All stories by Michael Gioia on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

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
Monday, May 16, 2016

Adam Jacobs’ Sister Will Star in Australian Aladdin; Watch Their “Whole New World” by Michael Gioia

Arielle Jacobs has been cast as Jasmine in the Australian production of Aladdin, hitting Sydney this August.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:39PM
Thursday, May 12, 2016

Tavi Gevinson—The Crucible Star Goes From Teen Blog Queen to Signing Off Social by Michael Gioia

Before turning 20, Tavi Gevinson became a magazine editor and star of two Broadway shows. How does she find the time?

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, May 8, 2016

Jennifer Simard On Carrying the Banner For Her Show as It Bids Broadway Farewell by Michael Gioia

Jennifer Simard reflects on being the only Tony nominee from the star-studded Disaster! bunch and her road to the role that earned it.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Watch Wicked’s Kara Lindsay Cover Billy Joel by Michael Gioia

Watch a preview of Kara Lindsay’s (Wicked’s former Glinda) show before she goes it solo yet again at Feinstein’s/54 Below.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:46PM
Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Did They Like It Better the First Time Around? by Michael Gioia

We look at how original productions compared to this season’s revivals when it came time for Tony nominations.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:38PM

Exclusive! Christina Aguilera Gives Advice for Singers and Artists by Michael Gioia

The Grammy winner is teaching a master class and shares an exclusive preview.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01PM

Broadway First-Timers Thrive on Tony Nominations Day by Michael Gioia

Twenty of this year’s nominees are making their Broadway debut this theatrical season.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:30AM
Monday, May 2, 2016

Sophia Anne Caruso Will Reprise Lazarus Role in London and Talks David Bowie by Michael Gioia

The Lucille Lortel-nominated actress revealed that she is scheduled to go to London with the David Bowie musical.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:05PM
Friday, April 29, 2016

20 Years Later, Rent Cast Remember Auditions, Memories and Mishaps by Michael Gioia

Everything was Rent 20 years ago, when the show opened at Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre April 29, 1996. The cast takes us back to what life was like then.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, April 28, 2016

Women on the Verge Was David Yazbek’s Biggest Challenge and Success by Michael Gioia

The three-time Tony-nominated songwriter chats about his musical theatre career as his Feinstein’s/54 Below solo debut approaches.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, April 27, 2016

David Yazbek and Casey Nicholaw Collaborating on Tootsie Musical by Michael Gioia

The Tony-nominated songwriter hopes his musical adaptation of the 1982 film will take shape in late 2017.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:29AM
Friday, April 22, 2016

Whipping Boy and It’s Kind of a Funny Story Musical Adaptations In the Works by Michael Gioia

Alex Brightman and Drew Gasparini are collaborating on the projects.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:57PM
Thursday, April 21, 2016

Exclusive! Inside the Creation of Dear Evan Hansen (Video) by Michael Gioia

Find out how the cast and creative team are creating a musical set in the world of today.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:15AM
Tuesday, April 19, 2016

10 Things You May Not Know About Idina Menzel—The Wicked Movie and More by Michael Gioia

In an intimate conversation with Wicked producer Marc Platt, Idina Menzel reveals details about her upcoming album, her relationship with her son, her real thoughts about being called “Ade…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:01PM
Friday, April 15, 2016

Rent Actress Arrested in Political Protest by Michael Gioia

Rosario Dawson was arrested, and shortly released, April 15 in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE: Playbill at 06:22PM
Thursday, April 14, 2016

Get a First Look at Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s Fully Committed Bow Tie by Michael Gioia

The Tie Bar has released a brand-new bow tie for Fully Committed, and we’ve got an exclusive first look!

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:01PM
Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Cameron Mackintosh Among Guests of New Podcast Providing Advice for Aspiring Artists by Michael Gioia

The first three episodes of Take It From the Top are now available for download on iTunes.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:41PM

Stars of The King and I Reflect on Surviving Their Toughest Battle: Cancer by Michael Gioia

At one time in their lives, Ken Watanabe and Ashley Park both fought the same fight: leukemia.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, April 9, 2016

What’s It Like to Get Put Into the Tony-Winning Musical Fun Home? by Michael Gioia

Rebecca Luker gives Playbill an exclusive look at her put-in process as she readied to take over for Judy Kuhn on Broadway.

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

Double Dare Host Marc Summers Crossed Paths With Broadway, and Now He’s Got a Solo Show by Michael Gioia

How did Broadway star Alex Brightman and songwriter Drew Gasparini get enlisted to tell The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers?

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Alec Baldwin Says There’s Nothing That Would Get Him Back to Broadway by Michael Gioia

After Orphans, he says his “enthusiasm” for Broadway has been killed.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:21PM

Hamilton Star Shares Why He Went Public With His Cancer Battle by Michael Gioia

Javier Muñoz is “overwhelmed” by the support he’s received from the theatre community since revealing his cancer diagnosis.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:35AM

Evan Hansen's Not Alone! The Company Shares Times They've Felt Like an Outsider by Michael Gioia

In Dear Evan Hansen, Evan feels like he doesn’t quite fit in. The cast and creative team of the new musical reveal when they have felt the same in their lives.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, April 1, 2016

Matt Doyle, Bonnie Milligan and More Will Sing for Broadway for Self Help Africa by Michael Gioia

Broadway stars band together for a concert with a cause.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:21PM

Aaron Tveit, Ramin Karimloo and Ashley Brown Give Voice to An American Victory by Michael Gioia

The trio of Broadway talents are among the performers on the studio cast recording of An American Victory: A New Musical.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:16AM

Jose Llana To Release Solo Album by Michael Gioia

Altitude will feature music from The King and I, Here Lies Love, Spelling Bee and Company.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:56AM
Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Nowadays: The Chicago Company Recalls Favorite Memories from 1996 by Michael Gioia

Bebe Neuwirth, Joel Grey, John Kander and more from Broadway’ revival of Chicago remember their favorite moments working on the show 20 years ago.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, March 26, 2016

What Is Your Dream Gender-Reversed Role? Chita Rivera and More Share by Michael Gioia

If you could play a role of the opposite gender, what would it be and why?

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, March 25, 2016

Do We All Have a Bit of Patrick Bateman in Us? by Michael Gioia

In a world where we have virtually everything at our fingertips, why are we constantly craving more? American Psycho cast and creatives sound off.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, March 24, 2016

Exclusive! Go Inside Rehearsal of Dear Evan Hansen (Video) by Michael Gioia

Before the new musical opens Off-Broadway, get an exclusive sneak peek!

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:55AM