Broadway Press Day with Ruthie Fierberg

Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire returns to Broadway with a world premiere! The Balusters officially opened on April 21 in a production from Manhattan Theatre Club. “The Balusters” follows the board of a neighborhood homeowners association across several of their monthly meetings. This neighborhood is the fictional Vernon Point, a historic, landmarked district of wealth and beauty. When new board member Kyra (played by Tony winner Anika Noni Rose) wants to make a change, the monthly meetings turn from collaboration to chaos.In this episode, Rose and her nine co-stars as well as playwright Lindsay-Abaire and director Kenny Leon give host Ruthie Fierberg a lay of the land when it comes to the brand-new comedy. Listen in to learn what to expect from this cast of wild and familiar characters.Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

Welcome to Schmigadoon “where the sun shines bright from July to June” and it's a musical every day. Based on the Apple TV+ series of the same name, “Schmigadoon!” now comes to Broadway. Created by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul, Paul says that he had always intended the show to be a stage musical, but TV came first!The original musical follows a modern-day couple who end up trapped in Schmigadoon. They must find their true love in order to escape, but is that with each other?In this episode, host Ruthie Fierberg chats with Paul about his inspiration for the show and his process writing songs that feel fresh and familiar. Director-choreographer Christopher Gattelli offers insights about his ideas for the dance and overall look of the show. Actors Alex Brightman (“Beetlejuice”), Sara Chase (“The Great Gatsby”), Max Clayton (“The Music Man”), Ayaan Diop, Ivan Hernandez (“Dear Evan Hansen”), McKenzie Kurtz (“The Heart of Rock n Roll”), Isabelle McCalla (“Water for Elephants”) and Brad Oscar (“Something Rotten!”) give us a glimpse of their characters and what to expect from Schmigadoon! on Broadway.Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

Gina Gionfriddo’s dark comedy “Becky Shaw” first bowed Off-Broadway in 2008 and went on to become a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Now, the play is on Broadway at the Helen Hayes Theatre with an intimate ensemble cast of five that stars Patrick Ball (The Pitt), Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid’s Tale), Alden Ehrenreich (Ironheart), Linda Emond (Cabaret, 2014) and Lauren Patten (Jagged Little Pill).Starting with a blind date gone wrong, Gionfriddo’s play tackles issues of class and power in the context of romantic partnership — and the merging of families. In this episode, Gionfriddo and director Trip Cullman describe the meat of the play while the actors offer takes on their characters and what to expect from the “savage” play.Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

The smash, long-running musical “Cats” returns to Broadway in brand-new and glorious form as “Cats: The Jellicle Ball.” This is not your grandparents’ “Cats.” There isn’t a feline to be found, in fact. The 2026 revival, which started Off-Broadway at the Perelman Performing Arts Center, sets “Cats” in the the context of a ballroom competition. (Think FX’s “Pose.”) Co-directors Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, co-choreographers Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons and members of the cast tell host Ruthie Fierberg about the history of ballroom and the alchemy between ballroom and musical theater in this episode. Plus, “Cats” actors Jonathan Burke, Baby Byrne, Sydney James Harcourt, Dava Huesca, Leiomy and “Tempress” Chasity Moore weigh in on what’s different about their characters in this version, how they manage all those death drops and duck walks and how ballroom contains a message for everyone.Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

“Beaches” made a splash in the cultural lexicon when it debuted in cinemas in 1988. The film starred Bette Midler as Cee Cee Bloom and Barbara Hershey as Hillary Essex, two best friends who met as children under the Atlantic City boardwalk and then weathered life’s trials and tribulations together for decades — until one of them falls fatally ill. But the truth is, “Beaches” was a novel before it was a movie. And that novel was inspired by author Iris Rainer Dart’s own friendship. In this episode, Dart reveals the connections between the cultural, tear-jerking phenomenon and her own life.Plus, host Ruthie Fierberg gets the scoop from composer Mike Stoller, co-directors Matt Coward and Lonny Price, producer Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso and stars Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett about what to expect from the stage musical version of the beloved “Beaches.”Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

