Time to get outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather (stock image via Depositphotos)
News Round-Up: April 2, 2021
‘Broadway Backwards 2021’ A Hopeful Look Forward At Life Post-Pandemic
Broadway Backwards 2021 will take a hopeful, musical look toward life post-pandemic in its first virtual edition set to stream with a bevy of Broadway’s best at 8 pm Eastern on Tuesday, March 30. This year’s virtual edition of the popular theatre event will blend film and musical stage performances as an exploration of how isolation during this pandemic has particularly affected the LGBTQ community. That and a healthy dose of musical theater and star power are what you can expect. The videos here are just a few highlights from over the years at Broadway Backwards.
The show will feature Jay Armstrong Johnson as a New Yorker who dreams a fantastical, musical theater journey guided by Jenn Colella as a late night TV host. New performances will be merged with full numbers from past years to come together in a show that feels distinctly of the moment. The streaming event will feature a special opening number featuring divas Stephanie J. Block, Deborah Cox and Lea Salonga.
Plus, an all-star finale are almost too good to be true with Amy Adams, Debbie Allen, Matt Bomer, Glenn Close, Loretta Devine, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Cheyenne Jackson, Eric McCormack, Ruthie Ann Miles, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jessie Mueller, Javier Muñoz, Kelli O’Hara, Karen Olivo, Jim Parsons, Bernadette Peters and many more. And then there will be special appearances by Chasten Buttigieg, Anderson Cooper, Ariana DeBose, Don Lemon, Debra Messing, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Robin Roberts, Tony Shalhoub and Ben Vereen?
Make sure you tune in (for free!) for an ultimate un-Zoom theatrical experience at 8 pm Eastern on Tuesday, March 30 at broadwaycares.org/backwards2021. It will be available on demand through 11:59 pm Saturday, April 3. Of course, donations to Broadway Cares are always welcome 🙂
TBT: ‘Anthem’ From Chess The Musical
For a musical throwback Thursday I was recently reminded of this symphonic concert version of the musical Chess (penned by ABBA geniuses Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and Lloyd Webber collaborator Tim Rice). The show used the game of chess as a metaphor for Russia/US cold war politics and “game play.” I saw the show in London before it made the trip across the Atlantic to Broadway. I loved the show in the West End, but the version that reached New York City wasn’t the same. The original director/choreographer, Michael Bennett, had cast and commissioned the set designs for London but then stepped away due to poor health. Trevor Nunn took over in London, but was left with Bennett’s casting choices and some concepts in place. The show ran three years in the West End. When Nunn brought the show to New York, it underwent radical rewrites and was not well-received. The production ran about three months before closing. But fans love the score. This song, “Anthem,” is sung by the original star Tommy Körberg who played the Russian for the concept album and in London. The moment comes at the end of Act One as the Russian chess player Anatoly has decided to defect from Russia. The melody, lyrics and Körberg’s spectacular voice come together perfectly. The entire concert can be viewed below as well.
