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Broadway Pumpkin Designs

Halloween is quickly approaching, bringing about the traditions of costumes, candy corn, haunted houses, and PUMKINS! One of my favorite Halloween traditions is pumpkin carving. It started out with a traditional jack-o-lantern featuring triangle eyes, nose and a buck-toothed smile. These days, people are getting very creative with producing their art on a pumpkin canvas. Though Broadway can connect to Halloween with its costumes, makeup and bewitching shows, I thought it would be cool to combine the two – pumpkin carving design ideas with a Broadway twist.

One pumpkin in particular has been making its mark on the Broadway Theater stage by transforming into a carriage to take Laura Osnes to the ball in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Ms. Osnes recently took to Instagram to share a pumpkin clock tower; she captioned the below photo with “The clock turns into a pumpkin at midnight, too!” This looks a little complex to recreate yourself, but feel free to go for the challenge.

If you want something a little more wild for your pumpkin, try the classic logo for Disney’s The Lion King. What I love about this one is the color – the orange and its shadow create a more realistic face. This one only uses one pumpkin and you can print out the easy-to-find design to practice yourself!

Designs range in complexity, but that doesn’t mean a simple pumpkin can’t be theatrical. Take this Phantom of the Opera design; it’s simple as it’s an outline to the iconic mask and only a few holes need to be made.

With these ideas sparking your imagination, you may be thinking, “How do I do that?” Well, you can design a pumpkin any way you’d like. You make a lid by cutting a circle around the top stem. Remove the stem so you can get inside and empty your pumpkin of the many seeds and “guts.” Next, take your design and measure it to your pumpkin. Pumpkins come in different shapes and sizes, so it’s wise to figure out what kind of canvas you have to work on. Next, I tape my printed design to the pumpkin and punch small holes along the outline (usually a pencil point will work). Next, I remove the paper design to reveal the dotted outline. You follow your lines and carve from there:

Those are just a few  of the ideas that come to mind when I think of Broadway pumpkin designs. If you would like to see other designs for pumpkin carvings, including traditional jack-o-lanterns, Google images has thousands of pictures you can look at. Feel free to take your favorite show’s logo and photos and transform them to a fall-correlated canvas!

Photo via Broadway.com

Brush Up Your Shakespeare!

We’re seeing a total Shakespeare boom on Broadway this season with productions of Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night and Richard III all hitting theaters this fall. (Plus, there’s that Romeo and Juliet film with Ed Westwick and Hailee Steinfeld–will YOU be seeing it?) But all around the country, wonderful Shakespearean productions happen each day. Here is a list of some of my personal favorite of the Bard’s plays that are currently running throughout the nation!

The Taming of the Shrew– Oregon Shakespeare Festival
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival puts on productions year round, and is one of my personal favorite Shakespeare companies. They also put on shows that aren’t Shakespeare, but their classic plays are wonderful. The Taming of the Shrew is currently running there, and is possibly my favorite of Shakespeare’s plays.

The Tempest at the American Ballet Theater
This wonderful production is so unique, featuring the classic play The Tempest performed as a ballet, choreographed by Alexi Ratmansky and performed by the incredibly talented dancers of the American Ballet Theatre. This show, playing at Lincoln Center, is sure to be a hit.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Metropolitan Opera
Another unconventional Shakespeare production happening in New York City this fall, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is bound to be a ton of fun in opera form. As Midsummer is sort of a bizarre show, I’m sure it will make for quite the entertaining opera.

A Winter’s Tale at California Shakespeare Theatre
A Winter’s Tale is SUCH. A. WEIRD. SHOW. People yell at people and run into the woods and go crazy, is essentially my understanding of it. So maybe that’s not exactly how it goes. Thankfully, the California Shakespeare Company, located in Berkely, CA, is presenting the show targeted specifically at young and impressionable students like myself, offered alongside a workshop for them to learn even more about Shakespeare.

