All stories by Marc J. Franklin on BroadwayStars

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Celebrate the 74th Annual Tony Awards With a Look at the Shows Nominated for Best Production by Marc J. Franklin

Ahead of the September ceremony, revisit the shows vying for Best Musical, Best Play, and Best Revival of a Play.

SOURCE: Playbill at 06:15PM

Celebrate the 74th Annual Tony Nominees With These Showstopping Cast Portraits by Marc J. Franklin

Photographer Michaelah Reynolds gathered ensemblists from the Best Musical nominees for a glam photo shoot in honor of the theatre community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:00AM
Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Get to Know the Principal Cast of the In The Heights Film by Marc J. Franklin

Ahead of the movie’s June 11 release, take a look at the actors starring in the screen adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Tony-winning musical.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:50AM
Sunday, May 23, 2021

Celebrate the Legacy of Shuffle Along on Its 100th Anniversary With These Historic Photos by Marc J. Franklin

The groundbreaking show opened at the 63rd Street Musical Hall May 23, 1921, becoming the first all-Black musical hit on Broadway.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM
Friday, May 21, 2021

Check Out New Photos of the In The Heights Movie, Starring Anthony Ramos by Marc J. Franklin

The film adaptation of the Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes musical will arrive in theatres and on HBO Max June 11.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:48PM

How One Broadway Stylist Found Light in the Darkness of the Pandemic by Marc J. Franklin

DassonVogue creator Greg Dassonville chatted with Playbill to unpack his latest creative project with the Broadway community, navigating the pandemic, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:38PM

Check Out Photos of Drag Race's Latrice Royale, Willam, and More in London's Death Drop by Marc J. Franklin

The drag queen murder-mystery comedy returned to the West End May 19.

SOURCE: Playbill at 08:46AM
Monday, May 17, 2021

Check Out Photos of Tamika Lawrence, Nick Adams, and More in Concert With the Skivvies by Marc J. Franklin

The underwear-clad band played two sold-out shows at The Green Room 42 May 14.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:34AM
Thursday, May 6, 2021

Check Out These New In the Heights Character Portraits by Marc J. Franklin

The film adaptation of the Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes musical will arrive in theatres and on HBO Max June 11.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:32PM

36 Joyous Opening Night Photos to Celebrate the Upcoming Return of Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

With some shows gearing up to resume performances in September, look back at these shots honoring the joy of making live theatre.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM
Tuesday, May 4, 2021

We Asked, You Answered: 32 Broadway Costumes Theatre Fans Wished They Owned by Marc J. Franklin

From Natasha’s coat from The Great Comet to Beetlejuice’s suit, check out Playbill readers' favorite theatre costumes.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:28AM
Sunday, May 2, 2021

Look Back at The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The musical comedy opened at the Circle in the Square Theatre May 2, 2005.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, May 1, 2021

A Celebration of Asian Joy in Honor of AAPI Heritage Month by Marc J. Franklin

Mean Girls star Riza Takahashi and photographer Rebecca J. Michelson welcomed 30 AAPI theatremakers for a celebratory photo shoot in Washington Square Park.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM
Thursday, April 29, 2021

A First Look at the Return of Fragments, A Live Audio Story by Marc J. Franklin

The multimedia performance art piece is set to begin in-person performances at New York City’s Liberated Fitness May 1.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:14PM

Celebrate 25 Years of Jonathan Larson’s Rent on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical opened at the Nederlander Theatre April 29, 1996.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Check Out London-Based Theatre Photographer Manuel Harlan’s 16 Favorite Production Shots by Marc J. Franklin

Harlan reflects on some of his favorite theatre photos including August Wilson’s Two Trains Running; Tina: The Tina Turner Musical; and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:27PM
Sunday, April 25, 2021

It’s Showtime: Take a Look Back at Beetlejuice’s Journey to Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The Tony-nominated musical opened at the Winter Garden Theatre April 25, 2019.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, April 24, 2021

Celebrate Waitress With a Look Back at Its Run on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The Tony-nominated musical opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre April 24, 2016.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, April 23, 2021

See the Skivvies Return to the Stage With Diana Huey and Matt Doyle by Marc J. Franklin

The underwear-clad band played their first in-person show since the pandemic April 16 at The Green Room.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:48PM
Thursday, April 22, 2021

From The Great Comet to An Octoroon, Mimi Lien Unpacks Her Favorite Set Designs by Marc J. Franklin

The Tony Award-winning designer gives Playbill an inside glimpse at her creative process.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:39PM

Look Back at the 2012 Revival of A Streetcar Named Desire Starring Blair Underwood and Nicole Ari Parker by Marc J. Franklin

The production, directed by Emily Mann, opened at the Broadhurst Theatre April 22, 2012.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

Revisit Brian d'Arcy James, John Cariani, and more in Something Rotten! on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The musical comedy opened at the St. James Theatre April 22, 2015.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Celebrate Broadway's Sister Act, Starring Patina Miller by Marc J. Franklin

The stage adaptation of the 1992 film opened at the Broadway Theatre April 20, 2011.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:29AM

Revisit American Idiot on Broadway With Stark Sands, John Gallagher, Jr, Michael Esper, and More by Marc J. Franklin

The rock musical opened at the St. James Theatre April 20, 2010.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, April 19, 2021

Celebrate the 6th Anniversary of Fun Home on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The musical, adapted from Alison Bechdel’s autobiographical graphic novel, opened at the Circle in the Square Theatre April 19, 2015.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:00AM
Saturday, April 17, 2021

Sing It Again: A Look Back at Hadestown’s Journey to Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

Anais Mitchell’s Tony Award-winning musical opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre April 17, 2019.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM
Thursday, April 15, 2021

Look Back at Next to Normal With Alice Ripley, Aaron Tveit, More by Marc J. Franklin

Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's Pulitzer Prize–winning musical opened at the Booth Theatre April 15, 2009.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:15PM

Check Out These New Re-Imagined Broadway Marquees With The Ensemblist by Marc J. Franklin

Photographer Rebecca J. Michelson and graphic designer Tiffany Holt continue their series giving theatre classics a contemporary twist.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:54AM
Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Celebrate the 61st Anniversary of Bye Bye Birdie on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The production, starring Dick Van Dyke and Chita Rivera, opened at the Martin Beck Theatre April 14, 1960.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Look Back at Toni Collette, Mandy Patinkin, and More in The Wild Party on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

Michael John LaChiusa’s Tony-nominated musical opened at the Virginia Theatre April 13, 2000.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, April 11, 2021

A Look Back at Miss Saigon at 30 by Marc J. Franklin

The musical, featuring a Tony Award-winning performance by Lea Salonga, opened at the Broadway Theatre April 11, 1991.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

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