Articles by Kathryn Willingham

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2024-10-21

Best Broadway Songs for Kids

by Kathryn Willingham

It’s amazing to think that kids as young as 9 can handle leading a Broadway show (looking at you, Matilda). But it turns out that talented triple threats come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Here’s a list of songs for, about, and sung by kids – some of them have turned into iconic musical theater songs known all over the world!

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2024-07-22

Broadway's 2022-2023 Season: A Complete List of Plays

by Kathryn Willingham

The 2022-2023 Broadway season was filled with groundbreaking plays. Between them, they won Tony Awards, Pulitzer Prizes, broke box office records, attracted star talent, and are now being performed all over the country and the world. We’ll tell you what plays were on Broadway in the 2022-2023 season, where you can read them, and where you can find them now.

2024-03-12

Best Los Angeles Musicals Running in 2024 & Coming in 2025

by Kathryn Willingham

New York may be synonymous with Broadway musicals, but Los Angeles and the nearby cities of Costa Mesa and Pasadena have a flourishing musical theater scene as well. Many touring Broadway shows play at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre while theaters like Center Theatre Group, South Coast Repertory, and Pasadena Playhouse create brilliant new works attracting both local and national talent. Other popular venues include the Geffen Playhouse, A Noise Within, and the Fox Performing Arts Center. Here are the some of the best musicals running in 2024!

2024-01-30

Best San Diego Plays Running in 2024

by Kathryn Willingham

San Diego is known for its beaches, the San Diego Zoo, the Padres baseball team in Petco Park, and some of the best theater on the West Coast and in North America. Broadway shows like Come From Away and Jersey Boys started at La Jolla Playhouse, while the Old Globe Theatre has produced such classics as Into the Woods, The Full Monty, and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Here are the plays you can see in San Diego right now and what performing arts events are coming up soon!

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2024-01-02

West End Shows for Kids

by Kathryn Willingham

There’s something on the West End for everyone at every age - from plays featuring world-famous celebrities to fringe favorites and pantomimes. If you’re looking for a show that’s great for kids, check out these family friendly hits running right now – from tried-and-true classics like The Lion King to newer shows like Stranger Things, there are so many shows to choose from!

2023-11-05

Best San Diego Musicals Running in 2024 & Coming in 2025

by Kathryn Willingham

San Diego is home to many professional and local theaters, with some of the best actors in the country gracing their stages. Theaters like The Old Globe and La Jolla Playhouse are known for their world premieres musicals that have often made the move to Broadway. Here are the best San Diego musicals you can see right now, and what’s coming to San Diego theatres soon!

2023-11-05

Best Los Angeles Plays Running in 2024

by Kathryn Willingham

When you think of entertainment in Los Angeles, tv and film may be the first things that come to mind, but the city has a thriving theater scene as well. The Hollywood Pantages Theatre often hosts Tony Award winning touring Broadway shows, and companies like Center Theatre Group, the Geffen Playhouse, Pasadena Playhouse, Deaf West Theatre, Skylight Theatre, La Mirada Theatre, and others produce heralded new work as well as revivals. Check out what plays are running in Los Angeles and what upcoming shows you can catch on stage soon!

2023-11-05

Theater Box Seats

by Kathryn Willingham

Unlike box seats at a stadium, concert, or arena, theater box seats are often discounted – there may be sightline issues that cut off certain areas of the stage, or nearby sound or electric equipment that obscure the views. But a box seat isn’t always a bad seat. It can also be a fun and unique (not to mention cheaper!) way to see a Broadway show. Here’s all the ticket information you need to know if you’re interested in these seats.

Les Miserables Musical in London's West End

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2023-10-30

Celebrities on the West End

by Kathryn Willingham

From Olivier Award-winning actors to Oscar and Emmy Award-winning movie and tv stars, the West End is full of some of the best talent in the world. Here’s who you can see on stage right now and who will be gracing the stage soon!

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2023-10-10

Broadway Gift Cards

by Kathryn Willingham

In this article we’ll tell you everything you need to know to find the perfect gift card for your favorite theatre lover. There are multiple options to choose from, and cards can be used to redeem tickets to a variety of Broadway and off-Broadway plays and musicals as well as other performing arts shows, comedy, dance performances, and concerts.

2023-09-20

Christmas Theater Shows

by Kathryn Willingham

There’s nothing like the holidays in New York City. From ice skating beneath the giant Rockefeller Christmas Tree to shopping at the holiday markets to drinking hot chocolate and eggnog by the gallon, there’s so much to see and do in New York around the holidays. And Broadway is no different – in this article we’ll go over the holiday themed Broadway shows as well as other performing arts options like the Rockettes and The Nutcracker, and what other holiday happenings you can enjoy throughout the season.

