The Tony Awards, celebrating the best of Broadway, returned last night after a two and a half year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading “Highlights From The 2021 Tony Awards”
Highlights From The 2021 Tony Awards
News Round-Up: June 18, 2021
Norm Lewis (screen capture)
• NBC News: LGBTQ civil servants and service members were systematically fired or forced to resign due to their sexual orientation or gender identity over the past seven decades, and a proposed bill is seeking to have the federal government issue an official apology acknowledging its past discriminatory policies. • Media Matters: Nearly a dozen of the Fox News guests the network has presented as concerned parents or educators who oppose the teaching of so-called “critical race theory” in schools also have day jobs as Republican strategists, conservative think-tankers, or right-wing media personalities. • Out Music: Out singer/songwriter Paul Bellantoni, drops his first solo release since 2013, “Illusions.” “’Illusions’ is about how what we perceive out of life and the people in our life aren’t always what they seem; they’re false realities. I began writing the song because I was hurt by someone close to me. It was a situation that made me feel insignificant, while around me the entire world was grasping for straws to see which way is up or down. It became my therapy.” “It’s a lesson in learning how to be present in your own heart and forgive yourself, the ones that hurt you, and the circumstances that weigh you down.”
News Round-Up: December 31, 2020
Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis
• Facebook: Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska) wrote a lengthy breakdown of efforts to undermine the election, concluding there was no evidence of voter fraud. Sasse adds that – in private chats – no Republicans in Congress think the election was stolen. • NBC News: Grafton Police have arrested the Aurora Health Care pharmacist who intentionally spoiled more than 500 doses of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine valued around $8,000 to $11,000. He has been arrested on charges of first degree recklessly endangering safety, adulterating a prescription drug, and criminal damage to property. • Washington Examiner: Donald Trump promised in the 2016 campaign to eliminate the federal debt over a two-term presidency. Instead, he will leave office having added massively to the debt. Since his inauguration, the total national debt has increased 30% from nearly $20 trillion to $27 trillion as of Monday.
.@realDonaldTrump promised in the 2016 campaign to eliminate the federal debt over a two-term presidency.
That pledge won’t come to fruition, and, in fact, he will leave office having added massively to the debt.https://t.co/sd7nPlQ3BC — Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) December 31, 2020
News Round-Up: July 17, 2020
Broadway star Norm Lewis
Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, Megan Hilty & Cheyenne Jackson Join ‘Seth Concert Series’
L-R Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis
Sunday Showtune: Norm Lewis “Go The Distance”
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| Norm Lewis |
A little ‘Sunday Showtune’ time with Broadway’s handsome leading man, Norm Lewis.
Norm’s take on “Go The Distance” from Disney’s Hercules has been on my mind lately, not sure why.
Unknown roads, wanderings, journeys…
#ThingsThatMakeYouGoHmm
News Round-Up: November 16, 2018
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| InstaHunk Max Emerson (r) snowboarding in Quebec |
Some news items you might have missed:
• What to do when a November storm dumps lots of snow on you? Go snowboarding! Someone might have told Max Emerson to take a few bits of clothing with him, but then – when you’ve got a Porsche, you don’t keep it in the garage.
• Tanzania just lost $10 million in aid from its second biggest donor, Denmark, thanks to the recent homophobic crackdown in the East African country.
• Hat tip to Kenneth-in-the-212 who found the ultimate ‘Hunk’ of House Hunters – Liev Schreiber – who, along with SNL’s Leslie Jones, totally spoof every cliche you’ve ever seen on the show. This is pretty funny.
• Gubernatorial hopeful Stacey Abrams has acknowledged she will not be able to close the gap between herself and her Republican opponent, former Secretary of State Brian Kemp. But, she did not concede the race saying Kemp had spent years working to suppress voters in Georgia in order to tilt the contest his way.
• A gay man in Miami says a Lyft driver spewed homophobic slurs at him during his ride before pulling a gun on him. The driver allegedly stopped the car and forcibly removed the man from the car, kicking him in the process and saying he wanted to “kill everyone who is gay.”
• I’ll be interviewing the oh-so-dashing and talented Mr. Norm Lewis about this his new holiday album soon, but for now … 🙂
GMA: Broadway’s ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Performs “Why We Tell The Story”
The cast of Broadway’s Once on This Island joined Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts to discuss the revival of the musical and perform the show’s finale, “Why We Tell the Story.”
The neat new digital series from GMA, “Dressing Room Reveal with Robin Roberts,” goes backstage to Robin Robert’s dressing room for intimate performances and conversations.
Ah. This gives me life.
Once on This Island unfolds as a group of storytellers, during a nighttime rainstorm, calm a young girl of their village with the story of Ti Moune, a Caribbean island country girl who falls in love with an aristocrat.
I love this show so much: the message, the music, the people.
And speaking of the people I love a lot :)…
T. Oliver Reid, the show’s dance captain, and I worked together in two Broadway shows – Chicago and Follies. As much as I’ve laughed through the years with T, I’ve also always enjoyed his talent and awesome work ethic. When you’re on stage with T, you know you better keep up!
And the wondermous and handsome Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis (Porgy & Bess, Phantom of the Opera, Side Show), who I’ve known for even longer than T., was playing the role of “Agwé,” god of water, when this was filmed.
So, double joy for me watching this clip.
Watch the gorgeous cast of Once On This Island perform “Why We Tell the Story” below and feel your spirit renewed.
Happy Sunday!
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| Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, Tony Award nominee Norm Lewis and GMA’s Robin Roberts |
I Love Me Some Norm Lewis
There is simply nothing to not love about Tony Award nominee, Broadway favorite leading man (and all around great guy) Norm Lewis.
Watch him share this quick video with funny theater expert Seth Rudetsky.
Sunday Showtune: “Part Of Your World”
Check out the beautiful wirework used to simulate swimming from the Japanese production of The Little Mermaid at the Shiki Theatre Company. Beautiful and convincing, although I’m not sure about Ariel’s floating hair…?
The Broadway production of the stage show utilized wheelie sneakers to give the illusion the performers were swimming. I’ve posted a clip from the Broadway show also, just so you can compare.
Added bonus: Broadway featured the fantastic Sierra Boggess as “Ariel” and Norm Lewis as “King Triton.”
(h/t TRR reader Glenn)