Happy Birthday Thommie Walsh
Two-time Tony Award winner Thommie Walsh**********************************************************
Thommie Walsh was a 2-time Tony Award winner, an original cast member of the ground-breaking A Chorus Line, and my dear wonderful friend. Thommie came into my life in so many ways. As a young actor and dancer, I was forever changed by his performance in A Chorus Line. The boy who grew up near Buffalo but “couldn’t remember the name of the town” – he’d blocked it out. His work on Broadway was the stuff wide-eyed young actors or dancers like me only dreamed about. He danced in several Broadway shows – including A Chorus Line – and then graduated to director/choreographer. As Tommy Tune’s partner, he won two Tony Awards (A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine; My One And Only). Thommie’s accomplishments and honors were many, too numerous to mention them all. But my favorite memory of Thommie was as my friend. In 2002, Donna McKechnie was asked to perform her then-developing one-woman show “Inside The Music” in Los Angeles. Thommie was her director and choreographer. The theater was a small theater on a budget, so Donna asked if Thommie could stay with me. Every day was a holiday with Thommie in the house. Having consulted on some of Donna’s earlier shows, I accompanied Thommie to rehearsals and assisted when I could. But just being around Thommie made life better and funnier and more wonderful. We became very fast friends. Thommie was immensely supportive of my work as a director and/or choreographer. Some years later, when I was choreographing a show off-Broadway, he insisted he come to see the show. Then he made a point of taking me to dinner at Joe Allens (famous Broadway restaurant) to talk about it. I’ll never forget the look in his eyes when he sat down, smiled, and simply said to me “you did good – I loved it.” His sense of humor, his directness in any situation, everything about Thommie worked for me. My wonderful, funny, talented friend. In late 2006, however, he stopped returning phone calls. I worried something was wrong. I reached out to everyone I could. At one point, on Christmas eve, I stood outside a holiday dinner in the freezing cold on the phone with a close friend of Thommie’s. The news was not good. I was distraught. I frantically asked the friend to keep me informed as his health deteriorated. News was very slow to come over the next several months. I did all I could to stay in the loop from across the country. Then, on a hot summer night – June 16, 2007 – this boy-wonder of Broadway was gone. I was riding in a car in Las Vegas when a friend called: “Did you hear about Thommie?” I held my breath in silence. I didn’t want to know. Several heartbeats went by. I’m dramatic – surely I’m wrong. Please let me be wrong. I wasn’t. My friend on the other end of the call was sad and silent. But, the news had come. Gone. But never forgotten. I remember Thommie’s birthday every year. March 15th – the Ides of March. From Julius Caesar – “Beware the Ides of March.” Beware indeed. He used his own birthday onstage in A Chorus Line as “Bobby” or “Robert Charles Joseph Henry Mills, III” as his introduction went. Just so dang funny. I would play his role in A Chorus Line several times, and I always thought of Thommie when I did. Near the end of his character’s monologue, he had a line that read, “I just wanted to see if anyone would notice me.” Boy, did the world notice Thommie. I miss Thommie often. His laugh, his humor, his talent, his friendship… all of it boundless. I’d love to regale you with some stories I lived with him, but they may not be suitable for this post. If you knew him, you know what I mean. If you don’t, then please know I hope someday you know someone like him so you will. Except there will never be another Thommie Walsh. Ever. And my eyes tear up with joy and sadness every time I know that. Thommie – how very lucky am I to have known you. I miss you. I always will. Thommie once advised me if you were going to steal, steal from the best. So, as Thommie would close his letters, from me to the fabulous Thommie Walsh: “Love you madly – always.”
Broadway Icon Ann Reinking Passes Away At 71
Ann Reinking in ‘All That Jazz’ (screen capture)
She is perhaps best known for playing Roxie Hart in 1977’s “Chicago,” replacing Gwen Verdon. She reprised the part when she returned for the 1996 revival of the famed production.
“The hope is that in rediscovering ‘Chicago,’ audiences will rediscover what theater was,” Reinking told The New York Times at the time of the show’s revival. “It was sophisticated, complicated, adult.”
Her work on the later “Chicago” ultimately earned her a Tony Award for best choreography.
Reinking was also the co-creator, co-director and co-choreographer for “Fosse,” a musical meant to showcase Fosse’s choreography. She created the project alongside Richard Maltby Jr. and Chet Walker. The musical was Reinking’s final bow on Broadway, as she served as a replacement ensemble member in 2001.
The Broadway revival of Chicago the Musical was an unexpected and thrilling part of my career on Broadway. I had moved to Los Angeles to be with my husband Michael in 1996, thinking perhaps my dancing career was behind me. And then, on a whim, I went to an open call for replacements for Chicago the Musical in early 1998. Over 300 dancers attended that call, and at the end of the day, I was one of ten left standing. Three days later, Ann and director Walter Bobbie were coming through LA and the ten of us were called back to show what we had to offer.
Four months later, I got a call asking me to join the national touring company that was playing in Los Angeles, and ultimately I was hired about a dozen times over the next 15 years to go into the Broadway and touring companies. Sometimes, it would be for a year, sometimes for a month as a temporary replacement. And I know that was because of Ann. She trusted me over and over again to be a part of her thrilling choreography. Imagine not only meeting one of your heroes but working with them. And learning from them. And dancing right alongside them. 
