“The comedians behind some thoughtful shows (this year) are exploring the vexed problem with a mixture of droll wit and intuitive wisdom." One of them created an AI replica of himself and interacts with it onstage; another recounts how he became convinced AI software was deliberately sabotaging his career. - The New York Times
This past season saw only six new musicals, the fewest in 25 years; the coming season will have at least eight, roughly the post-COVID normal. The shows have eight-figure budgets, and some have music by superstars (Lin-Manuel Miranda, Dolly Parton, Prince), while others have familiar IP (Paddington, Benjamin Button, Black Swan.) - Broadway Journal
“When a show becomes a meme, the meme becomes the story, eclipsing the show itself. This phenomenon is here to stay. Thankfully, we’ll always have satire.” - The New York Times
Cell phones are the least of it. Yes, of course they occasionally find people having sex in the auditorium or restrooms, but they've encountered things even worse. - The Guardian
ATG Entertainment (originally Ambassador Theatre Group) owns seven Broadway houses, ten London venues, numerous theatres in Europe, and the discount app TodayTix. Now Emanuel’s company Mari, which owns Frieze art fairs and two large pro tennis tournaments, has agreed to acquire ATG for a rumored $6 billion. - The Hollywood Reporter
On Instagram, the composer wrote, "Maybe the show’s closing just might be remembered as the moment that caused everyone involved with Broadway to come to their senses and address the unsustainable cost of producing and running any new show now.” - Variety
Unfortunately for KC Rep, they’re looking at the same time that there are two other major arts organizations are fundraising and searching out spots. What to do? - KC Studio
“I want to see the eyes of the actors, I want to get closer to the emotion - which is what theatre can’t give you. It’s a different thing,” says the Hadestown pro-shot director. - NPR
“There are countless reasons behind the demise of any Broadway show, each of which is essentially a start-up business taking its chances in a volatile market.” - The New York Times
"It’s a distinct privilege to witness something being born. It’s exciting.” But developmental opportunities are disappearing from the United States theatre scene at an alarming rate. - American Theatre
Shapiro, who won a Tony in 2008 for directing August: Osage County and was Steppenwolf’s artistic director from 2015 to 2021, currently runs the graduate directing program at Northwestern University. At Juilliard, where her tenure begins next July, she succeeds Evan Yionoulis, who is now dean at Yale’s School of Drama. - The Hollywood Reporter
As Taproot’s current and founding artistic team members chat in the theater’s comfortable lobby, with its welcoming windows looking out onto North 85th Street in Greenwood, it’s hard to believe that the company’s permanent space was once an X-rated movie theater with a dirt floor basement. - Seattle Times
Pittsburgh's theater community is betting that a business deal of its own — the merger of the Pittsburgh CLO and the Pittsburgh Public Theater — will pay off. - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Caird concluded that Broadway’s significant cost meant it might now “no longer necessarily be people’s choice of where to put a show, which is maybe a good thing". He added: “Maybe some sanity will return .” - The Stage
