All stories by Cynthia Littleton on BroadwayStars

Monday, February 5, 2018

Ben Platt to Star in Netflix Musical Series ‘The Politician’ From Ryan Murphy by Cynthia Littleton

Netflix has given a big commitment to a music-driven series from the “Glee” team of Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan that is set to star Ben Platt. The project, first r…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:41AM
Saturday, January 13, 2018

Abigail Disney, Killer Content Partner to Launch Female-Led Level Forward Studio by Cynthia Littleton

Filmmaker and philanthropist Abigail Disney has teamed with Killer Content to launch Level Forward, a startup studio venture that aims to focus on backing projects driven by women and person…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:58PM
Friday, January 5, 2018

FX Chief John Landgraf on Disney Deal: ‘We Have What They Want’ by Cynthia Littleton

FX Networks CEO John Landgraf voiced optimism for his cable group making a smooth transition to Disney ownership in part because Disney does not have any similar channels in its existing TV …

SOURCE: Variety at 02:05PM
Thursday, January 4, 2018

Fox Chiefs: Network Will Carry Entertainment Programming After Disney Split by Cynthia Littleton

The Fox network will continue to carry scripted entertainment programming after the anticipated split of the 20th Century Fox studio from its Fox Broadcasting Co. sibling. That was the word …

SOURCE: Variety at 01:53PM
Tuesday, December 19, 2017

John Legend to Star in NBC’s ‘Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert’ by Cynthia Littleton

John Legend has been tapped for the title role in NBC’s live staging of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” set for Easter Sunday. “We’re all overjoyed to have world-class musica…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:20AM
Saturday, December 16, 2017

Disney-Fox Deal Unleashes Flood of Free-Agent Executives, Talent by Cynthia Littleton

Disney’s $52.4 billion deal to scoop up most of 21st Century Fox marks the beginning of an historic realignment of Hollywood’s Big Six studios. It may also lead to an industry-shaking re…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:37AM
Thursday, December 14, 2017

Disney-Fox Deal: How Secret, ‘Smooth and Cordial’ Negotiations Drove a Blockbuster Acquisition by Cynthia Littleton

The spark came in August over a couple of glasses of wine, as two media moguls chewed the fat about the state of the business. Disney chief Bob Iger and 21st Century Fox chairman Rupert Murd…

SOURCE: Variety at 07:33PM

Disney Agrees to $2.5 Billion Breakup Fee if Regulators Block 21st Century Fox Deal by Cynthia Littleton

Disney has committed to pay a $2.5 billion breakup fee to 21st Century Fox if its $52.4 billion deal to buy most of Fox’s film and TV assets is blocked by federal regulators. The agree…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:51AM

Disney-Fox Deal: Bob Iger on Management Plans, Direct-to-Consumer Focus and Staying Through 2021 by Cynthia Littleton

Disney’s interest in 21st Century Fox’s film and TV assets is all about building up its direct-to-consumer streaming capabilities. Disney chairman-CEO Bob Iger was blunt in layin…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:04AM
Monday, December 11, 2017

Disney Nearing Finish Line With 21st Century Fox as Comcast Bows Out of Acquisition Hunt by Cynthia Littleton

Disney has such an inside track on reaching a $60 billion-plus deal to acquire key entertainment and sports assets from 21st Century Fox that Comcast has formally exited the chase. Comcast s…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:30PM
Friday, December 8, 2017

Disney, Fox Huddle With Bankers as Deal Talks Progress by Cynthia Littleton

More signs that Disney’s acquisition talks with 21st Century Fox are picking up steam: Both companies have set teams of bankers on the case to work out the fine print. Disney is workin…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:44PM
Thursday, December 7, 2017

Disney Adds Two Technology CEOs to Board of Directors by Cynthia Littleton

Walt Disney Co. has added two CEOs from the technology world to its board of directors. Oracle CEO Safra Catz and Francis deSouza, CEO of biotech firm Illumina, have been elected to board se…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:49PM
Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Bob Iger Prepares to Extend as Disney CEO if Fox Deal Happens, but Comcast Still a Contender by Cynthia Littleton

Bob Iger is likely to extend his tenure as Disney chairman-CEO if the company succeeds in acquiring 20th Century Fox and other big assets from the Murdoch empire. Iger’s current contra…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:54PM
Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Disney-Fox Deal: Who Would Stay, Who Would Go if Murdochs Decide to Sell by Cynthia Littleton

Who runs the film studio? Who gets the keys to the TV kingdom? And will a Murdoch be in line for Bob Iger’s throne? There are more questions than answers as the possibility of Disney acqui…

SOURCE: Variety at 07:43PM
Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Comcast, Disney Keep Focus on 21st Century Fox Assets Despite AT&T-Time Warner Battle by Cynthia Littleton

Comcast and Disney are staying focused on the prospect of bidding for key 21st Century Fox assets despite the concern about the climate for media mergers raised by the Justice DepartmentR…

SOURCE: Variety at 03:53PM
Saturday, November 11, 2017

CBS News’ David Begnaud Makes Mark With Puerto Rico Coverage by Cynthia Littleton