Ann Reinking as Roxie Hart in the Broadway revival of Chicago (photo: Max Vadukul)
With Ann Reinking in 1998 celebrating the 2nd anniversary of CHICAGO on Broadway
Ann Reinking, the Tony Award-winning actor, dancer and choreographer who is perhaps best known for playing the role of Roxie Hart in 1977’s #Chicago, has died at 71 https://t.co/nRtrCKupEW pic.twitter.com/m4yi366DLM
— Variety (@Variety) December 14, 2020
rest in peace ann reinking pic.twitter.com/3cgk0kpDou
— Fletcher Peters (@fIetcherpeters) December 14, 2020
The one & only Ann Reinking #RIP pic.twitter.com/6UHnPfGu63
— Jeff Greenberg (@JeffGreenbergCD) December 15, 2020
The Chicago family is saddened to learn of the passing of Ann Reinking. She was a fearless leader, and the very essence of Broadway. There wouldn’t be a Chicago without her and we will be forever grateful. We will miss you, Annie pic.twitter.com/mHMCzhnyxK
— Chicago The Musical (@ChicagoMusical) December 15, 2020
‘One Night Only: The Best Of Broadway’ Tonight On NBC
A quick reminder to tune in for the big Broadway celebration tonight on NBC hosted by Tina Fey in the heart of New York’s theatre district. One Night Only: The Best Of Broadway is bringing back the magic of the stage. Fey promises performances from the casts of Jersey Boys, Ain’t Too Proud, Chicago the Musical, Mean Girls and more. Catch the show tonight at 8/7c on NBC.
Hosted by Tina Fey in the heart of New York’s theatre district, One Night Only: The #BestOfBroadway is bringing back the magic of the stage. 🎭 Catch the show Thursday, December 10 at 8/7c on NBC. Presented by @TMobile. pic.twitter.com/9B0R5iItyM
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) December 7, 2020
A Rollicking Ride Of Merry Music ‘The Award Winning Holiday Album’
Marissa Rosen & Marty Thomas release ‘The Award Winning Holiday Album’
The Randy Report: Congratulations on The Award Winning Holiday Album. You’re already ‘award-winning’ before being released! Most recording artists take their holiday albums straight on down the ‘music lane,’ but you specifically bring the comedy here. How did you come to that approach? Marty Thomas: All that we’ve had to keep us company during this pandemic is art, hope, and humor. The concept of this album has been an inside joke all year and Marissa and I finally figured out that it was a joke that might be funny to someone else too! The whole award show approach developed organically as we were curating the album. My boyfriend says I laugh at all of my own “dad jokes” more than the rest of the world. If that’s true, I guess I’m okay with that. TRR: The tracklist is an eclectic mix of holiday tunes. How did you choose the songs? MT: We definitely wanted to try and steer clear of the same 10 tracks every artist releases on their debut holiday album. We also wanted to represent our individual backgrounds and our love of cabaret and musical theater. We poured through so much music and put a lot of care into narrowing the setlist. It was very important for me to represent Marissa’s family and their celebration of Hanukkah as well as my celebration of Christmas. There really aren’t a lot of Hanukkah bops out there so I was determined to arrange a disco Hanukkah anthem to get the party started. I found a song by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, tailored it to fit Marissa’s strengths and it quickly became my favorite track on the album. Six of our besties from around the country all signed on to record remotely and I was able to create my dream arrangement of Dolly Parton’s “Hard Candy Christmas.” This album was incredibly joyful to create. TRR: You’ve been ‘Broadway best friends’ for so long. How does that rapport come into play when you’re creating something new? MT: Marissa is one of the hardest working, most creative people I know. I often have to “sell” her on my stupid ideas, but she is always open to putting in the work and creating. We can sort of read each other’s minds musically, and hilariously sound almost identical when singing backup vocals. We weren’t able to enlist any studio singers for the record because of the pandemic and recorded the entire thing in the corner of my studio apartment. All of the vocals you hear on the record are just the two of us. Our long history of working and singing together really came into play nicely. Also, it was just really nice to get to hang out together, like the good old days before Trump gummed up the works. 
