All stories by Paul Sheehan on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon honor top theater educator at Sunday’s ceremony by Paul Sheehan

The Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University shine the spotlight on an educator every year. This year’s honoree is Rachel Harry, a drama teacher at Hood River Valley High School. She…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:45AM
Monday, June 5, 2017

Tony Awards voters get sneak peek of ‘Falsettos’ TV treatment on ‘Live from Lincoln Center’ [WATCH] by Paul Sheehan

The revival of William Finn‘s 1992 Tony-winning “Falsettos” is nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival. While it closed as planned after a limited ru…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM

Drama Desk Awards spurn off-Broadway nominees once again in favor of Tony Awards contenders by Paul Sheehan

While the Drama Desk Awards nominate a slew of off-Broadway fare, the winners invariably come from Broadway. That was once again the case on Sunday when Aal 12 of the champs in the play race…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:00AM

Drama Desk Awards preview Tony Awards with wins for ‘Oslo,’ ‘Jitney,’ Bette Midler by Paul Sheehan

This Sunday’s Drama Desk Awards could well be a preview of next Sunday’s Tony Awards on the play side with almost all of the above-the-line awards going to our predicted frontrun…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:30AM

Drama Desk Awards winners: Full list led by ‘Come From Away,’ ‘Hello, Dolly!’ by Paul Sheehan

Winners of  the 62nd annual Drama Desk Awards were revealed on June 4 during a ceremony at the Town Hall in midtown Manhattan that was hosted once again by Michael Urie. Nominations had bee…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:00AM
Sunday, June 4, 2017

Drama Desk Awards preview: Which Tony Awards frontrunners will win here first? by Paul Sheehan

The smash hit revival of “Hello, Dolly!” leads with 10 nominations at the Drama Desk Awards, including a bid by Tony Awards frontrunner Bette Midler. Right behind with nine nomin…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:00PM
Thursday, June 1, 2017

Tony Awards nominations boost Broadway box office in first week of new season by Paul Sheehan

Broadway did boffo business last week with total takings of $34.2 million. While some of that was spent by theater goers on long-running shows like “The Book of Mormon” and ̶…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:00AM
Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Tony Awards: Bette Midler won’t sing but will present as will Orlando Bloom, Josh Groban … by Paul Sheehan

Bette Midler may not be singing on this year’s Tony Awards but she will be among those presenting prizes at the 71st annual edition of these top theater honors on June 11. She is also …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:30PM
Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Tony Awards: If Bette Midler doesn’t perform ‘Hello, Dolly!’ number will she lose? by Paul Sheehan

At this year’s Tony Awards, Bette Midler is the clear frontrunner to win Best Actress in a Musical for her acclaimed performance in the revival of “Hello, Dolly!” But could…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:45AM
Saturday, May 27, 2017

‘Avatar’ rides at Disney World open on May 27 [WATCH] by Paul Sheehan

If the news that the “Avatar” sequels are gearing up production got you excited to revisit the world of Pandora, you won’t have to wait until James Cameron gets the first…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:00AM
Thursday, May 25, 2017

Tony Awards nominations push Broadway to best season ever by Paul Sheehan

Broadway did boffo business this season, setting a new box office record with total takings of $1.4 billion. While some of that was spent by theater goers on long-running shows like “T…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:00PM
Monday, May 22, 2017

Billboard Music Awards: Cher wows with ‘Believe’ and ‘If I Could Turn Back Time’ [WATCH] by Paul Sheehan

Cher was celebrated at Sunday’s Billboard Music Awards with the Icon Award. Before accepting this prize before an arena full of fans, she proved to be worthy of the honor by delivering…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30AM
Friday, May 19, 2017

Drama League winners: Tony frontrunners ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’ ‘Oslo,’ ‘Hello, Dolly!’ & ‘Jitney’ by Paul Sheehan

The Drama League does not distinguish between Broadway and off-Broadway when doling out honors. However, all five of its winners — four productions and an individual performance — are fr…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:45PM
Monday, May 15, 2017

‘Will & Grace’ revival trailer: Emmy winners sing Tony-winning musical number [WATCH] by Paul Sheehan

NBC is promoting the reboot of “Will & Grace” this fall with the trailer above. As you can see, the four stars — Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally�…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:40PM
Saturday, May 13, 2017

‘Will & Grace’ revival teaser: Will there be a musical episode? by Paul Sheehan

NBC is promoting the reboot of “Will & Grace” this fall with the teaser trailer above. As you can see, the four stars — Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mu…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:00PM
Thursday, May 11, 2017

‘Top of the Lake: China Girl’ trailer teases return of Elisabeth Moss to Golden-Globe winning role [WATCH] by Paul Sheehan

