All stories by Erik Piepenburg on BroadwayStars

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Your Scary Summer of Movies, Graveyards and Horror Clubs by Erik Piepenburg

Summertime is a ripe time for terror. Our horror expert picks a night at the drive-in for a slasher double feature, an amble through a cemetery and more.

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Thursday, June 4, 2026

Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf on Their Tony-Nominated ‘Death of a Salesman’ by Erik Piepenburg

The stars Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf talk with the show’s director, Joe Mantello, about the exhilaration of collaborating and the trap of sentimentality.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:05AM[SHARE]
Thursday, April 30, 2026

August Wilson Like You’ve Never Heard Him Before: In Italian by Erik Piepenburg and Maurizio Fiorino

In three U.S. cities, a new production of the playwright’s cabdriver drama “Jitney” will be imported from Italy.

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Friday, April 3, 2026

In 'Burnout Paradise,' Running on Treadmills Is Only the Half of It by Erik Piepenburg and Yuvraj Khanna

In "Burnout Paradise," four performers try ambitious tasks while jogging. If they can't beat their run time goal, the audience gets its money back.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:18AM[SHARE]
Thursday, March 19, 2026

'Dead Lover' Review: A Monster of Her Making by Erik Piepenburg

A lonely gravedigger tries to Frankenstein love in Grace Glowicki's macabre queer romance.

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

On the Hunt for 24 Hours of Drag in N.Y.C. by Erik Piepenburg and Amy Lombard

An enthusiast went on a madcap adventure to find some fun events for all types across the city, from bingo fans to "Star Trek" aficionados.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:42AM[SHARE]
Saturday, February 21, 2026

'The Lost Boys' on Broadway and Cynthia Erivo in 'Dracula': Why Vampires Won't Die by Erik Piepenburg

With "The Lost Boys" on Broadway and Cynthia Erivo in "Dracula" in London, our horror expert looks at how bloodsuckers sunk their teeth into pop culture.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:31AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Sean Hayes Suffers Writer's Block and More Horrors in 'The Unknown' by Erik Piepenburg

In David Cale's "The Unknown," the actor plays 11 characters including a writer suffering the horrors of writer's block and an unraveling mind.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:18AM[SHARE]
Monday, December 1, 2025

It's a Homophobic Slur. What's It Doing in So Much Theater? by Erik Piepenburg

"Prince Faggot," "Figaro/Faggots" and other productions use the word to shock, provoke, reclaim it for gay men or all of the above. Does that make it OK?

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:36AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Broadway Performers Rehearse for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade by Erik Piepenburg and Dolly Faibyshev

We tagged along to a late-night rehearsal for performers from "Just in Time," "Buena Vista Social Club" and "Ragtime."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:06PM[SHARE]
Saturday, November 15, 2025

For 'The Running Man,' Colman Domingo Is Your Host by Erik Piepenburg and Jason Nocito

While the Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated actor loves to put on a show, his role as Bobby T in this Stephen King adaptation is the first time he has played a showman in the movies.

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Monday, October 27, 2025

Laurie Metcalf and Other Steppenwolf Members on 50 Years of 'Freedom Onstage' by Erik Piepenburg

Laurie Metcalf, Gary Sinise and other members of the Chicago company reminisce about unexpected performances, stunning monologues and career-changing roles.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:12AM[SHARE]
Monday, October 6, 2025

Bobby Cannavale, James Corden and Neil Patrick Harris, 'Art' Stars, Went to MoMa by Erik Piepenburg

Bobby Cannavale, James Corden and Neil Patrick Harris talked about paintings that made an impression and, like their characters in "Art," had questions about one another's taste.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:02AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Broadway Dreams Were Dashed, Then Rob Madge Knocked on Some Doors by Erik Piepenburg

The British performer is bringing "My Son's a Queer (but What Can You Do?)" to City Center this week, after an earlier run was canceled.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:02AM[SHARE]
Monday, April 14, 2025

How 'Stranger Things' Scaled Up for Broadway by Erik Piepenburg and Graham Dickie

A big opening scene that took about two-and-a-half years to perfect plunges theatergoers into the sci-fi world of the hit Netflix series.

