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Short-run Broadway shows bring in stars to try to turn a profit

Nov 5, 2024
This season, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars are coming to Broadway’s stages for limited runs. But can producers make money when a show can sell tickets for just a few months?
Patti LuPone, left, and Mia Farrow on the red carpet for opening night of "The Roommate."
John Nacion/Getty Images

Behind the curtain: What it’s like to be a professional performer

Mar 15, 2024
For performer Jonathan Betchtel, it all started with the film "Moulin Rouge."
With long hours, tough schedules and challenging physical demands, the life of a performer can be a constant hustle.
Courtesy Nate Watters

How Seattle cabaret performers weathered the pandemic

Feb 14, 2024
How cabaret performers weathered the pandemic.
The pandemic devastated many performers' businesses — and forced some to confront the possible end of a career.
Courtesy Nate Watters

Streaming has its own allure, but movie theaters still offer "a little bit of joy"

Dec 9, 2022
Between surprise hits and the push and pull of streaming, Stephanie Silverman says theaters still have lessons to learn.
Despite the convenience of streaming services, moviegoers are back at theaters.
Getty Images

Will new, diverse leadership help bring cultural change to Broadway?

May 30, 2022
Lileana Blain-Cruz, the new resident director at Lincoln Center Theater, is in an influential position. Her choices could resonate nationally.
Lileana Blain-Cruz is nominated for a Tony for directing “The Skin of Our Teeth” and has another play, “Dreaming Zenzile,” about musician-activist Miriam Makeba, opening at the New York Theatre Workshop.
Alexandra Starr

One show at a time, Broadway theater is coming back

Sep 27, 2021
Currently 12 shows are open in New York's prime theater district. By year-end, there should be 38.
Lin-Manuel Miranda performs at "Hamilton" Broadway Opening Night at Richard Rodgers Theatre on Aug. 6, 2015 in New York City.
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Broadway theater returns with an unprecedented seven plays by Black writers

Aug 20, 2021
Their success may hinge on attracting new audiences.
Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu is one of seven Black playwrights with a new work being performed on Broadway this season.  Photograph by Beowulf Sheehan

For public good, not for profit.

Having survived pandemic lockdown, a small British theater company takes a bow

May 28, 2021
Blackeyed Theatre, a touring group, on how the company weathered COVID-19 and the worst financial crisis in its history.
According to a recent study, 90% of U.K. actors are usually unemployed. The pandemic made matters worse.
Leon Neal/Getty Images

How is Broadway getting ready to reopen?

May 11, 2021
Broadway producer Eva Price says getting her show, "Jagged Little Pill," up and running again is like starting over.
New York's hushed theater district in April 2020. "Broadway has persevered for so many decades, I knew we would again," says producer Eva Price.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Theaters and dance companies scramble to survive this holiday season

Dec 9, 2020
Arts organizations have had to cancel or reimagine their blockbuster holiday shows due to the pandemic.
Faith Lee rehearses the role of Clara in the Maryland Youth Ballet’s 2020 version of “The Nutcracker.”
Courtesy of the Maryland Youth Ballet