All stories by Roger Friedman on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Cecily Strong Will Miss the First Month of New “SNL” Season Doing Play in Los Angeles by Roger Friedman

Cecily Strong, one of the most popular members of the “Saturday Night Live” troupe, will miss the first month of the new

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 10:42AM

Broadway: Josh Groban, Annaleigh Ashford Eyed for $14 Million “Sweeney Todd” Next Spring by Roger Friedman

Is it true? I don’t know. But the blog broadwayjournal.com says the following. “Hamilton” produced Jeffrey Seller is raising $14.5 million to

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 04:37AM
Friday, August 19, 2022

Broadway: “Funny Girl” Relaunch with Lea Michele Offers First Commercial (See Video) by Roger Friedman

The producers of “Funny Girl” on Broadway are looking for magic when they relaunch on September 6th with Lea Michele. They’ve got

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 08:55PM
Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Showdown at Broadway’s Coming “High Noon”: Family of Original, Blacklisted Screenwriter Carl Foreman Wants Him Acknowledged by Roger Friedman

EXCLUSIVE Big trumpeted announcement a couple of weeks ago. The 1952 classic film, “High Noon,” starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, is

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 02:03PM
Thursday, August 11, 2022

For All People Named Cuomo, Not a Good Year: Weezer Cancels Broadway Run, Can’t Sell Tickets by Roger Friedman

You thought Andrew Cuomo and Chris Cuomo were having a bad year. So is Rivers Cuomo. He’s the not-related lead singer for

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 11:42AM
Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Broadway: The Great Musical “1776” is Coming Back with All the Forefathers Played by Women, Transgender, or Non-Binary Actors by Roger Friedman

The great musical, “1776,” is coming back for a revival — with a twist. All the forefathers of the American revolution will

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 11:33PM
Friday, August 5, 2022

Review: Broadway All Stars Make “Into the Woods” The Show of the Summer, and Fall, and… by Roger Friedman

Where was I was on July 9th when “Into the Woods” opened at the St. James Theater? I have no idea, and

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 03:03AM
Monday, August 1, 2022

RIP Pat Carroll, 95, Emmy Winner, Tony Nominee, Drama Desk Winner, Grammy Winner by Roger Friedman

Pat Carroll has died. The earthy actress with a roaring laugh was also a drama star as well. I cannot forget seeing

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 01:33AM
Friday, July 29, 2022

Broadway Exclusive: “Mockingbird” Not Returning, Producer Scott Rudin Blamed for Collapse of Hit Show by Roger Friedman

You might be wondering whatever happened to “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The hit Broadway play, sort of rewritten by Aaron Sorkin, reopened

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 12:37PM
Thursday, July 28, 2022

Tony, Emmy Winning Actress Mary Alice Passes Away, Star of the Original “Fences,” TV’s “A Different World” by Roger Friedman

Mary Alice, the great theater actress with a long TV and movie resume, has reportedly passed away. She was between 80 and

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 06:18PM
Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Norman Lear 100th Birthday Special Will Air on ABC, Not CBS Home of All His Shows by Roger Friedman

Norman Lear is not keeping it All in the Family. ABC just announced they’re airing a 100th birthday special in his honor

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 11:48AM
Monday, July 25, 2022

RIP The Great Actor, Singer, Raconteur Paul Sorvino, 83, A New York Original — Watch Exclusive Video by Roger Friedman

I am so sorry to hear about Paul Sorvino passing away at age 83. He was a true New York original, one

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 05:07PM
Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Broadway’s Tough Summer: Only 3 Shows Played at 100% Last Week, “Strange Loop” Wasn’t One of Them, “Mockingbird” Still MIA by Roger Friedman

Broadway is having a tough, tough summer. Shows are closing left and right, or announcing their finales are coming. The mask mandate

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 09:18PM
Monday, July 18, 2022

Broadway Surprise: Billy Crystal’s “Mr Saturday Night” Will Close at End of Summer by Roger Friedman

This has been a rough season on Broadway. Now, among the many shows closing is Billy Crystal’s wonderful “Mr. Saturday Night.” The

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 02:33AM
Sunday, July 17, 2022

Broadway: “Paradise Square” Closes After Cast Fights for Salaries, Producer Barred from Doing Another Show by Roger Friedman

The videos below are from actor Jamal Christopher Douglas. He’s in the cast of “Paradise Square,” which closes Sunday in a cloud

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 02:12AM
Saturday, July 16, 2022

Broadway: “Funny Girl” Trouble Continues, Beanie Feldstein Out for Weekend with Tonsillitis by Roger Friedman

