – The Musical, the first new Andrew Lloyd Webber show to open on Broadway in a decade, has been rocking out to packed houses the entire holiday season! Michael Hartn…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, December 31, 2015

See Over 40 Shows Take Their Bow! The Broadway Opening Nights of 2015 by Matthew Blank

Over forty different productions celebrated their Broadway opening night in the year 2015. Here's a look back at all of the curtain calls!

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Before Tyrone Says Goodbye, A Final Look at Sarah Stiles’ Mischievous Two-Show Day at Hand to God by Matthew Blank

Hand to God, starring Steven Boyer in his acclaimed performance as a boy and his foul-mouthed hand puppet, will end its Broadway run Jan. 3. Sarah Stiles, whose performance in the comed…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:38PM

The Hot List! What Were Playbill.com’s Most Popular Photo Galleries of 2015? by Matthew Blank

A record number of photos passed through the pages of Playbill.com this year thanks to photographers Joseph Marzullo, Monica Simoes and a multitude of guest contributors. Here are the 25 gal…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:29PM

From Constellations to Fiddler! Looking Back at the Playbill Covers of 2015 by Matthew Blank

As Jonathan Larson's "Seasons of Love" points out, there are countless ways to measure a year. Looking back at the Broadway shows that opened this year is just one way. Playbi…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Massages From Matt Morrison and Makeup Tips From Ms. Kelly! Twelve Hours at Finding Neverland With J by Matthew Blank

Broadway favorite (and all-around popular guy) Josh Lamon is currently featured in the cast of Broadway's Finding Neverland. He shares his day with us and invites Playbill.com behind…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:47PM

Flying Lessons! Backstage Nudity! A Demon Cat! Don’t Miss This Epic Two-Show Day With Josh Lamon at by Matthew Blank

Broadway favorite (and all-around popular guy) Josh Lamon is currently featured in the cast of Broadway's Finding Neverland. He shares his day with us and invites Playbill.com behind…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:47PM

Must See! A Treasure Trove of Incredible Rare Pics From the Original Cast of Spring Awakening by Matthew Blank

It's been over nine years since the Tony Award-winning Spring Awakening opened on Broadway — and re-defined the landscape for rock musicals. Lea Michele, Jonathan Groff…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:37AM
Monday, December 28, 2015

“Younger” Is Back! Get a Sneak Peek at Sutton Foster and Crew in First Pics from Season Two by Matthew Blank

"Younger," the TV Land series starring two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster, Hilary Duff, Debi Mazar and Miriam Shor, kicks off its second season Jan. 13, 2016. Here'…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:22PM

Backstage Hijinks and Holiday Love! Spend a Two-Show Day at Allegiance With Elena Wang by Matthew Blank

The new American musical Allegiance, inspired by the life of veteran actor George Takei, continues its run at the Longacre Theatre. Elena Wang, who was named Singapore's Breakout Star o…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:38AM
Friday, December 25, 2015

38 Vintage Shots Reveal Unseen Moments With Celebrities Backstage on Broadway! by Matthew Blank and David Leshay

There's more to Broadway than what you see in production photos and opening night coverage! Former Broadway press representative David LeShay, currently the director of marketing and pub…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

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