All stories by Jenelle Riley on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Spirit Awards Hosts Nick Kroll and John Mulaney on Friendship, Indie Films and Day Drinking by Jenelle Riley

Nick Kroll and John Mulaney are best friends who genuinely love working together; it’s not difficult to imagine them doing this for the next 40 years — particularly since the pair ar…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:05PM
Monday, February 20, 2017

Behind the Scenes Video of Ryan Gosling Playing Piano in ‘La La Land’ (EXCLUSIVE) by Jenelle Riley

For his Oscar-nominated role in “La La Land,” Ryan Gosling spent three months learning to play the piano — so it’s somewhat of a compliment that many people ask if th…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:23PM
Friday, February 17, 2017

Behind the Song: The Journey of ‘La La Land’s’ ‘City of Stars’ by Jenelle Riley

Even before “La La Land” unspooled at festivals and in theaters, people were humming the tune “City of Stars” thanks to early teasers. The melancholy theme appears twice in the film …

SOURCE: Variety at 04:31PM
Tuesday, February 14, 2017

‘La La Land’: Why Exuberance Matters by Jenelle Riley

A few weeks ago, my father became gravely ill. After spending a few days with him in another state, I had to get back to Los Angeles. Before I left, I put in the screener of “La La Land”…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:11AM
Friday, January 13, 2017

‘La La Land’ Launches in Imax With New Poster by Jenelle Riley

As of today, Golden Globes-record-breaking film festival and box office sensation “La La Land” will be appearing on IMAX screens in the United States in a digitally re-mastered format. I…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:42PM
Sunday, January 8, 2017

‘La La Land’ Stars, Director React to Record-Breaking Golden Globes Sweep by Jenelle Riley

Many were predicting a good night for “La La Land” at the Golden Globes, but even the musical’s biggest fans might have been surprised at just how well the evening went. In a r…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:49PM
Wednesday, December 14, 2016

‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ Producer Marc Webb on Cable v. Network TV and Being Jealous of ‘La La Land’ by Jenelle Riley

Marc Webb isn’t just an executive producer on the CW’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” He is, by his own admission, “a total fanboy.” Best known for helming films like &#…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:33PM
Monday, December 12, 2016

Golden Globes Recognize Actual Comedies and Musicals with Nominations by Jenelle Riley

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is always full of surprises, but there was at least one pleasant one this morning: when it came to the comedy/musical category for the Golden Globes, …

SOURCE: Variety at 11:05AM
Tuesday, November 15, 2016

‘La La Land’: Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone on Dancing Through Their Third Onscreen Romance by Jenelle Riley

Ryan Gosling is worried about Emma Stone’s Red Bull intake. “I get one per day!” Stone protests. “You’ve already had one,” Gosling counters. “Trust me, this affects all of us.�…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:00PM
Saturday, June 4, 2016

L.A. Theater Review: ‘The Little Mermaid in Concert’ at the Hollywood Bowl by Jenelle Riley

The sea has been brought to life at the Hollywood (Fish)Bowl thanks to a game cast and classic movie. The Hollywood Bowl has had success bringing stripped-down versions of Broadway shows to…

SOURCE: Variety at 07:06PM
Thursday, June 2, 2016

Fresh Faces Like Rachel Bloom, Ellie Kemper Could Populate Emmy Comedy Actress Nominations by Jenelle Riley

Dying is easy, comedy is hard,” goes the old adage. But that doesn’t take into account the added burden of being a comedic actress these days, let alone a newcomer trying to find some Em…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:30PM
Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Inside ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ Boss Aline Brosh McKenna’s Office by Jenelle Riley

Tucked away in an unsuspecting neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley are the offices and stages of the CW series “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” The freshman musical-comedy was co-created by st…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:49PM
Saturday, May 28, 2016

‘Frozen’ Live Show Opens at Disneyland to Excited Crowds by Jenelle Riley

With the wild success — over $1 billion globally — of the Oscar-winning animated film “Frozen,” a stage production was inevitable. While a Broadway show is in the works, Dis…

SOURCE: Variety at 07:11AM
Saturday, December 5, 2015

Carey Mulligan, Elizabeth Banks on Paying Tribute to Powerful Women in ‘Suffragette,’ ‘Love & Mercy’ (VIDEO) by Jenelle Riley

Elizabeth Banks and Carey Mulligan are earning buzz for their portraits of strong women: Banks won some of the best notices of her career playing Melinda Ledbetter, the wife of Beach Boys si…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:40AM
Thursday, August 6, 2015

Mamie Gummer on Making ‘Ricki and the Flash’ With Her Mother Meryl Streep by Jenelle Riley

