Theater Update: ‘Is Betty Buckley alive?’ She certainly is.

Tonys predictions; Tom Hanks; 'Goddess'

View in browser|nytimes.com May 21, 2025 Dear Theater Fans, Jesse Green's 2025 Tony predictions are here: Who does he think will win? You'll have to take a look at his ballot to see which plays, musicals and artists he thinks will — and should — take home trophies on June 8. Michael Paulson and our photographers went behind the curtain to capture the preshow preparation at four Tony-nominated shows: "Buena Vista Social Club," "Sunset Boulevard," "John Proctor Is the Villain" and "Oh, Mary!" And Rachel Sherman talked to Darren Criss, a Tony nominee, about how he leaned into physical theater to portray his robot character in the Tony-nominated "Maybe Happy Ending." Vincent Tullo's videos of Criss in robot mode are pure joy. Michael also had a bunch of news this week, including that Tom Hanks has written a play that he will also star in this fall and that CNN is planning a live broadcast of one of the final Broadway performances of "Good Night, and Good Luck." He and Javier Hernández also reported that the new president of the Kennedy Center has called for an inquiry into its finances. Alexis Soloski wrote about Tarell Alvin McCraney's new play, "We Are Gathered," in which real couples have been selected to renew or exchange marriage vows at the end of each performance. And Elisabeth Vincentelli wrote about five of the composer Charles Strouse's memorable songs, after his death at the age of 96 last Thursday. Through his musicals, including "Annie" and "Bye Bye Birdie," Elisabeth wrote, "he captured essential elements of American culture, including a yearning for escape from an older generation's shackles and a can-do spirit to overcome adversity." Here's the playlist. Please reach out to me at theaterfeedback@nytimes.com with suggestions for stories or to offer your thoughts about our coverage. And urge your friends to subscribe to this newsletter. Have a wonderful week, Nicole Herrington Theater Editor Graham Dickie/The New York Times 'Is Betty Buckley Still Alive?' Trump Asked. She Certainly Is. "What's happening these days," the singer said at the start of a Joe's Pub residency, "is weird, and not cool." By Michael Paulson Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here. TONY AWARDS Vincent Tullo for The New York Times Darren Criss Does the Robot He trained as a movement actor. Now he's leaning into physical theater as a Helperbot in the Tony-nominated "Maybe Happy Ending." By Rachel Sherman and Vincent Tullo Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Tonys 2025 Predictions: Who Will Win? And Who Should? Our chief theater critic looks at this year's nominees and weighs in on the plays, musicals and artists he thinks will — and should — take home trophies on June 8. By Jesse Green Daniel Arnold for The New York Times Broadway, Backstage We go behind the curtain at "Buena Vista Social Club," "Sunset Boulevard," "John Proctor Is the Villain" and "Oh, Mary!" By Michael Paulson, Daniel Arnold, OK McCausland, Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet and Caroline Tompkins NEWS AND FEATURES Erik Carter for The New York Times Tom Hanks Wrote a Play, and Will Star in It Off Broadway This Fall "This World of Tomorrow," based on the actor's 2017 short story collection, is scheduled to begin performances in October at the Shed. By Michael Paulson Ilvy Njiokiktjien for The New York Times Can Shoplifting Be Justified? This Artist Wants You to Decide. Dries Verhoeven has constructed a replica grocery store for his latest provocative performance. By Nina Siegal Maansi Srivastava for The New York Times 'We Are Gathered' Promises to Love, Honor and Cherish At Arena Stage in Washington, a new play by Tarell Alvin McCraney has actors and real couples exchanging marriage vows onstage. By Alexis Soloski Doug Mills/The New York Times Head of Trump's Kennedy Center Calls for Inquiry Into Its Finances The center's new president said prosecutors should look at its "criminal" debt and deferred maintenance, as the center announced dance and theater offerings that include some with nonunion casts. By Javier C. Hernández and Michael Paulson Maria Baranova BAM Announces a Women-Led Next Wave and Fall Season The arts institution, which has shrunk its programming in recent years, unveiled its fall lineup. By Rachel Sherman Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Clooney Brought Edward R. Murrow to Broadway. Next Stop: CNN. In June, the news organization is planning a live broadcast of one of the final Broadway performances of "Good Night, and Good Luck." By Michael Paulson FROM THE CRITICS Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Review: How Music Came Down to Earth, in 'Goddess' Amber Iman lives up to the title of a musical about the divine gift of song. By Jesse Green Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Critic's Pick 'Creditors' Review: Who Pays the Price for a Bankrupt Marriage? Liev Schreiber stars in an update of the bleak Strindberg classic about a husband and wife and the man who seeks to destroy them. By Jesse Green Marc J. Franklin 'Lights Out: Nat "King" Cole' Review: Dimming a Great Talent Dulé Hill stars as the silky crooner in a play about the last broadcast of his variety show, in 1957. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Carol Rosegg Critic's Pick 'Bowl EP' Review: Sessions in Love Nazareth Hassan's play follows the tender romance (and acid-fueled hallucinations) two skateboarders share. By Juan A. Ramírez Sara Krulwich/The New York Times 'Bus Stop' Review: Travelers Find Shelter From a Storm Intimacy is at the heart of this rare revival of William Inge's 1955 play, about stranded passengers learning from one another and about themselves. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Uwe Stratmann Critic's Notebook At Theatertreffen Festival, Bodies Do the Talking Choreographer-led works at the annual German theater event range from the transgressive to the melancholic. By Emily J. May CHARLES STROUSE, 1928-2025 Chester Higgins Jr./The New York Times Charles Strouse, Composer of 'Annie' and 'Bye Bye Birdie,' Dies at 96 He wrote some of the most enduring musical theater numbers of his era and earned three Tony Awards, a Grammy and an Emmy. By Margalit Fox Gary Gershoff/Getty Images The Broadway Best of Charles Strouse The composer's musicals, including "Annie" and "Bye Bye Birdie," captured essential elements of American culture. Here are five of his most memorable songs. By Elisabeth Vincentelli THEATER GUIDES Joan Marcus/Polk & Co., via Associated Press Theater to Stream: The Tony-Nominated 'Yellow Face,' 'Vanya' and More Watch the Tony nominee Daniel Dae Kim in David Henry Hwang's comedy, and take in cabaret at 54 Below, all from your living room. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Sara Krulwich/The New York Times 13 Off Broadway Shows to See in May Hugh Jackman in "Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes" and Maya Hawke in the title role of "Eurydice" — here's what's on New York stages this month. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Broadway Shows to See This Spring: 'Good Night, and Good Luck' and More A guide to every show on Broadway, including new musicals, Tony-winning dramas, quirky hits and veterans like "Hamilton" and "Chicago." By Laura Collins-Hughes Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theater 12 Plays and Musicals Across the U.S. to Brighten the Spring On stages across the country, there is no shortage of adventurous work, including plays by Lauren Yee, Larissa FastHorse and Zora Howard. By Laura Collins-Hughes If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Theater Update from The New York Times. To stop receiving Theater Update, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018