Theaterinthenow's Top 5 Tony 2013 Snubs

1. Hands on a Hardbody for Best Musical
Despite lukewarm reviews and an untimely closing, this new musical inspired by the 1997 documentary, Hands on a Hardbody was a breath of fresh air on Broadway. Thankfully Keala Settle was recognized for her fabulous performance, let's all hope the cast gets to perform the brilliant "Joy of the Lord" on the Tony telecast.





2. Ari Graynor for Best Featured Actress in a Play
Technically there was no way she would get nominated because The Performers did not run long enough, but it's a shame that Ari Graynor couldn't get recognized for her A+ comedic turn as a porn star. Don't worry, Tony will remember your snub when you return! 

3. Jessica Hecht for Best Actress in a Play
Jessica Hecht has never been finer than her performance in The Assembled Parties but with stiff competition in the category, Hecht was unfortunately left off the list. But let's face it, she'll be back again soon.

4. Alan Cumming for Best Actor in a Play
Macbeth is a hard show to do unless you have a fantastic company. It's even harder when you do a one person rendition of the Shakespeare classic. So why did Alan Cumming get snubbed? That's a question we'll never know. I guess he'll get his nomination again when he plays the Emcee.

5. Bette Midler for Best Actress in a Play
The Divine Miss M received raves for her performance in the new solo piece I'll Eat You Last by John Logan. So again, why did Bette Midler get snubbed? You can't blame the solo piece because Holland Taylor was nominated.





Who do you think got the Tony shaft?

Theaterinthenow's Top 5 Tony 2013 Surprises

1. Laurie Metcalf and Tom Sturridge Get Their Due Recognition
Let's face it, it was the year of the Play. With stiff competition and little love from the other awards, two outstanding performances did get Tony love: Laurie Metcalf for The Other Place and Tom Sturridge in Orphans (who beat out costar Alec Baldwin). Both offered phenomenal performances securing their spots in this year's Tony race. I picked them so I'm stoked! Are you happy for them?

2. Not All of Hollywood is Honored
There were a lot of Hollywood names trouncing around Broadway this season, but not all of the big names. While Tom Hanks, David Hyde Pierce and Cicely Tyson got nods, Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Jessica Chastain, Scarlett Johansson, and Vanessa Williams, among others, got nothing. Are Tony voters finally not giving in to A-listers on Broadway?

3. Bring It On Remembered
The fourth slot of the Best Musical category was a toss up between a few productions, but in the end Bring It On, the musical inspired by the movie, beat out Hands on a Hardbody and Motown for the final spot. Would you have given it to Bring It On?

4. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Nominated in Four Acting Categories
Shalita Grant (Best Featured Actress), Billy Magnussen (Best Featured Actor), Kristine Nielsen (Best Actress), and David Hyde Pierce (Best Actor) will be representing the cast of the Christopher Durang comedy, but the big question is where's Sigourney?

5. Kenneth Posner Secures 3 out of 4 Best Lighting Design of a Musical Nominations
Kenneth Posner was represented this season by his work on Cinderella, Harvey, Kinky Boots and Pippin. Three of his shows, all of the musicals, got nominations for Best Lighting Design. So the big question: is there any way he'll lose?








What were your big surprises for this year's Tonys? Comment below!

2013 Tony Award Nominations Announced

It's that time again! Tony nominations! Early this morning, the 2013 Tony Nominees were announced. And like every year, there were some duhs, some shockers, and some snubs. Check back later for our top 5 surprises and top 5 snubs. Below are the nominations: 

Best Musical
A Christmas Story
Bring It On
Kinky Boots
Matilda

Best Play
Lucky Guy
The Assembled Parties
The Testament of Mary
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Best Revival of a Play
Golden Boy
Orphans
The Trip to Bountiful
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Best Revival of a Musical
Annie
Cinderella
Pippin
The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Best Leading Actor in a Play
Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy
Nathan Lane, The Nance
Tracy Letts, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
David Hyde Pierce, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Tom Sturridge, Orphans

Best Leading Actress in a Play
Laurie Metcalf, The Other Place
Amy Morton, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Kristine Nielsen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Holland Taylor, Ann
Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Leading Actor in a Musical
Bertie Carvel, Matilda
Santino Fontana, Cinderella
Rob McClure, Chaplin
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
Stark Sands, Kinky Boots

Best Leading Actress in a Musical
Stephanie J. Block, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Carolee Carmello, Scandalous
Valisia LeKae, Motown: The Musical
Patina Miller, Pippin
Laura Osnes, Cinderella

Best Featured Actor in a Play
Danny Burstein, Golden Boy
Richard Kind, The Big Knife
Billy Magnussen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Tony Shalhoub, Golden Boy
Courtney B. Vance, Lucky Guy

Best Featured Actress in a Play
Carrie Coon, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Shalita Grant, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Judith Ivey, The Heiress
Judith Light, The Assembled Parties
Condola Rashad, The Trip to Bountiful

Best Featured Actor in a Musical
Charl Brown, Motown: The Musical
Keith Carradine, Hands on a Hardbody
Will Chase, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Gabriel Ebert, Matilda
Terrence Mann, Pippin

Best Featured Actress in a Musical
Annaleigh Ashford, Kinky Boots
Victoria Clark, Cinderella
Andrea Martin, Pippin
Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody
Lauren Ward, Matilda

Best Director of a Musical
Scott Ellis, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots
Diane Paulus, Pippin
Matthew Warchus, Matilda

Best Director of a Play
Pam Mackinnon, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Nicholas Martin, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Bartlett Sher, Golden Boy
George C. Wolfe, Lucky Guy

Best Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler, Bring It On
Peter Darling, Matilda
Jerry Mitchell, Kinky Boots
Chet Walker, Pippin

Best Book
Douglas Carter Beane, Cinderella
Harvey Fierstein, Kinky Boots
Dennis Kelly, Matilda
Joseph Robinette, A Christmas Story

Best Score
Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green, Hands on a Hardbody
Cyndi Lauper, Kinky Boots
Tim Minchin, Matilda
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, A Christmas Story

Best Orchestrations
Christopher Nightingale, Matilda
Stephen Oremus, Kinky Boots
Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, Motown: The Musical
Danny Troob, Cinderella

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Rob Howell, Matilda
Anna Louizos, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Scott Pask, Pippin
David Rockwell, Kinky Boots

Best Scenic Design of a Play
John Lee Beatty, The Nance
Santo Loquasto, The Assembled Parties
David Rockwell, Lucky Guy
Michael Yeargan, Golden Boy

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregg Barnes, Kinky Boots
Rob Howell, Matilda
Dominique Lemieux, Pippin
William Ivey Long, Cinderella

Best Costume Design of a Play
Soutra Gilmour, Cyrano de Bergerac
Ann Roth, The Nance
Albert Wolsky, The Heiress
Catherine Zuber, Golden Boy

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Kenneth Posner, Cinderella
Kenneth Posner, Kinky Boots
Kenneth Posner, Pippin
Hugh Vanstone, Matilda

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, Lucky Guy
Donald Holder, Golden Boy
Jennifer Tipton, The Testament of Mary
Japhy Weideman, The Nance

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Jonathan Deans and Garth Helm, Pippin
Peter Hylenski, Motown: The Musical
John Shivers, Kinky Boots
Nevin Steinberg, Cinderella

Best Sound Design of a Play
John Gromada, The Trip to Bountiful
Mel Mercier, The Testament of Mary
Leon Rothenberg, The Nance
Peter John Still and Marc Saltzberg, Golden Boy

2013 Drama Desk Nominees Announced

 With a day to go before the nominees for the big awards are announced, the 58th Annual Drama Desk Nominees were announced. Musicals Giant and Hands on a Hardbody lead the way with nine nominations each. See the nominees below.

