Scott Rudin’s absence at the Tonys did not ruin the evening. Frankly, it improved it. But the awkwardness was still there.

In what many considered a lackluster Broadway season, the broadcast actually did a pretty good job making the most of what it had. But there were still choices worth questioning.

A children’s theater in Nebraska had to condemn racist comments because a Black performer was cast as Elsa in Frozen. Kids understand make-believe just fine. Some adults, apparently, need help.

If a theatre cannot find, invite, support, or cast a Black woman as Deloris Van Cartier, maybe the answer is not to cast around the problem. Maybe the answer is to pick another show.

The Springfield Muni is facing backlash over its handling of sexual harassment allegations involving an actor. Now the theatre has to prove its policies protect people, not just the institution.

The Tonys are almost here, so naturally I have opinions. Here are 10 wins I’d love to see this year.

Rosamund Pike handled a texting audience member with grace. We would have handled it with… slightly less grace.

Community theatre survives because people show up. But when the same people hold power for too long, stewardship can start looking a lot like ownership.

The Kennedy Center is not a vanity plaque, a political souvenir, or another surface waiting for someone’s name. It is a national performing arts institution. And this ruling is a needed reminder of that.

Parody musicals get dismissed a lot. You’ve probably seen the takes. But when these shows work, they really work. Maybe instead of shaming audiences for enjoying them, we should pay attention to what they’re telling us.

“When theatres collect tips after a show, that appreciation should include everyone who made the production happen. “Cast and crew” should mean cast and crew.”

Chess may have proved an uncomfortable Broadway truth: some shows do not just benefit from star casting. They depend on it. And if the entire commercial pitch begins to wobble the moment that star leaves, maybe the problem is bigger than any one performer.