Spotlight

Stories that deserve your attention

Broadway OnStage Blog Staff Broadway OnStage Blog Staff

When It Comes to Grappling with American History, Celebrate 'Hamilton', But Don't Forget About '1776'

“Theatre fans will celebrate the 4th of July in part by watching Hamilton on Disney +, and hopefully, non-theatre fans will give it a watch as well. It is a beacon for those that are looking for ways to explain history using modern music and diversity. But, when it comes to musicals that celebrate history, we shouldn’t forget 1776 either.”

Read More
Observations, Broadway OnStage Blog Staff Observations, Broadway OnStage Blog Staff

Why Are Playbills Abandoned?

“After the audience files out, the usher sweeps through the rows of seats to tidy up before the next performance. There are discarded drinks, wrappers, headphones that will live in the lost and found for a while, and, if the world is fair, at least a little bit of fallen money. But none of that confuses me like the abundance of playbills I see picked up and headed for the garbage after a show.”

Read More
Broadway Christopher Peterson Broadway Christopher Peterson

How "Dear Evan Hansen" Has Helped Me

If you had asked me before last weekend which of the two shows I was going to see would have the most profound impact on me, I would have said Come from Away. The music and lyrics to that show moved me to tears before seeing it on stage. And yet it’s Dear Evan Hanson that caused the ugly crying (multiple times) and is the one I’m still pondering days later.

Read More

F*R*I*E*N*D*S: Don't Be Accused of Nepotism!

So your friend has auditioned for your show.

Before casting them in the role that they have written down on the audition form, go through this checklist to make sure you’re not practicing nepotism, which in the workplace, is illegal!

Read More
Broadway Christopher Peterson Broadway Christopher Peterson

If Broadway is Serious About Supporting Black Talent, They Need to Recast 'The Music Man'

“When the Broadway elite said they were listening, I took that with a grain of salt. BIPOC talent, design, and crew have been making these requests for years and hardly anything’s changed. So forgive me if I don’t jump to believe their promises of progress just yet. I want to see action. The first of which is for producers to rethink how upcoming and returning shows, for that matter, are cast. One of the most glaring of which is the scheduled revival of “The Music Man”.”

Read More
Broadway, Observations Christopher Peterson Broadway, Observations Christopher Peterson

Will "Children of Eden" Ever Make it to Broadway?

“Interestingly enough, even though “Children of Eden” is Schwartz's favorite piece and has become one of his most-produced shows, it has never gotten a Broadway run. In fact, it's had quite an unfortunate professional production history. While never enjoying a full-scale production in New York, it’s mostly done in concert nowadays. So the question remains, will it ever get the Broadway run it deserves?”

Read More
Broadway Christopher Peterson Broadway Christopher Peterson

Were 75% of the Cast of 'Moulin Rouge' Infected with COVID-19?

Much has been made over the closing of Broadway shows due to COVID-19. There’s no question of how that virus would’ve put the cast and crew at risk by performing every night in front of thousands of people. We’ve also started to see the strict measures that have to be in place for those shows to reopen. But some news this morning regarding how the virus may have infected a specific Broadway cast is proving how quickly it can spread backstage.

Read More