Jamie McGonnigal

20 years after making his Broadway debut in THE KING & I, Jose Llana returns to his hometown of DC to bring the title role to life. I had the chance to chat with the actor, activist, and political junkie about his roles on and offstage.

Now in it's 13th year, NYMF is ambitiously mounting 20 full productions of musicals and more than 30 concerts, readings and other events. Among those concerts is a showcase of music and lyrics by DC native Star Johnson. #BLACKGIRLJOY: STAR JOHNSON IN CONCERT will feature pieces from How to Quit Your Day Job (54 Below), Flattops and F Words (Kennedy Center), and other works created by Star.

A chat with HEDWIG's Yitzhak, Hannah Corneau, coming to the Kennedy Center June 13th through July 2nd.

AEA President Kate Shindle is currently starring in the national tour of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, FUN HOME. She took a moment from her cross-country drive to chat with BroadwayWorld.

Nina Simone once said "You can't help it. An artist's duty, as far as I'm concerned, is to reflect the times." But what do you do when a piece of art from 20 years ago, based on a piece of art from 40 years ago, about events which took place 100 years ago, reflects the times of today? The newest production of RAGTIME opens this week at the historic Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C., and is directed by Peter Flynn.

When PARADE opened on Broadway in 1998, it was a historical musical drama based on a true story about anti-semitism and racism in the post Civil-War South. Nearly 20 years later, it has become a stark reminder of times we may not want to return to, but our front pages seem to be repeating.

We've all got our divas. And Luke Frazier is no different. He's going to be spending this Friday night celebrating that Funny Girl, Barbra Streisand for her 75th birthday.

Actors from all over the country come to the nation's capital each year to share their holidays with us. Both local and visiting performers are here in DC over the holiday season, sharing their talents in Ford's Theatre's A Christmas Carol, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas at the National Theatre, and Arena Stage's Carousel. We reached out to ask them what holiday songs made the top of their nice list!

A chat with Broadway composer of The Secret Garden and Dr. Zhivago, Lucy Simon

In a heartbeat, 38 planes with 6,579 passengers were stranded in a remote town in Newfoundland. The locals opened their hearts and homes, hosting this international community of strangers-spurring unexpected camaraderie in extraordinary circumstances. Jenn Colella and Rodney Hicks are deep in rehearsals for the D.C. premiere of COME FROM AWAY and took some time out to chat about their experience with the show.

Following his stint as a semi-finalist on American Idol, Todrick has not only become a YouTube sensation, but he's redefined the genre. He's currently touring the country with a concert version of his new visual album, Straight Outta Oz, which will be at DC's Howard Theatre on Monday, August 1st.

Bigger and better than ever before! This fresh and dazzling production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's perennial classic comes to D.C. as part of a brand-new North American tour. Cast member Victor Wallace takes some time to tell us what's in store.

Andrew has had a prolific career as a writer, from the above mentioned Off-Broadway favorites, to supplying additional material for the You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown revival, as well as music & lyrics for Broadway's Big Fish and The Addams Family. Now he's taken on two of our country's greatest civil rights legends, gay rights activist Harvey Milk, and women's rights activist Anne Hutchinson

I first met Noah Racey when I was directing the 2004 Nightlife Awards at Town Hall in New York. He was performing with his co-star from Never Gonna Dance, Nancy Lemenager. If you've never seen him dance, you haven't lived. I got to chat a bit about his stay down here in DC. 

I first met the lovely and talented Dani Marcus 20 years ago when she was playing Louise to my Herbie in Gypsy. I was roughly 4 years older than her, but it was a barn in the middle of Vermont and no one seemed to care. Spending my summer with her, I knew she'd continue on to great things. A true talent - hilarious onstage, with a stunning voice and presence, it was a privilege to be onstage with her.

Natascia Diaz is one of DC's greatest talents. With several Helen Hayes Awards and nominations under her belt, she's returned to her roots playing her favorite role, Anita in Signature Theatre's West Side Story.

As the Billboard Top 40 Rap Chart features Broadway's own Hamilton at the top of the page, it's exciting to remember a time where hearing Broadway tunes on the radio, and having them performed by top talents was not such a rarity. If you need a reminder of the timelessness of a good melody, of the allure of crisp, intelligent lyrics, go no further than the Sidney Harmon Theatre in downtown D.C. Under the direction of Alan Paul, with smooth and sexy choreography from Michele Lynch, Shakespeare Theatre Company's KISS ME, KATE opened last week to a well-deserved standing ovation. 

Jeff McCarthy starred in Broadway's Beauty & The Beast, Chicago, Les Miserables, and the original casts of Side Show (Terry) and Urinetown, creating the role of Officer Lockstock, which he reprised several times for the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS events, The Easter Bonnet and Gypsy of the Year competitions. He's spending his holiday season in Washington D.C. at the Arena Stage, where he'll take on the role of Fagin in their production of Oliver!. Jeff took a moment to chat with me about the show, as well as his past, present, and future plans.

What happened Thursday night though, was not only a trip down memory lane with a woman who created roles in Les Miserables, City of Angels, and one of my all time favorites, A Class Act, but it was a master class in how to perform a song. She wouldn't still be around if she wasn't damn good at what she does.

One of the contributions to the Women's Voices Theatre Festival is The Keegan Theatre's THE DEALER OF BALLYNAFEIGH, a new dark comedy/farce from Rosemary Jenkinson, and directed by Abigail Isaac Fine.