Articles by Jim Colleran

Featured image for “Noël Coward’s Travels”
April 3, 2024

Noël Coward’s Travels

In celebration of the 125th anniversary of Noël Coward’s birth, here’s a look at the many places visited by the globetrotting playwright, interspersed with brief summaries of the classic stage works he created while traveling.
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Featured image for “Laugh Your Butts Off: An Interview with Dan Goggin”
June 16, 2023

Laugh Your Butts Off: An Interview with Dan Goggin

Dan Goggin, the affable, hilarious, brilliant man behind the Nunsense musicals, turned 80 this year. We sat down with the composer/lyricist/librettist to discuss his career in the theatre and the secret of success for his little musical that became a global phenomenon.
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Featured image for “The 39 Steps: Page to Screen to Stage”
June 20, 2022

The 39 Steps: Page to Screen to Stage

Patrick Barlow’s hilarious and fast-paced whodunit is a theatrical treat. But before it was a hit play, The 39 Steps was a bestselling novel and several hit films. Here’s a look at The 39 Steps, from page to screen to stage.
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Featured image for “Pride Timeline: 50+ Years of LGBTQ+ Plays and Musicals”
June 8, 2022

Pride Timeline: 50+ Years of LGBTQ+ Plays and Musicals

In celebration of Pride Month, here’s a timeline of influential and groundbreaking LGBTQ-themed plays and musicals, placed in the context of queer history.
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Featured image for “Style and Adaptation: A Conversation with Playwright Rob Urbinati”
May 14, 2022

Style and Adaptation: A Conversation with Playwright Rob Urbinati

Playwright Rob Urbinati, author of Jane Austen’s Lady Susan, Murder on West Moon Street and Death by Design, discusses these three “adaptation” plays, the enduring appeal of great works, and his approach to comedy.
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Featured image for “Bob Merrill: Broadway Composer/Lyricist”
May 10, 2022

Bob Merrill: Broadway Composer/Lyricist

Concord Theatricals celebrates the career of Bob Merrill, the talented and prolific composer/lyricist behind Funny Girl, Carnival!, Sugar and other hits.
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Featured image for “Falsettos: Three Decades of Love and Heartbreak”
April 28, 2022

Falsettos: Three Decades of Love and Heartbreak

William Finn and James Lapine’s groundbreaking musical Falsettos is a contemporary look at family, relationships, bar mitvahs, baseball and AIDS. Here’s the story of how this landmark musical came to be.
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Featured image for “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope – Fifty Years Later”
April 19, 2022

Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope – Fifty Years Later

Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope, Micki Grant’s groundbreaking musical celebration of the Black experience in America, opened on Broadway on April 19, 1972. Fifty years later, here’s a look at this innovative, history-making musical revue.
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Featured image for “10 Reasons You Should Know Michael Stewart”
April 11, 2022

10 Reasons You Should Know Michael Stewart

When it comes to hit Broadway musicals, Michael Stewart wrote the book… literally. Here are ten reasons you should know this musical theatre great.
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Featured image for “The Story of a Friendship: Jack Heifner on Vanities”
January 11, 2022

The Story of a Friendship: Jack Heifner on Vanities

Jack Heifner’s Vanities, a bittersweet comedy astutely chronicling the lives of three Texas girls, remains provocative, stimulating and hilarious nearly half a century after its creation. We spoke to the playwright about the show’s development and legacy.
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Featured image for “A Lighted Path:  A Conversation with Theatre Educator Corey Mitchell”
June 23, 2021

A Lighted Path: A Conversation with Theatre Educator Corey Mitchell

Award-winning theatre educator Corey Mitchell discusses his career, his philosophy towards theatre education, and his newest venture, The Theatre Gap Initiative.
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Featured image for “DROOD: 150 Years Later, Dickens’ Unfinished Novel Remains A Mystery”
June 9, 2020

DROOD: 150 Years Later, Dickens’ Unfinished Novel Remains A Mystery

Charles Dickens died while writing Edwin Drood, and the story of his unfinished novel’s development is almost as intriguing as its contents.
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Featured image for “Musical Theatre and the LGBTQ+ Audience: An Interview with Patrick Pacheco”
September 21, 2019

Musical Theatre and the LGBTQ+ Audience: An Interview with Patrick Pacheco

What is it about musicals like Gypsy, Cabaret, and Mame that seemed to empower the LGBTQ+ community? We sat down with theatre historian Patrick Pacheco to talk all about the musicals that helped us express our pride.
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Featured image for “The Wizard of Oz 80 Years Later: The Magic Remains”
July 24, 2019

The Wizard of Oz 80 Years Later: The Magic Remains

80 years after the film premiere, and an astonishing 119 years after the publication of the novel, The Wizard of Oz remains a cultural treasure, beloved by millions of fans around the world and celebrated in thousands of live performances every year.  
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Featured image for “19 Things To Know About Gower Champion”
June 6, 2019

19 Things To Know About Gower Champion

In celebration of Gower Champion’s 100th birthday, take a look at these 19 facts about the legendary choreographer, director, actor, and dancer!
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Featured image for “Gypsy: 60 Years of Iconic Leading Ladies”
May 20, 2019

Gypsy: 60 Years of Iconic Leading Ladies

Gypsy turns 60. In celebration, take a look at these iconic pairings throughout the years.
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