New York, NY – May 21, 2026 – Veteran theatrical press agents Heath Schwartz and Michelle Farabaugh have acquired principal ownership of Boneau/Bryan-Brown, Inc., a publicity firm with over three decades of experience serving the theater industry, rebranding the company effective June 1, 2026 as Aperture Public Relations.

Formed in 1991 by legendary press agents Chris Boneau and Adrian Bryan-Brown, who established the modern theatrical press agency model, Boneau/Bryan-Brown, Inc. has represented more than 400 theatrical productions on and off-Broadway, on national tour, and across the globe. Their campaigns have won 254 Tony Awards, 12 Pulitzer Prizes, 244 Drama Desk Awards, 178 Outer Critics Circle Awards, and countless other recognitions for clientele over more than a quarter century. A full list of the firm’s history on Broadway can be found at IBDB.

Heath Schwartz and Michelle Farabaugh, both long-time employees of Boneau/Bryan-Brown, Inc., will lead Aperture Public Relations as Partners and Co-Presidents while Adrian Bryan-Brown will continue providing client services for the new business and Chris Boneau will be an independent consultant.

The firm’s current clients include the Tony Award-winning Broadway productions Chicago, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Outsiders, and SIX: The Musical; off-Broadway hits Mexodus and The Play That Goes Wrong; and institutions including Atlantic Theater Company, Audible Theater, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Classic Stage Company, and Paper Mill Playhouse. The company also serves as a consultant to The Broadway Cruise, The Cape Playhouse, International Literary Properties, and Lively McCabe.

Statement from Heath Schwartz and Michelle Farabaugh

“Boneau/Bryan-Brown has long set the gold standard among entertainment communication firms, serving not only as an industry leader but as an incubator for some of the most accomplished press agents working today. As Broadway and the media landscape continue to evolve, we embrace this next chapter with intention and vision. With our trusted team, Aperture will open the lens of opportunity to what’s possible for our clients, framing new perspectives and cutting through the noise to bring their stories into sharp and compelling focus. We are deeply grateful to Chris and Adrian for their years of mentorship and for the trust they’ve placed in us to carry this legacy forward.”

Statement from Chris Boneau and Adrian Bryan-Brown

“We know Heath and Michelle are going to lead a new era in communications marketing for theatre—in New York, nationwide, and globally. With their extensive industry knowledge, experience and expertise, not only will they continue to offer timely unparallelled direction and support to the industry, but they will also drive innovation and redefine how theatre is promoted. We are so excited for the launch of Aperture.”

BIOGRAPHIES

Heath Schwartz (Partner & Co-President)

Heath Schwartz began working as a press agent at Boneau/Bryan-Brown in 2004.

Over his 22-year career, he has led campaigns for current Tony Award-winning hits Chicago, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and The Outsiders, as well as such past shows as Mean Girls, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, The Elephant Man, Living on Love, Pippin, The Heiress, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Stick Fly, Follies, The House of Blue Leaves, The Motherf**ker With the Hat, Fences, Next Fall, A Little Night Music, Shrek The Musical, and more.

Other Broadway credits include the international smash hit Jersey Boys, which he opened and worked on throughout its entire 11-year Broadway run, along with Is He Dead?, The Farnsworth Invention, Frost/Nixon, The Year of Magical Thinking, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Drowsy Chaperone, Doubt, and more, including productions on and off-Broadway for Manhattan Theatre Club and Signature Theatre.

Heath is a Texas native and graduate of Baylor University.

Michelle Farabaugh (Partner & Co-President)

Michelle Farabaugh joined Boneau/Bryan-Brown as an intern in 2012.

In the years since, she has represented more than 160 shows on and off-Broadway, including the recent Broadway return of Mamma Mia!; the Tony Award-winning Best Plays Leopoldstadt and The Ferryman; David Byrne’s American Utopia; Mean Girls; The Notebook; Groundhog Day; Deaf West’s Spring Awakening; Here Lies Love; The Hills of California; and more.

She currently works with the Tony Award-recognized Paper Mill Playhouse and has represented Audible Theater productions since Audible’s theatrical division launched eight years ago.

She also spent ten seasons at Manhattan Theatre Club with shows including August Wilson’s Jitney, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Cost of Living, and Constellations.

Michelle sits on the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers’ Board of Governors – Press Agent Chapter and its Apprentice Committee.

