The Year of Living Cinematically by Kevin Daly

Another year, another year of cinematic viewing. Things have gotten a bit fancier and more accessible now that I have blu-ray player and access to Netflix streaming. Incidentally, my viewing…

My 2011 In Review by Tim

2011 was a pretty good year. In fact, looking back over it all, I kind of can’t believe how much I did: My first musical, IN THE PALE EARTHLIGHT (book and lyrics by Tim Bauer, music by Ric…

Coming Up This Week in Theatre - 12/31/2011

BroadwayWorld.com's Upcoming Events calendar for the week - updated on 12312011.

My Favorite Performances, 2011 by Kevin Daly

My Favorite Performances, 2011 by Kevin Daly

Matthew Amendt – Hamlet. The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary with its first-ever presentation of this most famous of plays, with a kinetic, explosive…

COIL 2012: William Cusick and Kenneth Collins of Temporary Distortion by Jeremy M. Barker

The minds behind Temporary Distortion explain how they explored the fact and fiction of cop-life in "Newyorkland"

SOUND OFF 2011 Year-End Round-Up: Toasts To The Mosts by Pat Cerasaro

Today we are taking a look at the very best theatre-related entities in a variety of different categories - books, music, television, film, and, of course, theatre - as we look back on 2011 …

Artist of the year 2011: Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy

The artistic directors of Ragamala Dance use their art form as a prism to refract both the ancient and the modern.

Artist of the year 2011: These are a few of their favorite things

Turnabout being fair play, we asked Minnesota artists saluted in today's best-of-2011 package to offer their own favorite cultural moments of the year.

Artist of the year 2011: Honorable mentions

Who's pulling the strings in Russia's ballet revolution? by Luke Jennings

A 'banana millionaire', a pair of Bolshoi defectors, an avant-garde Spaniard and an all-powerful agent are the principals in this power struggleOn 15 December, during a nationwide TV broadca…

Artist of the year 2011: More overachievers

Strange case of a fake Ibsen play that has gripped Scandinavia by Richard Orange

Literary experts embarrassed after 'lost fragments' of work by Norway's famous playwright are alleged to have been forgedIt's the case that has absorbed Scandinavia's elite artistic circles …

2011: Mariinsky, Manon, and a German Dane by Judith Flanders

Highlights of the year are always interesting. Things you loved at the time do, sometimes surprisingly, fade very quickly. I really enjoyed the Gabriel Orozco retrospective at the Tate: I th…

Wall-to-wall Bard (with strings attached)

In the bleak midwinter, ie the first fortnight of January, it's always lean pickings in terms of big opening nights. Venture forth, however, and check out the London fringe.

A silver year for Matthew Bourne, and moments of solid gold

If the coming dance year belongs to any individual, it's Matthew Bourne, celebrating a quarter-century of mould-breaking dance theatre. In the next 12 months, Bourne's company New Adventures…

Helen Frankenthaler's "Mountains and Sea", Matisse, and a remarkable hidden image by Yvonne Korshak

... hidden image of a woman with a hat ... The American abstract painter Helen Frankenthaler died at the age of 83 just a few days ago and I’m writing because of something very interesting…

COIL 2012: Rachel Chavkin on The TEAM’s “Mission Drift” by Jeremy M. Barker

The artistic director of NYC's The TEAM talks about the award-winning show coming to PS 122's COIL Festival this January

The Nutcracker (Birmingham Royal Ballet) by Robert Walport

I missed out on the Royal Ballet's O2 Arena excursion (it was slap bang in the middle of my exams) but the prospect of the Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) bringing their much lauded "Nutcracke…

Buh Bye, 2011: The Best and Worst Theater Things of the Year by Lucky and The Mick

OK, kids. This is the whole enchilada. The good, the bad and the ugly of 2011. From Baby It’s You to The Book of Mormon, relive it one last time before it goes. And then 2011 can GTFO …

Dreaming a world

The Walker Art Center's Out There performance festival goes global this year, so we got an artist in Beirut on the horn.

