Author: Jim Glaub

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Where’s That Cast Now? The Book of Mormon Edition

Book of Mormon

When The Book of Mormon opened at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre in March 2011, it was an instant cultural earthquake—raucous, irreverent, and packed with a powerhouse cast. Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez’s satirical masterpiece took home nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and cemented its place in Broadway history. But what happened to the original cast after they bid farewell to Uganda? Let’s check in.

Andrew Rannells (Elder Price)

The breakout star of The Book of Mormon, Rannells earned a Tony nomination for his pristine comedic timing and powerhouse vocals. After leaving the show, he jumped to HBO’s Girls as Elijah, a role that made him a TV fan favorite. He’s also appeared in The New Normal, Black Monday, and the film adaptation of The Prom. On Broadway, he returned in Falsettos (another Tony nomination), The Boys in the Band, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He’s now an established multi-hyphenate—actor, singer, and author (Too Much Is Not Enough), and came back to Broadway most recently in 2023 in Gutenberg! The Musical! opposite Mormon castmate Josh Gad.

Josh Gad (Elder Cunningham)

Josh Gad left The Book of Mormon with a Tony nomination and a rocket strapped to his career. He became a household name as the voice of Olaf in Disney’s Frozen franchise, starred in films like Beauty and the Beast as LeFou, Artemis Fowl, and Murder on the Orient Express, and fronted series like Central Park and Avenue 5. Recently, he co-created and starred in the Apple TV+ series Wolf Like Me. He returned to the stage in Gutenberg! The Musical! in 2023 and Broadway fans are eagerly awaiting his next project.

Nikki M. James (Nabulungi)

James earned a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her luminous performance as Nabulungi. Since then, she’s built a wide-ranging career spanning stage and screen. She appeared in Les Misérables (2014 revival), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and received a Tony Award nomination for playing Ida B. Wells in Suffs. On TV, she’s had recurring roles in BrainDead, The Good Wife, Severance, Daredevil: Born Again, and Proven Innocent. She continues to be a beloved Broadway presence and versatile performer.

Rory O’Malley (Elder McKinley)

O’Malley’s hilarious, scene-stealing “Turn It Off” won him a Tony nomination. After Mormon, he starred in Hamilton as King George III on Broadway and on the road, and has appeared in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and American Princess. Beyond acting, he co-founded Broadway Impact, an organization advocating for marriage equality. He remains a champion for social causes and LGBTQ+ rights within the theater community.

Michael Potts (Mafala Hatimbi)

Potts has built a robust career in both theatre and television. He starred in the Tony-winning revival of The Iceman Cometh alongside Denzel Washington and earned acclaim for The Piano Lesson on Broadway. TV fans know him from The Wire (Brother Mouzone), True Detective, and Show Me a Hero. His career continues to balance powerful stage work with scene-stealing screen roles.

Lewis Cleale (Price’s Dad / Mission President)

A Broadway veteran before Mormon, Cleale has continued working steadily, appearing in The Book of Mormon for several years and in productions like The Fantasticks. He’s also lent his voice to recordings and is a respected name in the theatre community.

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Creative

From Stage to Screen: Broadway Stars Who Made It in Hollywood

Broadway has always been a training ground for some of the world’s greatest performers. The discipline, stamina, and craft demanded by the stage often translate beautifully to the camera. Some actors find themselves moving seamlessly between the two worlds, carrying the essence of live performance into their screen roles. Here’s a look at a few who have successfully built careers in both Broadway and Hollywood.

Carrie Coon

Known for her searing stage work in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (for which she earned a Tony nomination), Carrie Coon quickly caught the attention of television and film audiences with The White Lotus, The Leftovers, Fargo, and The Gilded Age. Her ability to bring quiet intensity to both stage and screen has made her one of the most versatile actors of her generation.

Sam Rockwell

Before his Oscar-winning turn in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Rockwell sharpened his craft on stage in plays like Fool for Love and A Behanding in Spokane. He returned to Broadway in 2022 in American Buffalo alongside Laurence Fishburne and Darren Criss, proving his deep roots in live performance.

Cynthia Nixon

Long before Sex and the City made her a household name, Cynthia Nixon was a Broadway regular—making her debut at age 14 in The Philadelphia Story and famously performing in two Broadway shows simultaneously at age 18 (Hurlyburly and The Real Thing). She later won a Tony Award for Rabbit Hole and continues to balance stage roles with a thriving screen career, most recently on The Gilded Age and reprising Miranda in And Just Like That.

