All stories by Scott Heller on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Tony Nomination Snubs and Surprises: Rachel Brosnahan, ‘Ain’t No Mo’’ and ‘& Juliet’ by Scott Heller and Alexis Soloski

Tony nominators singled out new faces and set up fascinating face-offs, but missed the chance to recognize a Native American breakthrough.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:03PM
Thursday, September 8, 2022

‘I’m Enough’: Gregg Mozgala on His Debut in ‘Cost of Living by Alexis Soloski, Elisabeth Vincentelli, Laura Collins-Hughes and Scott Heller

We spoke to three actors and a playwright — Gregg Mozgala, Bonnie Milligan, Solea Pfeiffer and Noah Diaz — who are taking big shots this season.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:34PM
Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Bidding Farewell to His Theatrical Flock by Scott Heller

In a 34-year run at New York Theater Workshop, James C. Nicola held that directors and writers are equal partners — and helped send “Rent” and “Hadestown” to Broadway.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:42AM
Monday, May 9, 2022

Tony Nomination Snubs and Surprises: Daniel Craig, ‘Funny Girl’ and ‘Paradise Square’ by Michael Paulson and Scott Heller

Several stars, including Daniel Craig and Sarah Jessica Parker, were not nominated for their performances, while “Paradise Square” became one of the season’s most-nominated shows.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:06PM
Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Finding ‘Funny Girl.’ Finally. by Scott Heller

After nearly six decades and many false starts, the musical is returning to Broadway, with Beanie Feldstein taking on the role that made Barbra Streisand a star.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:07AM
Friday, December 3, 2021

Best Theater of 2021 by Jesse Green, Maya Phillips, Laura Collins-Hughes, Scott Heller, Alexis Soloski and Elisabeth Vincentelli

Digital innovation continued this year, but experiencing plays in isolation grew tiring. Then came an in-person season as exciting as a child’s first fireworks.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:48AM
Saturday, November 27, 2021

Get to Know Sondheim’s Best in These 10 Videos by Scott Heller

Jake Gyllenhaal, Patti LuPone, Judi Dench and an all-star Zoom trio find the wit, pathos and heartbreak in a remarkable songbook.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:42PM
Friday, November 26, 2021

Stephen Sondheim Tributes Pour In From Stars by Scott Heller and Julia Jacobs

Audra McDonald, Bernadette Peters, Andrew Lloyd Webber and others mourned and celebrated the essential composer and lyricist, who died at 91.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:06PM
Wednesday, November 3, 2021

What You Remember About ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ by Scott Heller

Listening to the album. Singing along at the show. And wearing a loincloth to play the title role. All fresh in our readers’ minds in the 50 years since.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:12AM
Wednesday, May 5, 2021

These Four Stage Directors Know Just What Needs to Change by Scott Heller

The pandemic pause has prompted a prizewinning cohort to ask hard questions about salaries, working in other media and choosing collaboration over “scarcity.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:42AM
Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Williamstown Festival Will Take the Shows Outside by Scott Heller

After a lost live 2020, the theater will stage a musical at a museum’s reflecting pool and an immersive show, all over town, based on real events.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:18PM
Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Casting a ‘Follies’ of the Future, With Beyoncé and Ben Platt by Jesse Green and Scott Heller

In the 50 years since the musical’s debut, revivals and concerts have served its great songs to great stars. Who’d be our Broadway babies 25 years from now?

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:42AM
Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Advocating and Agitating, Connecting and Inventing by Michael Paulson, Jesse Green, Scott Heller, Laura Collins-Hughes and Elisabeth Vincentelli

With their field rocked by unprecedented challenges in 2020, these people and groups — some notable, some new — stepped into the breach.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:12AM
Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Best Theater of 2020 by Jesse Green, Laura Collins-Hughes, Scott Heller, Maya Phillips, Alexis Soloski and Elisabeth Vincentelli

It wasn’t the year for celebration. But watching innovation flourish inspired our chief critic, while other writers found the joys of the stage in other media.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:06AM
Wednesday, November 4, 2020

From Stage to Screen: 5 Shows That Got It Right (And 5 That Didn’t) by Jesse Green, Elisabeth Vincentelli, Laura Collins-Hughes and Scott Heller

Our theater experts provide a guide to some of the successful (and failed) cinematic adaptations of plays and musicals — all for your streaming pleasure.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:36AM
Tuesday, October 13, 2020

‘Spotlight on Plays’ Adds Four Readings of Work by Women by Scott Heller

After criticism over gender parity, Pearl Cleage, Larissa FastHorse, Adrienne Kennedy and Sarah Ruhl will be featured in the spring.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:24PM
Wednesday, October 7, 2020

For a Second Series of Play Readings: More Shows, More Stars by Scott Heller

One night only: “This is Our Youth,” “Uncle Vanya,” two Mamet plays, and more. With casts that include Morgan Freeman, Laurie Metcalf and Lucas Hedges.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:32PM
Friday, September 11, 2020

20 Theater Figures on How to ‘Revolutionize’ Their World by Jennifer Schuessler and Scott Heller

End unpaid internships. Set term limits for leaders. Get real about inclusion. Take performances to the streets. Say yes to joy, and no to couch plays.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:18AM
Thursday, July 16, 2020

Missing Theater Under the Stars (Even the Bugs and the Rain) by Nancy Coleman, Laura Collins-Hughes, Scott Heller and Alexis Soloski

Shakespeare in the Park and other outdoor venues are shut. But for performers and directors, open-air memories are as sharp as the bite of a mosquito.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:48PM
Thursday, June 4, 2020

No Tony Awards Show? Make Your Own With These Great Moments. by Ben Brantley, Jesse Green, Michael Paulson, Alexis Soloski, Elisabeth Vincentelli, Laura Collins-Hughes, Scott Heller and Eric Grode

Miranda’s rap. Rylance’s poems. Jackman’s pelvis. And a brassy reunion for Bea Arthur and Angela Lansbury. Now set your clock for “Turkey Lurkey Time.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:18PM
Saturday, December 28, 2019

Remembering Jerry Herman: ‘He Called His Shows His Children’ by Scott Heller

Harvey Fierstein, Betty Buckley and more on the sunny songwriter behind “Hello, Dolly!” and “Mame,” who hoped that even a flop would find a second life.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:42PM
Monday, July 8, 2019

‘Frankie and Johnny’ Will Close at the End of July by Scott Heller

The revival of Terrence McNally’s play is wrapping up a month earlier than expected.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:42PM
Tuesday, June 25, 2019

‘King Kong’ and ‘Cher Show’ Musicals Announce Closings by Scott Heller and Nancy Coleman

Each show arrived on Broadway with a big name in its title and major creative talents behind the scenes. But audiences kept their distance.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:06PM
Thursday, June 13, 2019

Once Is Not Enough for These Broadway Fans by Scott Heller

Readers share their own theatergoing binges in response to the “repeat attenders” who’ve seen their favorite musical 25 times — and counting.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:42AM
Monday, June 10, 2019

The Best and Worst of the Tony Awards 2019 by Ben Brantley, Jesse Green, Scott Heller and Margaret Lyons

Swinging lights. Broadway beefs. Words of wisdom. And a restroom serenade. If only some of the highlights were on TV.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:12PM
Sunday, June 9, 2019

How to Watch the Tony Awards and What You Need to Know by Scott Heller and Michael Paulson

When and how to watch Broadway’s biggest celebration, plus the best New York Times journalism on the nominees and contests.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:42AM
Friday, June 7, 2019

What You Need to Know Before the Tony Awards by Scott Heller and Michael Paulson

When and how to watch Broadway’s biggest celebration, plus the best New York Times journalism on the nominees and contests.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:54PM
Monday, April 1, 2019

What Do You Want From Your Local Theater? Readers Respond by Scott Heller

Wishing for challenge, boldness, new work, intimacy, a friendly welcome — and inexpensive parking.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:43PM
Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Plays by Tracy Letts and Bess Wohl Headed to Broadway by Scott Heller

A revival of Richard Greenberg’s baseball comedy “Take Me Out” will also be part of Second Stage Theater’s 2019-20 season.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:00PM
Friday, January 25, 2019

Extending the Stage With Technology by Scott Heller

A brief sampling of productions that use augmented reality, smartphone mapping and motion capture, blurring the line between the live and the virtual.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:42AM
Thursday, December 6, 2018

Faye Dunaway Is Slated to Play Katharine Hepburn on Broadway by Scott Heller

A producer announced that one Oscar-winning actress will play another in Matthew Lombardo’s “Tea at Five.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:04PM

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