All stories by Sam Eckmann on BroadwayStars

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
Monday, May 6, 2024

2024 Lucille Lortel Awards winners: Kecia Lewis and Eli Gelb scoop up victories ahead of Tony Awards by Sam Eckmann

Winners of the 2024 Lucille Lortel Awards, honoring outstanding achievements in Off-Broadway theater, were announced on Sunday, May 5, in a ceremony at NYU Skirball. The show was hosted by R…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:15PM
Monday, April 29, 2024

Patrick Howe (‘Only Murders in the Building’ production designer) on using ‘obscure little clues’ to design New York apartments and a Broadway by Sam Eckmann

“It was fantastic training for being able to think quickly on your feet,” explains production designer Patrick Howe when reminiscing about his many years spent in the realm of soap opera…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM
Sunday, April 28, 2024

Hey Tony Awards nominators! Don’t forget these 10 deserving contenders [WATCH] by Sam Eckmann

The 2023-2024 Broadway season has been positively packed with an abundance of talent as dozens of new productions danced across New York City stages. The nominating committee for the Tony Aw…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 09:00AM
Friday, April 26, 2024

2024 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round 3): ‘Uncle Vanya’ stars Steve Carell and William Jackson Harper face off as leads, ‘Mary Jane’ con by Sam Eckmann

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met for the fourth and final time during the 2023-2024 Broadway season on April 26, to discuss eligibility of 12 productions for the 77th Annual Tony…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:02PM
Thursday, April 25, 2024

Dana Covarrubias (‘Only Murders in the Building’ costume designer) brought Broadway to streetwear to engage with mystery [Exclusive Video Intervie by Sam Eckmann

“Every season we’ve had some sort of theme or inspiration for Mabel’s costumes,” reveals Dana Covarrubias when referencing the character played by Selena Gomez on “Only Murders in …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:30PM
Tuesday, April 23, 2024

2024 Outer Critics Circle nominations: ‘Stereophonic’ and ‘Suffs’ receive an end-season boost by Sam Eckmann

Nominations for the 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards were announced on Tuesday, April 23. The stars of the hit Broadway revival of “Merrily We Roll Along,” Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:15PM

Anika Noni Rose (‘Uncle Vanya’) on breaking the 4th wall and learning how to ‘crack open’ the truth within Chekhov [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I’m always waiting for something different, a different and new challenge,” reveals Anika Noni Rose. A worthy challenge arose in the form of Anton Chekhov, and the latest Broadway rev…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM

Matt Gould (‘Lempicka’) on depicting the tension between ‘machine-made sound’ and ‘human’ qualities within his score [Exclusive Video Inte by Sam Eckmann

It only took one look at a painting for Matt Gould to know he wanted to write the musical “Lempicka,” about the titular artist Tamara de Lempicka. “It’s usually a really fast, viscer…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:30AM

Jeremy Jordan (‘The Great Gatsby’) on the ‘romanticism’ and ‘mania’ of the classic literary figure [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I really wanted to discover what wasn’t there,” explains Jeremy Jordan when asked about his portrayal of the titular figure in “The Great Gatsby.” The actor is embodying the enigm…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:30AM
Monday, April 22, 2024

2024 Drama League Award nominations: 54 contenders for Distinguished Performance by Sam Eckmann

The nominees for the 2024 Drama League Awards were announced April 22, 2024, by Vanessa Williams and past Drama League winner Bebe Neuwirth. Winners will be announced during the 90th Annual …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:15PM
Sunday, April 21, 2024

Camille A. Brown (‘Hell’s Kitchen’ choreographer) brings ‘spirit’ of new Alicia Keys song ‘Kaleidoscope’ to life [Exclusive Video Interv by Sam Eckmann

“It’s not just about setting time and space, but it’s also about the dancers being time and being space,” explains Camille A. Brown of her work on “Hell’s Kitchen.” The choreog…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:00PM

Lindsay Mendez (‘Merrily We Roll Along’) on how the ‘spark’ between co-stars helps deliver a ‘universal’ story about friendship [Exclusive by Sam Eckmann

“It’s so complicated, but I think it’s so universal to all of us who’ve grown up,” says Lindsay Mendez on the central friendships in “Merrily We Roll Along.” The current Broadw…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:00PM

Grace McLean (‘Suffs’) enjoys in ‘dissonance’ of portraying the patriarchy of Woodrow Wilson in a woman’s body [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I try to think about what it would be like to just walk through the world with blissful confidence,” explains Grace McLean when describing her portrayal of president Woodrow Wilson in �…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:00PM

Grant Gustin (‘Water for Elephants’) learns to ‘follow the momentum’ within a ‘marathon’ of singing and circus [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“My dream had always been to originate something and it’s really fun to just kind of make it my own,” says Grant Gustin of starring in a Broadway musical. That aspiration is now a real…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:00AM
Friday, April 19, 2024

2024 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round 2): ‘Appropriate’ is officially a revival, ‘The Notebook’ actors split up by Sam Eckmann

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met for the third time during the 2023-2024 Broadway season on April 19, to discuss eligibility of 8 productions for the 77th Annual Tony Awards in 2…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:30PM

Nichelle Lewis (‘The Wiz’) on processing loss in order to feel ‘Home’ on Broadway [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I think it’s just about discovering yourself and knowing that who you are is enough,” says Nichelle Lewis when summing up the major themes in “The Wiz.” The actress is making her …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM
Thursday, April 18, 2024

Schele Williams (‘The Notebook’ and ‘The Wiz’) makes her historic Broadway directorial debut by telling stories ‘with authenticity and integ by Sam Eckmann

“I’ve been directing for 20 years, and to finally have this moment happen is just extraordinary,” confesses Schele Williams. While she has previously appeared on Broadway as an actor, …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:30PM

Betsy Aidem (‘Prayer for the French Republic’) on Marcelle’s impossible choice: ‘I had nowhere to go but everywhere’ [Exclusive Video Interv by Sam Eckmann

During a pivotal moment in Joshua Harmon’s “Prayer for the French Republic,” Betsy Aidem desperately asks where she can take her family “to feel safe.” The question reverberates th…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM
Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Chip Zien (‘Harmony’) explores guilt and history in ‘the role of a lifetime’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“It’s the role of a lifetime,” exclaims Chip Zien in reference to his character Rabbi in “Harmony.” The actor’s agents were initially hesitant to send him the script for the Barr…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM
Monday, April 15, 2024

Eden Espinosa (‘Lempicka’) returns to Broadway after a 16 year absence in a ‘gift’ of a role that uses ‘every part’ of her range [Exclusiv by Sam Eckmann

It has been 16 years since Eden Espinosa graced a Broadway stage. After showcasing her powerhouse vocals in “Wicked,” “Brooklyn,” and the final cast of “Rent,” the actress took t…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:30PM