Natalie Portman

Portman made her stage debut in The Diary of Anne Frank on Broadway as a teenager, showcasing early on the depth that would define her film work. While she’s best known for Black Swan (for which she won an Oscar), Jackie, and Star Wars, her theater roots reflect the training and presence that ground her screen career.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Before she became Carrie Bradshaw, Parker was a Broadway baby, starring in Annie at age 14 and later in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Once Upon a Mattress. Though television cemented her pop-culture status, she frequently returns to the stage, most recently co-starring with Matthew Broderick in Plaza Suite—a reminder that her stage chops remain as sharp as ever.

Meryl Streep

Often hailed as the greatest living actress, Streep began her career in the theater, including Shakespeare in the Park and Broadway roles before her meteoric rise in film. She has periodically returned to the stage while dominating cinema with performances in Sophie’s Choice, Doubt, The Devil Wears Prada, and August: Osage County—all roles that draw heavily from her stage training.

Timothée Chalamet

Chalamet’s breakout came with Call Me By Your Name, but his roots trace back to Broadway, where he appeared in The Talls and Prodigal Son, the latter earning him rave reviews. He continues to balance Hollywood blockbusters like Dune and Wonka with his stage sensibilities, hinting at more theater work in his future.

Denzel Washington

Washington’s towering presence on screen (Training Day, The Book of Eli, Glory) has always been matched by his stage work. He’s taken on some of theater’s most iconic roles, including Julius Caesar, A Raisin in the Sun, and The Iceman Cometh, and most recently Othello in 2025. His Tony-winning turn in Fences exemplifies how he bridges the worlds of Broadway and Hollywood with equal force.

_____

For these performers, the theater is more than just a career stepping stone—it’s an artistic home. The immediacy of a live audience, the rigor of nightly performance, and the intimacy of the stage all inform their film and television work. As Broadway and Hollywood continue to overlap, these actors prove that great storytelling transcends medium.

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Creative

Broadway Love Triangles Ranked

Hamilton

Nothing stirs the pot in musical theatre quite like a good love triangle. The genre thrives on heightened stakes, soaring voices, and impossible choices – and when romance enters in threes, the drama practically writes itself. Some triangles are tragic, some are messy, some are swoon-worthy, but all are unforgettable when paired with powerhouse vocals.

Here’s a ranking of Broadway’s most iconic love triangles, judged by three criteria: dramatic tension (how badly do we want to know what happens?), vocal fireworks (who belts the house down in the process?), and cultural impact (how much staying power does this triangle have?).

10. Dear Evan Hansen

The unconventional triangle of Evan, the deceased Connor, and Zoe creates a uniquely modern dilemma built on deception and grief. While the stakes are emotionally high – Evan’s lies spiral out of control as he falls for his “best friend’s” sister – the resolution feels more therapeutic than romantic. “For Forever” and “You Will Be Found” showcase contemporary musical theatre vocals, but the triangle itself serves the larger themes of mental health and social media rather than classic romantic tension.

9. Chez Joey (formerly “Pal Joey”)

In Rodgers and Hart’s Pal Joey, Joey Evans (a charming heel) juggles relationships with socialite Vera and ingénue Linda. The “triangle” is less about true romance and more about social climbing, but it sets the template for morally ambiguous Broadway love plots. While the stakes are lighter compared to modern mega-musicals, the songs are lush, jazzy, and sly. “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered” remains one of the all-time great torch songs.

8. Sweeney Todd

The twisted triangle of Sweeney Todd, Mrs. Lovett, and his deceased wife Lucy creates one of Broadway’s darkest romantic dynamics. Mrs. Lovett’s obsessive devotion to Sweeney, built on her lie about Lucy’s fate, drives much of the musical’s horror. “By the Sea” reveals Mrs. Lovett’s delusional domestic fantasies, while Sweeney’s “Lucy” shows his haunted devotion. It’s less traditional romance and more psychological thriller, but the vocal demands and Sondheim’s brilliant writing make it unforgettable.

7. Next to Normal

Diana’s struggle with bipolar disorder creates a complex triangle between her, husband Dan, and her idealized psychiatrist Dr. Madden (representing her various doctors and treatments). The “romance” here is really about Diana choosing between the fantasy of a quick fix and the hard work of real healing. “I Am the One” showcases the pull between Dan’s patient love and the seductive promise of medical solutions. While the vocals are more contemporary pop than traditional Broadway belting, the emotional stakes couldn’t be higher.

6. Wicked

The green girl vs. the blonde girl for the same prince. The triangle of Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyero is less about romance and more about identity and friendship, but the “drama” of who Fiyero truly belongs with (spoiler: the green one) still keeps audiences invested. What cements Wicked’s placement here are the vocals: “Defying Gravity,” “As Long As You’re Mine,” and “I’m Not That Girl” are showstoppers that have launched countless careers. Few musicals can match the combined belting power required here. The cultural impact is undeniable – this show has redefined what Broadway blockbusters can be.

5. Hamilton

This is a triangle that pulses with both history and heartbreak: Alexander Hamilton, his wife Eliza, and her sister Angelica. It’s less a scandalous tug-of-war and more a portrait of missed opportunities, emotional restraint, and devastating betrayal. Angelica’s “Satisfied” reframes Eliza’s “Helpless” in one of the most ingenious bits of musical storytelling in the 21st century. Add Hamilton’s ultimate lapse with Maria Reynolds, and you’ve got not just a triangle but a full love web that ends in ruin. The vocals – rap, R&B, and Broadway balladry – are uniformly killer, and the cultural impact of Hamilton’s revolutionary approach to casting and music cannot be overstated.

4. Phantom of the Opera

Broadway’s former longest-running show is built entirely on one triangle: Christine torn between childhood sweetheart Raoul and tortured genius Erik, the Phantom. The stakes? Love, freedom, sanity, and sometimes life itself. Phantom thrives on gothic melodrama, with Christine’s “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” and the Phantom’s “Music of the Night” providing vocal catharsis. While the Phantom’s obsession can feel more sinister than romantic to modern audiences—sparking important conversations about consent and toxic relationships—there’s no denying the triangle’s grip on audiences for over three decades.

3. Chess

A Cold War chessboard becomes the backdrop for one of Broadway’s most intense triangles: Florence torn between American champion Freddie and Soviet rival Anatoly. Here, love and politics intersect, and the stakes feel monumental with personal relationships become metaphors for global tensions. Vocally, the score is among the most demanding in the canon: “Nobody’s Side,” “Pity the Child,” and “Anthem” test singers to their absolute limits (Not to mention “I Know Him So Well”). Though Chess has always struggled with its book and has had limited Broadway runs, the combination of high-stakes drama and vocal fireworks should be a must-see for the upcoming revival.

2. Miss Saigon

Kim, Chris, and Ellen form one of the most gut-wrenching Broadway triangles. Kim’s devotion to Chris, Chris’s conflicted love between past and present, and Ellen’s rightful claim as his wife create impossible choices with devastating consequences. “I Still Believe” is practically a masterclass in duet-writing, and Kim’s “I’d Give My Life for You” guarantees tears night after night. The sheer dramatic weight and operatic vocals make this unforgettable, though modern revivals have grappled with questions about cultural representation and the “white savior” narrative that somewhat complicate its legacy.

1. Les Misérables

The gold standard: Marius torn between the ethereal Cosette and the tragically overlooked Éponine. While some argue the outcome is predictable, the tension comes from Éponine’s unrequited devotion and her iconic solo “On My Own” – a song that has become an anthem for anyone who’s ever loved from the sidelines. The love triangle plays against the sweeping backdrop of revolution, amplifying every emotion. Add in Cosette and Marius’s soaring “A Heart Full of Love,” and you have the perfect balance of youthful idealism, heartbreak, and musical brilliance. Les Mis proves that when love triangles are set to powerhouse vocals and universal themes, they can become cultural touchstones that transcend generations.

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Creative

September Broadway Astrology Guide

broadway astrology guide


This month is a character shift. A wardrobe change. An emotional reprise. You’re stepping into autumn with vintage flair and fresh clarity. The past has a few encores left, but the next act is all yours!

Let’s dig into the vault. From Golden Age gems to cult favorites for a retro astrology take. September is all about transition, reflection, and reclaiming your spotlight.

Aries (Mar 21–Apr 19)

Damn Yankees
You’re going all in for the win this month. September’s energy has you tempted by ambition, speed, and a shot at glory. But be careful what you bargain away. Sometimes the game isn’t worth the soul contract.

Taurus (Apr 20–May 20)

She Loves Me
You’re craving romance, routine, and just the right amount of chaos. September feels like a handwritten love letter you weren’t expecting. Don’t rush it. The beauty is in the slow unfolding.

Gemini (May 21–Jun 20)

Company
This month, you’re balancing connection and independence. You’re the friend, the flirt, the questioner. September has you asking: Should I get married? Should I stay single? Should I book a flight to Barcelona? You don’t need answers, just better questions.

Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 22)

Follies
Memory is your scene partner this month. You’re walking through the ruins of old dreams, asking if they still matter. September brings nostalgia, beauty, and a little heartbreak. Let the past perform, but don’t let it direct.