Vampires return to Broadway with the new musical “The Lost Boys,” an adaptation of the 1987 movie, which starred Jason Patric, Kiefer Sutherland and Dianne Wiest. The musical stars newcomer LJ Benet, Ali Louis Bourzgui and two-time Tony Award nominee Shoshana Bean.The story follows the Emerson family: mom Lucy, played by Bean, and her two sons Michael (Benet) and Sam (Benjamin Pajak). Michael falls in with a gang called The Lost Boys, who are both a rock band and, secretly, a coven of vampires.Real-life indie rock band the Rescues makes their Broadway debut writing the original score for "The Lost Boys." (You may recognize their music from the "Grey's Anatomy" soundtrack.) Broadway News executive editor spoke to the bandmates turned musical theater songwriters, as well as book writers Chris Hoch and David Hornsby ("It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and director Michael Arden about creating the musical. Then, we hear from Bean, Benet, Bourzgui and more actors from the company about what to expect from their characters, the story and the epic production of "The Lost Boys" on Broadway.Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

The interactive solo play “Every Brilliant Thing” has become a famous title around the world. In February 2026, the dramedy makes its Broadway debut, starring Tony Award winner (and forever Harry Potter) Daniel Radcliffe.Written by Duncan Macmillan with Johnny Donahoe, the play is structured as a list of all of the things worth living for as told by a child whose mother suffers from chronic depression. Radcliffe will play that child, who begins at age seven and ends the play closer to the actor’s actual age. “Every Brilliant Thing” also involves the audience as helpers in building this list. (Though Radcliffe has an important PSA about audience participation in this episode.)The play has been produced in over 60 countries. It was captured for HBO. But Macmillan, Radcliffe and co-director Jeremy Herrin tell host Ruthie Fierberg what to expect from this specific Broadway mounting in this episode. Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway. Mentioned in this podcast:A Life of Its Own: The Incredible Journey of ‘Every Brilliant Thing’

In 2025, host Ruthie Fierberg gathered five leader of top-tier Broadway advertising and marketing firms for an advertiser roundtable. That foundational conversation raised even more questions and led to this Part 2.Fierberg chats with Liz Furze, chief executive officer of AKA NYC; Callie Goff, managing director and chief creative officer of SpotCo; Jeremy Kraus, managing partner of Situation; Ilene Rosen, founder of RPM; and Matt Upshaw, chief executive officer of Serino Coyne. They shared their expert insights and got into greater detail for the industry professionals out there.In this Part 2, they break down 1) what data they are paying attention to, how they use it and why it’s important, 2) what they wish clients better understood, 3) why moment-making is (or isn’t) useful to a campaign, 4) how they’re thinking about social media versus websites and 5) how AI can be used as a benefit to theater.Want to watch the video of this conversation? Click here.

Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominee Carrie Coon returns to Broadway for the first time since 2013 with “Bug,” a psychological thriller by Pulitzer Prize and Tony winner Tracy Letts. In this episode, host Ruthie Fierberg talks to Coon about her “Bug” character, Agnes, and the differences between Agnes and her famous characters from “The Gilded Age” and “The White Lotus.” Plus, Coon declares “Bug” is the art we need right now. You'll also hear from Letts, who shares the genesis of the play; director David Cromer, who reveals the key to the play's ending; Coon's co-star Namir Smallwood, who offers thoughts about building his character; as well as supporting actors Randall Arney, Jennifer Engstrom and Steve Key.Ruthie admits that, based on the description of the show, she's excited but also nervous to see the play. If you share the same fear, this episode is a must to understand what you can expect in this 2026 Broadway mounting of “Bug.”Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

A new, original musical has arrived on Broadway: “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).” Book writer and lyricist Kit Buchan and composer Jim Barne have brought their musical romcom to the Longacre Theatre — inspired by movies like “When Harry Met Sally,” “Crossing Delancey” and Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy.“Two Strangers” started in the U.K. before coming to America. It follows a young Brit (played by Sam Tutty) who has dreamt of New York City and comes for the first time for his estranged father’s wedding. Retrieving him from the airport is a native New Yorker (Christiani Pitts) and the sister of the bride. In this episode, Buchan and Barne reveal how they invented the story of “Two Strangers,” how they found their pop sound and how they balance the reality and fantasy of NYC. Director Tim Jackson also talks with host Ruthie Fierberg about his vision for the show and getting deep into these two characters. Finally, Tutty and Pitts share how they’ve built their characters and what people can expect from the musical.Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

Nearly 40 years since “Chess” debuted on Broadway, a revival of the musical by Sir Tim Rice (“Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Evita”) and Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (ABBA) has opened on Broadway. But this “Chess” is more a revisal — It features the songs of the original (albeit in a different order) and a brand new book by Emmy Award winner Danny Strong (“Game Change,” “Dopesick”).In this episode of “Broadway Press Day,” host Ruthie Fierberg talks to Strong about rewriting the known “problem musical” to give it a plot that makes sense and clear characters we can root for. Set during the Cold War, Aaron Tveit plays American chess champion Freddie Trumper. He and his strategist (and lover) Florence, played by Lea Michele, are prepared to face off against the Russian champion Anatoly Sergievsky, played by Nicholas Christopher. But chess is more than a board game — it’s the game these three are playing with their hearts, and it’s the game the KGB and CIA are playing with nuclear weapons.Stars Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher (the actors playing out this sexy love triangle) describe their characters and why they said yes to the project. Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer offers up what to expect from the experience; music supervisor Brian Usifer and choreographer Lorin Latarro give a preview of the orchestral sound and high-flying dance; while the supporting cast (Bryce Pinkham, Bradley Dean, Hannah Cruz and Sean Allan Krill) all share secret insights about the Cold War musical.Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

Tony Award-nominated playwright Bess Wohl ("Grand Horizons") and Tony-nominated director Whitney White ("Jaja's African Hair Braiding") each return to Broadway with the new play "Liberation." The ensemble play premiered Off-Broadway in the spring of 2025 and played a sold-out run with the Roundabout Theatre Company. Now, "Liberation" has transferred to Broadway for a limited engagement at the James Earl Jones Theatre.The production features the entire original ensemble in a groundbreaking work. The play toggles between present day and the 1970s as a woman named Lizzie imagines what her mother’s consciousness-raising group during feminism’s second wave might have been like. A theatrical piece on this topic could feel heavy, but Wohl’s script and its mounting have a glow and a lightness to it.In this latest episode: Wohl, White and members of the cast dive deep with host Ruthie Fierberg to discuss what audiences can expect from "Liberation" and the process behind making it.

Two-time Tony Award nominee Bobby Cannavale, Tony winner James Corden and Tony winner Neil Patrick Harris return to Broadway in the first revival of Yasmina Reza's Tony-winning play “Art.”A comedy about male friendship, “Art” begins when Serge buys a white painting for $300,000. The purchase creates a crack in his longtime friendship with Marc — how could Marc be friends with someone who values something so basic, boring and trendy? And how could Serge be friends with someone who thinks something he loves isn’t more than meets the eye? And whose side will their buddy Yvan take? In this episode, all three actors reveal why they said “yes” to the project, what they relish about their character and what the meaning is at the center of “Art.” You'll also hear from nine-time Tony-nominated director Scott Ellis about assembling the cast and more.Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter became best buds 40 years ago when they starred in what would become the first movie of the “Bill & Ted” franchise. Now, the two are on Broadway together in the latest revival of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot.”As Reeves tells host Ruthie Fierberg, doing the play with Alex and director Jamie Lloyd was his idea. Here, Keanu explains why he reveres the play; Alex describes their long friendship; Jamie shares his vision and co-stars Brandon J. Dirden and Michael Patrick Thornton reveal what they are excited for audiences to experience.Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

After years of building Broadway back after the COVID-19 shutdown, the industry enjoyed a resurgent 2024-2025 season. But the business is also at a turning point. Those who work in entertainment know about the “crowded landscape” and the need to “break through the noise.” As Broadway turns toward a new chapter, Broadway News wanted to learn from the advertisers themselves. What are the challenges of advertising Broadway shows in 2025? What are the innovations to which industry mavens need to pay attention? Host Ruthie Fierberg chats with Liz Furze, chief executive officer of AKA NYC; Callie Goff, managing director and chief creative officer of SpotCo; Jeremy Kraus, managing partner of Situation; Ilene Rosen, founder of RPM; and Matt Upshaw, chief executive officer of Serino Coyne shared their expert perspectives on advertising in the biz. What ensued was a dynamic conversation that included 1) how they measure a successful campaign, 2) why every show needs to be a brand — or not, 3) what shows they think have created an effective brand, 4) what they’re concerned about with Broadway audiences, 5) what they think of budgets and more.Want to watch the video of this conversation? Click here.

In July 2011, 18-year-old Jacob Dunne was a renegade, running amok, selling drugs, partying and always looking for a fight. But one night, when he joined a brawl, he threw a single punch that killed James Hodgkinson. Jacob went to prison and, upon his release, nearly returned to the aggressive life he'd been living. But then James’ parents reached out with questions. What ensued was a restorative justice process between Jacob, David and Joan to repair the harm that was done. The true story is now dramatized in the play “Punch,” written by Tony Award-nominated playwright James Graham. The play premiered in 2024 at the Nottingham Playhouse in the U.K. and began Broadway performances on Sept. 9, 2025. In this episode, Graham, director Adam Penford and the cast of Manhattan Theatre Club’s new Broadway production tell host Ruthie Fierberg about what to expect from the drama and how they hope it will change the world.Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

In 1999, “Mamma Mia!” debuted in London’s West End — and musical theater was never the same. It was the first show of the modern era to use a single artist’s catalog, namely pop sensation ABBA, to tell an original story that had nothing to do with those artists. “Mamma Mia!” became a massive hit and transferred to Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre in 2001.Today, “Mamma Mia!” has returned to the Winter Garden, where it is playing a six-month limited run.But the musical has evolved over the last 25 years. In this episode, host Ruthie Fierberg talks to the production’s supervising director, choreographer and music maven about the details embedded in this Broadway mounting. Plus, hear from the actors playing Donna, Tanya and Rosie about stepping into their characters and onto the Broadway stage.Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

Best known as Comedy Central’s “roastmaster,” comedian Jeff Ross will make his Broadway debut with his show “Take a Banana for the Ride.” The show begins performances on Aug. 5, 2025, at Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre. Here, Ross speaks with Broadway News executive editor Ruthie Fierberg about what to expect from “Take a Banana for the Ride,” why it’s different from his usual roasting and what inspired him to come to Broadway. Want to be the first to hear these chats? ⁠Subscribe to broadwaynews.com⁠ today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes, many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, located at Lincoln Center in New York City, opened in 1965. It houses collections like the Jerome Robbins Dance Division, Music and Recorded Sound Division, Billy Rose Theatre Division as well as a circulating collection. According to the branch’s executive director, Roberta Pereira, it houses the largest known collection of theater photography in the world.This year, as the institution celebrates its 70th year, the Tony Awards have granted the library a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre. Host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of  Broadway News, spoke to Pereira about what makes the library special and what programs and exhibits to expect in the coming months.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Roberta Pereira; photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Each year, the Tony Awards recognizes outstanding achievements on Broadway with special Tony Awards. This year, one of those was bestowed upon the illusions and visual effects team of Broadway’s new sci-fi thriller “Stranger Things: The First Shadow.”To watch “The First Shadow” is to witness innovation in design and technical theater — in addition to its dramaturgical and performance accomplishments. “The First Shadow” leveraged the talents of illusions and visual effects designers Jamie Harrison and Chris Fisher, technical director Gary Beestone and scenic design supervisor Edward Pierce.Harrison, Fisher, Beestone and Pierce are the recipients of the special Tony for creating battleships that disappear in a flash, mind flayers that descend from the heavens, levitating actors and much more. Here, Pierce delves into the team’s approach to the stage magic, a secret of the mind flayer and the most complex task he had to accomplish for the Broadway production in a conversation with host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of  Broadway News.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Edward Pierce, photo by Mike Coppola for Getty Images/Tony Awards Productions

