All stories by Sam Eckmann on BroadwayStars

Friday, May 19, 2023

Dane Laffrey (‘A Christmas Carol’ scenic designer) on the mysteries of his ‘shapeshifter’ set: ‘We want the space to be unreliable’ [Exclu by Sam Eckmann

When Jefferson Mays wanted to perform a solo version of “A Christmas Carol,” scenic designer Dane Laffrey knew right away that it wasn’t going to be a simplistic approach with an actor…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:30PM

Sean Hayes (‘Good Night, Oscar’) on embodying Oscar Levant and tickling the ivories: ‘I could just see the mountain I had to climb’ [Exclusive by Sam Eckmann

“It’s rare that lightning in a bottle happens, but it did with this show. It’s wild,” exclaims Sean Hayes of “Good Night, Oscar.” The actor received a Tony Award nomination for h…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM
Tuesday, May 9, 2023

Michael Arden (‘Parade’ director) on the trial of Leo Frank: ‘If we don’t grapple with the trauma… we are bound to repeat it’ [Exclusive V by Sam Eckmann

“The whole point of the piece to me is that if we don’t grapple with the trauma and the history of our past, we are bound to repeat it,” explains Michael Arden of “Parade.” The dir…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM
Saturday, April 29, 2023

2023 Tony Awards slugfest: Final predictions for musical nominations [WATCH] by Sam Eckmann

Another busy Broadway season has drawn to a close and Tony nominations are just days away. David Buchanan joins me in a rousing slugfest to sift through what musicals will be remembered at t…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 07:30PM
Friday, April 28, 2023

2023 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round 3): Aaron Sorkin contends for ‘Camelot,’ a ‘Shucked’ star goes lead, and more by Sam Eckmann

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met on April 28, for the third and final time during the 2022-2023 Broadway season, to discuss the eligibility of 11 productions for the 76th Annual …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:45PM
Thursday, April 27, 2023

Marchánt Davis (‘Ain’t No Mo’ and ‘Good Night, Oscar’) on deepening ‘the humanity’ of multiple roles at the Belasco [Exclusive Video In by Sam Eckmann

Marchánt Davis can’t seem to keep away from the Belasco Theatre. He starred in Jordan E. Cooper’s “Ain’t No Mo’” at the 44th street haunt in December, and now just a few months …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:30AM

Calvin Leon Smith (‘Fat Ham’) on the ‘ultimate release’ of turning trauma into catharsis [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

The tone of “Fat Ham” runs the gamut from heavy drama to absurd humor, but Calvin Leon Smith admits, “don’t get the immediate gratification of laughter.” The actor portrays Larry i…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:30AM
Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Andrew T. MacKay (‘Life of Pi’ composer) on making music in the rehearsal room to ‘get an instant reaction’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I really felt like theater was a family,” reveals Andrew T. MacKay. The composer has worked extensively on film, but his contributions to “Life of Pi” mark his first foray into comp…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM

Chris Herbie Holland (‘Fat Ham’) on being a ‘healer’ for the audience: ‘We can choose joy everyday’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“One thing that I’ve always strived for…is to be a healer,” reveals Chris Herbie Holland. Lucky for him then, that his character Tio in James Ijames’ “Fat Ham” is the person re…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 04:30PM

Outer Critics Circle nominations: ‘New York, New York’ leads with 12, ‘Leopoldstadt’ has 6 by Sam Eckmann

The Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers and national publications, today announced the nominees for the 72nd Annua…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 02:00PM

Jordan E. Cooper (‘Ain’t No Mo’) on exploring ‘the mosaic of Blackness and queerness’ in America [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I’m one of those people who will always have to find something to laugh about,” reveals playwright and actor Jordan E. Cooper. During the summer of 2016, he was reeling from the killi…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:30AM

Alex Joseph Grayson (‘Parade’) on staying present and removing ‘the mask’ of Jim Conley [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

Alex Joseph Grayson sees the Broadway revival of “Parade” as a chance to grow “more relaxed and more present as a performer.” The actor plays Jim Conley in the Michael Arden-helmed p…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 10:30AM
Tuesday, April 25, 2023

2023 Drama League Award nominations: 47 performers compete for Distinguished Performance by Sam Eckmann

The Drama League today announced the nominations for the 2023 Drama League Awards. Honoring achievements on and Off-Broadway, the nominations were announced this morning by Roger Bart (“Ba…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:45PM

Colton Ryan (‘New York, New York’ and ‘Poker Face’) on recreating the sound of the 1940s and working with legends [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I’m a nerd first,” Colton Ryan quickly points out. In that sense, the actor is having the time of his life on his two recent projects which have connected him with legends in the indu…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM

Victoria Clark (‘Kimberly Akimbo’) on how her 16-year-old character teaches the preciousness of life [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“I don’t think I’m done creating this part! It’s still an exploration,” reveals Victoria Clark in reference to the title character of “Kimberly Akimbo.” In this new musical fro…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 11:30AM
Monday, April 24, 2023

Brandon Uranowitz (‘Leopoldstadt’) explores Jewish ‘family, identity and memory’ in Tom Stoppard’s sprawling play [Exclusive Video Interview by Sam Eckmann

