Welcome to Longo Verso. Yes, it is a very welcoming place, and no, this is probably not the last time you will hear so. My name is Aaron, and I will provide my insight and opinions every now and then.

Given the nature of this site, I would like to equip you with a few tools that will help you navigate the vast and exciting landscape of theatre information. OK, so theres not a ton of stuff out there, but here are some of my favorites:

• Playbill.com- This well known institution provides a service similar to AP or Reuters, releasing the latest news from Broadway and other regional theaters country wide. The news feeds feature is extremely helpful, but can be a bit overwhelming. In addition to the articles that stick mainly to the facts, Playbill also features personal pieces with artists.
• BroadwayWorld - The biggest community of Broadway fans, this is currently the best place to connect with other people who enjoy theater. It may not be the best place if you are new to the world of theatre, as members tend to "know all." The news coverage is functional, though it covers a lot of the same ground as Playbill. The best feature of the site is the weekly Broadway grosses, detailing the week that was at the box office.
• broadwayabridged.com - A great place for a laugh, especially if one is familiar with a particular Broadway show. Gil Varod roasts various plays and musicals in a way that is both respectful and incisive. Do not substitute the abridgements for the real deal; these are insightful supplements (although at times the satire rings true). Gil also provides brief commentary on occasional news items in blog format
  
• New York Times - The authority on Broadway criticism, this site provides vast archival wealth of reviews as well as pictures and occasional video coverage of the New York scene
  
• Podcasts: The American Theatre Wing, Broadway Bullet, Playbill Radio, Masterworks Broadway - All of these sources are a great place to find interviews with show people. Broadway Bullet also provides a look into new musicals and will often offer samples from cast recordings or solo albums and even the occasional performance of broadwayabridged Live.
  
• Broadway.com - Less definitive than the title might bring you to imagine. Mostly a ticket vendor, but provides a nifty feature entitled "Ask a Star" (which can be found under the Video On Demand tab) which showcases the unique personalities behind the marquee value. Favorites include Sutton Foster and Alice Ripley, although do not watch the latter before bed. Or when you are alone. Or maybe at all.

This list is a jumping off point, though for more complete resources one must delve into the world of books, albums, scripts, and other things that are not free. So get a move on! There's lot of information out there, and it's yours for the taking.


*While I intend to make this a fairly user friendly approach, you may actually need to try (unlike certain other ventures in Business).