The Muny opened its first production on June 16, 1919. This year, 106 years later, the Muny received the 2025 Regional Theatre Tony Award.Current artistic director and executive producer Mike Isaacson joined the Muny in 2011, launching his first season in 2012. Isaacson is only the third person to lead the Muny in its history. Here, Isaacson talks about what makes the Muny special, how the theater has become a St. Louis institution and how the venue puts on a new production every week for seven weeks each summer for over 300,000 audience members.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Mike Isaacson; photo by Mike Coppola for Getty Images/Tony Awards Productions

“Sunset Boulevard” opened at Broadway’s St. James Theatre on TK, after a successful run in London’s West End. The four principal actors from the London production transferred to Broadway: Nicole Scherzinger, Tom Francis, David Thaxton, Grace Hodgett Young. Scherzinger and Francis are nominated for Tony Awards for their individual performances and “Sunset Boulevard” is nominated for Best Revival of a Musical.The four actors told host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of  Broadway News, about their fresh perspectives on their characters, the skills they honed to act onstage and on camera simultaneously (in this unique multimedia revival) and more.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.

Costume designer Holly Pierson made her Broadway debut this season with the runaway comedy hit “Oh, Mary!” by Cole Escola. Prior to Broadway, Pierson designed for television, including the comedy series “At Home with Amy Sedaris.” Learn how Pierson designed character through costume for “Oh, Mary!” in this chat with host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of  Broadway News.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Holly Pierson; photo by Mike Coppola for Getty Images/Tony Awards Productions

After making his Broadway debut with “English,” Knud Adams earned his first Tony Award nomination for Best Direction of a Play. Sanaz Toossi’s play started Off-Broadway and won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.Hear more of the director’s insights, including counsel for directors taking on the work in this conversation with host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of  Broadway News.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Knud Adams; photo by Mike Coppola for Getty Images/Tony Awards Productions

Actor Kara Young has been nominated for four Tony Awards in four consecutive years — and is the first Black actor (and only the second overall) to do so. Young currently appears in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Purpose” as Aziza.Here, Young tells host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of  Broadway News, about her history-making moment, the essence of her character and the change in her from performing “Purpose.”Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Kara Young; photo by Mike Coppola for Getty Images/Tony Awards Productions

Cartoon character Betty Boop is known quite literally for her image. Costume designer Gregg Barnes used the illustration for the foundation of the look for “Boop! The Musical!”’s titular character to create multiple styles for her. In addition to Betty herself, Barnes created two distinct worlds in which the musical lives: a black-and-white cartoon land and multicolored New York City. The worlds collide in the number “Where Is Betty?” as you can see in this video. Now, Barnes is nominated for a Tony Award for his “Boop!” creations. Learn how Barnes designed every outfit in this chat with host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of  Broadway News.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Gregg Barnes; photo by Mike Coppola for Getty Images/Tony Awards Productions

Marco Pennette has spent much of his career as a television writer, so he knows how to write “down to the second,” as he put it. Those skills served him as he adapted the movie “Death Becomes Her” into a stage musical. Pennette packs a wallop in his Tony Award-nominated book for the musical, making room for the story the movie-lovers know, new twists, additional character development and joke after joke.Listen to the latest episode of “5 minutes with a Tony nominee” hosted by Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of  Broadway News, to hear directly from Pennette about putting a fresh take on the story for the stage and penning a new ending.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Marco Pennette; photo by Mike Coppola for Getty Images/Tony Awards Productions

During the curtain call of “The Hills of California,” numerous audience members could be caught looking around for a “missing” actor. But there was no one missing. Actor Laura Donnelly played the dual roles of Veronica/Joan. But her complete embodiment of the two characters led many to believe that two different actors had played them.Donnelly is nominated for a 2025 Tony Award for her performance. In this latest episode, Donnelly describes her process of creating each character, her re-envisioning of Joan after major rewrites and her creation of an emotional climax night after night.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Laura Donnelly; photo by Lee Malone

Marsha Ginsberg is a longtime scenic designer in the theater and opera worlds. She has such experience, in fact, that she is an associate arts professor at New York University in Abu Dhabi. But, until this season, Ginsberg had not designed on Broadway. That changed with “English”; and Ginsberg earned her first Tony Award nomination for her design of Sanaz Toossi’s play.Here, Ginsberg details why designing a simple-looking Iranian classroom was actually a fun challenge and how her time in Abu Dhabi paid off for “English.”Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Marsha Ginsberg; photo by Mike Coppola for Getty Images/Tony Awards Productions

“Maybe Happy Ending” has been nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical for Will Aronson and Hue Park, Best Original Score Written for the Theater for Aronson (music and lyrics) and Park (lyrics) and Best Orchestrations for Aronson. “Maybe Happy Ending” imagines a future in which humans rely on human-like robots called helperbots. Two helperbots, Oliver and Claire, now live in the retired helperbot yards. But they decide to go on an adventure, which yields an unlikely friendship and maybe even love.In this “5 minutes with a Tony nominee” chat, Aronson and Park tell host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, about the development of characters Oliver and Claire and the technical music choices they made for a specific emotional response.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: (L-R) Will Aronson and Hue Park; photo by Jenny Anderson/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Looking at James Monroe Iglehart, one wouldn’t exactly characterize him as a doppleganger for famed singer and trumpeter Louis Armstrong. And yet, when Iglehart took the stage as Armstrong in “A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical,” the actor transformed and became Armstrong’s spitting image.Now nominated for a Tony Award for his portrayal of Armstrong, Iglehart talks to host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of  Broadway News. The actor reveals some of his strategies for building the character physically, vocally and psychologically.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: James Monroe Iglehart; photo courtesy of the Press Room

Broadway’s “Death Becomes Her” is the musical adaptation of Robert Zemeckis’ film, which starred Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn. But when Universal Theatrical Group (UTG), the Universal Pictures division that develops the studio’s titles for Broadway, considered adapting “Death Becomes Her,” they wanted the stage musical to distinguish itself from its source.Lowe Cunningham is vice president of production and creative development for UTG. In this conversation, Cunningham describes why she thought “Death Becomes Her” would make a perfect Broadway musical, how she helped put the creative team together and more.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Lowe Cunningham; photo by Mike Coppola for Getty Images/Tony Awards Productions

Glenn Davis is the co-artistic director of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. As co-artistic director, Davis supervised the development of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins drama “Purpose.” As a member of the Steppenwolf ensemble, Davis participated in its development as an actor. Now, Davis stars as Junior in the Broadway production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, earning a Tony Award nomination for his performance. In this episode, Davis explains the development process, his creation of the role of Junior and more.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Glenn Davis; photo by Eric Roy

When Marjan Neshat and her “English” co-star Tala Ashe were nominated for Tony Awards as best featured actors in a play, they became the first two performers of known Middle Eastern, North African and South Asian descent to have been included in this category in Tonys history.The recognition also marks Neshat’s first nod, having made her Broadway debut with the play. Here, Neshat shares about originating the role Off-Broadway, deepening the character for Broadway and more with host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of  Broadway News.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Marjan Neshat; photo by Mike Coppola for Getty Images/Tony Awards Productions

Jak Malone made his debut this season as part of the ensemble company of “Operation Mincemeat.” The musical tells the story of the real-life MI5 military mission that took place during World War II. Written by sketch comedy troupe SpitLip, “Operation Mincemeat” is structured so that every actor plays multiple roles in the musical. That goes for Malone, who tugs at heartstrings as the modest Hester Leggatt, draws laughter as the eccentric Bernard Spilsbury and spurs solemnity as a navyman.Here, Malone tells host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, about his showstopping ballad “Dear Bill,” his range of characters and the intricate staging that makes the musical move at high speed.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Jak Malone; photo by Mike Coppola for Getty Images/Tony Productions

