All stories by Jeff Lunden on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater brings 2 dances made for the web to the stage by Jeff Lunden

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater shifted to streaming presentations online during pandemic. Now, two dances conceived for the web are included in the company's return to in-person perf…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:06PM
Saturday, November 27, 2021

Stephen Sondheim, the Broadway legend, has died at 91 by Jeff Lunden

The celebrated composer-songwriter died on Friday. He had won several Tonys and Grammys, as well as an Oscar and Pulitzer, for musicals including West Side Story and Company.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 03:42AM
Wednesday, November 24, 2021

In 'Eurydice,' Matthew Aucoin and Sarah Ruhl recast opera's foundational myth by Jeff Lunden

Composer, conductor and MacArthur "genius" Mathew Aucoin just debuted his opera, 'Eurydice,' at the Met. The new work reinterprets an ancient, archetypal myth from the perspective of its nam…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:24AM
Tuesday, November 23, 2021

In 'Eurydice,' Matthew Aucoin and Sarah Ruhl recast opera's foundational myth by Jeff Lunden

Composer, conductor, pianist and MacArthur "genius" Aucoin adapted playwright Ruhl's work, which reinterprets an ancient, archetypal myth from the perspective of its namesake.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:03AM
Sunday, November 7, 2021

Broadway returns as theater rethinks on-stage representation by Jeff Lunden

After more than a year of closures and reflection, Broadway is back making changes to who is represented on stage.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 02:32PM
Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein illuminates a lifetime in art with a new multimedia concert by Jeff Lunden

The eloquent pianist used a work break imposed by the pandemic to learn something new: stage directing, a skill set she put to use in creating a multimedia recital.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:54AM
Sunday, October 10, 2021

Pianist Simone Dinnerstein illuminates a lifetime in art with a new multimedia concert by Jeff Lunden

The eloquent pianist used a work break imposed by pandemic to learn something new: stage directing, a skill set she put to use in creating a multimedia recital.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:12PM
Monday, September 27, 2021

'Moulin Rouge! The Musical' Dominated The Tony Awards by Jeff Lunden

Sunday night, more than 15 months after they were originally scheduled, the 74th Annual Tony Awards were presented.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 11:12AM
Sunday, September 26, 2021

4 Things To Know Ahead Of The 2021 Tony Awards by Jeff Lunden

The 74th Annual Tony Awards will be presented on Sunday, September 26 more than 15 months after they were previously scheduled. But these pandemic Tonys are by no means business as usual.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 12:12PM
Saturday, September 4, 2021

'Hadestown' Returns To Broadway by Jeff Lunden

Broadway is coming roaring back on Sept. 2 and one of the musicals to open that day is Hadestown. We follow the cast and crew as they remount the show and celebrate opening night.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:36PM
Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Curtains Up! Broadway Musicals Return, But COVID Concerns Are Center Stage by Jeff Lunden

Broadway shows have implemented strict protocols, but anxiety is high. "The culture of 'the show must go on,' it has to be left behind," says the executive director of the Actors' Equity Ass…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 07:24AM
Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Many Stages Are Still Dark, But You Can Now See These Iconic Costumes Up Close by Jeff Lunden

The Showstoppers! exhibition in New York's Theater District showcases the work of an industry hit hard by the pandemic. Visitors can see more than 100 costumes — and watch artists hard at …

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:36AM
Wednesday, August 4, 2021

'Pass Over' Covers Modern Issues In A Blend Of The Bible And 'Waiting For Godot' by Jeff Lunden

The first play to open on Broadway in over a year, Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu's Pass Over tells the story of two young Black men dreaming of a better tomorrow in a world of police violence.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 11:18PM
Monday, July 19, 2021

Back Together And Blown Away: The Boston Symphony Orchestra Returns To Tanglewood by Jeff Lunden

The Boston Symphony Orchestra recently returned to its storied summer home, Tanglewood, after the pandemic canceled last season. With reopening comes normalcy, as well as an opportunity for …

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:06PM

Rising From The Ashes, Jacob's Pillow Welcomes Back Dancers, Audiences by Jeff Lunden

Jacob's Pillow had a particularly tough 2020, closed by pandemic and struck by a fire that consumed one of its theaters. This summer the dance center rises from the ashes, literally and figu…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:24PM
Saturday, June 19, 2021

In New York City, A Juneteenth Event Examines The Meaning Of Freedom by Jeff Lunden

