T/theater

This Theater Was a Haven for Bold Art. Then the Archdiocese Intervened.

The Connelly Theater has suspended operations after its church landlord began more carefully scrutinizing show scripts and its general manager resigned.

A Reluctant Satirist Takes On the Bomb

Armando Iannucci, the mastermind behind “Veep,” has adapted “Dr. Strangelove” for the theater and insists that laughing at nuclear disaster couldn’t be more timely.

Jeff Bezos and Jessica Chastain Toast a Daring ‘Sunset Boulevard’ on Broadway

A stripped-back revival of the classic musical, starring the singer Nicole Scherzinger, opened at the St. James Theater on Sunday night.

‘Sleep No More’ Megafans Face End of an Addictive Show

The immersive theater experience in Chelsea has been running since 2011. Now it is scheduled to shut in late November.

Who’s Afraid of William Shakespeare?

We will always need the works of the Bard, especially in moments of conflict and unrest.

In ‘Sunset Boulevard,’ Nicole Scherzinger Is 23 Feet Tall

A fascinating Broadway revival of the bombastic 1994 musical blows it up even further.

How Chris Perfetti of ‘Abbott Elementary’ Spends His Sundays

On his weeks off from shooting the ABC sitcom, the actor unwinds by whipping up “the biggest salad ever” and seeking out a Sunday-night show.

‘The Warriors’ Hooked Lin-Manuel Miranda at 4. Now Comes the Album.

He collaborated with Eisa Davis to make a concept album inspired by the 1979 movie. One big change: the main gang is made up of women.

Sadie Sink to Star in Broadway Play Inspired by ‘Crucible’ and #MeToo

Kimberly Belflower’s “John Proctor Is the Villain” will be directed by Danya Taymor, who won a Tony this year for “The Outsiders.”

Adam Driver in ‘Hold On to Me Darling,’ a Satire of Sincerity

A country music star embodies the clichés of celebrity in an Off Broadway revival of Kenneth Lonergan’s 2016 comedy.

In ‘Vladimir,’ a Russian Reporter’s Fight Is an Apt Election Season Tale

The writer Erika Sheffer takes a big swing in a Manhattan Theater Club production examining “the point at which a society finds itself on the brink.”

A French Play Explores the Enduring Allure of ‘Showgirls’

Inspired by Paul Verhoeven’s infamous 1995 film, “Showgirl” considers what it means to be an actress who gets naked.

Political Theater: 7 Shows That Wrestle With Cultural Issues

These productions are grappling with climate change, reproductive rights, the Arab Spring and accusations of sexual assault.

York Theater Artistic Director Out After ‘Hurtful’ Diversity Comments

James Morgan, who has been with the small New York theater company for 50 years, blamed the effects of a stroke for his behavior.

American Sign Language Brings New Layers to ‘American Idiot’

Performed simultaneously in sign language and sung English, a Los Angeles revival of the Green Day musical finds new ways to communicate rage and angst.

‘Suffs’ Won Tony Awards for Best Score and Book. Now It’s Closing.

The musical, created by Shaina Taub, announced that it will play its final performance on Jan. 5 and start a national tour next fall.

6 New Shows Our Theater Critics Are Talking About

The fall season is underway, and our reviewers think these productions are worth knowing about, even if you’re not planning to see them.

5 Things to Do This Weekend

Selections from the Weekend section, including a review of “Disclaimer,” Alfonso Cuarón’s limited series for Apple TV+.

The Wood That’s Starring in the Delacorte Theater Renovation

Wood from New York City water towers will be attached to the facade of the theater, where Shakespeare in the Park will return next summer.

An ‘Our Town’ for All of Us, Starring Jim Parsons

The Thornton Wilder classic returns to Broadway, still brutal and avant-garde after 86 years.

‘Mad About the Boy: The Noël Coward Story’ Review: In Blithe Spirits

A brisk documentary by Barnaby Thompson counters that the tuxedo-wearing playwright hid his insecurities under a platinum-plated veneer.

In ‘The Counter,’ a Cup of Joe and an Off-the-Menu Order

A diner patron asks a waitress for an extraordinary side dish in Meghan Kennedy’s sweet but shaggy new play.

Broadway Theater Owners, Facing Backlash, to Dim All Lights for Gavin Creel

The landlords also said they would reconsider their process for determining who to honor with full and partial dimmings.

‘The Wind and the Rain’ Review: How Sunny’s Bar Weathered the Storm

On a barge in Brooklyn, the story of a beloved watering hole and a neighborhood’s recovery after Hurricane Sandy.