TRR: After a lot of fun upbeat tunes, the final track on the album is “Hard Candy Christmas” from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The sentiment is a bit melancholy but definitely forward-looking. It feels like that was a conscious choice to end on? MT: That’s awesome to hear because that’s exactly what I was going for. I imagined it as a very welcomed zoom-call style catch up with our friends from around the country. I’ve always seen that song as a sad, yet still hopeful message. I wanted it to musically represent us comforting each other, supporting each other, and encouraging a bright future. Positivity and vulnerability are hot commodities these days. Marissa and I truly hope someone else out there can relate to the tune. TRR: This whole album could be a cabaret act in itself. Have you considered turning The Award Winning Holiday Album into a live performance? MT: ABSOLUTELY! What’s the point of waking up in the morning if the process can’t eventually be turned into a cabaret act!? Lol. I love creating old school albums, intended to be listened to, from beginning to end. My hope is to do a new holiday album and a holiday concert/party annually. If anything positive came from this window of time 2020 gave us, possibly it was the drive and the time to begin a new joyful journey with my best friend.
The Award Winning Holiday Album is available on all digital download/streaming sites now. You can follow Marty and Marissa on Instagram here. Take a listen to the terrific ‘finale’ for the album, “Hard Candy Christmas,” below.
Trailer: ‘The Prom’ With Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, James Corden, Andrew Rannells
Meryl Streep and James Corden in ‘The Prom’ (photo: Netflix)
James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Rannells, Meryl Streep in ‘The Prom’ (photo: Netflix)
Dee Dee Allen (three-time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep) and Barry Glickman (Tony Award-winner James Corden) are New York City stage stars with a crisis on their hands: their expensive new Broadway show is a major flop that has suddenly flatlined their careers.
Meanwhile, in small-town Indiana, high school student Emma Nolan (newcomer Jo Ellen Pellman) is experiencing a very different kind of heartbreak: despite the support of the high school principal (Keegan-Michael Key), the head of the PTA (Kerry Washington) has banned her from attending the prom with her girlfriend, Alyssa (Ariana DeBose).
When Dee Dee and Barry decide that Emma’s predicament is the perfect cause to help resurrect their public images, they hit the road with Angie (Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman) and Trent (Andrew Rannells), another pair of cynical actors looking for a professional lift.
But when their self-absorbed celebrity activism unexpectedly backfires, the foursome finds their own lives upended as they rally to give Emma a night where she can truly celebrate who she is.
In select theaters in December and premieres on Netflix on December 11, 2020.
My Favorite Thing Today: Broadway Star Lee Roy Reams In Concert
Broadway star Lee Roy Reams
Lee Roy also directed the acclaimed 1995 revival of Hello, Dolly! with Channing (and me!) which was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Lee Roy asked me to handle the choreography duties for the post-Broadway national tour of Dolly! and since then we’ve staged the show together several times in major regional theatre companies across the country. Each time, it was just as Cornelius Hackl tells his Dolly! sidekick, “It’s an adventure, Barnaby!” I won’t go on as I want you to hit the play button below and enjoy Lee Roy’s masterful storytelling as he sings his way through his incredible career. Authentic, earnest, captivating and magical – just a few of the superlatives that come to mind after watching this true artist weave his spell. I was especially moved by the medley from Dolly! beginning at the 31:00 mark. And can I say – I wish we all could look and sound so good at 78-years-old. #LikeAFineWine Big applause for Alex Rybeck’s robust and artful musical direction and accompaniment as he does what he does so very well. Enjoy.
Podcast: CATS Chat With Leslie Ellis & Matt Zarley
Matt Zarley and Leslie Ellis
“With Love, Now and Forever! Cats4CovidRelief” premiered on October 23 and will be available until October 28. At this writing, combining donations at Broadway Cares and YouTube, we’ve raised over $20,000 and counting Today, I’m talking to two of my closest CATS castmates, Grammy Award-winner Leslie Ellis and two-time OutMusic Award-winner Matt Zarley, about this recent company reunion. Hit the play button to hear us chat on this recent collaboration, reminisce about life on the road as young actors, and laugh a bit about the life-changing experience that was CATS. While our streaming event is scheduled to be removed from Broadway Cares website at the end of October 28, the video is still up at this writing on BC/EFA’s YouTube channel on an unlisted page here. Plus, you can see Matt’s gorgeous segment featuring Leslie singing “Memory” here.