All stories by JON CARAMANICA on BroadwayStars

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Utkarsh Ambudkar Finally Gets His Broadway Shot in ‘Freestyle Love Supreme’ by Jon Caramanica

The rapper and actor missed having a “Hamilton” moment with his longtime collaborators. But after getting sober and forging his own path, he’s ready to spit the truth.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:06PM
Wednesday, December 26, 2018

New Year’s Eve: A Guide to Music and Comedy Events by Jon Caramanica, Elysa Gardner, Sean L. McCarthy, Jon Pareles and Giovanni Russonello

Phish at the Garden, drag shows in Brooklyn, jazz in the Village, comedy perilously close to Times Square and more: Where to laugh, dance, mosh and jam in 2019.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:54PM
Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Critic's Notebook: ‘La La Land’ Is Stuck in Its Own Time by Jon Caramanica

The film moves through the present moment — political, racial, representational — with blinders on, our critic writes.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:17PM
Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Beyond ‘Hamilton,’ for Better and for Worse by Jon Caramanica

Lin-Manuel Miranda and the stars of his hit musical are moving out from under the umbrella of this new cultural brand, and trying to extend its lessons.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:54PM
Thursday, September 8, 2016

Daveed Diggs Jets From ‘Hamilton’ Into the Future With Clipping by Jon Caramanica

The Tony-winning actor has another album with the noise-rap collective, as well as a recurring role on the new season of “black-ish.”

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:49AM
Sunday, June 26, 2016

Two Tony-Winning ‘Hamilton’ Stars Step Out With New Albums by Jon Caramanica

New releases by Leslie Odom Jr. and Daveed Diggs serve as a reminder of life after ‘Hamilton,’ but also of life before it.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:52PM
Friday, September 25, 2015

Popcast: Lin-Manuel Miranda Discusses How Hip-Hop Influenced Him and ‘Hamilton’ by Jon Caramanica

Mr. Miranda joins The Times’s weekly pop music podcast to talk about the songs that were important to him and the rappers who inspired characters and scenes in his work.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 07:21PM
Monday, September 14, 2015

Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally on ‘Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical’ by Jon Caramanica

The show is an extension of the long working relationship that has made them two of the most in-demand and disruptive songwriters in country music.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:57PM
Thursday, August 27, 2015

Exploring ‘Hamilton’ and Hip-Hop Steeped in Heritage by Anthony Tommasini and Jon Caramanica

Anthony Tommasini and Jon Caramanica discuss Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:27AM
Monday, May 25, 2015

Comedian, Rebranded by JON CARAMANICA

Chris Rock is getting ready for his Broadway debut in a Stephen Adly Guirgis play, a move in keeping with a recent spate of internal and external reassessments of middle-aged comedians.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Comedian, Rebranded by Jon Caramanica

Chris Rock is getting ready for his Broadway debut in a Stephen Adly Guirgis play, a move in keeping with a recent spate of internal and external reassessments of middle-aged comedians.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM

Fun, Fun, Fun With Porgy, Bess and George by STEPHEN HOLDEN, JON PARELES, JON CARAMANICA and BEN RATLIFF

New albums by Brian Wilson, John Mellencamp, Trace Adkins, Esperanza Spalding and Boris & Ian Astbury.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM
Friday, July 18, 2014

Popcast: Can Hip-Hop Thrive on Broadway? by Jon Caramanica

Jon Caramanica and Charles Isherwood discuss “Holler if Ya Hear Me,” the musical based on the work of Tupac Shakur, and what its failure means for hip-hop on Broadway.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:07PM
Wednesday, June 4, 2014

‘Holler if Ya Hear Me’ Uses Songs by Tupac Shakur by Jon Caramanica

“Holler if Ya Hear Me,” a new Broadway musical that weaves songs and poetry from the rapper Tupac Shakur, is set to open on Broadway.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:00AM
Thursday, March 31, 2011

'American Idol': The Top 11. Again. by Jon Caramanica

Casey Abrams is becoming the tortured victim of this season of "Idol." He's had to go to the hospital on a couple of occasions for ulcerative colitis.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:45PM
Thursday, March 24, 2011

"American Idol": The Top 11 by Jon Caramanica

This week was the best of the "Idol" season so far, and possibly the best ever for this early in the competition, when there's typically some dead weight still waiting to be purged.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:46AM
Thursday, March 17, 2011

"American Idol": The Top 12 by Jon Caramanica

Favorites like Jacob Lusk, Lauren Alaina and Casey Abrams began to show signs of fatigue, and Stefano Langone and Pia Toscano continued their steady ascents to the top of the pile. It was a …

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:54AM
Thursday, March 10, 2011

'American Idol': Few Hits, Mostly Misses by Jon Caramanica

If Wednesday night's performances, on the first proper competition night, revealed anything, it's that the institutional memory of this show, and the tentativeness of its performers, will fo…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:39AM
Friday, March 4, 2011

'American Idol's' Unfortunate Casualties by Jon Caramanica

This week, the 24 semifinalists were slashed down to the group of 13 finalists - a good old-fashioned bloodbath, and a reminder that "American Idol" still has teeth.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:40AM
Thursday, March 3, 2011

Comedian, Rebranded by Jon Caramanica

Chris Rock is getting ready for his Broadway debut in a Stephen Adly Guirgis play, a move in keeping with a recent spate of internal and external reassessments of middle-aged comedians.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:32PM
Wednesday, March 2, 2011

"American Idol": The Top 12 Guys by Jon Caramanica

On Tuesday night's semifinal round show, which featured the season's top 12 male contestants, audition-round favorites were exposed as scammers, charlatans and fools. This season's conceit, …

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:40AM
Friday, February 25, 2011

'American Idol': The Top 24 by Jon Caramanica

This week's cuts whittled down the group of contestants to 24 semifinalists, 12 men and 12 women, who will begin performing next week. It's too soon to know how they'll perform under live fi…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:50AM
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011

Live Blogging the Grammys by Jon Caramanica and Dave Itzkoff

Jon Caramanica and Dave Itzkoff are live blogging the 53rd annual Grammy Awards. Check back for updates throughout the night.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:00PM
Friday, February 11, 2011

'American Idol': Hollywood Week by Jon Caramanica

Hollywood Week is likely the most grueling part of "American Idol" for an aspirant, but for a viewer, it's the dullest.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:00PM
Thursday, February 10, 2011

'American Idol': ... and Don't Forget J.Lo! by Jon Caramanica

Steven Tyler is getting the attention on "American Idol," but Jennifer Lopez is proving to be an insightful and succinct judge.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:56AM
Friday, February 4, 2011

American Idol: God, Complex by Jon Caramanica

The audition of Aaron and Mark Gutierrez on American Idol was a reminder of the secret history of Christian worship in "Idol."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:15AM
Wednesday, February 2, 2011

'American Idol': A Beautiful Use of Negative Space by Jon Caramanica

This is what happens on "American Idol" when nothing happens on "American Idol."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:43PM
Friday, January 28, 2011

American Idol: How To Shape A Star by Jon Caramanica

Certainly someone at 19 Entertainment - the parent company of "American Idol" and the record label and management company to which winners are bound - has been tasked with solving the proble…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:33AM

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