Top 25 Chicago Shows of 2011 by Scotty Zacher

Being the largest theater review site west of New York City, Chicago Theater Beat covered over 600 shows in 2011. In alphabetical order, here are our choices for the year’s best.

Theater spotlight: 'Joan of Arc'

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Heart Shaped Nebula Eureka Moment  MAJOR SPOILER ALERTFYI, this entire blog post is pretty much a spoiler. You have been warned. So, proceed with caution.Ever since my October table re…

STAGE TUBE: Happy New Year - A Look Back at AMERICAN IDIOT Rocking Out Last Year! by Stage Tube

Last year, Carson Daly featured the cast of AMERICAN IDIOT - take a look back at the performance below

Hamlet by Robert Walport

To make a genuinely original "Hamlet" you've got to try pretty hard but that doesn't mean doing what Ian Rickson has done with his Young Vic production. He's moulded Michael Sheen into a qui…

The Best and Worst Shows of 2011 by Matt Windman

In retrospect, 2011 was marked by some pretty extraordinary shows,including the biggest hit musical to play Broadway in 10 years, areturn visit from a really hot matinee idol and a stunning …

Review: (Toronto) American Idiot by The Charlebois Post

Scott J. Campbell (photo credit: Doug Hamilton)Bells and Whistles signifying...Is there any there there in American Idiot?by Axel Van CheeWith more bells and whistles than the biggest Santa�…

A Notice to Playbill.com Readers by Playbill Staff

On December 31, Playbill.com has been experiencing alerts on some internet browsers for malware. Our engineers have diagnosed the issue and eliminated the threat. We have requested our site …

Winter 2012: On area stages, wintertime means "in with the new" by John Moore Special To The Denver Post

Winter is traditionally when our local theater companies take their greatest artistic risks. And this could be a season of very high reward for the Denver Center Theatre Company. Here's our …

A Few of Our Favorite Things: Lucky and The Mick’s Picks, 2011 by Lucky and The Mick

The best and worst of 2011? Well, not really. But here are the moments we wish we could pack up and put in our pockets and save forever. Lucky Favorite Act I Surprise: The First 10 Minutes o…

The Best Musicals of 2011 by Christopher Caggiano

For Christmas, I treated myself to the Stephen Sondheim's Hat Box, which comprises both volumes of his collected lyrics: Finishing the Hat and Look, I Made a Hat. I'm in the active process o…

Round Up: 2011 by Jessica Wilson

The results of our Twitter poll are in as Jessica Wilson rounds up your theatrical highs and lows of 2011.

Luner on Theatre’s Favorite Theatre Moments of 2011 by Chris Luner

2011 – what a year. And what a year at theatre for that. If the world events of 2011 didn’t keep you on the edge of your seat, the theatre scene and Broadway business sure as hel…

What to do on First Night by Thomas Garvey

Yes, the last night of the year has once more rolled around - only in these parts we call it "First Night" rather than "Last Night" (perhaps for obvious reasons).  And once more hordes …

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 12/31 - Bebe Neuwirth by Stage Tube

Today in 1958, Tony Award-winner Bebe Neuwirth was born. Neuwirth made her Broadway debut in the role of Sheila in A Chorus Line in 1980. She later appeared in revivals of Little Me 1982 Swe…

Mr. and Ms. Broadway 2011 by JK

WHY THEY ARE MR. AND MRS. BROADWAY OF THE YEAR:  This year the people of the Broadway year represent the most important people in theatre.  Without them, they shows they represent …

Soul Doctor Tale of Rock Star Rabbi Is Wildly Uneven by Bill Hirschman

One of the most frustrating evenings in theater is The Mess. One moment, you’re moved by ineffable loveliness, the next you’re groaning at ham-handed ineptitude. Such is the careening qu…

Seth Rudetsky Will Resume Chatterbox Series in New Year; Initial Guests Announced by Andrew Gans

Musician, actor, comic and Playbill.com columnist Seth Rudetsky will relaunch his interview series, Seth's Broadway Chatterbox, Jan. 5, 2012.