The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare Abridged on tour
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, written and performed by the Reduced Shakespeare Company (not to be confused with the Royal Shakespeare Company because that would just be silly), is one of my favorite Shakespeare-ish productions EVER. It essentially takes the entire canon and condenses it into one short, comedic show, performed in its entirety by three zany, talented, cross-dressing men. It’s incredibly accessible and a really funny play, and I would highly recommend checking this one out.

What are some of your favorite Shakespeare productions going on right now? Let us know in the comments!

Photo via The Telegraph

The Glass Menagerie at the Booth Theatre

Let it be known that the American Repertory Theater is an absolute force to behold. In the past year, they’ve delivered the glorious circus world of Diane Paulus’s Pippin revival, and it was just announced that their successful world premier political drama, All the Way, will be transferring this fall, starring Bryan Cranston.

Then, there’s The Glass Menagerie.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Prior to seeing A.R.T.’s revival, I was unfamiliar with The Glass Menagerie. I knew it was a Tennessee Williams classic. I knew he wrote it when he was younger, and that it contained a semi-autobiographical character. But, I had never read it, and I had never seen it. I went into the Booth Theatre as a completely blank slate. Two and a half hours later, I walked out profoundly moved.

From the very first notes of Nico Muhly‘s hauntingly gorgeous and evocative incidental music, to Zachary Quinto‘s last monologue as Tom, this production can be described as nothing less than a finely crafted piece of art- something that is unfortunately not true for a large amount of Broadway fare these days.

First of all, John Tiffany‘s layered direction and vision for the piece is bold and breathtaking. Every stage picture, with Bob Crowley‘s intriguingly abstract set and Natasha Katz‘s economical and refined lighting design, is stunning. When characters, aided by Stephen Hoggett‘s interpretive movement, fluidly emerge from the set, and from Tom’s memories, you can’t help but be transfixed. The team’s take on the concept of memory is mesmerizing, and when this is coupled with what feels like the most humanly driven storytelling since, well, since Tiffany’s Once, you have an evening that leaves you processing for hours after the curtain drops.

Of course, four brilliant performances play a large role in the evening’s success. Cherry Jones does not disappoint as Amanda. Amanda’s emotions often change on a dime, but you can see Jones’ entire transition in these moments. She conveys as much dialogue with her face as she does with her voice. She’s a living legend. It’s that simple. Zachary Quinto makes for an appealing storyteller in Tom, and you truly empathize with him, even when he makes his biggest mistakes. Fact is, who among us doesn’t have mistakes and memories they regret? Quinto forces us to step in his shoes, and to understand him. And you do. Brian J. Smith is earnest as the Gentleman Caller, and you can see nothing but good intentions in his eyes.

But, for me, Celia Keenan-Bolger is the star of the evening. I’ve always adored Keenan-Bolger’s work, and I loved her in Peter and the Starcatcher. But, you must understand: I am a diehard Cherry Jones fan. I will see anything if Cherry Jones is in it. Anything. So, I expected to be blown away by Jones in this production, and I certainly was. But, this funny thing kept happening. I would notice myself watching Celia Keenan-Bolger when she wasn’t even the focus of the scene. Her performance as Laura felt so real. So poignant. My heart was breaking for Laura, and the extended scene between her and the Gentleman Caller registers as one of my all time favorite moments in a Broadway theater. It was art, and nothing less.

Ironically enough, and I say that with a big, fat, capital “I”, the weakest part of the evening might be the play itself. I’m not going to lie- it’s a bit predictable, and it relies on A+ performances to elevate it to this heavenly state. But, when I say the play is the weakest part, I mean that only by Tennessee Williams standards. This isn’t Streetcar, but it’s still brilliant, and it’s still leagues above many of the plays being written today.

The Glass Menagerie is full of regret. I suggest you avoid some regret of your own, and grab a ticket to this limited run before it’s nothing more than a memory. You will be moved. I promise you that.

Photo via The New York Times

Wicked Witches – Where Are They Now?

