The Pulitzer Prize-winning play "English" by Sanaz Toossi officially opened on Broadway on Jan. 23, 2025. Host Ruthie Fierberg spoke with Toossi, director Knud Adams and the cast while they were in the earliest days of Broadway rehearsals.

Actors Tala Ashe (Elham), Ava Lalezarzadeh (Goli), Pooyah Mohseni (Roya), Marjan Neshat (Marjan) and Hadi Tabbal (Omid) introduce their characters, share behind-the-scenes details and offer insights into Toossi's writing. Plus, you'll hear about the show's unique use of dialects and the challenge they posed for all involved.

Hear directly from the cast and creatives about the moving and funny new play about language and identity in this latest episode of "Broadway Press Day."

Manhattan Theatre Club welcomes the brand-new comedy "Eureka Day" to Broadway. Pronounced with the emphasis on "Day," Jonathan Spector's play takes place at a private, progressive school in Berkeley, California. As the lights come up, we see four parents and the principal of Eureka Day gathering for a meeting of the parent executive meeting, in which everything about the school is decided by unanimous consensus. When a mumps outbreak hits the school, the parent board must come up with a plan to move forward. But will they able to reach consensus? How will their values get them through this?

Directed by Anna D. Shapiro, "Eureka Day" is a hysterical look at how communities make hard choices. Host Ruthie Fierberg speaks with Spector, Shapiro as well as cast members Amber Gray ("Hadestown") , Jessica Hecht ("Summer, 1976"), Bill Irwin ("The Iceman Cometh"), Thomas Middleditch (TV's "Silicon Valley") and Chelsea Yakura-Kurtz (Broadway debut) about what audiences can expect from the play and this cast of characters.

Learn more at manhattantheatreclub.com.

The music in this episode is courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club and "Eureka Day."

Often lauded as one of the greatest musicals ever written, "Gypsy" is back on Broadway. The 2024 revival began previews on Nov. 21, 2024, reopening the Majestic Theatre on 44th Street. The best known role in "Gypsy" isn't the title character — it's her mother, Mama Rose. Originated by Ethel Merman in 1959, Rose has been played on Broadway by Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone. Now, six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald will play the famous Madame.

But aside from its star, what will be different about this "Gypsy"? As you'll hear in this episode, Tony-winning director George C. Wolfe brings his perspective to the classic, as will three-time Tony-nominated choreographer Camille A. Brown.

In this episode of "Broadway Press Day," host Ruthie Fierberg speaks to Wolfe and Brown as well as stars Joy Woods ("The Notebook"), Jordan Tyson ("The Notebook"), Tony winner Danny Burstein ("Moulin Rouge!," "My Fair Lady," "Follies," "South Pacific," "The Drowsy Chaperone") and Audra (does she need credits?).

Learn more at gypsybway.com.

The music in this episode is courtesy of "Gypsy." It features the production's orchestra performing the musical's overture during the unveiling of the refurbished Majestic Theatre.

"Gypsy" features a book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Have you heard the title of the new Broadway musical "Maybe Happy Ending" and thought, "Hmmm, what's that about?" Look no further than our latest episode.

Written by Broadway newcomers Will Aronson and Hue Park, "Maybe Happy Ending" takes audiences to the future in Seoul, South Korea. It's the age of Helperbots (think a high-tech version of Rosie from "The Jetsons"), and Helperbots Oliver and Claire are now living in the retired Helperbot yards, having become outdated models. When Claire knocks on Oliver's door, an unlikely friendship begins. They take off on an adventure through Seoul and, maybe, even fall in love.

Here, host Ruthie Fierberg speaks with stars Emmy Award winner Darren Criss and Helen J Shen and their castmates Marcus Choi and Dez Duron. She also interviews writers Will and Hue and Tony-winning director Michael Arden.

The production has released five songs from the completely original score. Listen to this episode for snippets, or hear the full songs here.

