Theater Update: Three Broadway stars walk into a museum ...

October 8, 2025

Dear Theater Fans,

Critics panned it, but audiences loved it — and made it unstoppable. Now, as “Les Misérables” celebrates 40 years onstage, Alex Marshall has chronicled the success story of a musical once dismissed as “The Glums.” And it’s still going strong: Today came the news that an arena concert version of the show would make its North American debut at Radio City Music Hall in New York next summer, from July 23 to Aug. 2.

Also today:

Broadway: Michael Paulson reported that Broadway is facing a possible strike. There’s been a lack of progress in the negotiations between the Broadway League and two major unions — whose members consist of actors, stage managers and musicians — as they seek agreement on new contracts.
Musical theater genius: Earlier today Michaela Towfighi reported that the composer and playwright Heather Christian was named one of 22 recipients of this year’s MacArthur Foundation award, a.k.a. the “genius grant.” It just so happens that Christian’s “Oratorio for Living Things” is currently onstage at the Signature Theater in Midtown Manhattan. Jesse Green had glowing praise for the production, which he reviewed in a previous run in 2022.
Let’s go, Yankees! OK, this is a stretch, but you may feel inclined to tune into the Yankees game tonight after reading Michael’s feature on George Steinbrenner’s theater-loving granddaughter Haley Swindal and the revival of “Damn Yankees” that she’s producing at Arena Stage in Washington. “If there’s something for me to produce, that I think I can get right, it’s a Broadway and baseball musical,” she told Michael.

And there’s so much more to read this week, including Roslyn Sulcas on Marina Abramovic’s “most demanding, difficult, insane project,” which is titled “Balkan Erotic Epic” and is coming to the Park Avenue Armory in Manhattan next year. But before you read on, take a moment to toast “Les Misérables,” and those “Damn Yankees” with a little musical break (Lola would insist). Here’s Lea Salonga singing “I Dreamed a Dream” at the 25th anniversary concert for “Les Misérables,” and Gwen Verdon’s “Whatever Lola Wants,” from the “Damn Yankees” film.

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

Neil Patrick Harris, Bobby Cannavale and James Corden stand in front of Claude Monet's "Water Lilies." Corden, who is on the right, is bent over laughing.

Ashley Markle for The New York Times

Three Broadway Stars Walk Into a Museum …

Bobby Cannavale, James Corden and Neil Patrick Harris talked about paintings that made an impression and, like their characters in “Art,” had questions about one another’s taste.

By Erik Piepenburg

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NEWS AND FEATURES

A man and a woman who are wearing baseball caps hand out fliers that read in part: "Support Equity Workers."

Ye Fan for The New York Times

Broadway Could Face a Strike This Fall. Here’s What to Know.

The Broadway League and unions representing actors, stage managers and musicians are trying to negotiate new contracts, but workers are increasingly frustrated.

By Michael Paulson

In an onstage still from a musical, a group of people in 18th-century French clothing stand atop barricades and brandish weapons while others cheer them on from below.

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

‘Les Misérables’ at 40: The Unlikely Story of a Hit

Critics initially panned it, but public love for the musical with songs like “One Day More” and “On My Own” has kept it going strong for four decades — and counting.

By Alex Marshall

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

MacArthur Foundation Announces 2025 ‘Genius Grant’ Winners

Twenty-two people in a broad spectrum of the arts and sciences were awarded the fellowship, which comes with an $800,000 stipend.

By Michaela Towfighi

A portrait of a young Haley Swindal who is leaning into her grandfather George Steinbrenner as they pose for a photo.

via Haley Swindal

Her Grandfather Owned the Yankees. Now She’s Producing ‘Damn Yankees.’

George Steinbrenner’s theater-loving granddaughter Haley Swindal is taking a big swing with a revival of the musical, slightly retooled for a new generation.

By Michael Paulson

A woman in a red blouse and pink skirt screams while holding her hands to her head.

James Estrin/The New York Times

How a Chaotic ‘Network’-Style Outburst Plays Out in ‘Weather Girl’

In this dark comedy about climate change, a meteorologist meant to maintain a “happy voice” can no longer reassure viewers that it’s going to be all right.

By Laura Collins-Hughes

FROM THE CRITICS

A portrait shows a woman in a white “I ♡ NY” cap and shirt smoking a cigar.

Dolly Faibyshev for The New York Times

What Clowns! (That’s a Compliment)

Natalie Palamides and Julia Masli are among the stars of a new clowning movement that revels in the comedy of failure. How did these fools become prestige?

By Jason Zinoman