Leo (Jul 23–Aug 22)

Gypsy
It’s time to grab the spotlight and strut. September wants you in full-blown star mode. Just remember: you can razzle-dazzle without steamrolling your ensemble. Lead with heart, not just sequins.

Virgo (Aug 23–Sep 22)

A Chorus Line
It’s audition season in your soul. You’re assessing what fits, what doesn’t, and who gets a callback in your life. September is all about precision, purpose, and figuring out what you really want. God, you hope you get it.

Libra (Sep 23–Oct 22)

My Fair Lady
This month is a glow-up arc. You’re refining your image, polishing your presence, and maybe coaching others in the art of grace. Just be careful not to lose yourself in the transformation. You’re the flower, not just the project.

Scorpio (Oct 23–Nov 21)

Sweeney Todd
Your intensity is showing, and September is the perfect month to sharpen your instincts. Something needs to be cut—just be sure it’s not the people who care about you. Revenge is satisfying. Healing is harder.

Sagittarius (Nov 22–Dec 21)

Pippin
You’re on a quest for meaning again, and September gives you plenty of paths to explore. Don’t let flashy distractions pull you off course. You don’t need a grand finale to prove your worth. Sometimes the simple life is the most extraordinary.

Capricorn (Dec 22–Jan 19)

Sunday in the Park with George
You’re building something beautiful this month; layer by layer, dot by dot. September asks you to trust the process, even when it feels like no one sees the bigger picture. Keep going. You are the art and the artist.

Aquarius (Jan 20–Feb 18)

Hair
You’re channeling the revolution. September wants you wild, expressive, and unapologetically free. You’re not here to play by the rules. You’re here to rewrite the game entirely. Let the sun shine in…and let your weird flag fly.

Pisces (Feb 19–Mar 20)

Carousel
You’re deep in your romantic haze this month, dancing between dreams and disillusionment. September wants you to find beauty in the bittersweet. Don’t wait for a miracle. Be the one who brings it.

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Creative

Broadway’s Most Heartbreaking Songs

cynthia erivo signs I'm Still Hurting

There’s something about a Broadway heartbreak song that hits differently than any other kind of musical theatre moment. Maybe it’s the way the orchestra swells just as your heart breaks, or how a single spotlight can make an entire theatre feel like the most intimate space in the world. Whatever it is, these songs don’t just tell us about love ending; they make us feel every agonizing moment of it.

I’ve been thinking about the breakup songs that have stayed with me long after the curtain falls, the ones that make you sit on the train or the walk home afterward and just… breathe (or cry again.) Here are the most devastating goodbye songs in Broadway history, plus a few more that deserve their moment in the spotlight.

The Essential Heartbreakers

1. Then I Can Let You Go – Maybe Happy Ending

This Broadway gem gave us one of the most unexpectedly moving breakup duets in recent memory. Two obsolete helper robots learning to love and let go? It shouldn’t work, but it absolutely destroys you. There’s something about mechanical beings discovering the most human emotion of all—the pain of saying goodbye—that cuts right to the core.

Cynthia Erivo sings “I’m Still Hurting” at The Town Hall

2. Still Hurting – The Last Five Years

Jason Robert Brown opens his musical with a gut punch, and honestly, some of us never recover. Cathy’s quiet devastation in “Still Hurting” is so real it’s almost uncomfortable to watch. The way Brown uses simple melody to amplify crushing lyrics is pure genius—and pure torture.

3. Without You – Rent

Jonathan Larson knew how to write pain, and “Without You” might be his masterpiece of heartbreak. Mimi’s raw, desperate plea captures that moment when you realize the person you love is slipping away, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Every time I hear it, I’m right back in that East Village apartment, feeling every note.

4. I Know Him So Well – Chess

Two women, one man, and a duet that somehow manages to be both civilized and devastating. There’s no screaming, no accusations—just two people who understand each other perfectly, which somehow makes the whole thing even more tragic. It’s the kind of song that makes you call your ex just to make sure you’re both okay.

5. I’d Give My Life for You (Reprise) – Miss Saigon

The original is a mother’s promise; the reprise is a mother’s goodbye. Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil took the most beautiful expression of love and twisted it into the most heartbreaking sacrifice. It’s the kind of moment that reminds you why musical theater exists—to make us feel things we didn’t know we could feel.

6. You Don’t Know This Man – Parade

Lucille Frank’s desperate defense of her husband becomes something much more complex—a woman realizing that love sometimes means accepting how little you really know someone. It’s not technically a breakup song, but it carries the same weight of love disappearing before your eyes.