“The play is about family, identity and memory,” reveals Brandon Uranowitz when asked to synthesize the epic scope of Tom Stoppard’s “Leopoldstadt.” Having grown up Jewish within a…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 12:30PM
Friday, April 21, 2023

Will Swenson (‘A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical’) lives out his ‘wildest dreams’ by embodying the iconic singer [Exclusive Video In by Sam Eckmann

“I’m not exaggerating when I say that I grew up on Neil Diamond,” reveals Will Swenson. “He’s my Dad’s favorite singer of all time. So it was just fed to us with our breakfast, p…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM
Thursday, April 20, 2023

Arian Moayed (‘A Doll’s House’) on discovering ‘deep truths’ through unconventional staging [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“We’re going after so many deep truths,” reveals Arian Moayed of the current revival of “A Doll’s House.” Director Jamie Lloyd has staged Amy Herzog’s new adaptation on a mostl…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM

Crystal Lucas-Perry (‘Ain’t No Mo’ and ‘1776’) on exploring ‘what it meant to be Black in America, Black in the world’ [Exclusive Video by Sam Eckmann

When the pandemic shifted production schedules of two long-gestating projects, Crystal Lucas-Perry found herself performing in two powerful works back-to-back in her debut season on Broadway…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:30PM
Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Patina Miller (‘Into the Woods’) on how motherhood helped her understand what The Witch is ‘fighting for’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“What’s exciting for me is being able to appreciate what’s come before me, but also not letting that cloud me in any way,” explains Patina Miller when discussing her portrayal of The…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM
Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Matthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin (‘Some Like it Hot’) on the ‘impossible work’ of writing the book of a musical [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“We’re both rowdy and silly so I think it was pretty clear that you could say whatever you wanted and it would be fine,” says Amber Ruffin of working with writing partner Matthew Lopez…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM
Monday, April 17, 2023

Jennifer Weber (‘& Juliet’ and ‘KPOP’ choreographer) on being ‘inspired by the explosion of numbers in pop concerts’ [Exclusive Video by Sam Eckmann

”I love working with actors, it’s so fun,” says Jennifer Weber in our recent webchat. She adds, “Because you get to find what’s unique about each person and the way they bring thei…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM
Friday, April 14, 2023

Lorna Courtney (‘& Juliet’) on finding empowerment through pop songs: ‘You have to light your own fire within’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

Lorna Courtney gets the crowds at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre to dance and groove in their seats eight times a week in the infectious new musical “& Juliet.” The show utilizes iconi…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM
Thursday, April 13, 2023

Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (‘Some Like it Hot’ composers) on creating an MGM-sounding score [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“Our characters are wrestling with very contemporary situations,” explains Scott Wittman of the musical “Some Like it Hot.” He and Marc Shaiman are the Tony-winning songwriting duo b…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM
Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Bonnie Milligan (‘Kimberly Akimbo’) explores the complexities of love and grief: ‘It’s an honor to provide that kind of catharsis’ [Exclusiv by Sam Eckmann

“What I find fun about these characters is how to make them human and as real as possible,” explains Bonnie Milligan. The actress is currently starring in the Broadway transfer of “Kim…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM

Ariana DeBose will return to host 2023 Tony Awards in New York City’s Washington Heights by Sam Eckmann

Get ready for her to do the thing, again! Oscar winner and Tony nominee Ariana DeBose will return to host the 76th Annual Tony Awards, from the historic United Palace in New York City’s Wa…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:15PM
Tuesday, April 11, 2023

2023 Tony Awards eligibility rulings (round 2): Stephen McKinley Henderson, Linedy Genao confirmed as lead actors by Sam Eckmann

The Tony Awards Administration Committee met on April 11, for the second time during the 2022-2023 Broadway season, to discuss the eligibility of seven productions for the 76th Annual Tony A…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 06:45PM

Casey Nicholaw (‘Some Like it Hot’ director) on crafting an epic chase sequence: ‘It was seriously like Tetris’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“We just knew we wanted it to feel contemporary,” explains Casey Nicholaw of his new musical “Some Like it Hot.” Although the show is adapted from the classic film of the same name, …

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM
Monday, April 10, 2023

Martyna Majok (‘Cost of Living’) gets personal writing about ‘little miracles of connection’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“When I write plays, I hope that they’re useful,” confesses “Cost of Living” playwright Martyna Majok. “I write them partly to feel less alone myself. And I hope that in going to…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 05:30PM

Brian d’Arcy James (‘Into the Woods’) on finding new meanings in Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“It was an extraordinary group of people,” says Brian d’Arcy James as he thinks of his “Into the Woods” co-stars. The actor notes that he was “the new kid on the block” given t…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 03:30PM

Stephen McKinley Henderson (‘Between Riverside and Crazy’) on ‘how precious family is’ [Exclusive Video Interview] by Sam Eckmann

“It was a family type of thing,” says Stephen McKinley Henderson of working on “Between Riverside and Crazy.” The play reunited him with a longtime collaborator and friend, playwrigh…

SOURCE: Gold Derby at 01:30PM

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