All stories by Barbara Isenberg on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

‘Oklahoma!’ actress Ali Stroker may be the first actress in a wheelchair to win a Tony by Barbara Isenberg

From her first song in Daniel Fish’s daring revival of “Oklahoma!” actress Ali Stroker presents an Ado Annie like audiences have never encountered before. Partly it’s her amazing voi…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:05AM
Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Israeli actor Yehezkel Lazarov is a Tevye for modern times in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ by Barbara Isenberg

It was already an incredibly busy time for Israeli actor, director and artist Yehezkel Lazarov. He was performing in one show in Tel Aviv, about to direct another and scheduled to curate an …

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:00AM
Thursday, April 12, 2018

Why Broadway's hottest theater just might be on the West Coast by Barbara Isenberg

"Come From Away," "Indecent," "Junk," "Latin History for Morons," "Escape to Margaritaville" and, opening April 23, "Summer: The Donna Summer Musical": Six recent plays and musicals to lan…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 10:00AM

Why Broadway's hottest theater just might be on the West Coast by Barbara Isenberg

Christopher Ashley, the reigning Tony Award winner for best director of a musical, calls it “an extraordinary moment,” but it’s actually been an extraordinary year: “Come From Away,�…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 10:00AM
Thursday, November 2, 2017

'Spamilton' creator on loving Lin-Manuel Miranda and spoofing his musical at the same time by Barbara Isenberg

Q&A with Gerard Alessandrini, creator of "Spamilton: An American Parody." The commercial and critical hit off-Broadway opens at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City on Nov. 12 as the "Ham…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 12:00PM
Monday, July 31, 2017

'Curious Incident' director Marianne Elliott isn't afraid of big risks by Barbara Isenberg

British theater director Marianne Elliott and London’s National Theatre are on a roll. “War Horse,” their first joint blockbuster, and “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-T…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 08:00AM
Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Jerry Zaks on directing Bette Midler in 'Hello, Dolly!' and his sweet return to the Tony Awards by Barbara Isenberg

For the veteran director, the nomination for directing the Bette Midler juggernaut is his first Tony nod in 20 years -- a sweet moment for a four-time winner.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:36PM
Thursday, January 19, 2017

Alan Cumming explains why he loves singing sappy songs, from Sondheim to Miley Cyrus by Barbara Isenberg

Few actors have so eclectic a resumé as Alan Cumming. Perhaps best known as political operative Eli Gold on CBS’ “The Good Wife,” the 51-year-old actor won a Tony Award for his portr…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 08:00AM
Friday, December 9, 2016

'Hamilton' star Phillipa Soo on bringing the magic of 'Amelie' to the stage by Barbara Isenberg

When Phillipa Soo was growing up in suburban Chicago, she would climb onto her parents’ coffee table in her pink tutu to perform. There, before a rapt audience of her brother and stuffed a…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 01:00PM
Thursday, June 9, 2016

Sheldon Harnick, 'Fiddler' and 'She Loves Me' lyricist, sails back into the Tony spotlight at 92 by Barbara Isenberg

Broadway has been good to Pulitzer Prize-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick. His elegant home on New York’s Upper West Side has a gorgeous view of Central Park. In his living room, with its …

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 08:04AM
Friday, June 5, 2015

Tonys 2015: Composer John Kander 'channels' his late partner, lyricist Fred Ebb by Barbara Isenberg

It's been 50 years since the debut of "Flora, the Red Menace," the first Broadway musical from composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 10:38PM
Saturday, August 30, 2014

'Fiddler on the Roof's' universal themes still resonate after 50 years by Barbara Isenberg

On Sept. 22, 1964, after the long-awaited Broadway opening of "Fiddler on the Roof," invited guests gathered at New York's swank Rainbow Room to celebrate. The first review that came in that…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 05:00PM
Saturday, February 1, 2014

Christopher Durang hangs with Chekhov, meets Tony by Barbara Isenberg

Playwright Christopher Durang humorously looks at people through a cracked lens. He's been popular, but not Broadway-popular. Then he started thinking: Chekhov. 'Vanya and Sonia ...' resulte…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 12:00PM
Saturday, June 1, 2013

Mark Morris choreographs the Ojai Music Festival by Barbara Isenberg

This year, the annual event is in the hands of of a man whose passion for music is as embedded in his spirit as dance. He promises an eclectic schedule.NEW YORK — You hear choreographe…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 11:00AM
Wednesday, May 29, 2013

'The Scottsboro Boys' to make its case at Ahmanson Theatre by Barbara Isenberg

Joshua Henry reprises his Tony-nominated role in the musical from John Kander and Fred Ebb, which revisits a chilling episode in U.S. history. Actor Joshua Henry admits he didn't know much a…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 09:30AM
Monday, June 4, 2012

Jerry Zaks hangs out with 'The Addams Family' by Barbara Isenberg

The Tony-winning director stepped in to work with the musical before Broadway. For the tour arriving at the Pantages, more changes were made. More tension, more laughs.Few properties have be…

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times at 03:00AM

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