Jonathan Groff, Fresh Off Tony Win, Will Return to Broadway as Bobby Darin

“Just in Time,” a new musical about the “Mack the Knife” pop singer, will open next spring at Circle in the Square in Manhattan.

‘La Haine’ Is Back (With Singing and Dancing This Time)

Mathieu Kassovitz has turned his cult 1995 movie into a stage musical. The France it represents is different — though much hasn’t changed.

Ali Wong Dishes on Life After Divorce. Her Real Subject Is Fame.

Her gossipy portrait of singlehood as a celebrity is a sunny contrast to the darker view of her Netflix stablemate Hannah Gadsby.

An Artist Who Loved the City Finds ‘Paradise’ Upstate

Take a tour of the place where Jules Feiffer said he found his “fire.”

An Ambitious Work, as Flimsy as a House of Cards

Robert Lepage’s latest play, “Faith, Money, War and Love,” runs for five hours, and aims to depict Germany since the end of World War II.

Do You Know These Books That Were Adapted Into Broadway Flops?

Popular literature has often been the source of a big-budget musical, but not every show is a hit. Can you identify these five short-lived productions?

‘The Big Gay Jamboree’ Review: A Golden-Age Fantasia on Steroids

The goofball spirit that made Marla Mindelle’s “Titaníque” a hit is missing from her equally campy new show drenched in pop-culture references.

Who Gets to Be a Daddy?

The best compliment a man — gay or straight, old or … not so old — can receive is to enter the pantheon of daddies.

Al Pacino Is Still Going Big

A conversation with the legendary actor about, well, everything.

Once More Unto the Breach: A New Take on Henry V Showcases His Contradictions

In a comprehensive biography, the historian Dan Jones tries to reconcile the hero of legend with the complicated young monarch of reality.

Time-Traveling Film ‘Safety Not Guaranteed’ Hits Some Bumps Onstage

Adapted from the offbeat 2012 movie, this new musical about loneliness and the longing for do-overs is promising but still needs to find its shape.

‘Good Bones,’ but Not Fleshed Out

A new play from James Ijames, who won a Pulitzer for his “Fat Ham,” has intriguing ideas about identity and community that never fully take shape.

Sarah Snook to Make Broadway Debut in One-Woman ‘Dorian Gray’

The “Succession” actress will play all 26 characters in a stage production of the Oscar Wilde novel.

Daniel Dae Kim as a Playwright Unmasked in ‘Yellow Face’

David Henry Hwang’s 2007 play, now in a fine Broadway revival, is a pointed critique of identity, masquerading as a mockumentary.

Ken Page, Who Starred in ‘Cats’ and Voiced Oogie Boogie, Dies at 70

His career on Broadway spanned decades. But he has probably best known for providing the voice of the boogeyman in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

‘Water for Elephants’ to Close on Broadway

The musical, based on the best-selling novel, featured dazzling acrobatics and puppetry. Its final performance will be Dec. 8.

Alicia Keys, LaChanze and Kristin Chenoweth Gather to Support Black Theater

The stage stars were among more than 600 people who turned out for an evening of dinner and performances to benefit Black Theater United.

3 Ambitious Song Cycles, but Only One Connects Mind and Heart

Todd Almond’s “I’m Almost There” is a work of wonder, while Gabriel Kahane’s “Book of Travelers” and “Magnificent Bird” are less effective.

Musical Comedy ‘Operation Mincemeat’ to Open on Broadway Next Spring

The show is about a real World War II episode in which British intelligence planted disinformation on a dead body to fool the Germans.

How Trump Tore One Family Apart

His father was “an honest, loving man” but then fell under the sway of MAGA.

Robert Downey Jr. Is a Novelist With a Novel Muse in ‘McNeal’

The “Oppenheimer” star makes his Broadway debut in Ayad Akhtar’s timely new play about a literary lion who gets assistance from A.I.

Gavin Creel, Tony-Winning Musical Theater Actor, Dies at 48

He won the award playing a Yonkers feed store clerk in “Hello, Dolly!” and was also nominated for roles in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Hair.”

Disoriented in America: Two Political Plays Reflect a Changed Country

The Off Broadway plays “Fatherland” and “Blood of the Lamb” explore the grief, anger and fear of no longer recognizing the country you love.

‘The Hills of California,’ Alive With the Sound of Music

In Jez Butterworth’s compelling new play, four girls trained to sing close harmony wind up as acrimonious adults.

Laura Donnelly, ‘Hills of California’ Star, Is Not Some Delicate Flower

But she did “burst into tears” reading Jez Butterworth’s rewrite of his new Broadway play, which left her with 10 days “to create an entirely new character.”

Maggie Smith: A Life in Pictures

She had a long, award-winning career as a screen and stage actress, finally becoming a household name with her memorable turn in “Downton Abbey.”

