by Matt Keeley. @reallymattkeeley. GLENCOE, Il - Ensuring that he felt optimally prepared for his upcoming callback, local nonunion actor Timothy Hutchins dedicated two full hours to dicking around on his phone to prepare for the waiting room. “Most of my other friends and colleagues in the industry know that it’s the preparation that makes a huge difference at callbacks,” explained Hutchins, intently scrolling through his fourteenth page of Backstage’s Callback Corner forum.

by Ben Schrager. Instagram: @ben.schrager. Bluesky: @ benschrager.bsky.social . HOLLYWOOD, CA. – Shattering records for movie musicals and coming in at $152 million, this weekend’s box office champion is none other than the bewitchingly popular film making the rest of the competition green with envy–wait, it’s Avenue Q: For Now?  What? When–when did they make a sequel? Huh. “Oh, that’s nice,” said Robert Lopez while trying not to trip on one of his three Tony awards that was

by Ben Schrager. Instagram: @ben.schrager. Bluesky: @ benschrager.bsky.social . NEW YORK, NY. –  In a move that is baffling the financial world, Sour Patch Watermelon has yet to announce a product tie-in with the upcoming Wicked: For Good premiere, opting instead to pass on an absolute fucking layup. “We are always open to collaborations that align with our products, but we just don’t see the connection here,” said Johnathan Poulter, head of marketing for Sour Patch Watermelo

by Jennifer Haining. Ashville, NC  —  It’s here! You’ve had your tickets to Wicked: For Good secured for weeks, and now you’re ready for the family outing of the century! But, uh oh! Mom and Dad just told you when you get home, they want to have a tough family conversation. “I don’t think he’s ready for this, Jacqueline,” your father whispers loudly to your mother as he nervously clings to the customized Swarovski Galinda wand which he insists he bought by accident. “Combin

by Edward Precht. @pertoltprecht. UPPER WEST SIDE, NY – Well, that was a waste of time. I just got out of an early screening of Wicked: For Good , and while I thought the movie was phenomenal, I couldn’t fully concentrate. I was too disappointed that Big Movie Screen Jonathan Bailey hardly mentioned that I’d shaved my entire body, tit to tip, just for him. And I worked hard for it, too. Shoes to shaft, there wasn’t even a hint of hair. Itchy as hell, sure, but I thought it wo

by Mike Abrams. @TheWrongCatDied. NEW YORK, NY  -  Shit! I got so wrapped up scrolling social media, opening noisy candy wrappers, and hiding my sleeping bag from the AMC Times Square cleaning staff that I just realized I need to use the bathroom and want to know if I have time to go before this 12-month Wicked movie intermission ends?  It’s only been five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred  five hundred and ninety eight minutes since Wicked: Part One ended and it hit

by Brady Thomas. @cbradyt. NEW YORK, NY. —  As more and more moviegoers get to experience the magic of Wicked: For Good , one thing seems to be exceptionally clear: Jonathan Bailey and Cynthia Erivo’s rendition of “As Long As Your Mine” will surely give millions of women false hope regarding their gay friends. “I’m so glad that we were able to watch the movie early,” exclaimed Robyn Ewing, who saw the movie with gay bestie Ross Preston. “My god, the chemistry between Jonathan

by Jennifer Haining. Munchkinland, Oz —  Well great Oz! These insanulous and terrifideous animal uprisings have put a real damper on things in the Emerald City! Let’s take a little vacay over to OzMania’s “Top Three,” where today we’re analyzing some of the finest cakes this side of the Yellow Brick Road. And ladies, we do not mean confectionariums. 3. Fiyero Tigalaar: Winkieland’s hottest princeling dances into every room with a juicy little roundabout that just won’t quit!

by Ben Schrager. Instagram: @ben.schrager. Bluesky: @ benschrager.bsky.social   A COUNTRY ROAD, NY. –  Looking to see one of New York’s hottest tickets on a budget? Well, you’re in luck! The current Broadway revival of Waiting for Godot  has announced $25 rush tickets for the remainder of the run. Unfortunately, they’re not available this evening, but surely tomorrow. “We’re thrilled to be making Broadway a little more accessible,” said lead producer Jill Pozzniac, while tigh

by Brady Thomas. @cbradyt. NEW YORK, NY. —  It looks like stan culture has broken free from the internet and made it all the way to Lincoln Center! According to theatregoer McKenna Jones, audience members expecting a refuge from online discourse are in for a rude awakening when they open their Ragtime programs to see Caissie Levy referred to as “Mother.” “I mean, that’s a pretty bold statement for them to make right out of the gate,” claimed Jones, high school freshman and av