Tidbits! (05/22/07)

Favorite Leading Man Raul Esparza won this year's Drama Desk Award for his performance in "Company". Last night he was honored at Sardi's. They have added him to their wall of Broadway Celebrity caricatures, and here are a couple of photos from the event! (Source)

"American Idol" had it's final round of competition on Fox. This year has not been quite as good as past years, but I still couldn't resist the urge to follow it week to week. My early favorite is one of the two finalists, and I think that she really knocked it out of the park last night.

This season, the producers changed things up a bit by having a "song-writers competition", in which hopefuls could submit original music and lyrics to be featured as the Finale Song and the winner's first single. The winners were a pair from Seattle with a song entitled "This Is My Now". It was apparent that the two gentlemen were fans of the hit TV series, as their song was every bit as corny as the producer-picked songs from previous seasons. Regardless, the song really cinched the deal for Jordin Sparks, who made Blake Lewis look really amateur in the final round. Here is Jordin singing "This Is My Now", just in case you missed it...

I totally got choked up at the end of the song when she started to get teary. I'm a total boob. You would think that she has already won with all the waterworks. But let's be honest: She's got this in the bag!

Actor T.R. Knight was on hand on Sunday night at the Drama Desk Awards as a presenter. He arrived at the pre-party with "Coast of Utopia" actress Mia Barron. I didn't expect T.R. to show up with a woman on his arm...

Of course, I also didn't expect for him to be leaving Seattle Grace Hospital on last week's Season Finale of "Grey's Anatomy"...

Many of my favorite leading men were in attendance: Jonathan Groff, John Gallagher Jr., and Gavin Lee (who won an award...) to name a few!

Also on at the party was Brandon Ruckdashel, who I'm sure no one knows but he and I went to high school together. Apparently he starred in the Off-Broadway hit "Ascension".

Click here for more random pics of Brandon. There are some that are pretty scandalous... The role he played in "Ascension" was apparently really risque! (Source)

So now that I've pretty much seen all of the Broadway shows, I'm going to start doing more posts like these. Just random photos and snippets from what's going on. The only nominated show I have left to see is "Grey Gardens" which I'm attending next week.

Tonight I am laying low. My mom is coming into town tomorrow, and I have to have a clean space for her to see! It's also the FINALE of "American Idol"... so it's not like I was going anywhere anyway!

2 for 1 Weekend: "110 In The Shade" & "Curtains"

It was a weekend of theater for me. I know… You're thinking "what's new, Spenc?"

I am currently on a mission: to see all of the Tony nominated shows and performances before the Awards air on June 10th. Working towards that objective, I took in 2 shows this weekend: "110 In The Shade" & "Curtains"



"110 In The Shade" is a revival of a show that reminisces an old-school quality that can be found in "Oklahoma" and "Carousel". It is the story of a young woman who is on the verge of ending up alone, when a dark stranger wanders into town and inspires her and many townsfolk to believe in themselves and the good things will come.

I know, corny sounding, right? The show is actually really good. Some of the musical numbers were a little chaotic, and some of the characters were a little obnoxious. Yet on the whole, "110" left me with a smile and warmth like does a Grilled Cheese sandwich and a cup of Tomato Soup on a cold day.

Audra McDonald carries the production as "Lizzie", the young plain Jane whose family (of all men) is worried that she will end up alone, and their fears are then projected onto her. It's a role and a show that could be very cliché and predictable, but Audra creates such a beautiful character. She becomes a girl that everyone knows, that hides her insecurities behind a broadly intellectual yet thinly confident façade. Even when she opens herself up, she is guarded in her attempted vulnerability.
The other major standout was Bobby Steggert in the role of "Jimmy", Lizzie's little brother. He is a cock-eyed optimist who is clumsy and passionate and deftly delivers some of the best comic timing in the production.

"110" is nominated for Best Revival, but in spite of it's phenomenal leading lady's performance (much like "The Apple Tree) just won't hold up to this season's "Company".
Audra McDonald is nominated for Best Actress in a Musical, and I think she's definitely a favorite to win. I have yet to see Christine Ebersole (I'll see her next week in "Grey Gardens") or Donna Murphy, but so far I think that Audra has delivered the most deserving performance.




"Curtains" is a new musical by the hit-writing team Kander and Ebb. The story revolves around a 1950-something theater whose new show "Robbin' Hood" is plagued by deaths and tragedies on the Opening Night, beginning when the leading lady drops dead during the bows. An investigator from the Boston Police holds all of the cast and creative team under quarantine inside the theater as he unravels the case. Being a musical theater fan, he proceeds to not only solve the murder, but fall in love and make changes to the musical at the same time.

