T/theater

Tom Morello Brings Rage to an Unexpected Genre: the Musical
Theater, Today

This firebrand guitarist pulled songs from his lesser-known catalog for “Revolution(s),” about family of activists, now playing in Chicago.

Some of the Greatest American Music You’ve Never Heard Of
Opinion, Yesterday

Why has the genius of these Black innovators been consigned to academic conferences?

Broadway Averts Strike as Musicians Reach Deal With Producers, Union Says
Theater, Yesterday

The tentative agreement, which still requires ratification by union members, comes five days after a similar agreement with actors and stage managers.

Samantha Eggar, Oscar-Nominated Star of ‘The Collector,’ Dies at 86
Movies, October 22

She also had leading roles in “Doctor Dolittle” with Rex Harrison, “Walk, Don’t Run” with Cary Grant and “The Molly Maguires” with Sean Connery.

‘Blue Cowboy’ Review: A Surprising Love Rides Into Town
Theater, October 22

David Cale’s astonishing one-man show in Brooklyn erects some familiar signposts before swerving into the unexpected.

‘Bull Durham’ Review: This Musical Version Is a Bunt
Theater, October 22

Adapted for the stage, the baseball rom-com is now less sexy and sophisticated than the ’80s classic.

‘Paranormal Activity’ Wants to Scare You From the Stage
Theater, October 21

Like “Stranger Things” and “Harry Potter,” this horror film franchise is branching out with an original story that aims to pull the rug from under theatergoers.

Ari Emanuel Buys TodayTix, Gaining Footing on Broadway and West End
Theater, October 20

The ticketing company is already a significant player in the two big theater markets of New York and London.

Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ Takes Center Stage in Minneapolis
Theater, October 20

There was a flourish of purple at the State Theater for the debut of a new musical adaptation of the performer’s 1984 movie in his hometown in Minnesota.

EL ajuste de cuentas de Ben Stiller
En español, October 19

Equilibrar una carrera artística y la vida familiar es una tensión a la que se ha enfrentado recientemente en la vida, y ahora, en la pantalla, para una nueva película sobre sus padres.

Broadway Actors Reach Deal, but Musicians Still Threaten Strike
Theater, October 18

The Broadway League and Actors’ Equity Association reached a tentative agreement early Saturday. Union members must decide whether to ratify it.

Glenn Close no tiene que demostrarle nada a nadie
En español, October 18

Durante medio siglo, ha llevado su singular talento al escenario y a la pantalla. Ahora, la actriz quiere volver a interpretar el papel que la convirtió en una estrella.

How Wendell Pierce Spends His Day Exploring New York City
New York, October 18

Mr. Pierce, the popular actor from shows like “The Wire,” said time is precious. He spends his shopping in Harlem, walking through Central Park and staying up all night listening to jazz.

‘Ragtime’ Review: Checking the Status of Our American Dream
Theater, October 17

Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz lead the glorious cast of Lear deBessonet’s inspiriting Broadway revival at Lincoln Center Theater.

‘Oh Happy Day!’ Review: And God Told Keyshawn to Build an Ark
Theater, October 16

An urgent family mission propels Jordan E. Cooper’s pain-spiked supernatural comedy, a very loose riff on the biblical story of Noah.

Her Play Pulls on the Fashion Industry’s Threads
Theater, October 16

The French theater maker Caroline Guiela Nguyen brings unheard voices to the stage, like the real and imagined garment workers in her latest work, “Lacrima.”

The Reckoning of Ben Stiller
Movies, October 16

How to lead an artistic life and be part of a family is a tension he has only recently faced in life and now, onscreen, for a film about his comedian parents.

Aubrey Plaza Shines in Ethan Coen’s Retrograde ‘Let’s Love!’
Theater, October 16

It’s unusual for an Atlantic Theater Company production to feel so uninspired, but in this set of one-acts, committed actors are let down by juvenile language.

He Won a Tony. Then Came the Hard Part: Facing His Demons.
Theater, October 15

In his solo Off Broadway show “Other,” Ari’el Stachel explores the anxiety that has exacerbated his struggles with being an Arab Jew.