2023-07-12

Best Chicago Plays Running in 2024 and 2025

by Kathryn Willingham

Chicago audiences are spoiled for choice – the Windy City has some of the best theater and entertainment in the world. From local talent to Broadway tours, Shakespeare to experimental, auditoriums with thousands of seats to storefront theaters with dozens, there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking to see a play, you’re in the right place: here’s what Chicago theatre plays are on right now and what’s coming soon!

2023-04-24

West End Theatre Tickets

by Kathryn Willingham

London’s West End is made up of 39 theaters including the Piccadilly Theatre, Apollo Victoria Theatre, Dominion Theatre, and Drury Lane Theatre, and it includes the areas of Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Mayfair, and Piccadilly. The West End regularly hosts some of the world’s best theater and acting talent, and many shows premiere on the West End before making their way to New York. Here’s how to get tickets to great London theatre and West End shows!

2023-04-14

Best Broadway Musicals Playing in Chicago

by Kathryn Willingham

Chicago is filled with theater – from touring Broadway shows, to world premieres, to local theatre productions of classic musicals, you could see a different show every night. Many Chicago theaters are conveniently located near downtown Chicago, Millennium Park, and the Magnificent Mile, and in this article, we’ll let you know what’s playing right now and what will be on stage soon!

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2023-04-01

Guide to Last Minute Broadway Tickets

by Kathryn Willingham

Maybe you’re in town at the last minute, maybe you just like to fly by the seat of your pants, but either way, you want to see a Broadway show…fast. Never fear! Even with only hours to spare, you can still get great seats to a range of Broadway shows. No matter your budget, we’ll tell you how to score cheap Broadway tickets, or the best seats in the house, with only hours to spare.

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2023-03-23

Best Restaurants Near the Winter Garden Theater

by Kathryn Willingham

The Winter Garden Theatre is located at 1634 Broadway between 50th and 51st Streets in New York City and is one of only two theaters physically located on Broadway (the other being, appropriately, the Broadway Theatre.)

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2023-03-23

Chicago Theater District

by Kathryn Willingham

Below we’ll tell you what theaters are located in – and just beyond – the theater district as well as popular hotels and other attractions in the area like Millennium Park and The Art Institute of Chicago.

2023-03-14

Rodgers and Hammerstein Musicals

by Kathryn Willingham

Rodgers and Hammerstein are known for ushering in the Golden Age of musical theater, starting with their first collaboration on Oklahoma! and continuing with Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music, among others.

2022-11-06

Andrew Lloyd Webber Musicals

by Kathryn Willingham

Andrew Lloyd Webber is an English composer famous for his work in musical theater. He has composed over twenty musicals, including the megahits Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cats, and The Phantom of the Opera.

2022-11-06

Broadway Week

by Kathryn Willingham

Broadway Week is an annual tradition for locals and visitors alike, a chance to get 2-for-1 tickets to even the most popular Broadway shows. In this article, we’ll tell you how Broadway Week works and other ways to get cheap tickets, as well as information about programs like NYC Restaurant Week and NYC Must-See Week, which offers discounts to museums and other attractions.

2022-11-06

Best Broadway Shows of All Time

by Kathryn Willingham

An oft-argued topic among theater lovers of all ages, the best Broadway show is up for debate. What is the best Broadway Shows of All Time?

2022-11-06

Best Comedy Off Broadway Shows

by Kathryn Willingham

In this article, we’ll tell you what comedies are playing off-Broadway as well as tips on how to get premium seats, discount tickets, and more. Here’s what’s playing right now!

2022-11-06

Best Broadway Shows for Teens

by Kathryn Willingham

Are you a teenager looking for a ticket to a Broadway show in New York City? Or maybe you’re a parent looking for a show that both you and your musical theatre loving teen will enjoy. We’ve got you covered.

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2022-11-06

Broadway Shows on Tour

by Kathryn Willingham

From the Great White Way to a city near you, these Broadway shows are on tour in North America. Buy tickets to catch your favorites, see brand new shows, and enjoy all things Broadway – even when you can’t make it to the theater district in New York City.

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2022-11-06

Theater Podcasts

by Kathryn Willingham

Here are some of our favorite podcasts and plays that theatre lovers can listen to right now!

