All stories by Bruce Weber on BroadwayStars

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Robert Brustein, Passionate Force in Nonprofit Theater, Dies at 96 by Bruce Weber

A critic and dramatist himself, he started repertory companies at Yale and Harvard and fiercely defended the art form, even if it meant feuding with playwrights.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:13PM
Friday, November 26, 2021

Stephen Sondheim, titan of the American musical, is dead at 91 by Bruce Weber

Stephen Sondheim, one of Broadway history’s songwriting titans, whose music and lyrics raised and reset the artistic standard for the American stage musical, died early Friday at his home …

SOURCE: www.seattletimes.com at 07:25PM

Stephen Sondheim, Titan of the American Musical, Is Dead at 91 by Bruce Weber

He was the theater’s most revered and influential composer-lyricist of the last half of the 20th century and the driving force behind some of Broadway’s most beloved and celebrated shows.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:32PM
Wednesday, March 24, 2021

George Segal, Durable Veteran of Drama and TV Comedy, Is Dead at 87 by Bruce Weber

Best remembered for his role in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” but later memorable for his comedic work.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:42AM
Friday, February 5, 2021

Christopher Plummer, Actor From Shakespeare to ‘The Sound of Music,’ Dies at 91 by Bruce Weber

His performance as Captain von Trapp in one of the most popular movies of all time propelled a steady half-century parade of television and film roles.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:18PM
Monday, April 27, 2020

Bernard Gersten, Offstage Star of Nonprofit Theater, Dies at 97 by Mervyn Rothstein and Bruce Weber

He helped run Joseph Papp’s Public Theater (shepherding “A Chorus Line”) and the New York Shakespeare Festival, then helped revive Lincoln Center Theater.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:48PM
Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Hal Prince, Giant of Broadway and Reaper of Tonys, Dies at 91 by Bruce Weber

Mr. Prince helped bring to life a stunning lineup of shows: “Cabaret,” “Sweeney Todd,” and Broadway’s longest-running spectacle — “The Phantom of the Opera.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:54PM

Hal Prince, Giant of Broadway and Tony Award Collector, Dies at 91 by Bruce Weber

Mr. Prince helped bring to life a stunning lineup of shows: “Cabaret,” “Sweeney Todd,” and Broadway’s longest-running spectacle — “The Phantom of the Opera.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:52AM
Wednesday, October 31, 2018

María Irene Fornés, Writer of Spare, Poetic Plays, Dies at 88 - The New York Times by Bruce Weber

María Irene Fornés, a Cuban-born American playwright whose spare, poetic and emotionally forceful works were hallmarks of experimental theater for four decades, died on Tuesday in Manhatta…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:39PM

María Irene Fornés, Writer of Spare, Poetic Plays, Dies at 88 by Bruce Weber

Ms. Fornés won acclaim and awards for her experimental works. But her fellow playwrights often said her achievements far outstripped her fame.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:18PM
Saturday, January 28, 2017

John Hurt, British Actor Hailed for His Shape-Shifting Roles, Dies at 77 by Bruce Weber

Mr. Hurt was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of the title role in the 1980 film “The Elephant Man.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:03AM
Friday, September 16, 2016

Edward Albee, Playwright of a Desperate Generation, Dies at 88 by Bruce Weber

Mr. Albee, who wrote “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” “The Zoo Story” and “Three Tall Women” among other plays, charted the gap between self-delusion and truth in contemporary…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:06PM
Thursday, August 11, 2016

John Vaccaro, Iconoclastic Director, Dies at 86 by Bruce Weber

Mr. Vaccaro created so-called ridiculous works that sought to reveal the uncensored chaos that exists in people’s minds.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:16PM
Wednesday, August 3, 2016

James Houghton, Founder of Signature Theater Company, Dies at 57 by Bruce Weber

Mr. Houghton also served as artistic director of the troupe, which presents season-long programs featuring the work of just one playwright.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:01PM
Sunday, July 31, 2016

Zelda Fichandler, a Matriarch of Regional Theater, Dies at 91 by Bruce Weber

Ms. Fichandler was a founder of the Arena Stage in Washington in 1950, building it into a professional force that helped spur the growth of theater companies around the country.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:22PM
Wednesday, July 27, 2016

