All stories by Robert Simonson on BroadwayStars

Monday, July 11, 2016

Broadway Box-Office Analysis: July 4-10 by Robert Simonson

Hamilton, which bid farewell to Lin-Manuel Miranda and others last week, was immune to the overall box-office slide across Broadway.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:29PM
Friday, July 8, 2016

In Case You Missed It: July 2-8 by Robert Simonson

Hamilton gets some new stars while the old stars get some new gigs, and Mike Daisey takes on Donald Trump.

SOURCE: Playbill at 06:46PM
Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Did Heather Headley Choose The Color Purple, or Did It Choose Her? by Robert Simonson

Broadway comebacks occasionally take time, but Headley proves they are worth the wait.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, July 4, 2016

The Hamilton Effect: 8 Ripple Effects of the Smash Musical by Robert Simonson

Hamilton has altered the fate of a lot of other things beside Broadway.

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

In Case You Missed It: June 25-July 1 by Robert Simonson

Anastasia confirms its Broadway plans, Edward Snowden makes his Off-Broadway debut and Andrew Lloyd Webber gets into a cat fight.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:08PM
Monday, June 27, 2016

Broadway Box-Office Analysis: June 20-26 by Robert Simonson

It was a robust week on Broadway, which held ground at the box office even as it lost shows.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:18PM
Friday, June 24, 2016

In Case You Missed It: June 18-24 by Robert Simonson

Busy producer Scott Rudin closes one show, moves another and sends a third into turmoil.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:25PM
Monday, June 20, 2016

Broadway Box-Office Analysis: June 13-19 by Robert Simonson

The overall effect of the Tonys broadcast on Broadway was flat, but certain shows benefited handsomely—and even broke records.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:36PM

Desmond Heeley, Costume Designer with a Five-Decade Broadway Career, Dies at 85 by Robert Simonson

Heeley was a three-time Tony winner known for his painterly, theatrical touch.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:18AM
Friday, June 17, 2016

In Case You Missed It: June 11-17 by Robert Simonson

Hamilton swept the Tony Awards, as expected, and the musical had more news up its sleeve. Plus, as one show closes another one will make history.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:46PM

Tony-Winning Director Michael Grandage Talks His Film Debut With Genius by Robert Simonson

The British director reunites with Red playwright John Logan to log his first cinematic credit, starring Colin Firth and Jude Law.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, June 16, 2016

Film and Theater Producer Fred Caruso Dies in Suicide by Robert Simonson

Caruso produced the revue Newsical and the movie The Big Gay Musical

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:40PM
Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Darcie Denkert, MGM Exec and Broadway Musical Producer, Dies at 64 by Robert Simonson

Denkert helped ferry MGM film properties to the stage.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:40PM
Monday, June 13, 2016

Broadway Box-Office Analysis, June 6-12 by Robert Simonson

Box office collections surged across much of Broadway last week, making up for losses suffered the previous week.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:19PM
Saturday, June 11, 2016

Will Hamilton’s Summer Opening Hurt Its Tony Prospects? History Says No by Robert Simonson

Does opening a show on Broadway almost one year before the Tony Awards hurt a musical’s chances at taking home the coveted honor of Best Musical or Play? We revisit our look back at summer…

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

In Case You Missed It: June 4-10 by Robert Simonson

Hamilton may go to London, while in New York Hamilton ticket prices go up and Hellman and Murray return to the New York stage.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:48PM
Monday, June 6, 2016

Broadway Box-Office Analysis: May 30-June 5 by Robert Simonson

Most shows demonstrated a drop at the box office last week, in part due to the impact of the Memorial Day weekend.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:18PM
Friday, June 3, 2016

In Case You Missed It: May 28-June 3 by Robert Simonson

Angela Lansbury will return to Broadway, Lin-Manuel Miranda will reportedly leave it and Bright Star refuses to bid goodbye.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:04PM
Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Broadway Box Office Analysis: May 23-29 by Robert Simonson

An Act of God is off to a good start, Hamilton looks set to beat its own records and School of Rock’s totals shoot upwards.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:09PM

What Happens When You Ask 57 Drama Critics to Talk About Their Job? by Robert Simonson

Matt Windman found out. His new book surveys the state of theatre criticism today.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, May 29, 2016

A Broadway Songwriter Is Turning the Election Into a Musical Work of Art by Robert Simonson

Bloody Bloody composer Michael Friedman has been mining voter unrest for song material.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, May 27, 2016

In Case You Missed It: May 21-27 by Robert Simonson

Two shows announce closing, Harriet Walter takes on another Shakespearean lead, the West End gets its own Hogwarts and The Price will return to Broadway,

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:49PM
Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Beth Howland, the Original Amy in Company, Dies at 74 by Robert Simonson

She introduced the classic Sondheim patter song 'Getting Married Today.”

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:51AM
Monday, May 23, 2016

Broadway Box-Office Analysis: May 16-22 by Robert Simonson

Broadway enjoyed a sunny week, as summer tourism season seemed to kick in.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:47PM
Friday, May 20, 2016

In Case You Missed It: May 14-20 by Robert Simonson

A Bronx Tale get a new lease on life, Bette Midler gets a co-star, and the days of critic plus-ones end at the National Theatre.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:36PM
Monday, May 16, 2016

Broadway Box-Office Analysis: May 9-15 by Robert Simonson

Most shows stay static at the counter after Tony nominations, and despite its single Tony nod, On Your Feet! continues to wow at the box office.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:22PM
Friday, May 13, 2016

In Case You Missed It: May 7-13 by Robert Simonson

Cats announces all casting but one, Anastasia gets off to a bumpy start and Matthew Perry the playwright.

SOURCE: Playbill at 06:35PM
Monday, May 9, 2016

Broadway Box-Office Analysis: May 2-8 by Robert Simonson

The Tony Awards nominations had an impact on box office, as expected, with the well-nominated reaping the benefits and the less nominated, well, not so much.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:39PM
Friday, May 6, 2016

In Case You Missed It: April 30-May 6 by Robert Simonson

Hamilton sets a record with 16 Tony nominations; Disaster! announces it will close; and Glenda Jackson returns to the stage.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:27PM

The Broadway Season’s Most Notable Moments by Robert Simonson

Don’t go near any theatre fan without reading this first: stand-out moments from the historic 2015-2016 season on the Great White Way.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, May 2, 2016

Broadway Box-Office Analysis: April 25-May 1 by Robert Simonson

Waitress continued to sell out, while Paramour and The Color Purple also had good weeks.

SOURCE: Playbill at 06:05PM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards