The riotous history of The Playboy of the Western World by Declan Kiberd

When first staged in Dublin in 1907 JM Synge's play caused a riot. Two years later its author was dead but his play was soon to go global'Whenever a country produces a man of genius," said W…

This Election Is Even Tough For Comedians

For the past two years this election season has been relentless. And it turns out it's especially tough for stand up comedians. Washington, D.C. comedian Rob Maher explains.

Coming Up This Week in Theatre - 11/5/2016

BroadwayWorld.com's Upcoming Events calendar for the week - updated on 1152016.

Martha Lorin Celebrates One Year At Cafe Noctambulo In NYC by Michael J. Roberts

Ralph Lampkin/Lampkin Music Group and Christopher Gines/Cafe Noctambulo are proud to announce that It’s a celebration! Renowned [...]

Full of sound and fury: Glenda Jackson’s gender-bending Lear by Vanessa Thorpe

Critics acclaim a triumphant return to the stage for the former MP, undiminished in her powers at the age of 80There were raging storms, banishments, stabbings, eye-gougings, poisonings and …

'The Color Purple', 'The Phantom of the Opera,' More Broadway Shows to Be Closed on Election Day

The Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall will also be dark.read more

Photo Flash: HOLIDAY INN Celebrates Swings, THE KING and I Pays Tribute to HAMILTON, and More Saturday Intermission Pics! by BroadwayWorld

It's Saturday, and that means it's time for what has become one of the theatre community's most beloved traditions- BroadwayWorld's 'Saturday Intermission Pics' roundup Today's edition featu…

New Musical: Ned Kelly My Love will premiere in Melbourne this week by Matt Edwards

Australian music theatre writer Xavier Brouwer (Grey’s Lobotomy, DIVE, MACKILLOP) will premiere his new musical Ned Kelly My Love at the Brunswick Mechanics Theatre in Melbourne from …

The Met Turns 50 — Part Two by Christopher

I was not present for the opening of Philharmonic Hall in 1962—I was seventeen—but I did attend performances during its first season. (The Met performed there, it should be said, with th…

Meet the Cast of Avant Bard’s ‘TAME.’ Part 3: Jill Tighe by Joel Markowitz

In Part 3 of a series of interviews with the cast of Avant Bard’s production of TAME., meet Jill Tighe. Joel: Where have local audiences seen you perform recently on stage? Jill: The last …

Loverly Return: Encore My Fair Lady season confirmed for 2017, Sydney by Erin James

Julie Andrews’ 60th anniversary production of My Fair Lady – the most successful show ever to play at the Sydney Opera House – has confirmed it will be returning to Sydne…

Photo: Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron See What's Inside at WAITRESS by BroadwayWorld

Seems like Zac Efron's itching to get back to his musical roots After visiting Holiday Inn to see High School Musicalbuddy Corbin Bleu tap the night away a few weeks ago, Efron visited the p…

Listen to Stephen King Opera The Shining by Olivia Clement

The complete production, as well as a scene-by-scene guide, is now available to listen to via Classical MPR.

Meet the Cast of ‘Postmortem’ at Montgomery Playhouse: Part 5: Nora Zanger by Joel Markowitz

In Part 5 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Montgomery Playhouse’s Postmortem, meet Nora Zanger. Joel: Please introduce yourself and tell our readers where they may have se…

Theatre Review: ‘American Hero’ at Rep Stage by Mark Beachy

James Truslow Adams said, “The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or a…

BWW Review: Anna Deavere Smith's NOTES FROM THE FIELD; Voices From America's School-To-Prison Pipeline by Michael Dale

Placed throughout Anna Deavere Smith's revealing new theatre piece, NOTES FROM THE FIELD, are violent video clips that have become all too familiar to any American with access to YouTube.