She is a graduate of Villanova University and a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where a summer internship with Pittsburgh CLO cemented her decision to pursue a career in the theater.

Follow

Website: www.AperturePR.com
Instagram: @Aperture.PR

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NEW YORK—The Drama Desk Awards celebrated the best of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway theater at The Town Hall in New York City on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Hosted by Titanique star Marla Mindelle, the ceremony marked the awards’ return to the historic venue for the first time since the 2020 shutdown.

Outstanding Play

• Caroline, by Preston Max Allen
• Cold War Choir Practice, by Ro Reddick
• Meet the Cartozians, by Talene Monahon
• Prince Faggot, by Jordan Tannahill
• WINNER: The Balusters, by David Lindsay-Abaire
• The Porch on Windy Hill, by Sherry Stregack Lutken, Lisa Helmi Johanson, Morgan Morse, and David M. Lutken
• Well, I’ll Let You Go, by Bubba Weiler

Outstanding Musical

• Beau the Musical
• Mexodus
• WINNER: Schmigadoon!
• The Seat of Our Pants
• Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Outstanding Revival of a Play

• Becky Shaw
• Ceremonies in Dark Old Men
• WINNER: Death of a Salesman
• Los Soles Truncos
• Titus Andronicus
• You Got Older

Outstanding Revival of a Musical

• Amahl and the Night Visitors
• Chess
• WINNER: Ragtime
• The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
• The Baker’s Wife
• The Rocky Horror Show

Additional Categories

The awards also honored performances, direction, choreography, design, music, orchestrations, adaptations, and special theatrical experiences. Productions receiving multiple awards included Ragtime, Death of a Salesman, Oedipus, Mexodus, and CATS: The Jellicle Ball.

Winner Count

5 Wins

• Ragtime

4 Wins

• Death of a Salesman
• Oedipus

3 Wins

• CATS: The Jellicle Ball
• Mexodus

2 Wins

• Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
• Kenrex
• Schmigadoon!
• The Lost Boys

1 Win

• About Time
• Amaze
• Becky Shaw
• Burnout Paradise
• Giant
• The Baker’s Wife
• The Balusters
• The Monsters
• The Porch on Windy Hill
• Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Special Awards

• A Letter To Lyndon B Johnson or God
• Initiative
• Marjorie Prime
• Masquerade
• Spread
• What If They Ate the Baby?

Source: dramadesks.com

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Longtime New York Observer columnist and celebrated entertainment journalist leaves behind a six-decade legacy in film, theater, and pop culture criticism

NEW YORK—Legendary journalist, film, and cultural critic Rex Reed died early Tuesday morning, May 12, at his home in Manhattan after a short illness. He was 87.

According to a statement from Sean Katz of Katz PR, “Legendary journalist, film, and cultural critic Rex Reed died early this morning, Tuesday, May 12, at his home in Manhattan after a short illness, surrounded by his closest loved ones. His death was confirmed by longtime friend William Kapfer.”

The statement continued: “Since the early 1960s, Mr. Reed has been known for his outspoken movie criticism and stylishly written profiles of Hollywood and Broadway icons, featured in publications ranging from The New York Times to GQ, Esquire, and Vogue, as well as for his column in the New York Observer over the last four decades. His writings were collected in numerous books, including his first, Do You Sleep in the Nude?”

Six decades of candid reviews

For more than 60 years, Mr. Reed remained one of America’s most recognizable and polarizing entertainment critics. Audiences knew him for his razor-sharp wit, flamboyant personality, and unapologetically candid reviews. As a result, he became a defining voice in film criticism during an era when critics themselves became celebrities.

Born Rex Taylor Reed on October 2, 1938, in Fort Worth, Texas, Mr. Reed graduated from Louisiana State University before moving to New York City. At first, he pursued acting. However, he soon transitioned into journalism. By the 1960s, his celebrity profiles and film criticism had earned national attention.

Throughout his career, Mr. Reed wrote for major publications including The New York Times, Esquire, GQ, and Vogue. However, he became most closely associated with the New York Observer, where his film criticism and cultural commentary appeared for decades.

In addition, Mr. Reed published several bestselling books, including Do You Sleep in the Nude?, Conversations in the Raw, People Are Crazy Here, and Valentines & Vitriol. Beyond journalism, he occasionally appeared as an actor in films such as Myra Breckinridge and Superman.