David Hyde Pierce plays the neurotically quirky "Lieutenant Ciofi". Pierce has received rave reviews, and a Tony nomination for the performance in the Best Actor in a Musical category. While his comedic delivery is wonderful, his dialect kept switching between "Boston cop" and "Niles Crane". I think it is wonderful that he's been recognized for his superbly funny performance, but I would be shocked if he were to win.
The show also features former Tony winners and current Tony Nominee's Karen Ziemba and Debra Monk, in the roles of "Georgia - one half of the show-writing team" and "Carmen - the stage mom turned Producer" respectively. Both deliver great performances. I was actually surprised at the amount of talent that Debra Monk has. Debra is nominated in the Leading Actress category, but won't win. She is up against huge performances from McDonald and Ebersole and Murphy…and while Monk's performance was good, it didn't carry any emotional pay-off or dramatic layering. Ziemba may win her category (Featured Actress). She was incredible as the writer turned star. Her character required a lot of diversity in singing, dancing, and acting. It was very impressive. Her category is also not stocked with the kind of performances that Leading Actress is, so I think she has a wonderful chance of going home with another Tony this year (she previously won for "Contact" back in 2000).

All I have left to see are "Grey Gardens" and "LoveMusik" (which isn't nominated for Best Musical, but it's three leading characters did get nominations.) The Awards are only a few weeks away!

Broadway Babes! (The Nominee Luncheon)

On Tuesday, the nominees for the 2007 Tony Awards were announced. For me, there were not a lot of surprises in the nominations. Most everyone and everything that got a nod had been expected to receive one.

The biggest upsets this year were Kristen Chenoweth and Lea Michele both missing nominations for Best Actress in a Musical. Kristen starred in RoundaboutTheater's "The Apple Tree", and while the show itself was on the verge of painful, she was outstanding. Her performance was critically acclaimed, thus making it a surprise that she missed out this season. Lea Michele is the young female ingenue starring in "Spring Awakening". While two of her co-stars did deservedly get nominations, she was snubbed. It was surprising because I felt she was the strongest person on that stage. What isn't surprising about that category however is all the other women who did get nominations: newcomer Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde), and legends Audra McDonald (110 In the Shade), Donna Murphy (LoveMusik), Debra Monk (Curtains), and Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens). This season was all about the leading ladies. And while there are people that deserved to be nominated, there can only be five.

This morning, the press had the opportunity to do lunch with all of the nominees. Here are some pictures of my Top 5 favorite male and female nominees!

First, of course, is the ladies.

#5 - Xanthe Elbrick (Best Featured Actress in a Play)

Nominated for her work in "Coram Boy", Xanthe has received rave reviews both here on Broadway and across the pond in it's initial West End run. In the first act of the show she plays a young boy. Friends of mine who have already seen the production said that they were amazed when they looked over their playbills at intermission. Apparently this actress is so good that they were fooled into thinking that she really was a boy!

Luckily for Xanthe, she's not all that masculine in real life. She is very well put-together (in a very British sort of way) with perfect skin and a great smile. I can't wait to see "Coram Boy" and see for myself what everyone is talking about!

#4 - Angela Lansbury (Best Actress in a Play)

A few weeks ago I went and saw "The Drowsy Chaperone". After the show, I was walking up the street, past where "Deuce" is playing, and walked straight into Ms. Lansbury. It was a little bit surreal! I couldn't help but think - "Oh my god! It's Jessica Fletcher!"

Yes, she is older than dirt. But one can only dream of having the kind of career that she has been able to maintain over the last 150 years. And I must say, for such a very old wonderful woman, she still looks pretty great!

#3 - Julie White (Best Actress in a Play)

I don't know how many people are very familiar with Julie White. She's one of those Broadway actresses that we've seen here and there in TV and Film roles. She's never really done anything that stands out all that much or been the center of attention. To be honest, I don't know a whole lot about her.

A few months ago I was watching NY1's Breakfast with the Arts, and they had Julie, Swoosie Kurtz, and a couple other women on the show talking about the Broadway season. During the interview, they showed a few clips from her show "The Little Dog Laughed". From what I saw in those few short moments in her sharp wit and light-hearted charm, I became a big fan.

#2 - Audra McDonald (Best Actress in a Musical)

Everyone knows who Audra is. Or I suppose I should rephrase that...

Anyone who follows Broadway even just a little bit knows who Audra is! This is her sixth Tony nomination, and has already won four times for her roles in "Raisin in the Sun", "Ragtime", "Master Class", and "Carousel". I think she is one of the most elegant women I have ever seen. She is well-spoken, naturally beautiful, and MY GOD can she SING!

This Tony Nomination is for her work in RoundaboutTheater's "110 In The Shade", and is a little bitter-sweet for her having just lost her biggest fan: her father. Papa McDonald was in a plane crash a few weeks ago, and Audra took a few days away from the show to be with her family. And then she came right back to her home - The Stage!

I haven't seen the show yet (I'm seeing it this weekend) but I have heard that she is magical. And if her past work is anything to guess on, I'm sure she is!

#1 - Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde)

OHMIGOD, YOU GUYS! Of all the nominees this year, I am the most happy for Laura Bell Bundy! Like I said before, this has been a big year for women on Broadway. This season has brought many past Tony winners and bright new stars to the Great White Way. Laura Bell is the only newcomer to get the Best Actress nod this year, and it is completely and wonderully deserved!

Her turn as the infamously blonde Elle Woods was amazing. She is this bright, bubbly, and completely believable POWER-HOUSE! "Legally Blonde" is a fast, young, and poppy show that could have been a big ole' bomb. Laura Bell carries the show (almost completely on her own...) and has made is a smash hit with Broadway audiences. I loved her in the show, and I am so SO happy that she is getting the recognition that she truly deserves for it!

And now, on to the gentlemen!

(And for the record, the following rankings are based more on the funny feelings in my tummy than their theatrical performances...)

#5 - Liev Schreiber (Best Actor in a Play)

A man that everyone can surely recognize. He has had numerous Film, Television, and Theatrical roles. In 2005, he won both the Tony and Drama Desk awards for his Featured Actor role in "Glengarry Glen Ross". This season, he returned to the Broadway stage in "Talk Radio", and has had one of the most talked about stage performances of the season.

He's got that hot-older guy thing going on. He's rugged, and while not traditionally "hot", there is something about him that just gives me butterflies. Perhaps it's the amazing talent that just seeps out of him...

#4 - Gavin Lee (Best Actor in a Musical)

Gavin Lee is an import to Broadway this season. He originated his role in "Mary Poppins" last year in London, and then came to New York to make a Broadway debut with the production.

He was by far one of the best things about the show. He created a character different from the one famously played by Dick Van Dyke, but just as (if not more) lovable! He is a charismatic performer, whether acting opposite children or dangling upside-down from the top of the giant proscenium while tapping and belting out a show-stopper!

It helps that he's got those thick-rimmed glasses that make him look sophisticated, approachable, and completely in a league all his own.

#3 - The Boys of Spring Awakening (Ok, so I'm cheating a little...)

"Spring Awakening" led the nominations with a total of 11 nods in different categories. The show was incredible and definitely the most deserving of all the nominations this year.

The show was scored by Duncan Shiek, who did an amazing job creating an emotionally haunting score that wasn't beyond the reach of the atypically young cast.

The show starred Jonathan Groff (Best Actor in a Musical) and John Gallagher, Jr. (Best Featured Actor in a Musical) and both were phenomenal. Groff plays the charming and mysteriously enticing Melchior, and twice exposes his bare behind in the show. Gallagher plays the troubled and darkly quirky best friend Moritz. These two characters carry most of the emotional weight in the show, which I think is the reason it has been able to create such a following. So my #3 gets to include all three of them.

Hey, it's my blog...

#2 - Jerry Mitchell (Best Choreography)

Jerry Mitchell is the man behind "Legally Blonde". He is both the Choreographer and Director of the show, but only got nominated in the one category. It's not surprising that he was passed over for the Director nom because of the other people in that category this season, like Michael Mayer and John Doyle. But at least he was able to get nominated in the Choreography category and not passed over completely.

He is one of the dreamiest men on this list, on Broadway, in this city! He's very tall, probably 6'2 or 6'3, has dark eyes, and is slightly greying. Oh, so sexy! He's the kind of man that make you weak in the knees by just looking at him! He photographs extremely well, and is just as yummy in person!

He's the kind of homo that all young homos want to be like, and be with. So to Mr. Mitchell I say "Congratulations!"...

And "call me!"...

#1 - Raul Esparza (Best Actor in a Musical)

Nominated for his role as Bobby in "Company", Raul Esparza tops my list!

This season has earned Raul rave reviews, like "...the best Bobby to ever be on Broadway" and "...the ultimate leading man!" I agree on all accounts.

He was phenomenal. He delivered the most complex and believable performance that I have seen in my life.

Yes, it helps that he's got those deep brooding eyes, that could look right into your soul. And the kind of good looks that are very much "the guy around the corner".

But more than good looks he is intelligent, composed, and un-freaking-believably talented! He is definitely my favorite to win in his category, and I will be really surprised if he doesn't. The other nominees were great, but he was phenomenal.

So that's my list! The Tony Awards will air on CBS on June 10th. I hope ya'll are as excited as I am!

"Company" Revival is Fantastic!

Last night, my friend Brad and I went to see the Broadway revival of Steven Sondheim's popular ensemble piece, "Company".

The musical is full of familiar and beloved numbers, like "Drive a Person Crazy", "Ladies Who Lunch", and most commonly known "Being Alive". I had seen these numbers performed before by Broadway legends like Alan Ball, Lea Solanga, Bernadette Peters, and Elaine Stritch, but this was my first encounter with the actual production.

It is said that, in regards to Sondheim, you either love him or you hate him. I have always leaned more towards the "love" side because of the way that he can write for a cast and not just a leading performer (like Steven Schwartz for example). After the production last night, I am firmly cemented in the "LOVE" category.

The show stars Raul Esparza as "Bobby": the last singleton in his verging upon middle-aged group of friends. The show is about Bobby's longing to be married, his confusion as to why he isn't already, and the journey into self-doubt and fear that must be taken before a person can be truly ready for a huge commitment like marriage.

The show spans two years, beginning and ending with "surprise" parties for Bobby. Everything in between is the interactions he has with the individual couples. He is looking to his friends for inspiration and guidance on and leading to marriage. Most of what he gets, however, is the reality that no marriage is perfect.

In a show where the music is so captivating and well-known, I was very surprised that the dialogue in the scenes and monologues were in fact the stand out aspect of the show. There are plenty of silent awkward moments throughout the show. Peter and Susan announce that they are (amicably) getting divorced. Harry and Sarah are respectively struggling with alcoholism and obsessive dieting. Paul and Amy are to be married, but Amy has a breakdown because she can't believe that someone could love her the way that Paul does. On the day of the wedding she announces that she won't be going through with it, breaking Paul's heart, only for her to turn around and go through with it anyway. And socialite Joanne and fourth husband Larry would appear to hate each other. She is a drunk. He cares more about his wealth.

The point of the story is that it will never look perfect. Love will never have a pretty bow on it and you will never NOT question it. But love is real, when you are ready for it.

Raul Esparza is phenomenal in this production. He is vulnerable, yet guarded. He is so certain of what he wants, but so completely lost in getting it. The sad but hopeful complexity that he gives to the role was something magical to see. He also has a very distinct voice (that normally I'm not a huge fan of) but he really showed so much control and power in his big numbers "Marry Me A Little" and the showstopping finale "Being Alive" (insert many tears here).

Other standouts were Barbara Walsh as "Joanne". Her version of famously drunk character was more complex than people familiar with the show would expect. Instead of light-hearted and drunk, she was angry and insecure (and still quite a bit drunk) Her version of "Here's to the Ladies Who Lunch" was wonderfully heart-breaking and pathetic. And absolutely phenomenal. Heather Laws was also sensational as "Amy". Her ultra-fast and sharp-tongued "Not Getting Married Today" was dead on and hilarious!

"Company" was directed by John Doyle. His direction was beautiful and complex in it's minimalism. The stage was set with a sleek baby Grande, a towering white pillar, and Plexiglas cubes of various sizes. There was no orchestra. Every member of the cast had an instrument, and many played multiple instruments throughout the production. At first I was worried that the instruments would take away from the acting, but I am happy to report that was not at all the case.

It was like a Black Box production of true Broadway caliber. I would highly recommend it to anyone that wants a moving, awe-inspiring, and non-cookie cutter Broadway experience.

Farewell, "Beauty and the Beast"

The three main women in my life in New York are quite different from each other. But one of the the things that they have in common is a favorite Broadway Show -- "Beauty and the Beast". So, for my sister's birthday, I got the four of us tickets to go see "Beauty and the Beast" just one more time before it takes it's final Broadway bow on July 29th.

I actually have never seen the show, so this was going to be a new experience for me.
The show is currently starring Disney Channel's "That's So Raven" star, Anneliese Van Der Pol. On that show, she plays the quirky (and more than slightly obnoxious) best friend of Raven Simone. So I went in being really nervous. Had Disney cast her just because of her ties with the corporation? I am pleased to say that I don't think so. I'm sure it helped, but the young leading lady had enough vocal and acting chops to really pull it off!

The music and design were wonderful. It's a BIG show. It's the show that set the standard for Disney's other HUGE productions, like "The Lion King" and "Mary Poppins". It's looming grandiosity takes you right back to your childhood. I remember seeing that movie, and from the moment the introductory melody began last Thursday night I remembered feeling that movie as well.

