Happy Friday/Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth Reunion Day! We know it's a lot to ask, but please take a break from watching their "For Good" music video, because there's so much to catch up on. It's been a wild seven days on Broadway, from some history-making Tony nominations to some history-making Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards to Ben Whishaw maybe considering filing a restraining order. Take it all in below; it's time for the Lessons of the Week!
The Tonys Are More Wicked Than Ever
The Tony nominations have finally arrived, and there’s a certain show that got a lot of love. No, not Hamilton. That’s right: Let 2016 be remembered as the year of Wicked. Two Elphabas—Carmen Cusack and Saycon Sengbloh—received nods; former G(a)linda Megan Hilty—picked up her first. The list goes on, and we assume this means another “Defying Gravity” performance at the Tonys. Ahh-ahh-ah-ah-ahh!
The BACAs Are Totally F**ked...Again
If the Tony nominations are all about Hamilton Wicked, the Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards are all about Hamilton Spring Awakening. On top of the revival winning, original stars Jonathan Groff and John Gallagher Jr. picked up trophies. We're just saying, Lea Michele: This would be a good time if you wanted to come back. Perhaps The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? (Sorry, wrong Lea Michele.)
Ben Walker's Dog Is Psycho for a Pig
American Psycho has everything from a blood-soaked orgy to a vomiting Alice Ripley. It’s a lot, but fortunately, Benjamin Walker’s dog Arnie is here to make it simpler. In Jenn Damiano's latest vlog, Arnie barked for his stuffed pig toy. This, according to Walker, was a metaphor for the consumerism of the ‘80s that led to Patrick Bateman's rampage. So if you see Psycho and get confused, think of puppies.
Don't Give Sofia Bananas or Coconuts
Sofia has plenty to cry “hell no” for in The Color Purple, but when she’s offstage, Tony nominee Danielle Brooks exudes radiance and positivity. That being said, she still has a hell-no list: bananas, coconuts and bad attitudes. We get that last one, but what’s so bad about the first two? Note: If you were planning on making these for her, we'll gladly accept them on her behalf at Broadway.com HQ.
Brightman + Summers = Squad Goals
If you're the type of person to joke about how no one calls each other anymore, just look at the relationship between Alex Brightman and Marc Summers. While side by side with Susan Blackwell, the School of Rock Tony nominee called up our favorite Double Dare/Unwrapped host, and Summer immediately picked up. Wow. Squad goals...and telephone courtesy goals.
AKB Has a Ben Whishy-Washy Secret
We know all about Andrew Keenan-Bolger's fascination with Ben Whishaw. (Exhibit A.) So it should come as no surprise that when Whishaw (and the whole Crucible cast) wished Tuck Everlasting a "beautiful" run, Andrew stole the note for his own dressing room. A note's fine, AKB, but what about the real deal? We hear Ben loves Flamin' Hot Cheetos...and Froot Loop-scented things. You've got this!
Burstein & Luker Are (Probably) Evil
Danny Burstein and Rebecca Luker are two of the kindest people on Broadway. Just ask anyone in the business…except for maybe Adam Dannheisser. Burstein’s Fiddler co-star has a theory that because the pair is so nice, they must unmask when they're home alone to reveal their true, demonic forms. This actually works out great: when Luker’s done in Fun Home, she can unmask and play Fruma Sarah.
We Hope Rob McClure Likes Eggs
After literally leaping into his jacket in Noises Off, Rob McClure’s about to figuratively hop into some ruffles in Something Rotten!. He’ll take over for Brian d’Arcy James in a few weeks. We hope he likes eggs—and for our sake, can find a way to incorporate his uncanny Nathan Lane impression. The show is essentially The Producers meets Shakespeare, right? When there’s a Will, there’s a way, Rob.
Broadway Doesn't Play on Star Wars Day
Was the Fourth with you this week? Because it def was with B'way. On May the Fourth, John Boyega and Daisy Ridley—the two breakout stars of The Force Awakens—were tapped for big, theatrical classics: Woyzeck at the Old Vic and the Hamlet-based movie Ophelia. On top of that, Lin-Manuel Miranda brought out J. J. Abrams for the latest #Ham4Ham show. Now, about that actual Star Wars musical...
Tommy Kail Didn't Talk to Lin at One Point
Lin-Manuel Miranda has some fancy friends now that Hamilton is a record-breaking hit. Everyone seems to be tight with him, but there’s one guy who’s too cool for even Lin: director Thomas Kail. The two went to Wesleyan together, but since Kail was a senior when Miranda was a freshman, he kept his distance—especially when Lin was caught stealing lights. This sounds like the start of the Next Great American Musical. How does a freshman/at Wesleyan/swipe some lights from a gymnasium...