Controversial critic

Although Mr. Reed often sparked controversy with his blunt assessments and colorful remarks, even many of his detractors acknowledged the distinctive literary flair of his writing and his lasting influence on entertainment journalism.

StageZine.com publisher Scott Harrah recalled frequently seeing Mr. Reed attending Broadway press performances throughout New York City over the years.

“Rex Reed was one of the most influential critics of our lifetime,” Mr. Harrah said. “Even well into his 80s, his reviews were always witty and often spot-on and insightful.”

Mr. Reed continued writing well into his later years and maintained a visible presence in arts criticism long after many of his contemporaries retired.

He is survived by extended family members and close friends.

Sources: Information for this obituary was provided by Sean Katz of Katz PR, along with reporting and biographical information from Variety, The Observer, and Wikipedia.

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NEW YORK—The nominations for the 79th Annual Tony Awards recognize the best of Broadway from the 2025-2026 season. This year, the ceremony returns to Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 7.

P!NK will host the awards, which broadcast live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ from 8:00-11:00 PM ET. For more information, visit TonyAwards.com

Below is the full list of nominations, with producer lists omitted for readability.

Full List of 2026 Tony Award Nominations

Best Book of a Musical

The Lost Boys – David Hornsby and Chris Hoch

Schmigadoon! – Cinco Paul

Titaníque – Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli and Tye Blue

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) – Jim Barne and Kit Buchan

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman – Music: Caroline Shaw

August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone – Music: Steve Bargonetti

The Lost Boys – Music & Lyrics: The Rescues

Schmigadoon! – Music & Lyrics: Cinco Paul

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) – Music & Lyrics: Jim Barne and Kit Buchan

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Will Harrison, Punch

Nathan Lane, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

John Lithgow, Giant

Daniel Radcliffe, Every Brilliant Thing

Mark Strong, Oedipus

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Rose Byrne, Fallen Angels

Carrie Coon, Bug

Susannah Flood, Liberation

Lesley Manville, Oedipus

Kelli O’Hara, Fallen Angels

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Nicholas Christopher, Chess

Luke Evans, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Joshua Henry, Ragtime

Sam Tutty, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Brandon Uranowitz, Ragtime

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Sara Chase, Schmigadoon!

Stephanie Hsu, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Caissie Levy, Ragtime

Marla Mindelle, Titaníque

Christiani Pitts, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Christopher Abbott, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Danny Burstein, Marjorie Prime

Brandon J. Dirden, Waiting for Godot

Alden Ehrenreich, Becky Shaw

Ruben Santiago-Hudson, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Richard Thomas, The Balusters

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Betsy Aidem, Liberation

Marylouise Burke, The Balusters

Aya Cash, Giant

Laurie Metcalf, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

June Squibb, Marjorie Prime

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Ali Louis Bourzgui, The Lost Boys

André De Shields, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Bryce Pinkham, Chess

Ben Levi Ross, Ragtime

Layton Williams, Titaníque

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Shoshana Bean, The Lost Boys

Hannah Cruz, Chess

Rachel Dratch, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Ana Gasteyer, Schmigadoon!

Nichelle Lewis, Ragtime

Best Scenic Design of a Play

Hildegard Bechtler, Oedipus

Takeshi Kata, Bug

Chloe Lamford, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

David Korins, Dog Day Afternoon

David Rockwell, Fallen Angels

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

dots, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Soutra Gilmour, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Rachel Hauck, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Dane Laffrey, The Lost Boys

Scott Pask, Schmigadoon!

Best Costume Design of a Play

Brenda Abbandandolo, Dog Day Afternoon

Qween Jean, Liberation

Jeff Mahshie, Fallen Angels

Emilio Sosa, The Balusters

Paul Tazewell, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Linda Cho, Ragtime

Linda Cho, Schmigadoon!

Qween Jean, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Ryan Park, The Lost Boys

David I. Reynoso, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Isabella Byrd, Dog Day Afternoon

Natasha Chivers, Oedipus

Stacey Derosier, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Heather Gilbert, Bug

Heather Gilbert, The Fear of 13

Jack Knowles, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Kevin Adams, Chess

Jane Cox, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Donald Holder, Schmigadoon!

