All stories by Robert Ito on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

‘Flower Drum Song,’ Once Overhauled, Returns Changed Again by Robert Ito

David Henry Hwang revised the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic 25 years ago. Now he gets to remedy some of his own remake’s flaws.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:30AM[SHARE]
Sunday, February 16, 2025

Lea Salonga Is Never Getting Tired of Sondheim by Robert Ito

The Tony-winning actress co-stars with Bernadette Peters in "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends," a show that is letting her surprise audiences with her comedy chops.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:18AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, February 4, 2025

The Playwright Larissa FastHorse Doesn't Want to Be a Cautionary Tale by Robert Ito

After a delay, "Fake It Until You Make It," the writer's follow-up to her Broadway satire, "The Thanksgiving Play," is finally onstage in Los Angeles.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:32AM[SHARE]
Thursday, December 26, 2024

The Lessons Pianos Teach in 'The Piano Lesson' by Robert Ito

A look the piano designs for some of the various versions of August Wilson's play, including the latest film adaptation.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:01AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Daniel Dae Kim Isn't Afraid to Fail by Robert Ito

In the new Broadway production of "Yellow Face," the "Lost" and "Hawaii Five-0" star is taking a risk. "I am aware," he says, "that people have not usually seen me in this way."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:32AM[SHARE]
Friday, June 21, 2024

A Universe of Inspirations Swirls Within 'Janet Planet' by Robert Ito

The playwright Annie Baker shares the artistic influences behind her feature film debut.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:32AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, March 1, 2023

For Two Broadway Stars, a Love Story Blossoms in a Honky-Tonk Bar by Robert Ito

The new musical "The Lonely Few," starring Lauren Patten and Ciara Renée, puts a romance between two women at its very heart.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:08AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, October 12, 2022

'Almost Famous' Heads to Broadway, Purple Aura Intact by Robert Ito

Cameron Crowe adapted his Oscar-winning screenplay, about writing for Rolling Stone in the '70s, preserving parts of the movie's soundtrack and zingers (Don't take drugs!) for the stage.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:19AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, June 29, 2021

It's Not Easy Being Greenspeople by Robert Ito

Transforming winter into spring or creating faux forests and fanciful estates is all in a day's work for these behind-the-scenes masters of foliage on movie and TV sets.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:24PM[SHARE]
Friday, January 17, 2020

In Hamlet and in Life, Ruth Negga Does Not Hold Back by Robert Ito

The Ethiopian-Irish actress returns to a "completely destroying" stage role. Next: a film adaptation of a 1920s novel about passing for white.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:03AM[SHARE]
Thursday, May 3, 2018

2 Tony Winners Try to Upend Rodgers and Hammerstein by Robert Ito

How David Henry Hwang teamed up with the composer Jeanine Tesori for "Soft Power," a play with music " or maybe a play that becomes a musical.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:18AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, July 11, 2017

From 'This is Us' to 'The Cake,' Bekah Brunstetter Has a Full Plate by Robert Ito

Ms. Brunstetter, riding high as a writer on a hot network TV show, finds herself in the middle of a timely debate with her latest play.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:04PM[SHARE]
Friday, April 7, 2017

Cheesy Movie Lovers, Rejoice: 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' Returns by Robert Ito

A hapless human in space and his robot sidekicks once again toss zingers at bad films as they unspool onscreen.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:23AM[SHARE]
Thursday, January 26, 2017

'Zoot Suit,' a Pioneering Chicano Play, Comes Full Circle by Robert Ito

After opening at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles nearly 40 years ago, Luis Valdez's production is revived at its home theater.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:33AM[SHARE]
Thursday, January 5, 2017

A Mother-Daughter Brawl: In 'Beauty Queen,' Marie Mullen Now Knows Both Sides by Robert Ito

Two decades ago, the actress played the daughter in Martin McDonagh's celebrated play. She's back " as the terrorizing mother.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:12PM[SHARE]
Friday, June 24, 2016

'The West Wing Weekly,' a Podcast With a Ringer by Robert Ito

Joshua Malina and Hrishikesh Hirway, the podcast's co-hosts, have set an ambitious goal: discuss all 154 episodes of one of TV's most beloved shows.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:27PM[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