All stories by Matthew Blank on BroadwayStars

Friday, September 18, 2015

From Costume Fittings, Birthdays and Baseball Games, an Exclusive Backstage Look at New Musical Octo by Matthew Blank

The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, IL, and Universal Stage Productions present the official opening of the world premiere of October Sky Aug. 26, following previews that began Aug. 19. Th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:25AM
Thursday, September 17, 2015

Drink Up! See Justin Guarini and Rose Hemingway Go Country in Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical by Matthew Blank

The Dallas Theater Center world premiere of Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical officially opens Sept. 18 following previews that began Sept. 2. Performances continue through Oct. 11.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:31PM

Just In! See These Truly Charming New Shots of Samantha Barks, Adam Chanler-Berat and Tony Sheldon i by Matthew Blank

The world-premiere musical Amélie, based on the imaginative Academy Award-nominated quirky French film of the same title, premiered Aug. 29 at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. …

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:12AM
Wednesday, September 16, 2015

The Guilty Ones Return! See Dazzling First Shots of Deaf West’s Spring Awakening On Broadway by Matthew Blank

The Deaf West production of Spring Awakening, re-imagined and performed simultaneously in English and American Sign Language, returned to Broadway Sept. 8 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:45PM

Consul General of the Philippines Celebrates Lea Salonga’s Broadway Return… and George Takei Joine by Matthew Blank

Ambassador and Mrs. Mario L. De Leon Jr., Consul General of the Philippines held a cocktail reception for Lea Salonga celebrating her return to Broadway on September 15. Allegiance is schedu…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:05PM

See Brandi Burkhardt, Kevin Earley and Charlotte Maltby Bring Storybook Take On Secret Garden to Lif by Matthew Blank

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park opens its 2015-16 season with the heartwarming, soaring musical The Secret Garden, based on the enduring family classic penned more than a century ag…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:40AM

See Brandi Burkhart, Kevin Earley and Charlotte Maltby Bring Storybook Take On Secret Garden to Life by Matthew Blank

The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park opens its 2015-16 season with the heartwarming, soaring musical The Secret Garden, based on the enduring family classic penned more than a century ag…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:40AM
Tuesday, September 15, 2015

“Here She Is, Boys!” From Ethel to Tyne to Betty to Patti, The Many Faces of Gypsy’s Infamous Mama R by Matthew Blank

We take a look back at the divas who took on the epic role of Rose to celebrate the critically acclaimed London revival of Gypsy starring Imelda Staunton.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:25PM

A Cover Story; The Fall Season is Here, Now See All of the New Broadway Playbills! by Matthew Blank

Fall is here, see all the shows that are taking their bow on the Great White Way prior to the Tony Awards. Here are all of the Playbill covers!

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:55AM

See Stephen Bogardus, Haydn Gwynne, Lauren Molina, Morgan Kirner Spend a Weekend in the Country in B by Matthew Blank

Stephen Bogardus and Lauren Molina have joined the Huntington Theatre Company production of Stephen Sondheim's and Hugh Wheeler's A Little Night Music. Performances began Sept. 11 in…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:34AM
Sunday, September 13, 2015

Pics! See Mamma Mia! Alumni, Celebrity Guests and Final Cast Dance the Night Away by Matthew Blank

It was the last dance for the "Dancing Queen": Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' international hit musical Mamma Mia! played its 5,773rd and final Broadway p…

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:29PM

After 14 Years, Mamma Mia! Celebrates Our Last Summer! Emotional Pics From the Final Curtain Call by Matthew Blank

It was the last dance for the "Dancing Queen": Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus' international hit musical Mamma Mia! plays its 5,773rd and final Broadway pe…

SOURCE: Playbill at 06:15PM
Friday, September 11, 2015

See Every Member of the Final Mamma Mia! Company Continue Tradition by Autographing Their Backstage by Matthew Blank

Mamma Mia! has a long-standing tradition in which cast members sign a large map of Greece when they leave the show. As the international hit prepares to leave Broadway Sept. 12, the fin…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:27PM

Alerting Mamma Mia! Fans! We Say Farewell With These Truly Unbelievable Never-Seen Backstage Pics Fr by Matthew Blank

Mamma Mia! has entered the final days of its historic run on Broadway. Playbill.com has compiled a treasure trove of incredible backstage and candid shots spanning all 14 years of ABBA fun.…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:31PM
Thursday, September 10, 2015

As Mamma Mia! Enters Its Final Few Days, We Look Back at Opening Night Nearly 14 Years Ago! by Matthew Blank

As Mamma Mia! draws toward the end of its historic run on Broadway, we look back 14 years to opening night on Oct. 18, 2001. Happy trails, Super Troupers!

