THEATER

26 Things You Might Not Have Known About ‘Hamilton’

The groundbreaking Broadway show turns 10 this year, so here are a few things you might not have known about Lin-Manuel Miranda’s take on the life and times of the $10 founding father.

How Did the Tony Awards Get Their Name?

They were named after a real icon of the American theatre.

The torrid love affair you've never heard of.

Certified Stinker: The Leonardo da Vinci Musical Financed by Guano

‘Leonardo: The Musical: A Portrait of Love’ didn’t exactly soar on stage. But don’t blame the bird poop that helped get it there.

Why Are Oft-Repeated Jokes or Stories Sometimes Called “Old Chestnuts”?

There are several theories as to where this phrase came from—and none of them involves the nuts.

Nothing could convince Sober Sue to crack a smile.

The Strange Saga of Sober Sue, Who Made a Career Out of Refusing to Laugh

In the early 20th century, one woman challenged professional comics, clowns, and performers to try and make her laugh. None could.

Julie Andrews in 'The Sound of Music' (1965).

How “My Favorite Things” Became an Unlikely Christmas Classic

How many of the “favorite things” are Christmas-coded? We counted.

Retro Video Shows What a Trip to the Movies Was Like in 1987

This video will have you nostalgic for the days of original blockbusters and reasonably-sized popcorn.

10 Interpretations of Shakespeare’s Works

These theories about The Bard’s works range from the almost believable to the the utterly outlandish.

14 Surprising Facts About William Shakespeare

Despite his many contributions to English literature, surprisingly little is known about William Shakespeare's life. Here’s what we do know about the celebrated actor, poet, and playwright.

Macbeth and the three witches in Shakespeare's possibly cursed play.

The Scottish Play: Why Actors Won’t Call ‘Macbeth’ by Its Title

The superstition that saying “Macbeth” will bring bad luck has been around since Shakespeare’s play debuted.

There are a lot of people who don’t think Shakespeare was actually Shakespeare.

8 Shakespeare Conspiracy Theories

Discover the controversial conspiracy theories that challenge Shakespeare’s authorship, from the Baconian Theory to the Alien Theory and beyond.

Back in the day, the box office was everything.

Where Did the Term ‘Box Office’ Come From?

The origins of the term ‘box office’ will probably surprise you—it's more about box seats than those old-fashioned detached booths that look like glorified boxes.

Roger Bart and Casey Likes star in 'Back to the Future: The Musical' on Broadway.

Whoa! How ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’ Reinvented Its Iconic DeLorean for the Stage

The creative team behind ‘Back to the Future: The Musical’ inherited the heavy task of recreating the movie's time-traveling DeLorean for the stage.

The Cryptic Case of Ambrose Small, Missing Millionaire

In 1919, Canadian businessman Ambrose Small cashed a check for 1 million dollars. Hours later, he vanished.

Elton John at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards.

All 19 Members of the EGOT Winners' Circle (and 17 Almost-EGOTs)

On January 15, 2024, Elton John won his first Emmy—and officially became a new member of the EGOT winner's circle.

James Cameron was indeed "The King of the World"—and the box office—in the 1990s.

The 25 Highest Grossing Movies of the 1990s

Box office success does not always equal critical acclaim. But many of the biggest hits of the 1990s are still being talked about, and revisited, today.

The cover of John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men.’

13 Things You Might Not Have Known About John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’

Here are a few things about this iconic piece of literature that might not have been covered in your high school English class.

Paddington Bear at the Berlin premiere of 'Paddington' (2014).

Bear-ily We Roll Along: A Paddington Musical Is Happening

The top-notch creative team for the Paddington musical includes McFly's Tom Fletcher and 'Nell Gwynn' playwright Jessica Swale.

'The Exorcist' arrived in theaters the day after Christmas in 1973—and promptly traumatized audiences.

Watch Moviegoers’ Terrified Reactions to ’The Exorcist’ When It Premiered in 1973

Thousands of moviegoers rushed to theaters to experience ‘The Exorcist’ in 1973—and many left just as quickly when the scares proved too much to handle.

7 Facts About Lorraine Hansberry

By the age of 34, Lorraine Hansberry was already the author of two plays that had appeared on Broadway. She should have been on course for a long and successful career—but tragically, that wouldn't happen. Still, her legacy has endured.

Larry Kramer in Manhattan's Washington Square in 2007.

10 Fascinating Facts About Larry Kramer

While co-founding two of the most influential HIV/AIDS organizations in the U.S., he still had time to pen a landmark play and be nominated for an Academy Award.

Melody Thornton performing from 'The Bodyguard' at The National Lottery's Big Night Of Musicals in Manchester, February 2023.

‘The Bodyguard’ Musical Cut Short in Manchester Due to Rowdy Audience Sing-Along

The show must go on—unless boisterous audience members insist on being part of it.

'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' will premiere on London's West End in 2023.

A ‘Stranger Things’ Prequel Play Is Coming to London’s West End

The new ‘Stranger Things’ stage play will follow teenage Hopper and Joyce in 1950s Hawkins, Indiana.

Heather Chasen poses for a ‘Mousetrap’ publicity still.

Agatha Christie’s ‘The Mousetrap’ Is the World’s Longest-Running Play. Now It’s Set to Make Its Broadway Debut

Christie’s murder mystery has run nearly uninterrupted in London’s West End for the past 70 years.