Spotlight
Stories that deserve your attention
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Please Write the Andre Agassi Musical
Lin-Manuel Miranda said Andre Agassi deserves a musical based on his memoir, Open. As someone who grew up playing tennis in the ’80s and ’90s, I would invest, buy tickets immediately, and be there opening night.
No One Should Have to Perform in a Theatre That Is Too Hot to Safely Enter
Young actors in Wales are reportedly leaving rehearsals just to cool down because of unbearable heat inside their theatre. No performer, especially a child, should be expected to prove their commitment by enduring unsafe conditions.
Dear Theatres, Actors Auditioning Are Not Season Subscription Leads
Actors give theatres their phone numbers because they are auditioning, not because they want to be added to a sales list.
Broadway Performers Aren’t Getting Weaker. The Job Has Gotten Harder.
When someone says performers “used to do eight shows a week,” the better question is: what were those shows asking of them?
Government Help Could Save Australian Theatre, But It Shouldn’t Control It
Australia’s recent wave of theatre cancellations should worry anyone who cares about live performance. Government help may be necessary to keep stages open and people working, but that support has to come with real guardrails.
Student Production Of ‘1776’ Faces Backlash Over Diverse Casting
A student production of 1776 in Philadelphia was targeted with racist and bigoted comments over its diverse casting. People can debate casting choices all they want. But attacking teenagers over a school production is indefensible.
With Three Tours Closing Early, Is Everything Okay With Australian Theatre?
Three major musical tours in Australia have closed early or canceled in recent months. So what’s going on? Is this just a bad stretch, or is the financial model for touring Broadway-style musicals starting to crack?
I Had My Issues With the Downtown Cabaret Theatre. I Still Want It Saved.
I’ve had my issues with the Downtown Cabaret Theatre. But I still don’t want to see it close. Bridgeport losing this arts institution would be a real loss, and if people care this much about saving it, someone should be listening.
“Relaxed Performances” Are a Pretty Wonderful Thing
“Relaxed Performances” make live theatre feel possible for people and families who might otherwise feel like the room was not built with them in mind. And that is worth celebrating.
Untitled Theatre Company Shows Why Community Theatre Should Take More Chances
Not every community theatre needs to chase shock value, but more local theatres should feel comfortable making room for stranger titles, darker stories, and shows that ask audiences to take a chance.
After the Scandal: How a Community Theatre Starts Over
Thornton Little Theatre is reopening after a devastating scandal involving its former leader. But for any community theatre, reopening the doors is only the beginning.
“The Debut” Looks Like the Dark Community Theatre Comedy We’ve Been Waiting For
Julianne Moore spiraling over a small local theatre role? Paul Giamatti as an intense community theatre director? I’ve met that guy. Several times. I cannot wait.