All stories by Robert Simonson on BroadwayStars

Friday, July 4, 2014

PLAYBILL.COM'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, June 28-July 4: Kelli O'Hara Will "Whistle A Happy Tune" in The King and I by Robert Simonson

Kelli O'Hara is the Rodgers and Hammerstein heroine of the 21st century.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Broadway Box Office Analysis, June 23-29: Bryan Cranston Goes All The Way in Final Week on Broadway by Robert Simonson

Playbill's new weekly feature examines the box-office trends of the past week.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:30PM
Friday, June 27, 2014

PLAYBILL.COM'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, June 21-27: Lindsay Lohan Takes on David Mamet and Newsies Will Carry the Banner on Tour by Robert Simonson

Something about David Mamet's 1988 play Speed-the-Plow brings out eyebrow-raising casting decisions in producers.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:05PM
Thursday, June 26, 2014

Mary Rodgers, Musical Composer and Daughter and Mother of Composers, Dies at 83 by Robert Simonson

Mary Rodgers, who, as the daughter of a famous musical theatre composer (Richard Rodgers), a musical theatre successful composer herself (Once Upon a Mattress) and the mother of a musical th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:38PM

Mary Rodgers, Composer of Once Upon a Mattress and Daughter of Broadway Royalty, Dies at 83 by Robert Simonson

Mary Rodgers, who, as the daughter of a famous musical theatre composer (Richard Rodgers), a musical theatre successful composer herself (Once Upon a Mattress) and the mother of a musical th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:34PM
Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Eli Wallach, Seasoned Star of Stage and Film, Dies at 98 by Robert Simonson

Eli Wallach, who had one of the most far-ranging and long-lived acting careers of his era and was one of the last exemplars of a post-WWII generation of American actors who brought the earne…

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:27AM

Jay H. Harris, Broadway Producer, Dies at 77 by Robert Simonson

Jay H. Harris, a wealthy businessman who produced a few shows on Broadway, including the recent Wonderland and Stick Fly, but had his greatest impact on Florida theatre, died June 20 in Boca…

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:53AM
Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Broadway Box-Office Analysis, June 16-22: All The Way Breaks Records While Holler Ticket Sales Struggle by Robert Simonson

Playbill's new weekly feature examines the box-office trends of the past week.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:00PM
Monday, June 16, 2014

From Broadway to the Big Screen: Jersey Boys Stars Return to Roles in Film Adaptation by Robert Simonson

Stage performers and observers of theatre history know the usual heartbreaking story by heart: an actor makes a hit creating a character in a play or musical; the show becomes that rare piec…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:30PM

Theatre Critic by Night, Opera Librettist by Day by Robert Simonson

Time Out New York theatre critic David Cote chats with Playbill.com about his recent foray into writing lyrics for the opera.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:02AM
Friday, June 13, 2014

PLAYBILL.COM'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, June 7-13: Tony Awards Rulings Draw Ire From Industry by Robert Simonson

The Tony Awards people were the focus of all press, both good and bad (and there were equal measures of each), in the theatre this week.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:30PM
Thursday, June 12, 2014

Previews of Coming Attractions: Tony Awards Favor Future Musicals Over Present Ones by Robert Simonson

Surprised by seeing Sting on the Tony Awards? How about Jennifer Hudson? Playbill.com talks with members of the theatre community about the musical numbers that were broadcast on the Tony Aw…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Broadway Box-Office Analysis, June 2-8: A Beautiful Box Office for Carole King Musical by Robert Simonson

Playbill's newest weekly feature examines the box-office trends of the past week.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:15PM
Monday, June 9, 2014

John Rubinstein, Broadway's Original Pippin, Reclaims His "Corner of the Sky" by Robert Simonson

Playbill.com catches up with Tony Award winner John Rubinstein, who starred in the title role of Pippin in 1972, before he steps into the role of Pippin's father, King Charlemagne, in th…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, June 6, 2014

PLAYBILL.COM'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, May 31-June 6: Kenneth Branagh's Macbeth Wickedly Good and It’s Tony Time by Robert Simonson