With Wicked celebrating its tenth anniversary on Broadway this month, I sought to look back at all of the leading ladies that have taken on the roles of Elphaba and Glinda to see what they’re doing now. The results cover a wide range of projects including originating other roles on Broadway, winning awards, building fantastic music careers, and more! Let’s take a look at what these twenty-five actresses have accomplished since donning the broom and wand:

THE ELPHABAs


Idina Menzel, Tony Award winner for originating the role, has gone onto do … well, everything. She recreated the role of Maureen in the film adaptation of Rent, got nominated for a Drama Desk Award for See What I Wanna See, released her album I Stand, became a mother, appeared on Glee, went on a sold-out tour, and she’s not showing any signs of slowing down. Menzel is currently in our nation’s capital for the pre-Broadway engagement of the Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey musical, If/Then (the show comes to Broadway in the spring) and Jackie Burns will be her standby.

Appearing with Menzel in Chess in Concert was Kerry Ellis. This West End star returned home after her stint on Broadway and joined the cast of Oliver. She has worked extensively with Brian May with both touring and collaborating on her album, Wicked in Rock. Shoshana Bean has been focusing on her music career too. She just released her sophomore album entitled O’Farrell Street and been making many, many concert appearances. Eden Espinosa is on a similar route. She released a solo album entitled Look Around which is nominated for several IMEA Awards (The International Music and Entertainment Association) and will be performing at the ceremony on November 2nd. Before doing such, Espinosa appeared on Broadway as the final Maureen in Rent and appears on the Filmed Live on Broadway taping.

There have been several former green-girls who have returned to the New York stage. Julia Murney is currently in the Vineyard Theatre’s production of John Kander’s The Landing and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play for Falling. Ana Gasteyer also showed her ability to take on a non-singing role in The Royal Family, as she also does on the television show Suburgatory. Nicole Parker appeared in The People in the Picture and contributes often to MCC Theater’s annual Miscast Gala. Stephanie J. Block has been sticking to being a musical gal with roles in 9 to 5, Anything Goes, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and currently in Second Stage Theatre’s Little Miss Sunshine. She has picked up three Drama Desk Award and a Tony Award nominations since donning the green. Teal Wicks was also back on the boards this past season as Emma Carew in Jekyll & Hyde. She has been made many regional appearances, notably at Goodspeed’s production of Carousel.

For some, it’s hard to let the green girl go. Marcie Dodd took Elphaba on the road in the 2nd National Tour and closed out the San Francisco production. Dee Roscioli also appeared on tour. Willemijn Verkaik will be playing the role in yet another country when she begins performances on the West End on November 18th. Additionally, she has appeared in concert with Scott Alan and will appear with Andrew Lippa in his UK debut concert on November 17th.

Speaking of concerts, Mandy Gonzalez is bringing her Love, All Ways concert to 54 Below in December! She has made concert appearances with Kerrigan and Lowdermilk (appearing on their live CD) and reunited with her In The Heights family at this year’s anniversary concert. Current Elphaba Lindsay Mendez has also taken time to make several appearances on the 54 Below stage. She had her own solo concert and will appear with Ryan Scott Oliver in his upcoming shows.

THE GLINDAs


Just like their counterparts, those who worked the pink party dresses and big blue gowns have had their plates full. Kristin Chenoweth returned to Broadway with starring roles in The Apple Tree and Promises, Promises, earning Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for the former. She’s been on-screen in television’s Pushing Daisies (winning an Emmy Award), Glee, and GCB and in the films Bewitched, RV, Hit and Run, and voicing Rosetta in the early Tinker Bell films. The actress that took over that role? Megan Hilty. Hilty returned to Broadway in 9 to 5, earning Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations. Her talent was showcased to a wider audience on Smash and continues to do so on Sean Saves the World.