Heisenberg Review: Mary-Louise Parker in fake romantic comedy by New York Theater

“Heisenberg” is a play starring Mary-Louise Parker as a wacky 42-year-old American who kisses a 75-year-old stranger on the neck in a London train station, setting off an improba…

Spotlight On...Rebecca Crookshank by Michael Block

Name: Rebecca CrookshankHometown: South Devon (Plymouth) now London UKEducation: First Class BA Hons from the Italia Conti Academy London UKFavorite Credits: Coming to New York with Whiskey …

Rising Tohoku Food Fair 2016 – this weekend in Torrance by Minette Parmentier

This weekend only – a family-friendly Japanese Food Fair Offers Culinary and Cultural delights. Lovers of Japanese food and culture are getting a treat this

The Story of My Life by Michael Portantiere

Original Broadway Cast, 2009 (PS Classics) The Story of My Life is an intimate, unusual, two-character musical with songs by Neil Bartram and book by Brian Hill. The strengths of the cast al…

Review: ‘Dinner With Friends’ at Greenbelt Arts Center by William Powell

‘Dinner With Friends’ serves broken relationships, dreams Why do people break up, but never make up? Is having kids a sacrifice or a blessing? Are some people not just built for marriage…

Call Answered: Masiela Lusha: Sharknado: The 4th Awakens, George Lopez Show, The Living Air by Call Me Adam

Call Answered: I love the "Sharknado" TV movies. I also love people who express themselves thru writing, which leads us to Masiela Lusha, actress, writer, & wife. When Masiela was brough…

Review: Frankenstein is Fantastic in Phantasmagoria by Michael Block

By Ed MalinPhantasmagoria; or Let Us Seek Death! is now playing at LaMaMa in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein”. The piece is …

Two Class Acts: Squash & Ajax by Victor Gluck, Editor-In-Chief

Whether you see one or both of Gurney’s "Two Class Acts," these are provocative plays of ideas on topics of the day. The playwright continues to demonstrate that he has a wise and discerni…

Well-Polished Shine by Kevin Greene

Review: ‘American Hero’ at Rep Stage by John Harding

In its area premiere of American Hero, Rep Stage has sent out a likable little David to do battle with the soulless Goliath of modern corporate culture. While playwright Bess Wohl accomplish…

Review: ‘Les Liasons Dangereuse’ at The Booth Theatre in NYC by Richard Seff

Christopher Hampton’s play, Les Liasons Dangereuse, based on the novel by Choderlos de Laclos, a story presented through a series of the characdters’ personal letters, was first…

'King Lear': Theater Review by Demetrios Matheou

Two-time Oscar winner Glenda Jackson returns to the stage after a quarter-century in Shakespeare's most demanding role, at an age when Lear wouldn’t be the only one thinking of putting his…

Fight Night a timely look at voting and elections by Carly Maga - Theatre Critic

In a simulated boxing ring, complete with a dangling microphone, five actors or “candidates” compete for votes from the audience members, who are armed with a voting device.

This Day Forward by Doug Marino

Upon a bit of reflection this was not the Nicky Silver play I expected.  However, that is not to say that I didn't enjoy it or it wasn't good.  I think Mr. Silver tried some new th…

Sneak Peek “A Taste of Things to Come” by Sandi Durell

  The cast and creative team of the upcoming “A Taste of Things to Come” spoke with the press and performed two of the show’s songs at the York Theatre Company at Sain…

BWW's Guide to Disney's Upcoming Live-Action Musical Remakes! by Caryn Robbins

With so many upcoming projects in the works, BWW has put together a guide to what's in store from the House of Mouse and its uber-talented creative teams

Much of Broadway will be closed on Election night by The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) -- Many Broadway shows have planned not to compete with a big, real drama on Tuesday - the presidential election....