Terrence McNally has reached the Edward Albee phase of his long career — that is, the time where, while he occasionally sees a new play of his staged on Broadway, most his productions …

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:00PM
Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Broadway Box-Office Analysis, May 25-June 1: Counting Down to the Tony Awards by Robert Simonson

Playbill's newest weekly feature examines the box-office trends of the past week.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:00PM

Audra and Sutton and Danny, Oh My! A Look at Tony Nomination Magnets by Robert Simonson

Playbill.com looks at the leading ladies and men of the Tony nominations, who have racked up the most nominations and wins over the years. 

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, May 30, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Broadway Box-Office Analysis, May 19-25: Bryan Cranston Plays to Full Houses and Gentleman's Guide Doing Jolly Good by Robert Simonson

Playbill's newest weekly feature examines the box-office trends of the past week.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:35PM

Maya Angelou, Vaunted Poet and Essayist and Tony Nominee, Dies at 86 by Robert Simonson

Maya Angelou, the celebrated poet, playwright and essayist who told of her experiences growing up in the pre-Civil-Rights-era South through seven autobiographies, died May 28 at her home in …

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:06AM
Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Matthew Cowles, Actor and Husband of Christine Baranski, Dies by Robert Simonson

Matthew Cowles, a soap opera star and the husband of actress Christine Baranski, died at age 69 on May 22.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:39AM
Sunday, May 25, 2014

Santo Loquasto on Shooting – and Staging - Bullets With Woody Allen by Robert Simonson

Santo Loquasto, scenic designer for Bullets Over Broadway and long-time collaborator with Woody Allen, talks with Playbill.com about working with Woody and his attempts to design a psychiatr…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM

Santo Loquasto on Shooting – and Staging - Bullets With Woody Allen by Robert Simonson

Bullets Over Broadway scenic designer and long-time collaborator with Woody Allen Santo Loquasto talks with Playbill.com about working with Woody and his attempts to design a psychiatri…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, May 23, 2014

PLAYBILL.COM'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, May 17-23: Starry Lineup for Shakespeare in the Park and Eno to Exit Broadway by Robert Simonson

You'd think New York would be all King Lear-ed out by now. After a while, critics stopped counting how many times the old man raged on the heath last season.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:00PM
Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Arthur Gelb, Times Theatre Critic and O'Neill Authority, Dies at 90 by Robert Simonson

Arthur Gelb, a New York Times editor and writer who later added the title of Eugene O'Neill scholar to his resume, died May 20 at the age of 90.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:45PM
Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Broadway Box-Office Analysis, May 12-18: Bridges of Madison County Goes Out With a Box-Office Bang by Robert Simonson

Playbill's newest weekly feature examines the box-office trends of the past week.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:30PM
Monday, May 19, 2014

Playwrights Go Paperless With New Script App by Robert Simonson

Playbill.com chats with the creators of Scriptopia, the latest app to hit the performing arts scene.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, May 16, 2014

PLAYBILL.COM'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, May 10-16: Starry Cast Set for Edward Albee Revival and Miss Saigon’s Helicopter May Land on Broadway by Robert Simonson

As much as Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Edward Albee's brittle and elegant play of existential unease, A Delicate Balance, always commands a 40-karat cast.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:00PM
Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Broadway Box-Office Analysis, May 4-10: Last-Minute Sales Boost Bridges and Tix Sales Still Up for A Gentleman’s Guide by Robert Simonson

Playbill's newest weekly feature examines the box-office trends of the past week.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:45PM
Friday, May 9, 2014

PLAYBILL.COM'S THEATRE WEEK IN REVIEW, May 3-9: Fun Home Eyes Transfer Uptown and Hugh Jackman Will Star in The River by Robert Simonson

The New York Drama Critics Circle (yes, it still exists, though dramatic critics are dropping like flies these days) announced its 2014 Awards May 5.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:30PM
Tuesday, May 6, 2014

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
Nov 17, 2024: Elf - Marquis 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