All stories by Kevin Jacobsen on BroadwayStars

Sunday, June 6, 2021

‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ costume designer Heidi Higginbotham on styling Zoey like a ‘superhero’ [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW] by Kevin Jacobsen

Costume designer Heidi Higginbotham has her work cut out for her on “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.” Not only does she have to design colorful costumes that still feel grounded in real…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:30PM
Saturday, June 5, 2021

‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ music supervisor Jen Ross on the show being a ‘specific beast’ [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW] by Kevin Jacobsen

Music supervisor Jen Ross has worked on a number of music-themed series in her career, including “Smash,” “Empire” and “Soundtrack,” but few compare to the amount of work necessa…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:40PM
Friday, June 4, 2021

Alex Newell (‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’) on the Season 2 performance that felt ‘otherworldly’ [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW] by Kevin Jacobsen

Alex Newell was able to explore so much more with Mo in the second season of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.” While Season 1 mostly saw Mo relegated to the next-door neighbor role, Sea…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:49PM
Monday, May 24, 2021

Jane Levy (‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’) on why she feels ‘protective’ over Zoey [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW] by Kevin Jacobsen

For Jane Levy, the second season of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” was about Zoey working through the pain of losing her father. Zoey also struggles to figure out her love life and ta…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:59PM
Friday, May 21, 2021

‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ executive music producer Harvey Mason Jr. on taking Season 2 ‘up another level’ [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW] by Kevin Jacobsen

Recording Academy President Harvey Mason Jr. is also the executive music producer for “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” recording multiple covers of established songs for each and every…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:08AM
Wednesday, May 19, 2021

4 reasons why Alex Newell (‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’) will get an Emmy nomination by Kevin Jacobsen

Alex Newell has been a stealthy scene-stealer since the beginning of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.” As Zoey’s landlord-turned-best friend Mo, Newell turns in a confident performanc…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:38AM
Wednesday, May 12, 2021

‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ could have an extraordinary Emmy breakthrough by Kevin Jacobsen

“Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” had a less than extraordinary showing at last year’s Emmys, only earning a juried choreography award and no other nominations. But the NBC musical com…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 07:18AM
Saturday, March 20, 2021

Oscar nominee Leslie Odom Jr. and the ‘One Night in Miami’ cast on how the film is ‘daring’ [Complete Interview Transcript] by Kevin Jacobsen

Leslie Odom Jr. is now a two-time Oscar nominee, earning recognition for his performance as Sam Cooke in “One Night in Miami” and for writing the film’s end credits song, “Speak Now.…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:40PM
Sunday, March 7, 2021

Frank Langella (‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’) on playing the ‘unrelentingly cruel’ Judge Hoffman [Complete Interview Transcript] by Kevin Jacobsen

Frank Langella plays Judge Julius Hoffman in the Netflix film “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” The actor just earned another nomination from the Screen Actors Guild Awards as part of the ca…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:14PM

Colman Domingo (‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’) on why he wants to do every August Wilson adaptation [Complete Interview Transcript] by Kevin Jacobsen

Colman Domingo plays Cutler in the Netflix film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” an adaptation of the play of the same name by August Wilson. The role has landed Domingo an Independent Spir…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:14PM
Saturday, March 6, 2021

5 reasons why Glenn Close can still win the Oscar for ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ by Kevin Jacobsen

Glenn Close is once again on the trail to win her first Oscar after seven previous losses. This time she’s competing in Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Mamaw in “Hillbilly…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:39AM
Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Andra Day (‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’): ‘I could not find myself’ after playing the legendary singer [Complete Interview Transcrip by Kevin Jacobsen

Andra Day took on her first big role in a film with “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” Her transformative performance just brought her a Golden Globe Award win as a dramatic actress…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:21AM
Friday, February 19, 2021

Glynn Turman (‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’) on working with Chadwick Boseman [Complete Interview Transcript] by Kevin Jacobsen

Glynn Turman plays Toledo in the new film, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” a role he previously played on stage. The veteran actor just earned his first Screen Actors Guild Award nominatio…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:40PM
Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Christopher Jackson (‘Hamilton’) on the ‘surreal’ nature of watching the show back on Disney+ [Complete Interview Transcript] by Kevin Jacobsen

Christopher Jackson played George Washington in “Hamilton,” which was opened up to a huge audience last summer thanks to a live recording on Disney+. The film has since been honored with…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 07:43AM
Friday, February 5, 2021

Andra Day is trying to follow in the Oscar footsteps of Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga and Cynthia Erivo by Kevin Jacobsen

Andra Day is the latest singer to take the plunge into acting, making her feature film debut in the upcoming Hulu drama “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” The “Rise Up” singer p…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:04PM
Thursday, December 6, 2018

Will Grammys nominate ‘Black Panther,’ ‘A Star Is Born’ and other Oscar-friendly films? by Kevin Jacobsen

