Iris Wiener, Author at The New York Independent, New York City, NY

Spelling It Out: Autumn Best on Politics, Improv, and Joy of ‘Spelling Bee’ in an NYI Q&A

Iris WienerJanuary 15, 2026

Matt Manuel (left) Autumn Best and Justin Cooley in 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.' (Photo: Joan Marcus) Autumn Best marked both a return to her theatrical roots and a major milestone in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. ...

COMEDYENTERTAINMENTMUSICALOFF-BROADWAY

Samuel D. Hunter explores minimalism in his plays. (Photo: Samuel D Hunter)

Samuel D. Hunter on Writing Against Spectacle—and Why That Still Matters on Broadway

Iris WienerDecember 20, 2025

Few contemporary American playwrights have so consistently insisted on the power of quiet as Samuel D. Hunter....

BROADWAYDRAMATheater

Stephen Colbert and Conan O'Brien swapped stories at the (Photo: Tony Turner)

Stephen Colbert Slices and Dices Comedian Conan O’Brien at NJ Performing Arts Center

Iris WienerDecember 15, 2025

Stephen Colbert and Conan O’Brien sparred their way through stories during a performance at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. ...

COMEDYENTERTAINMENT

Paul Rudd poses with some of the kids at the SAY foundation event. (Photo: Jason Steinberg)

Paul Rudd Hosts 12th All-Star Bowling Benefit for Stuttering Association (Photos!)

Iris WienerNovember 30, 2025

Community, compassion, and courage were honored at the event hosted by Paul Rudd, a dedicated champion of the Stuttering Association for the Young (SAY) for more than two decades....

CELEBRITIESENTERTAINMENTEvents

Alex Winter, Michael Patrick Thornton, Brandon J. Dirden, and Keanu Reeves in a scene from Waiting for Godot. (Photo: Andy Anderson)

Finding Light: Brandon J. Dirden, Michael Patrick Thornton Tackle Beckett’s Godot

Iris WienerNovember 18, 2025

two actors describe Samuel Beckett’s work as both a “pleasurable torture” and a “terrifyingly high-stakes assignment.”...

BROADWAYTheater

Jeff Ross Brings Comedy, Sentimentality and Acerbic Wit to New Broadway Show

Iris WienerSeptember 8, 2025

Jeff Ross has a superpower. He's demonstrating his X-factor in his new Broadway show, Take a Banana for the Ride. He sits for an New York Independent Q&A. ...

BROADWAYCOMEDYENTERTAINMENTTheater

Dulé Hill found his character nuanced and complex in Lights Out Nat King Cole. (Photo: Marc J. Franklin)

Dulé Hill is ‘Unforgettable’ in ‘Lights Out: Nat King Cole;’ He Talks About His Journey

Iris WienerJune 17, 2025

Dulé Hill, the quintessential performer, talks about his transformative role in 'Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole in an NY Independent Q&A. ...

MUSICALOFF-BROADWAYTheater

Thomas G. Waites draws from a lifetime of experience fo rhis one man show. (Photo: Thomas G. Waites)

Thomas G. Waites Digs Deep to Expose His Life in One-Man Rock Monologue

Iris WienerJune 11, 2025

Thomas G. Waites is laying the highs and lows of his multi-hyphenate life on stage with Lucky Man – A Warrior’s Journey, ...

DRAMAOFF-BROADWAYTheater

Insights and Reflections from Inside the 78th Tony Awards, Plus 50 Photos!

Iris WienerJune 9, 2025

Tony Award winners reflected on their performances and provided insights into their roles at this year's show, with 50 photos!!...

BROADWAYTheater

Winners of six Drama Desk awards, the cast of Maybe Happy Ending. (Photo: Krystal Chocianowski & Iris Wiener)

Behind the Scenes, the 69th Drama Desk Awards: ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ Wins Six

Iris WienerJune 5, 2025

Maybe Happy Ending topped all shows with six awards at the 2025 Drama Desk Awards. Here is a behind-the-scenes look....

BROADWAYOFF-BROADWAYTheater

Steve Rosen and David Rossmer are lending their comedy skills to the 2025 Drama Desk Aawards.

Behind the 2025 Drama Desk Awards; Comedy Team Steve Rosen and David Rossmer Will Provide the Humor

Iris WienerMay 29, 2025

Broadway comedy team Steve Rosen and David Rossmer have taken on the challenge for the second year to write for the Drama Desk Awards. ...

BROADWAYOFF-BROADWAYTheater

Jonathan Groff belts out a tune in a homage to singer Bobby Darin in 'Just in Time.' (Photo: Matthew Murphy, Evan Zimmerman)

Jonathan Groff Captures Bobby Darin’s Heart, Soul in Broadway’s ‘Just in Time’

Iris WienerApril 27, 2025

Every aspect of Just in Time, the homage to '50s crooner Bobby Darin, immediately entrances audiences....

BROADWAYENTERTAINMENTMUSICALTheater

Tatianna Córdoba captivates as Ana in Broadway's 'Real Women Have Curves.' (Photo: )

‘Real Women Have Curves’ Resonates With Moving Message on Immigrant Hopes, Dreams

Iris WienerApril 26, 2025

Tatianna Córdoba captivates as Ana in Broadway's 'Real Women Have Curves.' (Photo: Julieta Cervantes ) There’s so much to love about the delightful new musical Real Women Have Curves that it is easy to forgive some of the conceptual missteps alon...

BROADWAYMUSICALREVIEWTheater

Anthony Michael Lopez and Jake Gyellenhall (right) in Othello on Broadway. (Photo: Julieta Cervantes)

Anthony Michael Lopez Revisits Othello and Brings New Perspective to His Role

Iris WienerApril 22, 2025

Shakespeare would certainly appreciate the irony in Anthony Michael Lopez’s role in Broadway’s Othello....

BROADWAYDRAMATheater

How Broadway Saved Josh Lamon’s Life Twice; ‘Death Becomes Her’ Actor Reveals Unique Journey

Iris WienerApril 9, 2025

Broadway saved Josh Lamon’s life…twice. He talks about his long road to Broadway in an NYI exclusive interview. ...

BROADWAYENTERTAINMENTMUSICALTheater