All stories by Michael Paulson on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

You're New Here, Aren't You? Digital Theater's Unexpected Upside by Michael Paulson

Companies and venues that put work online are finding big, new and younger audiences " but little revenue.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:54AM[SHARE]
Friday, February 19, 2021

Shakespeare Troupe to Go Without an Artistic Director by Michael Paulson

Amid severe budget cuts and complaints about his leadership, Ethan McSweeny, who had run the American Shakespeare Center since 2018, will not return.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:36PM[SHARE]
Friday, January 29, 2021

A Broadway Theater Owner Rethinks Post-Pandemic Ticket Selling by Michael Paulson and Ben Sisario

Jujamcyn, which operates five of the 41 Broadway houses, said that when theater returns it will use SeatGeek instead of Ticketmaster.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:12PM[SHARE]

Tonys Voting is Coming Soon. The Awards? We Still Don't Know. by Michael Paulson

Organizers of the ceremony have firmed up dates for selecting favorites, but won't commit to an event until plans for Broadway's return are set.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:18PM[SHARE]
Thursday, January 21, 2021

'Moulin Rouge!' Was Their Ticket. Then 2020 Happened. by Michael Paulson

It was a Broadway smash with big plans until 25 company members took ill and a shutdown put everybody out of work. Inside a tumultuous year, in the words of those who lived it.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:06AM[SHARE]
Thursday, January 7, 2021

'Mean Girls' Won't Return to Broadway by Michael Paulson

Adapted by Tina Fey from her 2004 film, the musical played 834 performances. A national tour is expected to resume when theaters reopen.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:48PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Advocating and Agitating, Connecting and Inventing by Michael Paulson, Jesse Green, Scott Heller, Laura Collins-Hughes and Elisabeth Vincentelli

With their field rocked by unprecedented challenges in 2020, these people and groups " some notable, some new " stepped into the breach.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:12AM[SHARE]

'It's More Money Than I Imagined.' So He's Giving Some of It Away. by Michael Paulson

How Jeremy O. Harris has turned his good fortune into grants, commissions and donations to other playwrights, and to libraries in need.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:24AM[SHARE]
Sunday, November 29, 2020

Bah, Pandemic! How Theaters Are Saving 'A Christmas Carol' by Michael Paulson

Seasonal stagings often underwrite the usual fare. But even without indoor audiences, the tradition lives on " by mail, by screen, by car and by radio.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:06AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Laura Benanti Says Goodbye to Melania and Watches 'Ted Lasso' by Michael Paulson

The actress may be nearing the end as Melania Trump on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," but she has plenty of other projects and passions to keep her busy.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:03AM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 19, 2020

Are Streamed Plays Theater or TV? Unions Settle a Dispute by Michael Paulson

Actors' Equity and SAG-AFTRA agreement clears the way for more entertainment during the pandemic winter.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:36PM[SHARE]

Are Streamed Plays Theater or TV? Unions Settle a Dispute. by Michael Paulson

Actors' Equity and SAG-AFTRA agreement clears the way for more entertainment during the pandemic winter.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:32PM[SHARE]
Thursday, October 29, 2020

Yes, We Liked the Berkshires Shows. Here's $2 Million. by Michael Paulson

This summer, a woman went to outdoor shows at two beloved theaters in Massachusetts. She and her brother are now helping them to cover their costs and survive this winter.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:42PM[SHARE]
Monday, October 26, 2020

Eight Small New York Theaters Sue Cuomo Over Pandemic Restrictions by Michael Paulson

The lawsuit argues that if bowling alleys, casinos and gyms can open, why can't performance venues with fewer than 200 seats?

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:24PM[SHARE]
Sunday, October 25, 2020

How Matthew Warchus Generated 'Heat' in an Empty Theater by Michael Paulson

London's Old Vic has sold 30,000 tickets to three livestreamed shows, with more to come. "There's a huge appetite out there," said Warchus, the artistic director.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:32PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, October 21, 2020

'Shuffle Along' and Insurer Drop Pregnancy-Prompted Lawsuit by Michael Paulson

Scott Rudin, the lead producer, and Lloyd's of London settled a lawsuit that arose from the production's decision to shut down a Broadway musical when its star became pregnant.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:48PM[SHARE]
Thursday, October 15, 2020

Live Tony Award 2020 Nominations Tracker: What to Expect by Michael Paulson

In a season cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, only 18 shows are eligible for awards. The ceremony is expected to take place in December.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:24AM[SHARE]

2020 Tony Award Nominations: Time, Streaming, Shows and More by Michael Paulson

In a season cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, only 18 shows are eligible for awards. The ceremony is expected to take place in December.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:18AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, October 14, 2020

'Little Shop,' Big Relief: How One Theater Safely Put on an Indoor Show by Michael Paulson

A rural locale. Few Covid-19 cases nearby. Performers in a bubble. And a man-eating plant that couldn't quite chow down on its victims.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:18PM[SHARE]
Monday, October 12, 2020

Broadway Will Be a While. These Venues Say They're Ready Now. by Michael Paulson

Directors of large flexible spaces like the Park Avenue Armory are lobbying for permission to put on indoor shows for socially distanced audiences.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:24PM[SHARE]
Friday, October 9, 2020

Broadway Will Remain Closed at Least Through May by Michael Paulson

"The Music Man" and other shows will have to plan new opening dates, as a new reality sets in: Many theaters are likely to stay shut through next fall.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:48AM[SHARE]
Thursday, October 8, 2020

Dystopian Sound Show, Fresh From London, Heads to North America by Michael Paulson

Three producers " in New York, Washington and Toronto " aim to offer the show, "Blindness," for socially distanced, masked audience members.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:03AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, October 7, 2020

There's Not Much Work for Actors. Now Their Unions Are Fighting. by Michael Paulson

At issue: Who should represent performers and stage managers when theater is recorded and streamed, one of the few viable options during the pandemic.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:24PM[SHARE]
Friday, October 2, 2020

Meet Theater's Most Famous Superfan: Hillary Clinton by Michael Paulson

She's been to 39 shows since the 2016 election, and believes Broadway will return. But she doesn't have the "gumption" to see herself depicted just yet.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:48PM[SHARE]
Thursday, October 1, 2020

Unemployed Stage Actors to Face New Health Insurance Hurdle by Michael Paulson

The fund that covers thousands of performers will require that they work more weeks per year to qualify.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:06PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, September 22, 2020

'He Never Quit': Nick Cordero's Widow on Grief, God and Perseverance by Michael Paulson

Amanda Kloots kept the world informed while her husband, a Broadway actor, lost a battle with Covid. After many grueling months, she's trying to look ahead.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:18PM[SHARE]
Monday, September 21, 2020

Playing Jesus in a Pandemic Summer by Michael Paulson

Nicholas Edwards starred in the closely watched "Godspell" production. "Usually the stage is a safe place," he said, "but it became a place where I was anxious all the time."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:48PM[SHARE]
Thursday, September 10, 2020

Pulitzers to Consider Canceled Plays and Streamed Productions for 2021 Prize by Michael Paulson

The coronavirus pandemic has prevented most in-person theater this year, so the prize board is changing the eligibility rules for its annual drama honor.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:54PM[SHARE]
Friday, September 4, 2020

She Gave Up a Lot to Play Othello by Michael Paulson

Thrilled for the role, needing a paycheck and confident that the theater was safe, Jessika D. Williams left the actors' union to take the part.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:42PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, August 25, 2020

In a Pandemic First, 3 American Theaters Will Do Indoor Shows by Michael Paulson

The venues, all small nonprofits in New England, will be permitted by Actors' Equity to put on work with union actors.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:06PM[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