CHRISTIAN BORLE: Borle's performance as Marvin in the revival of Falsettos wasn't just the highlight of my theatre-going year, it's the performance of his career. He embodies Marvin's neurotic and lovable sides perfectly. His chemistry with Andrew Rannells is explosively tender. His chemistry with Anthony Rosenthal is heart-burstingly real. He's exposing his vulnerability every night at the Kerr. As an actor most known for comedy, (his well-deserved Tony Awards for Something Rotten! and Peter and the Starcatcher are proof) it's comforting and thrilling to know that this man truly is capable of anything. – Hayley Goldstein STEPHANIE J. BLOCK: The 2016 revival of William Finn's Falsettos is abundant with fantastic casting. One performance that blew me out of the water was Stephanie J. Block as the emotionally distraught housewife Trina. As Trina, Block plays a character with a lot of layers to unravel and she does it effortlessly. She constantly captures the audience throughout the production, but her most noteworthy number in the show is no question "I'm Breaking Down," the song depicting Trina's unraveling mind. Every night her performance brings down the house and it's easy to see why. – Gigi Gervais ALEX BRIGHTMAN: Alex Brightman's performance in School of Rock was quite possibly my favorite of 2016. His portrayal of Dewey Finn wasn't a carbon copy of Jack Black, and it was both hilarious and invigorating to experience. The amount of energy he had night after night still astounds me to this day. Alex and School of Rock proved to me that there's room for everyone onstage. – Rachel Schiff WILL CHASE: Tony-nominee Will Chase took on the role of Shakespeare in the hit musical comedy Something Rotten! this past summer, succeeding Tony-winner Christian Borle. Chase was no stranger to this role; he originated the role in the first readings. Chase portrayed Shakespeare (or, Chasespeare, if you will) as a sexy, narcissistic, insecure, and fun rockstar. All six times I saw him, he looked like he was having the time of his life on stage, and his energy poured into the audience every single time. His performance was also some sort of master class. I learned so much about comedic acting just by watching him. The funniest part of his performance comes in the second act when he disguises himself in a fat suit and beard as “Toby Belch,” (a humble actor from York). His Toby was the most animated I’ve ever seen, complete with belly rubs and hilarious facial expressions making the character stand out on his own, which was a unique way to experience the show! Seeing him in Something Rotten! was one of the biggest highlights of my summer as well my theatre-going experiences. - Judy Muller CARMEN CUSACK: I first saw Carmen Cusack perform back in April and it was one of the most moving performances I've ever seen. I had only heard of her when she was in Wicked a while back. I had no idea she was such a talent, and would soon become my favorite Broadway actress. Bright Star showcased her beautiful voice and fabulous acting chops to the best of their ability. She is so humble and kind on top of her indescribable talent. She was a force to be reckoned with in 2016, and she has so many more wonderful performances in her future. – Lauren Ashbrook CYNTHIA ERIVO: After 64 Broadway shows I felt I had seen the best The Great White Way could produce, that is until Jan 2016, when Cynthia Erivo graced the stage. Her performance as Celie in The Color Purple left me both grinning from ear to ear and wiping snot and tears from my face. This petite powerhouse has more emotional depth to her performance than anything I have ever witnessed. She truly is a force that can't be matched. – David Jonathan Pearce JOSH GRISETTI: After getting standing ovations night after night in Enter Laughing at the York Theatre (in addition to several other Off-Broadway credits), then finally making his Broadway debut in It Shoulda Been You! in 2015, Josh Grisetti returned to Broadway this summer to star as poet and prestigious playwright Nigel Bottom in the hit musical Something Rotten!. Grisetti has been receiving rave reviews for his performance as the quirky, lovable younger brother in the show, with audience members and critics alike calling him adorably funny and lovably awkward while also complimenting his powerful voice and charming personality. He will close out the show on January 1st before taking it on the road for the next year with co-stars Rob McClure and Adam Pascal. Unfortunately, after the tour he will be taking a break from Broadway to move to Los Angeles and work in the film/TV industry, but be sure to keep an eye out for him as I’m sure he will succeed in anything he does! - Lucianne Paladino JOSH GROBAN: Groban’s singing career has been largely formed around his purely angelic voice being applied to deeply moving, often heart-wrenching, songs to gorgeous effect. In Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, Groban channels that same natural vocal uplift as the disconnected and despondent character of Pierre. The resulting vocal characterization is searing and unforgettable – in particular "Dust and Ashes" will be burned into my mind and heart for a long time to come. Groban is actually in the show for a comparatively short amount of time; however, he is in the playing space nearly every minute of both acts and it is wonderful to see the work he is doing as an observer to the action. Whenever I looked to his spot by the pit piano, he was fully but unobtrusively in character, subtle body language quirks and all. As a performer myself, I know that having extended time in view of the audience but not part of the action is one of trickiest acting challenges and it was a pleasure to see him tackle it so beautifully. – Nicole Bournas-Ney CHRIS JACKSON: The moment he stepped into the light Jackson owned every inch of that stage. My jaw may have hit the floor. Seeing him holding the stage, commanding the focus against all of his extremely talented cast-mates; he was a stand-out. What set his performance apart from a truly incredible cast was the sheer physicality and energy he brought to the