Jennifer Laura Thompson has remained on the New York stage, appearing in Lend Me a Tenor, Company with the New York Philharmonic, and Nice Work If You Can Get It. Erin Mackey starred in Sondheim on Sondheim, Anything Goes, and last season’s Chaplin. Annaleigh Ashford has appeared in Hair, off-Broadway’s Rent, and is currently stopping the show in Kinky Boots. She has earned Drama Desk Award, Outer Critic Circle Award, and Tony Award nominations and won the Clarence Derwent Award for her performance. She now also has a sprinkle of television credits to her name. Similarly, working her screen credits is Kate Reinders who will appear in the upcoming film Such Good People. Though she returned to New York for the production of Leap of Faith, Kendra Kassebaum has been working regionally in productions of Next to Normal, Secondhand Lions, and Carrie (currently running at the Balagan Theatre in Seattle). Chandra Lee Schwartz also worked in the area with the world premiere of the musical adaptation of Sleepless in Seattle.

Kassebaum, Katie Rose Clarke, and Alli Mauzey have all returned to the bubble on Broadway. Clarke just finished her second stint on Broadway and appeared on the tour between Broadway engagements. Current Glinda Alli Mauzey is back for a third time, but had time to appear in this year’s It’s A Bird…It’s A Plane…It’s Superman as part of City Center’s Encores! Series.

—

As you can see, these women have taken their experiences in Oz with stride and have continued to do great things. With a show like Wicked attached to their resume, the world now knows the powerhouse talent they possess. I’m glad to see all of them remain in the business in some way and know that there’s only more to come.

How to Get Off Book and Stay Off Book

If you’re an actor like me, one of the hardest things about our hobby/passion (as you probably know by now) is getting off book and staying off book. Right now I’m in two shows, a straight play set in Ireland in the 1930s and a musical set in the 20s. In both of my shows I’m playing very different characters with different motivations. So on top of learning how to do an Irish accent, I have to learn all of my lines by a certain date. After doing countless performances, vocal concerts, and monologue competitions, I think I have a good game plan for getting those lines memorized cold. Here are some tips I thought I’d share:

  1. Read the show before you start rehearsing. Even if there is a read through with your cast, buy the script or find it online and read it actively before rehearsals even begin. Actively meaning that you have to be tuned in to the setting, possible blocking, and trying to get more information about the characters you are interested in.
  2. Once you start rehearsing take line memorization one step at a time. With something like a straight play that can seem like the lines never end, you have to take memorization one step at a time. What I like to do is block the scene with my script in hand and again actively reading my lines. Then when we run it again, I can still have my script in my hand but I try to keep my head up as much as possible, only looking down if I honestly have no clue what is next. The next time I run it, I try it without a script. This way, you don’t feel like you’re memorizing ten pages of scene work but before you know it, you realize that you can say your lines no problem.
  3. Don’t be afraid to put your script down. When I was first starting out with theater, I was always petrified to put my script down and make one tiny mistake. To be an actor you have to take risks, one of which includes messing up your lines every so often. The faster you can get that script out of your hands, the more acting comes into play and that’s when your character really starts to grow. Also if you forget a line, just call “line” and a director or stage manager will prompt you and then you can keep going. This can also help you identify which scenes you’re not as comfortable with and then you can go back and look over those specific areas.
  4. Move when you’re memorizing. It’s a lot easier to memorize something if you connect it with a movement or a gesture. Once you get your blocking, always practice your lines with those movements. Not only will it help you remember your blocking, but when you’re searching for your next line on stage your muscle memory will connect words with the movement you’re making and the line will come much easier.
  5. Practice a little everyday. Memorization takes time, so if you don’t spend at least five minutes a day looking over your script, you’re never going to make any progress. Looking at a huge script with highlighting all over it can be daunting but once you get going, it will become so much easier.

Top Theater Destinations in the USA (Besides NYC)

New York City is known as the top city for theater in the country, with numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters, plus the Tony Awards are held here annually. However, there are other cities that offer hot spots for theater if New York is not the place for you, or maybe you’re too far away. Here are some theater destinations to check out when you are deciding on that internship, move or weekend trip!

