All stories by Jeff Lunden on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

'Pass Over' Covers Modern Issues In A Blend Of The Bible And 'Waiting For Godot' by Jeff Lunden

The first play to open on Broadway in over a year, Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu's Pass Over tells the story of two young Black men dreaming of a better tomorrow in a world of police violence.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 11:18PM
Monday, July 19, 2021

Back Together And Blown Away: The Boston Symphony Orchestra Returns To Tanglewood by Jeff Lunden

The Boston Symphony Orchestra recently returned to its storied summer home, Tanglewood, after the pandemic canceled last season. With reopening comes normalcy, as well as an opportunity for …

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:06PM

Rising From The Ashes, Jacob's Pillow Welcomes Back Dancers, Audiences by Jeff Lunden

Jacob's Pillow had a particularly tough 2020, closed by pandemic and struck by a fire that consumed one of its theaters. This summer the dance center rises from the ashes, literally and figu…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:24PM
Saturday, June 19, 2021

In New York City, A Juneteenth Event Examines The Meaning Of Freedom by Jeff Lunden

Lincoln Center observes Juneteenth, now a federal holiday, with "I Dream a Dream That Dreams Back at Me," an ambulatory experience conceived by Carl Hancock Rux.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 12:36PM
Sunday, May 23, 2021

'Shuffle Along' Changed Musical Theater 100 Years Ago by Jeff Lunden

Though much of it is unwatchable today — it contains blackface and other minstrelsy — Shuffle Along brought jazz to Broadway and was the first African American show to be a smash hit.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:36AM
Friday, May 14, 2021

One-To-One Concerts Bring Listeners Back To Live Music, One At A Time by Jeff Lunden

A live-music series founded in Europe, which connects one musician with one listener at a time, comes to Brooklyn for two weekends of concerts by Silkroad Ensemble artists.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:42PM
Tuesday, May 11, 2021

A Transformed Lincoln Center In New York City Brings Back Live Audiences by Jeff Lunden

The past year, with COVID and calls for social justice, has made those running Lincoln Center and other arts organizations question their core missions, says Lincoln Center's president Henry…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 04:42PM
Monday, May 3, 2021

Broadway Shows Can Reopen In May, But That Doesn't Mean They Will by Jeff Lunden

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says Broadway can open on May 19. But opening a show takes time.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:54PM
Friday, April 2, 2021

Indoor Theater Slowly Resumes In A Socially Distanced Way In New York City by Jeff Lunden

It's been more than a year since theater goers have been able to see an indoor performance in New York City. But some spaces and producers are moving to find safe ways to open up.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 06:12PM
Tuesday, March 30, 2021

1 Pandemic, 2 Productions Of 'A Chorus Line,' Plenty Of Teen Resilience by Jeff Lunden

Last spring, student performers had their hopes of stardom dashed as schools abruptly closed at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A year later, we follow two schools putting on the same m…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:54PM
Saturday, February 20, 2021

Where Are They Now? We Check In With Broadway Workers, Now Off Broadway by Jeff Lunden

Each year ahead of the Tony Awards, we profile essential theater professionals who aren't centerstage. This year, with theaters closed due to COVID-19, we check back in to see how they are c…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 07:54PM

Metropolitan Opera Backstage Workers: 'Without People, The Opera Is Nothing' by Jeff Lunden

A union representing 800 backstage workers began a publicity campaign today urging donors and government entities to withdraw support for the company because of a labor dispute.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 01:36AM
Friday, February 19, 2021

13,150,080 Minutes: It's Been 25 Years Since The First Performance Of 'Rent' by Jeff Lunden

On Jan. 25, 1996, a new rock musical by a little-known writer, Jonathan Larson, gave its first performance. But that show almost didn't happen: Larson died of an aortic aneurysm early that m…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 04:36PM
Sunday, February 14, 2021

Now Playing On TikTok: 'Bridgerton' The Musical by Jeff Lunden

Not long after the Netflix Regency romance premiered on Christmas, two young songwriters asked on TikTok: "Ok but what if Bridgerton was a musical?" Millions of people wanted to know the ans…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:33AM
Friday, February 5, 2021

Christopher Plummer, Star Of Stage, Screen, 'Sound Of Music,' Dies At 91 by Jeff Lunden

The Oscar-, Emmy- and Tony Award-winning actor began acting in films in the 1950s. He said he felt like he was "starting over" in acting every decade — "you never stop learning how to act,…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:33PM
Monday, January 25, 2021

13,140,000 Minutes: It's Been 25 Years Since The First Performance Of 'Rent' by Jeff Lunden

On Jan. 25, 1996, a new rock musical by a little-known writer, Jonathan Larson, gave its first performance. But that show almost didn't happen: Larson died of an aortic aneurysm early that m…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:24AM
Saturday, January 23, 2021

Veteran Broadcaster Larry King Dies At 87 by Jeff Lunden

With his trademark suspenders and Brooklyn-accented baritone, King spoke with world leaders, celebrities, authors, scientists, athletes — everyone.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 03:48PM
Saturday, December 26, 2020

Broadway Star Rebecca Luker Dies At 59 by Jeff Lunden

Broadway star Rebecca Luker has died of complications from ALS. She and her husband also had COVID-19 earlier this year.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 01:54PM
Friday, December 4, 2020

No 'Nutcracker'? Or 'Messiah'? How Theaters Are Facing A COVID Christmas by Jeff Lunden

In normal times, audiences would be flocking to theaters for Christmas productions right now. But 2020 is anything but normal — especially when it comes to holiday traditions.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 06:03AM
Sunday, November 15, 2020

Illusionist Scott Silven Can Turn A Video Call Into A Magical 'Journey' by Jeff Lunden

The Journey is an ingenious use of a virtual performance space. Silven invites 30 audience members to travel to his childhood home in Scotland where they interact in amazing feats of magic.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:54AM
Sunday, October 25, 2020

'Russian Troll Farm:' Imagine 'The Office,' But With Election Interference by Jeff Lunden

A new play — directed and performed via Zoom — imagines workplace life at Russia's Internet Research Agency, a real life troll-farm indicted for its interference in the 2016 election.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:54PM
Saturday, October 24, 2020

Central Park Is Alive With The Sound Of Music, Thanks To A Site-Specific App by Jeff Lunden

Created by Pulitzer-winning composer Ellen Reid, Soundwalk lets visitors score their socially distanced walks around the park with an ever-changing, GPS-sensitive soundtrack.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 07:50AM
Friday, October 23, 2020

'Russian Troll Farm:' Imagine 'The Office,' But With Election Interference by Jeff Lunden

A new play — directed and performed via Zoom — imagines workplace life at Russia's Internet Research Agency, a real life troll-farm indicted for its interference in the 2016 election.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 04:16PM
Monday, October 12, 2020

Ballet Hispánico Celebrates 50 Years As Ambassadors Of Latinx Dance by Jeff Lunden

The dance company features work of Latinx choreographers, as well as a robust educational outreach program. It was just awarded a $4 million grant from the Ford Foundation.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 09:54PM

Ballet Hispánico Celebrates 50 Years As Ambassadors Of Latinx Dance by Jeff Lunden

The dance company features work of Latinx choreographers, as well as a robust educational outreach program. It was just awarded a $4 million grant from the Ford Foundation.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 04:03PM
Sunday, September 20, 2020

What Will The Future Of Theater Look Like? 'Our Artists Are Going To Lead Us' by Jeff Lunden

It's hard to predict exactly how theater will come back after the pandemic, but here are a couple guesses: Fewer crowds, more collective imagination, and a focus on racial and environmental …

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 07:36PM

What Will The Future Of Theater Look Like? 'Our Artists Are Going To Lead Us' by Jeff Lunden

It's hard to predict exactly how theater will come back after the pandemic, but here are a couple guesses: Fewer crowds, more collective imagination, and a focus on racial and environmental …

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:22PM
Thursday, September 17, 2020

With Theaters Still Closed, 136-Year-Old 'Playbill' Does A Quick Online Pivot by Jeff Lunden

The magazine given out at theaters isn't just a program, it's a cherished souvenir. The publication has doubled down on its digital offerings, and to almost everyone's surprise, it's doing q…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 06:06AM
Tuesday, September 15, 2020

With Theaters Still Closed, 136-Year-Old 'Playbill' Does A Quick Online Pivot by Jeff Lunden

The magazine given out at theaters isn't just a program, it's a cherished souvenir. The publication has doubled down on its digital offerings, and to almost everyone's surprise, it's doing q…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:05AM
Sunday, July 19, 2020

Legendary Violinist Isaac Stern's Legacy Lives On After 100 Years by Jeff Lunden

Tuesday, July 21, marks the centennial of the birth of violinist Isaac Stern. He was not only an acclaimed musician, but a devoted teacher who was a mentor to generations of musicians.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 07:58AM

Legendary Violinist Isaac Stern's Legacy Lives On After 100 Years by Jeff Lunden

July 21 marks the centennial of the birth of violinist Isaac Stern. He was not only an acclaimed musician and advocate for the arts, but a devoted teacher who was a mentor to generations of …

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 07:58AM

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