My New Year's Resolution - what's yours? by Ken Davenport

Let me be one of the first to wish you all a Happy New Year! I love New Year's. It's my favorite holiday, and probably the favorite holiday of most entrepreneurs out there. It represents a n…

The Best Theater of 2011 by Jan Simpson

If you read as many “10 Bests” lists as I do around this time each year, it quickly becomes obvious that the lists say a whole lot more about the people making them than they do about an…

High-Bwayworld.mov by BroadwayWorld TV

High-Bwayworld.mov http://broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-TV-Broadway-Beat-at-HIGH-Opening-NIght-2000010156 for more information. Kathleen Turner, two-time Golden Globe® winner, Academy …

BWW TV: BroadwayWorld Goes Backstage at Cirque du Soleil's QUIDAM by BroadwayWorld TV

BWW TV: BroadwayWorld Goes Backstage at Cirque du Soleil's QUIDAM http://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-TV-BroadwayWorld-Goes-Backstage-at-Cirque-du-Soleils-QUIDAM-20110421 fo…

BWW TV: BORN YESTERDAY on Broadway! by BroadwayWorld TV

BWW TV: BORN YESTERDAY on Broadway! http://broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-TV-Sneak-Peek-at-BORN-YESTERDAY-on-Broadway-20000101 for more information. Born Yesterday, starring Jim Belushi, Rob…

Twitter Watch: Stephen Oremus Joins Twitter! by BroadwayWorld

Tony Award winner Stephen Oremus has joined Twitter stephenoremus.

Photo Flashback: THE ADDAMS FAMILY Closes on Broadway by BroadwayWorld

Get a look back at the production, from Chicago to Broadway and beyond

Throw the Bums Out! by Matthew Murray

A popular Southern movie chain is demonstrating the proper way to deal with talkers and texters, and Broadway theaters could learn from its example.

Accidentally, Like a Martyr by Richard Seff

I don’t usually take you along with me when I go trouping off/off Broadway, but I’m making an exception because last evening I stumbled on a special treat and as it will run thro…

Classical Music Sampler: January 2012 by Susan Miron

Highlights in classical music during January include a visit by the acclaimed cappella group Anonymous Four at the Gardner Museum's new concert hall, and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project …

PRIVATE LIVES Ends Broadway Run by BroadwayWorld

Private Lives will finish its limited engagement today at Broadways Music Box Theatre 239 West 45th Street after 12 previews and 53 regular performances.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY Plays Final Broadway Performance Today by BroadwayWorld

The Broadway production of the hit musical comedy THE ADDAMS FAMILY will end its run at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre 205 West 46th St. today at 2 PM after 725 performances and 34 previews.

Happy New Year! by Don Hall

Stages this year were filled with exceptional design

The annual Judy Awards also recognize the year's outstanding productions and performances.

Visual arts in 2011 included Monet, Buddha and loss of Cassilly

Works by the City Museum co-founder can be found all over St. Louis.

Local dance scene continues to grow in 2011

Local and national companies impressed audiences in 2011 with performances that captured the poetry of bodies in motion.

11 classical music stories to remember from '11

Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ bold "Death of Klinghoffer" was a classic.

20 Best Shows of 2011 by Ludlow Lad

1. I don't believe in outer space (William Forsythe Company @ BAM)2. KIN (by Bathsheba Doran; directed by Sam Gold @ Playwrights Horizons)3. The Method Gun (Rude Mechanicals @ Dance Theater …

BEST OF 2011 Photo Flashback - Opening Night Parties! by BroadwayWorld

2012 is quickly approaching, and in celebration of the new year, BroadwayWorld will celebrate 2011 with highlights from the year Below are photos from the opening night after parties of the …

The Best (and Worst) of Theater in 2011 by Michael Portantiere

Content dictates form, which is why my year-end look back at New York theater in 2011 is somewhat different from previous surveys. Usually I provide a fairly lengthy list of what I consider …

Cecil Beaton: The New York Years – Dapper, double-breasted and sometimes in drag by Oscar E Moore

In 1928, an extremely talented twenty four year old Cecil Beaton “one of London’s bright young people” known for their “exaggerated poses and frivolous sensibility…

'The Enchanted Island' A Mashup Of Classic Masters by Jeff Lunden

'The Enchanted Island' A Mashup Of Classic Masters

Shakespeare, Vivaldi, Handel and Placido Domingo all are part of the Metropolitan Opera's new production, The Enchanted Island, opening on New Year's Eve. Taking a cue from 18th-century past…

Pursuing Entertainment in 2011 by Sarah B. Roberts

photo by Karigee 2011 was quite a year, filled with lots of laughs and thrills.  I managed to take advantage of at least 99 entertainment opportunites, mostly good.  Travel was fun…

The Adventures of Tin Tin by Trav S.D.

If I do say so myself, some of the best performances I have ever given are forever lost and were witnessed only by an audience of two (and, gee, I sure hope they back me up on that!). I refe…

Stars of Vaudeville #412: Rex Allen by Trav S.D.

Rex Allen (born this day in 1920) is undoubtedly best to know to modern audiences as that highly recognizable narrator of Disney wildlife movies (and many other films and commercials. He sta…

Philly Mummer’s Parade by Trav S.D.

The coolest New Year’s Day event that I know of doesn’t even happen in New York — it’s Philadelphia’s annual Mummer’s Parade. Rooted in Medieval tradition…

BWW's On This Day - December 31, 2011

Here are the Broadway, Off-Broadway and West End shows which opened on December 31 along with all of the upcoming show openings, closings and special events

Tony Award Tidbits for Thespians Who Love Trivia

Tony Award © American Theatre Wing If you love Broadway (and who doesn't?!), you'll want to check out the following pages on Tony Award winners. As we close 2011 and cruise into 2012, p…

China Forbes Confirmed to Join Pink Martini for New Year's Eve Concerts 12/31

China Forbes, who has recovered from vocal cord surgery, has been confirmed to join Pink Martini for two New Year's Eve concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Saturday, December 31, at 700 PM…

West End's PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT to Close December 31 by BroadwayWorld

With an astounding array of outrageous costumes and featuring a score of dance-floor classics, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical opened at the Palace Theatre in March 2009. The produ…

Nashville Symphony Choral Director Retires by Bww News Desk

Nashville Symphony Chorus Director Dr. George Mabry will be retiring from his duties on December 31, 2011. Mabry has directed the Nashville Symphony Chorus since 1998, bringing national accl…

DIVA!

Marty Thomas Presents DIVA hosts Rachelle Rak video release party, SNAPSHOTS, 1/16/12. Grammy nominated recording artist and Broadway performer, Marty Thomas(Xanadu, Secret Garden, Wicked) …

What are you doing New Year's Eve from Memphis the Musical by Memphis The Musical

What are you doing New Year's Eve from Memphis the Musical Memphis the Musical presents a photo montage of Images from 2011 while National Tour cast members Jill Morrison and Christophe…

Cecil Beaton: The New York Years – Dapper, double-breasted and sometimes in drag by Oscar E. Moore

At The Museum of the City of New York through February 20th, you can and should take a close look at this breathtaking time capsule of art (1928-1969)

Arts | New Jersey: New Jersey Repertory Company’s ‘Bakersfield Mist’ — Review by Anita Gates

A piece of art that might be one of Jackson Pollock’s acclaimed drip paintings brings together an unlikely couple in “Bakersfield Mist,” presented by the New Jersey Repertory Company.

