All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Fun Home Cast Recap Their March For Equality at This Year’s Pride Parade by Michael Gioia

The cast of Broadway’s Fun Home celebrated Pride by walking alongside PFLAG New York City in Sunday’s Pride march. They share what the march meant to them.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:53PM
Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Get to Know the Cast of SpongeBob Musical by Michael Gioia

Before they shipped out to Chicago, we met up with the four leads of The SpongeBob Musical to talk about how they landed the job, what to expect from the musical and what their favorite Spon…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:10PM
Thursday, June 16, 2016

Nick Adams and Lesli Margherita Will Strip Down with The Skivvies by Michael Gioia

The popular duo will return to Feinstein’s/54 Below June 18 with a slew of special guests.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:10PM

Hamilton Will Be Filmed; Mixtape and Documentary Released This Fall by Michael Gioia

At today’s press conference led by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the Tony-winning author revealed details on all of his upcoming projects.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:38PM

Javier Muñoz Will Succeed Lin-Manuel Miranda in Broadway's Hamilton by Michael Gioia

Muñoz will go on full time in the Tony-winning musical beginning July 11.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:54AM
Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Watch New Performance of Liza Minnelli Singing Cabaret (Video) by Michael Gioia

In a private event last week, Liza Minnelli got back onstage to perform a handful of songs. Watch them here!

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00PM
Monday, June 13, 2016

What It Was Like Inside the Tony Awards After Parties by Michael Gioia

Only a select few scored a ticket to two of the hottest post-show Tony Awards parties. Playbill was there to capture the vibe of the evening, from the food tour at the Plaza to the booze-fil…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:56PM

Lin-Manuel Miranda Confirms That He Will Depart Hamilton This Summer by Michael Gioia

In the Tony Awards press room, he said that he will leave the show this summer but did not give a specific date.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:41AM

Who’s Next: Stephen Karam, Playwright by Michael Gioia

As part of Playbill Pride 2016, we set our sights on the next generation of LGBTQ artists. Meet playwright Stephen Karam.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, June 12, 2016

ASL for Spring Awakening Tony Performance Was Censored By CBS by Michael Gioia

Though the cast members of Spring Awakening were able to sing about “The Bitch of Living,” Andy Mientus explained that some of the American Sign Language was changed because it was too �…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:43PM

Sheldon Harnick Says Rothschild & Sons May Return to Off-Broadway’s York by Michael Gioia

On the Tony Awards red carpet, Sheldon Harnick said that Broadway isn’t likely for Rothschild & Sons, but may return to the York.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:21PM

Tony Awards Dedicates Tonight’s Ceremony to Orlando Victims by Michael Gioia

The 70th annual ceremony is dedicated to those lost and affected by what is being called the worst mass shooting in American history.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:29PM
Saturday, June 11, 2016

Jessie Mueller On Waitress’ Missing Member, Film Writer-Star Adrienne Shelly by Michael Gioia

Adrienne Shelly wrote, directed and co-starred in the 2007 film Waitress, but was murdered before its release. Jessie Mueller reflects on the important art she left behind.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Mia Michaels Hopes Leading the Rockettes Will Take Her Back to Broadway by Michael Gioia

Director-choreographer Mia Michaels shares details on how she’s developing the New York Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes and why she wants to get back to Broadway.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, June 10, 2016

The Secret Behind Creating Thérèse Raquin’s Onstage River Revealed by Michael Gioia

Tony-nominated scenic designer Beowulf Boritt explains in detail how he created the onstage pool for Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of Thérèse Raquin.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, June 9, 2016

Exclusive! Watch the Jacobs Siblings Sing a “Broadway Lovers(?)” Medley by Michael Gioia

Aladdin stars Adam Jacobs and Arielle Jacobs share an exclusive look at their cabaret act, Sibling Disobedience.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:22PM

Life Behind the Curtain—The Show Couldn’t Go On Without Them by Michael Gioia

Direct from the pages of the 2016 Tony Awards Playbill, here are the stories of 21 people who make Broadway happen.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Who’s Next: Madeleine George, Playwright and Author by Michael Gioia

As part of Playbill Pride 2016, we set our sights on the next generation of LGBTQ artists. Meet playwright and author Madeleine George.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, June 8, 2016

“It Wasn’t a Revival. It Was a Rebirth”—How Directors Made Old Musicals New by Michael Gioia

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it! But, somehow directors Michael Arden, John Doyle and Scott Ellis re-imagined (and, in some cases, improved upon) musicals Broadway has already seen.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:40PM
Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Hairspray’s New Tracy Talks Keeping Her Secret—Even From Her Sister by Michael Gioia

Immediately following the announcement that Maddie Baillio had been chosen from 1,000 hopefuls to star in NBC’s Hairspray Live!, we spoke with the newcomer about keeping her secret and lan…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:22PM

MJ Rodriguez Talks Her Transition and Hamilton Audition by Michael Gioia

Transgender actress MJ Rodriguez auditioned for the female role of Peggy in the hit musical Hamilton. Booking the gig isn’t priority; being a voice for her community is.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, June 5, 2016

Who’s Next: Joshua Harmon, Playwright by Michael Gioia

As part of Playbill Pride 2016, we set our sights on the next generation of LGBTQ artists. Meet playwright Joshua Harmon.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, June 4, 2016

Performers Reflect On How Judy Garland Set the Bar for Musical Theatre by Michael Gioia

As the sixth annual Night Of A Thousand Judys prepares to take the stage this Pride month, its performers reflect on how the legendary Judy Garland set the bar and influenced them.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, June 3, 2016

Exclusive! How Dear Evan Hansen Is Developing for Broadway (Video) by Michael Gioia

Before Dear Evan Hansen hits Broadway this November, the creative team talks about how the piece has developed.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:01PM
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Saturday, May 28, 2016

Was There Aladdin Competition Between the Jacobs Siblings? by Michael Gioia

Knowing they could never play opposite one another, Aladdin actors Adam Jacobs and Arielle Jacobs look back at how they formed Sibling Disobedience.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, May 24, 2016

What Is Sound Design, and Why Did It Lose Its Tony? by Michael Gioia

Legendary sound designer Abe Jacob will be recognized for his career in the field at the Live Design Awards, but this season’s sound designers will not be recognized by the Tony Awards. Ja…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:56PM
Saturday, May 21, 2016

Beth Behrs and Halley Feiffer Laugh Through Pain (Even in the Oncology Unit) by Michael Gioia

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gynecologic Oncology Unit..., and its star and playwright tell us how they try to find joy during the toughest of times.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, May 20, 2016

Watch Julia Mattison Channel Her Elderly Alter Ego, Ruby Manger by Michael Gioia

Ruby Manger Live! The Farewell Engagement will hit Feinstein’s/54 Below, and we have an exclusive video preview!

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:07AM
Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Adrienne Warren Is Following in Audra McDonald’s Footsteps—In More Ways Than One by Michael Gioia

Audra McDonald was always Adrienne Warren’s hero. Now, Warren has become a hero, too.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Adrienne Warren Follows in Audra McDonald’s Footsteps—In More Ways Than One by Michael Gioia

Audra McDonald was always Adrienne Warren’s hero. Now, Warren has become a hero, too.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM