All stories by Michael on BroadwayStars

Thursday, January 12, 2017

Peter Hahlo obituary by Richard, Gerry and Michael Hahlo

Our father, Peter Hahlo, who has died aged 90, arrived in the UK as a refugee from the Nazis in 1938. With a label round his neck, a little money and few possessions, he boarded a kindertran…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:48PM
Sunday, January 8, 2017

Hillary Clinton Receives Ovation at ‘The Color Purple’ by Michael Paulson and Michael Barbaro

Mrs. Clinton was among the boldfaced names at the revival on Sunday afternoon, for the last performance of the show.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:42PM
Friday, December 30, 2016

Beyoncé to Black Mirror; the culture that defines 2016 by Archie Bland, Michael Billington, Peter Bradshaw, Daphne A Brooks, Tom Holland, Jonathan Jones, Justine Jordan, Brian Logan, Sean O'Hagan and Simon Parkin

How better to make sense of this turbulent year than through the art and literature it has produced? Our critics choose the works that sum up the last 12 monthsIf there is one film that hold…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:36AM
Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Post-Play Palaver: ‘Soft Revolution: Shafana and Aunt Sarrinah’ at Venus Theatre by John Stoltenberg and Michael Poandl

Post-Play Palaver is an occasional series of conversations between DCMetroTheaterArts writers who saw the same performance, got really into talking about it, and decided to continue their ex…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 11:59PM
Sunday, November 27, 2016

Roger Rees obituary by Michael Coveney and David Edgar

Versatile British actor known for his stage roles in Shakespeare and the RSC’s Nicholas Nickleby who found fame on US TV in Cheers and The West WingRoger Rees, who has died aged 71 after s…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:48PM
Friday, November 18, 2016

Off Broadway Equity Actors and Stage Managers Win Pay Increase by Michael Paulson and Jennifer Schuessler

After contentious contract talks, the Actors’ Equity Association and the Off-Broadway League have reached an agreement to raise pay for actors and stage managers.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:18PM
Thursday, November 10, 2016

A Pasek and Paul Primer by Erik Piepenburg and Michael Paulson

A look at this duo’s songwriting, told through videos.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:24PM
Friday, November 4, 2016

Tuesday Night’s Literal Showstoppers: Clinton and Trump by Michael Cooper and Michael Paulson

Many New York plays, musicals and operas will take election night off, as audiences are likely to want prime seats for the biggest spectacle: the election.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:24PM
Saturday, October 8, 2016

Post-Play Palaver: ‘Angels in America: Part Two: Perestroika at Round House Theatre and Olney Theatre Center by John Stoltenberg and Michael Poandl

Post-Play Palaver is an occasional series of conversations between DC Metro Theater Arts writers who saw the same performance, got really into talking about it, and decided to continue their…

SOURCE: DC Metro Theater Arts at 12:32PM
Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Encore!: the best theatre of autumn 2016 by Michael Billington and Lyn Gardner

Cardiff goes all in for Roald Dahl, David Bowie falls to Earth in London, and David Hare’s new play takes a tramp through the Connecticut snow. Plus, Glenda Jackson does Lear, and McKellen…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:34PM
Thursday, August 11, 2016

Alan Dossor obituary by Michael Coveney and Antony Sher

Theatre and TV director who oversaw a brilliant five-year period at the Liverpool Everyman in the 70sThe theatre and television director Alan Dossor, who has died of cancer aged 74, supervis…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:25AM
Thursday, July 28, 2016

Unconventional Summer Stars, Including a Helicopter by Michael Paulson, Steven McElroy, Erik Piepenburg and Laura Collins-Hughes

This summer, these four performers will play roles they might not get a chance to tackle otherwise.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:20AM
Wednesday, June 8, 2016

‘Hamilton’ Inc.: The Path to a Billion-Dollar Show by Michael Paulson and David Gelles

A breakdown of how much this Broadway blockbuster earns and stands to earn, and a tally of who will benefit most.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:44AM
Monday, June 6, 2016

Let It Go Go Go! Three Stage Versions of ‘Frozen’ Are on the Way by Michael Paulson and Brooks Barnes

Here’s what we know about the three live-performance versions of “Frozen” underway — including one by sea.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:22PM
Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Curtain-raisers: the best theatre of summer 2016 by Michael Billington and Lyn Gardner

Branagh channels Olivier, Isabelle Huppert lusts after her stepson and Ralph Fiennes gets the royal hump. Meanwhile there’s magic in the air as Harry Potter grows up – and Groundhog Day …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:52AM
Tuesday, May 3, 2016

‘Hamilton’ Aside, Where the Real Tony Competition Lies by Michael Paulson, Scott Heller and Charles Isherwood