Park Avenue Armory Announces First Full Season of Artistic Programming by Bww News Desk

Park Avenue Armory announced its first full season of cultural programming, comprising productions of visual art, dance, theater and music that are conceived and performed outside the box of…

No Script? No Problem. Part IV by The Charlebois Post

Montreal Improv: l-r Bryan Walsh, Kirsten Rasmussen, François Vincent, Marc Rowland (photo credit: Jeremy Bobrow)A Guide to Improv Terms by Kirsten Rasmussen Of Montreal Improv(A versi…

"Death Is Just Around the Corner": Broadway's Addams Family Closes Dec. 31; Revised Tour Still Haunts by Kenneth Jones

The Broadway musical comedy The Addams Family, inspired by the funny-macabre cartoons of Charles Addams, ends its run at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre following the matinee Dec. 31. By close, it…

"Say a Little Prayer": London Production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Shutters Dec. 31 by Mark Shenton

The West End edition of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert The Musical shutters Dec. 31, 2011, after a run of over 1,000 performances at the Palace Theatre.

BROADWAY SPRING PREVIEW 2012: What's the Buzz? Eva Peron, a Rockin' Messiah, Wit and Newsies on the Horizon by Robert Simonson

In the winter and spring months ahead, Broadway will see plays by Margaret Edson, Athol Fugard, David Auburn, Arthur Miller and others commingling with the musicals Newsies, Jesus Christ Sup…

STAGE VIEWS: Godspell and "Glee" Star Telly Leung by Andrew Gans

Playbill.com's new series features brief chats with Broadway actors commenting on their recent theatregoing experiences, what productions they are looking forward to and more. Here, via …

PLAYBILL BRIEF ENCOUNTER With Holland Taylor, of "Two and a Half Men" and Her Broadway-Aimed Ann by Kenneth Jones

Holland Taylor, the actress known for playing salty and strong women on TV's "Bosom Buddies" and "Two and a Half Men," has crafted a one-woman play called Ann, about …

THE WEEK AHEAD, Dec. 31-Jan. 6: Private Lives, Addams Family, Hugh Jackman Close; Wit Is Exercised by Blake Ross

Playbill.com's weekly planner reminds you that Hugh Jackman, Kim Cattrall, Brooke Shields and Daniel Radcliffe dance their last Broadway dance (for now)… Sleep No More holds a New…

THE SCREENING ROOM: Celebrate New Year's Eve With Show Tunes (Video) by Michael Gioia

To celebrate New Year's Eve and the impending New Year, Playbill.com has surfed the web for some of our favorite musical theatre tunes and scenes about, or set during, the final night of…

CHART TOPPERS: Most-Read Playbill.com Stories, Week of Dec. 18–24 by Judy Samelson

Here are the most-read Playbill.com stories for the week of Dec. 18–24, 2011, from information compiled by Playbill.com.

The Balconies Are Closed: Broadway's Private Lives, Featuring Kim Cattrall, Ends Dec. 31 by Kenneth Jones

The Broadway revival of Private Lives, which co-stars Kim Cattrall and Paul Gross, plays its final performance at Broadway's Music Box Theatre Dec. 31. The limited engagement was origina…

Kelli O'Hara and Michael Feinstein Team for New Year's Eve Concerts in NYC by Andrew Gans

Three-time Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara, who is scheduled to return to Broadway in Nice Work If You Can Get It, and cabaret veteran Michael Feinstein join forces for New Year's Eve conc…

Levi Kreis, David Burnham and More Join Sam Harris for New Year's Eve Concert in California by Michael Gioia

El Portal Theatre, with producers Jay Irwin and Pegge Forrest, present Sam Harris & Friends, a New Year's Eve celebration concert, Dec. 31 at 4 PM and 10 PM.

"Live From Lincoln Center" PBS Broadcast, Celebrating Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin, Airs Dec. 31 by Michael Gioia

"Live From Lincoln Center" presents New York Philharmonic: New Year's Eve Gala, celebrating the music of American twentieth-century composers Leonard Bernstein and George Gersh…

UNLOCK THE VAULT: Dec. 31, Happy New "Year" by Robert Viagas

In celebration of Playbill’s new site, Playbill Vault, we offer a month-long theatrical treasure hunt! Playbill Vault offers an interactive treasure trove for theatre fans, students, a…

Sewickley native having a ball as 'Memphis' DJ

Peter Matthew Smith gets so lost in character in a memorable scene from the touring company of "Memphis," even close friends aren't sure it's him.