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2022-11-06

Best Broadway Songs

by Kathryn Willingham

What are the absolute best songs on Broadway? It's difficult to answer a question that is, at its core, so subjective. Do you prefer tragic ballads? Musical theater jams to dance to? Ambitious audition songs for your school’s spring musical? Whatever your preference, we'll give you a selection of iconic openers, tear-jerking 11 o'clock numbers, and the most romantic love songs to hit the Broadway stage.

2022-11-06

Broadway Shows on Monday

by Kathryn Willingham

Most Broadway shows in New York City have eight performances a week: One each evening from Tuesday – Saturday, plus an afternoon matinee on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Sunday evenings and Mondays in Broadway theater are “dark” – the lights are off and no one is performing. But what if you’re only in town on Monday? Do you have to miss all the fun? Luckily there are a few shows that have performances at off times. Here’s what you can see!

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2022-11-06

How Much Do Broadway Tickets Cost?

by Kathryn Willingham

In this article we’ll take you through how to get discount tickets, how to get access to Broadway lotteries, when to see a show, and other tips to get cheap tickets!

2022-11-06

What to Wear to a Broadway Show

by Kathryn Willingham

The easiest answer first: there is no specific dress code to enter a Broadway theater, and you’ll see people in pretty much everything. Evening shows tend to be dressier than matinees, but really, anything goes.

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2022-11-06

Hotels Near Richard Rodgers Theatre

by Kathryn Willingham

Located at 226 West 46th Street, the Richard Rodgers Theatre has been home to plays and Broadway musicals like If/Then, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Porgy and Bess, In the Heights, and Seussical. But since 2015, it has been home to the musical juggernaut Hamilton. This megahit with book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda has been playing to sold out houses ever since it first premiered off-Broadway, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down.

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2022-11-06

Hotels Near Lincoln Center

by Kathryn Willingham

Located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of New York City’s Upper West Side, Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts is comprised of eleven resident arts organizations including Lincoln Center Theater, The Juilliard School, Film at Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, the New York City Ballet, New York Philharmonic, and the Metropolitan Opera among others.

2022-11-06

Broadway Shows with Puppets

by Kathryn Willingham

When you think of puppets, you might think of Sesame Street or Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood or Lambchop. You might even think that puppets are always meant for children. But they have always had a place in theater, from a Punch and Judy puppet show in the 1600s all the way through to The Lion King today. And they have been included in both shows geared toward children (Winnie the Pooh just made a splash off-Broadway) and shows meant decidedly for adults (looking at you, Avenue Q). That tradition continues, and you can see these shows on Broadway right now!

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2022-11-06

Best Theater District Restaurants Near Broadway

by Kathryn Willingham

Catching a Broadway show is a perfect way to spend your afternoon or night in New York City, and if you’re looking to pair it with a great meal, look no further. Whether you have time for a sit-down meal with the whole family or want a classic slice of New York pizza on the way to the theater, we have a list of the best restaurants in the theater district:

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2022-10-24

Best Restaurants Near Carnegie Hall

by Kathryn Willingham

Carnegie Hall is located at 881 7th Avenue and first opened in New York City in 1891. It has since taken on a legendary status, presenting world-class music programming and performances all year round. We've compiled a list of great restaurants near and around Carnegie Hall.

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2022-10-23

Best Off-Broadway Shows in New York City

by Kathryn Willingham

“Off-Broadway” simply means that a theater has a seating capacity of between 100 and 499 seats, and savvy theatergoers know that some of the best shows in town start here…and for way less than the cost of a Broadway ticket.

2022-10-19

NYC Broadway Lottery Tickets

by Kathryn Willingham

Many Broadway shows offer lottery tickets, rush tickets, and standing room only tickets, giving you more chances than ever to see the most popular shows in New York and score great discounts. Check out which shows offer these opportunities and all the fine print you need to know.

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in the August Wilson Theatre

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2022-10-19

Celebrities on Broadway

by Kathryn Willingham

Part of the fun of Broadway is seeing your favorite celebrities, New York actors, and Broadway stars in person. And you may be surprised by just how many Hollywood stars have been on stage in recent years.

2022-10-17

Leonard Bernstein Musicals

by Kathryn Willingham

Leonard Bernstein is an American composer, conductor, pianist, and author who was extraordinarily influential to musical theater and the performing arts. In this article, we’ll walk you through his award-winning musicals, let you know where to listen to some of his best-known works, and point you toward some of the best books and interviews about the man himself.