7. For Good – Wicked

Stephen Schwartz gave us the ultimate friendship breakup, and honestly, it might hurt more than any romantic goodbye on this list. Elphaba and Glinda’s farewell reminds us that some relationships change us so fundamentally that losing them feels like losing a piece of ourselves.

8. All You Wanna Do – Six

Katherine Howard’s solo might be the most devastating example of a song that tricks you. What starts as a bouncy pop anthem slowly reveals itself as the story of a young woman who was manipulated and abused by every man in her life. The contrast between the upbeat music and the increasingly dark lyrics is absolutely gut-wrenching.

9. Far From the Home I Love – Fiddler on the Roof

Hodel’s quiet goodbye to her family is devastating in its acceptance. She’s choosing love over everything familiar, and you can feel the weight of knowing some distances can never be crossed again. It’s one of those songs that makes you call your parents afterward.

10. Burn – Hamilton

Lin-Manuel Miranda gives Eliza the ultimate revenge song, and it’s terrifying in the best way. The way it builds from quiet devastation to blazing fury is breathtaking. Sometimes the most devastating thing you can do is erase someone completely—and Eliza knows it.

11. Not a Day Goes By – Merrily We Roll Along

Classic Sondheim genius: the same song appears twice with completely different meanings. Whether it’s about the beginning of love or the end depends on where you are in the timeline, which makes it heartbreaking in the most sophisticated way possible.

12. I Don’t Remember You – Happy Time

This Kander and Ebb gem sneaks up on you. Claiming not to remember someone while singing an entire song about not remembering them? It’s emotional gaslighting set to a beautiful melody, which somehow makes it even more devastating.

Why we love them?

The truth is, we don’t go to the theater to feel comfortable. We go to feel everything: the joy, the pain, the messy complicated middle of being human. These breakup songs remind us that endings, however painful, are part of every story worth telling.

They’re also proof that musical theater, at its best, doesn’t just entertain us…it helps us process our own experiences. Every time someone on stage says goodbye, they’re giving voice to all the goodbyes we’ve struggled to say ourselves.

Some heartbreak is worth carrying with you.

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Creative

2025-2026 Broadway Season (So Far)

Upcoming Broadway shows

It’s official: Broadway’s 2025–2026 season is set to be a showstopper. Between blockbuster revivals, high-profile debuts, daring comedies, and nostalgic musicals, this year’s lineup offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a die-hard theater nerd, a celebrity spotter, or just looking for your next night out in New York, here’s your essential guide to the productions lighting up the marquees.

BACK TO THE BLOCKBUSTER

MAMMA MIA!
Winter Garden Theatre | Opening August 14, 2025
ABBA’s beloved jukebox musical returns to the Winter Garden—its original Broadway home—bringing a dose of sun-drenched escapism and glittery nostalgia. With a cast led by Christine Sherrill, Amy Weaver, and Carly Sakolove, this revival promises to be both a retro party and a fresh celebration.

BEETLEJUICE
Palace Theatre | Opening October 8, 2025
After a successful tour and its cult following intact, Beetlejuice is rising from the dead once more. Alex Timbers’ high-octane production will haunt the newly reopened Palace Theatre, delivering chaotic comedy, killer design, and a second chance for audiences who missed it the first time.

CHESS
Imperial Theatre | Opening November 16, 2025
Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, and Nicholas Christopher take center stage in this long-awaited revival of the Cold War-set pop musical. With a brand-new book by Danny Strong (Dopesick), this CHESS is aiming for high drama and vocal fireworks.

RAGTIME
Vivian Beaumont Theatre | Opening October 16, 2025
Lear deBessonet helms a starry revival of this Tony-winning epic, featuring Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, and Brandon Uranowitz. Expect sweeping emotion, bold visuals, and powerful commentary on the American dream.

COMEDY & CHARACTER: SOLO SPOTLIGHTS

TAKE A BANANA FOR THE RIDE
Nederlander Theatre | Opening August 18, 2025
Jeff Ross, the king of roasts, gets personal in this comedic one-man show that unpacks his life behind the mic. Part memoir, part roast, all heart.

SUGAR DADDY
Dates & Venue TBD
Following a hit Off-Broadway run and an Edinburgh Festival breakout, Sam Morrison brings his darkly funny tale of grief, queerness, and seagulls to the Main Stem. Directed by A Strange Loop’s Stephen Brackett.

