Memorial Day weekend is upon us, so before the world heads off into a three-day weekend it's time for a look back at the week on Broadway! From a sneak peek at one of our favorite Broadway star's new TV outing to an overdose of Audra McDonald love, we've learned a lot in the last seven days. Read on below to find out what!
Sutton Foster’s New Show is Adorbs
We’ve watched Sutton Foster light up the Broadway stage in roles from Millie Dillmount to Reno Sweeney, so we were dying of excitement when we got our hands on an early access code to check out her new ABC Family TV series, Bunheads. We were right to be excited. The two-time Tony winner as a hard-drinking, wise-cracking showgirl who dances around with Kelly Bishop to Jim Croce? Sign us up.
Crutchie is a Diva
He’s all sweetness and smiles as Crutchie in Newsies, but in real life Andrew Keenan-Bolger can be a diva with a capital D. Newsies’ Ben Fankhauser and Tommy Bracco found that out the hard way, when they took Broadway.com on a backstage tour of the Nederlander Theatre. The pair witnessed Keenan-Bolger's dramatic dressing room exit and full-on faux hissy fit about not being chosen to host the tour himself. Please, a Keenan-Bolger being a diva? It’s called acting, people.
Meeting RuPaul Might Kill Cristin Milioti
It’s hard to imagine the earnest, plaid-wearing “Girl” in Once getting star struck at all, let alone by the glitteriest of reality TV stars. But Cristin Milioti, the Tony nominee who plays that character, is another story. Not only did she name RuPaul's Drag Race (season 4) as the TV show she’s obsessed with, she said that if the drag diva ever came to see Once, “We will need an ambulance on standby because I will black out and collapse.” Death by drag queen? There are way worse ways to go.
Sleeping with Debra Messing's Character Gets You Kicked Off Smash
Fake TV musical Bombshell finally has its star, but that was just one of the Smash bombshells dropped recently. Broadway vets Brian d’Arcy James and Will Chase won’t be returning for season two. James played Julia Houston (Debra Messing)’s husband, and Chase played the actor she had an affair with, so it looks like sleeping with Debra Messing’s character is the kiss of death. Yes, we know that Raza Jaffrey (Dev) and Jaime Cepero (Ellis) are also not returning. We’re not sayin’…we’re just sayin’.
Norm Lewis Wants to be the Male Audra McDonald
Porgy and Bess star Norm Lewis wants to be a little less Porgy and a little more Bess! When asked about his future plans, the Tony-nominated star told Broadway.com he’s got his heart set on doing more concerts, and he's taking inspiration from his leading lady. "I want to be the male Audra McDonald," he said. "She does her concerts and she loves it." Your WWAMD bracelet is in the mail, Norm.
Da'Vine Joy Randolph is All About Audra, Audra, Audra
If Norm Lewis has any competition in the Audra love department, it just might be from Ghost star Da’Vine Joy Randolph. When she shared her Tony secrets with Broadway.com, McDonald was her answer to nearly everything! Good thing Norm hasn't become the male Audra just yet, Da’Vine. How would you possibly choose?
Lea Michele Is Out of Tattoo Real Estate
It’s no secret that Glee star Lea Michele is a fan of tattoos—after all, she has 14 and she likes talking about them on national TV. On a recent Late Show appearance, the actress showed her some of her ink to host David Letterman (again!), but claims she's maxed out. Apparently, Michele likes keeping most of her tattoos out of sight, and all the “secret, hidden spots” on her body that allow for easy cover-up are ocupado. OK, Lea. If your whole wardrobe is like that Letterman dress, you're not making it any easier on yourself. Tough love.
Sister Act Has Street Cred
We know, we know, choosing which Broadway show to rap about is really hard. Don’t worry, Saturday Night Live did it for you! Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell were all about Raven-Symone and the singing nuns of Sister Act in the recent digital video short Lazy Sunday 2. Rapping about brunch, exercise and Broadway? Our moms can't wait for this album to drop.
Nina Arianda Won't Settle for Tony Danza
Nina Arianda was almost stumped when Broadway.com asked her to name her favorite celeb named Tony recently. The Venus in Fur nominee’s first instinct was to go with Tony Danza (fine with us!) but she was hell-bent on come up with a more creative answer. After much agonizing, Arianda settled on her real answer: “Tony Hopkins!” It's cool, Nina. We'll never tell Judith Light.
Neil Patrick Harris Gives Good ‘Stache
With the Tony Awards right around the corner, host Neil Patrick Harris is in town and boning up on his Broadway knowledge! After the awards host veteran checked out Peter and the Starcatcher, he gave nominated star Christian Borle a run for his money in a Black Stache-themed Photo Op. Looking good, NPH! You've got 15 days until the Tonys: let's make it happen. Nothing goes with black tie like a black 'stache.