All stories by Mark Blankenship on BroadwayStars

Monday, May 25, 2015

A Very Intimate “Hello Again” by Mark Blankenship

Transport Group drops Michael John LaChiusa’s musical into the audience’s lapShort of performing it yourself, you may never get closer to a musical than when you see Transport Gr…

SOURCE: TDF at 05:58PM

Annie Dorsen Makes Laptops Talk by Mark Blankenship

A new show challenges the definition of a conversationIs it natural to have a conversation? Is it human? Does our ability to swap phrases with other people prove that we’re not machine…

SOURCE: TDF at 05:58PM
Wednesday, March 18, 2015

TDF Stages has moved! by Mark Blankenship

Hello everyone! TDF Stages has a new home right here. Join us at our fancy location for features, videos, podcasts, and more! The post TDF Stages has moved! appeared first on TDF STAGES HAS …

SOURCE: TDF at 10:13AM
Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Think Starring on Broadway Is Tough? Try Four Supporting Roles by Mark Blankenship

Tracee Chimo plays a village in The Heidi Chronicles — Welcome to Building Character, our ongoing look at performers and how they create their roles No wonder it took Tracee Chimo a fe…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Monday, March 9, 2015

50 Years of Life in a 90 Minute Musical by Mark Blankenship

Why time and music work differently in Long Story Short — When time and music work differently on stage, pay attention. That may be the key to understanding an entire show. At least, t…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Friday, March 6, 2015

Can a Nice Guy Finish First (or At Least Third)? by Mark Blankenship

A comedy at the Mint Theater takes selflessness to the extreme — The first time he read Fashions For Men, Davis McCallum wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. “It’s u…

SOURCE: TDF at 10:50AM
Monday, February 23, 2015

WATCH: Meet Lesser America by Mark Blankenship

Welcome to Meet the Theatre, our film series about interesting theatre companies in New York City! Today we’re featuring Lesser America, which celebrates the USA’s cultural under…

SOURCE: TDF at 12:14PM
Thursday, February 19, 2015

The Legendary Carmen de Lavallade Reflects on Her Career by Mark Blankenship

In a new show, the peerless performer distills her remarkable life — Distilling a nearly seventy year career into a taut, 70 minute performance is no easy task, especially when the art…

SOURCE: TDF at 04:31PM
Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Which Musical Theatre Legends Need a New Show? by Mark Blankenship

Welcome to Geek Out/Freak Out, where theatre fans get super enthusiastic about things. This week, Mark Blankenship geeks out (via Google Doc), with Jennifer Ashley Tepper, who is both a musi…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Friday, February 13, 2015

Just Move the Car and Stage the Play by Mark Blankenship

Why The Groundling is set in a Long Island garage — It’s no accident that The Groundling takes place in a guy’s garage. Marc Palmieri’s new comedy, now at Axis Theatr…

SOURCE: TDF at 12:57PM
Friday, February 6, 2015

She’s Destroying My Career, But We’re Still Friends by Mark Blankenship

In Rasheeda Speaking,Tonya Pinkins navigates race, class, and the power of kindness — Welcome to Building Character, our ongoing look at performers and how they create their roles You …

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Can a Song Heal America’s Wounds? by Mark Blankenship

Race and music collide in Texas in Paris — When Osceola Mays sings “Oh Freedom,” we can feel what it means to her. One of two characters in Texas in Paris, a play with musi…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Monday, February 2, 2015

Of Course His Arm Fell Off. He’s Sad. by Mark Blankenship

Feelings become facts in Anton Dudley’s new play — Of course Dash’s arm falls off. When you lose someone, it can feel like losing a limb, and in City Of, now at the Peter J…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Friday, January 30, 2015

THEATRE DICTIONARY: Upstaging, Improv, and Italian Run by Mark Blankenship

Check out our latest Theatre Dictionary videos for Upstaging (made with New York Neo-Futurists), Improv (made with F*It Club and The PIT), and Italian Run (made with Clubbed Thumb.) Want mor…

SOURCE: TDF at 11:22AM
Wednesday, January 28, 2015

WATCH: Meet Flux Theatre Ensemble by Mark Blankenship

Welcome to Meet the Theatre, our film series about interesting theatre companies in New York City! Today we’re featuring Flux Theatre Ensemble, which works year-round to feel close to …

SOURCE: TDF at 11:56AM
Friday, January 23, 2015

I Can’t Believe They Did That With the Cake by Mark Blankenship

The surprising laughs in Parallel Exit’s New Show — If you’re watching a slapstick comedy and they wheel on a giant cake, then you’ve got to assume that somebody̵…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:05AM
Thursday, January 22, 2015

All That Russian Passion in Just Two Hours by Mark Blankenship

Inside a muscular new version of A Month in the Country — Fans of Russian drama—or anyone who’s slogged through War and Peace—might be startled to learn that Classic …

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Tuesday, January 20, 2015

When Theatre People Attack by Mark Blankenship

In Halley Feiffer’s new play, family drama literally changes the world on stage — Maybe you know a theatrical person. Maybe they squeal with rapture when they get a great deal on…

SOURCE: TDF at 12:27PM
Monday, January 12, 2015

What’s on Broadway This Spring? by Mark Blankenship

Your Broadway spring preview — Are you ready for a theatre avalanche? Each spring, as the cut-off date for Tony Award eligibility looms, a barrage of plays and musicals opens on the Gr…

SOURCE: TDF at 04:52PM
Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Can You Handle What I Really Think of You? by Mark Blankenship

In Winners and Losers, two real-life friends get brutally honest — In one way or another, most of us compete with our friends. Maybe we feel relieved that our jobs make us happier or t…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Tuesday, December 23, 2014

THEATRE DICTIONARY: Ad Lib, Going Dark, & Papering the House by Mark Blankenship

Below, check out our latest Theatre Dictionary videos for Ad Lib (made with New York Neo-Futurists), Going Dark (made with F*It Club), and Papering the House (made with Clubbed Thumb.) Want …

SOURCE: TDF at 09:09AM
Friday, December 19, 2014

“You Can’t Take It With You:” Classic Play Vs. Classic Film by Mark Blankenship

Welcome to Geek Out/Freak Out, where theatre fans get super enthusiastic about things. This week, Stages editor Mark Blankenship geeks out (via Google Doc) with Catherine Sheehy, chair of Dr…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Wednesday, December 17, 2014

WATCH: Meet Company XIV by Mark Blankenship

From time to time, TDF Stages will highlight exciting Off and Off-Off Broadway theatre companies with exclusive “getting to know you” videos. Today we’re featuring Company XIV, a d…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Tuesday, December 16, 2014

This Play Needs a Co-Star. How About You? by Mark Blankenship

The surprisingly rich audience participation in Every Brilliant Thing — You’re closer than you realize to co-starring in an Off-Broadway play. Just buy a ticket to Every Brillian…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Tuesday, December 9, 2014

How to Put Soul in a “Honeymoon” by Mark Blankenship

How Brynn O’Malley creates a leading lady in Honeymoon in Vegas — Welcome to Building Character, our ongoing look at performers and how they create their roles Make no mistake: t…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Monday, December 1, 2014

WATCH: Meet Keen Company by Mark Blankenship

From time to time, TDF Stages will highlight exciting Off and Off-Off Broadway theatre companies with exclusive “getting to know you” videos. Today we’re featuring Keen Company, wh…

SOURCE: TDF at 11:08AM
Monday, November 24, 2014

How Many Times Would You Forgive Someone? by Mark Blankenship

Heidi Schreck on the moral questions in Grand Concourse — After I saw Heidi Schreck’s play Grand Concourse, I made a mistake. The show left me uncomfortable, so I thought that me…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Monday, November 17, 2014

WATCH: Wild new videos in the Theatre Dictionary by Mark Blankenship

The Theatre Dictionary is back in action. Woo! In case you’ve never visited, the Theatre Dictionary collects short, funny films that define theatre lingo. Wanna know what an 11 o’…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Friday, November 14, 2014

Did You Notice the Tiny Fireflies? by Mark Blankenship

The set for Lost Lake explodes with details — There’s no way to see the entire set of Lost Lake. A slightly surreal cabin in the woods, it’s packed with so many objects tha…

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM
Thursday, November 13, 2014

What Do You Think About Straight White Men? by Mark Blankenship

No matter what you think about privilege, Young Jean Lee will challenge you — When you hear about a play called Straight White Men, what do you think it’s going to be? Which cult…

SOURCE: TDF at 10:46AM
Monday, November 10, 2014

Why Does Mummenschanz Work So Well? by Mark Blankenship

The beloved theatre troupe returns to New York — For over 40 years, Mummenschanz has arguably been one of the most reliable sources of all-ages theatre in the world. With their unique …

SOURCE: TDF at 09:00AM

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