A New York Times theater critic, the theater reporter and the theater editor discuss how the awards derby shapes up from here.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:52PM
Monday, May 2, 2016

Curtain-raisers: the best theatre of summer 2016 by Michael Billington and Lyn Gardner

Branagh channels Olivier, Isabelle Huppert lusts after her stepson and Ralph Fiennes gets the royal hump. Meanwhile there’s magic in the air as Harry Potter grows up – and Groundhog Day …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:38PM
Tuesday, March 29, 2016

The Ten-Dollar Founding Father Without a Father: Teaching and Learning With 'Hamilton' - The New York Times by Katherine Schulten and Sarah Gross and Michael Gonchar

Some ways to teach and learn with “Hamilton,” via articles, Op-Eds, reviews, archival materials and multimedia from The New York Times.

SOURCE: learning.blogs.nytimes.com at 10:50PM
Monday, February 22, 2016

See Who Will Play Bill Gates and Steve Jobs in Broadway Musical Nerds by Robert Viagas and Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Tony nominee Rory O'Malley (The Book of Mormon) and Bryan Fenkart (Memphis) have been tapped to play tech giants Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, respectively, in the forthcoming Broadway musi…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:44AM

See Who Will Play Bill Gates and Steve Jobs in Broadway Musical \nNerds by Robert Viagas,adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Tony nominee Rory O'Malley (The Book of Mormon) and Bryan Fenkart (Memphis) have been tapped to play tech giants Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, respectively, in the forthcoming Broadway mus…

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:43AM
Friday, February 19, 2016

Broadway-Bound SpongeBob Musical Picks Its Squidward and Patrick by Robert Viagas and Michael Gioia

The Broadway-aimed The SpongeBob Musical has announced additional casting of principal roles.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:26PM
Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Bill Gates-Steve Jobs Musical Nerds Sets New Broadway Start Date by Robert Viagas and Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Nerds, the new musical about tech giants Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, will begin Broadway previews April 1, one day later than originally announced. The production will bow at the Longacre The…

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:36PM
Friday, February 5, 2016

Super Bowl Prep! Football Terms Explained for Theatre People by Michael Gioia and Robbie Rozelle

Another Super Bowl is heading our way this Sunday. You've been invited to a party, but you're facing a dilemma: You're only educated in theatre! In our below list, Playbill.com e…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:30AM
Wednesday, January 27, 2016

If/Then National Tour Welcomes New Stars Tonight by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

The national tour of If/Then welcomes Jackie Burns, Tamyra Gray and Matthew Hydzik to its principal cast Jan. 27 in Dallas, TX.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Cabaret National Tour, Starring Randy Harrison, Launches Tonight by Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

The national tour of Kander and Ebb's Cabaret, co-starring Randy Harrison ("Queer As Folk," Wicked) and Andrea Goss, launches Jan. 26 in Providence, RI at the Providence Pe…

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Monday, January 25, 2016

Watch! The Full Lyrics to Every Theatre Fan’s New Anthem “BroadwayCon’s The Place For You!” by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner

It's catchy, it's awesome, it encapsulates all the feels from this weekend. Get off book on the official BroadwayCon song: "BroadwayCon's The Place For You." Check out …

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:00PM

Watch the Premiere of Your New Anthem “BroadwayCon’s The Place For You!” by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner

It's catchy, it's awesome, it encapsulates all the feels from this weekend. Get off book on the official BroadwayCon song: "BroadwayCon's The Place For You." Check out …

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:00PM

Broadway-Bound SpongeBob Musical Announces Lead Casting by Robert Viagas and Michael Gioia

The Broadway-aimed The SpongeBob Musical has cast a virtual unknown, Ethan Slater, in the title role of the "absorbent and yellow and porous" character.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:43AM
Sunday, January 24, 2016

BroadwayCon Carried On, Even as Broadway Went Dark by Erik Piepenburg and Michael Paulson

The theater-themed fan convention drew nearly 6,000 people for the three-day event at the New York Hilton Midtown, despite a massive snowstorm that shut down Broadway.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:18PM
Thursday, January 21, 2016

Performers Announced for Grammy Awards Telecast by Robert Viagas and Michael Gioia

Nominations for the 58th Annual Grammy Awards were announced Dec. 7, and the awards will be handed out starting at 8 PM ET Feb. 15 on CBS-TV.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:22PM
Thursday, January 14, 2016

High-Tech Nerds Musical Books Broadway’s Longacre for Spring Opening by Robert Viagas and Adam Hetrick and Michael Gioia

Promising "the most progressive technology ever seen on Broadway," Nerds, the new musical about tech giants Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, has booked Broadway's Longacre Theatre fo…

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:16AM