All stories by Jessica Gelt on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

'Mean Girls,' 'SpongeBob SquarePants' lead Tony nominations with 12 each; 'Harry Potter' scores 10 by Jessica Gelt

"Mean Girls" and "SpongeBob SquarePants" may have led Tony nominations with 12 apiece on Tuesday, but the real front-runners to emerge for Broadway's biggest honors were the musical "The Ban…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:25AM

Tony nominations 2018: The complete list, led by 'Mean Girls' and ' SpongeBob' by Jessica Gelt

"Mean Girls" and "SpongeBob SquarePants" may have led Tony nominations with 12 apiece on Tuesday, but the real front-runners to emerge for Broadway's biggest honors were the musical "The Ban…

SOURCE: The Baltimore Sun Subscription at 09:25AM
Monday, April 30, 2018

Tony Awards 2018: Three things to watch for when nominations are announced Tuesday by Jessica Gelt

With one of Broadway’s biggest days just around the corner, speculation over this year’s Tony Award nominations is peaking. Will there be any surprises in the best musical category, wher…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 05:55PM
Wednesday, April 18, 2018

First tickets to see Tom Hanks live in 'Henry IV' go on sale Monday by Jessica Gelt

The first batch of tickets to see Tom Hanks star as Sir John Falstaff in the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles’ production of “Henry IV” go on sale Monday. The play, which is scheduled…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:42PM
Monday, April 9, 2018

'Harry Potter' and 'Frozen' break records on Broadway by Jessica Gelt

Stories with a rabid tot and tween fan base are proving their box office might as “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” and Disney’s “Frozen” break records on Broadway. The Harry Pot…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 06:30PM
Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Taper and Kirk Douglas 2018-19 seasons: 'Sweat,' Tracy Letts, Dianne Wiest and a Lucas Hnath premiere by Jessica Gelt

Center Theatre Group on Wednesday will announce the 2018-19 seasons for the Mark Taper Forum and Kirk Douglas Theatre, whose lineups will include work by Tracy Letts, Lynn Nottage, Luis Vald…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:00AM
Monday, April 2, 2018

'Frozen' shatters box-office record at the St. James Theatre by Jessica Gelt

“Frozen” the musical smashed the house record for weekly ticket sales at the St. James Theatre in New York, Disney Theatrical Productions announced Monday, beating the mark formerly held…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 07:00PM
Thursday, March 29, 2018

The Hollywood stage: Jim Parsons, Joshua Jackson, Tatiana Maslany and 'Mean Girls' by Jessica Gelt

The Hollywood invasion of Broadway, and theater in general, continues with grand entrances by Ryan Murphy, Tina Fey and more television stars than we can count. Here is some of the most nota…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:00AM
Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Reprise musical series tries again to conquer L.A.'s tough theater world by Jessica Gelt

Reprise Theatre Company will try for an encore when founder Marcia Seligson brings it back as Reprise 2.0 in June with “Sweet Charity,” directed by Kathleen Marshall. The company, which …

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 11:45AM
Thursday, March 15, 2018

Why is a master of Shakespeare directing the musical 'Frozen'? Because 'Let It Go' isn't too far from the Bard by Jessica Gelt

“We’re standing on the same stage where ‘Oklahoma!’ premiered,” says British director Michael Grandage, gesturing at the flooring beneath his feet inside the historic St. James The…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 11:00AM

The curious care and feeding of Olaf the snowman in Broadway's 'Frozen' by Jessica Gelt

Olaf the snowman is an important character in "Frozen" the musical. He's also a complicated puppet that requires careful care and maintenance. We meet Greg Hildreth, the actor tasked with ma…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 11:00AM
Friday, February 23, 2018

'Frozen' has its first performance on Broadway, and the fan frenzy begins by Jessica Gelt

Princess dresses are not the sole purview of little girls. At the first preview of Disney Theatrical’s new Broadway musical “Frozen” on Thursday night, the royal gowns were an equal-op…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 11:45AM
Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Inside the 'Frozen' dress rehearsal: Broadway's new musical prepares to lift the curtain by Jessica Gelt

"Frozen" co-creator Jennifer Lee and her boyfriend, Alfred Molina, sit toward the front of the historic St. James Theatre for a special dress rehearsal - a sneak peek for industry people bef…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 04:15PM

Inside the 'Frozen' dress rehearsal: Broadway's new musical prepares to lift the curtain by Jessica Gelt

“Frozen” co-creator Jennifer Lee and her boyfriend, Alfred Molina, sit toward the front of the historic St. James Theatre late Tuesday afternoon for a special dress rehearsal of the new …

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 04:15PM
Thursday, February 15, 2018

Jeff Daniels to star in Aaron Sorkin's adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' on Broadway by Jessica Gelt

Jeff Daniels will play the inimitable lawyer Atticus Finch in Aaron Sorkin’s forthcoming Broadway adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a spokesman for th…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 03:30PM
Monday, February 12, 2018

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson will perform 'Henry IV' at the VA campus by Jessica Gelt

