All stories by Roger Friedman on BroadwayStars

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Kennedy Center’s New Artistic Programming Chief Quits After Less Than 2 Weeks, Probably No One Would Answer His Calls by Roger Friedman

On January 16th, the Kennedy Center hired a new artistic programming chief. Yesterday, he resigned. Kevin Couch is gone. He gave no reason for resignation. For a laugh, I’ll say that JD Va…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 06:48PM

Broadway: “Rocky Horror Picture Show” Gets Intriguing Cast with Luke Evans, Rachel Dratch, Juliette Lewis, Stephanie Hsu by Roger Friedman

You know, it’s the 50th anniversary of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” I used to go to the Exeter Theater in Boston, and then the 8th St. Playhouse in New York to see midnight showing…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 06:42AM
Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Famed Composer Philip Glass Removes His “Lincoln” Symphony Premiere from the Kennedy Center: Values Conflict by Roger Friedman

There’s not much left on the Kennedy Center schedule. Famed composer Philip Glass is now removing the premiere of his “Lincoln” Symphony from the Center. He says the values of Lincoln …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 06:06PM
Monday, January 26, 2026

Trump Waving White Flag on Kennedy Center? Maybe Realizing He’s Destroyed It, Whining Post Suggests He Finally Gets That Everyone’s Left by Roger Friedman

Trump, on TruthSocial, has suddenly posted this odd statement of possible retreat: He writes, out of nowhere: “People don’t realize that The Trump Kennedy Center suffered massive deficit…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 05:42PM

Super Rockers Stevie van Zandt, Lenny Kaye Help Legendary Singer Dion Celebrate Pre-Broadway Workshop of Musical “The Wanderer” by Roger Friedman

The cold wind was whipping off the Hudson River Friday afternoon. But it was pretty hot at Boulevard Carroll, just off the river on West 55th St. That’s where a rehearsal room was packed t…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 05:42PM
Friday, January 23, 2026

Opera Great Renee Fleming Cuts the Rest of Her Ties to the Kennedy Center, Bows Out of National Symphony Orchestra Concert by Roger Friedman

Opera great Renée Fleming has cut her last ties to the Kennedy Center. Fleming has canceled her appearance with the National Symphony Orchestra on May 29 and 30, 2026 at the Kennedy Center …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 10:36PM
Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Kelly & Mark’s Mark Consuelos Will Make Broadway Debut This Spring with Rose Byrne, Kelli O’Hara in Noel Coward Revival by Roger Friedman

Mark Consuelos will be one busy boy this spring. The co-host of “Live with Kelly and Mark” is making his Broadway debut in a Noel Coward comedy revival. Consuelos is co-starring with Kel…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 09:48PM
Saturday, January 17, 2026

Kennedy Center Loses “Wicked” “West Side Story” as Composer Stephen Schwartz Will Host Washington Opera Gala Elsewhere (Video) by Roger Friedman

The Trump Kennedy Center’s loss is everyone else’s gain. (See video below.) In the last weeks, “Wicked” composer said he wouldn’t host the Kennedy Center’s annual gala this sprin…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 08:18PM

Bloody Hell! Broadway’s “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” Biggest Show of the Week Thanks to Tom Felton’s Draco Malfoy by Roger Friedman

The truth is, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” was never a huge hit. When the two part play opened in March 2018 — after a hit run in London’s West End — the show was hot. But i…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 01:54AM
Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey Will Be Wicked Together in 2027 London Production of “Sunday in the Park with George” by Roger Friedman

The dean of Deadline.com, Baz Bamigboye, reports earth shaking news today. “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey will reunite in 2027 for a London production of Stephen Sondhe…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 01:06PM
Saturday, January 10, 2026

Kennedy Center: No Opera Anymore in Melania Trump Opera House As Famed Washington Opera Leaving Over Poor Sales, Bad Vibes by Roger Friedman

There will be no opera in the Melania Trump Opera House. It’s all over as the fat President sings. The Washington National Opera says it’s leaving the Kennedy Center after 45 years. They…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 05:42PM
Thursday, January 8, 2026

John Mulaney Postpones Minneapolis Shows in Light of ICE Murder, Protests: “What’s happening in your city is heartbreaking” by Roger Friedman

Comedian John Mulaney has postponed his shows in Minneapolis set for this weekend. It’s not a surprise considering the civil unrest over the murder by ICE of young mother Renee Good. He te…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 11:06PM
Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Shen Yun Opens at Kennedy Center Tonight, Connected New Epoch Times Chief is On Top Donor List, Ex-Chief Accused of Laundering $67 Million by Roger Friedman

Don’t let anyone fool you. The dance troupe “Shen Yun” returns to the Kennedy Center tonight. They are part of a cult that includes right wing conspiracy newspaper, The Epoch Times. Ja…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 04:12PM
Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Broadway: “Stranger Things” Play Breaks Box Office Record Thanks to Show Finale, Tom Felton Casts $3 Mil Spell Over “Harry Potter” by Roger Friedman

Broadway is suddenly booming, which is good news for everyone. “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” was doing lackluster business all year until… The TV series ends tomorrow night. New …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 07:24PM
Monday, December 29, 2025

Kennedy Center, Once Home to Broadway Hits, Has Just 1 Show Coming for Next Six Months, Plus Southern Musician Cancels by Roger Friedman

The Kennedy Center is going to be very quiet this winter and spring. The only show of note coming in for the next six months is a national tour of “Chicago,” from March 29th. Otherwise, …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 01:02PM
Thursday, December 25, 2025

Kennedy Center Latest Embarrassment: Christmas Eve Jazz Concert Cancels After Performers Refuse to Play Post-Name Change by Roger Friedman