George Clooney in ‘Good Night, and Good Luck,’ and More Theater to Stream
Theater, October 15

This month’s picks include Clooney’s Broadway run as the CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow and an audio play starring Hugh Jackman.

Jen Tullock Multitasks in ‘Nothing Can Take You From the Hand of God’
Theater, October 14

The “Severance” actor portrays all the roles in a play she wrote with Frank Winters, inspired by her evangelical upbringing.

‘Can Art Bear This?’: How Carolina Bianchi Explores Trauma Onstage
T Magazine, October 14

For her performance piece “The Bride and the Goodnight Cinderella,” which opens in New York later this month, the artist drugs herself as the audience looks on.

‘Are the Bennet Girls OK?’ Well, Their Mother Is Magnificent.
Theater, October 13

Bedlam’s sharply irreverent production of Emily Breeze’s comedy, a riff on “Pride and Prejudice,” has period dress, contemporary vernacular and a magnetic Mrs. Bennet.

Tim Curry Isn’t Done Yet
Books, October 13

A 2012 stroke has largely kept him from acting, but not from writing — and recording — a new memoir. “It was very peculiar not to be able to speak,” he says.

Sunday Special: Bringing Broadway Home
The Daily, October 12

How to experience the best of the theater world in your living room

Zora Neale Hurston’s 1935 Play Comes Alive
Theater, October 11

“Spunk,” a fable weaving together music and movement, is getting its first full staging since being rediscovered in 1997.

‘Krapp’s Last Tape’ Review: Stephen Rea’s Duet With His Younger Self
Theater, October 10

Samuel Beckett’s 55-minute contemplation of mortality comes to NYU Skirball in a neat and handsome staging by Vicky Featherstone.

La estrella revelación de ‘El beso de la mujer araña’
En español, October 10

“Quería contar una historia que abarcara todo el espectro de género”, afirma Tonatiuh, quien transformó su cuerpo para interpretar al escaparatista queer Luis Molina.

Harlem Stage Takes Its Show on the Road for the First Time
Theater, October 10

“Freedom Riders,” a performance featuring monologues about police violence against Black people, played in cities throughout the South before returning to New York.

The Breakout Star of ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’
Movies, October 10

“I wanted to tell a story that encompassed the gender spectrum,” said Tonatiuh, who transformed his body to play the queer window dresser Luis Molina.

Is Dylan Mulvaney ‘The Least Problematic Woman in the World’?
Theater, October 9

In her bold, funny solo show, the social media influencer details a life of identity-searching, controversy and a determination to be absolutely herself.

What Would Elphaba Grow? The Botanical Garden Has Some Ideas.
Arts, October 9

Striking plants of deep pinks and dark greens conjure the visual world of “Wicked” this month at the New York Botanical Garden.

In ‘Mary Page Marlowe,’ Susan Sarandon Is One Part of a Woman in Pieces
Theater, October 9

The screen star is making her London stage debut in Tracy Letts’ portrait of embattled womanhood.

‘Cats’ Is Returning to Broadway, This Time With Heels Instead of Paws
Theater, October 9

The reimagined “Jellicle Ball” version of the musical is set in the ballroom scene — the queer subculture built around dance competitions.

How This ‘Severance’ Actor Lost God and Found Herself
Theater, October 9

Jen Tullock’s Off Broadway play, “Nothing Can Take You From the Hand of God,” delves into growing up in a Christian family.

How David Henry Hwang Remade Theater in His Own Image
T Magazine, October 9

Long the leading Asian American playwright, he was writing autofictional works about identity politics decades before those were cultural obsessions.

Glenn Close Has Nothing Left to Prove
T Magazine, October 9

For half a century, she’s brought her singular talents to the stage and screen. Now, the actress wants one more shot at the role that helped make her a star.

The Greats: Glenn Close, David Henry Hwang and Tyler, the Creator
T Magazine, October 9

For T’s annual celebration of the people changing the culture, we profile three artists united in their dedication to taking risks.