Washington D.C. is known as our nation’s capital, but also is one of many great theater towns. There is of course the Kennedy Center, widely known for holding a variety of fine art events throughout the year. Also the National Theatre, which holds many out of town previews for shows bound for Broadway, like the new musical If/Then starring Idina Menzel. There is also the Signature Theater, which has many classic shows and new works in their season each year.

Chicago is also a huge theater town, sprouting many big musicals premieres like The Addams Family, Big Fish, and the Tony Award-winning Kinky Boots. The Chicago Theater is probably the biggest venue for such premieres. The Cadillac Palace and Ford Oriental Theater are the places to go for many touring productions straight from Broadway. The Goodman and Steppenwolf Theater are great for original and classic plays, many like August: Osage County and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf that go straight to Broadway. There is also the Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Drury Lane Theater with many more fantastic productions.

Seattle, like D.C., is well known for many out of town tryouts, like Shrek the Musical. The Seattle Theater Group (STG) owns the Paramount, Moore, and Neptune theaters. The Paramount holds many touring productions, The Moore is Seattle’s oldest theater, and the Neptune is a converted single screen cinema. The Fifth Avenue Theater is also home to its great productions and big seasons, soon hosting the premiere of Secondhand Lion. Also the Seattle Public and Seattle Repertory Theater are worth checking out.

This is only a brief overview of all the fantastic theater you can see across the country. Continue visiting these cities and New York City, plus look around your own hometown. You never what theater you will find outside your doorstep.

Photo via Wikipedia

So You Think You Can Dance…on Broadway

So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) recently completed its tenth hit season on the FOX Network and has been renewed for an eleventh. Since July 2005, hundreds of dancers have graced our television screens. Beginning with a solo audition in front of three judges, dancers who are chosen to move on in the competition are given a ticket to Vegas. From there, it’s more rounds of dancing for the judges and eliminations until we reach a Top 20, in most seasons. From there, dancers are paired together for duet dances choreographed by professionals in a variety of styles. After each episode, viewers and fans vote for their favorites to remain in the competition until we reach a winner (or winners, as the past two seasons have both a male and female winner).

With this show focusing on one of the triple-threat attributes, there have been almost twenty performers who have gone on to share their talents on the Great White Way. Here they are in order of appearance on So You Think You Can Dance:

SEASON ONE

Artem Chigvintsev – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Latin Ballroom
  • Season Ranking: Top 8
  • Broadway Credits: Burn the Floor

SEASON TWO

Jaymz Tuaileva – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Jazz
  • Season Ranking: Top 14
  • Broadway Credits: Donny & Marie – A Broadway Christmas (Dance Captain)

Ryan Rankine – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Ballet
  • Season Ranking: Top 8
  • Broadway Credits: Fela!

Travis Wall – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Contemporary
  • Season Ranking: 2nd place
  • Broadway Credits: The Music Man (pre-SYTYCD)

SEASON THREE

Anya Garnis – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Latin Ballroom
  • Season Ranking: Top 12
  • Broadway Credits: Burn the Floor

Pasha Kovalev – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Ballroom
  • Season Ranking: Top 6
  • Broadway Credits: ‎Burn the Floor

Neil Haskell – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Contemporary
  • Season Ranking: 3rd place
  • Broadway Credits: The Times They Are A-Changin’ (pre-SYTYCD), 9 to 5, Bring It On: The Musical (Steven; Randall understudy)

Danny Tidwell – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Contemporary
  • Season Ranking: 2nd place
  • Broadway Credits: Memphis

SEASON FOUR

Kourtni Lind – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Contemporary
  • Season Ranking: Top 14
  • Broadway Credits: Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark (current cast)

Thayne Jasperson – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Contemporary
  • Season Ranking: Top 12
  • Broadway Credits: Newsies (Darcy) and Matilda (current cast)

Will Wingfield – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Contemporary
  • Season Ranking: Top 8
  • Broadway Credits: In the Heights (Graffiti Pete)

SEASON FIVE

Karla Garcia – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Contemporary
  • Season Ranking: Top 14
  • Broadway Credits: Hot Feet (pre-SYTYCD) and West Side Story

