FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT ON THIS DAY

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/19- Laura Osnes

Happy Birthday Laura Osnes! Osnes made her Broadway debut in the 2007 revival of Grease. On March 10, 2009 Osnes took over the role of Ensign Nellie Forbush from Tony Award nominee Kelli O'Hara, who went on maternity leave, in the Lincoln Center Theater Broadway revival of South Pacific. She then starred as Hope Harcourt, alongside Sutton Foster and Joel Grey, in the Broadway revival of Anything Goes. Osnes then played Bonnie Parker opposite Jeremy Jordan in Bonnie & Clyde, which opened at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre in 2011. She will soon lead the upcoming revival of Cinderella. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/18- Daphne Rubin-Vega

Happy Birthday Daphne Rubin-Vega! Rubin Vega is a two-time Tony and Drama Desk nominee and recipient of the Theater World, Obie, Blockbuster awards and was recently nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her role in Jack Goes Boating. She is perhaps best known for the roles she originated, including Mimi (RENT) and Conchita (Anna in the Tropics), both Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway shows for which she was nominated for the Tony award. She also originated the role of Rahmi (Gum), Sofia (Nilo Cruz' Two Sisters and a Piano), Canary Mary (Suzan-Lori Parks' Fucking A, Lucille Lortel nomination) and Lucy (Jack Goes Boating) at the Public Theater, as well as starred in the Broadway revivals of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Magenta) and Les Mis, ('Fantine') and most recently, The New Group's Blood From a Stone ('Yvette') opposite Ethan Hawke.' (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/17- Brent Carver

Happy Birthday Brent Carver! Carver is best known for his performances on Broadway in Kiss of the Spider Woman as Molina, for which he won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical in 1993, Fiddler on the Roof, and Parade as Leo Frank. Carver originated the role of Gandalf in the Toronto stage production of The Lord of the Rings and has appeared in several Soulpepper Theatre Company productions such as The Wild Duck, Don Carlos and the Pirate King in the 1985 production of The Pirates of Penzance. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/16- MARY POPPINS

Today in 2006, Mary Poppins opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre, where it is still running. Mary Poppins is a Walt Disney Theatrical musical based on the similarly titled series of children's books by P. L. Travers and the 1964 Disney film. It received seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, winning for Best Scenic Design. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/15- RAGTIME

Today in 2009, the first Broadway revival of Ragtime opened at Neil Simon Theatre, where it ran for 65 performances. The musical garnered four Tony Awards including Best Book, Original Score and Best Orchestrations. The beloved Ahrens and Flaherty score features some of the award-winning team's best-known songs including the title song, 'Make Them Hear You' and the anthem 'The Wheels of a Dream.' (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/14- CHICAGO

Today in 1996, the first Broadway revival of Chicago opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, and it continues to run at the Ambassador Theatre. Chicago is a musical set in Prohibition-era Chicago, with music is by John Kander with lyrics by Fred Ebb and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Chicago's 1996 Broadway revival holds the record for the longest-running musical revival on Broadway and is its fourth longest-running show. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/13- BILLY ELLIOT

Today in 2008, Billy Elliot opened at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 1312 performances. Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes. The story of his personal struggle and fulfillment are balanced against a counter-story of family and community strife caused by the UK miners' strike in County Durham, in North Eastern England. It won ten Tony Awards and ten Drama Desk Awards, including, in each case, best musical. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/12- GRAND HOTEL

Today in 1989, Grand Hotel opened at the Martin Beck Theatre (now the Al Hirschfeld Theatre) where it ran for 1017 performances. Grand Hotel is a musical with a book by Luther Davis and music and lyrics by Robert Wright and George Forrest, with additional lyrics and music by Maury Yeston. Based on the 1929 Vicki Baum novel and play, Menschen im Hotel (People in a Hotel), and the subsequent 1932 MGM feature film, the musical focuses on events taking place over the course of a weekend in an elegant hotel in 1928 Berlin and the intersecting stories of the eccentric guests of the hotel, including a fading prima ballerina; a fatally ill Jewish bookkeeper, who wants to spend his final days living in luxury; a young, handsome, but destitute Baron; a cynical doctor; and a typist dreaming of Hollywood success. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/11- Jackie Hoffman

