#Musicals
Trailer Watch: Alisha Weir Leads a Revolt Against Emma Thompson in “Matilda the Musical”
“Once upon a time there was a little girl who was trapped. This is the story of her great escape,” we’re told in a new trailer for “Matilda the Musical.” The adaptation...
Taraji P. Henson Joins Warner Bros.’ “The Color Purple” Musical Adaptation
Taraji P. Henson is adding to her busy slate. According to Variety, the Oscar nominated actress is set to star as Shug Avery in Warner Bros.’ previously announced new adaptation of the...
Beanie Feldstein Will Be Broadway’s New “Funny Girl”
Beanie Feldstein is stepping into Babs’ roller skates. The “Booksmart” star will topline Broadway’s first “Funny Girl” revival, The Hollywood Reporter confirms....
Callie Khouri Working on Stage Musical Version of “Thelma & Louise”
Thelma and Louise are set to drive into pastures new. Callie Khouri, the award-winning screenwriter of the 1991 titular classic has revealed she is working with a number of collaborators on a stage...
Quiara Alegría Hudes on the Responsibility of Taking “In the Heights” from Stage to Screen
Writer-producer Quiara Alegría Hudes is a big believer in weaving in parts of her Latino heritage and culture into her storylines for a greater sense of reality. So when she was asked to join...
“Best Summer Ever’s” Lauren Smitelli on Making an Inclusive Musical & the Importance of Representation
Interview by Meghan Gheron Lauren Smitelli is a writer, director, and producer. As an alumna of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, her work has been exhibited at SXSW, Sundance, Venice, and the...
Diane Warren, Susan Stroman, & Weinstein Survivor Louisette Geiss Join Forces for #MeToo Musical
Screenwriter and Harvey Weinstein accuser Louisette Geiss is teaming up with 11-time Oscar-nominated songwriter Diane Warren and Tony-winning theater director and choreographer Susan Stroman to tell...
Wanuri Kahiu and Jocelyn Bioh Are Bringing Broadway Musical “Once On This Island” to Disney+
“Rafiki” writer-director Wanuri Kahiu and “School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play” scribe Jocelyn Bioh are teaming up on a film adaptation of “Once On This Island.”...
Pick of the Day: “Military Wives”
In her review of 2018’s “A Star Is Born,” NPR’s Linda Holmes wrote, “if you happen to have notes at the end of the film that remind you that you did, for all the analysis you may attempt...
Annabel Oakes Will Write and Exec Produce HBO Max’s “Grease” Spinoff
“Transparent” alumna Annabel Oakes will offer a fresh spin on the “Summer Nights” of yore. She’s been tapped to write the pilot for “Grease: Rydell High,”...
Diane Warren and Tamara Chestna Working on a Musical Drama for Paramount
Diane Warren has netted 11 Oscar nominations for penning various movies’ theme songs, and now there’s a movie in the works based on her original music. According to Deadline, the “Til...
“Frozen’s” Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez Have a Movie Musical in the Works
Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez have already won two Oscars for Best Original Song and scored a third nomination this year for “Frozen II” anthem “Into the Unknown,”...
Dee Rees Will Write and Direct Big Screen Rendition of “Porgy and Bess” for MGM
It’s wintertime and, thanks to this news, the livin’ is still easy. Dee Rees is writing and directing a big screen adaptation of the Gershwins’ “Porgy and Bess” for MGM,...
Emerald Fennell Is Working on a New Musical Version of “Cinderella”
Emerald Fennell is offering a fresh take on an old classic. The Guardian reports that the former showrunner of “Killing Eve” has teamed up with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber on a new...
Fran Drescher and Rachel Bloom Are Working on a Musical Based on “The Nanny”
Rachel Bloom has sung about everything from heavy boobs to period sex to anti-depressants, and now the Golden Globe-winning “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” co-creator and star is turning to...
“Hadestown” Director Rachel Chavkin Will Return to Broadway with “Lempicka”
Rachel Chavkin is coming back to Broadway. The Tony-winning “Hadestown” director will helm “Lempicka,” the story of artist Tamara de Lempicka, who survived the Russian...
Musical Adaptation of Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer’s “Between the Lines” Is Headed Off-Broadway
Jodi Picoult’s novels have served as the source material for Cameron Diaz-starrer “My Sister’s Keeper” and Britt Robertson-led “The Tenth Circle,” among other...
Tina Gordon to Direct Youth Choir Comedy “Praise This” for Universal
“Sister Act” fans, take note: another musical comedy about a choir is on the way. “Little” helmer and co-writer Tina Gordon has been tapped to direct Universal Pictures’...
“Jagged Little Pill” Musical Going to Broadway
“Jagged Little Pill” is going to have a whole new life on Broadway. The American Repertory Theater musical, based on Alanis Morissette’s 1995 album of the same name, will be opening...
“Mystic Pizza” Musical in the Works from Melissa Etheridge
Good news, ’80s movie fans and lovers of esoteric “30 Rock” references: a “Mystic Pizza” musical is on the way. According to Deadline, Melissa Etheridge will be writing...
Christiani Pitts on Being the First WOC to Play Ann Darrow in Broadway’s “King Kong”
When Christiani Pitts was hired for “King Kong” on Broadway, she immediately felt the significance of the casting choice. Not only is she the first woman of color to ever take portray Ann Darrow,...
The Women of “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” Discuss Their Camaraderie and Female Empowerment
Every night at Stage 42 in New York City, four women are bringing the house down in the musical “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”: Emma Degerstedt, Dionne D. Figgins, Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, and Alysha...
