All stories by Sam Eckmann on BroadwayStars

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Michael Urie fulfilled his character arc in ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ by overcoming a fear of stairs in the funniest way possible by Sam Eckmann

Michael Urie earned consistent laughter in the recent revival of Once Upon a Mattress thanks to the mannered way in which his infantilized Prince Dauntless called for his mother. “But Maw…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:10PM
Wednesday, March 26, 2025

‘English’ star Hadi Tabbal brings his own immigrant experience to Broadway to portray a man ‘stuck between two worlds’ by Sam Eckmann

Hadi Tabbal made his Broadway debut in the Pulitzer Prize winning play English by Sanaz Toossi. His character Omid is one of several Iranian adults who spend their time in an English class a…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:00PM
Wednesday, March 19, 2025

‘Death Becomes Her’ director Christopher Gattelli explains how to throw Megan Hilty down a flight of stairs eight times a week by Sam Eckmann

Christopher Gattelli had choreographed 17 previous Broadway shows, winning a Tony Award for Newsies. But this season's Death Becomes Her marks his first time directing, in addition to crafti…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 07:27PM
Thursday, March 13, 2025

‘Yellow Face’ author David Henry Hwang wrote himself into the narrative, but he’s still ‘the Susan Lucci of the Pulitzers’ by Sam Eckmann

David Henry Hwang was already a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his comedy Yellow Face back in 2007, but the acclaimed play only just landed on Broadway this season courtesy of Roundabout Theate…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:00PM
Saturday, January 18, 2025

2025 Tony Awards: ‘Eureka Day’ crashes revival race, ‘Wonderful World’ may make history by Sam Eckmann

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met on Jan. 16 to assess the eligibility of 11 Broadway productions ahead of the 2025 Tony Awards. This is the second time that the committee has met…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:00AM
Monday, December 23, 2024

‘Wicked’ screenwriters Dana Fox and Winnie Holzman on ‘many scenes’ that got cut and reclaiming the term ‘touchy-feely’ by Sam Eckmann

Wicked has more than defied gravity since sweeping into theaters last month. Fans are swooning, and deeply moved, by the origin story of the witches of Oz, and the movie’s writers are feel…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:00AM
Monday, November 25, 2024

Meet the Experts Film Sound Design roundtable: ‘Blitz,’ ‘Emilia Pérez,’ ‘Wicked’ by Sam Eckmann

Whether it’s the bombing of London in World War II, a former cartel boss bursting into song, or a gravity defying witch of Oz, finely crafted sound design is essential in completing the vi…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:45AM

Nancy Nugent Title (‘Wicked’ sound editor) on maintaining musicality across live vocals and ‘organic gear’ effects by Sam Eckmann

“Our first goal was to never feel a shift between spoken dialogue and song vocals, for it to all exist in the same space all the time,” explains “Wicked” supervising sound editor Nan…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:30AM
Monday, November 18, 2024

2025 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round one): ‘The Hills of California’ and ‘Oh, Mary!’ confirm lead performers by Sam Eckmann

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met today to confirm the eligibility status of eleven Broadway productions for the 2024-2025 season. This was the first time this season that the Ton…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:44PM
Monday, September 23, 2024

2025 Tony Awards set date as telecast returns to Radio City Music Hall by Sam Eckmann

The 2025 Tony Awards have announced a date and venue. After moving its annual ceremony uptown for the past two years, the kudos are set to return to Radio City Music Hall this spring. The 78…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:00PM
Sunday, June 16, 2024

Stephen Sondheim (‘Merrily We Roll Along’) ties mentor Oscar Hammerstein for most Musical Revival Tony wins by Sam Eckmann

It’s a hit! A palpable hit! “Merrily We Roll Along” cleaned up at the 2024 Tony Awards, winning the coveted Best Revival of a Musical trophy. “Merrily” is now the fifth musical fro…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:56PM
Friday, June 14, 2024

Tonys dark horse ‘Illinoise’ could be the first show in 25 years to win Best Musical without nominations in Score or Book by Sam Eckmann

“Illinoise” is something of an anomaly for a Broadway show. It is competing in the Best Musical race at the 2024 Tony Awards, but the story is told entirely through modern dance as a tri…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM
Thursday, June 13, 2024

Tony Awards predictions: Best Musical race remains a toss up [WATCH] by Sam Eckmann

When David Buchanan and I convened to debate our final predictions for the musical races at the 2024 Tony Awards, we were in clear agreement that the revival of “Merrily We Roll Along” w…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM
Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Macy Schmidt (Tony Awards orchestrator) used a ‘roadmap’ of songs to arrange a wordless opening number during the 2023 writers strike [Exclusive V by Sam Eckmann

The 2023 Tony Awards stand out as a different beast from any other Tony ceremony in history. Instead of its usual home at Radio City Music Hall, the CBS telecast moved to the United Palace, …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM
Saturday, June 8, 2024

2024 Dorian Theater Awards winners revealed: ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ and ‘Oh, Mary!’ dominate LGBTQ critics awards by Sam Eckmann

The hit revival of “Merrily We Roll Along” and Off-Broadway sensation “Oh, Mary!” won over the LGBTQ journalists of GALECA and dominated the group’s 2nd Annual Dorian Theater Award…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:00PM
Thursday, June 6, 2024

Kecia Lewis (‘Hell’s Kitchen’) is a 1st-time Tony nominee after 40 years on Broadway thanks to a collaboration with Alicia Keys [Exclusive Video by Sam Eckmann

The day before the 2024 Tony Awards, June 15th, will mark 40 years to the day since Kecia Lewis made her Broadway debut in “Dreamgirls.” After four decades in the industry, the actress w…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM

Sarah Paulson (‘Appropriate’) on playing a character ‘at a 12’ and the ‘special experience’ of her first Tony nomination [Exclusive Video by Sam Eckmann

“I still don’t know that I have the words for it,” admits Sarah Paulson as she gathers her thoughts surrounding her recent Tony nomination, “it just was and has been the most special…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:30AM
Tuesday, June 4, 2024

David Korins (‘Here Lies Love’ scenic designer) on transforming a theater into a disco: ‘We didn’t just break the fourth wall, we obliterated by Sam Eckmann

“We needed every single step of the way to get us to Broadway. And that entire process took almost 13 years,” reveals David Korins of the long journey to bring “Here Lies Love” to Br…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:30PM

Justin Peck (‘Illinoise’ director and choreographer) learns to ‘blaze a trail’ through Sufjan Stevens’ seminal album [Exclusive Video Interv by Sam Eckmann

“I just remember listening to it for the first time and being blown away by just the scale of it, the storytelling that exists inside of it and the ambition of it,” recalls Justin Peck o…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:30PM

Kara Young (‘Purlie Victorious’) stands ‘on the shoulders of giants’ as she makes Tony Awards history [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

Kara Young is once again Tony-nominated for Best Featured Actress in a Play, for her hysterical and moving performance in the revival of “Purlie Victorious.” It’s her third nomination …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM
Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Rick Elice (‘Water for Elephants’ book writer) asks what happens ‘when you lose everything’ in his stage adaptation [Exclusive Video Interview by Sam Eckmann

Rick Elice first encountered the story of “Water for Elephants” around 18 years ago when he read the novel in his book club. As a former creative director at an advertising agency who ha…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:30PM

Roger Bart (‘Back to the Future: The Musical’) explores the comedy and vulnerability of Doc Brown: ‘Integrity in failure’ [Exclusive Video Int by Sam Eckmann

Tony Award winner Roger Bart is no stranger to reinventing iconic movie characters thanks to his celebrated runs in “The Producers” and “Young Frankenstein.” The actor scored another…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM
Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Maria Friedman (‘Merrily We Roll Along’ director) cracks the code of the beloved musical by filling it ‘top to bottom with love’ [Exclusive Vi by Sam Eckmann

“I wasn’t prepared for how much it really meant to me,” admits Maria Friedman on her first ever Tony Award nomination for directing the hit revival of “Merrily We Roll Along.” This…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM

Jessica Lange (‘Mother Play’) explores ‘what it means to be lonely’ within 12 minutes of haunting silence [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I thought at least once, I should try a brand new play,” reveals Jessica Lange of her return to Broadway in “Mother Play.” The acclaimed actress won a Tony Award for her portrayal o…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:30AM
Friday, May 24, 2024

Corey Stoll (‘Appropriate’) uses the ‘power of stillness’ to embody a ‘classic middle child’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

Corey Stoll leapt at the chance to work with director Lila Neugebauer on “Appropriate,” but admits that he wasn’t sold on his character Bo initially. “I think I was still judging the…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM
Friday, May 17, 2024

2024 Drama League Award winners announced: Sarah Paulson (‘Appropriate’) claims the Distinguished Performance Award [Full List] by Sam Eckmann

The Drama League Awards unveiled their slate of winners at an in-person ceremony on Friday, May 17. The event was hosted by Frank DiLella at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, where attendees toasted th…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:45PM

Amber Iman (‘Lempicka’) on crafting a ‘vividly’ drawn character from ‘two pieces of information’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“It’s shock, disbelief, excitement, you want to throw up, and happiness,” exclaims Amber Iman as she recounts the emotions she felt after learning that she earned her first ever Tony n…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM

Celia Keenan-Bolger (‘Mother Play’) on embodying Paula Vogel in one of ‘the most powerful’ scenes of her career [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

Celia Keenan-Bolger received her fifth Tony nomination for “Mother Play,” but beyond her own recognition, she is most excited that she gets to navigate awards season alongside her nomina…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM
Thursday, May 16, 2024

Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer (‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’) on ‘crowd surfing’ her way through ad libs and high notes [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

Twenty years since making her Broadway debut in “Hairspray,” Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer is finally a Tony nominee. “I just screamed,” admits the actress as she recalls seeing her name …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:00PM
Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Jim Parsons (‘Mother Play’) on the ‘elation’ of his 1st Tony nomination and ‘generosity’ of Paula Vogel [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“It was a certain sense of elation,” reveals Jim Parsons when recounting the emotions around his first Tony nomination. The actor scored this recognition for his performance in “Mother…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM
Tuesday, May 14, 2024

2024 Dorian Theater Awards nominations announced: LGBTQ journalists champion ‘Merrily We Roll Along,’ ‘Stereophonic,’ ‘Oh, Mary!’ by Sam Eckmann

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics unveiled nominations for their 2nd annual Dorian Theater Awards on Monday, March 13. GALECA’s 39-member theater wing decided this season�…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:00PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Nov 17, 2024: Elf - Marquis Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre