All stories by Jena Tesse Fox on BroadwayStars

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Shucked: A Corny Gem by Jena Tesse Fox

If you had told me a few months ago that I would spend two hours and change laughing hysterically at a cheesy, corny new musical reportedly inspired by the classic TV show Hee-Haw, I would h…

SOURCE: stagebiz.com at 08:51PM
Saturday, April 29, 2023

New York, New York: Come On, Come Through by Jena Tesse Fox

Sometimes, all the elements for an excellent musical come together and the sparks simply don’t fly. Such is the case with New York, New York, a new musical based on a 1977 romantic movie. …

SOURCE: stagebiz.com at 10:45PM

Prima Facie: Turning the Tables by Jena Tesse Fox

Madeleine Albright once said that there is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women. That quote could be at the heart of Prima Facie, a new one-woman play by Suzie Mill…

SOURCE: stagebiz.com at 10:41PM
Friday, April 28, 2023

Dancin’: Celebrating an Art Form by Jena Tesse Fox

Bob Fosse developed the musical Dancin’ as both a tribute to and a departure from his signature choreographic style. The show, which premiered on Broadway in 1978, was conceived as a celeb…

SOURCE: stagebiz.com at 05:01PM
Sunday, April 23, 2023

Plays for the Plague Year: Art and Catharsis by Jena Tesse Fox

There is something powerfully cathartic about art created out of trauma, especially when that art reminds us that we aren’t alone in our pain. In Plays for the Plague Year, which opened la…

SOURCE: stagebiz.com at 08:04PM
Sunday, April 16, 2023

Bad Cinderella — Campy, But Not Classic by Jena Tesse Fox

Yet again, Andrew Lloyd Webber has created a musical with a titular protagonist rejected by mainstream society for not meeting popular beauty standards—but unlike The Phantom of the Opera,…

SOURCE: stagebiz.com at 07:14PM
Saturday, December 31, 2022

One-on-One with Ali Ewoldt by Jena Tesse Fox

Performer Ali Ewoldt has spent the past month as one of the featured performers at Irish Repertory Theatre’s production of A Child’s Christmas in Wales, Charlotte Moore’s musical adapt…

SOURCE: stagebiz.com at 12:02PM
Saturday, October 30, 2021

Spotlight: David Staller, Artistic Director of Gingold Theatrical Group by Jena Tesse Fox

The Spotlight podcast is hosted by Jena Tesse Fox. Guest: David Staller, Artistic Director of Gingold Theatrical Group On this episode, Jena talks with David Staller, artistic director of Gi…

SOURCE: BroadwayRadio at 03:00PM
Sunday, September 12, 2021

Todd Buonopane: All Washed Up at Feinstein’s/54 Below by Jena Tesse Fox

When the theaters shut down and performers could not perform in public anymore, actor and singer Todd Buonopane took to his bathtub and turned his shower curtain into a theater curtain, perf…

SOURCE: stagebiz.com at 08:45PM
Saturday, May 22, 2021

Spotlight: Andrew Benvenuti, the director of Lilies at the Theater Center by Jena Tesse Fox

The Spotlight podcast is hosted by Jena Tesse Fox. Guest: Andrew Benvenuti, the director of Lilies at the Theater CenterThe Drama Company WebsiteAndrew Benvenuti: Instagram | Twitter The Dra…

SOURCE: BroadwayRadio at 08:00AM
Saturday, December 12, 2020

A Christmas Carol – A virtual take on a classic by Jena Tesse Fox

One-man performances of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol go back to the Victorian era, when Dickens himself gave readings of his instant hit. A new recorded production, starring Jefferso…

SOURCE: stagebiz.com at 10:04PM
Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Technology Brings Theater to the Home by Jena Tesse Fox

The constrictions the theater community has faced in the wake of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic are unlike anything we have had to face in our lifetime. And while there is no way of knowi…

SOURCE: stagebiz.com at 01:41PM
Saturday, November 11, 2017

Spotlight: Michael John LaChiusa by Jena Tesse Fox

The Spotlight podcast is hosted by Jena Tesse Fox. Guest: Michael John LaChiusa Michael John LaChiusa is a five–time Tony Award-nominated composer, lyricist and librettist for the Broadway…

SOURCE: BroadwayRadio at 12:00PM
Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Andrew Rannells on Taking a Supporting Role and Why Being King of Hamilton Brings Him to Tears by Jena Tesse Fox

Andrew Rannells originated the demanding lead role in one of the biggest box-office smashes in Broadway history when he played Elder Price in The Book of Mormon. So why now is he taking …

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

All It Took Was a Text! Learn How Marlee Matlin and Russell Harvard Got On Board for Spring Awakenin by Jena Tesse Fox

The Deaf West production of Spring Awakening marked the Broadway debuts of two acclaimed actors who have — by their presence in film, TV and live theatre — increased the …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, September 28, 2015

Why Michael John LaChiusa is “Obsessed” With Exploring Unheard Stories of Women Especially in the W by Jena Tesse Fox

This fall marks a homecoming of sorts for Tony-nominated composer and lyricist Michael John LaChiusa. More than 20 years after one of his first musicals, First Lady Suite, began at the P…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:44AM

Why Michael John LaChuisa is “Obsessed” With Exploring Unheard Stories of Women Especially in the W by Jena Tesse Fox

This fall marks a homecoming of sorts for Tony-nominated composer and lyricist Michael John LaChiusa. More than 20 years after one of his first musicals, First Lady Suite, began at the P…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Saturday, September 12, 2015

A Sequel to Cats and “American Horror Story” the Musical? Imagining the Most Unexpected Musicals for by Jena Tesse Fox

While the recent announcement of the upcoming Spongebob Squarepants musical may have raised some eyebrows, it's no more surprising than some other theatrical offerings. Here are a few im…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, August 27, 2015

How Continuing Education Can Help You Become a Better Actoror Just a Better Audience Member by Jena Tesse Fox

Theatre lovers don't have to be children or teenagers to continue their education in performing arts. As part of Playbill.com's ongoing coverage of education in our Back to School we…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Thursday, July 16, 2015

The Wild Party Wars: Why Fans Still Debate the Two Musicals More Than a Decade Later by Jena Tesse Fox

While New York plays host to its first revival of Andrew Lippa's musical The Wild Party, Playbill.com looks back to the spring of 2000, when Lippa's musical opened at Manhattan Theat…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, June 15, 2015

LGBTQ Community Shares How Theatre Helps Them “See the World in New Ways” at Playbill Family Day by Jena Tesse Fox

As part of Playbill's 30 Days of Pride, theatre lovers of all ages gathered for Playbill's Family Day June 13. Organizers and participants of the event shared their excitement with P…

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:00PM
Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Producers of Fun Home, Hand to God and Something Rotten! On Why They Risked Millions On Unknown Titl by Jena Tesse Fox

The producers behind three of this year's Tony-nominated shows discuss the risks and rewards of bringing original works to Broadway. With millions of dollars on the line and titles t…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:53PM
Saturday, June 6, 2015

With Millions at Stake, These Four Broadway Producers Took Risks On Unknown Shows and Are Heading to by Jena Tesse Fox

The producers behind three of this year's Tony-nominated shows discuss the risks and rewards of bringing original works to Broadway. With millions of dollars on the line and titles t…

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:02PM
Friday, June 5, 2015

Michael Urie on Sharing the Stage With Patti LuPone and the Fight for “Full Equality” by Jena Tesse Fox

As part of Playbill's 30 Days of Pride, actor and activist Michael Urie talks about the importance of LGBTQ-themed art supporting the movement for equal rights.

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

Judy Kaye Rings Some Bells by Jena Tesse Fox

The Tony-winner, currently in Bells Are Ringing at City Center, talks about Comden and Green and the importance of real orchestras.

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 05:58PM

Cooper, Breaker & Boone - Three Stars Get 'Lost' by Jena Tesse Fox

Chuck Cooper, Sherry Boone and Daniel Breaker talk about Lost in the Stars at Encores

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 05:58PM

2011 Nightlife Awards Report by Jena Tesse Fox

Last week's concert moved faster than previous years' had, but also felt calmer and gentler, with plenty of ballads and crooned jazz standards.

SOURCE: BroadwayWorld at 05:58PM
Sunday, March 22, 2015

What You Missed on “Glee”: Where Are the New Directions in 2020? by Jena Tesse Fox

The final episode of "Glee" jumps ahead to 2020 and we see what became of Will, Sue, Rachel, Kurt, Blaine and all the rest of the New Directions. Did all of their dreams come true?

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:29PM
Saturday, March 21, 2015

What You Missed on “Glee”: See How the Glee Club Got Started in 2009 by Jena Tesse Fox

In the penultimate episode of "Glee," we see how the Old New Directions got started and why Kurt, Mercedes, Artie Tina and even Rachel wanted to join. Get your tissues ready.&n…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:27PM
Thursday, March 19, 2015

What We’ll Miss on Glee: Where Are Rachel, Kurt, Blaine and The New Directions Now? by Jena Tesse Fox

"Glee" is ending, but we still want to know what happens to our favorite show choir students. Does Rachel win a Tony Award? Does Mr. Schuester ever stop wearing sweater vests? Are …

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Sunday, March 15, 2015

What You Missed on “Glee”: The New New Directions and Vocal Adrenaline Head to Sectionals by Jena Tesse Fox

In this week's "Glee," the choirs head to Sectionals as Sue tries to sabotage her former school's chances and Rachel decides her professional path.

SOURCE: Playbill at 06:22PM

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