All stories by John Bonazzo on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

In Broadway Orchestras, Nostalgia Gets a Second (and Third) Act by John Bonazzo

These musical revivals, along with the recently closed 'Sunday in the Park With George,' make decades-old music sound new and exciting.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 06:00AM
Thursday, May 18, 2017

Twitter’s Best Account Combines ‘Hamilton’ Lyrics With ‘Monsters, Inc’ by John Bonazzo

This parody account which combines the Broadway musical with Pixar is helping the show stay viral, even though the Ham4Ham shows are over.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 06:45AM
Tuesday, May 2, 2017

‘Great Comet,’ ‘Hello, Dolly’ and ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Lead Tony Nominations by John Bonazzo

'Dear Evan Hansen' was also one of the top musicals, while 'A Doll's House, Part 2' and 'Oslo' dominated play categories.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:54AM
Thursday, April 27, 2017

Diversity Falls by the Wayside as New York Theater Critics Grapple With Economics by John Bonazzo

As critics get laid off or leave publications, the media has to grapple with how it covers theater and the people it hires to cover it.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:05PM
Monday, April 24, 2017

Wallace Shawn Just Found Out That Laurie Metcalf Was Also in ‘Toy Story’ by John Bonazzo

While seeing a play this weekend, this reporter inadvertently taught the 'Princess Bride' star something about his own films.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:27PM
Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Bobby Conte Thornton on Making His ‘Out of Control’ Broadway Debut in ‘A Bronx Tale’ by John Bonazzo

The 24-year-old actor makes his Broadway debut in the musical created by Chazz Palminteri, Robert De Niro, Jerry Zaks and Alan Menken.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 06:00AM
Monday, April 10, 2017

This Year’s List of Pulitzer Prize Winners Is Dominated by Trump Stories by John Bonazzo

The prizes for national and international reporting, commentary, photography and drama all had connections to President Donald Trump.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:31PM
Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Cobie Smulders: The Laughter Is Present by John Bonazzo

The star of 'How I Met Your Mother' and 'The Avengers' cracks jokes with Kevin Kline while her husband Taran Killam stars in Hamilton.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 06:00AM
Tuesday, March 28, 2017

How a Tony-Winning Musical Inspired GoFundMe’s Latest Viral Campaign by John Bonazzo

Dennis Wickline was inspired to start the campaign (which has a flexible goal structure) after seeing Alison Bechdel's story in Los Angeles.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:26AM
Tuesday, March 14, 2017

‘Groundhog Day’ Musical Producer Smacks Down Ticket Scamming Troll on Message Board by John Bonazzo

A Broadway.com message board user asked over $300 for tickets he had gotten for free; the producers' response became a viral marketing tool.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 06:30AM
Monday, February 27, 2017

9 Hilarious Memes of the Epic ‘La La Land’/‘Moonlight’ Oscars Fail by John Bonazzo

Soon after Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway announced the wrong Best Picture winner, memes of the incident appeared on Twitter.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:49AM
Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Even the Haters Will Be Delighted By This 8-Bit Remake of ‘La La Land’ by John Bonazzo

The video, made by CineFix, retells the story of the Oscar favorite using classic 8-bit effects.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:06PM
Friday, February 10, 2017

Michael Potts Tackles the ‘Particular Humanity’ of August Wilson’s ‘Jitney’ by John Bonazzo

Potts, who also appeared in 'The Book of Mormon,' decided to become an actor after seeing Wilson's Fences.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:26PM
Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Theater Critic Charles Isherwood Leaves New York Times by John Bonazzo

Isherwood specialized in spotlighting Off Broadway hits like In the Heights and Spring Awakening before they came to Broadway.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:02PM
Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Lady Gaga Sheds Light on the Neurological Effects of PTSD by John Bonazzo

Her story also illustrates how the condition can affect civilians, according to a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:42PM
Wednesday, November 16, 2016

This Podcast Will Take You Inside Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Head by John Bonazzo

Broadway Backstory brings listeners behind the scenes of hit Broadway musicals like In the Heights.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:39PM
Monday, November 14, 2016

ESPN Used Science to Prove That ‘Lion King’ Dancers Are Athletes by John Bonazzo

John Brenkus, host of Sports Science, went behind the scenes to test the stamina, quickness, balance and power of Lion King cast members.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:40PM
Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Kristin Chenoweth: Still Elegant After All These Years by John Bonazzo

With a new album, a series of Broadway concerts and a role on Hairspray Live, the Tony winner is more popular than ever.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 01:12PM
Thursday, September 29, 2016

Parody Is Dead: The Real Grumpy Cat Will Appear in ‘Cats’ on Broadway by John Bonazzo

Grumpy Cat will make her Broadway debut tomorrow night. This one-night-only appearance will mark the first time an actual kitty has appeared in the show.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 02:50PM
Thursday, September 22, 2016

8 of Broadway’s Best Bets for Fall 2016 by John Bonazzo

The shows we think you’ll fall in love with this autumn

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:00AM
Wednesday, August 31, 2016

10 of the Best ‘Hamilton’ #Ham4Ham Viral Videos by John Bonazzo

The last live pre-lottery performance (for now) is this afternoon.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:23AM
Friday, August 12, 2016

Theater Clickbait Is Real, But This Twitter Account Wants to Stop It by John Bonazzo

One of America's best known theater websites is filled with sponsored content and factual inaccuracies, but Playbill Is On It.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:07AM
Monday, June 13, 2016

‘Hamilton’ Dominates Tony Awards With 11 Wins by John Bonazzo

The ceremony celebrated diversity while also acknowledging tragedy.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:19AM
Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Danny Burstein Wants a Five-Way Tie at the Tonys by John Bonazzo

The six-time nominee on playing Tevye and enjoying the awards season ride.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 12:10PM

The Tony Awards Are About More Than Just ‘Hamilton’ by John Bonazzo

One musical is getting all the attention this year, but many other Broadway shows also deserve an audience

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 11:42AM
Friday, June 3, 2016

‘Shuffle Along’ Star Talks Tonys and Diversity by John Bonazzo

Brandon Victor Dixon may be starring in the Broadway musical 'Shuffle Along,' but he can’t avoid reminders of his earlier roles.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:02PM
Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Shakespeare Downtown: The Latest Troupe Bringing the Bard to the Big Apple by John Bonazzo

The theater company will kick off its inaugural season next week with Romeo and Juliet.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 03:52PM
Monday, May 30, 2016

A Memorial for the Flops of the 2015-16 Broadway Season by John Bonazzo

So on this Memorial Day, we present a tribute to the unloved plays and musicals which, for better or worse, didn't click with audiences and closed early

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 09:00AM
Thursday, May 26, 2016

#HamofThrones Proves Hamilton and Hodor Were Made for Each Other by John Bonazzo

Lin-Manuel Miranda's latest social media challenge led to memes of ice and fire.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 10:30AM
Tuesday, May 24, 2016

A Broadway Show Is Crowdfunding to Pay for Its Tony Performance by John Bonazzo

Deaf West Theatre wants to raise $200,000 to bring the show back to the Great White Way for one night.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 04:04PM
Monday, May 23, 2016

Bryan Cranston Goes ‘All the Way’ and Makes LBJ Come Alive by John Bonazzo

The film makes history that could easily be dry and boring come alive and even illuminate the present moment.

SOURCE: The New York Observer at 06:21AM

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