Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
Toxic Fans and Gatekeeping in the Musical Theatre Community
“What is wrong with the theatre fandom is the belief that objectively, some musicals are better than others, and that if you like a certain show, you aren’t the right kind of theatre fan. Gatekeeping is the practice of musical theatre fans who feel that they have the authority to determine who belongs and who doesn’t belong based on whether or not someone is a ‘true fan.’”
For World Book Day, here are 10 recommendations of books about the musical theatre
“Today, March 4th, is World Book Day - a celebration of readers and writers across the globe. In celebration, we have 10 recommendations of books about the musical theatre that belong on the bookshelf of every theatre lover.”
Loving Your Body in a Looks-Oriented Industry
Although the world of musical theatre is slowly becoming more diverse and inclusive, our look still plays an important part in casting. In some cases, being in an industry that places so much focus on your body can lead you down a dangerous path. It took me years to love my short, slightly thicker body and to be perfectly honest; I'm still working on it.
When Broadway Shows Resume, Should 'The Book of Mormon' Be One of Them?
“In response to the Black Lives Matter, the NYC theatre community is having conversations about the representation of black performers and what types of roles black performers are having to portray. And while the conversation about “The Book of Mormon” has happened plenty of times before, it’s certainly been reignited now.”
"Did you see Rebecca Luker perform? Better yet, did you ever meet her?" : A tribute
“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Luker perform on many occasions. Each time, she cemented the fact in my head that I was watching one of the finest vocalists of my lifetime.”
Will "Hamilton" Golden Globes buzz open the door for more filmed stage productions?
“Last month, it was announced that the filmed stage production of Hamilton will be eligible for Golden Globe Award nominations. With the nominations set to be announced on February 3rd, potential nods for the Lin-Manuel Miranda blockbuster could kick open the door for more potential Broadway stage productions to be filmed.”
"Legally Blonde": Learning to Appreciate The Musical vs the Movie
“Both ‘Legally Blonde’ the musical and the movie have their pluses, but which is really the superior? If you ask me, I say hands down the musical.”
Broadway Bootlegs: Why We Watch Them and Finding Solutions So We Don't Have to Anymore
“Why, as an industry and community, are we choosing this moment in time to ignite vicious arguments about the morality of bootlegs and condemning those that watch them, instead of working together to find a solution?
Addressing the backlash to the "Ratatouille" musical benefit concert
“While I certainly understand and agree with those railing that vast changes in the industry are needed, I don’t think a one-time concert of Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical is the dartboard to be aiming at.”
Fan community rallies for Broadway stage doorman
“For years, Ernest J, Paylor has been a friendly face to many a Broadway fan. Working as a stage doorman at the Broadhurst Theatre, which currently houses Jagged Little Pill, Mr. Paylor not only protects the cast and crew but also make sure that stage door meet and greets are fun, safe, and accessible.
So when Mr. Paylor was hospitalized with a serious medical condition, those same fans didn’t hesitate to rally behind him.”
A holiday season shopping list for the Broadway lovers in your life
“Soon we’ll be singing along to the holiday stations on the radio, sipping eggnog by the fire, and decking the halls. But, oh no! What if you haven’t gone gift shopping yet? What on earth will you get for the fellow theatre-lovers in your life?
Given our current pandemic circumstances and the subsequent difficulty of shopping for presents in person, I decided I wanted to create a solid list of options for the holiday season.”
The Vampire Musical: Broadway’s Greatest Money Sucker
“On paper, the mythos of the Vampire should be a straightforward transfer to the New York stage. An inherently melodramatic story archetype, the thousands of pop culture interpretations should lend themselves to a comparable number of theatrical adaptations. This, however, has proven time and again not to be the case.”