Adam Honoré, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Adam Honoré and Donald Holder (Lighting Design) and 59 Studio (Projection Design), Ragtime

Jen Schriever and Michael Arden, The Lost Boys

Best Sound Design of a Play

Justin Ellington, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Tom Gibbons, Oedipus

Lee Kinney, The Fear of 13

Josh Schmidt, Bug

Mikaal Sulaiman, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Best Sound Design of a Musical

Kai Harada, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Kai Harada, Ragtime

Adam Fisher, The Lost Boys

Brian Ronan, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Walter Trarbach, Schmigadoon!

Best Direction of a Play

Nicholas Hytner, Giant

Robert Icke, Oedipus

Kenny Leon, The Balusters

Joe Mantello, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Whitney White, Liberation

Best Direction of a Musical

Michael Arden, The Lost Boys

Lear deBessonet, Ragtime

Christopher Gattelli, Schmigadoon!

Tim Jackson, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Best Choreography

Christopher Gattelli, Schmigadoon!

Ellenore Scott, Ragtime

Ani Taj, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant, The Lost Boys

Best Orchestrations

Doug Besterman and Mike Morris, Schmigadoon!

Ethan Popp, Kyler England, Adrianne “AG” Gonzalez and Gabriel Mann, The Lost Boys

Lux Pyramid, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Brian Usifer, Chess

Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Wilson, Trevor Holder and Doug Schadt, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Best Play

The Balusters – Author: David Lindsay-Abaire

Giant – Author: Mark Rosenblatt

Liberation – Author: Bess Wohl

Little Bear Ridge Road – Author: Samuel D. Hunter

Best Musical

The Lost Boys

Schmigadoon!

Titaníque

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Best Revival of a Play

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Becky Shaw – Author: Gina Gionfriddo

Every Brilliant Thing – Author: Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe

Fallen Angels

Oedipus – Author: Robert Icke

Best Revival of a Musical

Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Ragtime

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show

Tony Nominations by Production

The Lost Boys – 12 nominations

Schmigadoon! – 12 nominations

Ragtime – 11 nominations

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman – 9 nominations

Cats: The Jellicle Ball – 9 nominations

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show – 9 nominations

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) – 8 nominations

Oedipus – 7 nominations

August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone – 5 nominations

The Balusters – 5 nominations

Chess – 5 nominations

Fallen Angels – 5 nominations

Liberation – 5 nominations

Bug – 4 nominations

Giant – 4 nominations

Titaníque – 4 nominations

Dog Day Afternoon – 3 nominations

Becky Shaw – 2 nominations

Every Brilliant Thing – 2 nominations

The Fear of 13 – 2 nominations

Marjorie Prime – 2 nominations

Little Bear Ridge Road – 1 nomination

Punch – 1 nomination

Waiting for Godot – 1 nomination

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NEW YORK—The 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards nominations are here, highlighting the best of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off Broadway from the 2025–2026 season. The ceremony returns on Sunday, May 17 at 7:30 PM at The Town Hall in New York City. Notably, this marks the first time the awards return to the venue since the 2020 shutdown. Raúl Esparza and Helen J. Shen announced this year’s nominees at The Lambs.

Leading nominations

Beau the Musical and Mexodus lead the field with 10 nominations each. Meanwhile, The Seat of Our Pants follows with nine. Ragtime and The Balusters each earned eight nominations.

Top categories

Outstanding Musical nominees include Beau the Musical, Mexodus, Schmigadoon!, The Seat of Our Pants, and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). Outstanding Play nominees include The Balusters, Prince Faggot, Caroline, Cold War Choir Practice, and Meet the Cartozians. Revival contenders include Death of a Salesman, Becky Shaw, Ragtime, and The Rocky Horror Show.

Performance highlights

Notable acting nominees include Nathan Lane, Laurie Metcalf, Kara Young, Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, and Amber Iman.

Full list of categories and nominations

See below for the complete list of nominees across major categories, followed by productions with multiple nominations.