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:06PM

As She Prepares to Rock Out Into the Sunset, See Every Broadway Hedwig Glammed Up and Stripped Down! by Matthew Blank

Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the 2014 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Revival, plays its final performance at the Belasco Theatre Sept. 13 at 3 PM. As star Taye Diggs prepares to rock out…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:42PM

See the Pregnant Suits, Mid-Show Shaves and Fabulous Drag as We Go Backstage at The Legend of Georgi by Matthew Blank

An Elvis impersonator turns drag queen in the New York premiere of The Legend of Georgia McBride, by Whipping Man playwright Matthew Lopez. Afton C. Williamson, the sole female presence in …

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:17AM

Throwback! Three Years After Opening, a Backstage Tour of Broadway’s Chaplin With Wayne Alan Wilcox by Matthew Blank

The new Broadway musical Chaplin opened at the Barrymore Theatre three years ago today. We look back at a fascinating two-show day with Wayne Alan Wilcox, who co-starred as Charlie …

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:02AM

Fitness, Fight Calls and Les Miz Fashion! A Two-Show Day With Broadway’s Spunky Eponine, Brennyn Lar by Matthew Blank

Brennyn Lark, the relative newcomer with a huge voice, is currently donning the coat and cap as Eponine in Broadway's Les Misérables. She offers us a glimpse at a day in her life stor…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:37AM
Wednesday, September 9, 2015

From Lion King to Fun Home; Enjoy These Exclusive, Iconic Backstage Pics From Over 150 Productions! by Matthew Blank

Initially launching in 2010 with a two-parter from Lion King cast members Ben Jeffrey and Fred Berman, Playbill.com's popular Two-Show Day photo series has taken readers backstag…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:56PM

From Whorehouse to Hamilton, Summer Can Be the Perfect Time to Premiere a Show on Broadway! by Matthew Blank

While Broadway is most assuredly a yearlong affair, there is a clear pattern to the season. The vast majority of new shows open in the fall (in time for the holiday rush) or mid-spring …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:07PM
Tuesday, September 8, 2015

A Revolution in Design! You Won’t Believe the Stunning Transformation Leslie Odom Jr.‘s Hamilton Dre by Matthew Blank

Performing 8 shows a week on Broadway, an actor's dressing room truly is a 2nd home. For his run as Aaron Burr in the hot new musical Hamilton, Leslie Odom, Jr. wanted more than just a p…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:18PM

Exclusive Pics! The Final Dads and Dynamos of Mamma Mia! Get Cozy Onstage as the Mega-Hit Enters Fin by Matthew Blank

Broadway's mega-hit Mamma Mia! has entered its final week after 14 years delighting audiences. We offer an exclusive look at the final Dynamos and Dads onstage at the Broadhurst!

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:48PM

Exclusive Pics! The Final Dads and Dynamos of Mamma Mia! Get Cozy Onstage as the Mega-Hit Enters Las by Matthew Blank

Broadway's mega-hit Mamma Mia! has entered its final week after 14 years delighting audiences. We offer an exclusive look at the final Dynamos and Dads onstage at the Broadhurst!

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:48PM

Flashback from 2011: Mamma Mia! Celebrates 10th Anniversary in Style With Mayoral Proclamation, Alum by Matthew Blank

The Broadway company of the hit Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus musical Mamma Mia!, which opened Oct. 18, 2001, marked its 10th anniversary Oct. 18, 2011 with a performance and ce…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:26PM

Seven Years After Closing, We Take a Fond Look Back at the Faces of Rent on Broadway by Matthew Blank

The iconic Jonathan Larson rock musical Rent closed on Broadway on Sept. 7, 2008. Playbill.com takes a look back at the original Broadway production and the many performers who passed throug…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:21PM
Friday, September 4, 2015

Must See! We Dug Up These Great Rare Pics of Laurie Beechman, Andy Gibb, David Cassidy and More in J by Matthew Blank

The original run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat closed on Sep. 4, 1983, after 747 performances. Original cast members Bill Hutton and Laurie Beechman were Tony-nominated…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:03PM

Must See! We Uncovered These Great Rare Pics of Laurie Beechman, Andy Gibb, David Cassidy and More i by Matthew Blank

The original run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat closed on Sep. 4, 1983, after 747 performances. Original cast members Bill Hutton and Laurie Beechman were Tony-nominated…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:02PM

First Look at Newcomer With “Star-Making Magic” and Broadway Vets Prepping for New Touring Sound of by Matthew Blank

The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic The Sound of Music which will be directed by three-time Tony winner Jack O'Brien and will tour North America officially launches Sept. 20 at the A…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:14AM
Thursday, September 3, 2015

Exclusive Pics! Young Stars of School of Rock, Matilda, Neverland and More Give Voice to Charlie Bro by Matthew Blank

Child performers from Broadway shows School of Rock, Finding Neverland, Matilda the Musical and others are gathering Sept. 2 and 3 at 54 Below cabaret to perform and record the score to the …

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:41PM

Getting “Loud” in San Francisco, Mrs. Wormwood-Style! Cassie Silva Takes Us On Tour With Matilda by Matthew Blank

The national tour of Matilda The Musical officially opened June 7 after beginning previews May 29 in Los Angeles. Cassie Silva who, as Mrs. Wormwood, has been spreading her style and flair …

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:44PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic
TBA: Ragtime