MacArthur Foundation Announces 2025 ‘Genius Grant’ Winners
Arts, October 8

Twenty-two people in a broad spectrum of the arts and sciences were awarded the fellowship, which comes with an $800,000 stipend.

Broadway Could Face a Strike This Fall. Here’s What to Know.
Theater, October 8

The Broadway League and unions representing actors, stage managers and musicians are trying to negotiate new contracts, but workers are increasingly frustrated.

Tessa Thompson on Finding What You Want (What You Really, Really Want)
Podcasts, October 8

In Thompson’s latest film, she plays an unhappy housewife who blows up her life. In reality, the actor and producer has left relationships with much less fallout.

‘Les Misérables’ at 40: The Unlikely Story of a Hit
Theater, October 8

Critics initially panned it, but public love for the musical with songs like “One Day More” and “On My Own” has kept it going strong for four decades — and counting.

This Erotic Epic Is Marina Abramovic at Her Most ‘Insane’
Theater, October 7

The Serbian artist’s latest piece is a four-hour exploration of folklore and sexuality, featuring singers, dancers, musicians and film.

What Clowns! (That’s a Compliment)
Arts, October 7

Natalie Palamides and Julia Masli are among the stars of a new clowning movement that revels in the comedy of failure. How did these fools become prestige?

Her Grandfather Owned the Yankees. Now She’s Producing ‘Damn Yankees.’
Theater, October 7

George Steinbrenner’s theater-loving granddaughter Haley Swindal is taking a big swing with a revival of the musical, slightly retooled for a new generation.

Three Broadway Stars Walk Into a Museum…
Theater, October 6

Bobby Cannavale, James Corden and Neil Patrick Harris talked about paintings that made an impression and, like their characters in “Art,” had questions about one another’s taste.

How a Chaotic ‘Network’-Style Outburst Plays Out in ‘Weather Girl’
Theater, October 4

In this dark comedy about climate change, a meteorologist meant to maintain a “happy voice” can no longer reassure viewers that it’s going to be all right.

17 Off Broadway Shows to Enliven Your October
Theater, October 3

André De Shields does Molière, Romy and Michele take the stage and Bat Boy makes his return just in time for Halloween.

He’ll Have the 10-Hour Theater Show, Please
Theater, October 3

As director of Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe, one of France’s top playhouses, Julien Gosselin is facing strong budgetary headwinds. But he’s keeping his vision big.

Patricia Routledge, Hoity-Toity Housewife of ‘Keeping Up Appearances,’ Dies at 96
Obituaries, October 3

Before she became known as the snooty suburbanite Hyacinth Bucket, Ms. Routledge was an acclaimed stage performer, appearing with the Royal Shakespeare Company and on the West End and Broadway.

‘The Honey Trap’ Review: A Thriller That Keeps Audiences Rapt Until the End
Theater, October 2

For a British soldier, a fatal night out breeds a hunger for revenge in Leo McGann’s suspenseful play at Irish Repertory Theater.

‘This Much I Know’ Review: ‘Eureka Day’ Playwright Still Has Questions
Theater, October 2

After his Tony win, Jonathan Spector returns with a dark, cerebral comedy involving academics and Stalin’s daughter.

‘Caroline’ Review: Chloë Grace Moretz as a Mother Starting Over
Theater, October 1

The actress stars in a closely observed new drama by Preston Max Allen about addiction, class and the safety of a transgender 9-year-old.

36 Things to Do in N.Y.C. in October: Comedians Aplenty, Comic Con and More
Arts, October 1

Jon Stewart, Atsuko Okatsuka and Pete Davidson are just three stars making us laugh this month, while cosplayers and fans assemble for the ultimate geek fest.

‘And Then We Were No More’ Review: Not Quite Kafka
Theater, September 30

The actor Tim Blake Nelson has penned a dystopian drama set in an unspecified future that puts forth lofty themes. Too bad it’s short on specifics.

In ‘Masquerade,’ You’re There Inside the Phantom’s Mind
Theater, September 30

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” returns to New York in an immersive spectacle, as silly as it is thrilling.

