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

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

Actor Sir Ian McKellen and producer Dena Hammerstein celebrated Only Make Believe at a Broadway gala. (Photo)

Sir Ian McKellen Leads Only Make Believe 20th Anniversary Gala

Iris WienerNovember 8, 2019

Children’s theater company Only Make Believe celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala featuring appearances by Sir Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming and Hayley Mills....

BROADWAYTheater

‘Bat Out of Hell’ a Hellish Vision of Meat Loaf’s Seminal Album at NY City Center

Iris WienerAugust 14, 2019

An inflated concert crossed with amusement park production value, Bat Out of Hell is a hot mess of an attraction, but musical theater fans who expect quality production will be disappointed....

MUSICALTheater

Darth of Female Directors Mar 2019 Tonys and Other Insights by Broadway’s Finest

Iris WienerJune 10, 2019

Rachel Chavkin won the Best Director Tony for Hadestown, but excoriated Broadway for its lack of female directors. (Photos by Iris Wiener) Best Director of a Musical winner Rachel Chavkin made a few heads turn at the Tonys when she brought attenti...

BROADWAYTheater

The Prom Wins Top Musical, Ferryman Takes Top Play at 64th Drama Desk Awards

Iris WienerJune 5, 2019

The Prom was awarded the top prize for Outstanding Musical, while Tootsie and Hadestown were big winners at the 64th Drama Desk Awards in New York City. ...

Theater

Ethan Slater won the Outstanding Actor Award for his role in the musical SpongeBob SquarePants at the 63rd Drama Desk Awards. (Photo: Iris Wiener(

SpongeBob, My Fair Lady Win Top Honors at 63rd Drama Desk Awards (Photos!)

Iris WienerJune 19, 2018

SpongeBob SquarePants and My Fair Lady were standouts at the 63rd Drama Desk Awards, winning Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Revival of a Musical, respectively. Admissions and Angels in America won for plays. ...

Theater

Harry Potter, My Fair Lady, SpongeBob Lead Outer Critics Circle Award Winners

Iris WienerJune 1, 2018

Billy Crudup won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Solo Performance. (Photo: Iris Wiener) The Outer Critics Circle, an organization of media writers and commentators, awarded outstanding work in the 2017-2018 theater season in New York...

Theater