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Pajama Party Panic!

There’s games galore in this all-ages non-murder mystery!  Get ready for some puzzles and pandemonium in your pj’s.  

We’ve been planning the perfect party, but now a troublesome trickster is trying to ruin it!  We need your help to figure out who it is, and prevent this prankster from sabotaging the slumber party.

Get together with your friends for a high-energy mystery that’s part escape room, part scavenger hunt, and ALL FUN!

It’s a party worth losing sleep over…

The post Pajama Party Panic! appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

The post Would You Rather: Broadway Dream Role Edition – Volume 4 appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

What’s it all about? Well if you haven’t yet had the chance to watch the first four episodes, here is all you need to know:

The show is about a young woman called Zoey, played by Jane Levy (Suburgatory and Don’t Breathe). After undertaking an MRI scan, Zoey discovers that she has the ability to hear the innermost thoughts of people around her as songs and musical numbers. The first number that Zoey hears is a huge chorus number of Help! By the Beatles. With her new powers, she discovers her best friend Max, played by Pitch Perfect’s Skylar Astin, is in love with her through hilarious covers of Sucker and I Think I Love You in the first two episodes.

There is a real sentimental side to Zoey’s new power in her relationship with her father. He is suffering from a disease known as progressive supranuclear palsy where he has lost the ability to move and speak. Zoey discovers that she is able to reconnect with her father through her new ability which is shown with an emotional rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors in the Pilot.

This show is hilarious and will keep you laughing throughout but it also holds some incredibly emotional and raw scenes as Zoey discovers her power is more of a gift to help others than an annoyance.

If that’s not enough to persuade you, the star-studded cast also includes Alex Newell (Glee, Once on this Island Broadway), John Clarence Stewart (LUKE CAGE, The Good Fight), Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls) and Peter Gallagher (The OC, Burlesque).

We have seen some great TV shows over the years for musical lovers to obsess over from Smash to Glee and more recently High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. So why not add another one to the list?

A TV show where characters can sporadically burst into song at any minute? What isn’t there to love! If you are as much of a musical theatre nerd as I am, then this is the next bingeworthy show for you.

Now go ahead already and click the link below to watch the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwQmnKFl_Q

The post Why Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is going to be every Theatre Nerd’s next bingeworthy show appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

As a teen who’s been exposed to the theatre world since day one , I can tell you for a fact that my experiences with the theater, both as an audience member, and a performer, have enhanced my young life greatly. I have learned important lessons and developed skills that help me in everyday situations in my life. Even though at first I didn’t necessarily enjoy ballet, musicals, plays, and especially not operas, I’ve learned to both appreciate the performing arts and my parents for exposing me to these beautiful art forms.

However, it seems that there are parents out there who are concerned about taking their children along for a night out at their local theatre. What if it’s boring? What if they don’t like it? What if it’s a waste of their studying time? From a kid to an adult, I’ll tell you that you are wasting your time with worrying. Sure, there are pros and cons, but I’ve discovered more pros than cons.

Here are 10 reasons why children should be exposed & participate in theatre…

1. Theatre Teaches Us Important Lessons

Whether it be a history lesson or a life lesson, your child is bound to learn something from the things they see in the shows. After listening to a musical soundtrack let alone, I am able to recite to you the entire life or Alexander Hamilton. Awesome, huh?

2. We Can See That We’re Not Alone

Shows such as ‘Spring Awakening’ or ‘Fun Home’ can help teens relate to things that they are still trying to figure out; sexuality, who they are, what they want to do in the future, and more. Watching a show without being able to relate to it at all is still fun, but watching the show and thinking ‘I‘ve been there too’ is a powerful experience, no matter how old you are. . 

3. Theatre May Give Your child An Idea For Their Future

Risky? Yup. I know. Will your kid be the odd one out in the family? Maybe. Is it worth it? If your kid is happy, shouldn’t everything be worth it? So many people don’t realize that the theatrical world is a large one, and there are way more jobs than you think there are.

4. It’s A Healthy Escape From The Real World

All of that schoolwork or hallway drama can stress teens out. There is nothing better than letting yourself go to perform a show or to watch one. The beautiful cushioned seats let alone should put one’s mind at ease.

5. Your child will develop an appreciation for the arts

As cheesy as it sounds, it’s important. Exposure to the performing arts teaches young people empathy, and a willingness to embrace things in life that are new and different, rather than fearing them. You could go from plays and musicals to things which require more maturity, such as operas or  the ballet.

6. It Promotes Many Life Skills

A larger sense of imagination? Check. Creativity? Check. Literacy? Check. Participating in theater can also give your child more co-operational skills, discipline, and even improved self confidence as well as public speaking. All of these skills are useful with any occupation, no matter if it’s the arts or STEM!

7. It Can Help Your Child “unplug” From Technology

Wouldn’t you rather have your child obsessed with Broadway instead of candy crush? I’m sure you’re nodding your head while you’re reading this. Just make sure your kid isn’t one of those people who sits on their phone during a show.

8. Anyone Can Enjoy It

Got a five-year-old and a sixteen-year-old? No problem! Believe me, I’ve seen an eight year old boy enjoying himself completely during The Phantom of The Opera.

9. Performing Is Fun!

Once, I went from playing a dying, male game show contestant to a ditsy, female council woman. And it was AWESOME!

10. The Community Is Wonderful

Thespians are some of the most humble, talented and amazing people you could ever meet. The more humble, talented and amazing people your kid will meet, the more humble, talented and amazing your child will become.

Post by TN student contributor Nomy Lavrukov

Agree or disagree? Have another reason of your own? Leave a reply below…

The post 10 Reasons Why You Should Expose Your Child To Theatre appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

The stand up comedian Jared Logan has a joke that goes something like this: “I was on academic scholarship and then I used that money to become a theatre major. That’s like if you win the lottery and then just spend it on Beanie Babies.” Upon hearing this joke, I immediately laughed. And then I wondered: Am I laughing because of the truth behind this joke? Has he spoken to my experience as someone with a BA in Dramatic Arts? Or was I laughing because I’d heard so many people make similar comments to me about my chosen career path? Countless people have questioned my judgment when I told them I’d decided to major in theatre, and many openly wondered why I hadn’t chosen a more practical field of study, such as business, and then taken acting classes on the side. But here’s the thing: I knew I wanted to be an actor. Wouldn’t it have been a bigger waste of my and my parents’ money if I’d chosen a more “practical” major, only to devote all of my time post-grad to pursuing acting and writing? Plus, I also knew that if I ever changed my mind, my degree in theatre would qualify me for the pursuit of a Law Degree, and Business Degree, as well as prepare me for countless other careers. Here’s why:

It’s all about how you view your degree, and what you see as its purpose: Many degrees, especially in the arts and humanities, don’t correlate exactly with a specific career path. Instead, they’re meant to teach you many different skills and perspectives and how to use them over the course of your professional (and personal) life. What this means is that these degrees are preparing you for a multitude of different possible futures, and those of us who earn them are able to get creative with our job prospects. This is especially true of a theatre degree. Majoring in theatre forces you to examine and practice every aspect of bringing a production to life— Many of my classmates and I tried acting, directing, dramaturgy, playwriting, stage management, design, producing, and publicity over the course of our undergraduate careers, and each discipline taught us different skills while showing us that they all bear significant connections to one another. So, we learned to apply the skills we learned to several other situations.

I’ve often been asked in non-theatre-related job interviews how I might use my specific undergraduate training on the job. The truth is, I’ve been able to spin what I’ve learned in a ton of different ways to suit a particular situation. I probably learned how to do that in pursuit of my degree—Improvising at a moment’s notice is often required during live performance. Teamwork is another skill employers look for, and one that any actor can say they’ve learned: Who among us hasn’t been thrown into a cast of unfamiliar people and had to devise a whole play together based on one vague piece of text? Okay, that might be a bit of an extreme example, but working in a group is undeniably vital to the production of theatre. Many corporate jobs also require presenting in front of an audience, a given for any actor, and being able to delegate tasks, something second nature to any experienced director. We also know the value of time and deadlines, from being told by teachers that “early is on time, and on time is late.” We theatre majors know how to stay calm under pressure, or at least channel those nerves into our performance, from that opening-night adrenaline. We know how to decipher difficult language from studying Shakespeare and Congreve. Because of our creativity, we’re able to take what we’ve learned in school and use it to work, not only in entertainment, but in almost any field.

So, did I spend my lottery winnings on Beanie Babies? I don’t think so: I realized that my degree taught me how to think critically about any situation I might be in. I use my training every day, sometimes in ways I didn’t even consider while still in school. And when I’m asked questions about, say, my problem-solving skills or how I work in a team, I’ve learned enough about myself in my drama classes to effectively answer my interviewer. Although theatre majors may have chosen an unconventional area of study and career path, we are prepared to take on the world and find fulfillment in doing so.

The post Show This to Your Parents: The “Real World” Benefits of a Theatre Degree appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

How does teaching your art inform your performance? I asked five theater professionals and here’s what they say…

Forrest McClendon, The Scottsboro Boys

When I got cast in The Scottsboro Boys I remember a fellow performer said, “You’re gonna have to give up that teaching sh@% now!” I looked at him with equal parts incredulity and intrigue. “Why?” I asked. I’m still waiting for an answer. I’ve always done both. They feed each other, especially at this point in my career. I do a lot of international master classes and that largely means opening a script I happen to be working on along with my journal. It’s an opportunity for me to talk about living as an artist. In 2017, I performed in a new play directed by Taye Diggs in NYC and then commuted to the O’Neill in Connecticut to lead a workshop for writers, actors, and directors. I’m a storyteller, and making new work and training future theater-makers informs one another. I feel at home where there is a university and an Equity theater. For me, the O’Neill is Hogwarts.

Lauryn Ciardullo, Aladdin

I teach by using the experience I’ve had performing in shows but more importantly taking bits and pieces from my amazing teachers. I like to give constructive criticism by using myself as an example and sharing habits I had trouble breaking as a singer/dancer. For a singer who needs help with a vowel, I’ll start by saying “this is an exaggeration of what you’re doing” and then I will demonstrate. “Try to tweak it ever so slightly and do it this way instead.” We’re always learning no matter what age or how much experience we have. I think of myself as a fellow performer to my students. I hope to guide them as the eyes and ears of someone who may be auditioning them.

Samantha Joy Pearlman, Chasing Rainbows

I’m sure you’ve heard “Those who can’t do, teach.” I knew from a young age that could not be farther from the truth. My first voice teacher, the late great Victoria Mallory, was a working actress, teacher, mother, and beautiful spirit. She modeled what a great coach looked like for aspiring performers. Currently I’m a working actor/musician/director, in addition to a private voice teacher and acting coach. Working professionally in the entertainment business is integral to my teaching work and vice versa. I can more effectively help my clients walk into auditions or rehearsal rooms as I am there, too. I train my clients not only to master their instrument, but also to better navigate the professional landscape for the NYC theater scene. Coaching singers and actors is a deeply creative process, as well as a daily practice of empathy, listening, and collaboration. It helps keep my vocal and acting chops open and active as I dialogue with students. Teaching and performing are about curiosity and learning – I can’t imagine having one career without the other.

Natalie Weiss, Breaking Down The Riffs

I love to multitask and have 80 things going on. My hustler mindset is on 24/7 and I find it hard to take vacations. My friend is getting married in Utah? Great! How can I turn this into a business opportunity. When I first graduated, I said yes to everything, and though it’s hard for me to say “no,” I’ve learned there’s also power in it. I want to give my fellow artists 100% of me, and in order to do that, I strive to find a balance between work and play for vocal, mental, and physical health. I often suffer from imposter syndrome since I don’t have a vocal pedagogy degree and I find myself making it up as I go. But it is those major breakthrough moments with a student that reaffirms I’m right where I need to be. Last year, I had 20 of my regular students join me on stage for a number in my solo show at The Green Room 42. My ultimate dream is to own a pop music school and for the first time, I saw it come to fruition. To combine performance and education for a sold-out crowd was definitely a life highlight and something I hope to achieve again and again.

Michael McElroy, Broadway Inspirational Voices

As a working actor for almost 30 years, I bring my knowledge and craft into every classroom. As a professor of vocal performance or acting the song, I create my syllabi based on exercises that allow the young actor in training to access and utilize lived experiences, develop their imagination, and build their acting skills. I develop exercises and techniques taken from my own acting work and process. Being a teacher that still performs, I must utilize in practice what I demonstrate to my students in the classroom. By teaching and remaining active in the field I continue to evolve as an actor and my students are able to see me utilizing skills that I want to instill in each of them. Those skills are an entryway into the work but also, in a more holistic way, help each student to recognize the ways in which they must approach their craft.

The post Let Me ‘Edu-tain’ You appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

The Ultimate Musical Albums to Listen to for Halloween:

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

If you want to start with a lighter fare, this morbidly hilarious show brings the mystery and the laughs right to your ears!

American Psycho the Musical

What says Halloween more than homicidal narcissism? Let Spring Awakening’s Duncan Sheik and Riverdale’s Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa bring you some bloody good fun with their 80s’esque album.

Beetlejuice the Musical

From The Whole Being Dead Thing to Day-O, the ghost-with-the-most (not going to write his name too many times) takes your ears on a frighteningly-hilarious funhouse tour.

Be More Chill

Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz’s viral soundtrack will bring even the undead back to life with its frenzied beats. Plus, there’s a song called Halloween – enough said!

Cabaret

This melodramatic classic needs no introduction. Melding sultry and scary, it’ll have you feelin’ October vibes from the very first vamp.

Carrie the Musical

Come on, come on, come on! Hold on to your prom crowns because we’ve got ourselves a bonified Stephen King cult horror story right here. The awkward perils of high school + Alice Ripley’s haunting vocals + pig’s blood = a can’t go wrong Halloween musical choice.

Dance of the Vampires (A.K.A. Tanz der Vampire)

We’re getting a little more obscure with this one, but, hang on, don’t scroll away from me! While this campy show only had 56 performances on Broadway – with Mandy Gonzalez and, the Phantom himself, Michael Crawford to boot – the soundtrack lives on, featuring a rendition of Total Eclipse of the Heart. I bet now you’re dying to listen!

Dracula the Musical

Kelli O’Hara. Need we say more? Alright, so the luscious leading lady doesn’t exactly scream Halloween, but she’s a musical dream and didn’t you see Dracula in this headline? As far as things that go bump in the night he tops the list.

Evil Dead the Musical

This rock musical based on the horror film series has developed a cult following over the years for good reason. It’s a crazy good time!

Ghost the Musical

Romance, fantasy, thrills and Caissie Levy make this passionate score listening #ghouls.

Heathers the Musical

This could be bootiful! Heather, heather, heather and the gang do not disappoint in this BIG FUN album. Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy carved out a delicious score (that doesn’t sound like air supply), headlined by the track Candy Story – which is a Halloween party bop! Once you’ve ripped through the Off-Broadway version, head to the Original West End Cast Recording for more treats.

Jekyll and Hyde

Robert Louis Stevenson’s curiously classic tale is set to gorgeous music in this musical horror-drama. Blast This is the Moment right before you step out on Halloween night.

Little Shop of Horrors

When you think horror-scifi-comedy-musical (although not sure how often people think that) you think Little Shop. This fan favorite delivers and is extra creepy this time of year.