DRAMA, DEBATE & DYSTOPIA

ART
Music Box Theatre | Opening September 16, 2025
What’s more expensive: the price of art or the cost of friendship? Bobby Cannavale, James Corden, and Neil Patrick Harris star in this razor-sharp revival of Yasmina Reza’s Tony-winning play, directed by Scott Ellis.

PUNCH
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre | Opening September 29, 2025
Based on a true story, James Graham (Ink, Best of Enemies) explores justice, forgiveness, and moral complexity in a play that wowed UK critics. Camila Canó-Flaviá and Will Harrison lead a powerhouse cast.

WAITING FOR GODOT
Hudson Theatre | Opening September 28, 2025
Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter reunite (no, not as Bill & Ted) in Jamie Lloyd’s stripped-down revival of Beckett’s existential classic. Can two dudes just wait in peace? Apparently not.

OEDIPUS
Studio 54 | Opening November 13, 2025
Mark Strong and Lesley Manville lead Robert Icke’s critically-acclaimed West End take on Oedipus Rex. Modern, political, and devastatingly precise.

BUZZY NEW PLAYS & MUSICALS

THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES
St. James Theatre | Opening November 10, 2025
Kristin Chenoweth returns in a glitzy new musical based on the infamous documentary about Jacqueline Siegel. With music by Stephen Schwartz and direction by Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending), this could be the season’s most outrageous (and opulent) new musical.

LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD
Booth Theatre | Opening October 30, 2025
Playwright Samuel D. Hunter (The Whale) and director Joe Mantello team up for a quietly devastating family drama starring Laurie Metcalf. Small town. Big heartbreak.

MARJORIE PRIME
Hayes Theatre | Opening December 8, 2025
Jordan Harrison’s sci-fi-tinged meditation on memory and aging makes its Broadway debut, with Anne Kauffman at the helm. Get ready for tears, tech, and talkbacks.

THE LOST BOYS
Palace Theatre | Spring 2026
Yes, that Lost Boys. Michael Arden’s adaptation of the 1987 vampire flick is set to take a bite out of Broadway, fangs and all.

MORE NOTABLE ARRIVALS:

  • DOLLY: AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL – Dolly Parton is writing her own Broadway bio-musical. Enough said.
  • DOG DAY AFTERNOON – Stephen Adly Guirgis brings the gritty bank heist story to the stage, starring Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
  • THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – Let’s do the Time Warp again… at Studio 54, no less.
  • JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE – August Wilson’s classic returns with Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer, directed by Debbie Allen.
  • THE BALUSTERS – David Lindsay-Abaire and Kenny Leon bring suburban HOA drama to a boiling point.
  • WANTED – Formerly Gun & Powder, this explosive new musical centers on twin sisters in the post-Reconstruction South.
  • PRIVATE LIVES and FALLEN ANGELS – Noël Coward’s comedies of manners and mischief are both slated for spring, starring Rose Byrne and Kelli O’Hara.
Categories
Creative

July Astrology: Broadway Edition

Broadway astrology

It’s time for some astrology, Broadway style. Starting now and carrying through the next few weeks, July is charged with emotional revelations, second chances, and bold rewrites. The stars are pushing us to confront the past, embrace vulnerability, and choose our own endings—whether it’s a plot twist, a love story, or a full-on revival.

Aries (Mar 21–Apr 19)

Maybe Happy Ending
You’re soft, electric, and feeling things you didn’t know you could. The next two weeks will have you glitching in the best way. Vulnerable, romantic, and cautiously optimistic. You’re not just rebooting. You’re learning how to love like it’s the first time.

Taurus (Apr 20–May 20)

The Outsiders
You’ve been chill for too long. July says it’s rumble time. It’s loyalty versus survival, and you’re about to prove that you’re more than just steady. You’re scrappy. Embrace your inner Ponyboy, defend your people, and don’t be afraid to burn a little brighter.

Gemini (May 21–Jun 20)

Six
You’re every version of yourself, and this month, you’re ready to headline. July wants you loud, proud, and remixing your own history. Step into your spotlight, split your screen, and serve Tudor realness with a pop beat and a mic drop.

Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 22)

Hadestown
You’re feeling epic. Star-crossed. On the edge of fate. July’s energy has you loving hard and longing harder. But remember, tragedy isn’t your only option. Sometimes the road to the underworld leads back to yourself. Sing anyway.

Leo (Jul 23–Aug 22)

& Juliet
This is your rewrite. You’re not waiting for anyone to give you a happy ending. You’re grabbing the quill and cueing the Backstreet Boys. July is your birth-month bop, and you’re writing it with rhinestones, revenge, and self-love choreography.