Evan Kasprzak – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Broadway
  • Season Ranking: 3rd place
  • Broadway Credits: Newsies (Elmer – current cast)

SEASON SIX

Ariana DeBose – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Contemporary
  • Season Ranking: Top 20
  • Broadway Credits: Bring It On: The Musical (Nautica; Danielle understudy) and Motown: The Musical (Mary Wilson; Diana Ross understudy – current cast)

Phillip Attmore – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Tap
  • Season Ranking: Top 18
  • Broadway Credits: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (pre-SYTYCD), Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (pre-SYTYCD), and After Midnight (upcoming)

Karen Hauer – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Latin Ballroom
  • Season Ranking: Top 12
  • Broadway Credits: Burn the Floor

SEASON SEVEN

Alex Wong – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Ballet
  • Season Ranking: 8th place (had to drop out due to injury)
  • Broadway Credits: Newsies (Sniper)

SEASON EIGHT

Jess LeProtto – watch me dance

  • Dance Specialty: Broadway
  • Season Ranking: Top 8
  • Broadway Credits: The Boy from Oz (pre-SYTYCD), Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (pre-SYTYCD), Bye Bye Birdie (pre-SYTYCD), and Newsies (current cast)

As you can see, these performers have gone into SYTYCD from a variety of backgrounds and have gone on to strengthen and show off their dancing talents on Broadway. I’m sure we will see more alumni from the show tread the boards in the future and I am looking forward to the talent we will discover on the show next season.

Photo via UnReality TV

The Best Broadway Replacements

OBC. What does is it mean to you? After a quick Google search, I found that OBC means a lot of things to the rest of the world… “Oriental Bank of Commerce”… “Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry”… “Ohio Basketball Club”… and a bunch of other things that would probably put theater people to sleep. Nope, in the theater community, OBC means something much more important (obviously). It’s the “Original Broadway Cast” and it’s all we seem to care about. After the originals leave, shows settle in for a healthy run with endless replacements, and we tend to lose interest

How unfortunate.

Truth is, replacements can be a wonderful thing. Some of my favorite experiences on Broadway have been thanks to brilliant performances by Broadway replacements. They rejuvenate the show, and keep everybody else on their toes, actually acting. They’re under-appreciated. So, let’s celebrate them! Here are my Top Ten Broadway Replacements…

10)Adam Pascal: Pascal’s voice might be one of the most iconic on Broadway. From Rent to Aida, his unique sound has graced many a musical.  But, when Pascal took over Huey from Chad Kimball in Memphis, he showed a whole new side.  The slick and smooth Pascal we love was gone, and his “hick” was on full display.  Still, he completely made the role his own, and won over the crowds instantaneously. Impressive.

9)Beth Leavel: I adore Beth Leavel. If you don’t, you’re just wrong. She is endlessly versatile, yet constantly original, and has replaced in numerous shows. For me, most memorable is her turn as Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein.  Andrea Martin was brilliant, but Leavel brought her signature quirkiness to the role, and I truly believed that “he vas her boyfriend.”

8) Matt Doyle: Matt Doyle recently stepped into The Book of Mormon as Elder Price, a role that earned Andrew Rannells a Tony nod.  To say he holds his own is an understatement.  Doyle brings a lovable warmth to the role that makes it impossible to hate Elder Price, even when Jesus does.

7) Faith Prince: Though I didn’t see it, I heard Prince’s take on Ursula in The Little Mermaid was deliciously evil.  But, I’m anxious to see her next “villian”… Miss Hannigan! Prince is the latest replacement in the Annie revival, and it’s casting genius! If you’re not familiar with Prince, you better do your homework on Guys and Dolls! She’s hilarious, and I’m sure she’s bringing the house down in her attempt to eradicate little girls.

6)Nick Jonas: You’re probably as surprised to be reading this as I am to be writing it.  But, my socks were sufficiently knocked off when Jonas took over How to Succeed from Darren Criss. Jonas proved that growing up on Broadway can teach you some invaluable chops for your adult life.  I hope to see him on the boards again soon.