role. He moved with such purpose, and with such energy that made you believe George Washington was as unstoppable as a freight train. I believed every moment, from the height of his frustration during the war to his wistful desire to go home even if it meant leaving his country in someone else's hands. If that wasn't a best performance of 2016, I don't know what is. – Chelsea MacKay ROB MCCLURE: Rob McClure as Nick Bottom is one of the most incredible Broadway performances I have ever seen, period. Out of all of the replacement cast in Something Rotten!, he is my absolute favorite. Rob brings something special to the show and to the character. His interpretation of Nick actually made me feel sympathetic towards Nick and understand why he is making the decisions he is making throughout the show. Not only that, but Rob is an incredible character actor. I love his body language and his mannerisms. The smallest movement can have me laughing hysterically. Something Rotten! has been a show that I go to when I need to escape for a bit and laugh, and Rob's performance is the perfect remedy to a bad day. I absolutely adore him. - Jessi Rose ADAM PASCAL: Having any original RENT cast member back on Broadway is always a treat...especially when it's a role they're perfect for! Adam Pascal as William Shakespeare in Something Rotten! is a match made in heaven and we're so lucky to have experienced it in 2016. His voice shines in the role and he has a chance to expose his comedic side as Shakespeare portraying Toby Belch. And no one is exaggerating the fawning and screams as Adam takes the stage in "Will Power" and I was so happy to join them. – Hannah May JENNIFER SIMARD: One of the most stand-out performances for 2016 for me was Jennifer Simard as Sister Mary Downey in Disaster! Simard is hilarious as the gambling-addicted nun. Her solo song "Never Can Say Goodbye" completely stopped the show. But, the most significant part of her performance is the lasting impact that she has had on the Broadway community. Her incredible performance earned Disaster! its only Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress, which in my opinion was very deserved. She made history when Playbill decided to livestream her number. It has been incredible to see this kind, humble and extremely talented woman get the recognition and adoration that she deserves. I am really looking forward to seeing her in Hello, Dolly! next season, and her performance is one that I am anticipating the most. - Jessi Rose EMILY SKEGGS: For a while, I doubted my abilities in theatre. But ever since I saw Fun Home, I have never stopped seeing musicals. Emily Skeggs is one of the most talented and passionate performers I have ever seen in my life. Watching her perform on stage was such a surreal experience. I was in awe of her passion on the stage, and because of her, I can say I was inspired to bring theater back into my life. – Becca Rose LUCAS STEELE: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 had a long, successful road to Broadway. Several cast members stuck with the production from the Off-Broadway Ars Nova in 2012 through to the Great White Way debut in November, 2016. Lucas Steele has played the role of Anatole, 19th century Russia’s bad boy, since the very beginning. Anatole has always been a larger than life character and Steele measures up beautifully. His charm does the impossible by winning over the audience despite his antagonistic tendencies. Once in a blue moon does an actor come along that demands attention and keeps it, even when the focus should be elsewhere. Steele has a magnetic power that ensures you simply cannot look away. His phenomenal tenor voice will surprise you and draw you in instantly. If Josh Groban, the wonderful score by Dave Malloy, or the promise of vodka and dumplings somehow don’t convince you to see the show, perhaps Lucas Steele can get you to reconsider. – Harley Ann Kulp TRACIE THOMS: In a show with a cast of seven people, every person needs to prove that they’re supposed to be on that stage. Tracie Thoms, currently playing Dr. Charlotte in the teeny tiny cast of Falsettos, proves herself worthy in seconds. Her character exists only in the second act, but she gives a memorable and moving performance that stays with you long after you leave the theater. She easily portrays a range from pure unbridled joy to incredible sorrow. And that voice. Her riffing and belts bring life to William Finn’s incredible score. With complex character choices and a killer voice to match, Tracie Thoms in Falsettos is not a performance to miss. - Riley Hubby RACHEL TUCKER: Many have traveled to OZ and dawned the green as the title role of Elphaba in Wicked. From September of 2015 to July of 2016, Rachel Tucker came to Broadway from being the longest running Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked. I was lucky enough to see Tucker’s first and last performances on Broadway and she will forever be my favorite Elphie. Her voice, her kindness and her fierceness that she brings to the role is something that is going to be etched in my mind forever! “Though she be but little she is fierce,” perfectly describes Tucker because she is a powerhouse. If you are lucky enough to catch her on the West End, do so! If not, do yourself a favor and YouTube “Rachel Tucker” because you will be just as amazed as I was the first, and three other times I saw her on Broadway! - Laura Furlipa BRANDON URANOWITZ: As a longtime fan of the original production of Falsettos, the revival was my most anticipated show of the season. When I heard about the revival cast, I was so excited, but I was definitely not expecting Brandon Uranowitz to be the standout. His performance as Mendel is the one of the most nuanced performances I've seen in all my years. He is deserving of all the praise. To me, he steals every scene he is in and brings something so beautiful of his own to the character of Mendel that is just so remarkable I can't even put my finger on it. – Laura Brown
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A Look Back
June 2022
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