September cannot come fast enough for the producers of “Funny Girl” on Broadway. Star Beanie Feldstein, who’s missed dozens of shows for

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 07:54AM
Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Broadway: “Paradise Square” Will Close Abruptly on Sunday, Producers Sued by Actor’s Equity by Roger Friedman

“Paradise Square” : I told you weeks ago this musical would shut down. Now comes the announcement that Sunday will be its

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 06:37PM
Monday, July 11, 2022

Broadway: I TOLD YOU: Lea Michele Will Play Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl,” Tovah Feldshuh Is Her Mother by Roger Friedman

I told you: Lea Michele will play Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” on Broadway. Tovah Feldshuh will play her mother. This is

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 06:12PM

Broadway: Beanie Feldstein Leaving “Funny Girl” Eight Weeks Early, Lea Michele Likely Successor (Exclusive) by Roger Friedman

Beanie Feldstein says she’s leaving “Funny Girl” on Juy 31st. She missed the Saturday matinee and has skipped a lot of other

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 12:03AM
Saturday, July 9, 2022

Broadway: Beanie Feldstein Out Again for “Funny Girl” Matinee Today, New Stand By In by Roger Friedman

Ephie Aardema is getting her big break today at 2pm. She’s in for Beanie Feldstein as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” on

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 05:33PM
Thursday, July 7, 2022

Broadway: “Almost Famous” Musical Is Almost Here from “MJ” Team This October by Roger Friedman

Penny Lane is coming to Broadway. Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous,” the musical, has a theater, a start date, and an opening night.

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 04:42PM
Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Broadway: “Company” Gets Mid-Show Standing Ovations, “American Buffalo” A Gem by Roger Friedman

I caught up again with two Broadway shows this weekend. “Company,” which won Best Musical Revival, is set to close at the

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 09:48AM
Thursday, June 30, 2022

“Jeopardy!” Host Competition Narrows as Mayim Bialik Having Trouble Keeping Ratings Up by Roger Friedman

“Jeopardy!” is having in house competition right now. Who will be regular host? Ken Jennings or Mayim Bialik? Don;t get me wrong.

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 02:07PM
Monday, June 27, 2022

Broadway: “Music Man” Star Sutton Foster Tests Postive Again for COVID, Out of Show by Roger Friedman

No masks and no vax test proof is cutting down the people on Broadway stages. Sutton Foster is out of “The Music

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 12:48AM
Friday, June 24, 2022

Broadway: “The Minutes” Turned Into Seconds Last Night With Main Cast Out from COVID by Roger Friedman

Last night theater patrons got a surprise at the Roundabout Theater on 54th St. Six of the main 11 actors at “The

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 05:54PM
Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Broadway Recession: Daniel Craig’s “Macbeth” Had a Tough Week, “Paradise” Lost, “Loop” Not So Strange by Roger Friedman

Last week was tough on Broadway, even for big stars. “Macbeth” starring Daniel Craig only filled 83% of the Longacre Theater in

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 05:12PM
Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Broadway: Tony Awards Can’t Stop Acclaimed “Company” from Closing at End of July by Roger Friedman

The acclaimed revival of “Company” won a Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, and Tonys for its two featured actors, Patti Lupone

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 10:48PM
Thursday, June 16, 2022

Broadway Exclusive: “Funny Girl” Insiders Are Saying Lea Michele Will Finally Be Fanny Brice by Roger Friedman

EXCLUSIVE: We know that Beanie Feldstein will exit her role as Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl” in September. Jane Lynch, who plays

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 08:48PM

Broadway: No Tony Awards Love Sends Beanie Feldstein Packing from “Funny Girl,” Jane Lynch Too by Roger Friedman

Beanie Feldstein is outta here. The star of Broadway’s “Funny Girl” is exiting the show in September. That will be six months

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 08:42AM
Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Ex-Monk $259 Million Powerball Lottery Winner Makes Martha Clarke’s Stunning “God’s Fool” Come Alive at Famed La Mama Theater by Roger Friedman

Martha Clarke‘s stunning theater piece, “God’s Fool,” opens at the famed La Mama theater in the East Village this week. But the

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 02:33PM
Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Tony Awards Ratings Zoom Up 47% from 2021 Show, Win the Night, Trounce Time 100 Special by Roger Friedman

The 2022 Tony Awards on CBS were a ratings hit. Total viewers were 4.2 million, up significantly — 47 % — from

SOURCE: ShowBiz 411 at 02:06PM

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