By JK Clarke   As the preeminent American playwright of the late-20th century, Sam Shepard drew on life experiences to create his best plays, works of realism that portrayed contemporary, hardscrabble, rural and dysfunctional working-class Americans. Though the plays...

  By Sandi Durell   The sizzle and buzz at Feinstein’s/54 Below just entering the room is hot with anticipation, every seat filled. And then from off stage comes a familiar musical ring and voice of “Nowadays” (Kander and Ebb), as the one and only triple Tony winner, the unrivaled...

Tony nominated Maurice Hines (Eubie) will return to 54 Below ‘Tappin’ Thru Life’ on June 7 and 8 at 7 pm with the all female Diva Jazz Orchestra bringing with him tappers John Manzari and Leo Manzari. He’ll be paying tribute to brother Gregory, their lives in show...

  by Alix Cohen   Willkommen! And bienvenue! Welcome!/Fremder, étranger, stranger…Today’s entertaining session with Harvey Granat begins not with traditional introductions, but rather the opening to Kander and Ebb’s musical Cabaret. Sharp-edged and white-gloved, Bob Spiotto ushers...

  by Sandi Durell The stars shone in every category on May 23, 2019 at the 69th Annual OCC Award Ceremony at Sardi’s. The winners are genuinely happy to be present to accept their awards and give their thank you speeches because there’s no tension waiting for a winner name to...

  by Susan Hasho   Led by actress/singer Jill Senter and featuring Rob Langeder, Lyle Smith Mitchell and Sophia Tzougros, Celebrate the Moment is a revue, an honest-to-god revue. It features singing, dancing, and rousing musical arrangements. And most importantly it features an...

  By Steve Nardoni   At Feinstein/s 54 Below we were delighted to share a table with two charming young women, Sophie Huisken and Sidney Peebler, undergraduates at NYU and the New York Conservatory respectively, both aspiring performers majoring in musical theater.   Their...

  By Marilyn Lester   Each May the Mabel Mercer Foundation (MMF) salutes the work of a great American songbook composer at a fête in NYC’s Weill Recital Hall. It’s always a happy, festive affair, as a bevy of cabaret artists take the stage to interpret the work of the honoree. This...

          By JK Clarke   William Shakespeare’s Macbeth has probably been subject to more attempts at modernization and/or alteration than any  of his other works. Some versions, like Alan Cumming’s solo Macbeth on Broadway in 2013, were considered successful, but...

  Scott Siegel’s Broadway By The Year Series celebrates 1965 & 1978 with an all star cast at The Town Hall on May 20   by Linda Amiel Burns   It is remarkable that after 19 years, these concerts at The Town Hall celebrating the Broadway musical, continues to feel...

  by Carol Rocamora   A play about technology – with nary a trace of it? Leave it to the talented, unpredictable Dave Malloy to come up with a surprising new topic and an arresting new theatrical form to fit it. After all, he’s the one who compressed Tolstoy’s massive War and Peace...

  Although Tony and Grammy Award winner of Jersey Boys on Broadway and on screen has already begun his show at 54 Below, press had the opportunity to meet with him today and get some more information. Happily, Theater Pizzazz both filmed and interviewed JLY to find out some tidbits and...

      The press met with Laura Osnes  this morning at Feinstein’s/54 Below to chat with one half of the duo about their show opening tonight May 21 at 7 pm in order to find out a little more.  It’s an evening of Gershwin greats and other favorites and as Laura notes...

      by Sandi Durell   The 2019 Chita Rivera Awards was a star-studded evening on the red carpet, during interviews and in amazing performances at the NYU Skirball Center for Performing Arts throughout a 2 hour homage to everything and everyone connected to dance....

  Review by Matt Smith   “We need to learn from the past, so we don’t make the same mistakes.” Such is the overarching idea behind The Bigot, the provocative and politically-charged new play now shaking up the Theatre at St. Clements written by Gabi and Eva Mor and directed by...

      Urban Stages celebrated their 35th Annual Benefit evening on Wednesday May 15th at the Central Park Boat House, celebrating Woman in the arts. The first recipient was Broadway actress  Donna Murphy (alternate in Hello, Dolly for Bette Midler). She is the recipient of two...

  The New Dramatists held their 70th Annual Spring Luncheon honoring Tony and Academy Award winner Nathan Lane at the New York      Marriott Marquis on May 14. The stars were out in droves including:  Eva Noblezada, Reeve Carney, Beth Leavel, Caitlin Kinnunen, David Neumann, Warren...

  By Sandi Durell   Looking at this sweet and pretty charmer with a lilting soprano voice, you’d be hard pressed to think that singer-actress Joan Ryan has a four octave range until she easily proves otherwise. A recent L.A. to N.Y. transplant, Joan is filled with funny stories...

By Brian Scott Lipton   “You’ll be swell, you’ll be great.” Even before entering David Geffen Hall on May 16, fans of the legendary Patti LuPone were absolutely sure these words – sung for one year on Broadway by LuPone in “Gypsy” –would soon come true. But in reality, it proved hard to...

PITCH A TENT AT CAMP MORNING WOOD! …Camp Morning Wood, A Very Naked Musical plays a five-week limited engagement, May 29 – July 7, off-Broadway at The Anne L. Bernstein Theater at The Theater Center (201 W. 50th Street). The official opening night is June 6 at 8PM. Conceived and...

  The cast of Broadway’s award nominated The Cher Show sang and signed CDs at Barnes & Noble on May 14 for a full house of excited fans. Theater Pizzazz’ Maryann Lopinto was on the scene to capture the moment....

    Review By Sandi Durell   The great escape or, perhaps, fooling everyone might offer up a good subtitle to Jesse Eisenberg’s latest dramedy presented by The New Group that features an outstanding cast of actors who take on the roles. Meet the smiling narcissist Lorraine,...

  by Adam Cohen     Carl Reiner’s semi-autographical book Enter Laughing was adapted into a play, movie, and then a musical. The musical has been successfully and charmingly revived by the York Theatre Company as part of their 50th anniversary season. Reiner wields the story of...

          New York, NY (May 16, 2019) – Broadway.com announced the winners today for the 20th Annual Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards in 22 competitive categories. The winners were selected by fans who voted for all eligible candidates in a comprehensive...

  The American Theatre Wing (Heather Hitchens, President and CEO) and The Village Voice (Peter Barbey, President and CEO) are thrilled to announce the star-studded line-up of performers and presenters for the 64th Annual Obie Awards, being held on Monday, May 20, 2019 at Terminal 5 (610...

  Photos/Video: Shoshana Medney   The Stuttering Association for the Young (SAY.org) hosted its 17th Annual Benefit Gala, honoring long-time SAY supporter and Tony Award-winning director Thomas Kail with the Budd Mayer Advocacy Award, and inducting SAY’s Musical Director Everett...

  Review by Brian Scott Lipton   Anyone who has been in a decades-long marriage, or even observed one, is acutely aware that the routine of daily life often leaves little time – or reason – to ask the most pertinent question of all: “Do you still love me?” The query may linger in...

        By JK Clarke   The subculture surrounding the art of mushroom “hunting,” contrary to conventional expectations,  is ripe with intrigue, competitiveness and sometimes violence. In the forests of the Pacific Northwest of the United States (Oregon,...

  Review By Ron Fassler   One of my favorite scenes (among the many in Woody Allen’s 1986 screenplay for Hannah and Her Sisters), is a monologue enacted by Max Von Sydow, in which he reports to his girlfriend about an evening spent home alone in front of the television: “The worst...

    If it’s an accurate critique for foods and restaurants, rely on Bonnie Tandy Leblang at Bite of the Best to lead you in the right direction. Here are some of her latest picks and re-visits to whet your appetite.   By Bonnie Tandy Leblang Frenchette where dinner...

  Outer Critics Circle, the organization of writers and commentators for media covering New York theatre, announced today its award winners for the 2018-19 season in 27 categories. Stage favorites Jenn Colella, Tina Fey, Montego Glover, Hamish Linklater, Lindsay Mendez, and Lily...

  By Sandi Durell   Of course, we’re all aware that Mark Nadler is the epitome of Razzle Dazzle – an entertainer’s entertainer – a quadruple threat (sings, dances, acts and plays piano) – a man of great creative thought. It’s the creative thought behind his latest show entitled “The...

    On May 10, Shubert Alley was jammed with stars and fans alike. Broadway was out to celebrate the end of the 2019 season prior to the Tony Awards. It’s sponsored by the Broadway League and what a show it was! Featuring the Voice of God Valerie Smaldone....

          By Sheila Watko   On May 6, Feinstein’s/54 Below celebrated that exciting milestone that every actor looks forward to: Broadway debuts! So many incredibly talented performers have made their debuts this season and the evening was chock-full of high...

  Review by Cathy Hammer   It’s New Years Eve and Sean has returned from New York City to Campbell, California to celebrate with his closest friends from high school. The gathering is doubling as a launch party for Tom’s new app with an appropriately stupid name and an outrageous...

    Photos by JK Clarke   Drama Desk Nominees were out early at The Green Room 42 for photos and interviews. Here are lots of photos from the press junket.                                  ...

      The Vineyard Theatre Gala took place at the Edison Ballroom on May 6 to honor one of its own – Colman Domingo (Tony, Olivier, Drama Desk and Drama League Award Nominee) who made history when he was seen in Kander & Ebb’s final collaboration The Scottsboro...

  Review By Brian Scott Lipton   As with so many of City Center Encores!’ offerings over its past three decades, “High Button Shoes” is likely to lead to the whole “They don’t write them the way they used to/That’s just fine” conversation among many audience members. Indeed, our...

        By JK Clarke   I look forward eagerly to the twice-annual Shakespeare plays by the Public Theater’s Mobile Unit. The Mobile Unit holds a special place in my heart because its charter is to bring Shakespeare to communities that have no regular access to theater...

  By Sandi Durell   I will start out by saying that if you are not of the mind or heart to keep hearing the use of the “f” word without let up, or witnessing what to some might be considered stage porno, raunchy behavior and language that denigrates rather than elevates, then BLKS,...

