Category: Creative

by Ben Togut

In the weeks leading up to the 77th Annual Tonys, Broadway’s Best Shows ran a series exploring the Broadway careers of this past season’s nominees. However, there was a wealth of excellent performances in the last season that were overlooked in this past season’s awards circuit that are just as deserving of recognition. As we head into a very busy 2024-2025 Broadway season, we want to take a moment to celebrate the work of these fine performers. In honor of these actors and their onstage contributions, here are some of Broadway’s great unsung performances from the 2023-2024 season.

Jay O. Sanders

One of Purlie Victorious’ undeniable highlights was Jay O. Sanders. In the production, Sanders played Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee, a tyrannical plantation owner who believes he treats his workers well but weighs them down with debt. Critics and audiences alike enjoyed Sanders’ performance for its humor and intensity. 

Noah Ricketts

While The Great Gatsby was largely overlooked during awards season, Noah Ricketts emerged as one of the show’s bright stars. Audience members and critics praised his commanding portrayal of Nick Caraway, who provides an outsider’s perspective into Gatsby’s lavish world.

Anika Noni Rose

Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose turned in another brilliant performance in Uncle Vanya. Stepping into Chekhov’s world, Rose showcases her versatility as an actress, revealing the vulnerabilities that lie beneath Elena’s confident exterior.

Chip Zien

An actor who has originated iconic roles such as The Baker in Into the Woods, Chip Zien most recently returned to Broadway in Harmony. Zien’s performance as Rabbi Josef Roman Cycowski, the last surviving member of a German singing group broken apart by the Nazis, was well-liked by audience members and critics like Jesse Greene, who celebrated Zien’s “forceful” onstage presence.

Billy Eugene Jones

Billy Eugue Jones gave a standout performance in Purlie Victorious as Gitlow Judson, Purlie’s brother and one of Cotchipee’s sharecroppers. A key player in Lutiebelle’s scheme to win back a $500 inheritance, Jones gave a performance which New York Magazine called “extraordinarily committed, gutsy, and delicate.”

Izzy McCalla

Another memorable performance from this season came from Izzy McCalla, who played star circus performer and love interest Elena in Water for Elephants. Critics praised McCalla in particular for her graceful and nuanced portrayal of a survivor of domestic abuse. According to Frank Rizzo of Variety, in McCalla’s capable hands, Elena is not a victim but “an ever-resilient wife walking the tightrope of fidelity, fear and desperation.”

Michael Urie

Michael Urie garnered critical acclaim for his impassioned performance as Sir Robin in Spamalot. Critics such as Charles Isherwood and Jesse Greene commended Urie for the infectious energy and comic sensibility he brought to the role originated by Eric Idle and later by David Hyde Pierce in the original Broadway production.

Brittany Adebumola

Brittany Adebumola turned in another standout performance this season as Miriam in Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Critics and audiences relished Adebumola’s portrayal of a girl-next-door door hair braider who, while timid on the surface, reveals her true feistiness throughout the show. While she wasn’t nominated for a Tony, Adebumola received a well-deserved nomination from the Drama Desk awards

by Ben Togut

In April, it was announced that Thornton Wilder’s Our Town will be returning to Broadway. Directed by Kenny Leon, the revival, which will feature stars such as Jim Parsons, Zoey Deutch, Ephraim Sykes, and Katie Holmes, begins performances at The Ethel Barrymore Theatre on September 17th. In anticipation of its opening, let’s take a look at the history behind this classic play.

Written by Thornton Wilder, Our Town premiered on Broadway in 1938. A play-within-a-play, Our Town depicts the everyday lives of citizens living in a fictional small town in New Hampshire, honing in on the relationship between George Gibbs and Emily Webb, two childhood friends who fall in love and get married. The play’s main character, the Stage Manager, provides commentary on the inhabitants of the town Grover’s Corners, breaking the fourth wall to address the audience. 

Upon its original opening in the 1930s, Our Town received widespread acclaim, going on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Considered one of the greatest plays in American theatre, Our Town is also one of the most popular, remaining a perennial favorite for high school productions since its inception. It is consistently produced by theaters at every level, be they professional, community, or school groups. No matter where or when it is staged, Our Town remains an unmissable American masterpiece.

Following its 1938 Broadway premiere, Our Town was revived in 1944, starring Montgomery Clift as George Gibbs, Martha Scott as Emily Gibbs, and Thomas W. Ross as Mr. Webb.

Twenty five years later, Our Town was revived once again, starring Henry Fonda as Stage Manager and Elizabeth Hamilton as Emily Webb. Also included among the cast were Ed Begley and Margaret Hamilton, famous for her portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz.

Our Town was revived again in 1988, this time with Spalding Gray as Stage Manager, Frances Conroy as Mrs. Gibbs, Penelope Ann Miller as Emily Webb, and Eric Stoltz as George Gibbs. The production was nominated for five Tony Awards, winning for Best Revival.

