A Few More Roles I'd Like to Play...

I did a post a while back about five roles that I would love to perform, but I can't limit myself to just five!

Sutton Foster originated the role
of Princess Fiona on Broadway.
Photo Credit: New York Times

5) Princess Fiona in Shrek: The Musical

I have a thing for playing princesses, so of course I'd want to play the ogre princess!  I love how real Princess Fiona is and how every girl can relate to her.  Even though she is a princess, she is not a girly-girl by any means.  I also love her songs in the show, especially "Morning Person," which opens Act II.  It is a really fun song, but it has a killer tap number in the middle that I would love to tackle.  Plus I would get to be a redhead again!

Ellen Greene became famous
for her portrayal of Audrey.
Photo Credit: Pinterest

4) Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors

I remember watching Little Shop of Horrors when I was in elementary school and I immediately fell in love with it and with the character of Audrey.  I love how she does what is unnatural and falls for the nerdy guy at the end.  I think that Audrey just has a lot of heart and deserves the best, no matter what.  And who doesn't want to sing "Somewhere that's Green" and "Suddenly Seymour?"

Laura Osnes played Sandy in the
most recent revival of "Grease."
Photo Credit: lindaeder.com

3) Sandy in Grease

Grease and I go way back.  I had to watch it every night since the time I was two years old in order
to go to sleep.  I was obsessed.  I had the VHS and the anniversary DVD that came wrapped in a T-bird jacket.  I was a poodle girl twice for halloween and I begged all of my directors to do "Grease."  I think that it would be one of the biggest highlights of my life because I would feel like I have come full circle.  Sandy is such a classic character and it would be an honor to get the chance to play her.

Jennifer Damiano originated the
role of Natalie in Next to Normal.
Photo Credit: Broadway.com

2) Natalie in Next to Normal

If you haven't listened to Next to Normal soundtrack, I recommend you stop reading this and go have a listen.  It is probably one of the best albums from a musical that I have ever heard.  Plus, the character of Natalie is awesome.  She is very sassy and to the point and knows what she wants.  She also goes through somewhat of a downward spiral during the show which I think would be really fun and challenging to act out.  She is also sort of a rocker chick which is totally different from me.

Kristen Chenoweth was the
first of many actresses to
play Glinda in Wicked.
Photo Credit: Pinterest

1) Glinda in Wicked

I've played Glinda in The Wizard of Oz before, so now I want to play her in Wicked.  I'm not one
of those girls that thinks she should play Elphaba because she knows "Defying Gravity."  I know that I cannot pull that song off, plus I know that I am more of a Glinda than an Elphaba.  I want to fly in on that bubble in my big sparkly ballgown and then dance around in a fluffy pink dress.  Plus, I'm a soprano so I want to hit those high notes.  I'm definitely a Glinda in life.




Break Legs,
Sydney

Les Miserables to Lower its Flag

Cameron Mackintosh, the producer of Broadway's Les Miserables announced today that the production will close Sept. 4, 2016.

The production opened March 23, 2014 after playing 22 previews.  Upon its closing, the show will have performed 1,026 performances.

This was the second revival of Les Miserables and it opened to rave reviews.

The opening night cast included Ramin Karimloo (Jean Valjean), Will Swenson (Javert), Caissie Levy (Fantine), Nikki M. James (Eponine), Andy Mientus (Marius), Samantha Hill (Cosette) and many other talented performers.

Mackintosh
Photo Credit: Playbill Vault

Les Miserables is based on the book by Victor Hugo and tells the story of Jean Valjean who is finally released from prison after 19 years.  He is chased by a police officer, Javert, in the middle of Revolutionary France.

The musical has captured the hearts of many audiences since it premiered in France in 1980, then opened in London in 1985 (and is still playing today) and finally appeared on Broadway in 1987.

There have also been two movie versions made, one musical and one not.

Les Miserables has garnered eight Tony Awards, including "Best Musical."


Break Legs,
Sydney

Broadway Bound Waitress Makes History

It was announced today that Waitress
will have an all-female creative cast for
the first time in Broadway history.
Photo Credit: Playbill

The highly anticipated new musical Waitress is being celebrated for more than its star-studded cast and hit music.  Today it has just made history.

It has become the first musical in Broadway to have an entirely female creative team.  The team will consist of of Jessie Nelson (book), Sara Bareilles (music/lyrics), Lorin Latarro (choreographer) and Diane Paulus (director).

Paulus
Photo Credit: A.R.T.

Another show that will open on Broadway next year, Eclipsed will also feature a female director, playwright and cast.  This is regarded a little differently since it is a play with fewer people involved than a full-fledged musical.

Waitress tells the story of Jenna, played by Tony Winner Jessie Mueller, who is a prodigy when it comes to making pies.  She is stuck in a loveless marriage and a rut until a new doctor comes to town and turns her world upside down.

Being a Woman and Gender Studies major, I think this announcement is fantastic.  It has taken too long for females to take over Broadway.

I remember in my high school, everyone who was involved with the leadership of each show I was in were female.  That was completely normal for me and each show ran smoothly.

So way to go Waitress.  Hopefully future Broadway shows will catch on!

To purchase tickets to see "Waitress," click here.

Break Legs,
Sydney

Wayne Brady has Big Shoes to Fill

Brady stepped into Lola's heels Nov. 21.
Photo Credit: Playbill

Wayne Brady stepped into the heels of Lola in Kinky Boots on Nov. 21 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.  Brady succeeded Billy Porter, who won a Tony Award for originating the role of Lola.

Porter, who has been with the show since the beginning besides only taking short breaks to perform in the national tour, departed Kinky Boots to star in Shuffle Along which will open April 21, 2016 at the Music Box Theatre.

Brady has been seen on Broadway as Billy Flynn in the long-running Chicago as well as playing Tom Collins in the Hollywood Bowl's production of Rent.

"Kinky Boots" opened
April 4, 2013.
Photo Credit: Playbill

The Broadway community was very excited when it was announced on Aug. 13 that Brady would
replace Porter.

Kinky Boots tells the true story of a drag queen who steps in to help a man's failing shoe factory.  It opened April 4, 2013.

The show was a hit at the Tony Awards.  It won Best Musical, Best Score, Best Orchestrations, Best Choreography and Best Actor in a Leading Role.

Kinky Boots is directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, and features a score by Cyndi Lauper and book by Harvey Fierstein.

I think that Brady will do an excellent job at playing Lola.  I've been a fan of him since I saw him on Whose Line is it Anyway as a young girl.  He is a very talented performer and I believe that he will bring forth another side of Lola.

To buy tickets to see Brady as Lola, click here.

Break Legs,
Sydney

Dames at Sea will sail away from Broadway

The producers of "Dames at Sea" announced
that the show will close in 2016
Photo Credit: Variety

Fans were sad to hear that the musical, Dames at Sea would close on Jan. 3, 2016.  The announcement was made Nov. 23.

Upon closing, the show will have played 32 previews and 85 regular performances.  

Even though the show boasted a well known and loved cast of six, it had trouble filling the smallest theater on Broadway to capacity.  

Producers have said that they plan on making the show into a national tour that will begin in 2017. No casting announcements for the tour have been made yet.

Margherita
Photo Credit: IMDB

The cast, of course, was saddened by this news, but some tried to stay positive.  

One cast member took to Twitter before the announcement was even released.

"Not everything is a hit, but that doesn't mean it's a miss," Lesli Margherita, who plays Mona Kent in the show, tweeted on Nov. 22.  "Keep moving forward."

Dames at Sea had its New York premiere nearly 50 years ago Off-Broadway.  

The show tells the story of Ruby, who steps off a bus from Utah and into her first Broadway show.  The only problem is that the theater is set for demolishment, so she and the cast members prepare to perform on a Navy ship.

The production opened Oct. 22, 2015 at the Helen Hayes Theatre.

Like Margherita said, not every show is a hit, but that doesn't mean it was a bad show.

To purchase tickets to "Dames at Sea" before it close, click here.

Break Legs,

Sydney 

Happy Birthday Laura Osnes!

Osnes
Photo Credit: Playbill

It's Broadway's sweetheart's birthday today!

Laura Osnes, who has been seen in Grease, Bonnie and Clyde, Anything Goes and Cinderella turns 30 today.

Osnes shot to stardom after appearing on the television show Grease: You're the One That I Want!  She won which meant that she would star on Broadway as Sandy in the revival of Grease in 2007.

Laura Osnes made her Broadway
debut in "Grease."
Photo Credit: Playbill

After acting in Grease for a year, Osnes then played Nellie in South Pacific replacing Tony winner Kelli O'Hara and has had a role on Broadway pretty much every year since.

While she is extremely talented, everyone in the Broadway community admires her for her sweet spirit and bubbly personality.  One can really tell how much she loves her job and she is so grateful for the opportunities she has gotten.

Osnes even delayed her wedding plans to compete on Grease: You're the One That I Want.

Luckily she won and got married shortly after.

She has been nominated for two Tony Awards, one for playing Bonnie in Bonnie and Clyde in 2012 and Cinderella in Cinderella in 2013.

Osnes just finished performing in a new musical, The Bandstand at PaperMill Playhouse in New Jersey.  It was just announced that the production will be transferring to Broadway in 2016.

Fans cannot wait to go see Osnes live onstage again.

Maybe she will win her first Tony Award in 2016.

Break Legs,
Sydney

Broadway's Store

Many fellow theatre lovers may not know this, but Playbill has its own store!  I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite items that are currently for sale, just in time for Christmas.

These pajamas sell for $69.95.
Photo Credit: Playbill Store

1) Playbill Pajamas
I love pajamas so the fact that they are covered in playbills makes them even better!  I think that they would be a perfect gift for anyone who loves theatre, but also loves lounging around at home.

These ornaments cost $49.95.
Photo Credit: Playbill Store

2) Playbill Ornaments
Who doesn't love ornaments?  This set of six features playbills from The Producers, Mary Poppins, Man of La Mancha, Cabaret, Annie and Avenue Q.  These ornaments would be the perfect addition to any theatre lover's Christmas tree!

This binder sells for $31.95.
Photo Credit: Playbill Store

3) Playbill Binder
Although I only have a small collection of Broadway playbills, I need to keep them organized somehow.  This playbill binder allows collectors to keep their playbills neat and safe as well as
makes it easy to display them.  One can buy this binder in different sizes, depending on the number of playbills owned.

This book sells for $22.95.
Photo Credit: Playbill Store

4) "At This Theatre: 100 Years of Broadway Shows"
This book is the ultimate guide for all the theatre junkies out there.  Each Broadway theatre is listed in the book as well as the shows that played there.  It contains descriptions and even vintage pictures of shows that can keep someone occupied for hours!

This calendar is on sale for $11.95.
Photo Credit: Playbill Store

5) 2016 Playbill Calendar
I currently own and use the 2015 Playbill calendar and love that each month is represented by a different show.  Each month also features a big picture of the playbill as well as a description of the
show, who starred in it and what awards it won.  This looks great on any theatre lover's wall!





Happy shopping!

Break Legs,
Sydney