All stories by Rebecca Rubin on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Six Standing Ovations Later, Lea Michele Triumphantly Returns to Broadway in ‘Funny Girl’ by Rebecca Rubin

It appears the weather gods didn’t heed Fanny Brice’s humble request. But not even a dreary, drizzly Tuesday in Manhattan could rain on Lea Michele’s parade as the former “Glee” st…

SOURCE: Variety at 12:15AM
Monday, August 29, 2022

‘Euphoria’ Actor Barbie Ferreira Joins Ariana DeBose in Psychological Thriller ‘House of Spoils’ at Prime Video by Rebecca Rubin

Barbie Ferreira, who broke out on HBO’s buzzy series “Euphoria,” is joining the cast of “House of Spoils,” a psychological thriller starring Ariana DeBose. The film is backed by Am…

SOURCE: Variety at 12:38PM
Thursday, August 18, 2022

‘Grease’ Returning to AMC Theatres for Charity, in Honor of Olivia Newton-John by Rebecca Rubin

AMC Theatres, the world’s largest cinema chain, is honoring Olivia Newton-John by bringing “Grease” back to the big screen. Starting on Friday, the classic 1978 movie musical will play…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:51PM
Thursday, August 11, 2022

Lin-Manuel Miranda Calls Out ‘Illegal, Unauthorized’ Production of ‘Hamilton’ by Texas Church by Rebecca Rubin

Lin-Manuel Miranda is praising lawyers who get the job done after a Texas church staged an “illegal, unauthorized” production of “Hamilton.” Producers of the hit Broadway musical hav…

SOURCE: Variety at 03:45PM
Tuesday, July 19, 2022

‘Paradise Square’: How an Ambitious Broadway Musical Got Overshadowed by Lawsuits, Unpaid Bills and Alleged Bullying by Rebecca Rubin

“Let It Burn,” the galvanic highpoint of the Broadway musical “Paradise Square,” pours out of star Joaquina Kalukango in a torrent of pain and frustration over the hurt that her char…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:00PM
Thursday, July 14, 2022

‘Funny Girl’ Producers Weren’t Blindsided by Beanie Feldstein’s Early Exit by Rebecca Rubin

“Funny Girl” producers are attesting they knew about Beanie Feldstein’s earlier-than-expected exit from the Broadway musical. Amid the whirlwind drama over the actor’s abrupt departu…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:46AM
Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Lea Michele Is the Greatest Star: Broadway’s ‘Funny Girl’ Tickets Surging Above $2,500 by Rebecca Rubin

Hello, ticket sales! Looking to be among the first to hear Lea Michele’s dulcet tones take on the legend of Fanny Brice? Not to rain on your parade, but a seat to the “Glee” alum’s o…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:04PM
Monday, July 11, 2022

Lea Michele Replaces Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice in Broadway’s ‘Funny Girl’ by Rebecca Rubin

The rumors are true: Lea Michele is replacing Beanie Feldstein in Broadway’s revival of “Funny Girl.” Feldstein on Sunday night announced she would be leaving the show on July 31, roug…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:00PM
Monday, June 13, 2022

Inside the Tonys — From Andrew Garfield Sightings to ‘A Strange Loop’s’ Interrupted Speech, What You Didn’t See on TV by Rebecca Rubin

On Sunday night, the Tony Awards returned to Radio City Music Hall, where relaxed mask mandates made it easier than ever (OK, easier than last year’s ceremony) to spot the stars mixing and…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:14PM
Tuesday, June 7, 2022

‘Dear Evan Hansen’ to End Broadway Run by Rebecca Rubin

“Dear Evan Hansen” won’t be playing on Broadway “for forever.” The show, about a socially awkward high schooler who tells a spiraling lie, is ending its run in September, five year…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:25PM
Wednesday, June 1, 2022

‘Death of a Salesman’ Returns to Broadway With Sharon D Clarke and Wendell Pierce by Rebecca Rubin

Arthur Miller’s classic play “Death of a Salesman” is returning to Broadway this fall. Wendell Pierce and Sharon D Clarke will reprise their roles as Willy and Linda Loman in the reviv…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:38AM
Thursday, May 26, 2022

‘Into the Woods,’ Featuring Sara Bareilles, Heading to Broadway by Rebecca Rubin

A star-studded production of “Into the Woods” is heading to Broadway. Following its buzzy, sold-out run at New York City Center, Encore’s rendition of “Into the Woods” is transferr…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:27AM
Wednesday, April 20, 2022

‘Some Like It Hot’ Musical Sets Broadway Cast, Opening Night Date by Rebecca Rubin

A musical comedy based on the classic film “Some Like It Hot” will premiere on Broadway in the fall of 2022. The show, which was originally scheduled to open in Chicago last year before …

SOURCE: Variety at 11:37AM

A Front Row Seat as Pamela Anderson’s Super Fans Swarm Broadway’s ‘Chicago’ by Rebecca Rubin

Outside New York City’s Ambassador Theatre, the name on everybody’s lips isn’t Roxie. It’s Pamela Anderson, the former “Baywatch” star who is making her Broadway debut in “Chic…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:43AM
Thursday, April 7, 2022

Broadway’s ‘Plaza Suite’ Cancels Performances After Sarah Jessica Parker Tests Positive for COVID-19 by Rebecca Rubin

Broadway’s “Plaza Suite” has canceled Thursday night’s performance because the show’s lead Sarah Jessica Parker has tested positive for COVID-19. The news comes two days after Park…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:32PM
Sunday, March 27, 2022

Ariana DeBose Becomes First Openly Queer Woman of Color to Win Acting Oscar: ‘There Is Indeed a Place for Us’ by Rebecca Rubin

