All stories by Marc J. Franklin on BroadwayStars

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Revisit The Normal Heart on Broadway in Honor of Larry Kramer by Marc J. Franklin

The playwright and AIDS activist died May 27 at 84.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Ahead of Playbill's May 30 Movie Night, Revisit Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

From rehearsal to opening night, look back at the stage adaption of the classic musical, starring Bryce Pinkham, Corbin Bleu, and more.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:09PM[SHARE]
Monday, May 25, 2020

From Hamilton to Angels in America, Check Out the Past Decade of Drama Desk Award-Winning Productions by Marc J. Franklin

Ahead of the 65th annual ceremony on May 31, we revisit the shows that took home the award's top honors.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Sunday, May 24, 2020

Celebrate Beetlejuice's Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer by Revisiting Her Stage Highlights by Marc J. Franklin

The Drama Desk-nominated actor celebrates her birthday May 24.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Thursday, May 21, 2020

21 Books Broadway Stars Are Currently Recommending by Marc J. Franklin

From Becoming by Michelle Obama to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, check out the books that are on the reading lists of some of theatre's biggest stars.

SOURCE: Playbill at 04:05PM[SHARE]

Celebrating 10 Years of Sardi's Portraits With Tom Hiddleston, Beth Leavel, and More by Marc J. Franklin

Check out highlights from the 2019 portrait unveilings at the famed midtown restaurant.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:38AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Looking Back at the Past Decade of Drama Desk Awards: Part Two by Marc J. Franklin

Ahead of the 65th annual awards on May 31, we revisit the 2015"2019 ceremonies.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:11PM[SHARE]

From Mean Girls to The Band's Visit, Scott Pask Unpacks His Favorite Set Designs by Marc J. Franklin

The Tony Award"winning scenic designer gives Playbill an inside glimpse at his creative process.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:02AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Celebrate Pete Townshend With a Look Back at The Who's Tommy by Marc J. Franklin

The Who co-founder and musician celebrates his birthday May 19.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Monday, May 18, 2020

A Look at Daveed Diggs, Lena Hall, and More in Snowpiercer by Marc J. Franklin

The series, based on Bong Joon-ho's 2013 film, premiered on TNT May 17.

SOURCE: Playbill at 01:34PM[SHARE]

Celebrating 10 Years of Sardi's Portraits With Andrew Garfield, Condola Rashad, Uma Thurman, and More by Marc J. Franklin

Check out highlights from the 2018 portrait unveilings at the famed midtown restaurant.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:08AM[SHARE]
Saturday, May 16, 2020

Celebrate Andrew Keenan-Bolger With a Look Back at His Stage Highlights by Marc J. Franklin

The actor, known for his work in Newsies and Tuck Everlasting, celebrates his birthday May 16.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, May 15, 2020

Looking Back at Frozen's Journey To Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

From the Denver tryout, to the Tony Awards and beyond, revisit some highlights from the hit Disney musical's run.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:59AM[SHARE]

Looking Back at the Past Decade of Drama Desk Awards: Part One by Marc J. Franklin

Ahead of the 65th annual awards on May 31, we're revisiting the 2010"2014 ceremonies.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:10AM[SHARE]

28 TV Shows Broadway Stars Are Currently Binge-Watching by Marc J. Franklin

From Mrs. America to Saturday Night Live, take a look at what Broadway has been watching during the shutdown.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:09AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Look Back at the Original Broadway Production of The Pajama Game by Marc J. Franklin

The musical, directed by George Abbott and Jerome Robbins with choreography by Bob Fosse, opened at the St. James Theatre May 13, 1954.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:00AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Celebrating 10 Years of Sardi's Portraits With Cate Blanchett, Ben Platt, Laura Osnes, and More by Marc J. Franklin

Check out highlights from the 2017 portrait unveilings at the famed midtown restaurant.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:27AM[SHARE]
Monday, May 11, 2020

Check Out These Custom Illustrations of Scenes From Dear Evan Hansen, Hadestown, A Strange Loop, and More by Marc J. Franklin

Theatre Illustrator and sketch artist Laura Bonacci shares her showstopping artwork, re-imagining Broadway from stage to page.

SOURCE: Playbill at 11:12AM[SHARE]
Sunday, May 10, 2020

Look Back at Disney's Tarzan on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The stage adaptation of the classic animated film opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre May 10, 2006.

SOURCE: Playbill at 07:40AM[SHARE]
Saturday, May 9, 2020

Look Back at Audra McDonald, Steve Kazee, and More in 110 in the Shade on Broadway by Marc J. Franklin

The Tony-nominated revival, directed by Lonny Price, opened at Studio 54 May 9, 2007.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, May 8, 2020

We Asked, You Answered: 30 Broadway Props Theatre Fans Wish They Owned by Marc J. Franklin

From the cast in Dear Evan Hansen to the burn book in Mean Girls, check out Playbill readers; favorite stage props.

SOURCE: Playbill at 03:47PM[SHARE]
Thursday, May 7, 2020

Celebrating 10 Years of Sardi's Portraits With Lupita Nyong'o, Jane Krakowski, and More by Marc J. Franklin

Check out highlights from the 2016 portrait unveilings at the famed midtown restaurant.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:20PM[SHARE]

Can You Name the Projects That Earned These EGOT Winners Their Tony Awards? by Marc J. Franklin

From Richard Rodgers to Whoopi Goldberg, test your knowledge of the theatre work that earned these artists a place in the coveted club of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winners.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:07AM[SHARE]

Look Back at The Little Foxes on Broadway Starring Elizabeth Taylor by Marc J. Franklin

The revival of Lillian Hellman's drama opened at the Martin Beck Theatre May 7, 1981.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Monday, May 4, 2020

Celebrating 10 Years of Sardi's Portraits With Bradley Cooper, Helen Mirren, and More by Marc J. Franklin

Check out highlights from the 2015 portrait unveilings at the famed midtown restaurant.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:58AM[SHARE]
Saturday, May 2, 2020

Revisit the Original Broadway Production of Caroline, or Change by Marc J. Franklin

The musical, starring Tonya Pinkins, opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre May 2, 2004.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, May 1, 2020

21 Imaginative Broadway Shows That Have Been Keeping Us Inspired by Marc J. Franklin

From The Wiz to Hadestown, feed your creativity with these innovative productions that have played the Great White Way.

SOURCE: Playbill at 02:44PM[SHARE]

Revisit The Drowsy Chaperone With Danny Burstein, Sutton Foster, Beth Leavel, and More by Marc J. Franklin

The musical comedy, directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, opened at the Marquis Theatre May 1, 2006.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]

Look Back at the 2003 Revival of Gypsy Starring Bernadette Peters by Marc J. Franklin

The production, directed by Sam Mendes, opened at the Shubert Theatre May 1, 2003.

SOURCE: Playbill at 12:00AM[SHARE]
Thursday, April 30, 2020

Think You Have What It Takes to Win Mean Girls' Mathlete Championship Finals? by Marc J. Franklin

Test your knowledge with these Mean Girls-inspired math problems.

SOURCE: Playbill at 10:51AM[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