All stories by Andrea Simakis on BroadwayStars

Sunday, October 15, 2017

When tragedy broke their hearts, friends and family of Kyle Jean-Baptiste had two choices: Andrea Simakis by Andrea Simakis

Baldwin Wallace alumni gather to sing from the heart at Nighttown to honor Kyle Jean-Baptiste.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 06:00AM

Tiny New York bakery makes a big difference for 'Waitress' audiences by Andrea Simakis

If you're watching pies being made, eaten and sung about on onstage, why not eat 'em too?

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 06:00AM

How 'Waitress,' launching its national tour in Cleveland, found its recipe for success (photos) by Andrea Simakis

Creating a hit musical is all about choosing the right ingredients

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 06:00AM
Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Meet Lulu! Cleveland's big little stars in 'Waitress' national tour revealed today in Playhouse Square by Andrea Simakis

Today, with fanfare and pie, Playhouse Square announced the two, big little stars cast in the role of Lulu, the girl who makes a late, energetic appearance in "Waitress."

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 12:55PM
Sunday, September 24, 2017

2017 Fall Theater Preview: World premieres, ambitious works take center stage at Cleveland's small professional houses by Andrea Simakis

The 2017-18 season features playwrights Eugene O'Neill, Sam Shepard, Rajiv Joseph and more

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 08:30AM
Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Mamai Theatre Company bows out of Cleveland arts scene -- for now by Andrea Simakis

As of Dec. 31, Mamai will suspend "all operations indefinitely . . . while it investigates new avenues of sustainability."

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 04:09PM
Sunday, September 17, 2017

2017 Fall Theater Preview: Beck Center for the Arts, Cleveland Public Theatre and Dobama Theatre turn spotlight on homegrown talent by Andrea Simakis

George Brant, Eric Coble and other area playwrights light up Cleveland's stages in 2017-18

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 06:00AM

2017 Fall Theater Preview: Great Lakes Theater brings music of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' to magic of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' by Andrea Simakis

In 'Hunchback,' a 16-person choir is the personification of the Cathedral of Notre Dame.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 06:00AM
Saturday, September 16, 2017

2017 Fall Theater Preview: KeyBank Broadway Series serves up the sweet sounds of 'Waitress' and the hip-hop history lesson of 'Hamilton.' by Andrea Simakis

At 'Waitress' auditions, precocious preschoolers vie for a shot at fame in Playhouse Square.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 08:30AM
Friday, September 15, 2017

2017 Fall Theater Preview: Cleveland Play House ranges from the canine-friendly 'Shakespeare in Love' to an exploration of the roots of terrorism in & by Andrea Simakis

Meet the Nigel, the four-legged A-lister in the stage adaptation of 'Shakespeare in Love' at Cleveland Play House.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 08:30AM
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Thursday, September 7, 2017

Dobama Theatre's 'Brownsville Song (B-side for Tray)' sees us through the sadness of raging gun violence (review) by Andrea Simakis

"Brownsville Song (B-side for Tray)" is out to change the way we think about the casualties of urban warfare.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 09:32AM
Sunday, September 3, 2017

Author Sarah Vowell celebrates our right to get on each other's nerves at CWRU: Andrea Simakis by Andrea Simakis

Vowell's "Lafayette in the Somewhat United States" is the common reading assignment at Case Western Reserve University.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 06:00AM
Thursday, August 24, 2017

Mamai Theatre Company, with an assist from Thornton Wilder, breathes new life into 'A Doll's House.' (Review) by Andrea Simakis

In his 1937 adaptation, Wilder aimed to make Ibsen's seminal play more accessible.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 06:00AM
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Sunday, August 13, 2017

When love and loss are multiplied - remembering a brother at Twins Days: Andrea Simakis by Andrea Simakis

Twins Days festival can be bittersweet. Just ask Richard Boudreau.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 06:00AM
Sunday, August 6, 2017

Cleveland Public Theatre's STEP program teens explore power of art in 'And Yet, We Shine' by Andrea Simakis

Cleveland Public Theatre's STEP program offers teens a dress rehearsal for life.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 05:50AM
Sunday, July 16, 2017

'Hamilton' in Cleveland tickets: When a hit isn't sold out, and you can't get a seat - yet (photos, video) by Andrea Simakis

"Hamilton" at Playhouse Square in Cleveland blew the top off season subscription sales, but there's still a way to get tickets.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 06:01AM
Saturday, July 15, 2017

'The Testament of Mary' at Mamai forgoes anger to present the mother of Jesus as a woman torn by grief (review) by Andrea Simakis

She is skeptical of miracles and the men who want to deify her child.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 08:00AM
Thursday, July 13, 2017

Summer theater guide: From 'Carrie' to 'The Testament of Mary,' the season sizzles by Andrea Simakis

The summer stages of Northeast Ohio are alive with eclectic offerings.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 08:45AM
Thursday, June 29, 2017

Beck Center for the Arts' 'Really Really' plunges from dark comedy to needless theater of cruelty (review) by Andrea Simakis

"Really Really" warns us of a future that belongs to an army of soulless Mark Zuckerbergs.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 08:00AM
Sunday, June 18, 2017

'How to be a Respectable Junkie' at Dobama Theatre puts a face on heroin's harvest of death by Andrea Simakis

Playwright Greg Vovos gives addiction a human face in Dobama's 'How to be a Respectable Junkie.'

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 06:06AM
Sunday, June 11, 2017

Dave Malloy's 'The Great Comet' nabs 2 Tonys of 12; bested by 'Dear Evan Hansen' by Andrea Simakis

'Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812' by Lakewood native Dave Malloy 'heartfelt and fearless story-telling,' says star Josh Groban.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 11:38PM

Lakewood native Dave Malloy made Tony darling the "Great Comet," but what made Dave Malloy? by Andrea Simakis

"Dave's score is unlike anything I have heard before not to mention sung," says star Josh Groban.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 06:00AM
Sunday, May 28, 2017

Near West Theatre founder Stephanie Morrison Hrbek stepping down after 40 years (photos, videos) by Andrea Simakis

New West Theatre founder Stephanie Morrison Hrbek's new act: growing the theater's endowment.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 06:01AM
Tuesday, May 16, 2017

'These Mortal Hosts' at Cleveland Play House: Things get spooky, then muddy, as humor and the supernatural mix (review) by Andrea Simakis

Eric Coble's new play asks what happens when a modern-day Mary shows up in small town America.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 09:00AM
Wednesday, May 10, 2017

George Brant's 'Salvage' at None Too Fragile a compelling variation on a theme by Tennessee Williams (review) by Andrea Simakis

'Salvage' features an all-female cast, a rarity on any stage, anywhere.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 09:00AM
Saturday, April 29, 2017

'Something Rotten!' brings world's first musical (and a sexy Shakespeare) to Playhouse Square (review, video) by Andrea Simakis

The irreverence of 'The Book of Mormon' + the heart and soul of old Broadway.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 09:00AM
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Possessed by comedy: 'Hand to God' at Dobama Theatre is a perverse delight (review) by Andrea Simakis

Like the Dobama production, the devilish hand puppet Tyrone is rude, lewd and hellaciously funny.

SOURCE: Cleveland.com at 08:30AM

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