Review: ‘STREB Extreme Action’ at The Kennedy Center by John Stoltenberg

Fans of STREB Extreme Action were out in force last night at The Kennedy Center. Enthusiasm in the Eisenhower Theater was at a fervor one might find at a rave or rock gig. The singular chore…

Spotlight On...Sean Pollock by Michael Block

Name: Sean PollockHometown: Mountain Lakes, New JerseyEducation: Ithaca College, National Theatre InstituteFavorite Credits: That’s so tough! I worked on like, six shows in a row this summ…

PATTI LUPONE, JESSE TYLER FERGUSON DERIDE TRUMP IN ‘SPAMALOT’ MEETS ‘WE ARE THE WORLD’ by Philip Boroff

Patti LuPone and Jesse Tyler Ferguson have taken themselves out of the running for a Presidential Medal of Freedom in a Donald Trump administration. LuPone (War Paint) and Ferguson (Fully C…

Review: ‘Shrek: the Musical’ at Rockville Musical Theatre by Nicole Hertvik

Rockville Musical Theatre’s Shrek, the Musical is a large-scale, glitzy, theatrical extravaganza. This production has got it all: Belting performers, elaborate sets and eye-catching costum…

Review: Review: La Calisto (Saffron Hall and tour)

English Touring Opera captures and bottles the madness in Cavalli's Baroque comedy

Six Questions for David Sabella, Mary Sunshine of “Chicago” by Nitelifeexchange

David Sabella originated the starring role of Mary Sunshine in the 1996 revival of Chicago, with Bebe Neuwirth, Ann Reinking and Joel Grey. David, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of thi…

Introducing Our New Contributing Writer: Ed Malin! by Michael Block

Please welcome our newest addition to the writing team, Ed Malin!Ed Malin’s work has been anthologized in Plays and Playwrights 2015 and in the Spontaneous Combustion Anthology, and perfor…

Spotlight On...Elizabeth Bell by Michael Block

Name: Elizabeth BellHometown: San Francisco, CAEducation: Graduated with a BA in Business, University of Puget Sound; Acting Education - A.C.T. (San Francisco), Actors Bridge Ensemble Meisne…

That Golden Girls Show!

That Golden Girls Show!—A Puppet Parody Off Broadway, DR2 Theatre Reviewed by Dan Dinero BOTTOM LINE: The Golden Girls done Avenue Q-style, That Golden Girls Show! is a parody that’s f…

Q&;A: Heather Anne Chamberlain and Ludovic Coutaud on ‘A Very Abstract Night’ by Stagebuddy News

We sat down with performance artist Heather Anne Chamberlain and Marseille-born actor/director Ludovic Coutaud to chat about the differences between European and American theatre, what it me…

BLUE HEART – Orange Tree Theatre by Carole Woddis

This revival of Caryl Churchill’s 1997 Royal Court original is another grand example of the astuteness of Paul Miller. A co-production this time with Bristol’s acclaimed Tobacco Factory …

Howard Barker on Puppetry, the Actor, and Process by [email protected] (adewunmi)

By David Dudley, Howard Barker. David Dudley interviews playwright Howard Barker about writing for live actors versus marionettes.

BWW TV: Watch Colin Donnell, Laura Osnes & Nathan Gunn Sing the Music of Lerner & Lowe with the NY Pops! by Randy Rainbow

The New York Pops, led by Music DirectorSteven Reineke, launched its 34th season atCarnegie Hall's Stern AuditoriumPerelman Stage, celebrating the legacy and timeless works ofAlan Jay Lerner…

Cynthia Erivo Shares Her Diet and Fitness Plan Ahead of First Marathon by BroadwayWorld

Anyone who follows Tony Award Winner Cynthia Erivo on social media probably knows that she has a big day ahead of her tomorrow She'srunning her first marathon.Not only is that, butErivo hast…

Dorrance Dance's electronic tap 'ETM' is ingenious but flawed by Laura Molzahn

If you double down, you're putting yourself out there, throwing down the gauntlet. It's a step beyond the ordinary — exactly what Dorrance Dance has done in "ETM: Double Down," an evening-…

Match Our Mountains by [email protected] (adewunmi)

By Diane Rodriguez. Keynote speech delivered by Diane Rodriguez at the Theatre Bay Area Conference on April 3, 2016.

Politics as a Blood Sport in "Coriolanus" by Broadway & Me

The presidential campaign that will finally end on Tuesday has been particularly ugly but as the Red Bull Theater's kinetic—and often bloody—production of Coriolanus reminds us, politics…

Don’t Miss “The Marx Brothers on Broadway 1924-1929” by Trav S.D.