Three years ago, the limited series “Top of the Lake” reaped eight Emmy Award nominations. Leading lady Elisabeth Moss won a Golden Globe for her riveting portrayal of Detective�…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 07:40PM

Tony Awards: James Earl Jones to receive lifetime achievement honor by Paul Sheehan

James Earl Jones will be honored with the lifetime achievement prize at this year’s Tony Awards on June 11. This stage and screen icon has been feted by various groups in recent years,…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:40PM
Tuesday, May 9, 2017

New York Drama Critics Circle winners: ‘Oslo’ picks up this precursor prize on way to Tony Awards by Paul Sheehan

As expected, Tony Awards frontrunner “Oslo” was named Best Play by the New York Drama Critics Circle while the off-Broadway hit “The Band’s Visit” took Best Mus…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:30AM
Monday, May 8, 2017

Outer Critics Circle Awards: ‘Oslo,’ Bette Midler win here on way to Tony Awards by Paul Sheehan

Just hours after winning Best Play from the Lucille Lortel Awards for its off-Broadway run, Tony frontrunner “Oslo” was named Best Broadway Play by the Outer Critics Circle on Mo…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:30AM

2017 Outer Critics Circle Awards: Full list of winners led by ‘Come From Away,’ ‘Hello, Dolly!’ by Paul Sheehan

Winners for the 67th annual Outer Critics Circle Awards were announced on May 8. The presentation of the prizes will be made at a gala reception at Sardi’s on May 25. While the Outer C…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:00AM

Lucille Lortel Awards: Tony Awards frontrunners ‘Oslo’ and ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ win here first by Paul Sheehan

Sunday’s Lucille Lortel Awards, which salute the best of off-Broadway, offered some of the leading Tony contenders a chance to practice their acceptance speeches.”Oslo,” w…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:30AM

Lucille Lortel Awards winners: Full list led by ‘Oslo’ by Paul Sheehan

The winners of the 32nd annual edition of the Lucille Lortel Awards honoring the best of off-Broadway were announced on May 7 at a ceremony at the NYU Skirball Center. One-time “SNL…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:00AM
Friday, May 5, 2017

‘Amelie’: Tony Awards nominations shut-out leads to shuttering on May 21 by Paul Sheehan

On April 3, a musical version of the 2001 Oscar-nominated French film “Amelie” opened on Broadway. Despite the pedigree of the talent both on-stage and behind the scenes, the cri…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:00PM
Thursday, May 4, 2017

‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’: Record-breaking Olivier Awards winner coming to Broadway by Paul Sheehan

Harry Potter fans on this side of the Atlantic will have to wait another year before the two-part play that envisions their hero as an adult arrives. “Harry Potter and the Cursed Chi…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:00PM
Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Tony Awards nominations: ‘Great Comet’ soars with 12, ‘Hello, Dolly! lands 10, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ at 9 by Paul Sheehan

The new tuner “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” reaped a leading 12 Tony Awards nominations on Tuesday while its closest rival for Best Musical, “Dear Evan Hans…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:15AM

2017 Tony Awards nominations: Full list in all 24 categories by Paul Sheehan

The 71st annual edition of the Tony Awards takes place on Sunday, June 11 at New York’s Radio City Music Hall and airs live on CBS. Nominees for these top theater kudos were determined…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:00AM
Monday, May 1, 2017

Tony Awards: Baayork Lee to receive Isabelle Stevenson Award on June 11 by Paul Sheehan

This year’s recipients of the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award is  director, actress and choreographer Baayork Lee. This honor, named for the late president of the American Theatre Wing,…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:00PM

Tony Awards predictions: ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’ ‘Sweat,’ Bette Midler, Kevin Kline will win by Paul Sheehan

Two new musicals — “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” — will reap a good number of Tony Awards nominations on Tuesday bu…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:15AM

Tony Awards Honors of Excellence: Nina Lannan and Alan Wasser to be honored on June 11 by Paul Sheehan

This year’s recipients of the Tony Awards Honors for Excellence in the Theatre are two of the most successful General Managers in the industry: Nina Lannan and Alan Wasser. These honor…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 07:00AM
Sunday, April 30, 2017

New York theater awards: Tonys vs. Drama Desk vs. Lucille Lortel by Paul Sheehan

The Tony Awards, which date to 1947, salute Broadway. Conversely, the Drama Desk kudos were begun in 1955 to honor the rest of the New York theater world. When the latter moved away from tha…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:46AM
Friday, April 28, 2017

Tony Awards rulings: David Hyde-Pierce up in lead, Cynthia Nixon down in featured mean its time to update predictions by Paul Sheehan

The Tony Awards administration committee issued its final ruling of the season on Friday about category placements. The Tonys usually decide who goes where on the ballot by billing — o…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM

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