Virgo (Aug 23–Sep 22)

John Proctor is the Villain
July is your disillusionment arc and your awakening. You’re seeing things and people more clearly. This month might crack some foundations, but don’t flinch. You’re not here to be the teacher’s pet. You’re here to rewrite the rules and pass the test you believe in.

Libra (Sep 23–Oct 22)

Chicago
You’re giving courtroom couture and calculating charisma. July is about appearances and the truth behind them. You know how to charm, but don’t let that mask your real needs. The razzle dazzle works, but only when it’s anchored in something true.

Scorpio (Oct 23–Nov 21)

The Lion King
You’re being called to rise. Emotionally, spiritually, ancestrally. July brings echoes from the past, and it’s time to face your personal Scar. Step into the sun, reclaim your legacy, and roar like the royalty you are.

Sagittarius (Nov 22–Dec 21)

The Book of Mormon
July is sending you on an absurd journey with meaning hidden in the madness. You’re craving freedom, questioning belief systems, and laughing at it all. Follow the chaos. It just might lead you to the truth. Or at least to Uganda.

Capricorn (Dec 22–Jan 19)

Hamilton
You’re running out of time. Or at least, it feels that way. This month is a sprint toward legacy, with work, ambition, and strategy at the center. But remember, even Hamilton paused for a moment alone in the eye of the hurricane. Rest is not failure.

Aquarius (Jan 20–Feb 18)

Wicked
You’re not like the others, and July makes that crystal clear. This is your moment to rise, defy gravity, and challenge the system. Not everyone will get you, but your uniqueness is your power. Stay green. Stay bold. Stay you.

Pisces (Feb 19–Mar 20)

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
July has you time-traveling emotionally. Revisiting the past, dreaming alternate futures, feeling things no one else understands. You’re a little magic, a little mess, and a lot more powerful than you think. Cast the spell. Rewrite the ending.

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Broadway's Best

Broadway’s Best Shows for Kids

Whether you’re a New York local or planning your family’s very first trip to the city, it can be challenging to figure out which of Broadway’s bevy of options are right for the children in your life. The Broadway’s Best Shows editorial team has assembled our recommendations based on age group (5-10, 11-14, and 14-18), and we’ve also included information about what might be scary or confusing (i.e., humor for grown-ups) so that you can make an informed decision. While the very young might not have the attention span for a three-hour movie, luckily, Broadway blockbusters have intermissions! 

Note that most theaters only permit children ages 4 and up, so be sure to check the website.

For elementary school-aged children 

Water For Elephants

This heart-pounding adventure story about running away to the circus features mind-blowing stagecraft, puppetry, and an emotional, universal story, ideal for someone’s first Broadway show. While it was not explicitly created with kids in mind like Lion King was, and does not talk down to audiences, nothing in the story is too scary for young children – note that a very sick circus horse dies early in Act 1, but (spoilers!) the circus animals actually get to save the day in Act 2. Theatergoers of all ages will be awed by the real circus performers onstage. 2 hrs 45 mins with intermission. 

The Lion King

This long-running stalwart has been the first Broadway show many children ever see, for a reason – Julie Taymor’s awe-inspiring puppetry, a straightforward story and easy humor, Elton John’s songs that are still bops, 30 years in. Don’t let the Disney of it all fool you – the grownups will not be bored either. (Good luck steering your kid away from the mind-blowing amount of merchandise for sale in the lobby.) 2 hrs 30 mins with an intermission. All children require a ticket, even if sitting in a caregiver’s lap. 

For middle schoolers and tweens

SIX

Henry the 8th’s six wives (divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived) are now LIVE on Broadway! A pair of young musical theater writers from England cleverly turned this 17th-century history into a pop concert a la the Spice Girls or Little Mix, and it’s become a Broadway smash. It’s got a cheeky, British sense of humor, and every song is an earworm. It’s bubbly, feisty fun for fans of the Barbie movie, and for children who’ve recently grown out of their “princess phase.” 80 minutes, no intermission. 

Suffs

Inspired by the real-life suffragists who fought to get women the right to vote, Suffs is a thrilling story of female friendship and resilience that fans of Little Women, Annie, and Matilda will love. It’s an opportunity to learn about real-life history even though the show doesn’t feel like homework, and theatergoers will leave feeling inspired. Note that there’s some light swearing, and some incredibly relatable real-life misogyny. 2 hours 45 minutes with intermission. 