Outstanding Play: Caroline; Cold War Choir Practice; Meet the Cartozians; Prince Faggot; The Balusters; The Porch on Windy Hill; Well, I’ll Let You Go.
Outstanding Musical: Beau the Musical; Mexodus; Schmigadoon!; The Seat of Our Pants; Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York).
Outstanding Revival of a Play: Becky Shaw; Ceremonies in Dark Old Men; Death of a Salesman; Titus Andronicus; You Got Older.
Outstanding Revival of a Musical: Ragtime; The Baker’s Wife; The Rocky Horror Show; Chess; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Productions with multiple nominations

10 nominations: Beau the Musical; Mexodus
9 nominations: The Seat of Our Pants
8 nominations: Ragtime; The Balusters
7 nominations: The Baker’s Wife
6 nominations: Death of a Salesman; The Rocky Horror Show
5 nominations: The Lost Boys; Well, I’ll Let You Go
4 nominations: Becky Shaw; CATS: The Jellicle Ball; Goddess; Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole; Oedipus; Schmigadoon!; Spelling Bee; Titus Andronicus

Ticket and website information

Tickets for the ceremony are now available to the public. Visit www.DramaDesks.com for more information and to purchase tickets. A limited number of tickets are also available via Ticketmaster.

2026 Drama Desk Awards: Full nominations list 

Outstanding Play

Caroline

Cold War Choir Practice

Meet the Cartozians

Prince Faggot

The Balusters

The Porch on Windy Hill

Well, I’ll Let You Go

Outstanding Musical

Beau the Musical

Mexodus

Schmigadoon!

The Seat of Our Pants

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Outstanding Revival of a Play

Becky Shaw

Ceremonies in Dark Old Men

Death of a Salesman

Los Soles Truncos

Titus Andronicus

You Got Older

Outstanding Revival of a Musical

Amahl and the Night Visitors

Chess

Ragtime

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The Baker’s Wife

The Rocky Horror Show

Lead Performance in a Play

Quincy Tyler Bernstine – Well, I’ll Let You Go

Noah Galvin – The Reservoir

John Krasinski – Angry Alan

Nathan Lane – Death of a Salesman

Laurie Metcalf – Death of a Salesman

Kara Young – Gruesome Playground Injuries

Lead Performance in a Musical

Joshua Henry – Ragtime

Caissie Levy – Ragtime

Amber Iman – Goddess

Brian Quijada – Mexodus

Sam Tutty – Two Strangers

Brandon Uranowitz – Ragtime

Featured Performance in a Play

Linda Emond – Becky Shaw

Alden Ehrenreich – Becky Shaw

David Greenspan – Prince Faggot

Richard Thomas – The Balusters

Featured Performance in a Musical

Stephanie Hsu – The Rocky Horror Show

Judy Kuhn – The Baker’s Wife

Ruthie Ann Miles – The Seat of Our Pants

Layton Williams – Titanique

Direction of a Play

Trip Cullman – Becky Shaw

Kenny Leon – The Balusters

Joe Mantello – Death of a Salesman

Direction of a Musical

Lear deBessonet – Ragtime

David Mendizábal – Mexodus

Leigh Silverman – The Seat of Our Pants

Choreography

Christopher Gattelli – Schmigadoon!

Omari Wiles – CATS: The Jellicle Ball

Music

Ethan Lipton – The Seat of Our Pants

Douglas Lyons – Beau the Musical

Quijada & Robinson – Mexodus

Lyrics

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

The Seat of Our Pants

Mexodus

Book of a Musical

Beau the Musical

The Seat of Our Pants

Mexodus

Productions with multiple nominations

10: Beau the Musical; Mexodus

9: The Seat of Our Pants

8: Ragtime; The Balusters

7: The Baker’s Wife

6: Death of a Salesman; The Rocky Horror Show

5: The Lost Boys; Well, I’ll Let You Go

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P!NK brings major star power to Broadway’s biggest night. She is a lifelong theater fan. She also delivers bold, high-energy live performances. As a result, producers expect a fresh and dynamic broadcast.

“I cannot wait to celebrate the hardest working people in showbiz,” P!NK said. She praised Broadway as a community built on talent, support, and inclusion.

A global star meets Broadway

The American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League selected P!NK to help expand the Tonys’ reach. She connects with audiences across generations. Therefore, her presence could bring new viewers to the ceremony.

Producers also highlighted her authenticity and creativity. They believe she will bring a bold new tone to the show.

A career built on performance

P!NK has sold more than 60 million album equivalents worldwide. She has also earned multiple Grammy Awards and other major honors. Her concerts fill arenas and stadiums around the globe.

Meanwhile, her music already appears on Broadway. Songs are featured in Moulin Rouge! The Musical and & Juliet.

In addition, she remains active in philanthropy. She supports global causes and serves as an ambassador for UNICEF USA.

