Happy Friday, and happy Aaron Tveit day! Yes, it's true: Every day feels like Aaron Tveit day at Broadway.com HQ, but we hope you're wearing your ceremonial salmon shorts and shower-singing "The Thong Song" in honor of his birthday. Despite the national holiday, it was still a busy week on the Great White Way, from a screaming match between streetlamp crooners and alley cats to the ultimate power pantsuit. Catch up on all you may have missed over the past seven days with the Lessons of the Week!
Mark Ballas Loves to Scream at Cats
What's a Jersey Boy to do between shows on Saturday? Yelling at a bunch of Jellicles sounds reasonable. In his premiere Jersey Boys vlog episode, Mark Ballas showed viewers a weekly tradition: yelling across the street to the cast of Cats every Saturday at five. The guys at the August Wilson may be able to walk like a man, but are they cock of the walk when they're walking alone?
Jellicle Cats Are Probably Messy Bakers
Even if they're getting screamed at by some Broadway New Jerseyans, the cats of Cats know how to party: with lots and lots of...flour. At a recent Broadway.com photo shoot, the assortment of Jellicles made a beautiful mess using flour for some nifty effects. Such culinary talents would be great on Broadway Nosh, but we suspect it's hard to cook with paws.
Wanna Sing Dreamgirls? Holliday's Got Tips
Jennifer Holliday knows how to serve face when singing—particularly during "And I Am Telling You." Evidently, some people aren't fans of the expressions she makes, but the new Color Purple star explains that they're necessary to get through that song and role, and if you turn on American Idol, you'll see singers making those exact faces. Let's just say she is telling you: those mouth shapes are not going.
Beanie Feldstein Is Not Bette's Codename
Beanie Feldstein will appear on Broadway this spring in Hello, Dolly! Bette Midler will appear on Broadway this spring in Hello, Dolly! Despite what Kate Baldwin might tell you, Beanie Feldstein is not Bette Midler. Baldwin initially suspected the former was an alias for the latter in a cast email. Clearly, if wasn't. Good theory, Kate, but let's leave the case-solving to Jessica Fletcher.
Betsy & Tracie Are Their Own Moms
The whole "I'm turning into my mother" trope hits close to home over at Falsettos. Betsy Wolfe and Tracie Thoms, who play Cordelia and Charlotte in the revival, revealed they both look just like their respective moms once in their '80s getups for the show. They also discussed their limited knowledge of social media (wait, wasn't Thoms on Catfish?), and we have to admit, that seems like a pretty cliche mom trait.
Veronica Dunne's Showers Are Awakening
Everyone has their go-to shower song, but Veronica Dunne has her go-to shower show. The Chicago fresh face admitted to singing Spring Awakening when showering, and by singing Spring Awakening, we mean singing through the entire show. Good for you, Veronica, but readers, maybe don't try this unless heat/hot water is included in your rent and your roommates enjoy cold showers.
Leslie Kritzer Found Her Taco Truck
Remember when we were trying to find Leslie Kritzer a taco truck for some mysterious project? Well, she found one, gave it to her "Jew-Rican" counterpart Riff-Tina, resulting in a music video containing riffing Clinton supporters, dragged out Trump followers and—yes—the aforementioned taco truck. We're glad you found what you needed, Kritz! Now, about that three-dozen taco commission...
Chekhov Is Key to Understanding Trump
There's only one person who can make sense of this election cycle: Anton Chekhov. (Fine, and Laura Benanti.) At The Cherry Orchard's opening, we had the stars determine whether quotes were from the Russian playwright or the presidential nominee (who definitely has no ties to Russia). The one true winner was Diane Lane, who asserted: “No D.T. time on Diane time.” Words to live by.
The Noodle Family Has Five Tonys
Want to be in the Noodle clan? Great, just make sure you have a Tony first. Daveed Diggs is joining the wacky family on Sesame Street next season, joining fellow Tony winners Bill Irwin, Kristin Chenoweth, Sarah Jones and the late Michael Jeter. It's the most prestigious theater family since the Barrymores, the Redgraves... the Keenan-Bolgers?
Miss Celie Also Makes Pantsuits
Look—we said look—are you looking? Look who's wearing the pantsuit now! The Color Purple's Cynthia Erivo rocked this sequined getup while belting out in support of Hillary Clinton. A power pantsuit is totally appropriate attire for such an occasion. She's beautiful—yes, she's beautiful—and...she's...with her!