"Maybe Happy Ending" is currently playing at the Belasco Theatre on Broadway. Visit the show's website for tickets and more information.

Delia Ephron's new play officially opened at Broadway's James Earl Jones Theatre on Oct. 23, 2024. Though she may be best known for her novels (like "Siracusa") or rom-com screenplays (like "You've Got Mail"), Ephron now brings romance to the stage.

"Left on Tenth" is adapted from Ephron's memoir of the same title — about falling in love in her 70s and battling a fatal illness. Here, host Ruthie Fierberg chats with Ephron, producer Daryl Roth ("Kinky Boots") and stars Julianna Margulies (TV's "The Good Wife") and Peter Gallagher ("On the 20th Century," TV's "Grace & Frankie") about what to expect from the new Broadway play.

Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" is a play known as a pillar of the American theatrical canon. But what makes it so? What is "Our Town" about? And what should audiences expect from this 2024 Broadway revival?

Host Ruthie Fierberg interviews director Kenny Leon, producer Jeffrey Richards and members of the cast, including Zoey Deutch ("The Politician"), Katie Holmes ("All My Sons," TV's "Dawson's Creek"), Jim Parsons ("Mother Play," TV's "The Big Bang Theory"), Ephraim Sykes ("Ain't Too Proud"), Richard Thomas ("The Little Foxes," TV's "The Waltons") and Michelle Wilson ("Sweat") to find the answers.

Host Ruthie Fierberg interviews members of the cast and creative team of the upcoming Broadway musical "A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical." Beginning performances on Oct. 16 at Broadway's Studio 54, the original musical will tell the story of famous trumpeter, vocalist and activist Louis Armstrong.

In this episode, hear from co-director and star James Monroe Iglehart (Tony Award winner for "Aladdin"), book writer Aurin Squire, co-director Christina Sajous, choreographer Rickey Tripp and tap choreographer DeWitt Fleming Jr. and producer Vanessa Williams (Tony nominee for "Into the Woods") about what to expect from "A Wonderful World."

For more in-depth interviews, up-to-date news and showreviews on Broadway, visit broadwaynews.com.

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NBC's cult-favorite television series "Smash" comes to Broadway as a brand new stage musical. The series — about the making of a Marilyn Monroe bio-musical called "Bombshell" — first debuted in 2012. Broadway's "Smash" will officially open at the Imperial Theatre on April 10, 2025.

The show was a melodrama on television, but the Main Stem version is a backstage farce — highlighting the shenanigans that go on as a group of artists try to make the original musical "Bombshell." The shift in tone was producer Steven Spielberg's idea (yes, that Steven Spielberg).

Hear from book writers Rick Elice and Bob Martin, songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, director Susan Stroman, choreographer Joshua Bergasse, producers Robert Greenblatt and Neil Meron and actors Jacqueline B. Arnold, Brooks Ashmanskas, Caroline Bowman, Bella Coppola, Casey Garvin, Robyn Hurder, Nicholas Matos and Kristine Nielsen as they share what to expect from "Smash" on Broadway.

Tony Award-winning actor Idina Menzel ("Wicked") returns to Broadway in the new, original musical "Redwood." Menzel stars as Jesse, a woman who has experienced a profound personal loss. After a year of avoiding her own feelings and struggling to deal with her grief, Jesse longs to escape. She drives until she can't anymore — until she lands in the Redwood Forest. "Redwood" chronicles Jesse's transformative experience among nature and the people who care for it.

Menzel not only stars in this musical, she co-conceived it with Tony-nominated director Tina Landau ("SpongeBob SquarePants"). Tina wrote the book and co-wrote the lyrics; Menzel provided additional material. Newcomer Kate Diaz composed the music and co-wrote lyrics. But "Redwood" isn't just about original material — it spotlights technology, design and aerial choreography in a way Broadway hasn't experienced.

Learn about the creative and rehearsal process and what you can expect from "Redwood," now playing at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre.

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.

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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.

