All stories by Christopher Reichheld on BroadwayStars

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Playbill Vault’s Today In Theatre History: January 16 by David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1908 or 1909 or 1912 There's no birthday like Merm's birthday. Ethel Zimmermann is born in Astoria N.Y. today. In years to come she will be acting and belting all over town as Ethel …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, May 25, 2015

Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 23 by Anne Bradley and Christopher Reichheld

1922 It's booze, jazz and The National Anthem. J. Hartley Manners' work showcases his wife, Laurette Taylor, and Ralph Morgan. This drama will run at the Henry Miller Theatre for 114 perform…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM

Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 31 by Anne Bradley and Christopher Reichheld

1903 Future actress Tallulah Bankhead, who can count two U.S. Senators and a Congressman in her family, is born today.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM

Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 28 by David Gewirtzman and Anne Bradley and Christopher Reichheld

1908 J. Lucifer Mephisto tempts a sculptor to be unfaithful in The Soul Kiss. Produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, this musical comedy stars Ralph Herz, Adeline Genee, and Cecil Lean. Harry B. Smit…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM

Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 22 by David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Anne Bradley and Christopher Reichheld

1912 Stop in at the Liberty Theatre in New York and see just what it takes when you're Elevating a Husband. Edward Everett Horton, Conway Tearle and Jessie Carter are among the cast of this …

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM

Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 21 by David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1903 Dorothy, The Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion are first seen on Broadway today in the original musical The Wizard of Oz, with music by Paul Tietjens and book and lyrics by L…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM

Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 25 by David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1915 It'll be 90 in the Shade for only 40 performances. The unpaid actors will refuse to go on in this musical with a Jerome Kern score and book by Guy Bolton. Richard Carle and Marie Cahill…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM

Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 30 by David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1911 Hugh Herbert Hipple is born today in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After dropping two H's, he will become suave actor Hugh Marlowe. In 1940 he will appear in Elmer Rice's Flight To the We…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM

Today In Theatre History: FEBRUARY 3 by Robert Viagas and Christopher Reichheld and Ann Bradley

1938 When a grandfather holds off Death (by chasing him up a tree) so he can be sure his grandson will be taken care of, he's working On Borrowed Time. This comedy was adapted by Paul Osborn…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM

Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 20 by Robert Viagas and Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1896 Say good morning, George. Actually it was "Nathan" then -- Nathan Birnbaum born today. As George Burns, he and Gracie Allen will become headliners of vaudeville. Together they will appe…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM

Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 24 by Robert Viagas and Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1776 Birthday of E.T.A. Hoffman (1776-1822), whose stories formed the basis of the ballets Coppelia and The Nutcracker.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM

Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 26 by Robert Viagas and Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1925 Birthday of actor Paul Newman, who will star on Broadway in Picnic, The Sweet Bird of Youth and The Desperate Hours before going to Hollywood and becoming a film star. He will make a la…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM

Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 27 by Robert Viagas and Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1885 Birthday of master tunesmith Jerome Kern (1885-1945), who will write scores to many Broadway shows, including classics, Show Boat, Sally, Very Good Eddie and Roberta. His songs will res…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM

Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 29 by Robert Viagas and Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1860 Birthday of Anton Chekhov (1860-1904), one of the fathers of modern drama, whose comparatively small oeuvre includes classics The Cherry Orchard, Three Sisters, The Seagull and Uncle Va…

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:58PM
Tuesday, February 3, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: FEBRUARY 3 by David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Christopher Reichheld and Ann Bradley

1938 When a grandfather holds off Death (by chasing him up a tree) so he can be sure his grandson will be taken care of, he's working On Borrowed Time. This comedy was adapted by Paul Os…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, January 31, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 31 by David Gewirtzman and Anne Bradley, Christopher Reichheld

1903 Future actress Tallulah Bankhead, who can count two U.S. Senators and a Congressman in her family, is born today.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, January 29, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 30 by David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1911 Hugh Herbert Hipple is born today in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After dropping two H's, he will become suave actor Hugh Marlowe. In 1940 he will appear in Elmer Rice's Flight T…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:59PM

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 29 by Robert Viagas and Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradleyand

1860 Birthday of Anton Chekhov (1860-1904), one of the fathers of modern drama, whose comparatively small oeuvre includes classics The Cherry Orchard, The Three Sisters, The Seagull and …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, January 28, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 28 by David Gewirtzman and Anne Bradley and Christopher Reichheld

1908 J. Lucifer Mephisto tempts a sculptor to be unfaithful in The Soul Kiss. Produced by Florenz Ziegfeld, this musical comedy stars Ralph Herz, Adeline Genee, and Cecil Lean. Harry B. Smit…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, January 27, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 27 by Robert Viagas and Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1885 Birthday of master tunesmith Jerome Kern (1885-1945), who will write scores to many Broadway shows, including classics, Show Boat, Sally, Very Good Eddie and Roberta. His songs will…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, January 26, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 26 by Robert Viagas and Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1925 Birthday of actor Paul Newman, who will star on Broadway in Picnic, The Sweet Bird of Youth and The Desperate Hours before going to Hollywood and becoming a film star. He will make a la…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, January 25, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 25 by David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1915 It'll be 90 in the Shade for only 40 performances. The unpaid actors will refuse to go on in this musical with a Jerome Kern score and book by Guy Bolton. Richard Carle and Marie Ca…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, January 24, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 24 by Robert Viagas and Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1776 Birthday of E. T. A. Hoffmann (1776-1822), whose stories formed the basis of the ballets Coppelia and The Nutcracker.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, January 23, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 23 by David Gewirtzman and Anne Bradley and Christopher Reichheld

1922 It's booze, jazz and The National Anthem. J. Hartley Manners' work showcases his wife, Laurette Taylor, and Ralph Morgan. This drama will run at the Henry Miller Theatre for 114…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, January 22, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 22 by David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Anne Bradley and Christopher Reichheld

1912 Stop in at the Liberty Theatre in New York and see just what it takes when you're Elevating a Husband. Edward Everett Horton, Conway Tearle and Jessie Carter are among the cast of t…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, January 21, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 21 by David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1903 Dorothy, The Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion are first seen on Broadway today in the original musical The Wizard of Oz, with music by Paul Tietjens and book and lyrics by L…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, January 20, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 20 by Robert Viagas and Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1896 Say good morning, George. Actually it was "Nathan" then — Nathan Birnbaum born today. As George Burns, he and Gracie Allen will become headliners of vaudeville. Together the…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, January 18, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 18 by David Gewirtzman and Robet Viagas, Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1882 Birthday of A. A. Milne (1882-1956), best-known as creator of the Winnie-the-Pooh books, but also a prolific Broadway playwright, author of Mr. Pim Passes By, The Truth …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, January 14, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 14 by David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1903 Opening night of The Little Princess, Frances Hodgson Burnett play about a child, much in the same vein as her The Secret Garden. Little Princess will run just 34 performances.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, January 13, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 13 by David Gewirtzman and Anne Bradley, Christopher Reichheld, Robert Viagas

1925 Birthday of one of Broadway's all-time greatest leading ladies, Gwen Verdon (1925-2000). She was nominated for the Tony Award as Best Actress or Featured Actress in a Musica…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, January 12, 2015

PLAYBILL VAULT’S Today In Theatre History: JANUARY 12 by David Gewirtzman and Robert Viagas, Christopher Reichheld and Anne Bradley

1878 Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár (1878-1952) is born today in Budapest. He will write The Good Fairy, The Play's the Thing, The Guardsman, The Swan and Liliom, the latter of…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM

All that Chat

2023-2024 BROADWAY SEASON
May 30, 2023: Grey House - Lyceum Theatre
Jun 26, 2023: Just For Us - Hudson Theatre
Jul 24, 2023: The Cottage - Hayes Theater
Nov 16, 2023: Spamalot - St. James Theatre
Dec 18, 2023: Appropriate - Hayes Theater
Mar 07, 2024: Doubt - Todd Haimes Theatre
Apr 14, 2024: Lempicka - Longacre Theatre
Apr 17, 2024: The Wiz - Marquis Theatre
Apr 18, 2024: Suffs - Music Box Theatre
Apr 25, 2024: Mother Play - Hayes Theater
Jun 10, 2024: The Drama Desk Awards