Outstanding Play
Annie Baker, The Flick
Christopher Durang, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Joe Gilford, Finks
Richard Greenberg, The Assembled Parties
Amy Herzog, Belleville
Deanna Jent, Falling
Richard Nelson, Sorry

Outstanding Musical
A Christmas Story: The Musical
Giant
Hands on a Hardbody
Here Lies Love
Matilda
Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
The Other Josh Cohen

Outstanding Revival of a Play
Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Golden Boy
Good Person of Szechwan
The Piano Lesson
The Trip to Bountiful
Uncle Vanya

Outstanding Revival of a Musical or Revue
Passion
Pippin
Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
The Golden Land
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Working: A Musical

Outstanding Actor in a Play
Reed Birney, Uncle Vanya
Daniel Everidge, Falling
Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy
Shuler Hensley, The Whale
Nathan Lane, The Nance
Tracy Letts, Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Outstanding Actress in a Play
Maria Dizzia, Belleville
Amy Morton, Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Julia Murney, Falling
Vanessa Redgrave, The Revisionist
Miriam Silverman, Finks
Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Eric Anderson, Soul Doctor
Brian d’Arcy James, Giant
Jim Norton, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
Steve Rosen, The Other Josh Cohen
Ryan Silverman, Passion
Anthony Warlow, Annie

Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Kate Baldwin, Giant
Stephanie J. Block, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Carolee Carmello, Scandalous
Lindsay Mendez, Dogfight
Donna Murphy, Into the Woods
Laura Osnes, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
Jenny Powers, Donnybrook!

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Chuck Cooper, The Piano Lesson
Peter Friedman, The Great God Pan
Richard Kind, The Big Knife
Aaron Clifton Moten, The Flick
Brían F. O’Byrne, If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet
Tony Shalhoub, Golden Boy

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Tasha Lawrence, The Whale
Judith Light, The Assembled Parties
Kellie Overbey, Sleeping Rough
Maryann Plunkett, Sorry
Condola Rashad, The Trip to Bountiful
Laila Robins, Sorry

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Stephen Bogardus, Passion
John Bolton, A Christmas Story: The Musical
Keith Carradine, Hands on a Hardbody
Bertie Carvel, Matilda
John Dossett, Giant
Andy Karl, The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Annaleigh Ashford, Kinky Boots
Melissa Errico, Passion
Andrea Martin, Pippin
Jessie Mueller, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Christiane Noll, Chaplin: The Musical
Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody
Kate Wetherhead, The Other Josh Cohen

Outstanding Director of a Play
Lear Debessonet, Good Person of Szechwan
Sam Gold, Uncle Vanya
Ed Sylvanus Iskandar, Restoration Comedy
Pam MacKinnon, Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Lynne Meadow, The Assembled Parties
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, The Piano Lesson

Outstanding Director of a Musical
Andy Blankenbuehler, Bring It On: The Musical
Rachel Chavkin, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
John Doyle, Passion
Diane Paulus, Pippin
Emma Rice, The Wild Bride
Alex Timbers, Here Lies Love
Matthew Warchus, Matilda

Outstanding Choreography
Andy Blankenbuehler, Bring It On: The Musical
Warren Carlyle, A Christmas Story: The Musical
Peter Darling, Matilda
Josh Rhodes, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Sergio Trujillo, Hands on a Hardbody
Chet Walker and Gypsy Snider, Pippin

Outstanding Music
Trey Anastasio and Amanda Green, Hands on a Hardbody
David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, Here Lies Love
Michael John LaChiusa, Giant
Dave Malloy, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, A Christmas Story: The Musical
David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, The Other Josh Cohen

Outstanding Lyrics
Amanda Green, Hands on a Hardbody
Amanda Green and Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bring It On: The Musical
Michael John LaChiusa, Giant
Dave Malloy, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Tim Minchin, Matilda
David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, The Other Josh Cohen

Outstanding Book of a Musical
Dennis Kelly, Matilda
Sybille Pearson, Giant
Joseph Robinette, A Christmas Story: The Musical
David Rossmer and Steve Rosen, The Other Josh Cohen
Jeff Whitty, Bring It On: The Musical
Doug Wright, Hands on a Hardbody

Outstanding Orchestrations
Trey Anastasio and Don Hart, Hands on a Hardbody
Larry Blank, A Christmas Story: The Musical
Bruce Coughlin, Giant
Larry Hochman, Chaplin: The Musical
Steve Margoshes, Soul Doctor
Danny Troob, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Outstanding Music in a Play
César Alvarez with The Lisps, Good Person of Szechwan
Jiří Kadeřábek, Mahir Cetiz, and Ana Milosavljevic, Act Before You Speak: The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Glen Kelly, The Nance
Eugene Ma, The Man Who Laughs
Steve Martin, As You Like It
Jane Wang, Strange Tales of Liaozhai

Outstanding Revue
Forbidden Broadway: Alive & Kicking!
Old Hats
Old Jews Telling Jokes

Outstanding Set Design
Rob Howell, Matilda
Mimi Lien, The Whale
Santo Loquasto, The Assembled Parties
Anna Louizos, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Michael Yeargan, Golden Boy
David Zinn, The Flick

Outstanding Costume Design
Amy Clark and Martin Pakledinaz, Chaplin: The Musical
Dominique Lemieux, Pippin
William Ivey Long, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Chris March, Chris March's The Butt-Cracker Suite! A Trailer Park Ballet
Loren Shaw, Restoration Comedy
Paloma Young, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
 
Outstanding Lighting Design
Ken Billington, Chaplin: The Musical
Jane Cox, Passion
Kenneth Posner, Pippin
Justin Townsend, Here Lies Love
Daniel Winters, The Man Who Laughs
Scott Zielinski, A Civil War Christmas

Outstanding Projection Design
Jon Driscoll, Chaplin: The Musical
Wendall K. Harrington, Old Hats
Peter Nigrini, Here Lies Love
Darrel Maloney, Checkers
Pedro Pires, Cirque du Soleil: Totem
Aaron Rhyne, Wild With Happy

Outstanding Sound Design in a Musical
Steve Canyon Kennedy, Hands on a Hardbody
Scott Lehrer and Drew Levy, Chaplin: The Musical
Tony Meola, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Brian Ronan, Bring It On: The Musical
Brian Ronan, Giant
Dan Moses Schreier, Passion

Outstanding Sound Design in a Play
Ien DeNio, The Pilo Family Circus
Steve Fontaine, Last Man Club
Christian Frederickson, Through the Yellow Hour
Lindsay Jones, Wild With Happy
Mel Mercier, The Testament of Mary
Fergus O’Hare, Macbeth

Outstanding Solo Performance
Joel de la Fuente, Hold These Truths
Kathryn Hunter, Kafka’s Monkey
Bette Midler, I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers
Julian Sands, A Celebration of Harold Pinter
Holland Taylor, Ann
Michael Urie, Buyer & Cellar

Unique Theatrical Experience
Bello Mania
Chris March's The Butt-Cracker Suite! A Trailer Park Ballet
Cirque Du Soleil: Totem
That Play: A Solo Macbeth
The Fazzino Ride
The Man Who Laughs

Anne Hathaway is a Cabaret, Ol Chum?

Rumors are swirling that Oscar Winner Anne Hathaway will be playing opposite Tony Winner Alan Cumming in a revival of Cabaret on Broadway. Cumming has previously won a Tony for his role as the Emcee. Hathaway held a concert at Joe's Pub last fall singing Sally Bowles' songs. We all know Cumming will be perfectly marvelous, but will Hathaway be embraced on Broadway in the coveted role? Cue the Hathahaters.

2013 Drama League Awards Announced

Today the 79th Annual Drama League Awards were announced. David Hyde Pierce will host the awards set for May 17th. Below is the list of nominees. 

 

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
The Assembled Parties
I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers
Lucky Guy 
The Nance
Old Hats
The Testament of Mary
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
The Whale


OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Dogfight
Here Lies Love
Kinky Boots
Matilda The Musical
Motown: The Musical
Murder Ballad 
Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY PLAY
As You Like It
Golden Boy
Macbeth
The Piano Lesson
The Trip to Bountiful
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

OUTSTANDING REVIVAL OF A BROADWAY OR OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL
Annie
Marry Me a Little
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Passion
Pippin
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella

DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE AWARD
One winner is selected from this category. The recipient can only receive the award once during his or her career.

Alec Baldwin, Orphans
Danny Burstein, Talley's Folly
Bobby Cannavale, The Big Knife and Glengarry Glen Ross
Bertie Carvel, Matilda The Musical
Tracee Chimo, Bad Jews
Lilla Crawford, Annie
Alan Cumming, Macbeth
Brandon J. Dirden, The Piano Lesson
Brandon Victor Dixon, Motown: The Musical
Jesse Eisenberg, The Revisionist
Edie Falco, The Madrid
America Ferrera, Bethany
Jake Gyllenhaal, If There is I Haven't Found it Yet
Tom Hanks, Lucky Guy
Jessica Hecht, The Assembled Parties and Harvey
Shuler Hensley, The Whale
Bill Irwin, Old Hats
Judith Ivey, The Heiress
Brian d'Arcy James, Giant
Scarlett Johansson, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Judy Kuhn, Passion
Nathan Lane, The Nance
Valisia LeKae, Motown: The Musical
Tracy Letts, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Judith Light, The Assembled Parties
Constantine Maroulis, Jekyll and Hyde
Andrea Martin, Pippin
Rob McClure, Chaplin
Lindsay Mendez, Dogfight
Laurie Metcalf, The Other Place
Bette Midler, I'll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers
Patina Miller, Pippin
Amy Morton, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Donna Murphy, Into the Woods
Kristine Nielsen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Jim Norton, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Seth Numrich, Golden Boy
Laura Osnes, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella
Tina Packer, Women of Will
David Hyde Pierce, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Billy Porter, Kinky Boots
Lily Rabe, As You Like It
Vanessa Redgrave, The Revisionist
Chita Rivera, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Paul Rudd, Grace
Roslyn Ruff, The Piano Lesson
Stark Sands, Kinky Boots
Tony Shalhoub, Golden Boy
Michael Shannon, Grace
Fiona Shaw, The Testament of Mary
Ryan Silverman, Passion
Phillipa Soo, Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812
Tom Sturridge, Orphans
Holland Taylor, Ann
Cicely Tyson, The Trip to Bountiful
Michael Urie, Buyer and Cellar
Courtney B. Vance, Lucky Guy
Anthony Warlow, Annie
Stephen Tyrone Williams, My Children! My Africa!
Vanessa Williams, The Trip to Bountiful

2013 Outer Critics Circle Nominees Announced

Pippin leads the pack with eleven nominations followed by Kinky Boots with nine. Below is the list of nominees.
The 2013 Outer Critics Circle nominations were announced today for outstanding work on and off Broadway. The new revival of










Outstanding New Broadway Play
Grace
Lucky Guy
The Nance
The Testament of Mary
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Outstanding New Broadway Musical
Chaplin
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Hands on a Hardbody
Kinky Boots
Matilda

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play
Bad Jews
Cock
My Name is Asher Lev
Really Really
The Whale

Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical
February House
Dogfight
Giant
Here Lies Love
Murder Ballad

Outstanding Book of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Cinderella
Chaplin
Dogfight
Kinky Boots
Matilda the Musical

Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Chaplin
Dogfight
Hands on a Hardbody
Here Lies Love
Kinky Boots

Outstanding Revival of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Golden Boy
Orphans
The Piano Lesson
The Trip to Bountiful
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway)
Annie
Cinderella
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Passion
Pippin

Outstanding Director of a Play
Pam MacKinnon Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Nicholas Martin Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Jack O'Brien The Nance
Bartlett Sher Golden Boy
Michael Wilson The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Director of a Musical
Warren Carlyle Chaplin
Scott Ellis The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Jerry Mitchell Kinky Boots
Diane Paulus Pippin
Alex Timbers Here Lies Love

Outstanding Choreographer
Warren Carlyle Chaplin
Peter Darling Matilda the Musical
Jerry Mitchell Kinky Boots
Josh Rhodes Cinderella
Chet Walker Pippin

Outstanding Set Design (Play or Musical)
John Lee Beatty The Nance
Rob Howell Matilda the Musical
David Korins Here Lies Love
Scott Pask Pippin
Michael Yeargan Golden Boy

Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical)
Amy Clark & Martin Pakledinaz Chaplin
Gregg Barnes Kinky Boots
Dominique Lemieux Pippin
William Ivey Long Cinderella
William Ivey Long The Mystery of Edwin Drood

Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)
Ken Billington Chaplin
Paul Gallo Dogfight
Donald Holder Golden Boy
Kenneth Posner Cinderella
Kenneth Posner Pippin

Outstanding Actor in a Play
Tom Hanks Lucky Guy
Shuler Hensley The Whale
Nathan Lane The Nance
Tracy Letts Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
David Hyde Pierce Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

Outstanding Actress in a Play
Tracee Chimo Bad Jews
Amy Morton Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Vanessa Redgrave The Revisionist
Joely Richardson Ivanov
Cicely Tyson The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Bertie Carvel Matilda the Musical
Santino Fontana Cinderella
Rob McClure Chaplin
Billy Porter Kinky Boots
Matthew James Thomas Pippin

Outstanding Actress in a Musical
Lilla Crawford Annie
Valisia LeKae Motown: The Musical
Lindsay Mendez Dogfight
Patina Miller Pippin
Laura Osnes Cinderella

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play
Danny Burstein Golden Boy
Richard Kind The Big Knife
Jonny Orsini The Nance
Tony Shalhoub Golden Boy
Tom Sturridge Orphans

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
Cady Huffman The Nance
Judith Ivey The Heiress
Judith Light The Assembled Parties
Kristine Nielsen Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Vanessa Williams The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Will Chase The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Dan Lauria A Christmas Story, The Musical
Raymond Luke Motown: The Musical
Terrence Mann Pippin
Daniel Stewart Sherman Kinky Boots

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Annaleigh Ashford Kinky Boots
Victoria Clark Cinderella
Charlotte d'Amboise Pippin
Andrea Martin Pippin
Keala Settle Hands on a Hardbody

Outstanding Solo Performance
Bette Midler I'll Eat You Last
Martin Moran All the Rage
Fiona Shaw The Testament of Mary
Holland Taylor Ann
Michael Urie Buyer & Cellar

John Gassner Award (Presented for an American play, preferably by a new playwright)
Ayad Akhtar Disgraced
Paul Downs Colaizzo Really Really
Joshua Harmon Bad Jews
Samuel D. Hunter The Whale
Aaron Posner My Name is Asher Lev

Wendy Williams Goes to Chicago in June

Talk show host and former "Dancing with the Stars" contestant Wendy Williams will be joining the Broadway cast of Chicago beginning in June 25. For seven weeks only, Williams will be playing the role of Matron Mama Morton. So how do you think Wendy will fair? Trainwreck or future Tony winner?

Review: Revenge in Affluentville

photo by Hunter Canning

Spoiler alert: there will be blood. But that’s the case with any story of revenge. Inspired by the classic Jacobean revenge plays, Words, Razors, and the Wounded Heart takes its revenge to wealthy, modern-day Connecticut where a group of young friends stuck in the monotony of growing up take getting out to the next level: death. The misadventures of the kids, told through a series of intertwining scenelets, begins when Ryan Redmond returns home from Colorado just as a series of missteps trigger a trail of revenge plots. With all the cogs in place, the plot needed just one crank of the wheel to gain momentum. Though much of the first half of Act I is slow, spending time on backstory, once the revenge game is set in motion, the engaging tale sets off like a bat out of hell. When scorned Sydney is pushed aside by the sex-crazed Danny, who has his share of dirty little secrets, her brother Greg seeks to put an end to Danny’s cruel ways. When one wrong move occurs, the lives of these characters spin out of control, resulting in a lot of bloodshed.
James Presson’s script is filled with shock. From abundance of crude language to mouth-dropping plot points (a sibling love affair anyone?), Presson uses the Jacobean inspiration to his benefit. While there may be a few excessive characters that do little for the plot, perhaps could have even been combined into other characters, the majority of the money swindling Connecticutians are all placed in their part on purpose. Without one of the cogs, the revenge machine would end abruptly. Interestingly still, our view into this world, Ryan, played with earnest by RJ Villencourt, and his outsider new flame Jenni, an equally lovely Amanda Brooklyn, may not actually be necessary to the plot. Their romance, though charming, seems out of sorts to the chaos of the rest of the world. Presson’s script strays away from the inevitable soap opera, finding ways to make the action viable. The arcs of many of the characters are genuine, though for their age, their catharsis is a tad brazen.

photo by Hunter Canning

Through a range of varied individual performances, the ensemble was cohesive and driven. Led by two outstanding turns, the cast of twelve was fun to watch. Sean Patrick Monahan as Joseph, one half of the sibling love, offered a strong performance as the heartfelt sixteen year-old whose only crime is loving too much. His journey was clear, exhibiting his depth as an actor. His choices were sincere making his character’s actions later in the play even more heartbreaking. Jenna Grossano as Taylor, the mean girl with a bark and a bite, brought authentic humor to the blood bath. Grossano has a knack for comedic timing making the oft-despicable archetype likeable. A testament to a strong performance. The ghost of Grossano’s Taylor deserves her own spin-off.
Director Jake Ahlquist and Set Designer Grace Laubacher did a nice job easing the multi-location play into a simple world. The set, a couple of oddly mismatched colorful chairs, a blood-spattered tarp and an untreated wood box (with it’s own spatter pattern) were all that were needed to bring the world to life. However the scene changes were clunky and lacked cohesiveness, succeeding only when there were sharp snaps into the next scene. Gary Slootskiy did a wonder transforming the difficult space into a clean lighting design. I will say if there was one thing I wanted more of it was blood. Only a handful of deaths got the stage blood treatment, but when they did, oh boy was it good!
If you’re a fan of revenge, this is your play. The plot is easy to follow. The motives are almost warranted. Be warned. Words, Razors, and the Wounded Heart is not for the faint of heart or the easily offended. The fine folks at Less Than Rent have a good one on their bloody hands.

Spotlight On...Jill Campbell

Name: Jill Campbell   

Hometown: New York, NY

Education: BFA, Theatre, Ithaca College and Bernard Kops Advance Playwriting Workshop, London, UK.

Favorite Credits: Couple in the Kitchen, Lost Box of Utopia and Forgive Me Father

Why theater?: Theatre is active and collaborative while producing it as well as watching it. I’ve seen productions that can chill or humor me to my core. I can rarely say that about other mediums. Also, theatre and the people who make it have been a sanctuary for me from a very young age. I might wander away once in a while, but I am always drawn back and amazed at what I discover there.

Tell us about Chemistry of Love: It’s about a conceptual artist, Lara, who is nominated for a huge grant. In order to collect, she must present a new work to an anonymous committee. This elicits panic within her and jealousy amongst her friends and colleagues. They begin to show up at her studio in attempts to co-opt her work, until she turns the table on each of them by incorporating them into her work.  We are creating the actual art on stage with cool video art and sound effects. We have some amazing collaborators on board who are helping us achieve this.

What inspired you to write Chemistry of Love?: I was mainly influenced by where I was at in my own career. I’ve been writing plays for 15 years. I’ve given up a lot personally to pursue this career. Productions are so rare, so my jumping off point was, is it really worth it to follow your passion and live your life as an artist when success is so fleeting? What is success? Does it have to be public or as an artist can we get by on personal success?  The romance of pursuing the life of a playwright or any type of artist naturally breeds competition in one’s peers and in one’s friends, and I wanted to explore that as well. I was also inspired by Camus’ The Artist at Work and Ayn Rand’s The Romantic Manifesto, which explores why one needs art in their lives. How does art help us contextualize who we are and where we are at as a society?

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I respond to risk taking, humorous, not neat or particularly commercial work.  I am drawn towards theater that hits you on more than one level; productions that linger long after I have left the theatre. I am inspired by artists who break boundaries and are truthful to their own voice even when it may contradict the norms of society.  I admire artists that are tapped into the core of their art and whom are confident enough to stay true to that core when the commercial world invades. Two people I have studied with that encompass this are playwrights Bernard Kops and Stephen Adly-Guirgis. Artists whom don’t mind working against societal norms, because those are the ones who will eventually help shape it.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I’ve yet to work with a lot of people, but in a dream world I would love to work with Sarah Benson, Adam Rapp, Quentin Tarantino, anyone from Labyrinth Theater Company and New Georges.

What shows have you recommended to your friends?: Soho Rep’s production of Sarah Kane’s Blasted, Young Jean Lee’s Untitled Feminist Show, Richard Nelson’s Sorry, The Foundry’s Good Person of Szechwan, Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Mother Fucker with the Hat, Adam Rapp’s Hallway Trilogy, Tracey Lett’s Bug and Bathsheba Doran’s Kin.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I get told I look like Carly Simon a lot, but I would love it if Mary Louise Parker played me. I think the title of my movie would be, “It’s not a Rehearsal.”

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Anything on HGTV but this season’s The Voice is quickly usurping all, oh yeah, and Klonopin.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be ___: Wishing I were, but I also work in documentary film and I would love to continue to do so.

What’s up next?: I am working on a play about alcoholism and Christians. I am finishing a short film script. I am editing a documentary I filmed about my playwriting mentor Bernard Kops and collaborating with a scientist on a play about Crystallography.

Spotlight On...Andrew Nemr

Name: Andrew Nemr

Hometown: Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - Currently residing in Lyndhurst, NJ

Education: School of Visual Arts, BFA.

Favorite Credits: Founding member, Savion Glover's TiDii (2001-2003)

Why theater?: Theater is one of the few sacred spaces that remains inclusive in the eyes of the audience. People from all backgrounds and cultural traditions attend the theatre with an open heart, prepared to enjoy their evening. I take that very seriously, and feel I have a responsibility to provide an honest account of the story I plan to tell in any given show.

Tell us about Andrew J. Nemr and Friends?: Andrew J. Nemr and Friends is really a love story. It's the story of how I fell in love with tap dancing, the craft itself, and the people that take part in it and surround it. We talk about the moment I fell in love, what it was like to have amazing mentors and then lose them to the cycle of life, and the joys of sharing the continual pursuit of that first moment with friends that I've met along the way.

What inspired you to create Andrew J. Nemr and Friends?: I can't say there was any particular thing. I've had a very blessed life, with supportive parents, and friends that continually inspire me and with whom I've been able to share some amazing moments. Over the past two years, I've been stretched as an artist, and challenged by some very special friends to really tell my story. It seemed like the right time to shake up the mold I had cast for myself.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Honest theater tugs at my heartstrings. I don't like things that feel contrived, or pieces with too many inside jokes. I like work that goes deep into the heart of the human condition and draws out something that brings the audience together in a shared experience. In terms of inspiration, it's really the same kind of thing. I enjoy artists who have found a way of being themselves and that's who they share with their audience. Being completely honest in public is a scary thing and finding others who are attempting the same walk is encouraging in those times when fear might want to stall the process.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: That's a challenging question. There are so many talented artists. Off the top of my head, I would love to play with the bassist Bootsy Collins just once (to feel the funk live and in person, so to speak). And to dance with Mikhail Baryshnikov for reasons that may be inferred, not the least of which is his connection with Gregory Hines.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: The Other Place, The Manhattan Theater Club's Broadway production was the most recent piece I've seen that really moved me.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: That's a tough one. There was a time in which a lot of my friends thought I looked like David Schwimmer - so that might work, but I don't know how he would fair with the tap dancing aspects of the role. The movie would have to be called "All For Love".

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Sleep. With so much to do, I sometimes feel bad for the amount of enjoyment I get out of sleeping a lot.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: I have no idea. I've dabbled in graphic design, and have been told I have a good listening ear, so maybe a counselor of some sort, or a pastor.

What’s up next?: We're hoping to continue working on this show - there are so many friends I'd like to share with the audience. In terms of other projects, I'll be traveling to teach workshops, and my tap dance company, Cats Paying Dues/CPD PLUS will be having it's New York Season in September, so we'll be gearing up for that over the coming months.

Spotlight On...James Presson

Name: James Presson

Hometown: Wilton, CT for the most part. But now I live at Less Than Rent Theatre (see what I did there?) But seriously.

Education: BA in Theatre from Fordham University. Also, a winter session at MXAT. Also, the School of Hard Knocks.

Favorite Credits: Richard 3 at FringeNYC a million years ago (2010), Little Town Blues at The Wild Project, Friends Don’t Let Friends at Walkerspace, and a really crazy production of The Crucible I directed at Fordham University (complete with heavy eyeliner, a reenactment of the carbon-freezing from The Empire Strikes Back, and a rendition of ‘Someone Like You’ as performed by Abigail Williams).

Why theater?: I don’t really love theater, but the money’s good and my family takes comfort in knowing that I have a stable career path.

Tell us about Words, Razors, and the Wounded Heart: Words, Razors, and the Wounded Heart tells the story of two star-crossed teenagers who dream of escaping their cozy Connecticut town and moving out West. Unfortunately, their love faces many obstacles not the least of which is that they’re brother and sister. When their friends get involved, it's only a matter of time until their suburban powder keg explodes and sets the whole world on fire.

What inspired you to write Words, Razors, and the Wounded Heart?: It’s a semi-comic riff on the ‘Jacobean Revenge Tragedy’ set in my hometown. So you could say that both the content and the container inspired me equally. It’s quite a personal piece for me in terms of the events themselves, and it explores some of my favorite themes: friendship, responsibility, forbidden love, impossible hope…

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I love work that’s brave, rambunctious, and heartfelt. David Cromer nailed it with Our Town and Tribes. Daniel Sullivan with Merchant of Venice. I’m also deeply inspired by great, long-lasting companies like Elevator Repair Service and Kneehigh. But, for what it’s worth (and I know it might be somewhat heretical), my favorite show I’ve seen in years is The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: There are a number of artists who I’d kill to work with. This is where I talk about a bunch of people I don’t know-- Composer Heather Christian is an absolute genius. I hope to one day just be in the same room with James Corden, who I think is the greatest. Other actors, too: Taylor Mac, Marin Ireland, Seth Numrich, Maria Dizzia, Michael Chernus, Jeremy Shamos, Thomas Sadoski. But, y’know, I like the people I’ve worked with thus far a helluva lot, too.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: I once took a group of 15 of my friends to see Mission Drift by The TEAM. Right now, I’m recommending The Flick (at Playwrights Horizons) and Once (obviously). Recently, I’ve also recommended The Wild Bride (at St. Anne’s), The Good Person of Szechwan (at La MaMa), and Water by the Spoonful (at 2nd Stage).

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Zach Gifford (from "Friday Night Lights") would bring a lot of sensitivity  to the trials and tribulations faced by a downtown theatre artist. It would be called "Trying To Get The Air Conditioner To Work'.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: "Smash", duh. Isn’t that everyone’s? Also, Taylor Swift’s ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ and orange soda.

If you weren’t working in theater, you would be _____?: I’d like to be an astronaut, but I’m afraid of flying. I also think I’d do well with guided bus tours. Then again, I don’t drive, so…

What’s up next?: First, I’m associate directing for Michael Kimmel on Play It Again at Joe’s Pub on April 8th. After that, I’m going to see Penn State University’s production of Little Town Blues. I’m directing Ben Diserens’ Beckett in Benghazi in July with Less Than Rent/Horse Trade. I’m also hoping to workshop a couple of my other plays, and there might even be a couple other things in the works that I don’t want to jinx! Also, I’m getting married in November.

For more on Less Than Rent, visit http://www.lessthanrent.org/ and http://www.facebook.com/lessthanrent

Smash Report: All About Love and Liza

Welcome friends, to Saturday night! Watching a non-rerun on a Saturday? Shocking! But that’s what NBC decided to do to us, so without further ado, “The Surprise Party.” We begin with tech for Bombshell. Ivy is still bitter at Tom and takes everything out on him, which is very unprofessional. A little note, did anyone else notice the lack of designers or tech tables or, frankly, anything in the theater? Tom tries to get Julia to listen to his rhetorical questions on why no one’s listening to him, but she answers them instead. She then reveals that long lost Leo is checking out colleges with Frank. How does she know? She stalks him on Facebook and Instagram. Weird! Eileen and Richard are in the balcony with Eileen begging him to run another Bombshell story. He doesn’t budge so she shows him Riedel’s entry about the Bombshell family drama. Did you notice the pictures? All from the “Smash” website! Meta! The scene ends with Richard agreeing to take out Eileen on an old person date. Before we gag over that thought, we gag over the makeout session between Jimmy and Karen. It ends abruptly as McSleazy calls for her. There’s a scene between McSleazy and Jimle but it’s a wash. Back at tech, Ivy whines to Sam that Tom forgot her birthday. When a bouquet of flowers arrive, Tom finally gets the hint that he forgot. How does he plan to make it up to her? A surprise party featuring his pal Liza, as in Minnelli, as in the Broadway legend who will be returning to TV, or rather computer, revising her role as Lucille 2 in “Arrested Development on May 26th. But something tells me this surprise party won’t go over well because Ivy is having a get together without Tom. Someone’s party is going to be a bust!
Over at Hit List, Jimmy and Karen begin with some heinous dialogue, which leads into a poppy song and dance. It’s got a bit of a country twang to it. It has shades of a Taylor Swift ditty, only McPhee has a much more superior voice to Country’s overrated Princess. The songs over at Hit List are starting to be a lot stronger than Bombshell’s. If only that’s how “Smash” began. Alas. After the song concludes, Richard tries to get McSleazy to cave and admit he and Karen had a fling. He denounces this thought. I mean why would Broadway’s sleazy director screw around with his leading lady who jumped from show to show with him? Crazy thoughts. Julia is at Mr. Artistic Director’s fixing Hit List, coming up with her solution to mend the Diva situation in the script. She doesn’t want to be the official dramaturg, but something tells me she’ll cave. It’s called love. Ana and Karen discuss why Jimmy wants their love to be a secret, to which Ana believes he’s got a secret. Ana is brilliant! She’s onto him! Karen receives a text from Jimmy. Since we’re on NBC, it was a rated G sext. Tom finds Ivy to wish her a happy birthday and drop the bomb that he’s got a party ready for her. Ivy realizes she’s screwed and goes to her chorus pals asking them to push back her party. When Tom pops over they all immediately get into sitcom mode and pretend they’re not talking about him. Awks! Eileen calls Agnes her publicist…Agnes…to find out if they’re getting any buzz from the Times article, but they’ve got nada. They decide to tip off the press on Ivy’s surprise. Code red! At Mr. Artistic Director’s office, Kyle is ambushed by Julia the dramaturg. Poor Kyle. He’s gonna get screwed. But before we see that, Jimmy and Karen are kissing in wardrobe. Then Karen drops the “please tell everyone about us.” Jimmy declines to which Karen gets pouty and says she’s done playing. Subtext: don’t sext me until we make it Facebook official.
At dinner, rude Ivy keeps her phone out during the meal. We segue over to Eileen and Richard on their gross date. She peers over and sees the reporters ready for Liza and publicity. Dirty. Kyle is in fact getting ambushed by Julia and Mr. Artistic Director. Julia reveals that she wrote an Amelia Earhart play. Ummmm…what? Kyle smells the sexual tension and asks if they dated. Both have a different answer, which begs the question: when will they get it on this time around? I bet by the end of the episode. Ivy tries to get her pals to stay later at the party via the phone, until Liza waltzes in. Ivy is starstruck and finds out she’s there for HER! What a birthday treat! Was this how they get to be friends again? Well not yet. Ivy thinks Tom set up the reporters so Tom confronts her, which ends her date with Richard. Michael Reidel pops up to spoil the party. Gross. Ivy is disgusted, ready to leave, until Liza stops her because Tom has written her a birthday song for her! Liza sings with the aid of Tom on piano. Liza does her best Liza impersonation. Say what you want about her, but girl’s still got it. Ivy is glowing in happiness. I mean, if I had a Broadway legend singing a song for me on my birthday I would be equally as thrilled! Hint hint. My birthday is January 20th. Just tell me where to show up next year. Inquire within for my dream list.
McSleazy walks in on Karen studying the show and asks for some help. A drunk McSleazy obliges and begins starring into his leading lady’s eyes. He confesses that he cares about her, which is code for: I’m in love with you. Karen reveals that she’s seeing Jimmy and hopes things won’t be weird between them. And guess what, it is. Ivy and Tom are jovial after the Liza surprise, patching up their friendship. See! Strong friendships can endure anything! Even surprise visits from mother! Tom puts Ivy in a cab to go home, but soon discovers that she left her keys at the restaurant. Like a good friend, he is off to return them. Kyle is trying to fix his story and then gets ushered out of the room so Julia and Mr. Artistic Director could talk about their potential future love. Kyle returns with an amazing idea. But we won’t find out until Ivy’s second birthday party. Ivy tries to get Sam to lighten up on Tom because he is really a good person, but that won’t be happening anytime soon. Tom, on his way to Ivy’s, finds the chorus kids outside of the local bar, goes in to discover Ivy ditched him. A heartbroken Tom returns the keys and realizes his presence isn’t welcomed. Well that will be a fun next day of tech. Poor Tom!
Karen and Jimmy rehearse a scene while McSleazy hate watches. He gives a dig to the actors mostly because he’s pissed and jealous at Karen and Jimmy’s love. McSleazy gets in Jimmy’s face, even putting his hands on him. McSleazy drops the boyfriend card. Jimmy drops the you told me to stay away card. Karen is pissed at both of them. 1) Because McSleazy did the same thing with Dev and 2) because Jimmy wasn’t honest with her about what McSleazy said. She will never find a real man. Ivy runs out to talk to a disappointed Tom. They try to figure out if friends and boss-employee relationships can be mutually exclusive. It can’t, really. So Tom goes home, leaving Ivy to her friends and his cast. Kyle gives a plot presentation to McSleazy who approves mostly because Karen’s part will be reduced. Oh shit! Ana is the new lead. Kyle wonders what Jimmy and Karen will think, but a dejected McSleazy doesn’t really care. This is not going to be a fun next day of rehearsal. Mr. Artistic Director tries to get Julia to stay involved in the show, but instead they go out for a drink because they have a lot of years of pent up sex to attend to.
Ivy, filling her mouth with cake, feels weird about her birthday. Sam and Ivy realize their life trajectories are the exact opposite. Sam offers to walk her home, but she declines, probably because she needs some alone time. I mean, that’s how I get on my birthday. Post celebration depression. Eileen, in her office, is confronted by Richard, who apologizes for ditching their date. Eileen reveals that her baggage includes the fact that she’s not over her last relationship. Which leads into a really amazing cover of “Bittersweet Symphony.” Is that Katharine McPhee singing? Where can I get it? Anyone? The music montage includes Karen starring out the window, Mr. Artistic Director and Julia holding hands, Tom home alone, and Ivy, still at the bar. Jimmy pops up on Karen’s stoop at midnight, trying to make it up to her. How? Take her out on a real date…in PUBLIC! Stop! That’s crazy! Jimmy offers his coat to protect her from the cold. They hold hands and they’re off. But wait. Karen discovers the blow in his pocket! Oh shit! At the bar, Ivy is ready to leave before McSleazy arrives, card in hand. No. So basically he gets rejected by Karen and moves back to Ivy! McSleazy is back to his sleazy ways!
What did you think? A strong Saturday showing if I do say so myself! Will McSleazy and Ivy get it on again? Will Karen accept Jimmy for his drug past? Why wasn’t Ivy’s mom celebrating her daughter’s birthday? And most importantly, did we have a great episode because we were focused on character and NOT shows?

Spotlight On...Christian Borle

Name: Christian Borle

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Education: Carnegie Mellon University

Favorite Credits: I’ve been very very lucky, so when I look at what I’ve been able to do, they’re all pretty damn sweet.

Why theater?: I think I was just lucky to get the bug really early. My parents took me to the theater when I was at a really impressionable age. I even remember being in London when I was twelve, and we saw West Side Story on the West End. And I really didn’t even know what I was getting into, I just remember getting absolutely swept away by it. And then being lucky enough to fall into that sweet clique in high school. There was really no going back. It was a joyous, fantastic experience finding that group of people.

Tell us about your experience on “Smash”: It has been such a fantastic life-changing experience. As we kinda wait to see what’s going to happen with it, but also looking at the reality of the numbers, I’m looking at it as, so far, an incredible two years of my life. I feel lucky. The people have just been incredible. It has been surprisingly similar to the theater experience, that we all become a family. And you have your routines with everybody, and your rituals. So that part has been a lovely surprise.

How has the transition from stage to screen been?: It’s been fun trying to figure it out. It is different. It’s just a different set of tools, a different set of muscles, in terms of how you pace yourself and how you need to prepare. I watched the people who have been doing it for a long time and listen to the people on the crew, who were incredibly helpful. My friend Jeff, who is the Camera A operator, was so close to the action, he was the one who kinda coached me the most about the technique of acting on camera. Technically, it’s a fun, different challenge. I think I got better at it as I went along. I can still see, like the fear in my face the first six episodes of season 1. As with anything, with a little bit of experience, you start to get more relaxed.

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: This is going to sound pretentious, I really have come to respect, in equal measure, people who are brave and people who show restraint as well. I know people are going to roll their eyes after my performance in Peter and the Starcatcher when I say that, but there was a method to that non-restraint and that character that I thought was essential to the whole Captain Hook legend. I like to think that in times I have not been playing Black Stache I’ve shown a little bit of restraint. That right now is what’s exciting.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: I’m bad at this question I think. The only role that I truly, in my childhood and high school dreams, because I know it backwards and forwards because it’s always been my favorite musical, is some bizarre version of Sweeney Todd, where he doesn’t have to be 6’2” with a lantern jaw and have a voice like Len Cariou. Who says Benjamin Barker couldn’t have been a little slighter when he went off to prison.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I would love to work with Mike Nichols again. I would love to work with Rick Elice again. Flaherty and Ahrens. William Finn I would follow anywhere. I’m really curious to work with David Cromer. I’d like to be in a room with Mark Rylance and see what that’s all about. And at some point in the future, I would love to work with my ex-wife. I think that would be fun. That’s maybe a little while down the road. That’s about it for now.

What’s your favorite showtune?: Hmm. It kind of depends. There are sentimental choices, which are songs that I wouldn’t necessarily put on the stereo just to listen to. That’s basically the original cast recording of Oklahoma, up to and including “Many a New Day.” When I kinda decided to narrow my iPod selection to not have all my showtunes when I was on shuffle, I basically got rid of all my original cast recordings and put them in a separate playlist. But the one showtune that I kept in with all the other regular pop music was “The I Love You Song” from Spelling Bee, Celia singing like an angel.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Now, it’s the television show “Scandal.” I cannot stop with “Scandal.” I actually think it’s amazing television, and yet it feels guilty to me. It’s amazing. I think what that show’s doing is pretty incredible.

Where’s your Tony?: On my mantel.

What’s next?: I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m looking for work. So I’m just kind of waiting to see. I feel like I’m in a lucky position because it’s been a great time. “Smash” has been wonderful to me. And obviously the last few years with Peter and the Starcatcher and the Tony. It affords you a certain amount of wiggle room, particularly in the theater, which feels great. It’s a lovely place to be and it shouldn’t be poo-pooed. I’m feeling optimistic. But also you’re a human being so I’m a little freaked out not having something immediately. But we’ll see what comes around.

You can catch Christian on "Smash", Saturdays at 9/8c on NBC!

2013 Lucille Lortel Nomiees Announced

Outstanding Play
Bethany (Women's Project Theater)
Cock
Detroit (Playwrights Horizons)
The Flick (Playwrights Horizons)
The Whale (Playwrights Horizons)

Outstanding Musical
Dogfight (Second Stage Theatre)
Giant (The Public Theater)
Murder Ballad (Manhattan Theatre Club)
The Other Josh Cohen (Amas Musical Theatre)
Skippyjon Jones (TheatreworksUSA)

Outstanding Revival
All In The Timing (Primary Stages)

My Children! My Africa! (Signature Theatre)
Passion (Classic Stage Company)
The Piano Lesson (Signature Theatre)
Talley's Folly (Roundabout Theatre Company)

Outstanding Solo Show
All the Rage (Rising Phoenix Rep)
Jackie (Women's Project Theater)
Title and Deed (Signature Theatre)

Outstanding Director
Sam Gold, The Flick
Anne Kauffman, Belleville
Tina Landau, A Civil War Christmas
James Macdonald, Cock
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, The Piano Lesson

Outstanding Choreographer
George De La Peña, A Midsummer Night's Dream
Christopher Gattelli, Dogfight
Kyle Mullins, TRIASSIC PARQ: The Musical
Alex Sanchez, Giant
Doug Varone, Murder Ballad

Outstanding Lead Actor
Danny Burstein, Talley's Folly
Brandon J. Dirden, The Piano Lesson
Daniel Everidge, Falling
Shuler Hensley, The Whale
Aasif Mandvi, Disgraced

Outstanding Lead Actress
Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Neva
America Ferrera, Bethany
Vanessa Redgrave, The Revisionist
Roslyn Ruff, The Piano Lesson
Sharon Washington, Wild With Happy

Outstanding Featured Actor
David Wilson Barnes, Don't Go Gentle
Chuck Cooper, The Piano Lesson
Zach Grenier, Storefront Church
Jake Gyllenhaal, If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet
Mark Nelson, My Name Is Asher Lev

Outstanding Featured Actress
Eisa Davis, Luck of the Irish
Annie Funke, If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet
Rebecca Naomi Jones, Murder Ballad
Amanda Quaid, Luck of the Irish
Da'Vine Joy Randolph, What Rhymes with America

Outstanding Scenic Design
Beowulf Boritt, If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet
Miriam Buether, Cock
Clint Ramos, Wild With Happy
Louisa Thompson, Detroit
Mark Wendland, Murder Ballad

Outstanding Costume Design
Toni-Leslie James, A Civil War Christmas
Jessica Pabst, The Whale
Clint Ramos, Wild With Happy
Emily Rebholz, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Anita Yavich, Golden Child

Outstanding Lighting Design
Jane Cox, The Flick
Rui Rita, The Piano Lesson
Ben Stanton, Belleville
Ben Stanton, Murder Ballad
Scott Zielinski, A Civil War Christmas

Outstanding Sound Design
Leah Gelpe, Slowgirl
Bray Poor, The Flick
Shane Rettig, Detroit '67
Jane Shaw, Jackie
Matt Tierney, Detroit

SPECIAL AWARDS
Lifetime Achievement Award
Todd Haimes

Playwrights' Sidewalk Inductee
Neil LaBute

Outstanding Body of Work Award
Theatre Development Fund

Outstanding Alternative Theatrical Experience
Old Hats (Signature Theatre Company)

Smash Report: Mommy and Me

In our final Tuesday together, we begin with a t-shirt-only wearing Karen making coffee for a blanket-only wearing Jimmy. Guess who did it! The apartment buzzer goes off revealing Daddy Cartwright waiting downstairs. Awkward! Karen and Jimmy scramble to get Jimmy out in sitcom fashion before Daddy catches them kissing. Ivy and Sam are on their way to rehearsal when Ivy gets ambushed by Linda the Stage Manager. Julia is in the middle of drafting an e-mail to Mr. Artistic Director instead of working on the script. Bad girl. Linda announces the arrival of Ivy for Tom and Julia to take the next steps of the ambush. Eileen reveals to Ivy that Marilyn’s mom will be played by her own mother Lee Conroy! Ivy is speechless. Literally. Lee pops up early to surprise her daughter, stating that she’ll only accept the offer with her daughter’s blessing. Big Broadway breakout or disappoint the biggest stage mom? She says yay, for now. Eileen, Tom, and Julia watch as the mother-daughter walk away placing bets on how long it will last. We move over to Hit List as we listen to Karen singing like an angel as her cohorts watch expressionless. Daddy Cartwright claps after McSleazy stops the song. Mr. Artistic Director announces at their Hit List reveal at the company's gala, Ana will get a chance to show off her Diva. As they begin to rehearse it, Daddy Cartwright questions his daughter as to why she would leave Bombshell for this. Jimmy is on his way to rehearsal but is soon encountered by Mysterious Man from his past. Dun dun dun!
Tom tries to level with Ivy about bringing Lee in but she, and Sam, brush him off. It’s time for the first rehearsal together and Mommy is already off book. What a pro! At Hit List, McSleazy and Karen chit chat as Ana is supposed to be working. How unprofessional. Jimmy strolls in late seemingly because of his run in. We head back over to the Mommy and Me theater trial but it’s rather drab. The scene is supposed to be contentious but it’s being played warmly. Tom attempts to offer direction but both ladies try to debunk his theories. Eileen gets a call from Richard at the Times who’s ready to snap a picture of Mommy and Me but they’re not quite ready for that. Julia tries to get Tom to inspire the ladies in order for them to figure out their characters. Tom has an idea but it ain’t gonna be pretty! Speaking of unpretty, Karen and Jimmy have a conversation about “us.” The dreaded “us” conversation. Jimmy doesn’t want her to reveal to their chums that they did the nasty but then Mysterious Man shows up to interrupt Jimmy’s concentration. What does he want!
Jimmy and Mysterious Man rush out of “Manhattan” Theater Workshop so Mysterious Man could get the debt Jimmy owes him. But for what! Tell me! Now! Daddy Cartwright and McSleazy chat outside of the theater about how McSleazy is fond of his daughter. Daddy Cartwright don’t trust McSleazy! Mamma Lee and Sam chat it up at the elaborate coffee station where she hounds him why he and Tom didn’t work out because Tom is lovely and convinced her to do the show. Awkward! Eileen tries to get Julia to get to the Manhattan Theater Workshop gala, which she swiftly agrees to so she can see/stalk Mr. Artistic Director. Tom attempts to put his plan into work by literally digging into Ivy and Lee’s personal life. Oh this is gonna be nasty! And boy does it. Lee starts dumping Ivy stories. Ivy is embarrassed and pissed, glaring at her from her stool. Hefty Ivy was brought in to play Kurt in The Sound of Music. A resounding laugh from the ensemble. Ivy plays the game too but digs deeper and more personal. It turns into an awkward therapy session, for all to see, where Ivy lays down the biggest dig: I got a career to have, momma and you don’t. You go girl!
At the MTW Gala, Karen sings “Broadway Here I Come.” It’s not as good as Jimmy’s version, but hey, we’ll take it because she has a really sparkly dress. Daddy Cartwright lays it down to McSleazy after telling him that he’s read about his sleazy ways. He tells him that a man would stand up and admit he’s a sleaze. But alas, he ain’t no man. Jimmy asks Mr. Artistic Director if he could have an advance on his payment because he needs to get money to Mysterious Man. Julia, with super sexy straight hair stalks Mr. Artistic Director. Eileen meets Richard at the gala where they happen on the same table. Kyle geeks out that Richard is there right before Ana is about to sing. Ana’s performance is filled with contortionists and Cirque kids posing as dancers. The song isn’t quite Diva-ish but apparently in a day they figured out a way to rig and fly her to the rafters like Mary Poppins or the thing from Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark. Jimmy walks out and convinces Cole Escola, playing the coat check boy, to go downstairs as he steals money and jewels out of coat pockets. But wait! McSleazy catches him in the act! Dun dun dun!
Jimmy tries to explain why he’s a thief. He’s in trouble. But what kind of trouble? Jimmy worked for a dealer and stole eight grand in order to get out and get a fresh start. McSleazy, instead of chastising Jimmy, asks why he didn’t just ask him for help. Would he really have helped? We’ll never know. Julia finds Mr. Artistic Director at the bar reminiscing about the times before she screwed him over. They share a moment of sexual tension. Foreshadowing. Daddy Cartwright meets Jimmy prompting him to ask his daughter to walk him out, clearly so he can question her. Richard meets the Hit List team who loves Ana the Diva and wants more. He tells Eileen that he’s no longer gonna write her story but Hit List’s instead. Bombshell rehearsal ends where Ivy basically gives Lee the knife in the heart and tells her after the show is open, she no longer needs her. Ouch. Poor Mamma. Daddy Cartwright realizes that the composer friend of hers is the boy who snuck out her window earlier. He’s devastated that she left a Broadway show for a boy(s)!
The next day at Bombshell, Mommy and Me share a scene that’s heartfelt where art imitates life. Bernadette Peters sure plays the same role time after time! The scene transforms into the stage version that incorporates random background dancers. Though the strangest part of the whole number is the apparent lack of emotion coming from Ivy’s Marilyn. Even when it turns into a duet, Bernie takes control. Tom watches when it returns to rehearsal mode, clearly impressed at his work and the magic he performed. Is this song Lee’s swan song to finally give her daughter the glory she deserves? Perhaps. From sentimental to sentimental, McSleazy gives money to Jimmy so he can be rid of his problems. Jimmy runs into Karen and Daddy, who offers to take them all out for dinner. Awww. Jimmy confesses to Karen that something’s going on but doesn't reveal what. But she accepts it. I guess too many people were around for a blowup. Daddy apologizes to McSleazy for thinking he was a sleaze and basically tells him that he thought he was sleeping with his daughter but in fact it was his composer. Oh shit gonna go down! Mr. Artistic Director offers Julia the chance to dramaturg Hit List to figure out a way to give Diva a bigger role. She accepts. In probably one of the biggest shockers, and most irrational decisions, Ivy tells Tom that she’s no longer his friend after the stunt he pulled on bringing her mother into the show. OUCH! Jimmy gives Mysterious Man his debt, who then offers him a little blow. But the big reveal? Collins is really not his name! Who is Jimmy! Dun dun dun!
So clearly we’ve only touched the surface on Jimmy’s story! What else is he hiding? And will Mommy and Me continue at Bombshell? And the biggest question, will you follow our favorite show to Saturday nights? Check back here Saturday night for a next new episode with a Liza (maybe bringing out a little Lucille 2???) cameo!

Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad to Be Star Crossed Lovers in Romeo and Juliet

For the first time in 36 years, Romeo and Juliet is returning to Broadway. In a modern twist on the Shakespeare classic, David Laveaux is set to direct Orlando Bloom and Condola Rashad as Romeo and Juliet. Previews are set for August 24th with an Opening Night of September 19th at the Richard Rogers Theater. Are you excited to see one of Shakespeare's most beloved tragedies on Broadway again?