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Photo credit: (L-R) Nicki Hunter, Chris Jennings and Lynne Meadow; photos courtesy of MTC

You could say that everything Justin Townsend does is for the gaze. After all, the designer uses lighting to point audiences where to look (and sometimes where not to look). He creates the haunting atmosphere and contribute to comedic timing.

Here, Townsend divulges the details to host Ruthie Fierberg, Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. a Townsend discusses timing, color palette and more lighting techniques.

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Photo credit: Justin Townsend (Credit: Courtesy of Polk & Co.)

Sam Pinkleton first staged Cole Escola’s “Oh, Mary!” at Off-Broadway’s Lucille Lortel Theatre and then transferred that production to Broadway. The production has earned five Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Play and one for Pinkleton’s direction.

Pinkleton’s nomination marks his second nod overall — having been previously recognized for his choreography of “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.” But “Oh, Mary!” is Pinkleton’s Main Stem directorial debut.

Here, Pinkleton tells host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, where he was when he found out “Oh, Mary!” was a Pulitzer Prize finalist, how much of himself he put into the play and the key to making great art.

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Photo credit: Sam Pinkleton (Credit: Marc J. Franklin)

Marco Paguia began his Broadway career as a keyboardist for “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.” Soon enough, he began serving as music director and conductor for Main Stem productions, and, last season, he even had a few lines as part of the onstage band of “Gutenberg! The Musical!”

This season, Paguia doesn’t have any lines, but he is pounding the keys as part of the onstage orchestra of “Buena Vista Social Club.” The band has already been honored with a Special Tony Award. But Paguia is also nominated in the competitive category of Best Orchestrations. Here, he tells host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, about differentiating the sound of the music from the album that inspired it, casting his bandmates and more.

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Photo credit: Marco Paguia attends the Broadway opening night of “Buena Vista Social Club”; photo by Andy Henderson

In the original musical “Maybe Happy Ending,” scenic designer Dane Laffrey (who also provided additional video design) and video designer George Reeve use a range of analog and cutting-edge techniques to create Seoul, South Korea, circa the year 2064.

From suitcases that double as seats in a car to expanding and contracting curtains that frame space to hologram-like projections, Laffrey and Reeve used their entire toolbox to create the show’s Tony Award-nominated scenic design. In fact, “Maybe Happy Ending” is the first Broadway show to ever use one particular type of technology — which you can hear about in this episode of “5 minutes with a Tony nominee," hosted by Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News.

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Photo credit: (L-R) Dane Laffrey and George Reeve; photos courtesy of Polk & Co.

The new musical “Dead Outlaw” is an ensemble piece that covers 100 years in the life and death of Elmer McCurdy. Naturally, its actors play multiple characters, including Tony Award-nominated actor Julia Knitel.

Here, the actor talks to host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, about what makes each character tick and how she feels being a part of the rock musical “Dead Outlaw.”

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Photo credit: Julia Knitel attends the 78th Annual Tony Awards Meet The Nominees Press Event at Sofitel New York on May 08, 2025 in New York City. Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

“Purpose” won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Drama earlier this month and is nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play. Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins won a Tony last year for Best Revival of a Play for his drama “Appropriate.” Jacobs-Jenkins is also known for his plays “An Octoroon,” “Everybody” and “Gloria.”

Host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, chatted with the scribe about writing the play and more.

“Purpose” is an ensemble play first commissioned and developed by Steppenwolf Theatre Company. It follows the fictional Jasper family, led by patriarch Solomon Jasper, who was influential in the Civil Rights Movement. Directed by Phylicia Rashad, the play is currently running in a limited engagement at Broadway's Hayes Theatre.

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Photo credit: Louis McCartney as Henry Creel in “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” on Broadway; photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Photo credit: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins attends the 77th Annual Tony Awards Meet The Nominees Press Event at Sofitel New York on May 02, 2024 in New York City. Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Broadway’s “Buena Vista Social Club” transports audiences to the island of Cuba. The music makes audiences feel like they are in Havanna, but when they open their eyes, they also need to see Havanna. Scenic designer Arnulfo Maldonado has earned a Tony Award nomination for creating that space for the new musical.

Maldonado’s design toggles between the 1950s and 1990s, between a recording studio and the streets of Cuba. Here, he reveals the details — from every paint chip to each cracked tile — to host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News. Plus, learn what detail he wishes every audience member would notice.

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Photo credit: Arnulfo Maldonado; photo courtesy of Polk & Co.

Producer Greg Nobile and his director, Sam Gold, wanted to create a “Romeo + Juliet” for today’s young people. After all, in William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, the star-crossed lovers are teenagers. This production aimed to return to that authentic youth and cast Kit Connor as Romeo and Rachel Zegler as Juliet. The result is the only Broadway production of “Romeo and Juliet” to have ever earned a Tony Award nomination.

Host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, interviews Nobile to understand how the team achieved a production that appealed to Gen Z, why this mounting stood out and more.

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Photo credit: Greg Nobile; photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” on Broadway is a fusion of live theater and live filmography. Audiences watch the action unfold in front of them onstage and on screens simultaneously — which presented quite the challenge for costume and scenic designer Marg Horwell.

How did she make every fabric and color look great in both media? How did she architect the set to tell the story and complement the technology. Host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, spoke to the double-nominated Horwell to get to the bottom of it.

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Photo credit: Marg Horwell; photo by Bruce Glikas — @bruglikas, @broadwaybruce_ Twitter/X, @brugli Facebook)

“Real Women Have Curves” began as a play, which was adapted into a movie (starring America Ferrera) and has now become a Broadway musical. Responsible for the Tony Award-nominated score are Joy Huerta (of the pop duo Jesse & Joy) and Benjamin Velez (“The Tempest” at the Delacorte).

The full score features 15 original songs — plus reprises. Host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, asked Huerta and Velez to break down three of those songs in this episode.

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Photo credit: (L-R) Benjaming Velez and Joy Huerta at the opening night of “Real Women Have Curves” on Broadway; photo courtesy of Rubenstein PR

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.

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Photo credit: Conrad Ricamora; photo courtesy of Boneau/Bryan-Brown

Last year, the musical “Dead Outlaw” premiered Off-Broadway to acclaim, including a Drama Desk nomination for star Andrew Durand. Now, “Dead Outlaw” has come to Broadway and Durand is reprising his performance as the titular criminal — and earned a Tony Award nomination for his performance.

Durand plays real-life outlaw Elmer McCurdy from his childhood to his death...and beyond, when McCurdy's corpse is passed around as a tourist attraction, movie prop and more. Host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, spoke to Durand about the demands of playing dead and why this role got him back to voice lessons.

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Photo credit: Andrew Durand at the opening night of “Dead Outlaw on Broadway; photo by Emilio Madrid

Broadway’s “Death Becomes Her” has been nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Two more of those nods go to Christopher Gattelli for his supreme direction and choreography.

Based on the Robert Zemeckis film off the same name, “Death Becomes Her” is high camp and high belting. It stars Megan Hilty as Madeleine Ashton and Jennifer Simard as Helen Sharp — frenemies who want to kill each other. But when they do, neither can actually die thanks to a youth potion that grants them immortality, even as their bodies decay. It’s a romp. It’s a gag. It’s an entertainment.

Gattelli (the Tony-winning choreographer of “Newsies”) pulls out all the stops for the dance in this show — and breaks down the movement vocabulary in this show. Plus, he tells host Ruthie Fierberg how he made the musical different from the movie, how he found its tone and how he makes the body doubles WERK.

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Photo credit: Christopher Gattelli; courtesy of Polk & Co.

There’s nothing quite like a villain origin story — especially when the villain in question is “Stranger Things”’ Vecna. The stage adaptation of the Duffer Brothers’ hit Netflix series, “Stranger Things: The First Shadow,” is a prequel to the TV show and shows how a young boy named Henry Creel becomes a monster.

Louis McCartney originated the role of Henry Creel in the premiere production of “The First Shadow” in London’s West End. Now, he's on Broadway and has earned a 2025 Tony Award nomination for his performance.

Host Ruthie Fierberg, executive editor of Broadway News, sat down with McCartney to get the scoop on his wildly physical, vocally taxing and psychologically complex performance.

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Photo credit: Louis McCartney as Henry Creel in “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” on Broadway; photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Ruthie Fierberg hosts Broadway News’ latest awards season interview series. More than 130 artists were nominated for 2025 Tony Awards. In the span of a single day, Ruthie spoke to more than 40 of them.

Every day from now through the 78th Annual Tony Awards on June 8, 2025, we'll release episodes that feature one-on-one conversations with these nominated artists.

From “Stranger Things” star Louis McCartney to “Oh Mary!” standout Conrad Ricamora, from “Boop!” choreographer Jerry Mitchell to “Death Becomes Her” director-choreographer Christopher Gattelli, from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins to powerhouse designer Clint Ramos and more, Broadway News brings you the inside scoop on Broadway and the Tony Awards.

"Real Women Have Curves" first debuted as a play, by Josefina López, in 1990. Inspired by some of her own experiences, López adapted her own work into a 2002 film, which starred America in her breakout role. In 2025, that story has been reimagined once again as a Broadway musical: "Real Women Have Curves."

Starring Tony Award nominee Justina Machado (TV's "One Day at a Time," "Jane the Virgin" and Broadway's "In the Heights") and newcomer Tatianna Córdoba, "Real Women" is a mother-daughter story, a coming-of-age story, a love story and an immigrant story. Directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, it features a Tony-nominated score by pop star Joy Huerta and musical theater writer Benjamin Velez.

Hear from these creators and stars about what to expect from the musical that is now playing at the James Earl Jones Theater.

Learn more at realwomenhavecurvesbroadway.com.

Straight from the Netflix universe, “Stranger Things” has come to Broadway. But it’s not an adaptation of the series. As you’ll hear in this episode, Broadway’s “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is a prequel to the streaming show. And it is absolutely canon.

Kate Trefry, a writer and executive producer of the Netflix show, penned the play while still writing the series — and she made sure it would all fit together. Hear from her and co-director Justin Martin as well as from Tony Award-winning mega-producer Sonia Friedman about the process of writing the story and creating a stage spectacular.

Then, hear from Main Stem stars Louis McCartney (who plays Henry Creel) and Alex Breaux (who plays Dr. Brenner) to learn more about what to expect from the play, what to expect from their characters and why “Stranger Things: The First Shadow” is actually a mix of “10 Things I Hate About You” and “The Exorcist.”

Click here to keep up on “The First Shadow”

Click here for more info about the show

“Floyd Collins” first bowed in New York City nearly 30 years ago, Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons. The musical tells the true story of cave explorer Floyd Collins, who became trapped in Kentucky’s Sand Cave back in 1925. As Floyd fought for his life below, a media circus sprouted above him — as thousands of people wanted to see if Floyd would be rescued.

After success Off-Broadway, writer-director-lyricist Tina Landau (a Tony Award-nominated director for “SpongeBob SquarePants”) and composer-lyricist Adam Guettel (a Tony winner for “The Light in the Piazza”) wanted to wait for the exact right venue and timing to bring the show to Broadway. That day has come!

“Floyd Collins” is now in Broadway previews at Lincoln Center Theater’s Vivian Beaumont Theater. In the latest episode, host Ruthie Fierberg discovers how Landau and Guettel first became a creative partnership, how they discovered the story of Floyd and how they musicalized it. Ruthie also talks to leading actors Jeremy Jordan (Tony nominee for “Newsies”), Jason Gotay (“Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark”) and singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine about their characters, the challenging score and what audiences will see when they come to the Beaumont.

For more news about the show: broadwaynews.com/tag/floyd-collins/

For more info: lct.org/shows/floyd-collins

After taking home the 2024 Tony Award for “Merrily We Roll Along,” actor Jonathan Groff returns to Broadway in the Bobby Darin bio-musical “Just in Time.”

Groff is known for his breakout role in Broadway’s “Spring Awakening,” his turn as a sassy King George III in “Hamilton” and his voice in the “Frozen” franchise (he’s Kristoff). So why Bobby Darin, the singer of “Mack the Knife” and “Beyond the Sea”? Turns out, Darin had quite a life — even if it was only 37 years long.

In this episode, Groff reveals the unlikely origin story of this new Broadway musical. Director Alex Timbers (Tony winner for “Moulin Rouge!”) gives a taste of what to expect from the immersive production. Plus hear from Groff’s co-stars Gracie Lawrence (of the band Lawrence) and Erika Henningsen (“Mean Girls”) as well as choreographer Shannon Lewis and music supervisor Andrew Resnick.

“Just in Time” officially opens on April 26, 2025, at the Circle in the Square Theatre.

justintimebroadway.com

The now-iconic cartoon character Betty Boop first debuted in Fleischer Studios' Talkartoon series in the 1930s. Betty was a bit player, but became so popular the studio created animated movies just for her. Betty comes to Broadway in an entirely original story with “Boop! The Musical!”

Starring newcomer Jasmine Amy Rogers (Betty), Tony Award winner Faith Prince (Valentina) and Ainsley Melham (Dwayne) “Boop!” is a romantic musical comedy for the whole family — as director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell tells host Ruthie Fierberg in this episode of “Broadway Press Day.”

With music by 16-time Grammy Award winner David Foster (songs like Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing”) and lyrics by Tony nominee Susan Birkenhead, the cast and creative team share what to expect from the new musical.

boopthemusical.com

Emmy and Golden Glob Award winner Sarah Snook makes her Broadway debut in “The Picture of Dorian Gray.” Adapted by Kip Williams from the Oscar Wilde novel, this staging of “Dorian Gray” is a one-person show. Snook plays 26 characters in one wild ride.

The play bowed in London's West End in 2024, and Snook took home the Olivier Award for Best Actress. She's got a herculean task, but why did it make sense to Williams to create a solo play out of this dynamic book? How do he and Snook accomplish it?

Broadway News' Ruthie Fierberg spoke to Williams (who also directs the production) and Snook about the characters, the use of live performance, live simulcast and pre-recorded video, and to give audience a sense of what to expect from the production.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Photo credit: Tala Ashe; photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Sound designer Walter Trarbach made his Broadway debut as the associate sound designer for 2004’s “700 Sundays.” His first lead design credit was 2007’s “Cymbeline,” and his first Tony Award nomination was for 2017’s “SpongeBob SquarePants.” It’s worth noting that the categories for Best Sound Design have been in and out of contention for Tony Awards during the years of Trarbach’s career.

Here, Trarbach reveals the techniques he used to make the “Schmigadoon!” orchestra sound larger than it is, to pay homage to the Golden Age of musicals and to let the music and sound of “Schmigadoon!” soar.

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Learn more about “Schmigadoon!” here.

Brandon J. Dirden has been acting on Broadway for almost 20 years, and this season he has earned his first Tony Award nomination. Dirden was recognized for his performance as Pozzo in “Waiting for Godot.”

In this episode, Dirden discusses his process of crafting this bombastic character in the Samuel Beckett classic.

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Get more info about “Waiting for Godot” here.

Actor Sara Chase has had quite the ride on her way to what is now her first Tony Award nomination. Chase was set to make her Broadway debut in the 2008 production of “Godspell,” which was postponed.

Ten years later, she originated the role of Myrtle Wilson in “The Great Gatsby,” and now she is leading the new musical “Schmigadoon!” as Melissa. The role has landed Chase a Tony nod for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical.

Here, she talks about how she manages to find the comedy in unexpected moments, what she credits as the secret sauce of “Schmigadoon!” and why she is so grateful to be playing this role.

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Get more info about “Schmigadoon!” here.

Before the 2025-2026 season, Kelli O’Hara had been nominated for eight Tony Awards, all for her turns in musicals. She won in 2015 for her leading role in “The King & I.” Now, O’Hara has earned her ninth nomination, which is her first for a play.

O’Hara plays Julia in the Roundabout Theatre Company revival of Noël Coward’s “Fallen Angels” and is a 2026 Tony nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play.

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Get more info about “Fallen Angels” here.

“Giant” is not only Mark Rosenblatt’s first Tony Award nomination, it’s the first play he’s ever written. Rosenblatt came up in theater as a director. But the idea for a play examining children’s author Roald Dahl came to him, and director Nicholas Hytner encouraged Rosenblatt to write it.

Here, Rosenblatt explains why he looked to Dahl’s problematic history for inspiration, how he crafted the structure of the play and what he hopes shines through in his script.

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Read more about “Giant” here.

Lear deBessonet made her Broadway debut directing the 2022 revival of “Into the Woods,” which transferred from City Center’s Encores! series. Once again, deBessonet has successfully transferred a production from Encores! to Broadway, this season with “Ragtime.”

DeBessonet brought the staging from City Centers to Lincoln Center Theater, the latter where she now serves as artistic director. “Ragtime” marks deBessonet’s first production under her new title, and she has earned her second Tony nomination for Best Direction of a Musical with this revival.

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Get more info about “Ragtime” here.

Daryl Roth has been producing on Broadway since 1991. She’s proven herself a force, having earned 43 Tony Award nominations. Rachel Sussman began producing on the Main Stem in 2019. The two, alongside producers Jenny Gersten and Eva Price, formed the lead-producing team of “Liberation,” which is Tony Award-nominated for Best Play.

Here, the veteran and newer contemporary discuss the signs of quality in a script and the lessons they’ve learned from “Liberation” about how to produce on Broadway in 2026.

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Gina Gionfriddo has been a Pulitzer Prize finalist since 2009, but she’s only bowed on Broadway this year. Her 2008 play, “Becky Shaw,” initially bowed Off-Broadway with Second Stage — earning that Pulitzer recognition — and is now on Broadway for the first time.

Per the classics rule, “Becky Shaw” was deemed eligible for Tony Award in the category of Best Revival of a Play, and, on May 5, was nominated in that category.

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Learn more about the play from the full episode in this feed.

Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons are the duo who have brought authentic ballroom to “Cats: The Jellicle Ball.” The choreographers may be new to Broadway, but they are legends of ballroom.

Wiles is known in that scene as Omari NiNa Oricci, founder of the House of Nina Oricci, established in 2019; he is also creative director of Les Ballet Afrik dance company. Wiles has worked with global talent such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Madonna. Lyons is a choreographer whose work spans ballroom, hip hop, reggae and street jazz. He has choreographed for the series “Legendary.”

Together, the pair are nominated for Best Choreography for their work on “Cats.”

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Read this feature to learn more about the casting of “Cats” and this one to learn more about the overall vision.

You can also listen to the full episode with interviews from creative team and cast members in this podcast feed.

Lighting designer Kevin Adams made his Broadway debut in 1998 with a play called “Getting and Spending.” That show, sadly, did not last long, but Adams’ career has. The designer has brought craft and showmanship to the lighting of 30 Main Stem productions, including this season’s revival of “Chess.” His thrilling design and its roots in the musical’s dramaturgy have earned him a 2026 Tony Award nomination for Best Lighting Design of a Musical.

Here, Adams describes how he evokes the epic-ness of a rock concert, the emotional tension of East versus West and sweeping musicality through lights.

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Get more info about “Chess” here.