All stories by Marc J. Franklin on BroadwayStars

Friday, January 8, 2021

Celebrate Cynthia Erivo With a Look Back at Her Broadway Debut in The Color Purple by Marc J. Franklin

The Tony Award winner celebrates her birthday January 8.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Broadway Checklist: How Many of These Shows at the Palace Theatre Have You Seen? by Marc J. Franklin

Look back at the 10 most recent productions to play over 100 performances at the venue.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Saturday, January 2, 2021

Start Your 2021 Reading List With These 31 Books Broadway Stars Are Currently Recommending by Marc J. Franklin

From Becoming by Michelle Obama to George Saunders' Lincoln in the Bardo, check out the books that are on the reading lists of some of theatre's biggest stars.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Look Back at More Than 70 Years of Kiss Me, Kate on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The original production of the classic musical opened at the New Century Theatre December 30, 1948.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:00AM[SHARE]

Broadway Checklist: How Many of These Shows at the New Amsterdam Theatre Have You Seen? by Marc J. Franklin

Look back at the most recent productions to play over 100 performances at the venue.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]

2020 in Photos: A Look Back at an Unprecedented Year in Theatre History by Marc J. Franklin

Revisit the moments that defined the year on and (primarily) off stage.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Monday, December 28, 2020

Celebrate Theatre With These 25 Lego Broadway Recreations by Marc J. Franklin

Take a look at Jack Abrams' Broadway Bricks designs of Hadestown, Six, and more as he transforms ordinary Legos into theatre favorites.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:32PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, December 23, 2020

How Production Designer Gavin Boquet Created the Magical, Musical World of Jingle Jangle by Marc J. Franklin

The Emmy winner, known for his work on films such as Star Wars, gave Playbill an inside look at the process of turning imagination into reality, designing musical theatre on film, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:33AM[SHARE]

How Production Designer Gavin Bocquet Created the Magical, Musical World of Jingle Jangle by Marc J. Franklin

The Emmy winner, known for his work on films such as Star Wars, gave Playbill an inside look at the process of turning imagination into reality, designing musical theatre on film, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:33AM[SHARE]

Broadway Checklist: How Many of These Shows at the Neil Simon Theatre Have You Seen? by Marc J. Franklin

Look back at the 10 most recent productions to play over 100 performances at the venue.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Monday, December 21, 2020

A Celebration of the Theatre District Through the Eyes of 4 Theatre Photographers by Marc J. Franklin

While Broadway remains shutdown, Rebecca J. Michelson, Michael Hull, Mati Ficara, and Marc J. Franklin pay tribute to the Crossroads of the World.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Saturday, December 19, 2020

Give My Love to Broadway: 17 Pieces of Fan Art From Playbill Readers by Marc J. Franklin

Though Broadway may be temporarily shut down, the love of theatre remains strong as artists share the theatre-inspired creations of Hadestown, Newsies, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, December 18, 2020

Check Out London-Based Photographer Danny Kaan's 23 Favorite Theatre Photos by Marc J. Franklin

Kaan reflects on some of his favorite theatre photos including Six, Songs for a New World, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Check Out These Stunning Photos of Old Vic's A Christmas Carol Starring The Walking Dead's Andrew Lincoln by Marc J. Franklin

The streamed production, a part of the Old Vic: In Camera series, continues through December 24.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:20PM[SHARE]

Celebrate Tony Award Winner LaChanze With a Look at Her Stage Highlights by Marc J. Franklin

The actor celebrates her birthday December 16.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:19AM[SHARE]

Broadway Checklist: How Many of These Shows at the Nederlander Theatre Have You Seen? by Marc J. Franklin

Look back at the 10 most recent productions to play over 100 performances at the venue.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, December 15, 2020

A Celebration of Tony and Olivier Award Winner Ann Reinking on the Stage by Marc J. Franklin

In honor of the dancer and choreographer, Playbill looks back at highlights from her theatre career.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:42PM[SHARE]
Friday, December 11, 2020

A Look Back At The Productions That Opened on Broadway in 2020 by Marc J. Franklin

Though the season was cut short, Playbill is celebrating the shows that were able to make their official Broadway bow.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Thursday, December 10, 2020

Take a First Look at Disney's Frozen in Australia by Marc J. Franklin

The musical's first international production, starring Jemma Rix and Courtney Monsma, opened at the Capital Theatre in Sydney December 10.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:50PM[SHARE]

Can You Finish the Missing Lyrics to The Prom? by Marc J. Franklin

Ahead of the release of the musical's film adaptation, test your knowledge of its Tony-nominated score.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Broadway Checklist: How Many of These Shows at the Music Box Theatre Have You Seen? by Marc J. Franklin

Look back at the 10 most recent productions to play over 100 performances at the venue.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, December 4, 2020

17 of the Most Iconic Moments From 'Turkey Lurkey Time' To Start Your Holiday Season by Marc J. Franklin

Everybody gather 'round the table. Dig in"excellence is being served.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:44PM[SHARE]
Thursday, December 3, 2020

We Dance: Celebrating the 2017 Revival of Once On This Island on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The Tony Award-winning production opened at the Circle in the Square Theatre December 3, 2017.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:28AM[SHARE]

From Out-of-Town to Opening Night: Celebrating The Cher Show on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

In honor of the production's anniversary, look back at the production's journey to Broadway.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Broadway Checklist: How Many of These Shows at the Minksoff Theatre Have You Seen? by Marc J. Franklin

Look back at the 10 most recent productions to play over 100 performances at the venue.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:27PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Take a Look at Photos of Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Musical Starring Matthew Morrison by Marc J. Franklin

The holiday presentation is set to air on NBC December 9.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:58AM[SHARE]

Celebrate the Original Broadway Production of The Color Purple by Marc J. Franklin

The musical opened at the Broadway Theatre December 1, 2005.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, November 27, 2020

Take a Sneak Peek at NBC's One Night Only: The Best of Broadway, Featuring Casts of Jagged Little Pill, Ain't Too Proud, and More by Marc J. Franklin

The two-hour TV special, hosted by Tina Fey, will air on December 10 as a benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 26, 2020

Check Out Photos of Hamilton, Jagged Little Pill, and More at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade by Marc J. Franklin

The casts of several Broadway shows reunited to commemorate the holiday during the 94th annual celebration November 26.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:37PM[SHARE]

Take an Exclusive Look Inside Jagged Little Pill's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Performance With Antonio Cipriano by Marc J. Franklin

The Jagged Little Pill star gave Playbill a behind-the-scenes look at his experience reuniting with Broadway castmates for the 94th annual celebration.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00PM[SHARE]

Take an Exclusive Look Inside Mean Girls' Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Performance With Reneé Rapp by Marc J. Franklin

The Mean Girls star gave Playbill a behind-the-scenes look at her experience reuniting with her Broadway castmates for the 94th annual celebration.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00PM[SHARE]

All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off