George Clooney

INSIDE BROADWAY’S ROCKY REBOUND

April 30, 2025 by Philip Boroff

Broadway’s blockbuster numbers indicate that the box office has recovered from the pandemic. But as production costs continue to soar, the investment climate for everything besides star-driven plays remains grim.

Ahead of the Tony Awards nominations announcement tomorrow morning, I studied the 2024-25 season, which wraps in four weeks. It’s on track to achieve record revenue, barring a hurricane or Covid outbreak that sidelines George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin.Continue Reading

POLITICALLY POTENT ‘RAGTIME’ COMING TO THE BEAUMONT

April 7, 2025 by Philip Boroff

Lear deBessonet is preparing to stage a Broadway revival of Ragtime at the Vivian Beaumont Theater this fall, in her debut as artistic director of Lincoln Center Theater.

Previews are scheduled to begin September 25 ahead of an Oct. 16 opening, people familiar with the production said.Continue Reading

SEAVIEW SCOOPS UP A TIMES SQUARE THEATER

January 13, 2025 by Philip Boroff

EXCLUSIVE: The prolific production company Seaview plans to reopen the 296-seat venue that Second Stage relinquished, a vote of confidence for off-Broadway theater as nonprofit companies retrench.

Seaview, led by Greg Nobile and backed by Sony Music, will produce its own shows in the space, according to an application for a state liquor license filed with Manhattan Community Board 4. In 2024, Second Stage ended its lease for the Rem Koolhaas-designed theater, in the former bank building on 43rd Street and Eighth Avenue. Known as the Tony Kiser, Second Stage presented plays and musicals there, including developmental productions of Dear Evan Hansen and Next to Normal. Continue Reading