Christopher Byrne

5 days ago | gaycitynews.com | Christopher Byrne

Queer Show Finally Makes NYC BowBY CHRISTOPHER BYRNEIn 2024, there were big plans for queer, Olivier-nominated writer and performer Rob Madge to bring their hit show “My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?)” to Broadway. Well, anyone who has ever tried to get a show to Broadway knows that the road is anything but smooth, and that planned premiere was postponed. Fortunately, this is a tale with a happy ending, as Madge is bringing the show to New York City Center for a Pride Month run June 12-15.

2 weeks ago | gaycitynews.com | Christopher Byrne

“Bowl EP,” now at The Vineyard, is a triumph of queer art, performance, and theatricality that manages to be daring, provocative and heartwarming all at once. Written and directed by Nazareth Hassan, the piece is set “in a skateboard park, in the middle of a wasteland, at the edge of the galaxy,” as noted by the program.

3 weeks ago | globaltoynews.com | Christopher Byrne

With a population topping 17 million and an average age of 32, Shenzhen is singular in its demographics when it comes to consumerism and shopping. The city is dotted with shopping malls appealing to different sectors–high end and higher end it looked like to me on a recent trip. Shopping is a major form of entertainment for residents of the city, and the malls are showcases of international brands, many of them luxury brands.

3 weeks ago | globaltoynews.com | Christopher Byrne

Kip’s Toyland in the Original Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles is feeling the heat. The store, which has been in operation since 1947 was founded after World War II by Don Kipper after seeing the devastation of the war in Europe. He wanted to spend the rest of his life spreading joy. The store is currently run by Don Jr., and his daughter Lily is taking the reins, making this a three-generation family business. The store and its current situation was recently profiled by CNN.

1 month ago | gaycitynews.com | Christopher Byrne

The aptly named “Old Friends,” now on Broadway by way of Manhattan Theater Club, is a glorious celebration of the songs of Stephen Sondheim. The “Old Friends” are not just Broadway mega-star headliners Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, but the 41 beloved songs that the show is built around. Created by producer Cameron Mackintosh as a gala in the UK, then transferring to the West End and Los Angeles before landing at the Friedman, this is more than a traditional revue.