The Outsiders

Your sixth-grader is probably required to read S.E. Hinton’s novel for school, so why not take them to the new musical adaptation, which is a vast improvement on the 1980 movie version? The classic tale of teen gang warfare between the rich and the poor in 1960s Telsa is infused with electrifying choreography and soulful, bluegrass-inspired music. The production confronts difficult ideas like how the poor Greasers are trapped in a cycle of poverty, and as a content warning, two of its adolescent characters die (one by suicide.) 2 hours 45 minutes with intermission. 

For high schoolers 

Cabaret

Cabaret’s portrayal of wild Weimar Berlin during the rise of the Nazi party is probably too dark for children under age 13, but its sexuality, thematic maturity, and sheer brilliance is ideal for teenagers hungry for something raw and angry. The 2024 production directed by Rebecca Frecknell wants to spark conversations about the connections between 1930s Germany and today, and dresses the characters in contemporary clothes. Themes of choosing to stand up for what you believe in will resonate with high schoolers. The production runs 2 hours and 45 minutes, with an optional hour long pre-show before curtain time. 

Stereophonic

For the high schooler who’s obsessed with today’s rock stars like Harry Styles and Billie Eilish, who’s done extensive research to figure out who a Taylor Swift song is really about, or who loves Daisy Jones & The Six, this behind-the-scenes look at the recording of a fictional album in 1976 will be a huge crowd pleaser. Its sharply crafted characters, strong humor, and amazing original songs by Will Butler are sure to impress. Older generations in your group will love the allusions to Fleetwood Mac recording Rumours, and the Beatles’ Get Back documentary. Note that the show is period-accurate and includes extensive drug abuse, as well as adult language and intense emotional abuse among the band’s artists. We pinky-promise that the show’s 3 hour runtime flies by, leaving you wanting even more. 

…and for the kid who says they ‘hate theater’ 


The Book of Mormon

The key to this show’s success, now running on Broadway for 13 years, is its sense of humor, refreshingly brutal and snarky. Written by the South Park team, it’s foul-mouthed, juvenile, and crass, perfect for kids too embarrassed or annoyed by the razzle dazzle of Broadway. (It’s okay – jazz hands aren’t for everyone.) Its irreverent humor will entertain the Dimension 20, Rick and Morty, or even PewDiePie fran in your life. It runs 2 hours and 30 minutes with a

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Capsule Reviews

Mother Play

Mother Play

by Ben Togut

Across several decades, a relentless matriarch struggles to navigate her relationship with her two children in Mother Play, now playing at The Hayes Theater. 

As Phyllis, Jessica Lange is mesmerizing. Lange commands the stage in each of her character’s iterations—as an emotionally abusive mother living in poverty, a woman grappling with her children’s queer identities, and a patient at a nursing home trying to cope with her surroundings. As Martha and Carl, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Jim Parsons deliver performances that are moving in their own right, Keenan Bolger as a tomboy struggling with her mother’s expectations and Parsons as a free thinker who remains steadfast in his principles and identity.

Under the direction of Tina Landau, the actors deftly navigate the production’s emotional terrain, finding genuine comedy amid the play’s bleak subject matter. Mother Play gets its biggest laughs through physical comedy, such as when Carl teaches Martha how to “walk like man,” parodying a masculine gait and having her imitate him. Projection design by Shawn Duan, which features a dancing chorus of roaches, provides a welcome moment of campiness while illuminating the family’s experience of poverty.

With layered performances that amplify Paula Vogel’s tragicomedy, Mother Play is an exacting portrait of family dynamics gone awry.

Categories
Capsule Reviews

Uncle Vanya

Uncle Vanya

by Ben Togut

A professor’s return to a country estate reignites old resentments in Uncle Vanya, now playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Back on Broadway with a star-studded cast and a new adaptation by Heidi Schreck, Uncle Vanya finds the humor and pathos in dysfunctional family relationships and breathes new life into Chekhkov’s classic.

Steve Carrell is at the top of his game as the titular Vanya, skillfully tackling Chekhov’s humor and turning a character usually played pathetic and self-pitying into someone lovable. Anika Noni Rose delivers a regal yet grounded performance as Elena, a woman who is keenly aware of how her beauty makes her appear untouchable. Rose is a joy to watch as she reveals Elena’s true character, advocating for a smitten Sonia (Alison Pill) and exposing her own vulnerabilities when she struggles to ward off a romance with Astrov (William Jackson Harper).

The set, by Mimi Lien, features familiar furniture and a giant mural of trees in the background, making the space feel intimate and expansive, while musical interludes by Andrew Bird add a warm, homespun quality to the production. Lighting design by Lap Chi Chu and Elizabeth Harper complements the mood of the play, shifting from candlelit family gatherings to stark, white lighting in the production’s final moments.