Our Town was last revived in 2002, starring Paul Newman as Stage Manager in what would be his final onstage performance. Alongside Newman, Jayne Atksinon played Mrs. Gibbs while  Jane Curtin played Mrs. Webb. This production was immortalized with a PBS Masterpiece Theatre filmed adaptation, still part of the PBS live theatre catalog today.

by Ben Togut

Shoshana Bean has been a Broadway lovers’ household name for about two decades now. While she’s currently appearing in “Hell’s Kitchen” in a role for which she earned her second Tony nomination, here’s a breakdown of the Broadway roles that got her there:

Hairspray (2002)

Bean made her Broadway debut in the original company of Hairspray as Shelly, one of Corny Collins’ Council Members. Bean also served as the understudy for Tracy Turnblad, Prudy Pingleton, and Velma Von Tussle in this musical based on John Waters’ classic film.

Wicked (2004)

Bean was next on Broadway in Wicked as a replacement standby for Elphaba, taking over the role full time following Idina Menzel’s departure from the production. Due to Bean’s powerhouse vocals and dynamic onstage presence, theatre aficionados often rank Bean as one of the best Elphabas appearing in Wicked throughout its Broadway run. 

Waitress (2019)

In 2019, Bean joined the cast of Waitress as Jenna, a woman who finds solace from her abusive marriage in baking. Bean starred opposite Jeremy Jordan as Dr. Pomatter, together performing the music of Sara Bareilles.

Mr. Saturday Night (2022)

Bean next appeared on Broadway in Mr. Saturday Night, a musical that follows an older comedian making a last ditch effort at fame. Playing opposite Billy Crystal and Randy Graff, Bean starred as the comedian’s estranged daughter Susan. For her performance in the role, Bean garnered her first Tony nomination.

Hell’s Kitchen (2024)

Bean is currently on Broadway opposite Maleah Joi Moon and Brandon Victor Dixon in Hell’s Kitchen, an original musical inspired by the life of Alicia Keys. In this coming-of-age musical , Bean plays Jersey, the overprotective mother of a young artist growing up in Hell’s Kitchen in the 90s. For her feisty presence and unforgettable vocals, Bean earned her second Tony nomination.

by Ben Togut

This theatrical season, theatre lovers are experiencing a rarity: two musicals adapted from the same novel premiering within months of each other. The first, The Great Gatsby: A New Musical, is currently running at the Broadway Theatre, while another adaptation, Gatsby, is having its world premiere run at the ART in Cambridge, MA and aiming for a Broadway run. It makes sense that theater makers are seizing the opportunity to create Broadway magic from The Great Gatsby, as the novel only recently entered the public domain. In light of the dueling Gatsby adaptations, let’s take a look at some noteworthy musicals that were based on works in the public domain.

West Side Story

Based on Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story brings Shakespeare’s tragic romance to life in 1950s New York. Premiering on Broadway in 1957, this beloved musical portrays the animosity between two rival gangs and the love story that blossoms between Tony and Maria, young people with ties to the opposing gangs. With a score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story features several Broadway classics, including “Maria” and “I Feel Pretty.” Following a 1961 film adaptation and a series of Broadway revivals (most recently running in early 2020), West Side Story was adapted into a 2021Steven Spielberg film starring Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort.

Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof opened on Broadway in 1964. Based on Sholem Alecheim’s play Tevye and His Daughters, the musical tells the story of Tevye, a milkman who tries to maintain Jewish traditions against outside influences. The musical, which includes favorites such as “If I Were a Rich Man” and “Tradition,” has been revived on Broadway five times, mostly recently starring Danny Burstein as Tevye and Jessica Hecht as Golde. 

Chicago 

A splashy musical featuring the choreography of Bob Fosse, Chicago premiered on Broadway in 1975. Based on the play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins, Chicago explores the relationship between criminal behavior and celebrity through Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, two murderers vying for the spotlight. The 1975 Broadway cast featured theater legends such as Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera, who originated the roles of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, respectively. Revived in 1996, Chicago holds the record for longest-running musical revival in Broadway history as its historic run continues at the Ambassador Theatre.

Big River

Big River opened on Broadway in 1985. Based on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the musical features country and bluegrass to recreate the environment of Mark Twain’s classic. The original Broadway cast featured Daniel Jenkins and Ron Richardson, who won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance as Jim. The 2003 revival, co-produced by Deaf West and Roundabout Theatre Company, is notable for including both deaf and hearing actors.

Les Misérables

Based on Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name, Les Misérables opened on Broadway in 1987. Set in 19th-century France, this epic musical focuses on a group of characters as they struggle with personal hardships amid the mounting tide of the French Revolution. The original Broadway production starred Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean and Terrence Mann as Javert. Les Misérables has since been revived twice, mostly recently in 2014 starring Ramin Karimloo and Will Swenson.

The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera opened on Broadway in 1988. Adapted from Gaston Leroux’s novel, this dark musical explores the relationship between soprano Christine Daaé and The Phantom, a masked figure who lives below the Paris Opéra House. The original Broadway production starred Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford, who won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of The Phantom. The musical holds the record for longest-running Broadway musical, having closed in 2023 after a more than 35-year-long run. 

