Arin Arbus: The Core of the Play’s the Thing
Known for her lively, no-gimmick stagings of Shakespeare with Theatre for a New Audience, the director is branching out with ‘Des Moines.’
Category Archives: People
Jewish Joy, Jewish Trauma: Why They Feel Different Onstage Now
How a number of recent shows in New York are landing, and what it feels like to work on them, in a time of rising antisemitism and right-wing violence.
For ‘The Lion King’s’ Ray Mercer, Life Keeps Coming Full Circle
As he marks his 20th year in a show now celebrating its 25th Broadway anniversary, Mercer says that enthusiastic audiences—and a certain amount of backstage pranks—are what keep him energized.
Diep Tran Is Excited to Lead Playbill—Well, Excited and Scared
American Theatre’s former senior editor talks about her new editor-in-chief gig, and how she thinks the theatre discourse has changed for the better.
How George Faison Orders His Steps
In a free-ranging retrospective interview, the Tony-winning choreographer of ‘The Wiz’ talks about his influences, his work with pop stars, his time with Alvin Ailey, and the love of his life.
Love Letters and Music in TyLie Shider’s ‘Mom and Pop’ Plays
In ‘Certain Aspects of Conflict in the Negro Family’ and ‘The Gospel Woman’ this journalist-turned-playwright recovers overlooked histories—and that work started at home.
David Hare Wants to Know Why We Suffer
His new play ‘Straight Line Crazy’ may treat an American subject, but the English playwright is still addressing some of his chief political and social preoccupations.
Tim Robbins Never Blames the Audience
With a 40th anniversary staging of ‘Ubu The King,’ the Actors’ Gang co-founder is revisiting his company’s roots, though he never strayed very far from them in the first place.
How Phyllida Lloyd and Whitney White Make Work Worth Their Time, and Ours
Joined for the Rolex Arts Mentorship program, these 2 directors have a lot of common interests: interrogating Shakespeare, staging music, and welcoming new audiences.
Suzan-Lori Parks: Make Space for the Difficult Things
With 3 world premieres and a Broadway revival of her hit play ‘Topdog/Underdog,’ the prolific writer keeps singing her song in a variety of keys.