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2022-10-15

The Ultimate Guide for Best Books About Broadway

by Kathryn Willingham

There are so many great books about theater – whether you’re looking to find the perfect gift for your Broadway loving friend, searching for a great memoir by your favorite actor, want to know more about Broadway theater history, or want to find a great story to share with your kids, we’ve got the perfect book for you!

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2022-10-12

Top Broadway Shows Currently Running in 2024

by Kathryn Willingham

Times Square is busier than ever, and there’s never been a better time to buy a ticket. We know the choices can be overwhelming, so we’ve collated a list of the Top Broadway Shows – the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winners, the sold-out hits, the longest running shows, and the celebrities drawing crowds.

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2022-10-12

Best Broadway Musicals

by Kathryn Willingham

In a true embodiment of “the show must go on,” Broadway shows are back open and better than ever after being shut down for nearly a year and a half. Your favorite mega-hits are back alongside a large selection of new, exciting productions. If you’re looking to see a musical, there’s no better time to grab a Broadway ticket. Here’s a list of the best Broadway musicals, from the longest-running and most popular to the newest shows in town.

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2022-10-12

Upcoming Broadway Shows for 2024 and 2025

by Kathryn Willingham

Are you planning a trip to New York City, looking for a ticket to a play or musical, or just wanting to know what’s coming up on Broadway? We’ve done the research for you! Broadway is back from its long Covid hiatus, and Spring brings with it a slew of new shows – 16 different shows are opening in April alone, and even more are on the horizon. So break out your planner, here’s what you’re going to want to see in the coming months. And we’ll also give you some tips and tricks on how to score great tickets!

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2022-10-10

Broadway Revivals

by Kathryn Willingham

A Broadway revival is any new Broadway production of a play or musical after the original run of the Broadway show has closed. Usually there will be a new creative team – new director, new choreographer, new actors – and sometimes there will even be changes made to the music or book.

2022-10-10

Musicals Based on Movies

by Kathryn Willingham

Regardless of the Rotten Tomatoes scores of the films they’re based on, many of these musical theatre shows go on to be huge critical and box office successes. In fact, over the last 20 years, many of these musical adaptations won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Find out which ones here.

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2022-10-04

What is Broadway?

by Kathryn Willingham

Broadway is, at its simplest, the word used to describe theatrical shows playing at one of 41 theaters in midtown Manhattan. But there’s so much more.

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2022-10-04

Broadway Musical Posters

by Kathryn Willingham

We’ve compiled some of the best posters of Broadway musicals and plays, movie musical posters, and vintage wall art so you can decorate your bedroom, living room, classroom – any room! Proudly showcase your love of Broadway with these fabulous posters from fans and designers, or get the perfect gift for the theatre lover in your life.

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2022-10-01

Best Broadway Plays

by Kathryn Willingham

New York City is known for many things – the food, the nightlife, Wall Street, Central Park, famous art museums and sports teams – but Broadway is one of the biggest reasons tourists visit The Big Apple. In this article, we’ll tell you what plays are running on Broadway right now as well as how to get great seats and cheap tickets.

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2022-10-01

Broadway Shows for Kids

by Kathryn Willingham

Getting tickets to a Broadway show is an essential part of any trip into New York City, and if you're visiting with kids, seeing their faces light up when they see their first Broadway musical is a memory you will treasure forever. And you're in luck: there are many family-friendly shows that are ready to enchant people of all ages. We'll also give you tips to help make sure your trip to the Broadway theater is the best experience ever. But first, onto the shows! Here are some of the best family shows currently or soon to be running on Broadway that are great for both kids and kids at heart. We've structured these by age recommendation, starting with shows for a younger audience and ending with shows more suited to older kids and teenagers. No matter if you’re looking for shows for little kids, middle schoolers, pre-teens, teens or young adults, we’ll help you find the perfect show.

2022-10-01

How Many Broadway Theaters Are There?

by Kathryn Willingham

There are 41 Broadway theaters in and around the theatre district in New York City. Bordered by 40th street to the south and 54th street to the north, the theater district is located in Midtown Manhattan and encompasses Times Square – if you’re looking for same day Broadway tickets, head to the TKTS Booth in the heart of Times Square just below the giant red steps!

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2022-09-21

Best Hotels Near Broadway NYC

by Kathryn Willingham

When you book a hotel in Times Square, you’re right in the heart of the action and within walking distance to Broadway theaters, Central Park, Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, shopping on Fifth Avenue, and world famous cuisine. Whether you’re visiting from out of town, from another country, or are a New Yorker looking for the perfect staycation, here’s where to stay on any budget!