                                                            Review by Carole Di Tosti   Caroline’s Kitchen written by Torben Betts, directed by Alastair Whatley begins as TV host Caroline (Caroline Langrishe) and Amanda (Jasmyn Banks) rehearse for the titular show which will...

        We hope you’re enjoying watching Part 1 (click) of the interviews with the Drama Desk Nominees, the actors!  The press junket was held at The Green Room 42, produced by BroadwayNews on May 8, 2019. Hear what many of the creatives behind the shows have to say...

          by Sandi Durell   The 64th Annual Drama Desk Awards, presented by Broadway News, held the nominee press junket at The Green Room 42. It was overflowing with the many nominees in so many categories. The fun is in eliciting the savory bits of information...

    By Marcina Zaccaria   The stage is a fall-out shelter that looks like a large shed, enclosed in metal, with sand on the sides and a desert plant in the distance. The coating of metal contrasts with bright green. Music loops. In a scented land, where time has little meaning,...

          By Samuel L. Leiter   As her well-performed new play, Lockdown, demonstrates, playwright Cori Thomas is deeply committed to using theatre as a way of helping to bring about reform in the American prison system. In addition to Lockdown, she’s been...

    Broadway.com announced nominations in 22 competitive categories for the 20th Annual Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards. The nominees were selected by fans who voted for all eligible candidates in a comprehensive survey. Nominated candidates will have the opportunity to be voted for...

  By Jeffrey Cohen Hard to believe, but Cirque du Soleil is now your father’s circus. After decades of astounding audiences of all ages, the Quebec-birthed troupe operates with military precision in delivering productions that defy expectations while making jaws drop. Their 38th original...

  Review By Marilyn Lester   Tweed caps off to the Irish Repertory Theatre for a stunning production of The Plough and the Stars, the last of Sean O’Casey’s Dublin trilogy. With The Shadow of a Gunman and Juno and the Paycock, O’Casey’s historical works have been brilliantly mounted...

    The 2019 Lucille Lortel Awards took place last night at NYU’s Skirball Center. Theater Pizzazz’s JK Clarke was on hand for the red carpet arrivals. Here’s some of the night’s photos. Full list of winners below.            ...

    Review by Sheila Watko     A New York City musical tradition, Joe Iconis & Family is currently in the midst of its spring run at Feinstein’s/54 Below. On Tuesday, April 30, the cast of 23 performers performed 15 songs, and this evening was particularly special....

  The press met with the cast of Enter Laughing (on its 50th Anniversary) at a recent sneak peek at the York Theatre and Theater Pizzazz was on the scene!   Based on Carl Reiner’s semi-autobiographical novel and Joseph Stein’s stage adaptation, this hilariously tuneful musical...

  The Theatre World Award winners are chosen by Roma Torre, David Cote, Joe Dziemianowicz, Peter Filichia, Harry Haun, Elysa Gardner, and Frank Scheck. Nathan Lane (currently starring in Gary – A Sequel to Titus Andronicus) will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 75th...

          By Sandi Durell   It’s a long morning for press and the Nominees who meet and greet them. This year’s press junket took place at Sofitel on West 45 Street on May 1. By 10 a.m. many of the nominees were being led into various rooms by their press reps to...

    Review by Sandi Durell   A very glamorous Julie Budd entered Birdland Theatre on May 1 packed with enthusiastic fans ready to hear all about ‘The Songs of My Life and the Composers Who Wrote Them.’ Julie’s been in the business of show since the age of 12, when she won a...

EXTENDED THRU JUNE 30 !   Review by Carol Rocamora   Ah, the porches of America… How many family dramas have we seen unfold on those familiar steps, verandas or backyards? Fences, Death of A Salesman, To Kill A Mockingbird…the list goes on and on. So Jack O’Brien’s choice to set his...

  On Thursday, May 30 leading NYC arts education nonprofit Inside Broadway (Executive Director, Michael Presser) and the groundbreaking Broadway musical BE MORE CHILL will present special Creating the Magic programs offering an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Broadway featuring...

        Review by Sandi Durell   This is a season for movies gone wild on Broadway (Pretty Woman, Network, To Kill A Mockingbird). But it’s Robert Horne’s (creator of Designing Women) cleverly written madcap book and Grammy Winner David Yazbek’s music and lyrics (The...

        By Adam Cohen   Café Carlyle is a legendary club in New York City. Nestled in The Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side, it was the music home of legends like Bobby Short. Seating only 90 it is one of the most intimate spaces for a great evening out. And...

      Review by Matt Smith     Carnegie Hall was aglow Monday night with an appropriately bright-and-beaming “Hat Full of Stars,” all of whom came out to salute singular songstress Cyndi Lauper, honored this year as part of the New York Pops’ 36th Birthday Gala...

  Photos: Shoshana Medney Video Interviews: Shoshana Medney & Sandi Durell The Chita Rivera Awards nominees reception took place Monday, April 29 at Bond 45 (221 W. 46th Street). Nominators consider outstanding choreography, featured dancers and ensembles in Broadway and Off-Broadway...