All stories by Sam Eckmann on BroadwayStars

Monday, May 22, 2023

David West Read ('& Juliet' book writer) tells 'the ultimate story of young love and heartbreak' with Max Martin pop songs [Exclusive vide by Sam Eckmann

"If I was going to repurpose and reinvent Max's music, it also made sense to reinvent the story," reveals "& Juliet" writer David West Read. He took on the daunting task of combing throu…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:30PM[SHARE]
Saturday, May 20, 2023

2023 Drama League Awards winners: Annaleigh Ashford ('Sweeney Todd') takes Distinguished Performance by Sam Eckmann

Winners of the 2023 Drama League Awards were announced on Friday, May 19, 2023, at an in-person ceremony, hosted by Emmy-winning reporter Frank DiLella at The Ziegfeld Ballroom. The Drama Le…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 07:00PM[SHARE]
Friday, May 19, 2023

Dane Laffrey ('A Christmas Carol' scenic designer) on the mysteries of his 'shapeshifter' set: 'We want the space to be unreliable' [Exclu by Sam Eckmann

When Jefferson Mays wanted to perform a solo version of "A Christmas Carol," scenic designer Dane Laffrey knew right away that it wasn't going to be a simplistic approach with an actor and a…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:30PM[SHARE]

Sean Hayes ('Good Night, Oscar') on embodying Oscar Levant and tickling the ivories: 'I could just see the mountain I had to climb' [Exclusive by Sam Eckmann

"It's rare that lightning in a bottle happens, but it did with this show. It's wild," exclaims Sean Hayes of "Good Night, Oscar." The actor received a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Aaron Tveit ('Schmigadoon!') plays it 'as ridiculous as possible' in a 'much bigger' Season 2 [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

"I'm quite a light and silly person in my real life, so this is much more the way that I am in friends," reveals Aaron Tveit of his character in "Schmigadoon!" He portrays Topher in Season 2…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:30AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Michael Arden ('Parade' director) on the trial of Leo Frank: 'If we don't grapple with the trauma… we are bound to repeat it' [Exclusive V by Sam Eckmann

"The whole point of the piece to me is that if we don't grapple with the trauma and the history of our past, we are bound to repeat it," explains Michael Arden of "Parade." The director rece…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM[SHARE]
Saturday, April 29, 2023

2023 Tony Awards slugfest: Final predictions for musical nominations [WATCH] by Sam Eckmann

Another busy Broadway season has drawn to a close and Tony nominations are just days away. David Buchanan joins me in a rousing slugfest to sift through what musicals will be remembered at t…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 07:30PM[SHARE]
Friday, April 28, 2023

2023 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round 3): Aaron Sorkin contends for 'Camelot,' a 'Shucked' star goes lead, and more by Sam Eckmann

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met on April 28, for the third and final time during the 2022-2023 Broadway season, to discuss the eligibility of 11 productions for the 76th Annual …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:45PM[SHARE]
Thursday, April 27, 2023

Marchánt Davis ('Ain't No Mo' and 'Good Night, Oscar') on deepening 'the humanity' of multiple roles at the Belasco [Exclusive Video In by Sam Eckmann

Marchánt Davis can't seem to keep away from the Belasco Theatre. He starred in Jordan E. Cooper's "Ain't No Mo'" at the 44th street haunt in December, and now just a few months later he i…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:30AM[SHARE]

Calvin Leon Smith ('Fat Ham') on the 'ultimate release' of turning trauma into catharsis [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

The tone of "Fat Ham" runs the gamut from heavy drama to absurd humor, but Calvin Leon Smith admits, "don't get the immediate gratification of laughter." The actor portrays Larry in James Ij…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:30AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Andrew T. MacKay ('Life of Pi' composer) on making music in the rehearsal room to 'get an instant reaction' [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

"I really felt like theater was a family," reveals Andrew T. MacKay. The composer has worked extensively on film, but his contributions to "Life of Pi" mark his first foray into composing fo…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM[SHARE]

Chris Herbie Holland ('Fat Ham') on being a 'healer' for the audience: 'We can choose joy everyday' [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

"One thing that I've always strived for…is to be a healer," reveals Chris Herbie Holland. Lucky for him then, that his character Tio in James Ijames' "Fat Ham" is the person responsible fo…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:30PM[SHARE]

Outer Critics Circle nominations: 'New York, New York' leads with 12, 'Leopoldstadt' has 6 by Sam Eckmann

The Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers and national publications, today announced the nominees for the 72nd Annua…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:00PM[SHARE]

Jordan E. Cooper ('Ain't No Mo') on exploring 'the mosaic of Blackness and queerness' in America [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

"I'm one of those people who will always have to find something to laugh about," reveals playwright and actor Jordan E. Cooper. During the summer of 2016, he was reeling from the killings of…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:30AM[SHARE]

Alex Joseph Grayson ('Parade') on staying present and removing 'the mask' of Jim Conley [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

Alex Joseph Grayson sees the Broadway revival of "Parade" as a chance to grow "more relaxed and more present as a performer." The actor plays Jim Conley in the Michael Arden-helmed productio…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:30AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, April 25, 2023

2023 Drama League Award nominations: 47 performers compete for Distinguished Performance by Sam Eckmann

The Drama League today announced the nominations for the 2023 Drama League Awards. Honoring achievements on and Off-Broadway, the nominations were announced this morning by Roger Bart ("Back…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:45PM[SHARE]

Colton Ryan ('New York, New York' and 'Poker Face') on recreating the sound of the 1940s and working with legends [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

"I'm a nerd first," Colton Ryan quickly points out. In that sense, the actor is having the time of his life on his two recent projects which have connected him with legends in the industry. …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM[SHARE]

Victoria Clark ('Kimberly Akimbo') on how her 16-year-old character teaches the preciousness of life [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

"I don't think I'm done creating this part! It's still an exploration," reveals Victoria Clark in reference to the title character of "Kimberly Akimbo." In this new musical from Jeanine Teso…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:30AM[SHARE]
Monday, April 24, 2023

Brandon Uranowitz ('Leopoldstadt') explores Jewish 'family, identity and memory' in Tom Stoppard's sprawling play [Exclusive Video Interview by Sam Eckmann

"The play is about family, identity and memory," reveals Brandon Uranowitz when asked to synthesize the epic scope of Tom Stoppard's "Leopoldstadt." Having grown up Jewish within an "assimil…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM[SHARE]
Friday, April 21, 2023

Will Swenson ('A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical') lives out his 'wildest dreams' by embodying the iconic singer [Exclusive Video In by Sam Eckmann

"I'm not exaggerating when I say that I grew up on Neil Diamond," reveals Will Swenson. "He's my Dad's favorite singer of all time. So it was just fed to us with our breakfast, practically."…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM[SHARE]
Thursday, April 20, 2023

Arian Moayed ('A Doll's House') on discovering 'deep truths' through unconventional staging [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

"We're going after so many deep truths," reveals Arian Moayed of the current revival of "A Doll's House." Director Jamie Lloyd has staged Amy Herzog's new adaptation on a mostly bare stage, …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM[SHARE]

Crystal Lucas-Perry ('Ain't No Mo' and '1776') on exploring 'what it meant to be Black in America, Black in the world' [Exclusive Video by Sam Eckmann

When the pandemic shifted production schedules of two long-gestating projects, Crystal Lucas-Perry found herself performing in two powerful works back-to-back in her debut season on Broadway…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:30PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Patina Miller ('Into the Woods') on how motherhood helped her understand what The Witch is 'fighting for' [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

"What's exciting for me is being able to appreciate what's come before me, but also not letting that cloud me in any way," explains Patina Miller when discussing her portrayal of The Witch i…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Matthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin ('Some Like it Hot') on the 'impossible work' of writing the book of a musical [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

"We're both rowdy and silly so I think it was pretty clear that you could say whatever you wanted and it would be fine," says Amber Ruffin of working with writing partner Matthew Lopez on "S…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM[SHARE]
Monday, April 17, 2023

Jennifer Weber ('& Juliet' and 'KPOP' choreographer) on being 'inspired by the explosion of numbers in pop concerts' [Exclusive Video by Sam Eckmann

"I love working with actors, it's so fun," says Jennifer Weber in our recent webchat. She adds, "Because you get to find what's unique about each person and the way they bring their own pers…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM[SHARE]
Friday, April 14, 2023

Lorna Courtney ('& Juliet') on finding empowerment through pop songs: 'You have to light your own fire within' [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

Lorna Courtney gets the crowds at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre to dance and groove in their seats eight times a week in the infectious new musical "& Juliet." The show utilizes iconic po…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM[SHARE]
Thursday, April 13, 2023

Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ('Some Like it Hot' composers) on creating an MGM-sounding score [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

"Our characters are wrestling with very contemporary situations," explains Scott Wittman of the musical "Some Like it Hot." He and Marc Shaiman are the Tony-winning songwriting duo behind th…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Bonnie Milligan ('Kimberly Akimbo') explores the complexities of love and grief: 'It's an honor to provide that kind of catharsis' [Exclusiv by Sam Eckmann

"What I find fun about these characters is how to make them human and as real as possible," explains Bonnie Milligan. The actress is currently starring in the Broadway transfer of "Kimberly …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM[SHARE]

Ariana DeBose will return to host 2023 Tony Awards in New York City's Washington Heights by Sam Eckmann

Get ready for her to do the thing, again! Oscar winner and Tony nominee Ariana DeBose will return to host the 76th Annual Tony Awards, from the historic United Palace in New York City's Wash…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:15PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, April 11, 2023

2023 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round 2): Stephen McKinley Henderson, Linedy Genao confirmed as lead actors by Sam Eckmann

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met on April 11, for the second time during the 2022-2023 Broadway season, to discuss the eligibility of seven productions for the 76th Annual Tony A…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:45PM[SHARE]

Casey Nicholaw ('Some Like it Hot' director) on crafting an epic chase sequence: 'It was seriously like Tetris' [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

"We just knew we wanted it to feel contemporary," explains Casey Nicholaw of his new musical "Some Like it Hot." Although the show is adapted from the classic film of the same name, there ar…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM[SHARE]

All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off