Broadway’s biggest night returns

The Tony Awards are produced by Tony Award Productions. This is a joint venture of the American Theatre Wing and the Broadway League. Raj Kapoor, Sarah Levine Hall, and Jack Sussman will executive produce the 2026 ceremony.

Tickets go on sale in April. Then, the ceremony will broadcast live from Radio City Music Hall on June 7, 2026.

Official links to Tony website & social media

Website: https://www.tonyawards.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetonyawards

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTonyAwards

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thetonyawards

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NEW YORK—Mariska Hargitay is heading to Broadway.

The Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning star of NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” will make her Broadway debut in Every Brilliant Thing, stepping into the acclaimed solo play after Daniel Radcliffe completes his run on May 24, 2026. Ms. Hargitay begins performances May 26 at the Hudson Theatre, where the production has extended its limited engagement through June 28, 2026.

Tickets are available at https://everybrilliantthing.com/

Mariska Hargitay. Photo: Emilio Madrid.

A New Star Takes the Stage

Earlier this season, Mr. Radcliffe helped launch the Broadway, earning praise for his performance. Now Ms. Hargitay takes over the one-person play, bringing a different kind of presence to the intimate, audience-driven piece.

“I read Every Brilliant Thing and cried, rejoiced, laughed, cried some more, and loved it so much,” Ms. Hargitay said. “It feels like an extraordinary gift to make my Broadway debut…with a play that affirms life so emphatically.”

She is best known for her long-running portrayal of Olivia Benson on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”  Now, Ms. Hargitay now returns to her theater roots with her first Broadway appearance.

A Play About Finding Light

Written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe and directed by Jeremy Herrin, Every Brilliant Thing follows a narrator reflecting on a life shaped by love, loss, and resilience—all told through a list of the small things that make life worth living.

The production thrives on audience interaction, creating a shared, communal experience that shifts each night. That intimacy has helped the play resonate worldwide, with productions in more than 80 countries and a recent West End run before its Broadway transfer.

A Production That Resonates

The Broadway production opened in March to strong reviews, with critics praising its emotional clarity and inventive structure. StageZine.com awarded the production four stars in our review, noting:

“Every Brilliant Thing takes the sensitive, stigmatized topic of mental health and makes it accessible and approachable for a broad audience, and that’s one of the truly brilliant aspects of the show. Moreover, it is refreshing to encounter a production like this in a world currently torn apart by war and political division. One leaves the theater deeply moved, with a renewed faith in both humanity and the power of theater.”

With Ms. Hargitay stepping into the role, the production continues to evolve while maintaining the intimacy that defines it.

The Creative Team

The Broadway staging features set and costume design by Vicki Mortimer, lighting design by Jack Knowles, and sound design by Tom Gibbons. Casting is by Jessica Ronane, with general management by TT Partners.

The production has also partnered with Project Healthy Minds.  The organization expands access to mental health resources through audience initiatives tied to the show’s themes.

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Tony Award-winning Broadway star Melba Moore, who first rose to prominence on the New York stage, shows no signs of slowing down. With the release of her memoir This Is It: Marvelous and Getting Better, the legendary performer continues to captivate audiences while expanding a career that spans decades of theater and music.

The memoir has brought Moore back into the spotlight in a major way, with appearances on national television, including The Sherri Shepherd Show, and renewed appreciation for her groundbreaking work on stage. Moore earned her Tony Award for Purlie and made an indelible mark on Broadway with her work in Hair, establishing herself as a dynamic and influential presence during a transformative era in American theater.

In This Is It, Moore reflects on her journey with honesty and resilience, offering a personal look at both the triumphs and challenges of a life in the spotlight. From her early Broadway success to her achievements in music and beyond, the memoir highlights a career defined by versatility, perseverance, and lasting cultural impact.

As the upcoming Black Music Month in June shines a spotlight on influential artists, Moore’s story serves as a powerful reminder of her enduring contributions—not only to music, but to the Broadway stage. Decades after her breakout performances, she remains a vital and inspiring figure whose legacy continues to evolve.

To order Melba Moore’s new memoir This Is It: Marvelous and Getting Better, click here.

‘This is It’: Marvelous & Getting Better’ is available at bookstores and on Amazon now.