For the second time in Oscars history, the Academy has recognized an actress for playing Anita in “West Side Story.” Ariana DeBose took home the best supporting actress Oscar for her ver…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:56PM
Monday, March 21, 2022

Ben Stiller in Talks to Play Jack Torrance in ‘The Shining’ Stage Adaptation by Rebecca Rubin

Ben Stiller is in talks to star in Ivo van Hove’s upcoming stage adaptation of Stephen King’s horror classic “The Shining,” Variety has confirmed. The play is scheduled to open on t…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:47PM
Tuesday, March 15, 2022

AMC Theatres Buys $28 Million Stake in Gold and Silver Mining Company by Rebecca Rubin

AMC Theatres, the biggest cinema chain in the world, is buying a 22% stake in Nevada-based gold and silver mining company Hycroft Mining Holding Corp. AMC’s $27.9 million cash investment i…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:09PM
Tuesday, March 1, 2022

‘West Side Story’ Star Ariana DeBose to Play Calypso in Sony’s ‘Kraven the Hunter’ by Rebecca Rubin

“West Side Story” star Ariana DeBose has joined the cast of Sony’s “Kraven the Hunter,” an upcoming superhero action-adventure featuring Aaron Taylor Johnson. More to come…

SOURCE: Variety at 03:45PM
Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Hugh Jackman’s ‘The Music Man’ to Offer Subsidized Broadway Tickets for New York City Students (EXCLUSIVE) by Rebecca Rubin

“The Music Man,” a musical revival featuring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, is one of the hottest tickets on Broadway. For students in the New York City area, the price of admission wil…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:01PM
Thursday, February 3, 2022

‘West Wing’ Reunion: Marlee Matlin and Bradley Whitford Discuss Sondheim, Sorkin and ‘Wonderfully Sexual Middle-Aged’ Representation by Rebecca Rubin

Marlee Matlin (“CODA”) and Bradley Whitford (“Tick, Tick … Boom!”) sat down for a virtual chat for Variety’s Actors on Actors, presented by Amazon Studios. For more, click here. …

SOURCE: Variety at 11:00AM
Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Shakespeare in the Park to Return With ‘Richard III’ Featuring Danai Gurira and ‘As You Like It’ by Rebecca Rubin

The Public Theater’s free Shakespeare in the Park is set to return in the summer. The 60th season will begin with “Richard III,” directed by Tony nominee Robert O’Hara and featuring …

SOURCE: Variety at 12:00PM
Wednesday, January 12, 2022

‘Girl From the North Country’ Latest Broadway Show to Go on Hiatus as COVID Wreaks Havoc by Rebecca Rubin

“Girl From the North Country,” a Broadway musical featuring Bob Dylan songs, will close on Jan. 23, but the show’s producers hope to open again in the spring. It’s the latest show, f…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:51PM
Tuesday, December 21, 2021

National Association of Theatre Owners Promotes Jackie Brenneman to ‘Second-in-Command,’ Hires Todd Halstead by Rebecca Rubin

The National Association of Theatre Owners, the trade organization that represents the country’s cinemas, has announced the promotion of two executives. Jackie Brenneman has been upped to …

SOURCE: Variety at 03:02PM
Thursday, December 16, 2021

‘Jagged Little Pill’ Star Heidi Blickenstaff Wants a ‘More Humane’ Broadway by Rebecca Rubin

Heidi Blickenstaff doesn’t want to exert her voice. It’s proving difficult, because although the Times Square eatery where she’s grabbing food after a matinee of “Jagged Little Pill�…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:20PM
Thursday, December 9, 2021

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘Freestyle Love Supreme’ Announces Nationwide Tour by Rebecca Rubin

“Freestyle Love Supreme” will rap its way through the U.S.A. Following a limited run on Broadway, the improv comedy hip-hop show is embarking on a nationwide tour with stops in Seattle, …

SOURCE: Variety at 10:34AM
Thursday, November 4, 2021

AMC Theatres Will Start Selling Popcorn in Shopping Malls and Supermarkets by Rebecca Rubin

Beginning next year, you won’t have to visit your local movie theater to buy a bucket of perfectly buttered popcorn. AMC Theatres, the nation’s biggest movie theater chain, is expanding …

SOURCE: Variety at 04:05PM
Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Andrew Lloyd Webber Says Writing a Song With Taylor Swift Was the Only Enjoyable Part of ‘Cats’ Movie by Rebecca Rubin

Andrew Lloyd Webber has made no secret of his distain for Hollywood’s movie adaptation of his long-running musical “Cats.” Though the cinematic version offered up the rarity of A-list …

SOURCE: Variety at 04:35PM

Beanie Feldstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sharon D. Clarke and Other Broadway Artists on Theater’s Comeback by Rebecca Rubin

After a devastating industry-wide shutdown, Broadway has finally reopened with performances of beloved shows like “Hamilton,” “Wicked” and new plays and musicals such as “Six,” �…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:26PM
Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Beanie Feldstein on ‘Funny Girl’ and Putting Her Own Spin on a Role Barbra Streisand Made Famous by Rebecca Rubin

It’s not an exaggeration to say Beanie Feldstein has been preparing her entire life to play Fanny Brice. For her third birthday, she requested a “Funny Girl”-themed party and seized th…

SOURCE: Variety at 12:15PM

Tony Winner LaChanze on Building a More Inclusive Broadway and Her ‘Hamilton’ Ambitions by Rebecca Rubin

It’s been nearly two years since the lights went out on Broadway, and now that musicals and plays have begun to reopen, actor LaChanze is itching to return to the thing she loves the most.…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:45AM