All stories by Ryan McPhee on BroadwayStars

Saturday, April 18, 2020

The Daily Distraction: A Sensible Millie Option-Up From Gavin Creel by Ryan McPhee

What do you need with love when you've got a B flat?

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:58AM

Paula Vogel Put Her Story as a Gay Jewish Woman Onstage in Indecent by Ryan McPhee

The Tony-nominated and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright wrote the story of her own marginalization in the history play, which opened April 18, 2017.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Friday, April 17, 2020

The Daily Distraction: Rock Hudson and Bea Arthur Sniff, Swig, Puff Their Cares Away by Ryan McPhee

Don't try this at home—even if "everybody today is turnin' on."

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:45PM
Thursday, April 16, 2020

Michael Mayer, Judy Kuhn, More Set for New Live at the Lortel Podcast Episodes by Ryan McPhee

The final five episodes of Season 1 were recorded remotely.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:59PM

The Daily Distraction: Country or Opera? Kelli O'Hara Says 'Both' by Ryan McPhee

The Tony Award winner celebrates her birthday April 16; watch her show off her range in "They Don't Let You in the Opera (If You're a Country Star)."

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:51PM

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Pushes Toronto Bow to 2021 by Ryan McPhee

Performances were originally slated to begin in October.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:15AM

Moby-Dick Musical, Billy Porter-Helmed The Purists, More Earn 2020 Elliot Norton Award Nominations by Ryan McPhee

The virtual ceremony will also present a posthumous Sustained Excellence honor to Boston stage veteran Johnny Lee Davenport.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, April 15, 2020

The Daily Distraction: The O.C. Predicted the End Times (According to Oscar at The Crown) by Ryan McPhee

Check out a full performance of the club musical's show-stopping "Julie," featuring a Real Housewives conspiracy and screlting.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:40AM

Will Chase and Ingrid Michaelson Join the Tiger King Craze With Their Own Music Video by Ryan McPhee

Tony nominee Chase plays Joe Exotic in their spoof, "Tigers and Young Men."

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:23AM
Tuesday, April 14, 2020

The Daily Distraction: Faith Prince and Nathan Lane Go Head-to-Head (and Purse-to-Head) in Guys and Dolls by Ryan McPhee

Revisit the Tony-winning pair's definitive rendition of "Sue Me."

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:54PM

West End Theatres and U.K.'s Equity Reach Agreement Ensuring Job Security for Actors by Ryan McPhee

The new terms arrive as London theatres remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:09PM
Monday, April 13, 2020

Metropolitan Opera to Present a Live Streamed, Globe-Trotting 'At-Home Gala' by Ryan McPhee

Over 40 singers will take part from their homes around the world.

SOURCE: Playbill at 06:57PM

Los Angeles Theatre Artist Diane Rodriguez Dies at 68 by Ryan McPhee

The writer, director, and performer was a leader at such organizations as Center Theatre Group, the Theatre Communications Group, and the National Council on the Arts.

SOURCE: Playbill at 05:19PM

Broadway Marquees to Go Blue Weekly in Solidarity With Those on the COVID-19 Front Line by Ryan McPhee

Instead of dimming to mourn, theatres will shine messages of encouragement.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:05PM

The Daily Distraction: Audra McDonald Has All the Answers by Ryan McPhee

The Tony winner croons you through getting rid of hiccups, a boiled egg hack, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:46PM
Sunday, April 12, 2020

The Daily Distraction: Look Who's Here (It's Ann Miller) by Ryan McPhee

The star of musicals on stage and screen appeared in Paper Mill Playhouse's 1998 production of Follies.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:59AM
Saturday, April 11, 2020

The Daily Distraction: Karen Ziemba Seduces Bill Irwin With Sondheim by Ryan McPhee

Sooner or later she always gets her man...

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:59AM
Friday, April 10, 2020

Kristin Chenoweth Channels Carole Baskin for Andrew Lippa's Tiger King Musical Parody by Ryan McPhee

Listen to the Tony and Emmy winner sing "Little Pieces," inspired by the hit Netflix docuseries.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:55PM

Goodspeed Postpones World Premiere of Anne of Green Gables Musical by Ryan McPhee

The Connecticut venue had already moved its spring production of South Pacific to the fall.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:26PM

The Daily Distraction: Giddy On Up With Laura Bell Bundy by Ryan McPhee

The Tony nominee traded the Broadway stage for the saloon in her first country single.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:47PM

Lincoln Center Cancels All Remaining 2020 Summer Programming by Ryan McPhee

Impacted engagements include lineups from Midsummer Night Swing, the Mostly Mozart Festival, and Lincoln Center Out of Doors.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:21AM
Thursday, April 9, 2020

Broadway Marquees Will Go Blue in Solidarity With Those on the COVID-19 Front Line by Ryan McPhee

Instead of dimming to mourn, theatres will shine messages of encouragement April 9.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:28PM

The Daily Distraction: Paul Robeson Sings 'Ol' Man River' for Sydney Opera House Workers by Ryan McPhee

The singer and activist, born on this day in 1898, reworked the Oscar Hammerstein lyrics to become an anthem of resistance.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:01PM

Watch Disney on Broadway Stars Unite Remotely to Sing 'Go the Distance' by Ryan McPhee

Nine stage favorites went digital to commemorate ABC's "Day of Hope."

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:24AM

Listen to a Cut Song From the Mean Girls Musical by Ryan McPhee

"Bossed Up" opened the second act during the show's pre-Broadway world premiere.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:03AM

Playbill Viewing: Season 4 of The Good Fight Starring Christine Baranski, Audra McDonald, and More Theatre Faves by Ryan McPhee

Plus get a first look at Tony winner Annaleigh Ashford's new recurring role on the CBS All Access drama, returning April 9.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM
Wednesday, April 8, 2020

How Theatre Award Ceremonies Are Handling the Coronavirus Shutdown by Ryan McPhee

From the Tonys to the Obies, here's what's happening with the spring awards season.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:06PM

The Daily Distraction: Liz Callaway Finds a 'Beautiful City' While Driving Through New York by Ryan McPhee

The Tony nominee serenades and soothes in her "AutoTunes" videos.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:42PM

Broadway Theatres Extend Shutdown as Coronavirus Outbreak Looms Over New York City by Ryan McPhee

Shows were initially slated to close through April 12; they’re now hoping to resume in June.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:02AM

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