Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
Creating Worlds: A Cow as White as Milk
“Into the Woods. I knew the props would be a challenge, with Rapunzel’s wig and the harp and the million other things necessary for the show. I kind of forgot about one thing. The cow. How the hell was I going to do the cow?”
Chill Inducing "First Burn" is the Cover You Need to See Today
“A fantastic cover of “First Burn” has been posted on Youtube.”
A Company's Quick Switch to Online Theater and Creating Social Change
“As the world began to shut down in March, the theater community scrambled with the rest of the world in finding new ways to continue working, while staying healthy at home. We instantly saw an increase in virtual theater, including readings, concerts, and full-on play productions from home. One artist, in particular, Sharece Sellem, decided she would not let quarantine stop her from progressing as an artist. Thus, the Quick Quarantine Playwright Festival was born.”
What is Their Definitive Song? : Alan Menken
“If your friend had no idea who Alan Menken is, what would be the one song you’d pick to illustrate his work? Here’s my pick.”
How could you be anything less than satisfied with Phillipa Soo?
“As Eliza, we see a committed and gentle heroine. Through Soo’s gorgeous vocals she creates a full and complete character as a woman, wife, mother, philanthropist, and storyteller.”
It's Time for Licensing Companies to Include Race Casting Requirements for Roles of Color
“Following Hairspray’s lead, it’s time for licensing companies to work with authors to implement casting requirements for roles of color. These roles were written for specific BIPOC’s and should be guaranteed to be portrayed that way.”
"Light Design and Lipstick" - Look at Women are Valued in Tech in European Theatres
“We’re living in a time where male-female relationships in the workplace are something that’s being spoken about a lot. The world of stage management is also one where macho behavior is not uncommon and women are often underrepresented.”
5 reasons why you MUST read ‘Lungs’ by Duncan MacMillan
“If there is one play in this world that you MUST read it is ‘Lungs’ by Duncan MacMillan. To say this play is a masterpiece would quite frankly be an understatement. In my opinion, it is a bible for how we as humans navigate the complexity of our lives.”
Are Recorded Musicals the "Death Sentence" of Theatre?
“Every show is different, performers can sing and act their lines slightly different because actors feed and react from and to each other, and also from the audience’s energy and reactions as well. Personally, that’s what makes live theatre so exciting to watch and the reason why recorded musicals can’t substitute theatre.”
If This Fan Theory of the Ending of 'Hamilton' is Wrong, Then I Don't Want to Be Right
“If you’ve seen 'Hamilton’ then I’m sure you’ve weighed in on your interpretation of Eliza’s gasp at the end of the show. I know I’ve got mine. But Mallory Ellis might have just stumbled upon the best one that I’m fine with accepting as the truth, whether or not Lin-Manuel Miranda admits it.”
Cancel 'Hamilton'? - A Worthy Discussion or Cancel Culture Disruption?
“While many might dismiss #cancelhamilton out of hand as ludicrous, that would be unfair and would ignore some real flaws in the musical’s storytelling to what it ignores and how it depicts certain events. At the same time, I am more than skeptical of the intent behind the latest viral hashtag movement.”
The Influence of Stephen Sondheim in Jason Robert Brown’s Writing
“Sondheim’s influence on Brown’s compositions is quite thrilling to find, as are both their storytelling through beautiful, meaningful lyrics with multidimensional characters.”