All stories by David Rooney on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Broadway-Bound 'Motown' Musical Launches Nationwide Search for Young Michael Jackson by David Rooney

Berry Gordy is using YouTube to find a performer to play the multiple roles of the pre-teen Jackson, Stevie Wonder and the music mogul himself.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 03:49PM[SHARE]
Monday, July 16, 2012

Dogfight: Theater Review by David Rooney

The 1991 Warner Bros. feature directed by Nancy Savoca and starring River Phoenix and Lili Taylor has been adapted into a touching Off Broadway musical by up-and-coming composing team Benj P…

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 10:00PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Diane Lane Returning to the Stage in 'Sweet Bird of Youth' by David Rooney

The actress will star opposite Finn Wittrock in David Cromer's production of the Tennessee Williams play at Chicago's Goodman Theatre, starting Sept. 15.read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 06:31PM[SHARE]
Sunday, July 8, 2012

Martin Pakledinaz, Tony-Winning Broadway Costume Designer, Dies at 58 by David Rooney

The veteran theater, opera and ballet designer was renowned for his witty and elegant work on period musicals, earning Tonys for "Kiss Me, Kate" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie."read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 08:23PM[SHARE]

Macbeth: Theater Review by David Rooney

Scotland's own Alan Cumming takes on the country's most famous dramatic character in a radical one-man rethink of the Shakespeare classic, presented in New York as part of Lincoln Center Fes…

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:08PM[SHARE]
Friday, June 29, 2012

Sigourney Weaver and David Hyde Pierce Return to the New York Stage in Chekhov Mashup by David Rooney

The actors join the cast of Christopher Durang's new play, premiering Off Broadway in the fall in a Lincoln Center Theater production.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 07:26PM[SHARE]
Thursday, June 28, 2012

Nora Ephron's 'Lucky Guy' Still in Broadway Pipeline by David Rooney

Producer and former HBO Films president Colin Callender confirms his ongoing commitment to bringing the late writer's bioplay about Mike McAlary to the stage.read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 04:19PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Why Nora Ephron's Films Made Such an Impact: A Critic's Take by David Rooney

THR's David Rooney analyzes the legacy of the writer-director's screen work, which often traded successfully in old-fashioned romance.read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 06:07PM[SHARE]

Alec Baldwin Returns to Broadway in 'Orphans' by David Rooney

The "30 Rock" star will be back on the Great White Way next spring in director Daniel Sullivan's production of the 1983 Lyle Kessler play.read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:43PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Berry Gordy-Inspired 'Motown' Musical to Launch on Broadway in 2013 by David Rooney

A bio-show based on the life of the legendary music mogul, the production will feature hits from Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson, among others.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 03:00PM[SHARE]
Monday, June 25, 2012

Theater Review: '7th Monarch,' by Jim Henry, at the Acorn Theater by David Rooney

Jim Henry's play "7th Monarch" involves an academically brilliant, socially challenged young woman with parent issues.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:32PM[SHARE]

Billy Ray Cyrus Headed to Broadway in 'Chicago' by David Rooney

The singer-actor will make his Broadway debut in the long-running Kander and Ebb revival, now in its 16th year.read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 12:36PM[SHARE]
Friday, June 22, 2012

Tony-Winning Broadway Composer Richard Adler Dies at 90 by David Rooney

The co-composer and lyricist of hit shows "The Pajama Game" and "Damn Yankees" also staged and produced the legendary Kennedy celebration at which Marilyn Monroe sang "Happy Birthday, Mr. Pr…

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 01:56PM[SHARE]
Thursday, June 21, 2012

As You Like It: Theater Review by David Rooney

Lily Rabe, David Furr, Andre Braugher, Oliver Platt, Renee Elise Goldsberry and Stephen Spinella star in the summer's Shakespeare in the Park opener, relocated to the American South in 1840 …

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 09:30PM[SHARE]

Bobby Cannavale Joins Al Pacino in Broadway Revival of 'Glengarry Glen Ross' by David Rooney

In the first of two major roles he is scheduled to tackle on the Great White Way this season, the "Nurse Jackie" star will appear opposite the previously announced Pacino in David Mamet's cu…

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 03:33PM[SHARE]
Thursday, June 14, 2012