5) Marin Mazzie: Alice Ripley. Gotta love her, and her performance in Next to Normal is hard to describe. Let’s just say she deserved the Tony. But Marin Mazzie came in, and blew it out of the water. Her take on Diana was played more externally than Ripley, but this brought a fresh new life to the musical’s final weeks on Broadway.

4) Charlotte D’Amboise: If you’ve seen Pippin, you’ve gawked at her “Spread a Little Sunshine” dance break.  D’Amboise has been around a while, and her triple-threat talent has captivated audiences in everything from A Chorus Line to Carrie. But most will argue that she will forever be their favorite Roxie Hart. And why not? Few people can dance Fosse the way she can, and her enticing charisma is just the Razzle Dazzle that makes Chicago shine.

3) Harvey Fierstein: Fierstein might be a great writer, but nothing beats when he returns to the stage.  His 2011 turn as Zaza in his own show, La Cage aux Folles, was one of the most memorable performances of my theater-going career. Between his impeccable comedic timing and his heart-wrenching depth, he was what he was, and that was perfection.

2) Sierra Boggess: Where do I even begin.  Sierra Boggess is magic.  I was lucky enough to view her first performance as Christine Daae for her run in the 25th Anniversary cast of Phantom of the Opera.  It’s clear why Boggess was hand-picked by Cameron Mackintosh to step into the show.  I’ve seen many a fantastic Christine, but Boggess’ performance was complete bliss.

1) Stephanie J. Block: Alright, she’s the queen. Or maybe the “Pirate Queen.” Regardless, Stephanie J. Block is replacement royalty.  Whether it’s Idina Menzel or Sutton Foster, she doesn’t fill their shoes. She takes their shoes, throws them out, has the Kinky Boots company make her a better pair of shoes, and then struts her stuff.  She reels in the fans, the self-proclaimed “Block-heads.” Yes folks, she’s that special.  And who wasn’t thrilled beyond compare when she finally received a Tony nod this year for originating a role? Go Stephanie! After all that replacing, she better have many more Tony nominations heading her way soon.  She’s earned it!

Photo via PopCrush

Theatre on Tumblr

The site that takes up most of my free time that I should spend studying is Tumblr. There are just so many fun and interesting gifs that keep me entertained for hours. My favorite blogs are the theater-related ones, of course. In order to buff your Tumblr follows with Broadway goodness, here are some of my favorite blogs on Tumblr from the theater world!

#THEATREMAJORS

College theater problems got you down? From classes to shows, this blog will keep you laughing with hilarious memes and gifs of different situations from every kind of theater major.

What Should Theatre Call Me

Inspired by #WhatShouldWeCallMe, this blog is another hilarious look at our reactions in our daily lives during the run of a show. From diva actors to demanding directors, this blog has something for everyone to relate to.

Keep Calm and Musicals

A lot of people have caught on to the Keep Calm and Carry own motivational posters from the UK, and this blog is no different. With all the show references new and old, keep calm and don’t worry, because this blog isn’t going anywhere.

Things Musicals Taught Me

Quoting all your favorite musical numbers, this blog is like the previous with greatly designed posters and inspirational messages from your favorite shows.

What Should We Call Stage Management

The job of a stage manager can be rough, but this blog lets us know that we can make fun of it. Whenever I’m stage managing a show, this blog keeps me laughing long after I send out that daily call.

The Backstage Badger

Have you ever been an actor who touches a prop that doesn’t belong to you? Chances are Backstage Badger has seen you and is not happy. This blog shows us the struggles of all us “badgers” as we try to run a show.

Theatre Troubles

This blog not only has great gifs and memes, but also casts and records shows via Tumblr. You can send your audition by email and they run a show entirely off of the web. This is definitely a great blog to check out and pushes the boundaries for artists as well.

OF COURSE, be sure to follow, reblog, and favorite the Camp Broadway Tumblr! See you on the web!