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

Playwright Suzan-Lori Parks looks at the relationship of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson through the prism of 21st Century Americana.

Love or Rape? ‘Sally & Tom’ Tells Compelling Story About a Founding Father and His Slave

Iris WienerApril 20, 2024

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks explores the relationship between founding father Thomas Jefferson and his slave, Sally Hemings,...

BROADWAYENTERTAINMENTTheater

Encores! Once Upon a Mattress Music by Mary Rodgers Lyrics by Marshall Barer Book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller & Marshall Barer Concert Adaptation by Amy Sherman-Palladino Scenic Designer David Zinn Costume Designer Andrea Hood Lighting Designer Amith Chandrashaker Sound Designer Kai Harada Production Stage Manager Cody Renard Richard Casting by The Telsey Office Featuring The Encores! Orchestra Choreographer Lorin Latarro Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell Directed by Lear deBessonet

Michael Urie on How He Juggles ‘Spamalot’ and ‘Mattress’ on Broadway and Hit TV Show in LA

Iris WienerFebruary 1, 2024

Michael Urie talks about his show-stopping performances in Broadway’s Spamalot and Encores! production of Once Upon a Mattress. ...

BROADWAYTheater

Paul Rudd, Celebrities Fete Stuttering Association’s Landmark Tenth Fundraiser

Iris WienerFebruary 1, 2024

SAY marked its 10th Annual Paul Rudd Celebrity Bowling Benefit in January. See the celebs who attended. ...

CalendarEvents

Krystal Joy Brown brings flair to her role in Broadway's Merrily We Roll Along.

Krystal Joy Brown Makes History as First African-American Lead in Broadway’s ‘Merrily We Roll Along’

Iris WienerNovember 29, 2023

Krystal Joy Brown brings her own flair to Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along. (Photo: Show) No one gets inside the mind of a character with the same depth as Krystal Joy Brown, the scene-stealer in the Broadway revival of ...

BROADWAYMUSICALTheater

Philip Boykin is a commanding presence in his new role in the Broadway musicial Hadestown.

Phillip Boykin Adds a New Dimension to the Underworld in Broadway’s ‘Hadestown’

Iris WienerNovember 15, 2023

Hadestown, the musicial currently on Broadway, has a charismatic new leader with the addition of Phillip Boykin....

BROADWAYMUSICALTheater

Alex Moffat displays his comedic skills in 'The Cottage,' an uproarious Broadway comedy.

Alex Moffat Talks About ‘The Cottage’ on Broadway, Directed by Jason Alexander (of Seinfeld fame)

Iris WienerAugust 21, 2023

Alex Moffat has mastered the unforgettable entrance. ...

BROADWAYCOMEDYTheater

Isabelle McCalla knew she was destined for Broadway and a stage career.

Behind Hercules’ Sass, Isabelle McCalla Takes on Her Second Disney Musical

Iris WienerMarch 5, 2023

Just call her a Disney starlet extraordinaire. Isabelle McCalla talks about her career and her new role in Hercules’ Megara at Paper Mill Playhouse....

REGIONALTheater

HBO's John Oliver hosted this year's "Only Make Believe" Gala. (Photos: Alan Perlman)

‘Only Make Believe’ Celebrates the Magic of Theater at 23rd Gala in New York

Iris WienerDecember 7, 2022

HBO's John Oliver hosted this year's "Only Make Believe" Gala. (Photos: Alan Perlman) "Only Make Believe" is an inspirational, joyous organization that creates interactive theatre with children who have severe medical conditions and developmental d...

BROADWAYCELEBRITIESTheater

‘Ant Man’ Actor Paul Rudd is a Giant at Benefit To Help Stuttering Children (Photos!)

Iris WienerOctober 31, 2022

Paul Rudd was demonstrating what it means to be a real-life superhero. ...

CELEBRITIESFilm

Debbie Gibson is back on the road with a new tour.

Debbie Gibson Hits the Road 35 Years After Her Breakout Hit

Iris WienerJune 11, 2022

Debbie Gibson is returning to the stage “out of the blue” with her new tour, and a new NYI interview!...

POP

Camille A. Brown is carrying forth a legacy for black women on Broadway with her work. (Photo:

Camille A. Brown Makes Broadway History With Her Work as a Choreographer and Director

Iris WienerJune 7, 2022

Camille A. Brown describes her style of dance as “simply being Camille.” However, her moves are anything but simple....

BROADWAYTheater

Talene Monahon stars in 'Jane Anger,' a Shakespearean farce she wrote, now running in the West Village. (Photo: Valerie Terranova)

Talene Monahon Pulls Double-Duty with New Shakespearean Farce ‘Jane Anger’

Iris WienerMarch 1, 2022

Performing came first for Talene Monahon, but she has always loved writing and it shows in her new Shakespearean farce Jane Anger, now running at the New Ohio Theatre in the West Village of Manhattan....

OFF-BROADWAYTheater

James Monroe Iglehart looms large on Broadway and film. (Photo: Jeremy Daniel)

Broadway: James Monroe Iglehart a ‘Dangerous Pleasure’ in Chicago; Exclusive Interview!

Iris WienerFebruary 21, 2022

James Monroe Iglehart has proved that there is nothing he can’t do on Broadway....

BROADWAYTheater

Dan Lauria and Alley Mills star together again in Off-Broadway Play 'Mornings at Seven.' (Photo: Maria Baranova)

Wonder Years Co-Stars Dan Lauria, Alley Mills Reunite in Off-Broadway Play, ‘Mornings at Seven’

Iris WienerNovember 30, 2021

In 1988, ABC’s The Wonder Years changed the landscape of television with its original format and fresh-storytelling. ...

OFF-BROADWAYTheater

Go back stage with stars from the 74th Tony Awards.

74th Tony Awards! Backstage With Stars Who Made Broadway Memorable

Iris WienerSeptember 28, 2021

The 74th Annual Tony Awards finally came to fruition after the theater season came to an abrupt halt a year ago in March admid the COVID-19 pandemic....

BROADWAYTheater