All stories by Sam Eckmann on BroadwayStars

Monday, June 6, 2022

Gabby Beans (‘The Skin of Our Teeth’) on breaking the fourth wall as Sabina: ‘It’s me on my most diva-ish and confident day’ [Exclusive Vide by Sam Eckmann

“I had an intuition,” reveals Gabby Beans on her approach to playing Sabina in “The Skin of Our Teeth.” The “very meta” role in the revival of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM

Jesse Tyler Ferguson (‘Take Me Out’) on the ‘gift’ of glorious monologues and earning his first Tony nomination [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“My job was to find out who my Mason was and carve a new path for him,” explains Jesse Tyler Ferguson of his character in “Take Me Out.” The actor portrays an accountant who discover…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:30PM
Saturday, June 4, 2022

Julie White (‘POTUS’) on being the ‘engine’ of a new farce and fighting tears with comedy [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I read the play and laughed so hard I was sweating,” exclaims actress Julie White of the new play “POTUS.” The Broadway veteran portrays Harriet, the White House Chief of Staff task…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:00PM
Friday, June 3, 2022

Warren Carlyle (‘The Music Man’ choreographer) on ‘truly joyous’ collaboration with Hugh Jackman [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“We had the chance to make something truly joyous,” explains Tony nominee Warren Carlyle of “The Music Man.” With Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster as the stars in this revival, the sta…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:30PM

Joaquina Kalukango (‘Paradise Square’) on earning standing ovations and ‘honoring lost voices’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“It’s a New York story that not a lot of people knew about,” explains Tony nominee Joaquina Kalukango of the musical “Paradise Square.” The actress plays Nelly, a born-free Black w…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM
Thursday, June 2, 2022

Barrie Gower (‘Stranger Things’ special makeup effects designer) on villain Vecna: ‘I always wanted to be a monster maker’ [Exclusive Video In by Sam Eckmann

“I always wanted to be a monster maker,” reveals special makeup effects designer Barrie Gower. “It was my childhood dream.” The Emmy-winner has made that dream a reality with his imp…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:30PM
Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Deirdre O’Connell (‘Dana H.’) discusses her unprecedented lip synced role: ‘I’m using myself as a science experiment’ [Exclusive Video Int by Sam Eckmann

“I had no idea if I could do it,” admits Deirdre O’Connell of her entirely lip synced role in “Dana H.” When playwright Lucas Hnath presented her with the text, the uniqueness of t…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM
Monday, May 30, 2022

John-Andrew Morrison (‘A Strange Loop’) on bringing ‘all of my authentic self’ to his Tony-nominated performance [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“It fulfilled my queer artist soul,” claims John-Andrew Morrison of getting to perform in “A Strange Loop” on Broadway. The actor admits that he didn’t believe the show would find …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:00PM
Saturday, May 28, 2022

Christopher Wheeldon (‘MJ’ director and choreographer) on exploring the ‘anatomy of Michael as a dancer’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“The goal from the very beginning was to capture the essence of Michael, but also make a new piece of art,” describes director and choreographer Christopher Wheeldon of his work on “MJ…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:00PM
Wednesday, May 25, 2022

A.J. Shively (‘Paradise Square’) isn’t a dancer by trade, but he’s hoofed his way to his 1st Tony nomination [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“It still really hasn’t sunk in. It’s wild,” exclaims A.J. Shively of his first ever Tony nomination. The performer was recognized for his work in the new musical “Paradise Square.…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:00PM
Monday, May 23, 2022

Can Sutton Foster (‘The Music Man’) parlay her Drama League upset into Tony Award #3? by Sam Eckmann

The Drama League Awards set themselves apart from other theater industry kudos thanks to their Distinguished Performance Award. The category generally features forty to fifty performers from…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 07:00PM
Sunday, May 22, 2022

2022 Drama League Award winners: ‘A Strange Loop,’ ‘Company,’ Sutton Foster … by Sam Eckmann

Winners of the 88th Annual Drama League Awards were announced on Friday, May 20 2022 at a ceremony hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Frank DiLella at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. The Drama L…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:00AM
Friday, May 20, 2022

L Morgan Lee (‘A Strange Loop’) on becoming the first openly trans Tony Award nominee: ‘It’s OK to dream bigger than anyone ever imagines’ [ by Sam Eckmann

“I have been at this for quite some time, so for the work to be recognized is really touching and moving,” reveals “A Strange Loop” star L Morgan Lee of her Tony Award nomination. Th…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM
Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Camille A. Brown (‘for colored girls’ director and choreographer) on her historic dual Tony nominations [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“Becoming the director provided me a space to really create my own vision and my own voice in what I wanted to say,” explains director and choreographer Camille A. Brown of “for colore…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM
Monday, May 16, 2022

Sharon D. Clarke (‘Caroline, or Change’) on her 1st Tony nomination after a long journey with Caroline: ‘It’s the gift that keeps on giving’ by Sam Eckmann

“ “It’s the gift that keeps on giving,” reveals Sharon D. Clarke of “Caroline, or Change.” The British theater veteran made her Broadway debut in the title role of the recent rev…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM
Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Darren Criss and Julianne Hough to co-host ‘The Tony Awards: Act One’ on Paramount+ by Sam Eckmann

