Tag Archives: Broadway

Stage And Screen Legend Chita Rivera Dies At Age 91

The New York Times reports: Chita Rivera, the fire-and-ice dancer, singer and actress who leapt to stardom in the original Broadway production of “West Side Story” and dazzled audiences for nearly seven decades as a Puerto Rican lodestar of the American musical theater, died on Tuesday. She was 91. The death was announced in a statement by her daughter, Lisa …

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LIVE VIDEO: Macy’s 97th Annual Thanksgiving Parade

The New York Times reports: An anti-L.G.B.T.Q. group is organizing a boycott of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade over performances by nonbinary Broadway actors, in the latest attempt to force companies to reverse course on social issues that some far-right groups consider too liberal. The parade’s response: march on. The group, which is called One Million Moms, says it has drawn …

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Broadway Union Reaches Tentative Deal To Avoid Strike

The New York Times reports: The union representing a segment of Broadway crew members reached a tentative agreement for a new contract with theater owners just as its members were voting on whether to authorize a potential strike, the organizations announced Thursday. The deal involved a subset of Broadway workers who are covered by what is known as the “pink …

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Actor Treat Williams Dies In Motorcycle Crash At 71

People Magazine reports: Treat Williams, the star of Everwood and Hair, has died after being involved in a motorcycle accident. He was 71. The actor’s death was confirmed to PEOPLE on Monday evening by his agent of 15 years, Barry McPherson. “He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off,” …

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Tony Awards Presenter Calls DeSantis “Grand Wizard”

Variety reports: Actor Denée Benton took aim at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during Sunday’s Tony Awards telecast, referring to the Republican presidential hopeful as a “Grand Wizard” as she presented an award for theater education. On CBS’ live telecast, Benton saluted the 2023 recipient of the excellence in theater education award, Jason Zembuch Young of South Plantation High School in …

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“Phantom” Closes On Broadway After 35-Year Run

ABC News reports: The final curtain came down Sunday on New York’s production of “The Phantom of the Opera,” ending Broadway’s longest-running show with thunderous standing ovations, champagne toasts and gold and silver confetti bursting from its famous chandelier. It was show No. 13,981 at the Majestic Theatre and it ended with a reprise of “The Music of the Night” …

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Nazis Harass Audience Outside Broadway Musical

The Daily Beast reports: Broadway star Ben Platt condemned “really disgusting” neo-Nazi protesters “spreading evil” who heckled theatergoers on Tuesday evening in line to see the first preview performance of the musical, Parade. The show, a Broadway transfer from the Encores! concert series, is based on the true story of a Jewish factory superintendent, Leo Frank, who was falsely convicted …

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School Cancels “Vulgar” Musical With Gay Characters

Cleveland’s Fox affiliate reports: After months of planning, a local school district abruptly canceled its musical, claiming it was “vulgar.” In a statement, the Cardinal Local Schools superintendent Jack Cunningham said, “The Cardinal Local School District has decided that its spring musical production will not be ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.’ Its dialogue and song lyrics contain vulgarity …

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Five-Time Tony Winner Angela Lansbury Dies At 96

The Hollywood Reporter reports: Angela Lansbury, the irrepressible three-time Oscar nominee and five-time Tony Award winner who solved 12 seasons’ worth of crimes as the novelist/amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher on CBS’ Murder, She Wrote, has died. She was 96. Lansbury, who received an Emmy nomination for best actress in a drama series for each and every season of Murder, She …

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Broadway’s “Phantom” To Close After Record 35 Years

The New York Times reports: “The Phantom of the Opera,” the longest-running show in Broadway history and, for many, a symbol of musical theater, will drop its famous chandelier for the last time in February, becoming the latest show to fall victim to the drop-off in audiences since the pandemic hit. The closing is at once long-expected — no show …

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“Hamilton” Team To Donate Damages From Church’s Anti-Gay Production To Local TX LGBTQ Rights Group

Rolling Stone reports: Weeks after putting on a production of Hamilton without permission and lacing it with homophobic teachings, a church in McAllen, Texas has apologized. The church will also pay damages to Hamilton‘s creators. Hamilton will donate the money to support a local gay rights organization. On Tuesday, nondenominational church The Door McAllen issued a statement on Instagram apologizing …

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Broadway Extends Mask Mandate Through End Of May

AM New York reports: In a statement, the Broadway League said that as of Sunday, the owners and operators of all 41 Broadway theaters are extending the mask requirement at least through the end of May but many will no longer check for vaccination status. The announcement recommended that theatergoers check individual theaters’ websites for more information. An update on …

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Broadway To Keep “Mask + Vax” Policies Thru April 30

The New York Post reports: Broadway will maintain its mask and vaccine policies through April despite Mayor Eric Adams rolling back many COVID-19 mandates starting Monday. “Our current guidance is through April 30, and we are scheduled to update that guidance on April 1,” Broadway League president Charlotte St. Martin said in a statement. “Discussions are held weekly on our …

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Broadway’s Harry Potter Fired For Alleged Misconduct

Deadline Hollywood reports: James Snyder, who has played the title character of Broadway’s recently retooled Harry Potter and the Cursed Child since the show returned from the pandemic shutdown, has been fired by producers following a complaint by co-star Diane Davis about Snyder’s conduct. The exact nature of the conduct has not been specified. But producers Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin …

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Broadway Sings For Sondheim In Times Square [Video]

Variety reports: On the red stairs above TKTS in Times Square, as the first flurries of the winter season drifted down on the city, members of every Broadway company—joined by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sara Bareilles, Josh Groban, Kathryn Gallagher and Lauren Patton—gathered in a chorus to sing “Sunday,” the heartrending act one finale to Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George,” …

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“Company” Revival Cast Dedicates Run To Sondheim

The New York Times reports: Hours after Stephen Sondheim’s death, the director of the Broadway revival of “Company” walked onstage before the curtain rose on Friday to acknowledge the news that many in the audience already knew but that some — judging by the murmurs that followed — had not yet heard. Around the same time, 32 blocks downtown, the …

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BREAKING: Stephen Sondheim Dies At Age 91

The New York Times reports: Stephen Sondheim, one of Broadway history’s songwriting titans, whose music and lyrics raised and reset the artistic standard for the American stage musical, died early Friday at his home in Roxbury, Conn. He was 91. His lawyer and friend, F. Richard Pappas, announced the death, which he described as sudden. The day before, Mr. Sondheim …

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Broadway Performer Arrested Over Capitol Riot [VIDEO]

From the Department of Justice: A Florida man, an affiliate of the Oath Keepers, was arrested today on charges related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, which disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election. James Beeks, 49, of …

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Two-Time Tony Nominee Loses Gig Over Vax Refusal

Page Six reports: Laura Osnes — who shot to fame when she won the talent search show “Grease: You’re the One That I Want!” in 2008, and has gone on to have a heavyweight Broadway career — was set to perform in front of a star-studded audience for a one-night production of “Crazy For You” at the Guild Hall in …

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Broadway Theaters To Require Vax Proof And Masks

The New York Daily News reports: Broadway audiences, performers and staff will have to provide proof of vaccination for COVID-19 and wear face masks inside the theater at least through October, the Broadway League announced Friday. The policy, which applies to all 41 Broadway theaters in New York City, will require guests to be fully vaccinated, meaning they must show …

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