Falstaff will get the Tom Hanks treatment when the actor stars in the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles’ production of “Henry IV,” the center is expected to announce Monday. The cast a…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 06:00PM
Sunday, February 11, 2018

Playwrights get a new stage: Audible announces 15 writers for audio theater project by Jessica Gelt

Put the theater in your pocket. Or your purse. Or wherever you keep your phone or tablet. That is the goal behind the latest move from audio book and podcast company Audible, which this week…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:00AM
Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Ovation Awards 2018: Wins for Actors Co-op's '33 Variations,' East West Players' 'Next to Normal' by Jessica Gelt

The 2018 Ovation Awards gave top honors to Actors Co-op’s production of “33 Variations,” and East West Players’ “Next to Normal,” the former taking the award for best production …

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 05:10PM

'Hello, Dolly!' sets a date for L.A. and leads Hollywood Pantages' 2018-19 season by Jessica Gelt

“Hello, Dolly!” which won four Tony Awards last year including best musical revival, is coming to Los Angeles as part of the Hollywood Pantages’ 2018-19 season, the theater announced T…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 03:45PM
Thursday, January 25, 2018

Temptations jukebox musical 'Ain't Too Proud' is coming to L.A. by Jessica Gelt

“Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations” has been added to Center Theatre Group’s 2018-19 season, Artistic Director Michael Ritchie announced Wednesday. The musica…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:00AM
Tuesday, January 23, 2018

'Rock of Ages' will try to bring its big hair and Bon Jovi back to L.A. by Jessica Gelt

The Broadway hit “Rock of Ages” will try to return to its Los Angeles roots, one of the show’s producers says. Matthew Weaver of Media Weaver Entertainment said he wants to restage the…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:00AM

A.C.T. names Pam MacKinnon as its new artistic director by Jessica Gelt

Pam MacKinnon is a hot commodity on Broadway, where her work has scored Tony, Drama Desk and Obie awards, but now the director is headed west: American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco …

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 07:30AM
Thursday, January 18, 2018

L.A. Opera announces 2018-19 season with 'Satyagraha,' 'Titus' and Off Grand world premieres by Jessica Gelt

Philip Glass’ “Satyagraha,” Mozart’s “The Clemency of Titus” and a world premiere by up-and-coming composer Ellen Reid will form part of Los Angeles Opera’s 2018-19 season, the…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 12:55PM
Wednesday, January 3, 2018

'The Cake' and the gay wedding cake debate head to La Jolla Playhouse by Jessica Gelt

Playwright and “This Is Us” writer Bekah Brunstetter’s “The Cake,” a comedy about a Christian-conservative baker who balks at making a wedding cake for a lesbian couple, will follo…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 03:35PM
Thursday, December 7, 2017

Michael Luwoye: Once a theater outsider, now he's Alexander Hamilton — in L.A., and soon on Broadway by Jessica Gelt

Click. Click. Click. The sound comes from deep inside Michael Luwoye’s mouth, near the back of his tongue. It’s not intentional. The “Hamilton” star clicks when he’s trying to orde…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 10:00AM

Rory O'Malley's comic road to King George in 'Hamilton' started in Burbank by Jessica Gelt

Rory O’Malley’s husband says O’Malley’s head has gotten bigger since it’s been wearing a crown. O’Malley doesn’t argue. Playing King George III in the national tour of “Hamil…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:55AM
Wednesday, November 22, 2017

The Hollywood stage roundup: Jeremy Irons, Chris Messina, 'Pretty Woman,' 'Muriel' and, yes, 'Frozen' by Jessica Gelt

For better or for worse, Hollywood is stitching itself more thoroughly into the fabric of theater. Here are some of the latest threads — casting news, opening-night announcements and more.…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 10:00AM
Friday, November 17, 2017

Playwrights find big love on the small screen by Jessica Gelt

“Shameless” writer Molly Smith Metzler calls theater her “secret lover." "I always want to be with her the most," she says, "and when I’m doing anything else, I’m thinking about he…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 11:05AM
Wednesday, November 15, 2017

'Come From Away,' 'Falsettos' added to Center Theatre Group's next season by Jessica Gelt

Center Theatre Group will announce Wednesday the addition of three productions to its 2018-19 season, including the 9/11 musical “Come From Away.” Irene Sankoff and David Hein’s show, …

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 08:00AM
Wednesday, November 8, 2017

'War of the Worlds' to invade Disney Hall and the streets of downtown L.A. by Jessica Gelt

A wiry orange alien scuttles across a cracked parking lot near the corner of 4th and Main streets downtown. The creature towers over the acting secretary of the Interior, who stands before a…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 06:00AM
Thursday, October 12, 2017

Fan snapshots make 'Smithsonian Rock and Roll' a candid compendium of musical history by Jessica Gelt

In 2015, the Smithsonian asked music lovers to submit photos they'd taken of their favorite rock 'n' rollers. Four-thousand pictures later, the book "Smithsonian Rock and Roll: Live and Unse…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:00AM

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