This opening act of the 2022 Tony Awards is coming into focus. Emmy Award winners Darren Criss and Julianne Hough have been named co-hosts of “The Tony Awards: Act One,” one hour of excl…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:15PM
Monday, May 9, 2022

How to ace your Tony Award nominations predictions by Sam Eckmann

I had a great morning. Not only did the 2022 Tony nominations represent a great cross section of what made the 2021-2022 Broadway season so incredible, but on a more selfish note, I tied wit…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:00PM
Friday, May 6, 2022

2022 Tony Awards slugfest: Final nominations predictions — it’s a Broadway Brawl! [VIDEO] by Sam Eckmann

With the 2022 Tony Awards nomination announcement just days away, Broadway watchers are scrambling to finalize their predictions after a stellar season on the rialto. To help guide us throug…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:00PM
Thursday, May 5, 2022

2022 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round 3): ‘A Strange Loop,’ ‘Funny Girl,’ ‘Mr. Saturday Night’ … by Sam Eckmann

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met for the third and final time during the 2021-2022 Broadway season to discuss eligibility of 15 productions for the upcoming 75th Annual Tony Awar…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:00PM
Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Noah Reid (‘The Minutes’) on Mr. Peel’s search for truth: ‘There is something beautiful about playing what you don’t know’ [Exclusive Vide by Sam Eckmann

“There is something beautiful about playing what you don’t know,” explains Noah Reid. The actor is currently making his Broadway debut in “The Minutes,” a new play from Tracy Letts…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM

Jared Grimes (‘Funny Girl’) on the joy of tap: ‘It’s an art form that encodes itself into your DNA’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I’m out there free and just willing to surrender to the music,” reveals Jared Grimes. The performer is currently making a splash as Eddie Ryan in the first-ever Broadway revival of �…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM

Oscar winner Ariana DeBose will host the 2022 Tony Awards on June 12 at Radio City Music Hall by Sam Eckmann

The Tony Awards announced Wednesday that Academy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Ariana DeBose will host the 75th Annual Tony Awards. The event takes place from the legendary Radio City …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:40AM
Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Tracie Bennett (‘Hangmen’) on the demands of playing a small town bartender: ‘I’ve never done anything more technical than this’ [Exclusive by Sam Eckmann

“I really like quirky little things that have never been done before,” explains “Hangmen” star Tracie Bennett. The Tony-nominated actress has enjoyed a varied career on stage, which …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:30PM

Enrico Colantoni (‘Birthday Candles’) on playing the lifespan of a man: ‘I’m bringing all of myself to this play’ [Exclusive Video Interview by Sam Eckmann

“I’m bringing all of myself to this play,” explains Enrico Colantoni of the new Broadway show “Birthday Candles.” A veteran of TV series like “Just Shoot Me” and “Veronica Ma…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:30AM
Monday, May 2, 2022

2022 Lucille Lortel Awards winners list: ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ and ‘Oratorio for Living Things’ tie with 3 apiece by Sam Eckmann

Winners of the 2022 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were announced in a ceremony on May 1, 2022, at NYU Skirball. New musicals “Kimberly Akimbo” and “Ora…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:00PM

Alfie Allen (‘Hangmen’) on laughing in the face of darkness: ‘You can’t really settle into this play’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I love the darkness of it. I love the morbidness of it. But also, there’s a warmth to it,” says Alfie Allen as he describes the new play “Hangmen.” The actor plays Mooney, a myste…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:30AM
Friday, April 29, 2022

Carmen Cusack (‘Flying Over Sunset’) on acid trips and grief: ‘I kind of just embraced the light and dark’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“She was such a trailblazer,” says Carmen Cusack of Clare Booth Luce. The Tony-nominated actress (“Bright Star”) played the multifaceted author and politician in the musical “Flyin…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM
Thursday, April 28, 2022

L Morgan Lee (‘A Strange Loop’) could become the first openly transgender performer to earn a Tony nomination by Sam Eckmann

Lend me your “sympathetic ears,” because history could be made when Tony Award nominations are announced on May 9. The Pulitzer Prize-winning “A Strange Loop” is bound to have a stro…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:00PM

Ron Cephas Jones (‘Clyde’s’) on playing the enlightened Montrellous: ‘It’s about choosing light’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“It was about choosing light and also about having faith and working through fear,” says Ron Cephas Jones of his recent role in “Clyde’s” on Broadway. The Lynn Nottage play cast th…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM
Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Katrina Lenk (‘Company’) on the ‘refined poetry’ of ‘Being Alive’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“It feels like a completely new production,” explains “Company” star Katrina Lenk. The Tony Award-winning actress (“The Band’s Visit”) plays Bobbie in director Marianne Elliott…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:30PM
Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Lilli Cooper (‘POTUS’) on being surrounded by comedy legends: ‘I honestly pinch myself everyday’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I honestly pinch myself everyday to be a part of this group of women,” says Lilli Cooper. The Tony-nominated actress is currently starring as a reporter named Chris in the new Broadway …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:00PM

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