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2022-09-17

Restaurants Near Gershwin Theater

by Kathryn Willingham

Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre has been delighting audiences on Broadway since 2003. Located on 222 West 51st Street in the Theater District in midtown Manhattan, the Gershwin Theatre is named after the Tony Award winning brothers, composer George Gershwin and lyricist Ira Gershwin.

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2022-09-12

Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album

by Kathryn Willingham

The annual Grammy awards are presented by the Recording Academy, which consists of musicians, producers, recording engineers, and other music experts. The name “grammy” refers to a gramophone, a type of record player, and the first ever Grammy Awards were celebrated in 1959. The Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album was a category even then, though it was originally called Best Original Cast Album (Broadway or TV). The Music Man, composed by Meredith Willson, won the first award.

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2022-09-11

Discount Broadway Tickets

by Kathryn Willingham

So you’re in New York, you’re excited to see a Broadway show, but you need to keep to a budget. We’ve been there, we are there, we’re happy to help. Broadway shows are magical, wondrous, once-in-a-lifetime experiences…and they can also be, let’s face it, expensive. But cheap Broadway tickets exist and if you know where to look, there are plenty of discounts, last minute deals, student rates and lotteries that can keep the ticket price down while still giving you a good seat.

2022-09-08

Broadway Disney Musicals

by Kathryn Willingham

See Broadway the Disney way! A great choice for families and kids of all ages, Broadway adaptations of beloved Disney movies allow fans to see their favorite stories and characters live. Ever since Disney started producing musicals with Beauty and the Beast in 1994, there has been at least one Disney musical running on Broadway. Here’s what you can watch now – live or from the comfort of your couch!

Recommendations

2022-09-08

Best Broadway Cast Recordings and Movie Musical Soundtracks

by Kathryn Willingham

From Original Broadway Cast Recordings to iconic revivals, listening to your favorite Broadway soundtrack album is a way to experience the magic of your favorite show all over again or experience a new show or composer for the first time.

Recommendations

2022-09-01

Broadway Musicals on Netflix

by Kathryn Willingham

We’ve compiled some of the best posters of Broadway musicals and plays, movie musical posters, and vintage wall art so you can decorate your bedroom, living room, classroom – any room! Proudly showcase your love of Broadway with these fabulous posters from fans and designers, or get the perfect gift for the theatre lover in your life.

2022-08-31

Stephen Sondheim Musicals

by Kathryn Willingham

Stephen Sondheim is a composer and lyricist known for his contribution to musical theater. In this article, we’ll walk you through his many award-winning musicals, let you know what musicals you can watch on stage right now, and show you how his work continues to influence new artists and our culture today.

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2022-07-11

Broadway Gifts

by Kathryn Willingham

Do you need the perfect gift for the theatre lover in your life? Maybe a birthday or anniversary is coming up, or maybe you want to get them something just to let them know you’re thinking about them. Whatever the occasion, we’ll find you the best gifts for your loved one.

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2022-07-01

Jukebox Musicals

by Kathryn Willingham

A jukebox musical is a musical that uses pre-existing songs rather than original music created for the show. There are many nuances, but these musicals usually come in one of two forms.

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2022-07-01

Hamilton Merchandise

by Kathryn Willingham

If you love Hamilton as much as we do, you want to find a way to show off your favorite musical. We have scoured the Internet to curate the best apparel, jewelry, wall art, home décor, souvenirs, and accessories for you and your loved ones. Find your next Hamilton gift here!

2022-07-01

History of Broadway

by Kathryn Willingham

Music and dance have been used to tell stories all the way back to ancient Greece in the 5th century BCE. Commedia dell’arte, pantomime, pageants and masques were all popular during the Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries. But let’s skip forward in time to what looks a little more like modern Broadway theater.

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2022-06-30

Live Musicals

by Kathryn Willingham

Live TV Musicals have become more and more popular over the last decade. As opposed to movie adaptations or pro-shots (musicals that are professionally filmed live on stage but edited and released later – think Hamilton on Disney+ or Come From Away on AppleTV+), a live tv musical is filmed and broadcast live especially for television. It’s less about recreating the feeling of in person, live theater and more about creating something entirely distinct and new.

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2022-06-24

Streaming Broadway Shows

by Kathryn Willingham

Nothing compares to a night out at the theater – but sometimes you can’t quite get there. Lucky for us, it’s easier than ever to find great theatre shows that you can watch from the comfort of your couch. We’re going to compare four theater-specific digital streaming services and also let you know where to find your musical favorites on Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, and HBOMax.

About Kathryn Willingham