Lincoln Center observes Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, with "I Dream a Dream That Dreams Back at Me," an ambulatory experience conceived by Carl Hancock Rux.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 12:36PM
Sunday, May 23, 2021

'Shuffle Along' Changed Musical Theater 100 Years Ago by Jeff Lunden

Though much of it is unwatchable today — it contains blackface and other minstrelsy — Shuffle Along brought jazz to Broadway and was the first African American show to be a smash hit.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:36AM
Friday, May 14, 2021

One-To-One Concerts Bring Listeners Back To Live Music, One At A Time by Jeff Lunden

A live-music series founded in Europe, which connects one musician with one listener at a time, comes to Brooklyn for two weekends of concerts by Silkroad Ensemble artists.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:42PM
Tuesday, May 11, 2021

A Transformed Lincoln Center In New York City Brings Back Live Audiences by Jeff Lunden

The past year, with COVID and calls for social justice, has made those running Lincoln Center and other arts organizations question their core missions, says Lincoln Center's president Henry…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 04:42PM
Monday, May 3, 2021

Broadway Shows Can Reopen In May, But That Doesn't Mean They Will by Jeff Lunden

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says Broadway can open on May 19. But opening a show takes time.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:54PM
Friday, April 2, 2021

Indoor Theater Slowly Resumes In A Socially Distanced Way In New York City by Jeff Lunden

It's been more than a year since theater goers have been able to see an indoor performance in New York City. But some spaces and producers are moving to find safe ways to open up.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 06:12PM
Tuesday, March 30, 2021

1 Pandemic, 2 Productions Of 'A Chorus Line,' Plenty Of Teen Resilience by Jeff Lunden

Last spring, student performers had their hopes of stardom dashed as schools abruptly closed at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A year later, we follow two schools putting on the same m…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:54PM
Saturday, February 20, 2021

Where Are They Now? We Check In With Broadway Workers, Now Off Broadway by Jeff Lunden

Each year ahead of the Tony Awards, we profile essential theater professionals who aren't centerstage. This year, with theaters closed due to COVID-19, we check back in to see how they are c…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 07:54PM

Metropolitan Opera Backstage Workers: 'Without People, The Opera Is Nothing' by Jeff Lunden

A union representing 800 backstage workers began a publicity campaign today urging donors and government entities to withdraw support for the company because of a labor dispute.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 01:36AM
Friday, February 19, 2021

13,150,080 Minutes: It's Been 25 Years Since The First Performance Of 'Rent' by Jeff Lunden

On Jan. 25, 1996, a new rock musical by a little-known writer, Jonathan Larson, gave its first performance. But that show almost didn't happen: Larson died of an aortic aneurysm early that m…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 04:36PM
Sunday, February 14, 2021

Now Playing On TikTok: 'Bridgerton' The Musical by Jeff Lunden

Not long after the Netflix Regency romance premiered on Christmas, two young songwriters asked on TikTok: "Ok but what if Bridgerton was a musical?" Millions of people wanted to know the ans…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:33AM
Friday, February 5, 2021

Christopher Plummer, Star Of Stage, Screen, 'Sound Of Music,' Dies At 91 by Jeff Lunden

The Oscar-, Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actor began acting in films in the 1950s. He said he felt like he was "starting over" in acting every decade — "you never stop learning how to act,…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:33PM
Monday, January 25, 2021

13,140,000 Minutes: It's Been 25 Years Since The First Performance Of 'Rent' by Jeff Lunden

On Jan. 25, 1996, a new rock musical by a little-known writer, Jonathan Larson, gave its first performance. But that show almost didn't happen: Larson died of an aortic aneurysm early that m…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:24AM
Saturday, January 23, 2021

Veteran Broadcaster Larry King Dies At 87 by Jeff Lunden

With his trademark suspenders and Brooklyn-accented baritone, King spoke with world leaders, celebrities, authors, scientists, athletes — everyone.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 03:48PM
Saturday, December 26, 2020

Broadway Star Rebecca Luker Dies At 59 by Jeff Lunden

Broadway star Rebecca Luker has died of complications from ALS. She and her husband also had COVID-19 earlier this year.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 01:54PM
Friday, December 4, 2020

No 'Nutcracker'? Or 'Messiah'? How Theaters Are Facing A COVID Christmas by Jeff Lunden

In normal times, audiences would be flocking to theaters for Christmas productions right now. But 2020 is anything but normal — especially when it comes to holiday traditions.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 06:03AM

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
Nov 17, 2024: Elf - Marquis Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre