Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
Community Theatre is Not a "Trap"
“A friend of mine recently told her that one of her college theatre directors told their class to avoid participating in community theatre because "it's a trap for serious actors."‘
Can We Stop Bashing Jukebox Musicals For Simply Being Jukebox Musicals?
“Some have said that a jukebox musical lacks creativity. I would argue that musicals can lack creativity with an original score or not.”
'Harry Potter & the Cursed Child' actor fired following investigation into conduct
“Actor James Snyder, who was playing the title character in Broadway’s “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” has been fired from the play following an investigation of the actor’s conduct after a co-star filed a complaint.”
By disrespecting understudies, Charlotte St. Martin needs to go
“We know how hard understudies and swings are working on Broadway right now. They need our support more than ever. They need our applause more than ever. They don’t need to be disrespected by a “leader” making “educated guesses” about their talents or experience. Not now. Not ever.”
With COVID cancellations on the rise, how confident are Broadway ticket buyers?
“While there is little to nothing that productions can do with the spread of COVID and how they have to cancel shows at the last minute, the other edge of the sword is that ticket buyers’ confidence has to be waning right now.”
With its casting call, the 'Wicked' movie has to cast a wheelchair user as Nessarose
“The casting team for the upcoming Wicked movie has put out a casting notice for the role of Nessarose where they encourage performers who are wheelchair users to submit for the role. A casting like this would be a step forward in representation for performers with disabilities. Which means it has to happen.”
"Live, Laugh, Love" - A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim
“His work is more than just a collection of songs. It’s art. It’s a puzzle. It’s a playground. It’s revered text.”
Superintendent postpones HS production of 'Legally Blonde' over inappropriate content
“Today, November 19th, students at Maryville High School in Maryville, MO were supposed to continue the weekend run of their Fall musical, Legally Blonde. However, just one day before they were set to open, school administrators stepped in to postpone the show over content which one of them thought was inappropriate.”
How Broadway entities have quietly addressed allegations against William Ivey Long
“With additional allegations of sexual abuse being brought forward against costume designer William Ivey Long, it seems that certain Broadway entities are taking action, even if ever so quietly.”
For Community Theatres, is this a time for reinvention or to play it safe?
“So, coming out of a shutdown, should local theatres be looking to do more of Suzan-Lori Parks’ work or Neil Simon’s? Is this the time to be bold and reinvent? Or should community theatres try to fill as many seats as possible by doing beloved “chestnuts” and worry about boldness for a later time?”
Rebecca Caine speaks out on abuse she suffered during Toronto's 'The Phantom of the Opera'
“In a series of videos posted to her Instagram, actress Rebecca Caine is speaking out about the abuse she suffered during the 1989 Toronto production of Phantom of the Opera at the hands of her co-star, Colm Wilkinson. She is also calling into question why the Broadway community is welcoming back producer Garth Drabinsky (whose Paradise Square is set to open in NYC in March 22) who apparently stood idly by while she was being abused.'“
College theatre professor suspended for slapping student during rehearsal
"The professor was apparently trying to demonstrate a “stage slap” and struck the student without preparing them or asking for their permission.”