All stories by Michael Riedel on BroadwayStars

Thursday, December 5, 2019

‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ musical producers dogged by ‘Tootsie’ Broadway failure by Michael Riedel

“Tootsie” flopped on Broadway. It’s a terrific show, but its early closing is scaring the hell out of “Mrs. Doubtfire,” another musical whose leading man is also a leading lady. Ba…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 06:26PM
Thursday, November 21, 2019

‘The Inheritance’ struggles at Broadway box office by Michael Riedel

It may not recoup its $9.5 million investment.

SOURCE: The New York Post at 06:42PM
Thursday, November 14, 2019

‘Tootsie’ was a Broadway flop because theater is fickle: insiders by Michael Riedel

“Tootsie” had everything going for it: great title, terrific reviews, star-making turn by Santino Fontana, snappy score by David Yazbek and a hilarious book by Robert Horn. And yet one o…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 10:48PM
Thursday, October 31, 2019

Run if you want to see Ian McKellen on stage by Michael Riedel

The delightful Ian McKellen, who turned 80 this year, has a message for anybody who wants to see him on stage: “Run!” New Yorkers have that chance Tuesday at the Hudson Theatre, where Mc…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 07:54PM
Thursday, October 24, 2019

‘The Crown’ couple heating up the stage in London by Michael Riedel

The buzziest show in London right now is “Lungs,” starring Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Or, as they’re known in real life, Claire Foy and Matt Smith, the royal couple of Netfl…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 04:51PM
Thursday, October 17, 2019

Eileen Atkins gives her usual brilliant performance in ‘The Height of the Storm’ by Michael Riedel

Eileen Atkins is the only Dame of the English theater who hasn’t been invited to lunch with the Queen at Sandringham House. All the other Dames — Judi (Dench), Maggie (Smith), Diana (Rig…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 06:03PM
Thursday, October 10, 2019

Brian Cox used ‘muscle memory’ to tackle ‘The Great Society’ role by Michael Riedel

Brian Cox had no intention of tackling a meaty character like Lyndon Baines Johnson in Robert Schenkkan’s “The Great Society.” He’d moved away from big theater roles to focus on part…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 07:03PM
Thursday, October 3, 2019

Cameron Crowe discusses making his new musical, ‘Almost Famous’ by Michael Riedel

Cameron Crowe ran into Elton John last year at a party thrown by David Geffen. “I hear you’re doing a musical version of ‘Almost Famous,’” John said. “I love Tom Kitt” – Crow…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 07:31PM
Thursday, September 26, 2019

The real hitmaker behind Alan Menken’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ by Michael Riedel

“Little Shop of Horrors” may be the most adorably creepy — and enduring — musicals of all time. It opened in 1982 at the small WPA Theater in Chelsea, then moved to the Orpheum on Se…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 02:40PM
Thursday, September 19, 2019

‘Betrayal’ stars Hiddleston, Cox dish on being total theater geeks by Michael Riedel

Who knew Loki and Daredevil are the biggest theater geeks in town? Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Charlie Cox (Daredevil) are starring in the spare — but scorching — revival of Harold Pinter�…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 06:52PM
Thursday, September 12, 2019

‘Slave Play’ may be provocative, but it sure isn’t selling tickets by Michael Riedel

The New York Times has a new darling: Jeremy O. Harris, whose “Slave Play” began previews Tuesday at the Golden Theatre after last year’s sold-out run at New York Theatre Workshop. The…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 05:37PM
Thursday, September 5, 2019

Charming Irish musical ‘Sing Street’ is on the road to Broadway by Michael Riedel

The theater world’s buzzing about two off-the-grid musicals that could make the leap to Broadway in the spring. The other week I reported on “The Wrong Man,” by singer-songwriter Ross …

SOURCE: The New York Post at 04:57PM
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Thursday, August 22, 2019

‘Forbidden Broadway’ is back to skewer Cher, Bette Midler, ‘Tootsie’ by Michael Riedel

Brace yourself, theater people: Gerard Alessandrini, the merry skewer-er of all that you do, is coming back with “Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation.” A New York institution since 1…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 06:46PM
Thursday, August 15, 2019

Here’s hoping Vanessa Redgrave isn’t done with Broadway by Michael Riedel

Let’s hear it for the great Lois Smith, who rode to the rescue this week when “The Inheritance,” coming in from London, was missing a key cast member: Vanessa Redgrave. She won raves f…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 04:42PM
Thursday, August 8, 2019

‘The Wrong Man’ is the underdog Broadway musical to watch by Michael Riedel

“Moulin Rouge,” “Jagged Little Pill” and “Tina: the Tina Turner Musical” are the new Broadway season’s major musical contenders. But keep your eye on a small, original show tha…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 02:30PM
Thursday, August 1, 2019

Barry Manilow: I’ve never been a diva (unlike Faye Dunaway) by Michael Riedel

Barry Manilow, back on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne for a few weeks, came onstage at Tuesday’s opening night and cracked: “You weren’t expecting Faye Dunaway, were you?” Big laughs …

SOURCE: The New York Post at 06:05PM
Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Faye Dunaway fired from Broadway-bound ‘Tea at Five’ by Michael Riedel

Faye Dunaway has been fired from the Broadway-bound play “Tea at Five.” Dunaway, 78, was playing Katharine Hepburn in the one-woman play, set to open on Broadway next year. It had been p…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 03:28PM
Thursday, July 18, 2019

How Encores! gives new life to fading Broadway musicals by Michael Riedel

After 20 years, Jack Viertel is giving up the job that everyone who loves musical theater covets: producing Encores! at City Center. As I shouldn’t have to remind my readers, Encores! pres…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 08:43PM
Thursday, July 11, 2019

Elizabeth Ashley: Hard-living Rip Torn was like ‘broken crystal’ by Michael Riedel

The first person I called after hearing Rip Torn died on Tuesday was Elizabeth Ashley, who knew him well. “I’m seeing so many R.I.P.’s for Rip,” the actress told me. “Are you f- �…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 06:28PM
Thursday, June 27, 2019

Tom Hiddleston to make Broadway debut in ‘Betrayal’ this summer by Michael Riedel

Loki is coming to Broadway this summer. Tom Hiddleston, the villain of Marvel’s “Avengers” movies, will star in a revival of Harold Pinter’s “Betrayal.” The production won raves …

SOURCE: The New York Post at 05:31PM
Thursday, June 20, 2019

‘Moulin Rouge!’ has all the elements of a Broadway hit by Michael Riedel

Sad news that “The Prom,” an original and delightful show, is closing Aug. 11. Had it won the Tony for Best Musical, it might have eked out a year or so. But it was probably doomed from …

SOURCE: The New York Post at 08:40PM
Thursday, June 13, 2019

‘Be More Chill’ didn’t deserve face slap from Tony Awards by Michael Riedel

What little drama there was at Sunday’s low-rated Tony Awards telecast centered on “Be More Chill,” Joe Iconis’ struggling musical. When James Corden, Josh Groban and Sara Bareilles …

SOURCE: The New York Post at 07:46PM
Monday, June 10, 2019

Tony Awards offered little surprise, a lackluster James Corden by Michael Riedel

A Tony Awards that had the potential to deliver some jaw-dropping upsets delivered nothing but a lackluster telecast hosted by James Corden, who, though he did a brilliant job three years ag…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 09:03AM
Thursday, June 6, 2019

Tony Awards 2019 predictions: Prepare for some big surprises by Michael Riedel

A top Broadway executive e-mailed the other day to say, “I really think the only winner during this period of time is the pharmaceutical industry, as the demand for beta blockers and anxie…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 07:33PM
Thursday, May 30, 2019

Tony Awards favorites: ‘Ain’t Too Proud’ could pull off upset win by Michael Riedel

Broadway’s roaring into the homestretch with the Tonys next weekend, and I’ve never seen so many nervous people in Shubert Alley. Many races are up in the air, which should make for an e…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 07:47PM
Thursday, May 23, 2019

‘Almost Famous’ musical is almost ready to rock Broadway by Michael Riedel

It’s going to be Cameron Crowe vs. Alanis Morissette at the Tonys next year. Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill” begins previews in the fall at the Broadhurst Theatre. But it could be …

SOURCE: The New York Post at 07:49PM
Thursday, May 16, 2019

‘Cinderella’ musical gives Prince Charming a gay twist by Michael Riedel

Broadway’s power brokers took time out from Tony season this week to fly to London to see “Cinderella,” the new musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber. The heat is intense on this one, not o…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 07:16PM
Thursday, May 9, 2019

Catfight erupts among theater critics over ‘Hadestown’ by Michael Riedel

Critics are always sniping at something, but the real fun begins when they start sniping at one another. The members of the New York Drama Critics’ Circle got into a heated exchange last w…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 05:03PM
Thursday, May 2, 2019

‘Tootsie’ writer went from garbage collector to Tony nominee by Michael Riedel

Robert Horn, Tony-nominated for his snappy book to “Tootsie,” knows all too well what it’s like to scrape out a living in New York while trying to break into the theater. He never play…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 05:28PM
Thursday, April 25, 2019

2019 Tony Awards predictions: Which shows will be nominated or snubbed? by Michael Riedel

“Tootsie” and “Ink” scurried in this week to make the Tony deadline and have upset everyone’s brackets. The nominations come out Tuesday, and you can bet both shows will be uncorki…

SOURCE: The New York Post at 05:45PM

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