All stories by Matthew Blank on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

PHOTO CALL: Kacie Sheik, Alice Ripley, Jason Gotay, Adrienne Warren, Lauren Pritchard Sing the Music of Twenty-Somethings by Matthew Blank

Twenty-Somethings, an evening spotlighting the work of up-and-coming songwriters Blake Pfeil, Zoe Sarnak and Drew Overcash, featured performances by Tony winner Alice Ripley, Richard H. Blak…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:56PM

PHOTO CALL: Norbert Leo Butz, Sierra Boggess, Benjamin Walker, Andrew Rannells and More Celebrate Shakespeare in the Park's Love's Labour's Lost by Matthew Blank

The Public Theater's world-premiere musical Love's Labour's Lost, penned by Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson collaborators Michael Friedman and Alex Timbers, officially opened Aug. 1…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:57AM

PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Soul Doctor's Zarah Mahler by Matthew Blank

Zarah Mahler, making her Broadway debut as Ruth in Soul Doctor, fills out Playbill.com's questionnaire of random facts, backstage trivia and pop-culture tidbits.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM
Monday, August 12, 2013

PHOTO CALL: Taylor Trensch, Donna Vivino, Robi Hager, Paul Castree, Libby Servais and More Sing in Not At This Performance 2 by Matthew Blank

Taylor Trensch, Donna Vivino and Robi Hager were among the performers standing in the spotlight at NOT at This Performance 2, featuring Broadway and Off-Broadway understudies who never went …

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:00PM

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Welcome to the Isle of Nollop!" Learn the ABC's of Goodspeed's New Musical LMNOP by Matthew Blank

Goodspeed Musicals' LMNOP, "an edgy new musical about an island whose citizens begin to lose their freedoms one letter at a time," plays the company's Norma Terris Theatre.…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:42PM

PHOTO CALL: Broadway's Pippin Performs Free Concert at Bloomingdale's by Matthew Blank

Cast members from the Tony-winning Broadway revival of Pippin were on hand at the East 60th Street Bloomingdale's Aug. 8 to offer a free performance and launch the new show-themed window dis…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:03AM
Friday, August 9, 2013

PHOTO CALL: Lindsay Mendez, Derek Klena, Annie Star Taylor Richardson, The Fantasticks and Cougar at Broadway in Bryant Park by Matthew Blank

Broadway in Bryant Park, which is presented by 106.7 Lite FM, continued its summer 2013 season August 8 at 12:30 PM on the Bryant Park Stage.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:05PM

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Day With Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 Star David Abeles by Matthew Blank

Actor/singer/musician David Abeles, an original cast member of Once, has stepped out of the Irish Pub and into the immersive tent world of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Now pl…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:35AM
Thursday, August 8, 2013

PHOTO CALL: Rachel Potter, Chase Peacock and Lucas Wells Star in Florida Spring Awakening by Matthew Blank

Broadway's Rachel Potter (Evita) and Chase Peacock (American Idiot) and Lucas Wells star in freeFall Theatre's current production of the Tony-winning musical Spring Awakening. The pr…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:12PM

PHOTO CALL: Freestyle Love Supreme, Featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda and Christopher Jackson, Rocks Joe's Pub by Matthew Blank

Freestyle Love Supreme, the freestyle hip-hop crew featuring Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, plays four performances at Joe's Pub beginning Aug. 7. Playbill was at their first con…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:45PM

PHOTO CALL: Billy Porter, Laura Osnes, Annaleigh Ashford, Alan Cumming, Cuba Gooding Jr. and More Celebrate Michael Urie by Matthew Blank

Michael Urie, who is currently starring Off-Broadway in the critically acclaimed one-man show Buyer & Cellar, was honored Aug. 7 with a portrait at Tony's Di Napoli restaurant.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:36AM
Wednesday, August 7, 2013

PHOTO CALL: Romeo and Juliet Stars Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad Roar Into the Rodgers Theatre by Matthew Blank

The Broadway revival of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, will begin previews Aug. 24 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Star-crossed lovers Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad made the…

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:12PM

PHOTO CALL: Christiane Noll, Paul Nakauchi, Telly Leung and Diane Phelan Star in Music Circus' The King and I by Matthew Blank

Christiane Noll, Paul Nakauchi, Telly Leung and Diane Phelan star in California Musical Theatre's production of The King and I Aug. 6-11.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:34PM

PHOTO CALL: Chad Beguelin's Harbor, With Randy Harrison, Erin Cummings, Paul Anthony Stewart and Alexis Molnar, Opens Off-Broadway by Matthew Blank

Randy Harrison, Erin Cummings, Paul Anthony Stewart and Alexis Molnar star in Primary Stages' Off-Broadway premiere of Chad Beguelin's Harbor, which officially opened Aug. 6 after pr…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:58PM

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "In the Jungle..." A Two-Show Day With The Jungle Book's Elegant Peacock, Nikka Graff Lanzarone by Matthew Blank

Musical theatre favorite and popular Playbill contributor Nikka Graff Lanzarone is on her latest theatrical adventure at Chicago's Goodman Theatre, playing a 7'2" Peacock in the…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:57AM
Tuesday, August 6, 2013

PHOTO CALL: Kyle Dean Massey, Ali Ewoldt, Natalie Cortez, Curtis Holbrook Star in the Muny's West Side Story by Matthew Blank

The St. Louis Muny's final show of its 95th season, West Side Story, began performances Aug. 5 at the famed outdoor venue.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:10PM

PHOTO ARCHIVE: Celebrating Tony Award Winner Faith Prince by Matthew Blank

Tony Award winner Faith Prince, currently back on Broadway as Miss Hannigan in Annie, celebrates her birthday August 6. Playbill.com takes a look at her stage career. Happy birthday, Faith!

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:01PM

PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: First Date's Sara Chase by Matthew Blank

Sara Chase, who is featured in the new Broadway musical First Date, fills out Playbill.com's questionnaire of random facts, backstage trivia and pop-culture tidbits.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:01AM
Monday, August 5, 2013

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "So Much Better!" Behind the Scenes With Stages St. Louis' Legally Blonde Star Michelle London by Matthew Blank

Michelle London is starring as Elle Woods in the Stages St. Louis production of the Tony Award-nominated musical Legally Blonde. She shares photos from backstage and around town as she nigh…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:48PM

PHOTO CALL: Quvenzhané Wallis, Darius Rucker, Il Volo and More Backstage On Broadway by Matthew Blank

A slew of celebs have been hitting Broadway shows this summer. Recent backstage visits include Quvenzhané Wallis and Darius Rucker at The Lion King, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps and Val Chmer…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:34PM

PHOTO CALL: Steven Pasquale and Elena Shaddow Star in Jason Robert Brown's Bridges of Madison County by Matthew Blank

The Broadway-bound production of The Bridges of Madison County, the new musical by Tony Award winners Jason Robert Brown and Marsha Norman, officially opened Aug. 3 at the Williamstown Theat…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:07PM

PHOTO CALL: A Sneak Peek at Waterwell Summer Theater Lab, With Lin-Manuel Miranda and a Performance from New Musical Hamelin by Matthew Blank

The Waterwell Summer Theater Lab offered a special preview in New York August 2, including an appearance from master class artists Lin-Manuel Miranda and a performance from Aaron Jones' new …

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:44AM
Saturday, August 3, 2013

PHOTO CALL: Bart Shatto, Todd Alan Johnson, Kelly McCormick, Jillian Gottlieb Star in Surflight's Les Misérables by Matthew Blank

Bart Shatto, who was seen in the original Broadway production of Les Misérables, stars as Jean Valjean in the Surflight Theatre production of that Tony Award-winning musical by Alain …

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:45PM
Thursday, August 1, 2013

PHOTO CALL: Norbert Leo Butz, Kate Baldwin, Krysta Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Kinky Boots and Spider-Man at Bryant Park by Matthew Blank

Broadway in Bryant Park, which is presented by 106.7 Lite FM, continued its summer 2013 season August 1 at 12:30 PM on the Bryant Park Stage.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:33PM

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "Hold On Little Girl!" A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Rock of Ages With "Waitress #1" Tessa Alves by Matthew Blank

Spend a rockin' two-show day at the Helen Hayes Theatre with Tessa Alves, who is featured as "Waitress #1" and other colorful 1980s Sunset Strip characters in Broadway's Ro…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:48PM

PHOTO RECAP: Bring It On: The Musical Opens on Broadway; Red Carpet Arrivals, Curtain Call and Cast Party by Matthew Blank

Bring It On: The Musical, the new muscular, pop-fueled musical inspired by the popular film franchise about rival cheerleading teams, officially opened on this day in 2012 at the St. James T…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:25PM

PHOTO CALL: Tony-Winning Avenue Q Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Mayoral Proclamation and Party by Matthew Blank

The Tony-winning musical Avenue Q, which is currently playing Off-Broadway's New World Stages, celebrated its 10th anniversary on New York City stages July 31. The little show that could…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:32AM
Wednesday, July 31, 2013

PHOTO CALL: A First Look at Shakespeare in the Park's Love's Labour's Lost Musical, With Colin Donnell, Patti Murin, Rachel Dratch and More by Matthew Blank

The Public Theater's world-premiere musical Love's Labour's Lost, penned by Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson collaborators Michael Friedman and Alex Timbers, began performances July …

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:53PM

PHOTO CALL: Meet the Stars of Music Circus' The King and I, With Christiane Noll, Paul Nakauchi, Telly Leung and Diane Phelan by Matthew Blank

Christiane Noll, Paul Nakauchi, Telly Leung and Diane Phelan will star in California Musical Theatre's production of The King and I Aug. 6-11.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:33PM

PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: "The Garden of the Young!" Behind the Scenes at the Muny's Les Miz With Rising Star Alex Prakken by Matthew Blank

This month, St. Louis' Muny presented a new staging of Les Misérables. Alex Prakken (Marius) was one of five university students cast in principal roles and given the rare chance …

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:33PM

PHOTO CALL: Luis Enrique, Karina Smirnoff, Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Cast Offer Special Forever Tango Performance and Discussion by Matthew Blank

Luis Enrique joined the cast of Broadway's Forever Tango July 30 for a limited engagement. Enrique and cast, including current guest stars Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, offer…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:29AM

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