All stories by Melena Ryzik on BroadwayStars

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Joel Schumacher, Directing 'Neighborhood 3,' Gets an Education by Melena Ryzik

Mr. Schumacher, who has weathered many industry storms, finds putting on a play is a different kind of thrill.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:58PM[SHARE]
Saturday, October 3, 2015

Drinking With Sam Rockwell, a 'Fool for Love' on Broadway by Melena Ryzik

He stars opposite Nina Arianda in a Broadway revival of the Sam Shephard cowboy love story, opening next week.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:36PM[SHARE]
Thursday, June 11, 2015

'Hand Foot Fizzle Face' Digs Into an Odd Collaboration Between Beckett and Jasper Johns by Melena Ryzik

A new play opening at Jack in Brooklyn was inspired by an enigmatic collaboration on a 1977 artists' book by Samuel Beckett and Jasper Johns.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 02:12PM[SHARE]
Monday, May 25, 2015

Turn On (MP3s), Tune In and Ride by Melena Ryzik

Joyride is a kind of interactive theater for bike riders in the city: you take off from a single point, all listening to the same soundtrack on MP3 players.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM[SHARE]

Web Slinger Is Poised to Cast Net by MELENA RYZIK

Reeve Carney, the newly installed Spidey, can still walk unnoticed to rehearsals. But by the time the show opens on Dec. 21, that may not be possible.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM[SHARE]

Reverend Billy’s Revelation: A Role for Money by MELENA RYZIK

What happened when a Dutch theatrical company asked to buy the rights to the character played by an anticonsumerist activist.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM[SHARE]

In Brooklyn, Dramatizing Real Discord by MELENA RYZIK

The Civilians are preparing to stage “In the Footprint,” a layered portrait of the debate surrounding the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM[SHARE]

For Kevin Spacey, a Reviled Lobbyist Is No Mere Villain by MELENA RYZIK

Kevin Spacey plays the disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff in his new film, "Casino Jack," opening Friday.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:58PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, April 14, 2015

ArtsBeat: Jake Gyllenhaal Will Star in 'Little Shop of Horrors' at City Center by Melena Ryzik

Mr. Gyllenhaal will star opposite Ellen Greene and Taran Killam of "Saturday Night Live" in the concert production of the sci-fi musical.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:01PM[SHARE]
Thursday, March 19, 2015

A Cultural Leap: Lisa D'Amour Juggles 'Airline Highway' and 'Milton,' a Tale of Five Towns by Melena Ryzik

While the playwright Lisa D'Amour prepares her "Airline Highway" for New York, she's developing "Milton," a show based on interviews with residents of American towns.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:00AM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 27, 2014

Snapshot: Adam Trent, Magician, Makes Broadway Debut by Melena Ryzik

The illusionist Adam Trent is making his Broadway debut with "The Illusionists " Witness the Impossible."

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 10:12AM[SHARE]
Monday, November 3, 2014

'On the Town' Actors Bond Around New York by Melena Ryzik

The three lead actors of the musical "On the Town" bond around New York even when they're not in their roles.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:35PM[SHARE]
Thursday, September 4, 2014

John Waters Riffs on His 50-Year Retrospective by Melena Ryzik

John Waters describes his 50-year retrospective at the Film Society of Lincoln Center as the first nonironic career tribute he has ever received.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 04:03PM[SHARE]
Friday, May 16, 2014

'Dream of the Red Chamber' and Other Sleep-Oriented Shows by Melena Ryzik

A new breed of production invites spectators to bed down in an immersive performance space, exploring their perceptions of their surroundings in a half-awake state or in their dreams.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:59PM[SHARE]
Thursday, February 20, 2014

Oscar-Nominated Songs With Familiar Composers - NYTimes.com by Melena Ryzik

The song had humble roots, though. Ms. Anderson-Lopez and Mr. Lopez, a Tony winner for the musicals "Avenue Q" and "The Book of Mormon," started banging it out on the piano at their home stu…

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:37PM[SHARE]
Thursday, September 19, 2013

ArtsBeat: Sting's Musical To Open on Broadway After Chicago Tryout by Melena Ryzik

"The Last Ship" will open in Chicago next summer, before a planned Broadway opening that fall.    

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:10PM[SHARE]
Thursday, March 14, 2013

Cyndi Lauper on Being a Composer, for 'Kinky Boots' by Melena Ryzik

Cyndi Lauper, trailblazer in pop, now a Broadway composer and reality TV star, expounds on her journey.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 08:00AM[SHARE]
Friday, January 11, 2013

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler Will Be Giving Sondheim His Big Break by Melena Ryzik

The Golden Globe hosts have already started planning something spontaneous for their big night.

SOURCE: carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com at 04:11PM[SHARE]
Thursday, December 20, 2012

Scene City: Racing Pulses Before and After a Screening of 'Zero Dark Thirty' by Melena Ryzik

The screening of "Zero Dark Thirty," the dramatization of the hunt for Osama bin Laden, was hosted by Al Pacino in honor of its star, Jessica Chastain.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 06:17AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, November 20, 2012

ArtsBeat: R. Kelly Discusses Theatrical Adaptation of 'Trapped in the Closet' by Melena Ryzik

Mr. Kelly, who appeared wearing a black shirt and pants, with red leather gloves and carrying a lit cigar, said he was already working on the theatrical adaptation.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:38AM[SHARE]
Friday, July 13, 2012

ArtsBeat: It Takes Two: Artistic Director Explains Why a Bukowski-Sondheim Show Makes Sense by Melena Ryzik

A new theatrical work that fuses Bukowski's poetry with Mr. Sondheim's music and lyrics is scheduled to open in November in Long Beach, California.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 12:00PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, July 11, 2012

ArtsBeat: Diane Lane To Star in 'Sweet Bird of Youth' in Chicago by Melena Ryzik

Finn Wittrock will costar in the Goodman Theater production, to be directed by David Cromer.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 05:53PM[SHARE]

ArtsBeat: A New Green Goblin for 'Spider-Man' Musical by Melena Ryzik

Robert Cuccioli will replace Patrick Page in August.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:54AM[SHARE]
Friday, March 9, 2012

ArtsBeat: Replacement for Klugman Also Bows Out of 'Twelve Angry Men' by Melena Ryzik

David Canary, who was to replace Jack Klugman in "Twelve Angry Men," will be replaced by Terry Layman.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:27PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, March 7, 2012

A Salute to France and World Premieres for New York City Ballet Gala by Melena Ryzik

The gala, to be held on May 10, will have a French theme, the company announced on Wednesday, and will feature the world-premieres of two ballets.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 01:58PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Carpetbagger: Carey Mulligan and the Play That Is 'Shame' by Melena Ryzik

Carey Mulligan discusses how acting differs from theater to films like "Shame."

SOURCE: carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com at 05:23PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, August 10, 2011

ArtsBeat: 'Godspell' Finds Its Savior in 'Weeds' Co-Star by Melena Ryzik

The revival is scheduled to start previews on Oct. 13.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 11:48AM[SHARE]
Monday, August 1, 2011

Bares, not Bulls, on Wall Street by Melena Ryzik

An art work leads to three arrests.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 09:23AM[SHARE]
Monday, July 4, 2011

Joffrey Season Threatened by Melena Ryzik

The opening of the Joffrey Ballet's coming season could be canceled because of a contract dispute.

SOURCE: The New York Times Subscription at 03:12PM[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