Theater Review: 'Tiny Dynamite' by Abi Morgan at 59E59 Theaters by David Rooney

Abi Morgan's "Tiny Dynamite" is bruising and intense, blending humor with melancholy.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:05PM[SHARE]

Susan Stroman to Shepherd Woody Allen's 'Bullets Over Broadway' to Stage by David Rooney

The five-time Tony Award winner will direct and choreograph the Broadway musical adaptation of Allen's 1994 crime comedy about an aspiring playwright mingling with the Mob.read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:00PM[SHARE]

Harvey: Theater Review by David Rooney

He's nothing like Jimmy Stewart ... and that's a good thing for the "Big Bang Theory" star, who brings quirky charm to the Broadway revival of the 1944 comedy about a man and his invisible, …

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 03:22PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Debra Winger to Make Broadway Debut in David Mamet's 'The Anarchist' by David Rooney

The actress will star opposite Patti LuPone in the playwright's new work about passion, deception, religion and revolution, one of a handful of additions to the new theater season announced …

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:28PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Broadway's 'The Best Man' Gets Fresh Star Power With Cybill Shepherd, John Stamos by David Rooney

Kristin Davis and Elizabeth Ashley will also step into the hit revival of Gore Vidal's political satire next month.read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:27PM[SHARE]
Sunday, June 10, 2012

'Once' Woos Tony Awards Eight Times Over by David Rooney

In addition to the best musical winner, other major prizes went to "Clybourne Park," "Death of a Salesman" and "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess."read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 11:32PM[SHARE]

Rock of Ages: Film Review by David Rooney

Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta play the small-town girl and city boy in this tribute to '80s hair metal and the L.A. rock scene, with Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta…

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 07:00PM[SHARE]
Friday, June 8, 2012

Ten Good Reasons to Watch the 2012 Tony Awards by David Rooney

The absence of clear frontrunners in many of the major Tony races will make this year's annual Broadway honors an uncommonly suspenseful night.read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 12:41AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Neil Patrick Harris Prepares For His Third Turn as Tony Awards Emcee (Q&A) by David Rooney

The "How I Met Your Mother" star takes a break from rehearsals to talk with THR about the challenges and rewards of hosting Broadway's big night.read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 04:10PM[SHARE]
Sunday, May 13, 2012

Dan Stevens Joins Broadway Cast of 'The Heiress' by David Rooney

David Rooney Currently shooting season three of "Downton Abbey," the British actor will join Jessica Chastain and David Strathairn onstage in the revival of the Henry James adaptation.read m…

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 11:59PM[SHARE]
Friday, May 11, 2012

Zooey Deschanel to Play Loretta Lynn on Broadway by David Rooney

David Rooney The Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated star of Fox TV's "New Girl" will channel the country music legend in her autobiographical musical, "Coal Miner's Daughter."read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 01:01AM[SHARE]
Thursday, May 10, 2012

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Theater Review by David Rooney

Fans of "Smash" won't want to miss Megan Hilty putting her own delightful stamp on a quintessential Marilyn role.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 08:20PM[SHARE]

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: Theater Review by David Rooney

Lorelei Lee lives again in "Smash" star Megan Hilty's inspired comic turn in this 1949 musical, based on Anita Loos' novel about a gold-digging flapper who knows how to work her assets.read …

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 05:44PM[SHARE]

Andrew Garfield on Playing Biff Loman and Spider-Man by David Rooney

Andrew Garfield's Biff, in "Death of a Salesman" on Broadway, is just the latest in a string of conflicted, richly complex characters this 28-year-old actor has played in his short but alrea…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:08AM[SHARE]
Monday, May 7, 2012

NY Drama Critics Honor 'Once', 'Prophets', 'Tribes' by David Rooney

David Rooney The group also awarded special citations to the Signature Theatre Company and to veteran director Mike Nichols for career achievement. read more

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 08:34PM[SHARE]

Lonely, I'm Not: Theater Review by David Rooney

David Rooney Portraying emotionally encumbered people struggling to connect, Topher Grace and Olivia Thirlby reteam with film director Paul Weitz on his latest play, premiering Off Broadway.…

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter at 08:30PM[SHARE]

All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off