Lizzie: the Musical
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Get ready to slay with this axe-cellent soundtrack – see what I did there? Based on the infamous real-life story of Lizzie Borden, this show most recently played off-Broadway with Eden Espinosa and Ciara Renée, who lend their stunning voices to the recording.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
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Presenting the twisted leading man of your hallowed dreams. Traveling down fleet street this time of year is always a must, but be sure to where a smock!

The Addams Family

Let us pull you in a new direction to the sweeter side of All Hallow’s Eve. Full disclosure: this show is as Halloweenie as Broadway gets.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

While it isn’t directly a holiday show, Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s masterpiece boasts a sweeping orchestration and lingering choral elements that fit the melancholy of the season.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood
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Whip this bad boy out at your musical theatre nerds Halloween bash for frighteningly interactive fun. Listen to the soaring soundtrack in order and vote on who the killer is before listening to a confession track!

The Nightmare Before Christmas

This IS Halloween. No, really it is. Pump this kid-friendly album at your family gatherings this autumn and feel free to keep it running through Christmas.

The Phantom of the Opera

This list wouldn’t be complete without the world’s longest running and most popular musical. The iconic masked angel of music creeps it real as he belts out Andrew Lloyd Webber’s majestic music of the night.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

You didn’t think we’d leave this off, did you? Rocky Horror is the pinnacle of Halloween musicals with showings sprouting up around the world every October. It essentially “came back from the dead,” too, growing an incredibly dedicated following after an initially poor movie opening.

War of the Worlds the Musical Version

Fun fact: this progressive rock album was named the UK’s 32nd best-selling studio album of all time in 2018. Boom it through your speakers and blast off into an epic dance party.

Wicked

Come through again, Stephen Schwartz! Fly high above your fellow trick-or-treaters as you listen to the most whimsical Broadway cast album in all of Oz.

Young Frankenstein

Let me be frank, there’s no better time to do the Transylvania mania than Halloween. This hilarious and monstrous romp will make you feel electrifyingly alive.

Zombie Prom

Putting this on the docket is a no brainer (are you sick of my corny quips yet? Don’t worry we’re almost all wrapped up – like a mummy, get it?). Anyway, this Off-Broadway musical is a zany addition if you’re into the likes of Heathers and Little Shop.

Only 25 were included here, but there are no doubt more! Let us know in the comments which are your favorite. Happy Halloween!

The post 25 Spooktacular Musicals To Listen To For All The Halloween Feels appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

Ben Platt has been working in professional theatre since he was 9 years old. He burst onto the scene in the Pitch Perfect movies, and starred as Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon, but it wasn’t until 2016 and Dear Evan Hansen that his superhuman talent was seen. Playing Evan Hansen won him a Tony, Grammy, Emmy, and made him the youngest person to ever win the Drama League Award. This year, Ben began to show people a different side of himself with his album, Sing to Me Instead. He’s gone on a sold out tour, and his Radio City show is going to be a Netflix special. Speaking of Netflix, he can also be seen starring in The Politician, season one streaming now! Ben stars as Payton Hobart, a character and show written for him by creator Ryan Murphy. The Politician season two begins production this month, and Ben has said he is continually writing music. He is also playing Charley Kringas in Richard Linklater’s adaptation of Merrily We Roll Along, which began production this year, and will film over the next 20 years, in real time as the characters in the show would age. He’ll be on the Merrily journey with another Broadway star…

Beanie Feldstein

Beanie Feldstein is a theatre kid through and through. She grew up with Ben Platt, and they starred in musicals together in high school. Beanie also attended the theatre camp Stagedoor Manor. She appeared in the movie Neighbors 2, and has had a few television appearances, but her career has skyrocketed over the past few years. Beanie made her Broadway debut as Minnie Fay in Hello, Dolly!, starring alongside the likes of Bette Midler and Kate Baldwin. After taking Broadway by storm, her breakout role as Julie in the Oscar winning film Lady Bird made her a name in Hollywood. The past year, she starred alongside Kaitlyn Dever in Booksmart–solidifying that she is a comedic genius in every way shape and form. She stars in another coming of age film, How to Build a Better Girl, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Beanie also has a recurring role on the FX series What We Do in the Dark, and she recently wrapped the film adaptation of Stephen Karam’s Tony winning play, The Humans. She will be in the new season of American Crime Story, playing Monica Lewinsky. And of course, she’ll be returning to her musical roots in the film adaptation of Merrily We Roll Along, where she’s playing Mary Flynn (the role her character played in Lady Bird!)

Laura Dreyfuss

Laura Dreyfuss is most known for originating the role of Zoe Murphy in Dear Evan Hansen, and has become a Broadway fan favorite. She was with DEH in its out of town and off-Broadway runs, and was with the Broadway company for over a year and a half. Prior to that, she was a swing in the national tour and Broadway revival of Hair, and was a standby/replacement for Girl in Once. Laura first stepped into the world of Hollywood royalty Ryan Murphy in 2015, playing Madison McCarthy on the final season of Glee. She also has a recurring role on season two of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She’s reunited with Ryan Murphy and Dear Evan Hansen co-star Ben Platt in the Netflix series The Politician. Her fast talking, dry witted McAfee Westbrook is a scene stealer. We can expect more of her greatness in season two! Speaking of greatness, her first single “Be Great” was released in 2018, featuring Jeremy Pope. Under the stage name Loladre, she’s since released a cover of the Foo Fighters “My Hero,” and another original song “Better Drugs.” Fans are eagerly awaiting her debut EP, with more information on its release expected in the coming weeks.

Jeremy Pope

Jeremy Pope had a whirlwind of a year this past Broadway season. He made his Broadway debut in Choir Boy, and did so while rehearsing for Ain’t Too Proud. Immediately after his run in Choir Boy, he starred in Ain’t Too Proud, and earned Tony nominations for his work in both shows. He is only the 6th person to get two nominations in one season, and the first person of color and LGBTQ+ person to accomplish this. He’s become an instant Broadway star, but is gearing up to focus on film/tv next. He appeared in the film The Ranger, which premiered at South by Southwest in 2018, but after Ryan Murphy saw him on Broadway, much bigger things will be in store. He will star in the upcoming Netflix series Hollywood, alongside Darren Criss (and Patti LuPone.) He’s also a musician working on his debut album, and is featured on Loladre’s single “Be Great”. Jeremy is most clearly a man of many talents, all of which are going to make him a huge name in every medium he pursues.

Billy Porter

Billy Porter is a bona fide Broadway star. With a Broadway career spanning nearly 30 years, he has appeared in shows such as Miss Saigon, Grease,Little Shop of Horrors, and Shuffle Along. He is a Tony, Drama Desk, and Grammy Award winner for playing Lola in Kinky Boots. He has also released multiple solo albums with covers and reimaginings of Broadway classics. Outside of theatre, Billy had a recurring role in American Horror Story: Apocalypse, and has been making history starring as Pray Tell in Pose. Pose recently won him an Emmy, and he was the first gay man of color to win the award. It was recently announced that he will be playing the Fairy Godmother in the 2021 remake of Cinderella; but his game changing ways do not stop with his roles. Billy uses fashion to make bold statements – he is sparking conversations about gender roles, prejudices within the industry, and paving the way to a more accepting future. He wore a velvet gown to the Oscars, and has been turning heads on the red carpets of every big event this year, from the Met Gala to the Tonys.