James Nederlander, Theater Owner Known as Broadway’s Last Patriarch, Dies at 94 by Bruce Weber

The man who built a theater empire was frequently a producer of shows as well.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:45PM
Saturday, June 18, 2016

Desmond Heeley, ‘Alchemist’ of Theater Design, Dies at 85 by Bruce Weber

Those who worked with Mr. Heeley often described him as an alchemist or magician who could see with the eyes of the audience.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:20PM
Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Charlie Cox Takes Off the ‘Daredevil’ Mask to Go ‘Incognito’ by Bruce Weber

In the play “Incognito,” Mr. Cox, best known as Daredevil on Netflix, plays a man who has no memories.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:24PM
Monday, June 6, 2016

Peter Shaffer Dies at 90; Playwright Won Tonys for ‘Equus’ and ‘Amadeus’ by Bruce Weber and Robert Berkvist

Movie versions of Mr. Shaffer’s ambitious plays helped elevate his status at home in Britain and in the United States.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:31PM
Thursday, March 31, 2016

Shannon Bolin, 99, Actress Who Starred in ‘Damn Yankees,’ Dies by Bruce Weber

Ms. Bolin played Meg Boyd in both the Broadway and film version of the 1950s musical.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:41AM
Sunday, March 13, 2016

Michael White, Colorful Impresario With a Taste for the Outlandish, Dies at 80 by Bruce Weber

Mr. White could depart from the mainstream to produce “The Rocky Horror Show,” “Oh! Calcutta!” and “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:02PM
Thursday, March 10, 2016

Martha Wright, Who Played Leading Roles in Beloved Musicals, Dies at 92 by Bruce Weber

Ms. Wright replaced Mary Martin in “South Pacific” and “The Sound of Music,” logging more than 1,200 performances, yet not becoming a household name.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:16PM
Sunday, January 17, 2016

Brian Bedford, Stage Actor Who Brought the Classics to Life, Dies at 80 by Bruce Weber

The versatile Mr. Bedford gained renown at Stratford in Canada and on Broadway portraying dozens of characters, most notably in works by Shakespeare, Molière and Chekhov.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:32PM
Sunday, January 10, 2016

Billie Allen, Actress Who Bridged Racial Gap, Dies at 90 by Bruce Weber

Ms. Allen appeared on and off Broadway when New York theater was not especially welcoming to black performers, and she helped integrate network television.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:49PM

Rick Cluchey Dies at 82; Prison Theater Was His Redemption by Bruce Weber

After his release from prison, Mr. Cluchey spent time in Europe with Samuel Beckett.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:33PM
Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Don Gregory, Theater Producer of Solo Shows, Dies at 80 by Bruce Weber

Mr. Gregory worked with Richard Burton as King Arthur, Rex Harrison as Henry Higgins and many others.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:36PM
Saturday, October 24, 2015

Jerome Kass, Writer for Broadway, Film and TV, Dies at 78 by Bruce Weber

Mr. Kass was nominated for a Tony for the 1978 musical “Ballroom,” based on his Emmy-nominated teleplay about a Bronx widow who visits a dance hall.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:01PM
Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Donald R. Seawell, Theater, Newspaper and Civic Leader, Dies at 103 by Bruce Weber

After his years in New York, Mr. Seawell led The Denver Post and was a major force behind Denver’s performing arts center.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:39PM
Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Melvin Bernhardt, Tony-Winning Director Who Helped Stars Shine, Dies at 84 by Bruce Weber

Known for his astute casting and skillful work with actors, Mr. Bernhardt directed many leading stage performers on Broadway and won a Tony for “Da.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:36PM
Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Barbara Brecht-Schall, Guardian of Father’s Plays, Dies at 84 by Bruce Weber

Mrs. Brecht-Schall managed the works of Bertolt Brecht and performed with the Berliner Ensemble, the troupe founded by him.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:57PM
Sunday, August 2, 2015

Robin Phillips, Director Who Revitalized Canada’s Stratford Festival, Dies at 75 by Bruce Weber

Mr. Phillips, a British theater director, added productions and brought in stars like Maggie Smith during his tenure as artistic director in the ’70s.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:22PM

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