When Lin-Manuel Miranda decided to bring a U.S. TV news crew along for a look at Hurricane Maria’s toll on his extended family in Puerto Rico, there was little doubt which network the “H…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:45AM
Thursday, November 9, 2017

New ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy in Works With Rian Johnson, TV Series Also Coming to Disney Streaming Service by Cynthia Littleton

Disney has just closed a deal with director Rian Johnson to develop a new “Star Wars” trilogy, and it is planning a live-action “Star Wars” TV series to air on its en…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:55PM
Monday, November 6, 2017

21st Century Fox Shares Soar on Report of Disney Sale Talks by Cynthia Littleton

Shares in 21st Century Fox spiked in midday trading Monday following a report from CNBC that the Murdochs have held talks in recent weeks to sell a large portion of the media conglomerate to…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:56PM
Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Comedy Central Taps Broadway Video Alum to Head Digital by Cynthia Littleton

Comedy Central has recruited Broadway Video alum Jennifer Danielson to head its digital content operations. As senior VP of digital, Danielson will oversee all creative and editorial for the…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:39AM
Monday, October 30, 2017

‘House of Cards’ Showrunner Beau Willimon Calls Kevin Spacey Allegations ‘Deeply Troubling’ by Cynthia Littleton

Former “House of Cards” showrunner Beau Willimon has called the sexual misconduct allegations against series star Kevin Spacey “deeply troubling” but asserts that he …

SOURCE: Variety at 10:29AM
Monday, October 2, 2017

‘Saturday Night Live’ Sees Head Writer Shuffle by Cynthia Littleton

Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider have stepped down as co-head writers of “Saturday Night Live” after steering the show through its most successful season in more than 20 years. Ke…

SOURCE: Variety at 12:34PM
Sunday, October 1, 2017

UPDATED: Altice Reaches Deal With Disney, Averting Blackout of ESPN and Other Channels by Cynthia Littleton

UPDATED: Cable operator Altice USA and Disney have reached “an agreement in principle” after days of tense contract talks. Talks between Altice and Disney went down to the wire S…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:08PM
Friday, September 29, 2017

Altice USA, Disney Extend Cable Contract Expiration Deadline to Sunday by Cynthia Littleton

Altice USA and Disney have extended to Sunday the deadline for averting a blackout of ESPN, Disney Channel and other cablers for about 2.6 million New York-area subscribers. The sides agreed…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:42PM
Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Disney XD’s ‘Milo Murphy’s Law’ Gets Visit From ‘Phineas and Ferb’ Character (Watch) by Cynthia Littleton

Disney XD’s animated comedy “Milo Murphy’s Law” is planning a crossover episode next year with “Phineas and Ferb,” the hit comedy from the same creative t…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:00AM
Thursday, September 21, 2017

Matthew Broderick Cast in Fox’s ‘A Christmas Story Live!’ Musical by Cynthia Littleton

Matthew Broderick has signed on for the role of the adult Ralphie narrator in Fox’s live staging of a musical based on the beloved 1983 film “A Christmas Story.” “A Christmas Story L…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:07PM
Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Beau Willimon Says He’ll Push Diversity Initiatives, Organizing Efforts as WGA East Leader by Cynthia Littleton

Beau Willimon has an ambitious new drama series launching next year on Hulu, and he has a Broadway play opening in late November. But a busy schedule has not deterred him from taking the rei…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:39PM
Sunday, September 17, 2017

Elisabeth Moss Drops Two F-Bombs After Winning First Emmy by Cynthia Littleton

After seven nominations, “The Handmaid’s Tale” star Elisabeth Moss has won her first Emmy. And in her excitement, it looks like she may have dropped a couple of expletives. Whi…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:19PM
Thursday, September 7, 2017

Disney, Cable Stocks Take Hit as Investors Worry About Long-Term Media Trends by Cynthia Littleton

Disney and the largest cable operators saw their share prices take a hit on Thursday as investors seemed to renew concerns about long-term trends in the traditional media sector. Disney shar…

SOURCE: Variety at 03:41PM
Thursday, August 10, 2017

Emmys 2017: Will Claire Foy or Elisabeth Moss Take the Lead Drama Actress Trophy? by Cynthia Littleton

A twenty-something queen, a president with blood on her hands, a powerful defense attorney and law professor, a volatile robot, a savvy Soviet spy and a Handmaid who refuses to allow her spi…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:00AM
Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Bob Iger: Disney Sets ‘Extremely Important Strategic Shift’ With Movie, ESPN Streaming Launches by Cynthia Littleton

Disney is ready to deploy some of the company’s crown jewels — Disney- and Pixar-branded movies and ESPN — in an effort to position itself for the future by embracing the e…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:17PM
Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Tony Awards: Winners Champion the Arts in Politically Charged Speeches by Cynthia Littleton

The turbulent state of culture and politics in the Trump era were top of mind for many Tony Award winners. A number of those who made the trip to the stage at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:37PM

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