The Marx Brothers on Broadway: 1924-1929, An Illustrated lecture by Noah Diamond, sponsored by Zelda Magazine Date: Wednesday, November 30th Time: 7pm Admission: $8 Location: Morbid Anatomy …

FOOL FOR LOVE – Found 111 by Johnny Fox

Despite being written in 1983, Sam Shepard’s Fool For Love never made it to Broadway until this time last year. Even then, Daniel Aukin’s production ran for a limited twelve week engagem…

39 Steps **** by Barry

By: Paulanne Simmons Since 39 Steps crossed the Atlantic to premiere at Boston University Theater in 2007, the comedy/melodrama has been produced both on Broadway (Roundabout Theatre at…

Plenty** Love, Love, Love ** Les Liaisons Dangereuses**** Vietgone**** by Barry

By: David Sheward Rachel Weisz, Byron Jennings in Plenty Click to read more

Acquiesce offers rich insight into living between cultures: review by Karen Fricker

David Yee’s play kicks off Factory Theatre’s Beyond the Great White North season.

Rick Steiner Dies; ‘Producers’ Producer And Broadway Gambler Was 69 by Jeremy Gerard

Richard Steiner was never interested in sailing smoothly into the Cincinnati toy business his father and two uncles founded and which produced Play-Doh. A free-spirited adventurer, he was ne…

ALL MY SONS – Rose Theatre, Kingston by Emma Clarendon

This is the first time that Arthur Miller’s classic play is being brought to the stage in Kingston and Michael Rudman’s production is sensitive yet has the power to pack a punch in all o…

Review: ‘Postmortem’ at Montgomery Playhouse by Mark Ludder

In partnership with Montgomery Playhouse, Arts on the Green presents Postmortem, a thrilling mystery by Ken Ludwig. Unravelling the relationships between cast members on holiday in a whodun…

Photo Coverage: Jarrod Spector brings Jukebox Life to Feinstein's/54 Below by Stephen Sorokoff

2014 Tony NomineeJarrod Spectorpremiered a brand new show, Jukebox Life at Feinstein's54 Below last night following his celebrated A Little Help From My Friends concert tour and CD.

Lena Hall Discusses Possibility of Playing Hedwig Full-Time by BroadwayWorld

Tony Award Winner Lena Hall is currently taking the Hedwig and the Angry Inch tour by storm, pulling double-duty as Yitzhak, that role that earned her a Tony, for six performances a week, an…

“W.C. Fields and Me”…and You by Trav S.D.

 We’ll be blogging about comedian W.C. Fields all through November and December as part of our tribute to the comedian called Fields Fest. For a full list upcoming live Fields Fest e…

Joel McCrea: The Westerns by Trav S.D.

Today is the birthday of the great Hollywood star Joel McCrea (1905-1990). Today McCrea is a beloved movie star in all genres, and I’ll wager that most of my show biz friends know him …

Review: Virgin Territory, The Place by Emily May

It is irrefutable that choreographer, Charlotte Vincent, is passionate about her subject. The Place’s bar is filled with pre-show information and activities that encourage the audience to …

LES LIAISONS DANGERSNOOZ – Misguided revival with mismatched stars by Oscar E Moore

Oh those idle rich.  Oh how they are so easily bored.  Oh how they can just as easily bore us.  In this newest listless revival of Christopher Hampton’s infamous adaptation of Choderlos…

Get Your Fringe On! Fifth Annual Charm City Fringe Festival Preview by Patricia Mitchell

This weekend marks the beginning of the Fifth Annual Charm City Fringe Festival (“Fringe”), a celebration of new and emerging independent theatre that will continue through November 13th…

Love, Love, Love by Joel Benjamin

British actor Richard Armitage making his New York stage debut and Tony and Academy Award nominee Amy Ryan work hard to make Kenneth and Sandra three-dimensional, likeable people, but, as wr…

REVIEW: Side Show, Southwark Playhouse ✭✭✭✭✭ by Douglas Mayo

By Douglas Mayo Hopefully, this will be the first of many productions of Side Show here in the UK, although I doubt any will match the talents involved here or the transcendent brilliance of…

'Audience Participation' or 'Assault and Battery'? Sometimes People Just Don't Want to be Kissed by Darren Criss by George Brietigam

Here are some examples of when audience participation has gone horribly wrong.

The Stage/Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts Scholarship winners 2016 by Lisa Martland

The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts has offered 97 awards through The Stage Scholarships scheme for 2016. The winners from across the

Les Liaisons Dangereuses - disappointing revival starring Janet McTeer and Liev Schreiber fumbles by Oscar E. Moore

What is intended to be provocative soon becomes a snooze fest featuring decaying and decadent aristocratic morals.

Boston Ballet’s ‘Le Corsaire’: Balancing history and spectacle by Admin

Boston Opera House, Boston, MA.  November 2, 2016.  Ballet period pieces occasionally face accusations of historical inaccuracy, cultural reductionism and being more about spectacle than a…

NEWS: Carole King musical Beautiful launches UK tour in 2017 by Emma Clarendon

It has been confirmed that the Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award winning musical BEAUTIFUL will tour the UK next year, opening at the Bradford Alhambra on 9 September 2017. So far, dates for th…

Why Fox News is Enhancing a Culture of Puppetry by Rino16

Fox News’ political commentator Glenn Beck seems to be a man on a mission. Over the past few weeks, he has been on an anti-George Soros tirade and smear campaign. While the smear campaign …

Features: My Top 5 Showtunes: Sam Mackay

The actor tells us the musical numbers he couldn't live without

BWW's On This Day - November 5, 2016

Here are the Broadway, Off-Broadway and West End shows which opened on November 5 along with all of the upcoming show openings, closings and special events

Review: at curtainup.com/ by Charles Wright

Except for the Dutch dialogue (and those supertitles), director Ivo van Hove's evening with these kings is like a binge-session of House of Cards. . .

Plenty by Sandi Durell

  by Carol Rocamora   Every so often a play comes along that defines an era. Such is the case with Plenty, David Hare’s landmark 1978 drama about post World War II England, now b…

KING LEAR – Old Vic Theatre by Laura Kressly

Glenda Jackson’s return to the stage after more than two decades serving as an MP certainly should be a momentous occasion, and in one of the great roles. At age 80, in a time where audien…

Sometimes I Laugh Like My Sister – review by Kate Kellaway

Finborough, LondonIt could not be easier – or harder – to do what Rebecca Peyton does. All she has on stage is a chair, a glass of water and herself. But her subject is her sister, Kate …

TWELFTH NIGHT – Upstairs at the Gatehouse by Ian Foster

It may be music that feeds love according to Shakespeare but it is lust that drives Arrow and Traps' interesting production of Twelfth Night, playing in rep with Othello at the Upstairs at t…

Still Ill review at New Diorama Theatre, London – ‘fascinating, layered, intelligent’ by Fergus Morgan

“Does the body rule the mind or does the mind rule the body?” wails Morrissey in The Smiths’ Still Ill, a song

Review: Review: King Lear (Old Vic)

Glenda Jackson stars as Shakespeare's troubled king in this production directed by Deborah Warner

Glenda Jackson in King Lear review at the Old Vic – ‘a tour de force’ by Mark Shenton

The RSC is about to bring its (mostly) traditional period garb King Lear to the Barbican, starring 67-year-old classicist Antony Sher, but

Why Hamilton is making musical history by Sarah Churchwell

Founding father Alexander Hamilton has become the unlikely star of a hit hip-hop Broadway musical. Coming to the UK next year, its portrayal of immigrant inclusiveness could not be more time…

Sir Ronald Harwood: ‘The most important lesson life has taught me? Keep buggering on’ by Rosanna Greenstreet

The writer on sneaking cigarettes, what love feels like and why he last criedBorn in South Africa, Ronald Harwood, 81, moved to London in 1951. He trained at Rada, and worked as a dresser fo…

What I’m really thinking: the standup comedian by Anonymous

My performance is all over the place. I hate it, you hate it, but I’ve got seven more minutesI’m trying to control my breathing and settle the rising feeling of panic in my chest, but I …

A Trip Back to a New York Where Everyone Was Jewish and Gay

“Gay Gotham” at the Museum of the City of New York, celebrates what it meant to be gay in New York — and, no surprise, Leonard Bernstein and Tony Kushner are part of the show.