Darren Criss

Darren Criss broke onto the scene as Blaine Anderson on Glee, instantly becoming a fan favorite. Before Glee, he created the theatre company Team Starkid with his University of Michigan classmates. With them, he wrote and starred in A Very Potter Musical. The support of Starkid fans led to two Potter musical sequels, and a slew of other parody musicals from the company. During the height of Glee fame, Darren starred in the 2012 revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. In 2015, he returned to Broadway as the title role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Since then, he’s brought theatre to a larger audience with the annual Elsie Fest, a concert filled with performances from stars of stage and screen. He’s also released music of his own, both solo and with his band Computer Games. In 2018, Darren won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for playing Andrew Cunanan in The Assasination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Recently, it was announced that he’ll be joining Ryan Murphy again, starring in and producing the new series, Hollywood. He will also be acting, directing, and producing for a new show, Royalties, set to debut on Quibi, and he stars in the film Midway, which will be released in November.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo broke onto the scene in the West End, touring in Sister Act, and the off-West End production of The Color Purple. Playing Miss Celie is what shot her to fame on Broadway, when she started in the 2016 revival– winning the Tony Award (and an Emmy and a Grammy) and the hearts of everyone who’s heard her sing. Cynthia continues to share her musical gift with the world. She is featured on songs with Shoshana Bean, John Legend, Todrick Hall, and Billy Porter. Now, she’s venturing to the screen. In 2018, she began to shine on film, appearing in Bad Times at the El Royale (which she also appears on the soundtrack for) and Widows. Cynthia is playing Harriet Tubman in the upcoming film Harriet, which will be released on November 1st. Speaking of bio-pics, it was recently announced that she will be playing Aretha Franklin in season 3 of the National Geographic series Genius. She’ll also be starring in HBO’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Outsider.

Andrew Rannells

Broadway fans know 2 time Tony nominee Andrew Rannels for his roles in many Broadway hits. After joining the Broadway cast of Hairspray, and touring in Jersey Boys, Andrew made a name for himself as Elder Price in the original cast of The Book of Mormon. He also replaced Neil Patrick Harris as Hedwig in 2014’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and stepped in as King George III for a short stint in a little show called Hamilton. In 2016, Andrew played Whizzer in the fan favorite revival of Falsettos, and most recently he graced the Broadway stage as Larry in The Boys in the Band. Between all of that, he was making a splash in the world of television as Elijah on Lena Dunham’s HBO show Girls. He also entered the world of Ryan Murphy with the way too short lived show The New Normal, and he’s had guest roles on shows like Glee, Will & Grace, and How I Met Your Mother. Now, Andrew voices the character Matthew in the hit Netflix show Big Mouth, and stars as Blair Pffaf in the Showtime series Black Monday. Up next, he’ll be reprising his role in The Boys in the Band, this time on film for Netflix, which is expected to be released in 2020.

Anthony Ramos

Anthony Ramos took Broadway by storm when he originated the roles of John Laurens and Phillip Hamilton in Hamilton. Now, he’s taking tv and film by storm too. He stars as Mars Blackmon in Spike Lee’s Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It, with two seasons now available to stream. He also appeared in the 2018 adaptation of A Star is Born, as Ally’s best friend Ramon.He had a recurring role in the reboot of Will & Grace, and will be lending his voice to the upcoming Trolls World Tour movie. And of course, Anthony will be playing Usnavi in the highly anticipated film adaptation of In the Heights. Additionally, he is establishing himself as a singer/songwriter. He started to release original songs in 2017 and his first EP, The Freedom was released in 2018. He has been releasing more singles throughout this year, and June 2019 it was announced the he is signed with Republic Records. His debut album The Good & The Bad will be released on October 25th. His music has gained attention from Billboard, and Elle named him one of “nine rising stars you’re about to see everywhere.”

Lin Manuel Miranda

Obviously everyone who knows musical theatre knows of Lin-Manuel Miranda. In the Heights won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and paved the way for more diversity on stage. Lin also starred in the Encores productions of Merrily We Roll Along and Tick Tick Boom. But ever since the phenomenon that is Hamilton, he has become a household name for everyone. Winning 11 Tony Awards, getting Lin a hosting spot on SNL, a mixtape featuring popular music’s biggest stars… it’s safe to say this was a game changer for Lin and pop culture consumers alike. Since then, he’s written the score to Moana and a song for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, lent his voice to the reboot of DuckTales, starred in Mary Poppins Returns, and produced the limited series Fosse/Verdon. And that’s not including things like guest spots on tv and tweets that became a book. Coming up, he’ll be writing music for the live action remake of The Little Mermaid, executive producing and composing the Kingkiller Chronicle and writing 11 new songs for Vivo. He’s also directing and producing Netflix’s adaptation of Tick Tick Boom, creating a documentary on Rita Moreno with Norman Lear, and playing Lee Scoresby in His Dark Materials. And of course, producing the In the Heights movie and appearing as the Piragua Guy. Lin was recently included in the Hollywood Reporter 100: The Most Powerful People in Entertainment 2019.

