Theater Wow

YouTube video by Super Awesome Friends Hot Tea with Rick Elice

This is absolutely delightful and also a really interesting conversation about the theater business.

Tim Weil, Rent’s Unsung Hero Rent director Michael Greif talks with music director Tim Weil about his "gorgeous, remarkable" work on Rent.

It was great to hear Tim and Michael talk about Tim’s work on Rent. His book is a fascinating look both at the show and being a music director.

I wasn’t in New York for The Capeman but every time I listen to the cast recording or Paul Simon concept album I wish some brilliant producer or director would believe in it.

I would love to be clever enough to have made a typo in a sentence on good writing for some witty purpose.

But even more I would love the capacity to edit posts on Bluesky.

Helen Shaw Joins Culture | The New York Times Company

“Helen Shaw, who has a deep well of knowledge and a joyous enthusiasm, joins the NYT as chief theater critic.”

Yes to the choice, and yes to picking someone with those qualifications. (I would like to add she’s a a damn good writer.) 👏👏👏

🤣🤣🤣

For me QOV is Stephen Schwartz’s Wise Guys/Road Show/Bounce and I can’t wait to see where the dead lizard goes from here.

Trigger warning plz

Pouring one out for The Queen of Versailles, Broadway 2025’s messy best friend. You were better than you were given credit for.🍷

I’m rooting for “She is the bear” and refuse to hear it any other way.

I wish for it every day

Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York
Two Strangers Eat Pizza at a Deli in Brooklyn
Two Strangers See Little Bear Ridge Road then Slam Shots and Contemplate What It All Means Anyway
Two Strangers, Tres Amigos
Stranger Things: Cake

Loving this

Look, the business takes the time it takes. But to say your teen version of Hamilton won’t be ready for over 2 years when you have a clear and long-standing relationship with LMM? 👀

I am desperate for Laurie Metcalf to wander through drinking a Big Gulp.

A round stage with a couch on it in a pool of light.

A round stage with a bunch of luggage on it in a pool of light.

So I have heard of ideas being in the zeitgeist, but this is a little crazy.

The left is Little Bear Ridge Road. The right is Two Strangers Eat Cake While Walking in New York(-ish).

The exterior of an elevator.

At the Longacre to see Two Strangers…Cake…New York, and stumbled onto an elevator. I was so shocked to see one in a Broadway house I had to take it. It was just a normal elevator, but somehow I felt like I had stolen fire.

“It’s Been There The Whole Time” Peacemaker Credits choreographer Charissa Barton Talks Peacemaker's Big Reveal

Peacemaker choreographer Charissa Barton and I talk about her work on the show’s opening credits and the disturbing hidden layers in the moves revealed last week!

A WEEK IN THE WEST END: Desolation and Possibility in Samuel D. Hunter's Clarkston Joe Locke makes his West End debut.

The first preview of Joe Locke’s debut on the West End was filled with weight and light.

SATURDAY CHURCH SINGS Sia, James Ijames, J. Harrison Ghee and company open the new theater season with a mighty Amen.

The new theater season begins at NYTW with lush melodies and the story of a queer kid with a wide-open heart.

Hey has anyone else been hearing about confusion over rooming at Shiz?

🥺🥺🥺

And Just Like That, And Just Like That … Is Dead And I’m actually really sad about it.

Everything about this piece from @rachelhandler.bsky.social is true and silly and beautiful.

WHO GETS TO PLAY JESUS? CYNTHIA ERIVO, THAT'S WHO. Jesus Christ Superstar Comes to the Hollywood Bowl

Thrilled to have my history of Jesus Christ Superstar end up @sojo.net’s cover story!

The Wit and Wisdom of Richard Greenberg To give tribute this great American playwright, who died on July 4 at the age of 67, we assembled a party of colleagues, friends, and admirers.

A beautiful set of tributes.

"It Brings Tears to My Eyes": How The Overture of Gypsy Made Jules Fisher Want to Work in the Theater Storied Lighting Designer Jules Fisher talks lighting the new production of Gypsy

In which theater legend Jules Fisher humors my obsession with the lighting of Gypsy’s overture

You bet! I can’t wait to see the show!

Summer Theater Journalism Round Up Forget Thanksgiving, it's a horn of plenty out there right now.

Celebrating great work about summer theater from @robkendt.bsky.social, @diepthought.bsky.social, Jennifer Heimlich, @evincentelli.bsky.social, A.A. Cristi, Ruthie Fienberg, and others.

Jesse Green’s Legacy & What Comes Next for Theatre Criticism at the New York Times — OnStage Blog “What kind of theatre critic does the New York Times need in 2025? With Jesse Green reassigned, a new chapter begins.”

Some great initial thoughts about the NYT move to bring in a new theater critic from Chris Peterson over at @onstageblog.bsky.social.