Tuesday, July 15, 2025

New York Times Culture Desk Shake-Up: Critics Margaret Lyons, Jon Pareles, Jesse Green, Zach Woolfe Reassigned to ‘New Roles’ by Todd Spangler

The New York Times is revamping its lineup of arts and entertainment critics — replacing four of the paper’s TV, music and theater critics, who are being offered “new roles,” accordi…

SOURCE: Variety at 03:50PM
Monday, July 14, 2025

‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ Sets New York Benefit Concert With Laverne Cox, Jonathan Van Ness, Betty Who and Alex Newell (EXCLUSIVE) by Rebecca Rubin

Break out your “fancy dress” because “The Drowsy Chaperone” is returning to the New York stage. Laverne Cox, Jonathan Van Ness, Betty Who and Alex Newell are among the bold-face name…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:00PM
Thursday, July 10, 2025

Tony Awards Announce 2025-2026 Nominating Committee Including Bob Balaban, BD Wong, Jordan E. Cooper and More by Clayton Davis

Actors Bob Balaban, Jordan E. Cooper, and BD Wong, along with notable theater artisans such as director Sarah Benson and Repertorio Español executive artistic director Rafael Sánchez, have…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:22PM

‘Zombies 4′ Star Milo Manheim on His Future With the Disney Franchise and Plans to Return to the Stage: ‘Broadway…Is Calling My Name’ by Abigail Lee

Milo Manheim is looking to return to the stage. The star of the Disney Channel’s “Zombies” films recently played Seymour in a “Little Shop of Horrors” off-Broadway revival and was …

SOURCE: Variety at 10:07AM
Wednesday, July 9, 2025

‘Paranormal Activity’ Stage Show Sets West End Debut (EXCLUSIVE) by Rebecca Rubin

“Paranormal Activity” is readying to haunt the London stage. A new play inspired by the hit horror film franchise will open on the West End this winter. As the official title, “Paranor…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:00AM
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Sacked Slovak National Theater Chief Calls on European Union to Defend Artistic Freedom From Autocrats by Leo Barraclough

Matej Drlička, who was dismissed as the head of the Slovak National Theater by the far-right government of Robert Fico, spoke with passion about what was happening in his country at the Kar…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:23PM

How ‘Viola’s Room’ and Video Games Point to the Future of ‘Sleep No More’ Creator Punchdrunk by Gordon Cox

The immersive theater company Punchdrunk has returned to New York City with “Viola’s Room” — and it couldn’t be more different than their signature international hit, “Sleep No M…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:29PM
Monday, July 7, 2025

‘A Play About David Mamet Writing a Play About Harvey Weinstein’ to Stage New York Reading With Abbi Jacobson, Billy Eichner by Rebecca Rubin

Art imitates life imitates art? “A Play About David Mamet Writing a Play About Harvey Weinstein,” a very meta stage show whose title references the fiery playwright and disgraced Hollywo…

SOURCE: Variety at 03:54PM

Scott Rudin Sets Broadway Return With Barry Diller-Backed Play ‘Little Bear Ridge Road’ by Brent Lang

Scott Rudin is returning to Broadway after allegations of abusive behavior derailed the producer’s career. Rudin and Barry Diller will produce Samuel D. Hunter’s new play “Little Bear …

SOURCE: Variety at 12:00PM

Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro Enjoy Wimbledon, ‘The Fantastic Four’ Lands in Paris and More Celeb Photos: July 2025 by Marc Malkin

July kicked off with “Jurassic World Rebirth” stars Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Rupert Friend touching down in Seoul, Korea, to meet the press and walk the red carpet. In the…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:30AM
Sunday, July 6, 2025

Richard Greenberg, Tony-Winning ‘Take Me Out’ Playwright, Dies at 67 by Brent Lang

Richard Greenberg, the Tony Award-winning writer of “Take Me Out,” has died. He was 67 years old. Greenberg’s death was announced on social media by collaborators and colleagues such a…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:34AM
Wednesday, July 2, 2025

In Defense of Rachel Zegler and Jamie Lloyd’s Controversial ‘Evita’ Balcony Scene: It Gets to the Heart of What the Musical Is Really About by Ellise Shafer

Rachel Zegler is perched on a balcony, looking down graciously at a crowd of her adoring supporters. No, this isn’t a meet-and-greet for the “Snow White” and “West Side Story” star…

SOURCE: Variety at 12:29PM
Tuesday, July 1, 2025

‘Evita’ Review: Rachel Zegler Brings Thrilling Vocals to Jamie Lloyd’s Flashy but Empty Revival by Gordon Cox

The crowd roars and the vast, unsmiling curtain-call cast line the stage with the leading man bare-chested and covered in blood. No, this isn’t director Jamie Lloyd’s “Sunset Boulevard…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:59PM

Lena Waithe, Brandon Flynn Featured in LGBTQ Doc ‘Reclaim the Flag’ (EXCLUSIVE) by Marc Malkin

Lena Waithe and Brandon Flynn are among those who will be featured in “Reclaim the Flag,” a 30-minute short about the American flag. The film, directed by designer Alexis Bittar and prod…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:01AM
Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Broadway’s ‘Boop! The Musical’ Is Latest Show to Close After the Tony Awards by Rebecca Rubin

“Boop! The Musical” is the latest show to close on Broadway after leaving the Tony Awards without any hardware. The show, which fictionalizes the life of Betty Boop, will conclude its ru…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:16PM

Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Sweeney Todd,’ ‘Into the Woods’ and Other Works Acquired by Library of Congress by Rebecca Rubin

Stephen Sondheim’s vast catalogue of work has been acquired for preservation by the Library of Congress. The collection has approximately 5,000 items such as manuscripts, notebooks, musics…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:00AM
Tuesday, June 24, 2025

‘Hercules’ Review: Disney’s Over-Bright, Relentless Revamp Muscles Into the West End by Gordon Cox

How do you do a flying horse on stage? Answer: You don’t. They cut the horse. But while Hercules’ friend Pegasus may be gone, in almost every other respect, Disney’s latest stage adapt…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:59PM

Barbecue, Cheerleaders and Lin-Manuel Miranda: How St. Louis’ Muny Theater Celebrated Its Tony Win by Gordon Cox

The Muny, a venerable outdoor theater in St. Louis that’s now in its 107th season, had a lot to celebrate after it picked up a Tony for regional theater earlier this month — a barbecue, …

SOURCE: Variety at 06:21PM
Monday, June 23, 2025

Amber Heard, Brandon Flynn Join Jeremy O. Harris Play ‘Spirit of the People’(EXCLUSIVE) by Brent Lang

Amber Heard, Brandon Flynn and Lío Mehiel have joined the ensemble cast of the world premiere production of Jeremy O. Harris’ “Spirit of the People.” Directed by Katina Medina Mora, �…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:00PM

Barbra Streisand on Her New Album, Not Being Paid Enough for ‘Meet the Fockers’ and if She’ll Ever Direct or Perform Live Again by Marc Malkin

Barbra Streisand hasn’t stopped working since launching her professional singing career 65 years ago in New York City. The first performer to earn EGOT status, Streisand’s legacy spans m…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:00AM
Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Broadway’s ‘Cabaret’ to Close in October With Billy Porter and Marisha Wallace as Emcee and Sally Bowles by Rebecca Rubin

Put down the knitting, the book and the broom before “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” closes on Broadway in the fall. The revival will play its final performance on Oct. 19 after a 14-month…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:19PM

New York Women’s Impact Report 2025 by Carolehorst

Uncertainty swirls around so many things nowadays — the governemnt, global politics, economies, trade and, of course, the entertainment industry. The women on Variety’s Women’s Impact …

SOURCE: Variety at 12:05PM
Thursday, June 12, 2025

‘Call Me Izzy’ Review: Jean Smart Dazzles in a Broadway Play That Treads All-Too-Familiar Territory by Gordon Cox

Sometimes the only refuge from the brutalities of a life pre-destined for loneliness, poverty and violence is a poetic voice. In playwright Jamie Wax’s one-hander “Call Me Izzy,” Jean …

SOURCE: Variety at 11:00PM
Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Los Angeles Curfew Shuts Down Movies, Concerts in Downtown Area by Jazz Tangcay

As Mayor Karen Bass implemented a curfew in the downtown area of Los Angeles, entertainment venues such as the Music Center and the Alamo Drafthouse theaters canceled evening programming Tue…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:23PM
Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Broadway’s ‘Smash’ to Close After Getting Blanked at the Tony Awards by Rebecca Rubin

“Smash,” a meta TV-to-stage musical, will close on Broadway after failing to score any love at the Tony Awards.  The show, which earned mixed reviews from critics, will play its final p…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:32PM
Monday, June 9, 2025

Inside the Tony Awards: 5 Things You Didn’t See on TV, From Big Stars Who Accidentally Missed the ‘Hamilton’ Reunion to George Clooney Catching by Rebecca Rubin

Theater lovers who watched the Tony Awards on television were treated to galvanizing musical performances, heartfelt speeches from winners like Cole Escola (“Oh, Mary!”) and Sarah Snook …

SOURCE: Variety at 12:39PM

Kerry Washington and Pilar Savone Join ‘Duke & Roya’ Producing Team Ahead of Opening Night (EXCLUSIVE) by Angelique Jackson

Kerry Washington and Pilar Savone have joined the producing team of “Duke & Roya” ahead of the off-Broadway play’s opening night. From acclaimed playwright Charles Randolph-Wright …

SOURCE: Variety at 12:15PM

Tony Awards 2025 Snubs and Surprises: Nicole Scherzinger, Audra McDonald and More by Gordon Cox

The 2025 Tony Awards had it all — Cynthia Erivo, Oprah, a “Hamilton” reunion, and a fair share of snubs and surprises to keep awards-season prognosticators on their toes. After making …

SOURCE: Variety at 12:01AM
Sunday, June 8, 2025

Original ‘Hamilton’ Cast on Reuniting to Perform at the Tony Awards: ‘It’s a Reminder of the Genius of That Show’ by Angelique Jackson

Christopher Jackson found it hard to sleep the past few nights in anticipation of being back in “the room where it happens” — otherwise known as Radio City Music Hall, where the origin…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:37PM

Tony Awards Winners 2025 (Updating Live) by Brent Lang

Broadway’s brights stars came out in force on Sunday for the 78th Tony Awards. There was plenty to celebrate for the theater business, which seems to have recaptured its stride after a lon…

SOURCE: Variety at 07:11PM

Tony Awards Red Carpet: James Monroe Iglehart, Brooke Shields and More Broadway Stars Weigh in on Patti LuPone New Yorker Interview by Brent Lang

On the Tony Awards red carpet, James Monroe Iglehart, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Christopher Jackson and other Broadway artists and stars weighed in on the fallout surrounding Patti LuPone’s…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:37PM