Roald Dahl Is Antisemitic, but Not a Cartoon Villain, in ‘Giant’

A new play in London portrays the beloved children’s author as a rounded character, while making no apology for his bigotry.

Maggie Smith, gran dama de la pantalla, muere a los 89 años

Pasaba casi siempre desapercibida a pesar de ser galardonada con una extraordinaria cantidad de premios, incluidos los Oscar, Emmy y los Tony. Luego llegó “Downton Abbey”.

‘Titaníque’ Was Her Big Hit. Is ‘Big Gay Jamboree’ Really Her Swan Song?

Two years after debuting the “Titanic” parody, Marla Mindelle says her new show, with Margot Robbie as a producer, may be her last as an actor.

Andrew Scott Will Perform One-Man ‘Vanya’ Off Broadway Next Spring

The Olivier Award-winning revival, in which the actor plays all of the parts, is to begin previews March 11 at the Lucille Lortel Theater.

Maggie Smith, Grande Dame of Stage and Screen, Dies at 89

She earned an extraordinary array of awards, from Oscars to Emmys to a Tony, but she could still go almost everywhere unrecognized. Then came “Downton Abbey.”

The Stage Combat Is Verbal in These Off Broadway Plays

Belarus Free Theater’s “KS6: Small Forward” and three other shows are reminders that there are many ways to portray conflicts and confrontations onstage.

What to See on London Stages This Fall

Some recommendations for visitors and residents who want to get the most from the city’s varied theater scene.

The Nation’s Politics Are Dramatic. Now Its Dramas Are Political.

For the second year in a row, a play about the Constitution is the most-staged in America. And a farce about a terrible president is also pretty popular.

Roundabout, With 3 Broadway Theaters, Finds Leader in California

Christopher Ashley, the artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse and a Tony winner for “Come From Away,” will run the large New York nonprofit.

Exploring the Roots of Mideast Turbulence Onstage

A retrospective in Paris honors Lina Majdalanie and Rabih Mroué, whose theater works have examined the region’s troubles for decades.

What’s Eating Trump? The Singing ‘Ghost of John McCain’

The former senator haunts the former president, or vice versa, in this sophomoric musical satire.

Amal Clooney, Cate Blanchett and Sting Cap a Starry Week of Galas

Hollywood luminaries gathered for the Albie Awards; and the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera drew a crowd of philanthropists and Broadway stars to Lincoln Center.

Britain’s National Theater Director Takes a Final Bow

As Rufus Norris prepares to leave the London playhouse he has led since 2015, he reflects on his quest to make the theater represent the audience it serves.

On City Strolls, ‘Fat Ham’ Writer Was Inspired by ‘Ghosts of Absence’

Walking around downtown Philadelphia, James Ijames reflected on his new play, “Good Bones,” gentrification and the absence that “haunts the cities.”

They Wish N.Y.C. Were ‘Less Expensive,’ but They Have Big Theater Dreams

Two young actors were prepared to work hard to make it in New York theater. The rental market proved to be cutthroat.

On Broadway, a Covid Switcheroo: Marsha Mason in for Mia Farrow

Mason, an associate director of “The Roommate,” which opened on Broadway last week, stepped in as Patti LuPone’s counterpart.

Does a Smash Hit Like ‘Lion King’ Deserve a $3 Million Tax Break?

Broadway is still recovering from the pandemic. A state tax-credit program has helped, but watchdogs say it aids some shows that don’t need a boost.

Audience Snapshot: Four Years After Shutdown, a Mixed Recovery

Covid brought live performance to a halt. Now the audience for pop concerts and sporting events has roared back, while attendance on Broadway and at some major museums is still down.

Is Earlier Better for Theater Start Times?

In an effort to entice audiences back after the pandemic, Britain’s National Theater is testing a 6:30 p.m. curtain.

Off Broadway, a Vital Part of New York Theater, Feels the Squeeze

The small theaters that help make the city a theater capital are cutting back as they struggle to recover from the pandemic.

Luring Theater Audiences Back After Covid

Readers discuss the decline in theater subscribers after the pandemic. Also: Northern Ireland; food allergies; a Covid playmate; anti-China bias.

72 Regional Theaters, One Shared Crisis

Michael Paulson spoke with producers and artistic directors at nonprofit theaters across the country about the crisis their industry is facing.

A Crisis in America’s Theaters Leaves Prestigious Stages Dark

As they struggle to recover after the pandemic, regional theaters are staging fewer shows, giving fewer performances, laying off staff and, in some cases, closing.

In ‘Plays for the Plague Year,’ the Soundtrack of Our Lives

Suzan-Lori Parks wrote one play a day for 13 months during the pandemic. Those stories come to life onstage in the form of monologues, dialogues and songs at Joe’s Pub.

As Presenters Cut Back on Streams, Some Disabled Arts Lovers Feel Left Out

When shuttered venues embraced streaming during the pandemic, the arts became more accessible. With live performance back, and streams dwindling, many feel forgotten.

‘Covid Vortex Anxiety Opera’ Review: Gloom, Zoom and a New Bloom

The veteran performance artist Karen Finley leads the audience through the troubles that plagued New York City at the peak of the pandemic.

Obie Awards Honor ‘English’ as Best New Play

A ceremony for the awards, celebrating work Off and Off Off Broadway, will be held Monday, but organizers decided to announce the winners in advance.

Broadway Bounces Back With ‘Best Week Since the Before Times’

Broadway shows grossed $51.9 million during the holiday week, the most since 2019, and “The Lion King” set a record for the most earned by any show in a single week.

‘Broadway Rising’ Review: Surviving the Pandemic

Stakeholders including Patti LuPone and Lynn Nottage share their real-time reactions to New York theater’s shutdown and reopening in Amy Rice’s documentary.

Onstage, It’s Finally Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Again

After one holiday season lost to the pandemic and another curtailed by Omicron, seasonal staples including “The Nutcracker,” “A Christmas Carol” and “Messiah” are back in force.

Lynn Nottage’s ‘Clyde’s’ Is the Most-Staged Play in America

An annual survey, suspended during the pandemic, resumes and finds theaters nationally doing fewer shows and torn between escapism and ambition.

Did Fauci Lead America Astray on Covid?

Responses to an essay that criticized Anthony Fauci’s handling of the pandemic. Also: Migrants as props; abortion rights; David Milch; theater’s lessons.

To Mask, or Not to Mask: Theaters and Concert Halls Face a Dilemma

Some audience members are turned off by mask mandates. Others won’t attend indoor performances without them. Arts presenters are taking different approaches this season.

‘It’s My Tradition Too’: A Town’s Centuries-Old Passion Play Evolves

After a two-year pandemic delay, villagers in the German town of Oberammergau are once again re-enacting the story of Jesus’s life and death, with some changes.

On Broadway, One Show Decides to Keep Masks. No, It’s Not ‘Phantom.’

“American Buffalo,” at Circle in the Square, is sticking with masking till it closes, July 10, citing the “proximity of the audience to the actors” and “the staging in the round.”

You Don’t Want to Wear a Mask? Do It for Hugh Jackman

Beginning in July, Broadway will no longer require audiences to mask up. Actors and theater workers aren’t loving the idea.

You Don’t Want to Wear a Mask? Do It for Hugh Jackman.

Beginning in July, Broadway will no longer require audiences to mask up. Actors and theater workers aren’t loving the idea.

Broadway Will Drop Mask Mandate Beginning July 1

Most theaters stopped requiring proof of vaccination this spring. Now they are going “mask optional.”

‘A Strange Loop’ Wins Best Musical as Tonys Celebrate Broadway’s Return

“The Lehman Trilogy” won best play, “Company” won best musical revival and “Take Me Out” won best revival of a play at the 75th Tony Awards.

‘Come From Away’ to Close, the Latest Broadway Show to End Run

The musical, which opened in 2017, is the third to announce a closing in two days, as many shows struggle in a pandemic-softened marketplace.

Broadway theaters will continue requiring patrons to wear masks at least through June 30.

The decision comes at a time when New York City has declared a “high Covid alert.”

The Twisting Trail to the Tonys: ‘Can You Believe That We’re Here?’

At times it felt like a game of survival. But during a Broadway season unlike any other, productions showed their resourcefulness while learning how to live with Covid.

‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ to Close on Broadway, After Reopening

The musical, which shuttered temporarily in January as the Omicron variant spread, has struggled with the slow return of tourists to the theater.

Your Monday Evening Briefing

Here’s what you need to know at the end of the day.

Most Broadway theaters have ended vaccination checks as coronavirus cases are rising.

Most of Broadway Ends Vaccine Checks as Cases Rise in New York

While for-profit theater owners and operators agreed to stop checking proof of vaccination this week, several nonprofit Broadway theaters continue to require it.

Manhattan Springs Back to Life

Broadway enthusiasts, art aficionados and food lovers will find new offerings in and around Times Square and in neighborhoods below 42nd Street, heralding the promise of a vibrant recovery.

‘For Colored Girls’ to Close on Broadway, Reflecting Tough Season

The revival, directed by Camille A. Brown, received strong reviews but struggled to attract audiences and overcome challenges posed by Covid.