Unfortunately, it wasn't all magic and merriment. There were some very disappointing aspects of the production. The most disappointing this was the ensemble. The dancers were not together, which was seriously distracting from the illusion that they were flatware and plates. The character Lefou was slapstick, rehearsed, and completely annoying. Gaston was fine…but a little bit too…well, gay. He took self-admiration to a level only to be matched by the muscle queens in Chelsea. It was rather disconcerting.

When all was said and done, I was happy to have gone. I didn't want the show to leave the Broadway stage without ever having had the opportunity to see it.

But I assure you, after a little more than 13 years on the stage, the show is ready for retirement. It was fun, but there are newer, bigger, and better things to see now. So "Goodbye!" Beauty and the Beast... It's been fun!

BFFs or Are They More?

Last night American Idol had it's gayest moment since Clay Aikin left the show. Having already announced that Phil had been voted off the island, it came down to Blake Lewis and Chris Richardson. There really was no suspense as to who was going to be going home, as Chris was the obviously weaker of the two remaining men. The brilliance of that final moment came when the two talked about how they are good friends.

Best friends, in fact.

They looked lovingly into each other eyes... and all of American pictured them getting it on. Well, all of the Americans that I know anyway.

I'm not one to go around blowing the homo-horn at anyone. Who's to say if they truly are or aren't.

But in my mind, they will always be the cutest couple on this season of American Idol.

In honor of the boys, here's a video showcasing their BFF-ishness… Enjoy!

"The Drowsy Chaperone"

Last Friday night I went to see "The Drowsy Chaperone". For theater fans it's a familiar title, after winning Tony Awards for "Best Featured Actress" (Beth Leavel) and "Best Original Score", which are only two of the five Tony's that Chaperone took home at the 2006 Awards ceremony.
For theater also-rans, let me fill you in just a little bit on the premise of the show.

The lights go dark, and the show starts. The show begins in stark darkness, and the Narrator (otherwise known as The Man in the Chair played by John Glover) begins talking about being a part of an audience, and the anticipation you feel right before the Overture begins. Will this show be worth the money? What if it sucks? You are immediately light-hearted and in the right mind-set for the lights to come up and the show to really begin.

You join The Man in his apartment, a small seemingly Manhattan-esque studio. He talks about being lonely, and how when he is lonely he turns to his records. He then invites you on a trip through his favorite show recording, "The Drowsy Chaperone". He proceeds to walk you through the "album", giving you backstory on his experience with the show and the actors who portrayed the characters that you see coming to life inside of his head, and inside of his very small studio apartment.

The show he walks you through is about a Diva (Janine LaManna, originally played by Sutton Foster) who is giving up the stage to marry the charismatic Robert whom she barely knows (Troy Britton Johnson); a Chaperone (Beth Leavel) who is more concerned with keeping her martini glass full than watching her bridal charge; a producer (Lenny Wolpe) on a mission to stop the wedding and get his leading lady back; and an ensemble of colorful characters who all asemble to celebrate a wedding with their own motives in mind.

The stand out performers in this performance were without question Beth Leavel and Danny Burstein (the European cassanova, Adolpho), who both brought such an amazing charisma and character to the performance that they were not only in a league of their own within this production, but in all of Broadway. They both embodied such flawless commitment to their respective characters that I was in awe whenever they were on stage. And when they were on stage together? Well forget about it. I've never seen an entire audience rock with laughter like that. Ever.

The show is a fabulous comedy, but also has a real heart. The Man in the Chair takes you so far into the unreality of his record that you get wonderfully lost. And in the climax of the show, when the power goes out, it is heart wrenching. The Man has a near break-down. All he wanted was to share this beautiful thing with you and right as it was about to pay off, it's ruined. The moment is heart-breaking. In an instant that Man seems so pathetic, so alone that all you want to do is cry with him. Or rather, cry for him.

The show does end on a happy note though. When the power returns and he starts to sing a tune from the show, the "characters" break free of their world and pull him into it. He's so happy. And again, you want to cry for him but in a completely different way.

My only wish is that I could've seen Sutton Foster in this production. Janine LaManna was fine, but nothing amazing or standout the way that Sutton Foster captivates even the most skeptic Broadway-goer. The last time I saw Foster was in 2002 Tony winning performance as Millie Dillmount in "Thoroughly Modern Millie" on that same Marquis Theater stage. I guess I'll just have to wait for her next big show ("Young Frankenstein", rumored to be opening this coming Halloween on the Great White Way) to see her again!