1,490 stories from JK's TheatreScene
Seems like we are always talking about scores we love. And that we are always blaming the book for a show's shortcomings. I'm generalizing, of course. But the passing yesterday of Joe Master…
We talk so much these days about shows based on films. Rarely, it seems, much is discussed about shows that come from books. Some of the greatest musicals of all time are based on novels and…
The NapOpening Night: Thursday, September 27, 2018Samuel J. Friedman TheatreCongratulations to the following cast members making their Broadway debut tonight!Alexandra Billings(Waxy Bush)&nb…
Late last week, Playbill ran THIS article about 9 plays and musicals that used actors as an onstage band. For some reason, they drew the line at nine! And in doing so,…
Bernhardt/HamletOpening Night: Tuesday, September 25, 2018American Airlines TheatreCongratulations to the following cast members making their Broadway debut tonight!Matthew Amendt(Understudy…
Review of the Sunday, September 23, 2018 matinee performance at the Max at Signature Theater in Arlington, Virginia. Starring Natascia Diaz, Claybourne Elder, Steffanie Leigh, John Leslie Wo…
Previously, on The Friday 5...Mike and I shared the 5 shows we saw that we were glad we saw, but once was enough. And we shared those shows we wished for a refund after seeing them…
So I was cleaning my bookcases the other day, and I pulled out a large 3-ring binder from the oft-forgotten bottom shelf. Inside were pages and pages of Broadway memories. The back pages inc…
I must be finding it therapeutic to share my obsession with all things Playbill with you, loyal reader. Today's #MyBroadwayThing is all about Playbill binders. I have two kinds, both of…
The Waverly Gallery is a play I'm looking forward to this season, mainly because Kenneth Lonergan is a writer I've gained quite an appreciation for, as well as the all-star cast. I admit tha…
THIS IS IT! THE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND!THE BROADWAY HEAT: PRETTY WOMAN EDITION!HOT on Broadway (adj): fierce, talented, big potential; has "buzz"; has "it" factor.After several weeks, and t…
Like so many of you, I am completely devastated by the passing of Marin Mazzie. It just seems to impossible to believe.My history of enjoying the power, grace and beauty of her spirit and es…
Next up on our weekly trip down memory lane is a look back at the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the 6-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical of 1990, City of Angels. Proof that if a show…
I'm pretty sure I've shared with you that I was not particularly fond of Passion the first time I saw it. But as a life-long fan of Sondheim, I knew I could never fairly judge a piece o…
Over the past weeks, I began to celebrate the start of my 36th year of going to Broadway shows, by looking at the theaters where I've seen multiple distinct productions. Miss the first part?…
HOT on Broadway (adj): fierce, talented, big potential; has "buzz"; has "it" factor.As summer ends, it's fitting that the last of the three musicals of this early season is nearing the end o…
With summer unofficially over, it's time to head back to school - even in the theater world! Here are 5 of my favorite shows that take place entirely or partially in the classroom.THE FRIDAY…
Music has Madonna and Cher. The 70's had Charo. Broadway has Orfeh. When your show needs a strong, confident woman, she's the go-to. When your show needs someone who can belt with an aching,…
One of my favorite moments in Head Over Heels is when Andrew Durand's Musidorus announces that he's not ready/willing to give up his feminine side after spending much of the show in drag. He…
HOT: (adj) on Broadway: fierce, talented, big potential; has "buzz"; has "it" factor.It's Pretty Woman: The Musical time! This week, we are going to narrow it down to The Final 4!&…
Today's Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer. Instead of being sad that the summer season is over, I'm choosing to be optimistic about the coming fall. But first, let's have quick review …
Most of the younger generation of theater fans will likely remember the late Carole Shelley as the villainous original Madame Morrible in Wicked. But her career spanned decades, so depe…
With the passing this week of Neil Simon, I thought I'd share my five favorite memories/shows by the prolific playwright. It was difficult to narrow it down to just five; I was a big fan. I …
I knew when I was going through my Playbill collection looking for a new #TBT subject, I had to include this one!Blood Brothers is one of my all-time favorite shows. I saw it an em…
What ingredients made Waitress a hit?If we could define the perfect formula for guaranteeing that a musical will be a smash hit, we'd all be very wealthy, wouldn't we theater fans? I su…
