All stories by Melena Ryzik on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

In Justin Peck’s ‘Illinoise,’ Dance On and Feel It by Melena Ryzik

This narrative dance musical, set to Sufjan Stevens’s album, is a coming-of-age story and a meditation on death, love, community, politics and zombies.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:12AM
Thursday, February 22, 2024

On the Road With ‘The Outsiders,’ Where the Greasers and Socs Rumbled by Melena Ryzik and Adali Schell

It’s one of the best-selling Y.A. novels of all time and a star-studded Coppola movie from the ’80s. On its way to Broadway, the show’s cast and creators paid S.E. Hinton a visit.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:24AM
Monday, January 22, 2024

How ‘Days of Wine and Roses’ Became Their Passion Project by Melena Ryzik

Kelli O’Hara and Brain d’Arcy James didn’t let the door close on their new Broadway musical about a couple undone by addiction.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:06AM
Wednesday, September 6, 2023

First Look: ‘The Color Purple’ Movie Musical by Melena Ryzik

The director Blitz Bazawule added magical realist elements to his adaptation. But convincing Fantasia Barrino to return after Broadway took some work.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:49AM
Thursday, July 6, 2023

For Filipino Audiences, ‘Here Lies Love’ Offers Emotional Rip Currents by Melena Ryzik

For viewers as well as the all-Filipino cast, the musical about the Marcoses’ rise to power is a rare chance to commune, and revisit, together, a not-too-distant past.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:37PM
Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Sarah Silverman’s on Her Family Show About Divorce and Depression by Melena Ryzik

“Everything’s couched with hard jokes, but it’s also vulnerable,” the comic said of “The Bedwetter,” her new musical comedy.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:24AM
Friday, February 18, 2022

Dance Class Is in Session: Flail, Get Weird, Unlock Yourself by Melena Ryzik

With collaborators like Miranda July and Evan Rachel Wood, Angela Trimbur stands out among social-media-savvy choreographers whose accessible movement found audiences during the pandemic.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:00AM
Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Bicycle Diaries: Cruising With the ‘American Utopia’ Family by Melena Ryzik and Cole Wilson

Our intrepid reporter and photographer biked through Queens with David Byrne and some of his castmates ahead of their return to Broadway. Then the skies opened up.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:42PM
Friday, June 25, 2021

Rita Moreno: Pathbreaker, Activist and ‘A Kick in the Pants’ by Melena Ryzik

The actress discusses being the subject of a new documentary, and spending eight-plus decades in the spotlight.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:55PM
Thursday, February 18, 2021

Second City Is Sold to Private Equity Group by Melena Ryzik

The comedy company has faced intense criticism over race and had committed to restructuring. The new owner, ZMC, said it would not abandon this plan.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:00PM
Thursday, January 28, 2021

Harvey Weinstein Accusers Agree to $17 Million Settlement by Melena Ryzik and Cara Buckley

Some 40 women will participate in the bankruptcy court agreement, though others who have sued Mr. Weinstein and accused him of sexual abuse have objected to the terms and are considering an …

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:50AM
Thursday, June 4, 2020

Art That Confronts and Challenges Racism: Start Here by Melena Ryzik, Wesley Morris, Mekado Murphy, Reggie Ugwu, Pierre-Antoine Louis, Salamishah Tillet and Siddhartha Mitter

Our writers suggest works that illuminate and tackle issues of police brutality, social injustice and racial inequity.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:48PM
Thursday, September 29, 2016

New York City Starts $5 Million Fund for Women in Film and Theater by Melena Ryzik

The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment will create the fund, administered over five years, to help with projects “by, for, or about women.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:19PM
Thursday, July 28, 2016

Corey Stoll on Shakespeare Boot Camp and Killing Tiny Vampires by Melena Ryzik

The actor, now starring in Shakespeare in the Park’s production of “Troilus and Cressida,” is also appearing in the newest film from Woody Allen.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:31PM
Sunday, July 24, 2016

What Did It Take to Make ‘Equity,’ a Film About Women on Wall Street? by Melena Ryzik

The budget for the financial thriller, which stars Anna Gunn of “Breaking Bad” and opens on July 29, was raised from 25 female investors.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:19PM
Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Meryl Streep Does a Number on the Donald at the Public’s Gala by Melena Ryzik

Ms. Streep impersonated Mr. Trump, pursed lips and braggadocio-inflected voice and all, in a number with Christine Baranski.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:18AM
Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Female Cinematographers, Not Content to Hide Behind the Camera by Melena Ryzik

Women in the field are using several strategies in an effort to overcome gender inequity.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:38PM
Friday, April 8, 2016

Vows: Off Broadway, Showmen Seal Their Biggest Deal by Melena Ryzik

Tom Postilio and Mickey Conlon, stars of an HGTV real estate show, are signing the papers on a life of wedded bliss.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:32PM
Thursday, December 31, 2015

Making a Show From Found Videos, Both Unsettling and Lighthearted by Melena Ryzik

The resulting work, “The Art of Luv (Part One): Elliot” by the Royal Osiris Karaoke Ensemble at the Under the Radar festival, is an experimental blend of technology and genre.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:08PM
Friday, December 4, 2015

Shanice Williams on Her Road to Dorothy and ‘The Wiz Live!’ by Melena Ryzik

Making her professional debut at only 19, Ms. Williams talks about the highlights and the “out-of-body experience” of playing a famous role.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:52PM
Monday, November 30, 2015

‘The Wiz,’ With Added Street Cred, Heads for TV and Broadway by Melena Ryzik

A new production to be broadcast live on NBC this week before hopping to Broadway will include a tweaked score and of-the-minute dance moves.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:26PM
Sunday, November 15, 2015

Joel Schumacher, Directing ‘Neighborhood 3,’ Gets an Education by Melena Ryzik

Mr. Schumacher, who has weathered many industry storms, finds putting on a play is a different kind of thrill.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:58PM
Saturday, October 3, 2015

Drinking With Sam Rockwell, a ‘Fool for Love’ on Broadway by Melena Ryzik

He stars opposite Nina Arianda in a Broadway revival of the Sam Shephard cowboy love story, opening next week.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:36PM
Thursday, June 11, 2015

‘Hand Foot Fizzle Face’ Digs Into an Odd Collaboration Between Beckett and Jasper Johns by Melena Ryzik

A new play opening at Jack in Brooklyn was inspired by an enigmatic collaboration on a 1977 artists’ book by Samuel Beckett and Jasper Johns.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:12PM
Monday, May 25, 2015

Turn On (MP3s), Tune In and Ride by Melena Ryzik

Joyride is a kind of interactive theater for bike riders in the city: you take off from a single point, all listening to the same soundtrack on MP3 players.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Web Slinger Is Poised to Cast Net by MELENA RYZIK

Reeve Carney, the newly installed Spidey, can still walk unnoticed to rehearsals. But by the time the show opens on Dec. 21, that may not be possible.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Reverend Billy’s Revelation: A Role for Money by MELENA RYZIK

What happened when a Dutch theatrical company asked to buy the rights to the character played by an anticonsumerist activist.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

In Brooklyn, Dramatizing Real Discord by MELENA RYZIK

The Civilians are preparing to stage “In the Footprint,” a layered portrait of the debate surrounding the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

For Kevin Spacey, a Reviled Lobbyist Is No Mere Villain by MELENA RYZIK

Kevin Spacey plays the disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff in his new film, "Casino Jack," opening Friday.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM
Tuesday, April 14, 2015

ArtsBeat: Jake Gyllenhaal Will Star in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at City Center by Melena Ryzik

Mr. Gyllenhaal will star opposite Ellen Greene and Taran Killam of “Saturday Night Live” in the concert production of the sci-fi musical.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:01PM

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