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Wednesday, February 12, 2025

With 'Mindplay,' Vinny DePonto Wants to Bring More Awe Into Your Life by Erik Piepenburg

In this mentalist show, the magician asks his audience: "What is most meaningful to you?"

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:32AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Alaska Knows Why 'Drag: The Musical' Resonates: 'It's About Family' by Erik Piepenburg and Lanna Apisukh

The performer discusses her Off Broadway musical about warring queens. "Everyone can connect to being a young person not feeling understood," she said.

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Wednesday, December 11, 2024

In 'Our Town,' the Characters Are Fictional. The Smells Are Real. by Erik Piepenburg

Backstage at the Broadway play, they're frying up the aroma of breakfast " part of a long tradition of adding scents to plays and movies.

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Monday, November 18, 2024

The 'Death Becomes Her' Frenemies Take Their Youth Potion to Broadway by Erik Piepenburg

The campy supernatural movie comes to Broadway as a big, bawdy musical starring Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard.

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Sunday, November 17, 2024

Why 'Tammy Faye' the Musical Feels Like a Redemption by Erik Piepenburg

The televangelist defended gay men during the AIDS crisis. Now she's getting perhaps the gayest tribute: a Broadway show led by Elton John.

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Tuesday, October 29, 2024

'Ragtime' Crushed Brandon Uranowitz's Dream. Now It's Healing His Wounds. by Erik Piepenburg

Nearly 30 years after being let go from the Broadway-bound show, this Tony Award winner is taking a lead role in a new revival at City Center.

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Tuesday, July 16, 2024

With a Killer Onstage and a Body Part in the Back, the Show Went On by Erik Piepenburg

The creators of "Inspired by True Events" wanted their new immersive theater piece to convey ominousness, not a haunted-house riff on "Noises Off."

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Wednesday, June 12, 2024

All in the Details: Tony-Nominated Set Designers on Getting It Right by Erik Piepenburg

For this year's nominees, some of their most rewarding " and realistic " work was in the smaller details.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:36AM[SHARE]
Monday, March 4, 2024

Bringing 'Teeth,' a Feminist Awakening With a Lethal Bite, to the Stage by Erik Piepenburg

Michael R. Jackson is helping adapt the darkly comic horror film into a musical. But can a show about a teenager with vagina dentata sing?

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:32AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Mary Todd Lincoln, Thwarted Cabaret Star? That's Cole Escola's Take. by Erik Piepenburg

"Oh, Mary!," which follows a boozing, romance-starved first lady, is the latest entertainment about the Lincolns, illustrating their staying power as irreverent genre figures.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:18PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, November 15, 2023

'How to Dance in Ohio': A Story About Autism and Connection by Erik Piepenburg

In a first for Broadway, openly autistic actors are playing the autistic characters in this new musical about a doctor helping neurodiverse clients.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:24AM[SHARE]
Thursday, December 22, 2022

New Year's Eve in New York City: What to Do, See and Eat by Erik Piepenburg

Ring in the holiday just like the old days " in person.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:40PM[SHARE]
Thursday, March 24, 2022

Booze, Biscuits and Bands: Musical Brunch Is Back in New York by Erik Piepenburg

Here are six brunches that, after a long pandemic pause, are entertaining and feeding weekend crowds in Manhattan and the Hudson Valley.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:42AM[SHARE]
Thursday, October 21, 2021

What to Do for Halloween in New York City by Erik Piepenburg

The Village Halloween Parade is back. Haunted houses have reopened. And we've rounded up movies that are not-so scary or are downright horrifying.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:24AM[SHARE]
Thursday, October 22, 2020

Halloween's Not Canceled: Here's How to Make It Spooky but Safe by Erik Piepenburg

Movies, podcasts, cemetery walks and more: Our guide to enjoying a socially distant fright fest.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:06PM[SHARE]
Thursday, October 24, 2019

Hoping for a Spooky Halloween? We Have Some Suggestions by Erik Piepenburg

Writers, directors and other creators share recommendations for how to spend the scariest night of the year.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:06PM[SHARE]

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