It wasn’t bad enough that Tuesday night’s Kennedy Center Honors garnered the lowest TV ratings in the history of the show. Now it turns out that there was no Christmas Eve jazz show, as …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 05:12AM
Friday, December 19, 2025

RFK Daughter Kerry Kennedy Says She’s Taking Trump’s Name Down from Kennedy Center with a Pick Ax in 2029 by Roger Friedman

Kerry Kennedy, daughter of the real Robert F. Kennedy, is tailing against Donald Trump renaming the Kennedy Center. On Twitter she wrote: “Three years and one month from today, I’m going…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 09:18PM
Friday, December 12, 2025

Broadway: Scott Rudin’s Comeback Play, “Little Bear Ridge Road,” Starring Laurie Metcalf, Closing Next Week Instead of February by Roger Friedman

Broadway producer Scott Rudin’s big comeback project has failed. “Little Bear Ridge Road,” starring Laurie Metcalf, was supposed to play through February 2026. Instead, the Road will c…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 06:36PM

Kennedy Center Claiming “Sold Out” Shows While Giving Away Tickets, Can’t Sell Seats to Christmas Show Even Adding Animals by Roger Friedman

The Kennedy Center’s holiday season is a mess. They’re giving away tickets to shows, and claiming “sold out” performances. But even the shows with no price for tickets aren’t drawi…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 12:24PM
Thursday, December 11, 2025

Shen Yun Coming Back to the Kennedy Center Despite Last Year’s Bomb Threat: CFO Accused by DOJ of Money Laundering Scheme by Roger Friedman

What do you when your theater gets a bomb threat over a dance company? Why, invite them back! Last year Shen Yun, the colorful dance troupe that may be a front for money laundering, kicked o…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 06:02PM
Saturday, November 29, 2025

RIP Tom Stoppard: Brilliant, Award Winning Playwright Dies at 88, Oscar and Tony Winner for “Shakespeare in Love,” Others by Roger Friedman

Magnificent playwright Tom Stoppard has died in London at age 88. A statement from United Agents said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved client and friend, Tom Stoppard,…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 01:24PM
Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Kennedy Center: “Christmas in Belfast” Starts Tonight, Has Few Takers, Same for “Christ” Concert as Trump Takeover Shunned by Roger Friedman

Tonight at the Kennedy Center, “Christmas in Belfast” starts shows through Sunday. Want to go? Why not? The theater is brimming with available tickets at all prices, on all levels, at al…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 12:02PM
Monday, November 24, 2025

Broadway: Bye Bye $27 Mil “Queen of Versailles,” Musical Will Close January 4th After Terrible Reviews Shut Down Box Office by Roger Friedman

On Broadway, that’s it for “The Queen of Versailles.” The musical based on a documentary about lavish living starred Kristen Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham. The show opened last week …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 11:54PM
Sunday, November 23, 2025

Daniel Craig Will Shake Off Bond, Benoit Blanc Re-creating “Othello” With David Oyelowo from Famed Off Broadway Production by Roger Friedman

Daniel Craig will finally get to do his favorite project. In 2016, he played Iago to David Oyelowo’s “Othello” off Broadway at the New York Theater Workshop. I was lucky enough to see …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 11:12AM
Thursday, November 20, 2025

UPDATE: Kennedy Center Tickets for Everything, Including Christmas Holiday Shows, Aren’t Selling at All by Roger Friedman

I told you yesterday that the Kennedy Center’s holiday show, “Noel: jesus is Born!” was a dud at the box office. This afternoon, there are 1,350 seats available for December 17th. The …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 09:02PM

Kennedy Center’s Big “Christ is Born!” Show, Hastily Announced by Trump Stooge Richard Grenell, Not Selling Tickets (Exclusive) by Roger Friedman

Poor Richard Grenell. He’s driven the Kennedy Center into the ground. A stooge for Donald Trump, Grenell has seen Kennedy Center ticket sales plummet all year as he’s erased anything int…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 02:36AM

Tom Hanks Play Opens to Mixed-Negative Reviews (Except the NY Times), Celeb Pals Martin Short, Meryl Streep Hit Opening Night by Roger Friedman

Tom Hanks’s play “This World of Tomorrow” opened off Broadway last night. The reviews were mixed to not good. The Washington Post headline is The Tom Hanks Play Is Bad. Ok? Got the pic…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 02:36AM
Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Sting Bringing His Musical “The Last Ship” to NY’s Metropolitan Opera House After Stops in Paris, Brisbane, Amsterdam by Roger Friedman

Sting is a music man for all seasons. The rock star of stars opened his Broadway musical, “The Last Ship,” back in October 2014. Now it will have its first New York revival at the famed …

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 06:02PM
Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Broadway Box Office Boffo: Up to Highest Level Since Late June with $40 Million Take, Maybe the Canadians Came Back After All! by Roger Friedman

Boffo Broadway last week at the box office! Total was $40.7 million, up more than $7 million from last week. Not bad. “Hamilton” with Leslie Odom Jr continues to lead the way with almost…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 05:42PM
Sunday, November 9, 2025

Sting Gets a Cold: Reschedules Two Shows in Florida, Hoping to Make Surprise Appearance This Week at the Metropolitan Opera by Roger Friedman

Listen, Sting never cancels a show. But two in Florida — tomorrow and Tuesday — had to be rescheduled because he says he’s under the weather. The shows in Tampa and Jacksonville are so…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 05:06PM
Friday, November 7, 2025

Tom Hanks Off Broadway Play Starts to Sell Out as Prices Are Slashed 57% to Normal Numbers: Now You Can Be Taken to The Shed by Roger Friedman

I told you a couple of times this season, tickets to Tom Hanks’s off Broadway play were not selling. Two time Oscar winner Hanks has co-written a play he also stars in called “This World…

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 10:06AM

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