Rent

Rent, which is based on Puccini’s La bohème by Giacomo Puccini, opened on Broadway in 1996. Bringing Puccini’s opera from 1830s Paris to New York City during the AIDS crisis, the musical focuses on a group of young artists trying to get by and make lives for themselves in the East Village. The original Broadway production featured Daphne Rubin Vega, Adam Pascal, Idina Menzel, and Anthony Rapp, many of whom also starred in the 2005 film adaptation. 

by Ben Togut

Following his stint in the 2022 revival of American Buffalo, Darren Criss is returning to Broadway in the new musical Maybe Happy Ending, coming to the Belasco Theatre in September. Written by Will Aronson and Hue Park, this one-act original musical tells the story of Oliver, an obsolete life-like robot living out the rest of his days in the suburbs of Seoul. A romantic comedy, the musical follows Oliver’s unexpected relationship with robot neighbor Claire as it blossoms from a friendship into something more.

Maybe Happy Ending originally premiered in South Korea in 2016 at the Daemyung Cultural Factory in its original Korean-language form. It has since been revived in Seoul four times, receiving six Korean Musical Awards including Musical of the Year and Best Composer. Maybe Happy Ending made its English-language premiere in 2020 at Atlanta’s Alliance Theater, where it was directed by Michael Arden, who is set to direct the upcoming Broadway production. New York Times theater critic Jesse Green praised the production, calling Maybe Happy Ending “a charming, Broadway-ready new musical about robots in love.”

Helen J. Shen, most recently seen on the New York stage in MCC’s The Lonely Few, will be making her Broadway debut as Claire alongside Criss. Dez Duron will be reprising the role of Gil, which he played in the Atlanta production.

Ahead of Maybe Happy Ending’s Broadway beginning, Criss has provided sneak peeks from the production on social media, including a cover of the title song ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ and a music video with Shen of the number ‘When You’re in Love.’

On June 16, 2024, the 77th Annual Tony Awards will be held at the David H. Koch Theater, celebrating the best and brightest of this year’s Broadway season! The nominees include those onstage and off, mainstays and newcomers alike. In celebration, Broadway’s Best Shows is highlighting some of the Broadway perennials recognized with Tony nods in this incredibly fruitful year.

This season, Kara Young is nominated for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for her performance in “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch.” Here’s a breakdown of the Broadway roles that got her there:

Clyde’s (2022)

Young’s Broadway career began with her breakout performance as Letitia in Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s. This performance earned her a Tony Award and Drama Desk nomination, as well as a Theatre World Award.

Cost of Living (2023)

The following season, Young went on to portray the role of Jess in Cost of Living, earning her a second Tony Award and Drama Desk nomination. Young’s journey epitomizes the essence of a rising star. Critics lauded her ability to seamlessly transition between comedic and dramatic roles, captivating audiences with her authenticity and depth.

Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch (2023)

For a third season in a row, she graced Broadway by portraying the role of Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins in the acclaimed revival of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through The Cotton Patch. This role earned her her third Tony Award nomination, as well as Outer Critics Circle and Drama League nominations. She has already won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Performer in a Play for Purlie Victorious. Young has made history for being the first Black performer nominated in three consecutive seasons in the same category, Best Featured Actress in a Play, at the Tony Awards. With each performance, she deftly navigates complex characters, leaving an indelible mark on the theater landscape. Young’s Broadway career serves as a testament to her passion for storytelling and her unwavering dedication to her craft, ensuring her place among the brightest talents of her generation.

On June 16, 2024, the 77th Annual Tony Awards will be held at the David H. Koch Theater, celebrating the best and brightest of this year’s Broadway season! The nominees include those onstage and off, mainstays and newcomers alike. In celebration, Broadway’s Best Shows is highlighting some of the Broadway perennials recognized with Tony nods in this incredibly fruitful year.

This season, Amy Herzog is nominated for Best Play for her poignant work in “Mary Jane” and Best Revival of a Play for her adaptation of “An Enemy of the People.” Here’s a breakdown of the Broadway productions that got her there:

A Doll’s House (2023)

In this revival of Henrik Ibsen’s classic, Herzog’s adaptation breathed new life into the story of Nora Helmer, a woman struggling to break free from the confines of a suffocating marriage starring Jessica Chastain. The production, helmed by Jamie Lloyd, was critically acclaimed and earned Herzog a Tony nomination for Best Revival of a Play.

Mary Jane (2023)

Herzog’s poignant play, “Mary Jane,” centers on a single mother, played by Rachel McAdams, navigating the challenges of caring for a chronically ill child. The play is a testament to Herzog’s ability to craft deeply human and relatable stories, earning her a Tony nomination for Best Play.

An Enemy of the People (2024)

Herzog’s latest work, an adaptation of Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People,” tackles themes of political corruption and environmental crisis. This timely and powerful play has garnered Herzog another Tony nomination for Best Play this season.