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You Know You’re A Fansie If…

We love Newsies for a million reasons- the fun music, incredible dancing, and adorable cast, just to name a few. Thanks to these reasons and more, Newsies has developed quite a bit of a fanbase, generally comprised of teen guys and gals who call themselves “Fansies.” Not sure if you fit the bill? Never fear. We’ve compiled a handy list of warning signs of Fansie-hood:

  • You know you’re a Fansie if you collect Newsies Trading Cards. Bonus points if you have a special binder to keep them in.
  • You know you’re a Fansie if you’ve ever cried when a cast member left the show. And don’t even try to pretend you didn’t cry when Ryan Steele left.
  • You know you’re a Fansie if your Newsies obsession is rubbing off on your family. Mine certainly is, as evidenced by my dad’s Newsies baseball cap and my mom’s agreement that Adam Kaplan is adorable.
  • You know you’re a Fansie if you’ve stood in line at the stage door under excruciating weather conditions just to get your Playbill signed.
  • You know you’re a Fansie if you had an awful haircut when you stagedoored, but you don’t hesitate to show people the pictures anyway since the awesomeness of meeting the cast outweighs the horribleness of your hair. Okay, so maybe this one is a little more from personal experience than anything.
  • You know you’re a Fansie if your Tumblr url has the words “Ben Fankhauser” in it.
  • You know you’re a Fansie if you know that “Benonce” isn’t married to JayZ.
  • You know you’re a Fansie if you don’t think Corey Cott’s pumpkin/Obama mask is that weird.
  • You know you’re a Fansie if you’ve watched the “Poor Guy’s Head Is Spinning 8,000 Times” video in its entirety.

So there’s a list of some identifying factors of a Fansie. If you fit any of the above, watch out- Fansiedom has crept upon you.

Photo via Carrying the Blogger

Another Opening, Another Show! The Upcoming Broadway Season

After the summer’s over, what’s next? Looking forward to the upcoming Broadway season of and the opening of new shows, of course! News has been popping up all over Twitter and the Broadway world about new shows coming to the Great White Way for the 2013-14 season. Here is a rundown of what plays and musicals you can look forward to this year.

The hit Disney animated movie Aladdin will be opening this spring in the New Amsterdam Theater, with Disney favorite Alan Menken (Music) and Time Rice (Lyrics) on board with new songs and you favorites from the film. The popular Off-Broadway show Hedwig and the Angry Inch will make its Broadway debut directed by Spring Awakening director Michael Mayer and starring four time Tony Award host Neil Patrick Harris as the transgender singer.

Allegiance will debut in the spring with Broadway star Lea Salonga, who also starred in the show along with George Takei and Telly Leung at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego. This new musical tells the story of a Japanese American family moving to an internment camp during WWII. The Cameron Mackintosh 25th Anniversary production of Les Miserables will also make a spring Broadway bow.

This fall, the movie Big Fish will come to Broadway in a musical straight from an out of town run in Chicago. With music by Andrew Lippa and starring Norbert Leo Butz and Kate Baldwin, this production will be a big catch for the Neil Simon Theater. After Midnight comes to Broadway from two sold out runs at the New York City Center, formerly known as the Cotton Club Parade. This jazz club musical will take audiences straight to the heart of Harlem’s music scene.

Other Broadway musicals coming this year include the movies turned musicals Bullets Over Broadway, written by Woody Allen and starring Zach Braff and Betsey Wolfe, and Rocky the Musical. Also If/Then, the new musical from the writers of Next to Normal, Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, starring Idina Menzel. She plays Elizabeth, a woman who moves to New York City on the verge of turning 40, in order to start fresh.

Shakespeare storms Broadway this fall as Romeo and Juliet comes to the Richard Rodgers theater in a new production starring Orlando Bloom, that challenges race will incorporating the drama of the story we all know and love. The Belasco Theater will host two Shakespeare classics, Twelfth Night and Richard III played in repertory. The Tennessee Williams play The Glass Menagerie will also come to the Booth Theater starring Zachery Quinto and Celia Keenan-Bolger, straight from the American Repertory Theater.

These shows only skim the surface of the amazing season coming to New York this year. Be sure to be on the look-out for new about these productions and more as we head into another fantastic season in the theater.

Interview with Brian Charles Johnson

My interest in musical theater began in a somewhat unlikely way. At the age of thirteen, I had a massive obsession with Green Day. So naturally, when American Idiot went to Broadway, I had to see it. I quickly fell in love with the musical, and also developed a passion for theater. Upon learning about my love for American Idiot, a friend suggested that I might like the musical Spring Awakening. Much like with “Idiot,” I fell in love with Spring Awakening, as its soundtrack became a fundamental favorite on my iPod. Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to interview actor Brian Charles Johnson, from the original casts of both of these shows. Needless to say, I geeked out pretty hard.

You’ve been in some pretty high-energy shows like Spring Awakening and American Idiot. What’s your favorite part of being in this type of show, as opposed to something more mellow?
American Idiot was definitely like being shot of a cannon every night, but Spring Awakening had some mellow-ish moments in there. My favorite part about both shows was getting to sing awesome rock music every day. Also, for whatever reason, these types of shows always tend to find incredibly amazing people. Both casts are like families to me, and I’d want it no other way.

Recently, you also seem to have done some film work (I was so thrilled to see you in Admission!). What, in your opinion, are the pros and cons of film versus stage?
[In film], you get to take more time with every scene by filming them separately. There’s chance for more exposure, especially if it’s a feature film. You get to watch playbacks of every take, so you can immediately adjust to make sure you get exactly the right look and feel that you want. The con would be that you have to wait about 10-12 months to see the finished product. You don’t get immediate gratification, like you would in front of a stage audience. Your performance is kind of in the hands of the editor, depending on how he cuts it up, what takes he uses, etc. All in all, I love doing both for different reasons.

American Idiot and Spring Awakening share a lot of common cast/crew members. What was your favorite part of working with this group of people on two totally different shows?
I touched on this a little bit in the first question, but obviously getting to work with similar people that you love and respect is always a great thing. I felt so comfortable from the get-go at American Idiot, because I already had such a great relationship with Michael Mayer, and our producers Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman. Also having John Gallagher Jr. and Gerard Canonico was amazing too, because they’re like brothers to me. The two shows aesthetically are very different, but I think there are very similar themes, and they’re both rock musicals, so it makes sense that a few of us from Spring Awakening trickled over into American Idiot.

Spring Awakening had a pretty intense message. How did the show speak to you?
Spring Awakening really helped me to realize my self worth. Thankfully I’ve always had a really supportive family, so I have always been pretty open with them (they’re all kind of like Melchior’s mom). Being in that show definitely started me on my path to becoming the man I am today. I owe a lot to that show.

If you could cast yourself as any character in any show currently on Broadway, what would it be?
Elder Cunningham from The Book of Mormon. Without a doubt.

What was the first Broadway show you ever saw?
The first musical I ever saw was Phantom of the Opera. My first Broadway show was Aida.

Photo via BroadwayWorld.com

My Dream Casting of Pop Stars on Broadway

We have seen singers like Fantasia, Ashlee Simpson, Toni Braxton, Joey Fatone and more take to the Broadway stage. After watching the Video Music Awards, I was wondering what it would be like seeing some of my favorite artists go from the recording studio to the stage. What do you think of these dream Broadway castings of some of music’s biggest names?

Lady Gaga – Mimi/Maureen in RENT
I couldn’t decide which role because I think she could play both. I can see Gaga belting “Out Tonight” and strutting down the stairs of the Cat Scratch club. But Gaga is also a performance artist and would be hilarious as Maureen singing “Over The Moon.” With a rock/pop voice and outrageous personality, she would fit right in RENT, given her theater background in school.

Miley Cyrus – Eponine in Les Miserables
Now I know after Twerkgate, you would find me crazy suggesting Miley should be in Les Mis. However she is the right age for the role and she could tone down her party girl exterior to be the tragic Eponine. If you still don’t believe me, listen to this cover she did of “On My Own” on Youtube that might change your mind.

Robin Thicke – Billy Flynn in Chicago
Robin Thicke has that cool guy attitude and good looks that would make him perfect for the role of the fast talking Billy Flynn. Chicago is known for hosting a variety of stars in their title roles. Billy Flynn has been taken over before on Broadway stages by Usher, Billy Ray Cyrus, even Robin’s father Alan Thicke. Maybe he could follow in his father’s footsteps and go to Broadway?

Drake – Usnavi in In The Heights
Drake would be perfect for In the Heights. He is a talented rapper and could play the kindhearted Usnavi. He would be great carrying this Latin/Hip-hop musical. Plus every Usnavi needs a Vanessa– Nicki Minaj we are looking at you!

Bruno Mars-  Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys
Bruno Mars is a ladies man and would shine in Jersey Boys. With his added vocal range, he could sing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and blow away the audience every night. Plus he proved his acting skills in Saturday Night Live. Now with the Super Bowl Halftime Show in his future, could Broadway be next?

Justin Timberlake – Charlie Price in Kinky Boots
Justin has proven to be a triple threat, and with his Vanguard Award and performance at the VMAs, maybe Broadway is the next step in his career? Charlie would be perfect for Justin, in the hilarious yet heartwarming Kinky Boots. Justin could play down to earth and still be a vocal powerhouse. Watch your spotlight Lola, Justin might just run up on stage and take it.

Unlock Imagination – Internships and a Nashville Summer

For many of us in theater, we spend as much time on stage in the summer as we do during school the rest of the year. In college, students spend summer break in theaters all across the country doing internships. I want to tell you a little about my internship I have this summer in Nashville; working as a Summer Camp Intern at the Nashville Children’s Theater.

It’s a great Equity theater located near downtown, where adult actors but on productions based on children’s books and entertainment. They cover a wide range of kid’s favorites, from serious subjects like The Giver and Number the Stars, to more light-hearted stories like Go, Dog, Go and Schoolhouse Rock. During the summer, the theater puts on their Summer Drama Camps for kids from pre-school through high school in a variety of classes. The Storybook Adventures and Staging Stories classes take books and poem and turn them into short plays. Treasure Trunk Theater uses clues from a treasure chest to build the student’s own story, while Playvention creates a story right from the kid’s imagination. There are also classes for monologues, ensemble acting, musical theater, and on camera work.

For the ten of us who are Summer Camp Interns, we have many jobs during the camp day. Our main job is to work in the classes assisting the Teaching Artist in the class. We help build the stories that the students share for their parents at the end of the week, play theater games and activities, and even block scenes in the shows.

This week, I’m working with the two-week Musical Theater class with middle and high school students. In our show, there are five different groups of passengers taking a cruise. However, not everyone is on the right ship and many hilarious situations happen before their trip is straightened out. Our students are using improvised scenes and ten songs from a wide range of musicals to tell the story. The teachers chose songs from A Funny Thing Happened, Aida, Titanic, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Mamma Mia, giving students exposure to different musical styles. This class gives students the opportunity to work on acting, singing and dancing in a production.

There are two interns in this class; we help by dancing and singing along with the students in order to help them memorize songs and choreography. We also run scenes and give direction to the groups to help them get the scene on its feet. Next week, I get to choreograph and stage You’re the Top from Anything Goes with the other intern in my class. Not only do we get to assist the class, but we get to teach the students ourselves and get a first-hand experience at putting together a show.

With all the different jobs in the office and in the camp, with new classes every week, it can get pretty stressful. I think my favorite part of this internship so far are the nine other people I get to work with. There so many different personalities and it’s nice to learn from people who are in different majors and areas of theater than you. We have this intern family we’ve created and love hanging out with each other outside of camp. It’s great to be around being who are as passionate about what they’re doing as you are.

What to Expect from Rehearsals

You’ve been to the audition, you got the callback and now you’ve been cast in the show! The next step in the process is getting into rehearsals, meeting the cast and crew, and starting to get to work with your new team.

But what can you actually expect from the rehearsal process? Let’s start with the all-important first rehearsal. While there, you’ll meet the cast, the director and the stage manager. You’ll be given the expectations that the director has and you will be given important dates. Some of these dates could include a full rehearsal schedule, what day you need to be “off book,” or fully memorized without looking at your script, and even what week will become “tech week.” These dates are all important and the director, the cast, and the crew will be counting on you to be at the theater and ready to work when you’re supposed to be.

In the weeks following the first rehearsal, you will go to the same spot whenever is called for, and to the best of your abilities perform the script at hand. Some directors direct one scene at a time, but not necessarily in order, some will start from the beginning of the show and work their way through, and others will pick the hardest scene in the show (in their minds), and start from there working their way in either direction.

During this time, you and the cast will begin to explore the characters you’ve been assigned. You’ll be expected to delve deeper and deeper into them as the rehearsals go forward in order to give these two dimensional, written on paper characters real life and purpose.

You’ll also watch a bare stage be transformed into whatever world you’ll inhabit. And that world can be anything from the woods, a hospital, an apartment..anywhere! And as the set comes together, you’ll find even more things you love, or hate about your character. Some actors really believe the character is born once the world of the set is complete.

As a bonus, during the rehearsal process, you’ll find yourself growing closer and closer to people who until a few months ago might have been perfect strangers. These people are your theatre family, and like any other family, you’re in the show together. You love and laugh together, and you go through rehearsal together.

Interview with Michael Linden

Recently, I had the privilege of talking with actor Michael Linden. Michael was a Chair of Rock in the national tour of Spring Awakening, as well as playing Seymour in two different regional productions of Little Shop of Horrors. He is currently on tour with HAIR. In addition to being an awesome-famous-actor-guy, Michael shares my love of food! What could possibly be better?

For readers who don’t know what a Chair of Rock is, can you explain the role in your own words?
A Chair of Rock is a title exclusively reserved for the ensemble of Spring Awakening. We were costumed in street clothing and were sat with audience members who reserved special onstage seating on either side of the stage. During the song “Touch Me” we grabbed handheld microphones that were hidden in our costumes and participated in the show as cast members. It’s one of the most interesting choices I’ve ever seen or been a part of in a show. It also provided a link between the world of 1891 (the time period of the play) and present day.

You were a Chair of Rock on the SA national tour, which I imagine was quite the amazing experience. Any notable stories of surprised audience members?
Often times people who participated in the on stage seating were huge fans of the show and knew what was up before we revealed ourselves. There was no greater thrill to me than someone who hadn’t seen the show before when I surprised him or her during “Touch Me.” One girl was actually ANGRY that I lied to her by not telling her I was in the show before it started. I came out a few minutes before act two started and she refused to talk to me! I think I won her over by the time the act started, but I just couldn’t give myself away!

Did any audience members get up and start singing when you did?
Nope—I’m not too sure what I would have done in that situation. I might have handed them the microphone.

Funniest onstage blooper?
The first time I went on for Ernst in Spring Awakening, I split my pants right down the middle within the first ten minutes. By the time I could get offstage, I was pretty much wearing a makeshift skirt.

What are your feelings about breaking the Fourth Wall in a show, especially since Spring Awakening and Hair both do this?
I think it’s one of the things that makes theater so unique. 3-D movies are such a huge deal now, but when people go and see a show, they get the 3-D experience every single time! I know there are audience members who absolutely hate when cast members go into the house, but I think it’s all in good fun. As long as we’re not invading personal space, it adds something really special to a theatergoing experience.

You’ve been on tour with some pretty great shows. What is your favorite part of being on tour as opposed to regional productions?
Eating. Being able to explore different cuisines in different parts of the U.S. and abroad is so exciting. It really allows me to get a grasp on the culture. And then eat it.It’s also exciting to be in a new venue frequently; I had no idea how many beautiful theaters there are in the U.S. And having new audiences respond to different things in different ways keeps things so new and exciting.

What is your favorite city that you’ve visited on tour?
That’s a tough one; L.A. was great and I loved Portland, Oregon, but I think Chicago has been my favorite so far. Not only is there a lot to see and is the food scene fantastic, but the entire city embraces theatre so much.

Your food blog makes me really hungry. What, would you say, is the most amazing foodular experience you’ve gotten to blog about?
The food trucks in Portland, Oregon were amazing. They have entire city blocks full of hundreds of options. They really have an amazing system that allows anyone with culinary skill and passion for feeding people to start their own business. The last day I was there, I ate at five different food trucks before I left just so I could try as much as possible. I should buy stock in Tums. Also, I’m in the process of pre-production for a cooking show; it’s in the very early stages, but be on the lookout for that!

Favorite role that you’ve ever played?
I have to say, playing Bat Boy in Bat Boy: the Musical was unbelievably fun. The show is so zany but still delivers a powerful message with such an awesome rock score. I could sing that music all day every day!

What is/are your dream role(s)?
So many! Any time I see a nerdy role, or someone who gets to sing a pop song, or has a great dramatic moment I usually want to sink my teeth into it. Also anything Sondheim.

Any notable backstage rituals?
Riffing. But I guess I do that all the time.

What was the first Broadway show that you ever saw?
Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby. And she just closed her final tour of it a few weeks ago! I’ll always remember the first time she flew in through the window.

If you could perform opposite anyone in the world, who would it be and what would you perform?
Meryl Streep. Side Show.

The Man Behind The Beast: Robby Benson

robby-benson-600In 1991, the Beast from Beauty and the Beast roared “GET OUT!” to a scared, yet quizzical Belle as she wandered into the west wing, the only part of the castle that the Beast told her to stay out of. As a result, Robby Benson became a house hold name.

However, young girls of the 80s may also remember Robby from his movies such as One on One, Ice Castles and Jeremy. Going in and out of the spotlight over the past thirty years, Robby Benson is one of the most diverse actors I’ve ever seen. Not only an actor, but also a singer, author, and director and most recently, and the thing that has re-launched him back into the spotlight: a 4 time open heart surgery survivor.

When Beauty and the Beast came out in 1991, I was going through some medical issues of my own and was instantly drawn to it. Even to this day, this movie has a lot of sentimental attachments and memories associated with it for me. Robby’s name became household to me as I listened to his voice on the movie over and over and day in and day out.

It wasn’t until this year, when I picked up his new book I’m not dead…yet!, that I discovered how deep of a person, and how disciplined of an actor and writer he was. Through reading his book, I identified with the medical issues (though mine were not heart related). I identified with the fear he had, with the moment he looked at his scar for the first time and really studied it, and all the ups and downs in between of being a patient in the hospital where you really have no control over what happens to you.

But, I learned more about being an actor, it was like reading a master class. Discipline that I didn’t think anyone else had, I found Robby did (like showing up to a casting office way before call and sleeping in the hallway until they’re ready, or getting the material ahead of time so you can prepare, and to never complain about the circumstances-no matter how bad they are, but to stand up for what you know is right).

Today, Robby is more than a voice to me. He is someone I champion, and someone with whom I would love to sit down and talk with.

Photo via People

Ten Real-Life Lessons From Broadway Musicals

The theater is a place for art. It is a place for passion, for beauty, and for creativity. But in addition to all of these, the theater is a place for learning. One of my favorite things about Broadway musicals is the fact that each one has a distinct message that viewers can take home. To honor the important messages that these shows portray, I’ve compiled a list of the top ten real-life lessons we can learn from Broadway musicals. These are, of course, in no particular order. We all know that choosing a single favorite show (or lesson) would be nearly impossible! So without further ado, I present to you my Top Ten Lessons From Broadway Musicals.

10: “Courage cannot erase our fears, courage is when we face our fears.” This nugget of wisdom, presented in song from the hit musical Newsies, holds true. Being courageous doesn’t necessarily mean being fearless. Courage truly comes from those like Newsies hero Jack Kelly, who stands up for what he believes in, even when faced with fear.

9: Choose love, not war. This is the message of the iconic “American tribal love-rock musical” HAIR, which deals with the public response against the Vietnam War. HAIR portrays the message that love, kindness and happiness will always triumph over violence.

8: “Everyone’s a little bit unsatisfied.” On the surface, this lesson from Avenue Q may seem a little bit cynical. But it’s not saying that nobody’s happy. Rather, this lesson suggests that people can be happy and fulfilled, even if they don’t know their exact purpose. To me, this means that nobody knows their exact purpose, but we all still have the right to be optimistic and live fulfilling and happy lives.

7. Santa Fe is a really cool place. I’ve never actually been there, but both RENT and Newsies make it out to seem absolutely charming. Maybe I’ll have to go sometime. If so many different musicals sing about it, it’s got to be a lovely place.

6. It’s great to be different. This lesson is supported beautifully by the quirky musical The Addams Family, based on the 1960’s TV sitcom. The musical deals with an eccentric family, concerned that those around them are “too normal.” The Addams Family teaches us that it’s a good thing to be different- it can even provide an exciting change from the every day.

5. Laura Osnes is actually a princess. We’ve always known she was something special, but now that we’ve seen her in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, we can call it official. Laura Osnes has royal blood. That’s the only reasonable explanation as to how she can be so perfect.

4. “Everyone deserves a chance to fly.” This lesson from Wicked is entirely true: everyone deserves a chance to pursue what they love. Wicked continues to provide real life lessons as it tells us the backstory of the “Wicked Witch of the West,” or as we know her, Elphaba. Wicked shows Elphaba came to earn her wicked title, teaching us that not all “villains” are so evil after all.

3. Teamwork is the best solution. As The Book of Mormon shows us, teamwork is the way to get things done. When Elder Price and Elder Cunningham are tasked with recruiting Ugandans to the church, they think it to be impossible. It isn’t until they learn to work in tandem that they finally accomplish their mission.

2. It’s great to be a thinker. We learn this from Spring Awakening, as we see Melchior question common values and think of philosophy far ahead of his time. Melchi’s impressive intelligence not only adds to his character, but it impress the ladies, who swoon: “Melchior Gabor, he’s SUCH a radical.”

1. Women CAN sing Green Day. Rebecca Naomi Jones’ arrangement of 21 Guns in the hit rock musical American Idiot is living proof, and don’t you try to tell me otherwise.

Photo via Millie’s Movies to Watch