The post 10 Broadway Actors Taking Hollywood by Storm appeared first on Theatre Nerds.

Josh Breckenridge, Come From Away

I was focusing on a Kevin J./Ali/Others in understudy rehearsal when our production stage manager told me that I was going on that night as Bob/Others. I knew Bob like the back of my hand but I was thankful for the review time in between understudy rehearsal and the actual debut. Due to my excitement I ran into and knocked over two chairs during my dialogue. The next night (I went on again) I made sure to avoid another collision. Another time was even more exciting. We were filming the show and it was only my third time on! Plus, Hillary, Bill, and Chelsea Clinton were all in the house. Nerve-racking for sure but compliments from Hilary after the show made it an unforgettable night.

Hannah Shankman, Wicked

The first time as Elphaba was such a whirlwind. I am not usually a nervous person but the role is so iconic I felt the pressure. I saw Idina Menzel play the role when the show was in previews and had been dying to play Elphaba ever since. This show is a marathon so I just had to keep on going. When the curtain came down at the end I burst into tears. I was overwhelmed with emotion and so relieved that it hadn’t been an absolute disaster.

I learned Elphaba with a dance captain and our production stage manager. Our production stage manager, Marybeth, is incredible with communicating intention, motivation, and helped us create characters that were fully realized. I had one put-in with understudies/swings in my costumes/makeup and the next time I was on. Getting ready was so easy because everyone does everything for you. The ‘green team’ is incredible. The Elphaba dresser, Kathy Mulle, is a super hero and was my saving grace. She provided water, throat drops, lozenges, and is basically the offstage Elphaba. Craig, our head of makeup was in charge of painting me green, which took him about 25 minutes. MK, our hair supervisor did my pin curls and wig while I warmed up and got in the zone. I usually did a seven-minute warm-up an hour before the show. Then after I was done getting ready and painted I did a few more warm-ups before I went on stage. I was in the ensemble every night but only got two hours notice when I went on for Elphaba. That was a massive gearshift from whatever I was doing that day. I went on infrequently but cherished every time I got to play Elphaba. Her message is timeless.

John Rapson, Sweeney Todd

I’ve replaced in a couple of situations but going into Sweeney Todd was far and away the smoothest process I had. Five of us went into the show at the same time, and given the fact that there were only eight actors in the company the creative team looked at the show again and gave us a four week rehearsal process, which is rare and very generous. We saw the show from every angle, working with our magnificent swings and understudies as well as the returning cast. By the time the five of us went on as replacements and ‘opened,’ I felt fully integrated into the company.

Stephanie Gibson, Happy (Syfy)

Two seasons ago, I played the role of Cherry Sunday in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was in the ensemble every night and covered Mrs. Bucket. Cherry was the crazy news reporter who announced the golden ticket winners. A true ding-dong sitcom role and I had a blast. It was lovely going on for Mrs. Bucket for the first time because she is the polar opposite of Cherry Sunday, which kept things interesting and exciting. My scenes as Mrs. Bucket were with the precious little boys playing Charlie and his grandparents so it was a delight to sing, interact, and be a part of their story.

In 2015, I replaced in Cinderella, taking over for Marla Mindelle in the role of the stepsister, Gabrielle. I went into my track at the same time as Carly Rae Jepsen. Ann Harada became my sister, Fran Drescher became my mom, Todd Buonopane played my boyfriend, and Joe Carroll played the Prince. It was such a thrill to rehearse with these actors and find our own special chemistry. It was a truly gorgeous production and I was so grateful to have that experience.

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