All stories by Marc J. Franklin on BroadwayStars

Friday, April 17, 2020

Finishing the Hat Vol. 2: 16 More Pieces of Broadway 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, Six, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:34AM

See Broadway Go Blue in Solidarity With Those on the COVID-19 Front Lines by Marc J. Franklin

Broadway houses displayed a message of encouragement in the theatre district April 16.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:36AM

From Phantom to Fun Home: Celebrating Rebecca Luker on the Stage by Marc J. Franklin

The Tony Award-nominated actor celebrates her birthday April 17.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, April 16, 2020

23 Completely Original Musicals That Have Played Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

From Company to The Prom, check out these musicals that began life on the stage.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:22PM

Listening Party: The Drowsy Chaperone on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The Prom star Isabelle McCalla recommends revisiting the Broadway cast album of the Tony-nominated musical comedy.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:00PM

Take a New Look at Your Favorite Broadway Character With These 25 Graphic Designs by Marc J. Franklin

From Hadestown to Hello, Dolly!, graphic designer Desiree Nasim gives Broadway favorites a minimalist makeover with Character Charts.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:57AM
Wednesday, April 15, 2020

32 Binge Watches You Want to See Onstage by Marc J. Franklin

We asked, you answered: Check out which TV shows you want to see come to Broadway.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:33PM

Listening Party: Revisit The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The Phantom of the Opera star Ben Crawford recommends listening to the cast recording for the Tony-nominated musical comedy.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:00PM

From Grande to Groban: Meet the All-Star Cast of the Disney Family Singalong by Marc J. Franklin

Take a look at the artists performing in the nationwide event on ABC April 16.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:14AM
Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Listening Party: Ease On Down the Road With The Wiz by Marc J. Franklin

Upcoming Caroline, or Change star N’Kenge recommends revisiting the cast recording of Charlie Smalls’ musical adaption of The Wizard of Oz.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:00PM

Look Back at Seth Numrich, Matt Doyle, and More in War Horse on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theater April 14, 2011.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM

Celebrate the 60th 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 13, 1960.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, April 13, 2020

Listening Party: Revisit Actors Fund’s Concert of Hair by Marc J. Franklin

Six star Brittney Mack recommends revisiting the cast recording of the 2004 concert starring Gavin Creel, Shoshana Bean, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:13PM

Look Back at Audra McDonald in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill by Marc J. Franklin

The play with music, based on the events surrounding one of Billie Holliday’s last performances, opened at the Circle in the Square Theatre April 13, 2014.

SOURCE: Playbill at 09:35AM

Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of The Wild Party on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

Michael John LaChiusa’s Tony-nominated musical, starring Toni Collette, Mandy Patinkin, and more, opened at the Virginia Theatre April 13, 2000.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:50AM
Sunday, April 12, 2020

Celebrate Brendon Urie With a Look Back at his Broadway Debut in Kinky Boots by Marc J. Franklin

The Panic! at the Disco rock star celebrates his birthday April 12.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM
Saturday, April 11, 2020

Listening Party: Revisit Paul Simon’s The Capeman by Marc J. Franklin

Girl From the North Country star Luba Mason recommends revisiting the musical adaptation of Salvador Agrón’s life.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:30PM

Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Million Dollar Quartet on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The Tony Award-nominated musical opened at the Nederlander Theatre April 11, 2010.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:27AM
Friday, April 10, 2020

Check Out Broadway Photographer Jeremy Daniel’s 17 Favorite Production Photos by Marc J. Franklin

From Waitress to The Music Man, Daniel gives Playbill an inside look at some of his favorite shots.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:31PM

Listening Party: Step Inside Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party by Marc J. Franklin

Six star Samantha Pauly recommends revisiting the Off-Broadway musical adaptation of Joseph Moncure March’s poem.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:00PM

Revisit Catch Me If You Can Starring Aaron Tveit and Norbert Leo Butz by Marc J. Franklin

The stage adaptation of the 2002 film opened at the Neil Simon Theatre April 10, 2011.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM
Thursday, April 9, 2020

From Beetlejuice to Hamilton, David Korins Unpacks His Favorite Broadway Set Designs by Marc J. Franklin

The Tony Award-nominated scenic designer gives Playbill an inside glimpse at his creative process.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:42PM

Listening Party: Revisit The Bridges of Madison County With Kelli O’Hara and Steven Pasquale by Marc J. Franklin

Mrs. Doubtfire’s Analise Scarpaci recommends setting a romantic mood with the Broadway cast recording of the Jason Robert Brown musical.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:00PM
Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Celebrate #SociallyDistancedShakespeare With These 9 Reinventions of the Bard by Marc J. Franklin

Ahead of its upcoming production of Hamlet, the Young Vic Theatre gives theatre audiences a laugh with timely reinventions of Shakespeare’s classics.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:51PM

Listening Party: Revisit the Broadway Cast Recording of Waitress by Marc J. Franklin

Jagged Little Pill's Celia Rose Gooding recommends a shift at the diner with Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson's hit musical.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:00PM

Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of The Addams Family on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The musical comedy opened at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre April 8, 2010.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:00AM
Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Listening Party: Revisit Stephen Schwartz’s Pippin on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

SIX star Anna Uzele recommends feeling inspired with the cast recording of the magical musical.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:00PM

Look Back at the Original Broadway production of Rock of Ages by Marc J. Franklin

The jukebox musical opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre April 7, 2009.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM

Revisit Hand to God on Broadway With Steven Boyer, Sarah Stiles, and More by Marc J. Franklin

The Tony-nominated production opened at the Booth Theatre April 7, 2015.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM

Sutton Foster, Laura Osnes, and More in Anything Goes on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The Tony Award–winning revival opened at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre April 7, 2011.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM

Sutton Foster, Laura Osnes, and More Opened in Anything Goes on Broadway in 2011 by Marc J. Franklin

Kathleen Marshall directed and choreographed the Tony Award–winning revival at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:00AM

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