After wowing audiences in Broadway’s “The Notebook” last season, Joy Woods is turning heads as Louise in the current revival of “Gypsy,” earning her first Tony Award nomination.In this episode of “5 minutes with a Tony nominee,” Woods shares her early reaction to being cast in the role, her relationship with her onstage mother (actor Audra McDonald) and more.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Joy Woods; photo by Marc J. Franklin

When designing the costume for “Maybe Happy Ending,” Clint Ramos needed to create the world of Seoul, South Korea, circa 2064. For this story about humans and their human-like helperbots, Ramos needed to design with creativity and precision. In this latest episode, Ramos walks Broadway News’ executive editor Ruthie Fierberg through the details of his costume design for the musical, which has earned him a Tony Award nomination.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Clint Ramos; photo by Bruce Glikas

Singer-songwriter Bobby Darin called himself a nightclub animal. So it makes sense that the new Darin bio-musical, “Just in Time,” is staged on a nightclub set complete with big band musicians. It was up to orchestrators Andrew Resnick and Michael Thurber, now nominated for a Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for the production, to use those instrumentalists for optimum impact.In this chat, Resnick and Thurber tell host Ruthie Fierberg,  Broadway News, how they achieved that.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: (L-R) Michael Thurber and Andrew Resnick; photo by Mike Coppola for Getty Images/Tony Awards Productions

Brooks Ashmanskas made his Broadway debut in the 1995 revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” Since then, Ashmanskas has been part of the initial companies of 15 more musicals, including this season’s “Smash.” Ashmanskas has earned his third Tony Award nomination for playing the role of Nigel in the new Broadway musical.In this chat with host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, Ashmanskas talks about making comic moments, being a part of the “Smash” company and creating a musical about creating a musical.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Brooks Ashmanksas; courtesy of Polk & Co.

Playwright Jonathan Spector penned “Eureka Day” as a commission for the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley, California. When the play moved to Broadway, critics and audiences praised “Eureka Day,” which has now been nominated for a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. Here, Spector tells host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, about shaping his onstage characters, his Zoom characters and the story at large.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Jonathan Spector; Bruce Glikas

Francis Jue is a longtime Broadway actor. If you saw the original Broadway productions of “M. Butterly” or “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” you've seen him on the Main Stem. He’s also brought his acting chops to television, as Minister Chen on “Madam Secretary,” and Off-Broadway, as in “Soft Power.” A mainstay of the New York theater scene, Jue earned his first Tony Award nod for playing the role of HYH in David Henry Hwang’s “Yellow Face.”Here, Jue reflects on the role of HYH and his long history with Hwang alongside host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Francis Jue

In this episode, Manhattan Theatre Club’s (MTC) leaders, Lynne Meadow, Chris Jennings and Nicki Hunter, discuss the nonprofit’s Broadway programming strategy. This year, MTC has been nominated for two 2025 Tony Awards.“The Hills of California,” which was produced in association with MTC, is nominated for Best Play; “Eureka Day,” which MTC produced by special arrangement with Sonia Friedman Productions, Wagner Johnson Productions and Seaview, is nominated for Best Revival of a Play.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: (L-R) Nicki Hunter, Chris Jennings and Lynne Meadow; photos courtesy of MTC

Conrad Ricamora earned his first Tony Award nomination for playing Abraham Lincoln in Cole Escola’s comedy, “Oh, Mary!” Ricamora is also known as Oliver on television’s “How to Get Away with Murder” and Ninoy Aquino in “Here Lies Love” Off-Broadway, a role he reprised 10 years later in the Broadway production. He also starred as Lun Tha in the 2015 revival of “The King and I” and David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori’s “Soft Power.”In this chat, Ricamora confides why “Oh, Mary!” gave him nightmares early on, what he relishes about playing Lincoln and what onstage moment he most looks forward to every night.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Conrad Ricamora; photo courtesy of Boneau/Bryan-Brown

