All stories by Dave Itzkoff on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Marc Summers Is Still Up for a Double Dare. (Hold the Green Slime.) by Dave Itzkoff

“I made Nickelodeon,” the former “Double Dare” host said. Now he’s telling all in his Off Broadway show “The Life & Slimes of Marc Summers.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:32AM
Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Wrestling With His Past. And an Animatronic Shark. by Dave Itzkoff

Ian Shaw plays his father, Robert Shaw, in “The Shark Is Broken,” a comedy based on the troubled production of the 1975 film “Jaws.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:04AM
Monday, July 24, 2023

‘Back to the Future’ on Broadway: Buckle Your (DeLorean) Seatbelt by Dave Itzkoff

In adapting a beloved franchise for the stage, the creative team sought to develop the story for new audiences while remaining true to the spirit of the films.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:07AM
Tuesday, April 11, 2023

To Become Oscar Levant, Sean Hayes Revisited His First Role by Dave Itzkoff

Years before “Will & Grace,” Hayes was a classical pianist. In the new Broadway play “Good Night, Oscar,” he returns to the piano to portray a famously troubled musician and witt…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:02AM
Tuesday, December 27, 2022

How Angela Lansbury and Stephen Sondheim Came to Appear in ‘Glass Onion’ by Dave Itzkoff

A fan of musical theater, Rian Johnson had long hoped to land the two stars. But he was already in the editing phase when they agreed to take part.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:24PM
Thursday, November 3, 2022

John David Washington Gets an Education in ‘The Piano Lesson’ by Dave Itzkoff

The actor adds to his body of knowledge with a starry production of the August Wilson play and a once-in-a-lifetime moment with Robert De Niro on “Amsterdam.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:18AM
Friday, June 3, 2022

Mark Rylance on ‘Jerusalem’ and the Golf Comedy ‘Phantom of the Open’ by Dave Itzkoff

The acclaimed British actor explains the links between his tour de force stage turn and a recent string of subdued screen roles.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:12AM
Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Let Him Entertain You: Billy Crystal Returns to Broadway by Dave Itzkoff

The comedian is starring in “Mr. Saturday Night,” a musical version of his 1992 movie about an aging performer who won’t accept that his time in the spotlight is up.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:33AM
Friday, January 28, 2022

Watch the Throne: How Joel Coen Made ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ by Dave Itzkoff

When your whole filmmaking career has been one of unexpected twists and turns, how do you surprise yourself? Adapt a Shakespeare play.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:36AM
Monday, December 27, 2021

Mike Faist on Playing Riff in ‘West Side Story’ by Dave Itzkoff

The actor, a star of Broadway musicals like “Dear Evan Hansen,” talks about playing the leader of the Jets in Steven Spielberg’s remake.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:24AM
Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Continuing ‘The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe’ by Dave Itzkoff

Lily Tomlin, who first performed this comically cosmic play, and Jane Wagner, its author, discuss a new production with Cecily Strong and Leigh Silverman, its new star and director.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:18AM
Thursday, June 3, 2021

With ‘In the Heights,’ Anthony Ramos Finds Stardom on His Own Terms by Dave Itzkoff

Teachers urged him to cultivate a more ethnically ambiguous image. He refused, and now he’s having a breakout moment.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:33AM
Friday, May 7, 2021

‘Saturday Night Live’ Gets Ready for Elon Musk by Dave Itzkoff

The choice to have the Tesla and SpaceX billionaire host “S.N.L.” has drawn praise, criticism and some veiled pushback from the show’s own cast members.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:35AM
Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Rachel Bloom’s Life Is an Open Book by Dave Itzkoff

The star and co-creator of “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” wryly explores adolescent angst, adult trauma and musical theater in a new memoir, “I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:18PM
Thursday, July 25, 2019

Bursting Onto the Stage Like a ‘Bat Out of Hell’ by Dave Itzkoff

The musical based on the grandiose Meat Loaf album shines a light on its songwriter, Jim Steinman, and the many twists and turns it took to get both projects made.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:06PM
Monday, March 25, 2019

High School ‘Alien’ Production Wins Internet Raves by Dave Itzkoff

For just $3,500, the drama club at North Bergen High School recreated Ridley Scott’s 1979 horror thriller on stage, reaching a global audience, too.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:31PM
Thursday, March 21, 2019

Harvey Fierstein to Play Bella Abzug in New Solo Show by Dave Itzkoff

The play, called “Bella Bella” and written by Mr. Fierstein, casts him as the outspoken New York congresswoman and activist.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:07PM
Wednesday, November 21, 2018

‘Network’ in an Age of Fake News and Fury by Dave Itzkoff

Even the cast and creators are working out what the stage adaptation of the prescient 1976 film means right now.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:48AM

Bryan Cranston Wants More of Us to Get ‘Mad as Hell’ by Dave Itzkoff

The Emmy-winning actor, who won accolades in London for playing a deranged anchorman in “Network,” isn’t so sure his character is wrongheaded.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:48AM
Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Stage Version of ‘Network,’ Starring Bryan Cranston, Sets Broadway Opening by Dave Itzkoff

Mr. Cranston will reprise his role as the unraveling news anchor Howard Beale in this adaptation of Paddy Chayefsky’s Academy Award-winning satire.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:18AM
Friday, February 23, 2018

A Word With: No Matter What Rachel McAdams Plays, She Plays for Keeps by Dave Itzkoff

Ms. McAdams, of “Spotlight,” “The Notebook” and “Mean Girls,” talks about her competitive side and returning to a comedic role in “Game Night.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:00AM
Tuesday, October 10, 2017

In ‘The Honeymooners’ on Stage, the Kramdens Don’t Just Squabble. They Sing. by Dave Itzkoff

A musical based on the sitcom aims to open the windows of that cramped Kramden apartment to let in a “contemporary worldview.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:04PM
Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Ralph and Alice and Ed and Trixie (and Song and Dance) by Dave Itzkoff

A musical of “The Honeymooners” aims to open the windows of that cramped Kramden apartment to let in a “contemporary worldview.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:42AM
Friday, September 15, 2017

He Puts Bill Maher on TV, and Jefferson, Dickens and Tolstoy on Stage by Dave Itzkoff

Scott Carter, a longtime late-night producer, talks about the creative and spiritual journey that led him from the profane to the sacred.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:18AM
Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Michael Moore Says He Wants to Change Minds. So Why Is He on Broadway? by Dave Itzkoff

His one-man show, “The Terms of My Surrender,” is opening at the Belasco Theater. But theater audiences in New York may already be part of his choir.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:36AM
Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Keegan-Michael Key Is Looking to Tell Some ‘Human Stories’ by Dave Itzkoff

Mr. Key, the “Key & Peele” co-star, talks about his Netflix series, “Friends From College”; shooting his first nude scenes; and playing Horatio in “Hamlet.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:06PM
Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Summer Is the Time for Stretching by Dave Itzkoff, Erik Piepenburg, Laura Collins-Hughes and Sophie Haigney

These writers and performers are using the warmer months to take some risks, test themselves and expand their talents onstage.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:54PM
Thursday, June 22, 2017

‘Marvin’s Room’ Moves to Broadway With Women Front and Center by Dave Itzkoff

The Roundabout Theater Company’s production, directed by Anne Kauffman, has a prominently female cast.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:42AM
Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Kevin Spacey Is Holding Court. Really. by Dave Itzkoff

The “House of Cards” star is showing his stage roots with a performance as Clarence Darrow — in a tennis stadium — and a gig hosting the Tony Awards.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:54PM
Monday, May 1, 2017

Mamas Going Strong: A Conversation With Linda and Laura Benanti by Dave Itzkoff

Laura Benanti, the Tony-winning actress and a new mother, talks with her own mom, Linda, a former stage actress and co-star of her new cabaret show.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:42AM
Tuesday, April 18, 2017

A Word With: Steve Martin on Teaching You (and Himself) How to Be a Comedian by Dave Itzkoff

Mr. Martin takes a rare, retrospective dive into his stand-up career to find lessons for aspiring comics and reflect on what he’s learned.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:24AM

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