All stories by Sam Eckmann on BroadwayStars

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Camille A. Brown (‘Hell’s Kitchen’ choreographer) brings ‘spirit’ of new Alicia Keys song ‘Kaleidoscope’ to life [Exclusive Video Interv by Sam Eckmann

“It’s not just about setting time and space, but it’s also about the dancers being time and being space,” explains Camille A. Brown of her work on “Hell’s Kitchen.” The choreog…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:00PM

Lindsay Mendez (‘Merrily We Roll Along’) on how the ‘spark’ between co-stars helps deliver a ‘universal’ story about friendship [Exclusive by Sam Eckmann

“It’s so complicated, but I think it’s so universal to all of us who’ve grown up,” says Lindsay Mendez on the central friendships in “Merrily We Roll Along.” The current Broadw…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:00PM

Grace McLean (‘Suffs’) enjoys in ‘dissonance’ of portraying the patriarchy of Woodrow Wilson in a woman’s body [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I try to think about what it would be like to just walk through the world with blissful confidence,” explains Grace McLean when describing her portrayal of president Woodrow Wilson in �…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:00PM

Grant Gustin (‘Water for Elephants’) learns to ‘follow the momentum’ within a ‘marathon’ of singing and circus [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“My dream had always been to originate something and it’s really fun to just kind of make it my own,” says Grant Gustin of starring in a Broadway musical. That aspiration is now a real…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:00AM
Friday, April 19, 2024

2024 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round 2): ‘Appropriate’ is officially a revival, ‘The Notebook’ actors split up by Sam Eckmann

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met for the third time during the 2023-2024 Broadway season on April 19, to discuss eligibility of 8 productions for the 77th Annual Tony Awards in 2…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:30PM

Nichelle Lewis (‘The Wiz’) on processing loss in order to feel ‘Home’ on Broadway [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I think it’s just about discovering yourself and knowing that who you are is enough,” says Nichelle Lewis when summing up the major themes in “The Wiz.” The actress is making her …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM
Thursday, April 18, 2024

Schele Williams (‘The Notebook’ and ‘The Wiz’) makes her historic Broadway directorial debut by telling stories ‘with authenticity and integ by Sam Eckmann

“I’ve been directing for 20 years, and to finally have this moment happen is just extraordinary,” confesses Schele Williams. While she has previously appeared on Broadway as an actor, …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:30PM

Betsy Aidem (‘Prayer for the French Republic’) on Marcelle’s impossible choice: ‘I had nowhere to go but everywhere’ [Exclusive Video Interv by Sam Eckmann

During a pivotal moment in Joshua Harmon’s “Prayer for the French Republic,” Betsy Aidem desperately asks where she can take her family “to feel safe.” The question reverberates th…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM
Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Chip Zien (‘Harmony’) explores guilt and history in ‘the role of a lifetime’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“It’s the role of a lifetime,” exclaims Chip Zien in reference to his character Rabbi in “Harmony.” The actor’s agents were initially hesitant to send him the script for the Barr…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM
Monday, April 15, 2024

Eden Espinosa (‘Lempicka’) returns to Broadway after a 16 year absence in a ‘gift’ of a role that uses ‘every part’ of her range [Exclusiv by Sam Eckmann

It has been 16 years since Eden Espinosa graced a Broadway stage. After showcasing her powerhouse vocals in “Wicked,” “Brooklyn,” and the final cast of “Rent,” the actress took t…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM
Friday, April 12, 2024

Carson Kreitzer (‘Lempicka’) on capturing the famed painter through lyrics: ‘My language has always wanted to ride with music’ [Exclusive Vide by Sam Eckmann

“I often write about women who were ahead of their time and paid a great price for pushing the boundaries of what women were allowed to do,” explains Carson Kreitzer. The writer contribu…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM
Thursday, April 11, 2024

Andrew Samonsky (‘Lempicka’) finds the complicated ‘truth’ of a ‘man stuck in time’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

The Broadway musical “Lempicka” will undoubtedly mark many audience members’ introduction to the personal life of Tamara De Lempicka. While wealth of information exists about the titul…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM
Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Natalie Gold (‘Appropriate’) on growing comfortable enough to ‘eviscerate’ Sarah Paulson every night [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I think all great dramas are based in dysfunctional families,” confesses Natalie Gold. “Maybe there’s a part of us that are relieved that we get to watch it instead of that being ou…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:30AM
Monday, April 8, 2024

Jocelyn Bioh (‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’ playwright) explores the power ‘community and sisterhood’ in a Harlem salon [Exclusive Video In by Sam Eckmann

“Character is kind of where I start from,” explains Jocelyn Bioh, “I feel like all of my work is character driven narratives.” She made her Broadway debut as a playwright this season…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM
Friday, April 5, 2024

Michael Esper (‘Appropriate’) on the ‘perfect storm’ of performing in an ‘insane highwire act of a play’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“It’s just a kind of perfect storm,” reveals Michael Esper of the new play “Appropriate.” Not only does the family drama provide the actor with juicy material to play, but it has p…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:00PM

Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri (‘Back to the Future: The Musical’) used their ‘entire arsenal of experience’ to bring the beloved film to Bro by Sam Eckmann

“As we investigated the story, the bones of the story itself, what we discovered was that it was ready made for the stage,” explains Glen Ballard of “Back to the Future: The Musical.�…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:00AM
Thursday, April 4, 2024

2024 Lucille Lortel Awards nominations: ‘Hell’s Kitchen,’ ‘Stereophonic’ get Tony Awards boost for their Off-Broadway productions by Sam Eckmann

Nominations for the 39th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards were announced today by Amber Iman and George Abud, two stars of Broadway’s “Lempicka.” The Lortels honor outstanding achievement …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:00PM

Jessica Stone (‘Water for Elephants’ director) on fusing musical theatre and circus: ‘Once you’re dealing with memory, it doesn’t have to be by Sam Eckmann

Director Jessica Stone knew that her stage adaptation of “Water for Elephants” needed to have its own distinct voice given that audiences already experienced the 2006 novel and a 2011 fi…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:00PM
Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Isabelle McCalla (‘Water for Elephants’) on finding ‘moments of connection’ between musical theater and circus [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

Isabelle McCalla is an expertly trained dancer, but had no experience in any type of acrobatic arts before taking on her latest role. “I was in gymnastics class for a month when I was seve…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:00PM
Friday, March 29, 2024

Kara Young (‘Purlie Victorious’) could become 1st Black performer to reap 3 consecutive Tony nominations by Sam Eckmann

Kara Young once again made Broadway audiences fall in love with her this season, thanks to a celebrated turn in last fall’s “Purlie Victorious.” Now she sits atop Gold Derby’s combin…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:00PM
Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Third time’s the charm: Ariana DeBose returning as Tony Awards host by Sam Eckmann

She’s back, back, back again! Oscar-winning actress Ariana DeBose will once again return to host the 77th Annual Tony Awards live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on Sunday…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:02PM
Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Zenzi Williams (‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’) on embracing the ‘sisterhood’ of salons: ‘We were carrying love all the way through’ [Ex by Sam Eckmann

“We played games and we laughed. And I felt like that was where the trust really began,” recalls Zenzi Williams of a pivotal potluck where she and her “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding�…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:00PM
Thursday, March 21, 2024

2024 Tony Awards slugfest: ‘Illinoise’ throws musical predictions into disarray [WATCH] by Sam Eckmann

I thought I was safe to boldly pronounce my initial 2024 Tony Awards predictions, but then Sufjan Stevens appeared to stomp all over them. As David Buchanan and I convened to discuss where w…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:00PM
Monday, March 18, 2024

Sandy Rustin (‘The Cottage’ playwright) satisfied a ‘creative itch’ to create a classic farce with feminist themes [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I was really looking to create something kind of in the style of Noel Coward, but with a feminist twist,” explains playwright Sandy Rustin of “The Cottage.” She took her first stab …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:00AM
Thursday, March 14, 2024

Can ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ claim a trio of acting wins at the 2024 Tony Awards? by Sam Eckmann

The actors from the current revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s “Merrily We Roll Along” have skyrocketed in Gold Derby’s combined odds for the 2024 Tony Awards nominations…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:00PM
Monday, March 11, 2024

2024 Dorian Theater Awards announce key dates, expand categories by Sam Eckmann

After stepping onto the scene last season, GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, has announced key dates and details for the 2nd Annual Dorian Theater Awards. Along with import…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:00PM

2024 Tony Awards could feature the most women directing nominees in history by Sam Eckmann

Since their inception, the directing categories at the Tony Awards have mostly been a boys’ club. Not only are the vast majority of winners men, but so are most (and in many years, all) of…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:00AM
Monday, March 4, 2024

2024 Tony Awards nominations predictions center is open! 15 plays jockey for attention by Sam Eckmann

Gold Derby’s 2024 Tony Awards nominations predictions center is open for business and ready for your best prognostications. This season, 15 plays will jockey for Broadway’s top honors. T…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:00AM
Friday, March 1, 2024

2024 Tony Awards nominations prediction center is open! 20 musicals vie for Broadway awards by Sam Eckmann

Gold Derby’s 2024 Tony Awards nominations predictions center is now open and ready to forecast which shows will prevail in a highly competitive season. A whopping 20 musicals compete for B…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:00AM
Monday, February 26, 2024

2024 Lucille Lortel Awards: Ceremony date, special honors to Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Dominique Morisseau by Sam Eckmann

The Lucille Lortel Awards hold a special place in the New York theater community as the only awards body in the city to exclusively honor Off-Broadway. This year’s ceremony will be held on…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM
Wednesday, February 7, 2024

After 50 years on Broadway, Chip Zien (‘Harmony’) deserves his first ever Tony nomination by Sam Eckmann

The Baker. Marvin. Rabbi. Three iconic roles created by beloved stage veteran Chip Zien. The last of those three comes from “Harmony,” the new musical from Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussma…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:00AM

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 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic
TBA: Ragtime