Michael Appler

@HarveyFierstein gave my two cents for me last night at @FunnyGirlBwy: Asked before the show what revisions were made— more simply:“Did you make a hit?” — he shrugged. “Ah,” he gestured, “that’s none of your business.” Read more: variety.com/2022/scene/new…

“If you take this play to many places in the United States, it would be shocking,” Scott Ellis told me last night about @2STNYC’s “Take Me Out.” “This play is, still, a radical act.” Congrats to @jessetyler & cast on a triumph. #broadway variety.com/2022/scene/new…

After an eventful opening night on #broadway, in which @NYCMayor revealed to me his fandom for Sex and the City and Matthew Broderick nearly broke the set, @SJP reveals @plazasuitebway may be filmed for audiences. variety.com/2022/scene/new…

Appreciate the feature in the Briefing this morning. More important, don’t miss their support of @AyannaPrescod and what she’s gone through after her thoughtful review of MJ.

@MrDavidGordon Where you're wrong here is that the cast's answers weren't half-hearted, and the talent wasn't exhausted. The carpet was before the show, and everyone gave thoughtful answers to some pretty base level questions about what they hope for their audiences.

Opening night red carpets aren’t a place for serious conversation. They’re for silly Head’s Up games and asking what everyone is drinking at the party. The answers are half-hearted bc the talent is exhausted. Yes, I believe in free press, but there’s a time for everything.

After two years of calls for greater awareness on Broadway, how can its producers, theater owners, and publicity agencies meaningfully interrogate themselves while restricting the press from criticizing its productions?

The story was cut. Here are my full thoughts: Last night raises serious questions about the relationship between Broadway and the press who cover it, as well as producers’ willingness to foster a musical of this subject while ejecting meaningful criticism.

“Who would run into the hurricane? Those who need it most. And across the scope of American life, it’s always been African Americans who have stood up to do it," @rsantiagohudson told me about Black artists this season on Broadway & this incredible show. variety.com/2022/theater/n…

Should @StevePasquale win at least an Obie for his performance on The Daily today? Absolutely yes. @nytimestheater, thoughts?

After @CompanyBway opened last night, I talked with @PattiLuPone about the complicated emotions of the evening, about Steve and how we honor him. Here's what she described. #Broadway #Company #Sondheim variety.com/2021/scene/new…

@PattiLuPone and @TheKatrinaLenk take their opening night bows for @CompanyBway. #Broadway

A special night on #Broadway, and a very special Playbill. @CompanyBway

“Your vagina doesn’t die on your 50th birthday.” Say what you will about #AndJustLikeThat , but the show’s new writing team, including @msfruch, @keligoff and Sam Irby, are a hilarious & necessary force in the room. Read what I wrote in @Variety: variety.com/2021/scene/new…

"Clyde's" might be one of the best plays I've seen on #Broadway in a long time. Not just cause @UzoAduba is the GOAT, but because @Lynnbrooklyn does it again—pairing perfect character work, surrealist structure & striking commentary. Here's what I wrote. variety.com/2021/scene/new…

I love this film so much. Here's proof you can remake a classic brilliantly without interjecting pointless modernist revisions, but making smart, meaningful changes that evolve characters & story we love. Here's what I wrote last night. #WestSideStory variety.com/2021/film/news…

It was very clear last night at the #WestSideStory premiere, as #RitaMoreno told everybody where to stand in the cast photo, who the real boss is.

The #Broadway community honored #Sondheim today with a performance of “Sunday” in Times Square. @joshgroban and @SaraBareilles lent me some words about Sondheim and his legacy. variety.com/2021/scene/new…

I got inside a Rolls-Royce with @thebigdewaal and @RoeHartrampf after the opening night of @DianaOnBroadway to discuss their show. Inside, Jeanna defended the musical against its reviews. #Broadway #DianaTheMusical variety.com/2021/scene/new…

@BilldeBlasio didn’t show up to give the city’s own proclamation to @ChicagoMusical in celebration of its 25th, but @ericadamsfornyc rushed the stage after the Act One curtain & talked about being a police officer who protected Times Square tourists? #chicago25 #Broadway

John Kander, of Kander and Ebb, is in the theater tonight for @ChicagoMusical’s 25th anniversary. No Liza yet. #Chicago25 #broadway