King Lear – review by Michael Billington

Minerva, ChichesterThis return to star-driven Shakespeare has in Frank Langella a commanding Lear still driven by a craving for loveWe are used to director’s Shakespeare. This production, …

Improvised Shakespeare pairs rhyme with loony reason by Judith Newmark St. Louis Post-Dispatch

If you're in Chicago, the IO show is worth a stop

'Killer of Sheep' director to appear at film festival by Calvin Wilson St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Film is considered an American classic.

New documentary screening Sunday brings artist George Caleb Bingham to life by Sarah Bryan Miller St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Biopic will have its St. Louis premiere at St. Louis Art Museum

Smart 'Forbidden Broadway' opens at Playhouse @ Westport Plaza by Judith Newmark St. Louis Post-Dispatch

'Forbidden Broadway' spoofs big shows and stars

Take a sneak peek at Union Station's holiday attractions by Gabe Hartwig • St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Holidays at Union Station events kick off Nov. 18.

Q&A: Catching up with Leonard Slatkin by Sarah Bryan Miller St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The conductor returns to the SLSO next weekend with an elegy he wrote for his parents

Explore NYC’s amazing presidential history by Michael Riedel

If Donald Trump wins the White House on Tuesday, he’ll be only the second United States president born in New York City. So while you’re waiting for a National Historic Landmarks plaque …

FULL HOUSE Reunion! John Stamos, Bob Saget and Dave Coulier to Host Goodwill of Orange County Gala by Bww News Desk

It will be a 'Full House' at the Goodwill of Orange County Gala this year. The nonprofit announced today that John Stamos, Bob Saget and Dave Coulier, perhaps better known as Uncle Jesse, Da…

5 Ways for Students to Practice Outside of Rehearsal by Kerry Hishon

Rehearsal time is precious–there’s usually never enough of it–so when rehearsing a school production, you and your students will want to use your time together as effectively as possib…

Theater News: Bay Area Musicals! Set for 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Artistic director Matthew McCoy directs the musical-comedy beginning performances tonight.

Interviews: Robert Morse Is Back on Broadway — Thanks to His Pal Nathan Lane

The original Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying stars opposite Lane in The Front Page.

Kenneth Tynan at the Observer: Paul Scofield and Peter Brook's King Lear by Kenneth Tynan

In a review of a 'revolutionary' RSC production, first published on 11 November 1962, the former Observer critic feels closer than ever before to a Lear who is as much sinner as sinned again…

See What Critics Thought of Kristin Chenoweth: My Love Letter to Broadway by Robert Viagas

The concert show runs through November 13 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

King Lear, Old Vic by Heather Neill

Glenda Jackson returns to the stage as an authoritative Lear, gender irrelevantThe signs were there early in Glenda Jackson's career that she would one day have what it takes to "ascend the …

Playbill Vault's Today in Theatre History: November 5 by David Gewirtzman

Benedict Cumberbatch Hosts Tonight’s Saturday Night Live by Andrew Gans

The stage and screen star emcees the long-running comedy sketch program.

What’s Hot In London: October 29-November 4 by Mark Shenton

Harry Potter announces the release of more tickets, Bat Out of Hell will take the stage, and the new Royal Court season has been revealed.

Beating Bipolar Disorder, Eric Millegan Hits the Ground Running (Literally) by Meredith Ganzman

Millegan explains how he will Sing, Eat, Sleep, Run! with a cabaret show followed by a marathon.