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Complete cast announced for new revival at Studio 54

NEW YORK—Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the complete cast for Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, set to return to Broadway at Studio 54.

Performances begin March 26, 2026, with an official opening on April 23. The production will run as a limited engagement through June 21, 2026.

Courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company.

A bold Broadway debut

British film and stage star Luke Evans will make his Broadway debut as the iconic Dr. Frank‑N‑Furter. Evans is best known for his work in Beauty and the Beast, the Hobbit films, and High‑Rise.

He joins an ensemble that blends Broadway favorites, award winners, and first‑time Broadway performers.

Courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company.

Star‑studded ensemble

The cast includes Rachel Dratch as the Narrator, Andrew Durand as Brad, and Stephanie Hsu as Janet.

They are joined by Amber Gray as Riff Raff, Harvey Guillén as Eddie/Dr. Scott, and Juliette Lewis as Magenta.

Completing the principal cast are Josh Rivera as Rocky and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez as Columbia.

A creative team with bite

Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton directs the new production. His recent work includes the acclaimed Broadway hit Oh, Mary!

The creative team features choreography by Ani Taj, music supervision by Kris Kukul, scenic design by dots, costume design by David I. Reynoso, lighting design by Jane Cox, and sound design by Brian Ronan.

Courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company.

A cult classic returns

First staged in London in 1973, The Rocky Horror Show has played continuously around the world for more than five decades. The musical inspired the 1975 film and remains a staple of late‑night theatre culture.

The story follows Brad and Janet, whose broken‑down car leads them to a mysterious mansion and an unforgettable night. The show features iconic songs including “Dammit Janet,” “Hot Patootie,” “Touch‑A, Touch‑A, Touch Me,” and “Time Warp.”

Performance details

The Rocky Horror Show will play at Studio 54 (254 West 54th Street).

Tickets and subscription information are available at:
https://www.roundabouttheatre.org

For more information about the production, visit:
https://rockyhorrorshowbroadway.com

For more information on The Rocky Horror Show, visit rockyhorrorshowbroadway.com or follow on social

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NEW YORK—The Drama Desk Awards will return to The Town Hall on Sunday, May 17, 2026. The ceremony marks the organization’s 70th anniversary and a major milestone in New York theater history.

Historic return to The Town Hall

The event will take place at The Town Hall, located at 123 West 43rd Street. The venue hosted the Drama Desk Awards many times before the 2020 theater shutdown. Now, the awards return to a familiar home.

Honoring the full New York theater community

Notably, the Drama Desk Awards stand apart from other honors. They remain the only major New York City theater awards to recognize Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway productions equally. As a result, the ceremony reflects the full scope of the city’s theatrical landscape.

Eligibility and nominations timeline

Meanwhile, the eligibility deadline for the 2025–26 season arrives on April 26, 2026. Productions must open by that date to qualify. Shortly after, the organization will announce nominations on April 29.

A legacy of distinguished honorees

Over the years, the Drama Desk Awards have honored generations of theater artists. Past recipients include Cynthia Erivo, Bryan Cranston, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Viola Davis, Al Pacino, James Earl Jones, Stephen Sondheim, Audra McDonald, Nathan Lane, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Billy Porter, Julie Taymor, George C. Wolfe, Suzan-Lori Parks, and André De Shields. Together, these artists helped shape the American stage.

Production and leadership

The Drama Desk organization presents the awards in partnership with Drama Desk Awards Productions. Scene Partners produces the ceremony alongside The Season. David Barbour and Charles Wright serve as Co-Presidents of the Drama Desk organization. At The Season, Mike Karns and Steven Tartick act as Co-Founders. Victoria Weinberg leads Drama Desk Awards Productions.

Learn more

Additional information is available at https://www.dramadesks.com. Follow the Drama Desk Awards on social media or visit https://www.dramadesks.com/about to learn more about the organization’s history.

About the Drama Desk Awards

Since 1955, the Drama Desk Awards have championed excellence across New York theater. The organization honors work from large-scale productions to bold new voices. Above all, the awards celebrate innovation, artistry, and creative ambition on New York stages.

The 2025–26 Drama Desk Nominating Committee includes Martha Wade Steketee (Chair), Linda Armstrong, Daniel Dinero, Peter Filichia, Kenji Fujishima, Margaret Hall, and Raven Snook.

The Drama Desk Awards celebrate their 70th anniversary in 2026.

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