NPR Topics: Theater https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1144 Theater en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:15:00 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Topics: Theater https://www.npr.org/sections/theater/ 'It's one of my dreams,' Rose Byrne says of her comic turn on Broadway Byrne is one of the few actors to receive both an Oscar and a Tony nomination in the same year —for the indie film <em>If I Had Legs I'd Kick You</em>, and for <em>Fallen Angels </em>on Broadway. Thu, 21 May 2026 13:40:02 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/21/nx-s1-5829146/rose-byrne-fallen-angels-broadway-tony-awards https://www.npr.org/2026/05/21/nx-s1-5829146/rose-byrne-fallen-angels-broadway-tony-awards If I Had Legs I'd Kick You.'/>

Byrne is one of the few actors to receive both an Oscar and a Tony nomination in the same year —for the indie film If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, and for Fallen Angels on Broadway.

(Image credit: Andreas Rentz)

]]> Ann Marie Baldonado 'Hamilton' producer Jeffrey Seller traces his journey from 'Theater Kid' to Broadway Seller has been a key behind-the-scenes figure for some of Broadway's biggest hits including, <em>Hamilton</em> and <em>Rent</em>, but he got his start on a much smaller scale. <em>Originally broadcast June 30, 2025.</em> Fri, 08 May 2026 10:32:15 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/08/nx-s1-5816032/hamilton-producer-jeffrey-seller-traces-his-journey-from-theater-kid-to-broadway https://www.npr.org/2026/05/08/nx-s1-5816032/hamilton-producer-jeffrey-seller-traces-his-journey-from-theater-kid-to-broadway Seller has been a key behind-the-scenes figure for some of Broadway's biggest hits including, Hamilton and Rent, but he got his start on a much smaller scale. Originally broadcast June 30, 2025.

]]> Terry Gross Nathan Lane says 'Death of a Salesman' is 'the most rewarding thing I've done' Lane is nominated for a Tony for his portrayal of Arthur Miller's iconic salesman: "When people come back and talk about it, if they're not weeping, they're saying things like, 'You were my father.'" Thu, 07 May 2026 12:27:27 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/07/nx-s1-5806017/nathan-lane-death-of-a-salesman https://www.npr.org/2026/05/07/nx-s1-5806017/nathan-lane-death-of-a-salesman Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. The Broadway revival has been nominated for nine Tony Awards, including a best actor award for Lane.'/>

Lane is nominated for a Tony for his portrayal of Arthur Miller's iconic salesman: "When people come back and talk about it, if they're not weeping, they're saying things like, 'You were my father.'"

(Image credit: Emilio Madrid)

]]> Sam Fragoso What to know about the closure of the Kennedy Center Scott Simon and former director Deborah Rutter look out over a soon-to-be shuttered Kennedy Center. Sat, 21 Mar 2026 07:43:17 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/03/21/nx-s1-5753663/what-to-know-about-the-closure-of-the-kennedy-center https://www.npr.org/2026/03/21/nx-s1-5753663/what-to-know-about-the-closure-of-the-kennedy-center Scott Simon and former director Deborah Rutter look out over a soon-to-be shuttered Kennedy Center.

]]> Scott Simon Lesley Manville says her stage and screen careers 'feed each other' The decorated British actress discusses her new film <em>Midwinter Break</em>, her role in <em>Oedipus</em> on Broadway and how she balances stage and screen. Mon, 02 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2026/03/02/nx-s1-5694296/lesley-manville-oedipus-midwinter-break https://www.npr.org/2026/03/02/nx-s1-5694296/lesley-manville-oedipus-midwinter-break Midwinter Break.'/>

The decorated British actress discusses her new film Midwinter Break, her role in Oedipus on Broadway and how she balances stage and screen.

(Image credit: Mark de Blok)

]]> Michel Martin At a clown school near Paris, failure is the lesson For decades, students at the Ecole Philippe Gaulier have been paying to bomb onstage. The goal isn't laughs — it's learning how to take the humiliation and keep going. Sun, 01 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2026/02/01/nx-s1-5683115/france-gaulier-clown-school https://www.npr.org/2026/02/01/nx-s1-5683115/france-gaulier-clown-school

For decades, students at the Ecole Philippe Gaulier have been paying to bomb onstage. The goal isn't laughs — it's learning how to take the humiliation and keep going.

(Image credit: Rebecca Rosman for NPR)

]]> Rebecca Rosman How improv is helping federal workers cope with job cuts A Washington D.C. improv group is offering laid-off federal workers a way to cope with uncertainty through play and building skills. Sat, 27 Dec 2025 17:01:14 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2025/12/27/nx-s1-5638918/how-improv-is-helping-federal-workers-cope-with-job-cuts https://www.npr.org/2025/12/27/nx-s1-5638918/how-improv-is-helping-federal-workers-cope-with-job-cuts A Washington D.C. improv group is offering laid-off federal workers a way to cope with uncertainty through play and building skills.

]]> Ava Berger Acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard dies at 88 Tom Stoppard is remembered as a playwright whose wit and curiosity reshaped modern theater. Sat, 29 Nov 2025 12:51:01 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2025/11/29/1115745320/acclaimed-playwright-tom-stoppard-dies-at-88 https://www.npr.org/2025/11/29/1115745320/acclaimed-playwright-tom-stoppard-dies-at-88 Arcadia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and The Coast of Utopia. He's pictured above in London in 2017.'/>

Tom Stoppard is remembered as a playwright whose wit and curiosity reshaped modern theater.

(Image credit: Justin Tallis/WPA Pool)

]]> Tom Vitale In 1981, Stephen Sondheim's 'Merrily' was a flop -- now it's a hit A filmed version of the live production of <em>Merrily We Roll Along </em>will open in theaters on Dec. 5. We listen back to a 2024 interview with revival director Maria Friedman and actor Jonathan Groff. Thu, 27 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2025/11/27/nx-s1-5620698/merrily-we-roll-along-revival-comes-to-the-big-screen https://www.npr.org/2025/11/27/nx-s1-5620698/merrily-we-roll-along-revival-comes-to-the-big-screen A filmed version of the live production of Merrily We Roll Along will open in theaters on Dec. 5. We listen back to a 2024 interview with revival director Maria Friedman and actor Jonathan Groff.

]]> Terry Gross With 'Masquerade,' audiences can explore the world of 'The Phantom of the Opera' When Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera closed on Broadway in April of 2023, after 35 years, it was the end of an era.  But a new immersive version of the show – think of it as a remix – has recently opened off-Broadway. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 04:47:17 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2025/11/24/nx-s1-5615447/with-masquerade-audiences-can-explore-the-world-of-the-phantom-of-the-opera https://www.npr.org/2025/11/24/nx-s1-5615447/with-masquerade-audiences-can-explore-the-world-of-the-phantom-of-the-opera When Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera closed on Broadway in April of 2023, after 35 years, it was the end of an era.  But a new immersive version of the show – think of it as a remix – has recently opened off-Broadway.

]]> Jeff Lunden