Composer-lyricists Julia Mattison and Noel Carey dissect the emotional tones and sonic influences in their hilarious score.The music of the 10-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical “Death Becomes Her” ranges from haunting and spooky to bright and big band. The lyrics range from hilarious to hysterical. Here, the pair analyzes their own songs and recalls as much as they can from their writing process in five minutes.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: (L-R) Julia Mattison and Noel Carey; photo by Jenny Anderson

Saheem Ali made his Broadway directorial debut in 2023 with the raucous adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” “Fat Ham,” for which he earned a Tony Award nomination. This season, Ali has presented Broadway audiences with something entirely different: a jukebox musical using the songs of the internationally renowned band Buena Vista Social Club. And, he’s earned his second Tony Award nomination for it.Here, Ali talks about changes in the production from its Off-Broadway debut, putting together a Tony-honored band and bringing the music to the fore.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Saheem Ali; photo courtesy of Polk & Co.

The new Broadway musical “Maybe Happy Ending” has earned 10 Tony Award nominations — tying for the most-nominated show with “Buena Vista Social Club” and “Death Becomes Her.”Experienced producers Hunter Arnold and Jeffrey Richards spoke to Broadway News about their strategy for launching “Maybe Happy Ending” that has allowed it to thrive. And, Richards is also nominated as the producer of “Our Town,” which was nominated for Best Revival of a Play. Here, the producers tell Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, about putting together their team for the musical and their overall plan, and Richards discusses Thornton Wilder.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: (L-R) Jeffrey Richards and Hunter Arnold; photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

As the producer and director of the acclaimed revival of Broadway’s “Sunset Boulevard,” Jamie Lloyd unites every element — from staging to design to the look of an ad — around a singular vision.The production is nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Direction of a Musical and Best Revival of a Musical.In this talk with Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, Lloyd fleshes out his concept for the musical and how it permeates every elements of the production and the audience experience.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Jamie Lloyd; photo by Kai D. Fan

Jeb Brown is a veteran Broadway performer, now with 10 credits under his belt. But “Dead Outlaw” marks the actor’s first Tony Award nomination.Brown originated the role of the Bandleader/Walter Jarrett in the Off-Broadway production of the musical and now reprises his performance. Listening to Brown speak, he has a voice that makes you want to lean in — quite useful when playing the narrator of “Dead Outlaw.” But Brown said he also feeds off of the energy in the house. In this episode, Brown describes his relationship with audiences, his feelings about the David Yazbek-Erik Della Penna Score and the moment in the show he most looks forward to in this conversation with host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Jeb Brown; photo by Emilio Madrid

Having started his Broadway career as a dancer (replacing in the original “A Chorus Line”), Jerry Mitchell first showed the Main Stem his own moves with his choreography of 1999’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” Since then, Mitchell has created iconic movement for such shows as “Hairspray,” for which he was nominated for a Tony, and “Kinky Boots,” for which he won. Prior to this season, Mitchell had racked up eight Tony nods (across choreography and direction) and won two. Now, he’s added a ninth nomination to that total, for his choreography of “Boop! The Musical!” Here, he breaks down the details of a few numbers and how he created them in this chat with host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Jerry Mitchell; photo by Christopher DeVargas

Actor Tala Ashe earned her first Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of Elham in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “English.” Elham is a tricky character — stubborn and often unkind to her classmates in her desperation to learn this foreign language. Yet, in any compelling drama, you must be able to root for the characters. Ashe set out to do just that. Here, she tells Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, the complexities of her character, reflects on her experience with the now-closed “English” and more.Want to be the first to hear these chats? Subscribe to broadwaynews.com today, starting at only $1 per month, and get early access to these episodes and many more exclusive interviews and breaking news stories on Broadway and the Tony Awards.Photo credit: Tala Ashe; photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions