All stories by Jeff Lunden on BroadwayStars

Monday, June 9, 2025

Who won and lost at the 78th annual Tony Awards Sunday night by Jeff Lunden

NPR gives the rundown of who won big and who was snubbed at the 2025 Tony Awards on Sunday night.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:12AM
Sunday, June 8, 2025

Broadway's videographers won't be honored at the Tony Awards — but they should be by Jeff Lunden

Every year, Jeff Lunden looks at those who do essential work on Broadway but aren't recognized by the Tonys. This year, he spoke with those who have made video a dazzling new Broadway trend.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:54AM
Saturday, June 7, 2025

78th Tony Awards preview: What to expect on Broadway's biggest night by Jeff Lunden

78th Tony Awards preview: What to expect on Broadway's biggest night

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:48PM

Broadway star Jasmine Amy Rogers' journey to her own Sardi's portrait by Jeff Lunden

In just a few years, Jasmine Amy Rogers has come full circle from a teen actor and singer to a Broadway star nominated for a Tony award.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:32AM
Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Two nonverbal actors star in a new opera — with an assist from AI by Jeff Lunden

The team behind Sensorium Ex worked for five years to develop sophisticated technology that uses artificial intelligence and vocal sampling to create an expressive voice.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 03:12PM
Friday, May 30, 2025

An opera cast someone who can't speak – AI gave him a voice by Jeff Lunden

Two non-verbal actors have been cast in a new opera, opening this week in Omaha. The production has worked for five years to develop technology to give them voice.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 01:54PM
Saturday, May 24, 2025

A new opera in Omaha uses technology to give voice to two non-verbal actors by Jeff Lunden

Two non-verbal actors have been case in a new opera, opening this week in Omaha. The production has worked for five years to develop technology to give them voice.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 11:32AM
Friday, May 16, 2025

Charles Strouse, Broadway composer of 'Annie' and 'Bye Bye Birdie,' has died at 96 by Jeff Lunden

Broadway composer Charles Strouse, creator of the hit musicals Bye Bye Birdie, Applause and Annie, died at his home in New York City on Thursday.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 09:03PM

Charles Strouse, Broadway composer of 'Annie' and 'Bye Bye Birdie,' has died at 96 by Jeff Lunden

Broadway composer Charles Strouse, creator of the hit musicals "Bye Bye Birdie," "Applause" and "Annie," died at his home in New York City on Thursday.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 09:03PM
Thursday, May 15, 2025

Charles Strouse, Broadway composer of 'Annie' and 'Bye Bye Birdie,' dies at 96 by Jeff Lunden

The Broadway composer of Annie and Bye Bye Birdie died Thursday at 96.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:32PM
Saturday, May 10, 2025

Composer John Adams' opera 'Antony and Cleopatra' opens in New York by Jeff Lunden

John Adams has been called America's greatest living composer. His adaptation of Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra" opens at the Metropolitan Opera, in New York, next week.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 12:42PM
Thursday, May 1, 2025

Nominations for the 2025 Tony Awards – Broadway's highest honors – are announced by Jeff Lunden

While Broadway's box office is approaching pre-pandemic levels, fewer shows are making money, so the showcase of the national Tony broadcast is an invaluable marketing tool.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 09:42PM
Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Bodega cats aren't just cute; some in N.Y. also consider them working animals by Jeff Lunden

Kitty lovers started a petition to reclassify cats as necessary to tackle rodents at New York City bodegas.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 02:54AM
Monday, April 28, 2025

Two new original musical comedies on Broadway share a curious plot point by Jeff Lunden

Two new original musical comedies based on true historical events are the toast of Broadway this spring -- and both feature corpses as a major plot point.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 02:36AM
Friday, April 25, 2025

Bodega cats aren't just cute. They're working animals by Jeff Lunden

Many of New York's bodegas (convenience stores) feature popular residents -- cats. They help keep vermin out and invite customers in. They are popular on Instagram, but they are not legal.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 07:48PM
Saturday, April 12, 2025

Award-winning composer William Finn dies at 73 by Jeff Lunden

The award-winning composer and lyricist William Finn died this week. He's best known for "Falsettos" and "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 09:03AM
Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Indonesian residents in New York hold monthly food bazaar to celebrate their culture by Jeff Lunden

Indonesian residents of Queens, N.Y., gather once a month to celebrate the culture and food of their homeland. The emphasis is on the food.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 04:54AM
Monday, March 31, 2025

Three plays starring Oscar winners are currently leading the Broadway box office by Jeff Lunden

Three plays with Oscar-winning celebrities are currently leading the Broadway box office.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:18PM
Sunday, March 16, 2025

This Betty Boop is Broadway's newest star by Jeff Lunden

Jasmine Amy Rogers is starring in her first Broadway musical. Eight years ago, NPR talked with her when she was still in high school.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:18AM
Monday, March 10, 2025

South African playwright Athol Fugard, who chronicled apartheid, dies at 92 by Jeff Lunden

Prolific South African playwright Athol Fugard, who chronicled apartheid and its aftermath, has died at the age of 92.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:32AM

Playwright Athol Fugard, who chronicled apartheid and its aftermath, dies at 92 by Jeff Lunden

The celebrated South African playwright was known for Blood Knot, The Road to Mecca and "Master Harold"...and the Boys. He said his job was to make "leaps out of my reality and into other re…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 01:06AM
Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Swing Day held to honor performers who step in to fill roles at the last minute by Jeff Lunden

On Broadway and national tours, the performers who substitute for various chorus members at the drop of a hat are known as "swings." Wednesday is designated "National Swing Day" in their hon…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:36AM
Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Peter Yarrow of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary has died at 86 by Jeff Lunden

Yarrow wrote or co-wrote some of the group's biggest 1960s hits, including "Puff, the Magic Dragon" and "Day Is Done."

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:06PM
Saturday, December 21, 2024

How casting makes this 'Gypsy' hit different by Jeff Lunden

Gypsy has been called the best musical of all time. Audra McDonald is starring in a new Broadway revival, and the race-conscious casting gives the production a new frame.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 07:42AM
Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Trains, tracks, and tradition: Lionel celebrates 125 years of Christmas fun by Jeff Lunden

Lionel trains turns 125, celebrating more than a century of holiday magic. From historic models to smartphone-controlled locomotives, these iconic toy trains continue to captivate kids and c…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 06:42AM

Iconic model Christmas train maker Lionel Trains celebrates 125 years by Jeff Lunden

A Lionel toy train around the Christmas tree continues to be a fixture of holiday tradition in some families. The iconic American company is about to roll into its 125th anniversary.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 12:12AM
Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Some NYC households will opt for carrot cake instead of pie this Thanksgiving by Jeff Lunden

Lloyd's Carrot Cake has been a New York institution for nearly 40 years. Every Thanksgiving customers from near and far flock to the shop to purchase the moist cakes, topped with cream chees…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 12:06AM
Monday, October 21, 2024

Like bike sharing and scooter sharing, you can now share umbrellas in some cities by Jeff Lunden

To the list of bike sharing, car sharing, and house sharing, you can now add umbrella-sharing. New York is among the world cities where you might find a kiosk that allows you to rent an umbr…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:31PM
Saturday, July 13, 2024

A day in the life of a baseball 'clubbie' by Jeff Lunden

Behind every major league ball team are a set of fast-moving men and women who make sure the game runs smoothly.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:48AM
Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Nonprofit pairs sighted riders with visually impaired riders on tandem bikes for free by Jeff Lunden

Riders who participate in InTandem Cycling in New York find out it's more than just riding a bike and more than just exercise. It's socialization, good for your mental health and its teamwor…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:42AM
Thursday, June 20, 2024

A Juneteenth album captures the rhythm of life by Jeff Lunden

Wynton Marsalis, Bryan Stevenson and a host of musicians release a record that captures the rhythm of life

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 01:12AM