Abby Mueller of Broadway’s “Beautiful” Talks Playing a Rock Star Who Lives on Her Own Terms
Abby Mueller is currently inhabiting the world of Carole King in the Broadway musical “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” The role is clearly a familiar one to the actress, who was the...
Michaela Coel Musical “Been So Long” Gets Netflix Premiere Date
“Junkhearts” director Tinge Krishnan’s musical “Been So Long” has generated buzz ever since its footage was previewed at Cannes last year. Netflix ultimately walked away...
Julie Taymor’s “Across the Universe” Returns to Theaters
Over ten years ago, Julie Taymor’s Oscar-nominated musical “Across the Universe” brought the music of The Beatles to the big screen in its own revolutionary way. Now, it’s...
“Sweat” Playwright Lynn Nottage Will Pen Michael Jackson Broadway Musical
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage is taking on the King of Pop for her next gig. The New York Times confirms the “Sweat” writer will pen the book for a Broadway...
“Mean Girls'” Kate Rockwell On Working with Tina Fey and Playing an Iconic Character
Kate Rockwell now knows what it’s like to work with the one person she’s most admired throughout her career. That person is Tina Fey, whose teen comedy “Mean Girls” became a hit in 2004...
“Mean Girls” Breaks Broadway Record, Teams Up with Young Women’s Leadership Network
Scoring 12 Tony nominations, shattering a Broadway record, and supporting young women — way to make fetch happen, “Mean Girls!” You go, Glen Coco! The musical adaptation of the...
Broadway Star Ariana DeBose Talks Portraying Donna Summer in the Age of #TimesUp
Ariana DeBose’s life has certainly changed a lot since appearing in Broadway’s breakout hit “Hamilton.” First, she had a lead role in “A Bronx Tale,” and now she is in the spotlight...
Emma Thompson Co-Writing and Directing “Nanny McPhee” Stage Musical
Emma Thompson is stepping into the director’s chair. The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the Oscar winner will helm and co-write a stage musical adaptation of 2005’s “Nanny McPhee.”...
Trailer Watch: Lily James Plays a Young Meryl Streep in “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”
It’s time to head back to Kalokairi, and all the singing, dancing, and stunning scenery that made audiences fall in love with the Greek island in “Mamma Mia!” A trailer for the 2008 film’s...
“Pretty Woman” Coming to Broadway, Samantha Barks to Star
Vivian Ward made it to Rodeo Drive and now she’s going all the way to Broadway. “Pretty Woman” is headed to the stage. According to the BBC, “Les Misérables” actress Samantha Barks will...
Uzo Aduba to Star in “The Secret Life of Bees” Musical Workshop Production
Uzo Aduba is following in Jennifer Hudson’s footsteps. According to Entertainment Weekly, the “Orange Is the New Black” star will be playing Rosaleen in a musical workshop production of “The...
“Mamma Mia!” Sequel Announced
Universal has realized it could never let go of “Mamma Mia!” Variety reports that a sequel for the 2008 musical hit is officially in the works. “Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!” will hit...
Sara Bareilles to Make Broadway Debut in “Waitress”
Sara Bareilles served as composer and lyricist on “Waitress,” and now she’s joining the Broadway sensation’s cast. The Grammy- and Tony-nominated singer-songwriter will star in the musical...
Trailer Watch: Belle’s Inner Beauty Shines in Final “Beauty and the Beast” Spot
The final U.S. trailer for Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast” is live, and the spot offers more insight into Belle’s relationship with her father, the Beast, and the enchanted...
“Waitress” Broadway Musical Recoups $12 Million
This calls for a celebratory pie. “Waitress” has recouped its “$12 million capitalization costs, according to producers, less than 10 months after the show began previews in March,” Variety...
“Fun Home” Lyricist Lisa Kron Receives Kleban Prize for Musical Theater
Lisa Kron, who wrote the book and lyrics for the musical “Fun Home,” recently received the 2017 Kleban Prize, which includes $100,000, for writing in musical theater, the New York Times writes....
“Mean Girls” Musical to Make its World Premiere this Fall
“Mean Girls” is finally making its way to the stage. The long-awaited musical version of the beloved 2004 teen film is scheduled to make its world premiere this fall at the National Theater in...
Trailer Watch: Grab a Tissue for Lifetime’s “Beaches”
Who knew that what we were lacking in our lives was an Idina Menzel version of “Wind Beneath My Wings”? Thanks to the new trailer for Lifetime’s remake of “Beaches,” we now realize the...
Musical Adaptation of “Amelie” Heading to Broadway Starring Phillipa Soo
A musical adaptation of the French film “Amelie” will hit Broadway in April, 2017 with “Hamilton’s” Phillipa Soo in the lead role, Variety reports. The musical will open at the Walter...
Bette Midler’s “Hello, Dolly!” Breaks Broadway Sale Records
Bette Midler has broken a record. As Deadline reports, her upcoming Broadway revival of “Hello, Dolly!” has already banked $9.08 million in ticket sales, and the show won’t even open...
“Wicked” Musical Coming to the Big Screen
After almost 13 years on Broadway, “Wicked” is finally set to fly on the big screen. Universal has announced that the musical film adaptation of the hit show and book will open in theaters...
Barbra Streisand Will Finally Get to Play Mama Rose in ‘Gypsy’
It’s looking like Barbra Streisand’s long-awaited screen version of the musical “Gypsy” has found a home. A deal is being finalized at STX Entertainment. Streisand will star as iconic stage...