‘Punch’ Review: After a Fatal Blow, an Unlikely Connection
Theater, September 30

James Graham’s Broadway play tells the true story of how restorative justice brought together a young man who threw a fatal punch and the parents of the victim.

At ‘Godot’ Opening, Stars Appreciate the Bromance
Style, September 29

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jonathan Groff and Kieran Culkin were among the headliners who came out to support Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter’s new collaboration.

This Subversive Comedian’s Stage Shows Are Her Clowning Glory
Theater, September 29

Natalie Palamides’s mind-scrambling work oscillates between big laughs and pathos. Her show “Weer” is the first long run at the renovated Cherry Lane Theater.

‘Waiting for Godot’ Review: Cue the Air Guitar
Theater, September 29

Jamie Lloyd’s pristinely chic Broadway revival of the existential tragicomedy casts the “Bill & Ted” stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter as Samuel Beckett’s clowns.

Mozart’s ‘Figaro’ Meets Larry Kramer’s Fire Island
Theater, September 26

Kevin Carillo dreams up an unlikely combination, with results that are delirious and often persuasive, but also excessive.

Correcting the Record on Women’s Experiences of War
Theater, September 26

A stage adaptation of the Nobel laureate Svetlana Alexievich’s “The Unwomanly Face of War” gives Soviet women credit for their complex roles in World War II.

Could You Embrace the Man Who Killed Your Son? They Did.
Theater, September 26

The Broadway play “Punch” retells the true story of a fatal blow and how restorative justice brought healing to the parents and to the young man who threw the punch.

33 Things to Do for Halloween in New York City
Arts, September 26

From now to the end of October, spooky season takes hold in the five boroughs and beyond with parades, horror films and celebrations of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 50.

‘The Other Americans’ Review: John Leguizamo’s Family Drama Aims Big
Theater, September 26

For the first play he’s written, the actor stars as a striving Colombian American patriarch in the mold of Willy Loman or Walter Younger.

Half Naked and Sweating With Strangers, for Art
Style, September 25

No phones, no street clothing. The artist Rashid Johnson has returned to the Russian and Turkish Baths with Amiri Baraka’s incendiary play “Dutchman.”

Manhattan Theater Club Names First New Artistic Director in 53 Years
Theater, September 25

Nicki Hunter will succeed Lynne Meadow in December, taking charge of a major nonprofit that stages shows on and off Broadway.

5 Years After Covid Closed the Theaters, Audiences Are Returning
Culture, March 12

Broadway is almost back, and pop music tours and sports events are booming. But Hollywood, museums and other cultural sectors have yet to bounce back.

Off Broadway, Labor Tension Heats Up
Metro, February 13

Stagehands and other backstage workers have gone on strike against a prominent theater, and two productions have been canceled.

Stratford-Upon-Lake-Michigan: Royal Shakespeare Company Plays Chicago
Culture, November 23

With less touring, it’s been a while since all the world has been its stage, but the troupe is working with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater — where it has family ties.

On Broadway, a Covid Switcheroo: Marsha Mason in for Mia Farrow
Culture, September 15

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?
Metro, May 17

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
Culture, March 12

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?
Culture, February 14

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
Culture, December 5

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
Letters, September 10

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
Insider, July 28

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
Culture, July 23

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
Culture, April 19

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
Culture, April 14

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
Culture, April 11

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
Culture, February 24

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’
Culture, January 4

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
Weekend, December 27

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
Culture, December 21

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
Culture, September 23

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?
Letters, September 16

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
Culture, September 5

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
Culture, August 24

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.’
Culture, June 24

“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
New York, June 24

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.
Metropolitan, June 24

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
Culture, June 21

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
Culture, June 13

“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
Culture, June 8

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.
Culture, May 20

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?’
Arts & Leisure, May 18

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
Culture, May 13

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
N Y T Now, May 9

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.
Culture, May 9

Most of Broadway Ends Vaccine Checks as Cases Rise in New York
Culture, May 6

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
Travel, May 5

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
Culture, May 3

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