All stories by Ryan McPhee on BroadwayStars

Monday, May 4, 2020

Michael R. Jackson's A Strange Loop Wins 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Drama by Ryan McPhee

The musical premiered at Off-Broadway's Playwrights Horizons last year.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:18PM

Renée Fleming's Capriccio and Le Nozze di Figaro, More Up Next in Metropolitan Opera's Free Streaming Series by Ryan McPhee

The eighth week of titles also includes the documentary The Opera House.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:10PM

The Daily Distraction: Elaine Paige Is Rich in Vocals, Camp, and Vitamin C by Ryan McPhee

The music video for “Nobody’s Side” features the leading lady, shrouded ghouls, and a mysterious glass of orange juice.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:59AM

Rosalind Elias, Opera Star Who Appeared in Follies on Broadway, Dies at 90 by Ryan McPhee

The mezzo-soprano played Heidi in the 2011 revival of the Stephen Sondheim-James Goldman musical.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:30AM
Saturday, May 2, 2020

The Daily Distraction: One Day, Christine Baranski Will Welcome Us Back to the Theatre by Ryan McPhee

Until then, we at least have this clip of her singing from Applause for Lauren Bacall.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00PM
Friday, May 1, 2020

The Daily Distraction: Jessica Vosk, Nancy Opel, Nikki Reneé Daniels, and More Go Into the Virtual Woods by Ryan McPhee

The Broadway favorites gathered online for a rendition of the Into the Woods prologue.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:59AM
Thursday, April 30, 2020

Book on Broadway’s Jagged Little Pill Musical Will Be Released This Fall by Ryan McPhee

The musical, penned by Diablo Cody with songs from the Alanis Morissette catalog, was among the productions to open this season prior to the coronavirus shutdown.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:16PM

The Daily Distraction: Legally Blonde: The Musical's Delta Nus Reunite for a Public Health PSA by Ryan McPhee

Elle Woods has an important announcement for her sorority sisters.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:27AM
Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Carnegie Hall to Host Weekly Streams of Past Performances by Ryan McPhee

The series, part of its partnership with medici.tv, includes cocnerts from Joyce DiDonato, Gustavo Dudamel, and Philip Glass.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:25PM

The Daily Distraction: Daphne Rubin-Vega Trades Mimi for Mark in Rent Duet With Adam Pascal by Ryan McPhee

The pair rock out on a traditionally male-male duet.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:16PM
Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Opera Philadelphia to Stream Its World Premiere Productions of Breaking the Waves, Denis & Katya, More by Ryan McPhee

The company is going online in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:27PM

The Daily Distraction: French and Saunders Do Chess, Which They Both Definitely Know So Well by Ryan McPhee

Watch the comedy duo tackle the '80s musical's power ballad in their own special way.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:45PM
Sunday, April 26, 2020

The Daily Distraction: Phone Rings, Door Chimes, in Comes Mitzi Gaynor by Ryan McPhee

The stage and screen star pays tribute to Company in this extremely '70s sketch.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:59AM
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Friday, April 24, 2020

The Daily Distraction: Barbra Streisand Makes Her Garden Grow...and Grow...and Grow by Ryan McPhee

A 20-second sustained belt seems an appropriate way to commemorate the star's birthday.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:49PM

LA Opera to Stream Du Yun’s Angel’s Bone by Ryan McPhee

The Pulitzer-winning opera was to play as part of the company’s Off Grand series in May prior to its cancellation in the wake of COVID-19.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:05PM

Watch Queens and Royal Subjects From Around the World in a Virtual Six Performance by Ryan McPhee

Cast members from various stagings and 3,000 fans joined forces to sing the musical's anthem.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:13AM
Thursday, April 23, 2020

Christopher Jackson Teases In the Heights and Tick, Tick…Boom! Movie Cameos by Ryan McPhee

The Hamilton Tony nominee reunites with Lin-Manuel Miranda for the film projects.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:43PM

The Daily Distraction: Celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday With Hamlet 2 and Sexy Jesus by Ryan McPhee

Skylar Astin, Phoebe Strole, Steve Koogan, and more simultaneously salute the Bard and son of God in the irreverent Hamlet 2.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:34PM

Rose Byrne to Lead Live Stream of Gruesome Playground Injuries by Ryan McPhee

The reading of Rajiv Joseph’s play is presented by the Australia-based Red Line Productions.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:57AM
Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Marisa Tomei and Oscar Isaac to Read Alan Bowne’s Beirut for Virtual MCC Benefit by Ryan McPhee

The reading kicks off MCC Theater’s new series of virtual events in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:35PM

The Daily Distraction: The Kennedy Center Honors' Pitch-Perfect Tribute to Barbara Cook by Ryan McPhee

Audra McDonald, Patti LuPone, Glenn Close, Kelli O'Hara, Sutton Foster, and more took part in the medley for the soprano.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:49PM

TikTok Donates $2 Million to The Actors Fund in Wake of Coronavirus Pandemic by Ryan McPhee

The money will go toward the Fund’s COVID-19 Emergency Financial Assistance program.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:26AM
Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Watch the 2020 Drama Desk Nominations Announcement on Stars in the House Live Stream by Ryan McPhee

The 65th annual ceremony—now taking place virtually—will celebrate a condensed theatre season in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:56PM

2020 Drama Desk Nominations: Soft Power, The Wrong Man Lead the Pack in Condensed Season by Ryan McPhee

The 65th annual ceremony—now taking place virtually—will go on as scheduled in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:56PM

The Daily Distraction: The American Psycho Musical Reminds Us That We Are What We Wear by Ryan McPhee

There's nothing ironic. About our love of. Manolo Blahnik.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:59PM
Monday, April 20, 2020

Online at The Met: Virtual Opera Gala, Renée Fleming and Kelli O'Hara in The Merry Widow, More by Ryan McPhee

The Metropolitan Opera continues its free nightly streams, in addition to a global live concert.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:36PM
Saturday, April 18, 2020

The Daily Distraction: A Sensible Millie Option-Up From Gavin Creel by Ryan McPhee

What do you need with love when you've got a B flat?

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:58AM