The Oscars and the Grammys have seen a great deal of overlap over the years, naturally in regard to original scores and songs. Some Oscar-winning songs have also earned the coveted Song of t…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:00PM
Thursday, November 8, 2018

Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper would be third ‘A Star Is Born’ duo to score matching Golden Globes by Kevin Jacobsen

Much has been discussed about how 2018’s version of “A Star Is Born” compares to previous generations of the classic story, and while critics and audience largely agree tha…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:00PM
Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Which ‘A Star Is Born’ track deserves Best Original Song Oscar: ‘Shallow,’ ‘Always Remember Us This Way’ or ‘I’ll Never Love Again’? by Kevin Jacobsen

The soundtrack to “A Star Is Born” is dominating the charts just as the film continues to add more millions to its box office total. The music featured throughout, from acoustic …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:30AM
Sunday, October 21, 2018

How the 2019 Best Actress Oscar race could mirror 1987: Is Lady Gaga this year’s Cher? by Kevin Jacobsen

“I feel like Cher in that John Patrick Shanley film ‘Moonstruck’ right now,” proclaimed Lady Gaga upon accepting her Golden Globe for “American Horror Story: Ho…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:00PM
Saturday, August 18, 2018

Brandon Victor Dixon (‘Jesus Christ Superstar’): ‘I’d definitely be open’ to doing another live TV musical [Complete Interview Transcript] by Kevin Jacobsen

Brandon Victor Dixon recently received his first Emmy nomination this year for his role as the conflicted Judas Iscariot in “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.” Nominated fo…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:00PM
Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Bryan Cranston (‘Dangerous Book for Boys’): Amazon series provides ‘sense of hope’ needed in the country [Complete Interview Transcript] by Kevin Jacobsen

Bryan Cranston may be more known for his acting in shows like “Breaking Bad” and “Malcolm in the Middle,” but he has his producer’s hat on this year with Amazon…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:00PM
Sunday, May 6, 2018

2018 Tony nominees Laurie Metcalf, Amy Schumer, Tina Fey and more could earn Emmy love in same year by Kevin Jacobsen

It’s a good week for a whole slew of Broadway talent who were just announced as Tony Award nominees for the 2018 ceremony. Many of those nominated include actors and writers who have e…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:00PM
Monday, April 16, 2018

‘Amadeus’ voted top Best Picture Oscar winner of the 1980s, rising above all ‘mediocrities’ [POLL RESULTS] by Kevin Jacobsen

While Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham) says in “Amadeus” that he speaks for “all mediocrities in the world,” the film clearly rises above such mediocrities, accord…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:07PM
Saturday, March 17, 2018

Viola Davis could become 13th EGOT winner thanks to ‘Corduroy Bear’ by Kevin Jacobsen

Oscar, Emmy and Tony winner Viola Davis has announced she is writing a children’s book called “Corduroy Takes a Bow,” the latest in a series that centers on the titular bea…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:00PM
Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Damien Chazelle (‘La La Land’) is shining just for you after being voted top Best Director Oscar winner of 2010s [POLL RESULTS] by Kevin Jacobsen

Damien Chazelle has been named your favorite Best Director Oscar winner of the 2010s thanks to his impeccable work on “La La Land” (2016). Support was split between several direc…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 08:00PM
Saturday, September 30, 2017

Who’s the best Drama Actress Emmy winner this decade? Elisabeth Moss, Tatiana Maslany, Viola Davis … ? [POLL] by Kevin Jacobsen

The Emmys have honored some of the strongest female characters on television throughout the 2010s. The Best Drama Actress category in particular has seen some especially powerful performance…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:00PM
Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Elisabeth Moss and Jon Hamm both now Emmy winners: Who from ‘Mad Men’ might be next? [POLL] by Kevin Jacobsen

Elisabeth Moss finally won an Emmy this year after going unrewarded for her eight-year work on AMC’s “Mad Men.” Winning for her soul-baring work on “The Handmaid’s Tale,” much of…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:00PM
Monday, September 18, 2017

Emmys overkill? Nicole Kidman, Elisabeth Moss and many more win two trophies in one night by Kevin Jacobsen

Multiple nominees at the 2017 Emmy Awards walked away with not one but two trophies Sunday night, proving that when they like you, they really like you. Talk about Emmys overkill. Below, see…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:15PM
Monday, July 24, 2017

Emmy episode analysis: Lin-Manuel Miranda (‘SNL’) shows off insane musical talent as host by Kevin Jacobsen

Lin-Manuel Miranda earned his second Emmy nomination this year for his hosted episode of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” The multi-talented Broadway favorite is nominated in the Best Come…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:00PM
Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Kevin Spacey (‘House of Cards’): Will hosting the 2017 Tonys help him win first career Emmy? by Kevin Jacobsen

Following his hosting gig at the 2017 Tony Awards, Kevin Spacey could get a key boost at another award show in a few months — the Primetime Emmys. Spacey got to show off his talents th…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:30PM

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