Mamie Gummer stars in “Ricki and the Flash” — in theaters Aug. 7 — as the daughter of a rock star played by Meryl Streep. Which makes perfect sense, as in real life, Gummer is Streep…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:55PM

Emmy Guest Star Nominees Allison Janney, Christine Baranski Pull Double Duty by Jenelle Riley

If, as the cliché goes, it’s an honor just to be nominated, how does it feel to be part of a very elite Emmy group — actors who’ve scored double nominations in the guest star and seri…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:55PM
Thursday, June 4, 2015

How Elisabeth Moss, Lisa Kudrow Keep Long-Running TV Roles Fresh by Jenelle Riley

Playing copywriter Peggy Olson on AMC’s “Mad Men” has been as much about Elisabeth Moss’ own life as it has been about following a character’s arc. Although Moss says show creator …

SOURCE: Variety at 01:00PM
Monday, May 25, 2015

The 'A' List by Jenelle Riley

Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci share more in common than critical accolades and impressive resumes. (Check out our exclusive photo gallery with these terrific actors!)

SOURCE: Backstage at 05:58PM

The Horror, The Horror by Jenelle Riley

Roles in scary movies are offering new opportunities to actors—including Patrick Fabian and Ashley Bell of 'The Last Exorcism."

SOURCE: Backstage at 05:58PM

Critics, Critics Everywhere by Jenelle Riley

For some reason, practically every critic's group decided this was the weekend to announce their winners.

SOURCE: Backstage at 05:58PM

Celebrating Aaron Sorkin by Jenelle Riley

There are very few locks when it comes to the Oscars, and things still have time to shift and change.  One of them is Aaron Sorkin winning Best Adapted Screenplay for "The Social Netwo…

SOURCE: Backstage at 05:58PM

A Look At Natalie Portman in 'The Other Woman' by Jenelle Riley

"The Other Woman" premiered at Sundance earlier this year to generally positive reviews. But there were a few things I couldn't help thinking while watching the trailer.

SOURCE: Backstage at 05:58PM

Aaron Sorkin Repeats Himself by Jenelle Riley

It must be hard, even for a brilliant writer, to come up with new speeches when you're winning as many awards as Aaron Sorkin is these days.

SOURCE: Backstage at 05:58PM

Taking Flight by Jenelle Riley

As the mother of a teenage son with autism, Janet Grillo had explored the developmental disorder as an executive producer of the Emmy-winning documentary "Autism: The Musical."

SOURCE: Backstage at 05:58PM
Thursday, April 30, 2015

Carey Mulligan on Her Tony Nom and ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’ by Jenelle Riley

Carey Mulligan is having a busy week; Tuesday morning she was nominated for a Tony Award for best actress in a play for the current Broadway production of “Skylight.” And Friday sees the…

SOURCE: Variety at 12:00PM
Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Helen Mirren on Winning an Oscar and Why She’s Revisiting The Queen by Jenelle Riley

Helen Mirren insists that she wasn’t that nervous at the 2007 Academy Awards while awaiting the opening of the Oscar envelope for best actress. But her actions would suggest otherwise. Whe…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:00PM
Thursday, June 26, 2014

Documentarian Leslie Zemeckis Points Lens at Conjoined Hilton Sisters by Jenelle Riley

Leslie Zemeckis never set out to be a filmmaker. But now, with a second documentary about vaudeville performers ready to hit theaters June 27, she’s found a niche — and a calling. Her ne…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:00PM
Friday, March 14, 2014

L.A. Theater Review: ’50 Shades! The Musical’ by Jenelle Riley

Unless you’ve been living under a rock — or handcuffed under one — you’ve probably heard of the literary sensation “50 Shades of Grey.” The trilogy of books from E.L. Jam…

SOURCE: Variety at 04:21PM
Tuesday, November 5, 2013

L.A. Legit Review: ‘The Black Suits’ by Jenelle Riley

Not unlike the garage band it portrays, “The Black Suits” is rough around the edges but offers considerable charms. The new musical from Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award nominee Joe I…

SOURCE: Variety at 12:00PM
Thursday, July 26, 2012

Tracy Letts On Balancing Two Successful Careers by Jenelle Riley

Tracy Letts, the writer behind "Killer Joe" and "August: Osage County," muses on balancing his acting and writing career.

SOURCE: Backstage at 05:45AM
Tuesday, July 24, 2012

‘The Producers’ at the Hollywood Bowl Reunites Richard Kind and Roger Bart by Jenelle Riley

Several veterans of "The Producers" will be reuniting for a three-night engagement at the Hollywood Bowl, which opens July 27.

SOURCE: Backstage at 12:00PM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 15, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
TBA: Titanic