Happy Birthday Jackie Hoffman! Hoffman was seen on Broadway as Grandma in The Addams Family. Her other Broadway credits include Xanadu and Hairspray (for which she received the Theatre World Award). Off-Broadway she has been seen in Regrets Only, Pride & Joy, Book of Liz (Obie Award), Straightjacket, Incident at Cobbler's Knob, and One Woman Shoe. Regional credits include Second City (Jeff Award), Sisters Rosensweig. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/9- LES MISERABLES

Today in 2006, the first Broadway revival of Les Miserables opened at the Broadhurst Theatre, where it ran for 463 performances. Written by Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables is set in early 19th-century France. The plot follows the stories of many characters as they struggle for redemption and revolution. In January 2010, it played its ten-thousandth performance in London, at Queen's Theatre in London's West End. On 3 October 2010, the show celebrated its 25th anniversary with three productions running in the same city: the original show at London's West End; the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary touring production at the original home of the show, the Barbican Centre; and the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary concert at London's O2 Arena. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/8- YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

Today in 2007, Young Frankenstein opened at the Hilton Theatre (now the Foxwoods Theatre), where it ran for 485 performances. Young Frankenstein is a musical with a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan and music and lyrics by Brooks. It is based on the 1974 comedy film of the same name written by Brooks and Gene Wilder and directed by Brooks, who has described it as his best film. It is a parody of the horror film genre, especially the 1931 Universal Pictures adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and its 1939 sequel, Son of Frankenstein. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/7- GODSPELL

Today in 2011, Godspell opened at the Circle in the Square Theatre, where it ran for 264 performances. Godspell is a musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak. It opened off Broadway on May 17, 1971, and has played in various touring companies and revivals many times since.The structure of the musical is that of a series of parables, based on the Gospel of Matthew (though three of the parables featured are recorded only in the Gospel of Luke). These are then interspersed with a variety of modern music set primarily to lyrics from traditional hymns, with the passion of Christ treated briefly near the end of the performance. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/6- Michael Cerveris

Happy Birthday Michael Cerveris! Cerveris, who currently plays 'Juan Peron' in Evita, has also appeared on Broadway in In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), Cymbeline, LoveMusik, Sweeney Todd, Children And Art, Passion, Assassins, Titanic and The Who's Tommy. His Off-Broadway credits include Road Show, King Lear, an oak tree, The Apple Tree, Wintertime, Fifth of July, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Blood Sports and Total Eclipse. Cerveris has also performed in regional productions of Anyone Can Whistle, Spring Awakening, Sunday in the Park with George, Chess and more. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/5- Andrea McArdle

Happy Birthday Andrea McArdle! As 'Annie,' McArdle became the youngest performer ever to be nominated for a Tony Award as Best Lead Actress in a Musical. Also on Broadway, she starred in the Jerry Herman musical Jerry's Girls alongside Carol Channing and Leslie Uggams; she portrayed the sassy Smoking Car, Ashley, in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express; and starred as Margy Frake in State Fair; as Fantine in Les Miserables and, most recently as Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/2- GREY GARDENS

Today in 2006, Grey Gardens opened at the Walter Kerr Theatre, where it ran for 307 performances. Grey Gardens is a musical with book by Doug Wright, music by Scott Frankel, and lyrics by Michael Korie, based on the 1975 documentary of the same title about the lives of Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale ('Big Edie') and her daughter Edith Bouvier Beale ('Little Edie') by Albert and David Maysles. The Beales were Jacqueline Kennedy's aunt and cousin, respectively. Set at Grey Gardens, the Bouviers' mansion in East Hampton, New York, the musical tracks the progression of the two women's lives from their original status as rich and socially polished aristocrats to their eventual largely isolated existence in a home overrun by cats and cited for repeated health code violations. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 11/1- Beth Leavel

Happy Birthday, Beth Leavel! Beth received Tony, Drama Desk, NY Outer Critics Circle and L.A. Drama Critics Awards for her performance as the title character in The Drowsy Chaperone. Beth also received a Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle nomination for her role as Florence Greenberg in Baby It's You. She recently performed the roles of Sally Adams in Call Me Madam at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, M'Lynn in Steel Magnolias at the North Carolina Theatre and the much put upon maid, Berthe, in Boeing-Boeing at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Other Broadway roles Emily in Elf, Donna in Mamma Mia!, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Dorothy Brock in the revival of 42nd Street, Tess in the original company of Crazy For You, Mrs. Bixby in The Civil War,Ellie in Hal Prince's Showboat, and Anytime Annie (her Broadway debut) in 42nd Street. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 10/31- THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS

Today in 2010, The Scottsboro Boys opened at the Lyceum Theatre, where it ran for 49 performances. The Scottsboro Boys is a musical with a book by David Thompson, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Based on the Scottsboro Boys trial, the musical is one of the last collaborations between Kander and Ebb prior to the latter's death. The musical has the framework of a minstrel show, altered to 'create a musical social critique.' Despite closing on Broadway in December 2010, the show received twelve Tony Award nominations in May 2011, but failed to win any. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 10/30- WICKED

Today in 2003, Wicked opened at the Gershwin Theatre, where it is still running. Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. Wicked tells the story of two unlikely friends, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) and Glinda (the Good Witch of the North), who struggle through opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love-interest, reactions to the Wizard's corrupt government, and, ultimately, Elphaba's public fall from grace. Its original stars included Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, and Joel Grey as the Wizard. The original Broadway production won 3 Tony Awards and 6 Drama Desk Awards whilst its cast album received a Grammy Award. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 10/29- FINIAN'S RAINBOW

Today in 2009, Finian's Rainbow opened at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 92 performances. Finian's Rainbow is a musical with a book by E.Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg, and music by Burton Lane. The 1947 Broadway production ran for 725 performances. Finian moves to the southern United States (the fictional state of Missitucky is a humorous combination of Mississippi and Kentucky) from Ireland with his daughter Sharon, to bury a stolen pot of gold near Fort Knox, in the mistaken belief that it will grow. A leprechaun follows them, desperate to recover his treasure before the loss of it turns him permanently human. Complications arise when a bigoted and corrupt U.S. Senator gets involved, and when wishes are made inadvertently over the hidden crock. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 10/27- Elena Roger

Happy Birthday Elena Roger! In 2006, after a lengthy search, Argentinean actress Elena Roger became an overnight sensation starring in the title role in Michael Grandage's widely hailed production of EVITA in the West End. A complete unknown to the rest of the world, Roger starred in multiple theatrical productions and television shows in her native Argentina. Most recently Roger won the 2009 Olivier Award for Best Actress for her performance as Edith Piaf in The Donmar Theatre production of Piaf. She currently stars in the title role in Evita at the Palace Theatre. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 10/26- Anthony Rapp

Happy Birthday Anthony Rapp! An actor since the age of six, Rapp has appeared on Broadway in Precious Sons (Outer Critics Circle Award), Six Degrees of Separation and the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. His films include Adventures in Babysitting, School Ties, Dazed and Confused, Six Degrees of Separation, David Searching, Man of the Century, Road Trip, A Beautiful Mind, Open House, Winter Passing, Danny Roane: First Time Director and Scaring the Fish. His book, Without You: a Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent, about his experiences on and offstage, was published in 2006 by Simon & Schuster and became a national bestseller. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 10/25- Adam Pascal

Happy Birthday Adam Pascal! Pascal received Obie and Theatre World awards and Tony and Drama Desk nominations for best actor for Rent. On Broadway, he also originated the role of Radames in the hit musical Aida and starred as the Emcee in the long-running revival of Cabaret. His film credits include Rent, School of Rock, SLC Punk!, Temptation and Goyband. He most recently starred in Memphis on Broadway. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 10/24- Raul Esparza

Happy Birthday Raul Esparza! Since making his Broadway debut, Esparza has become only the second actor to receive Tony nominations in all four eligible acting categories. Most recently he took on the role of con artist Jonas Nightingale in the Broadway musical adaptation of Leap of Faith directed by Christopher Ashley. Additional Broadway credits include The Rocky Horror Show, Taboo, Company, Arcadia, and more! (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 10/23- PIPPIN

Today in 1972, Pippin opened at the Imperial Theatre, where it ran for 1944 performances. Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious acting troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. The original cast included: Eric Berry, Jill Clayburgh, Leland Palmer, Irene Ryan, Ben Vereen, and John Rubinstein. (more...)

STAGE TUBE: On This Day 10/22- FOOTLOOSE

Today in 1998, Footloose opened at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, where it ran for 709 performances. Footloose is a 1998 musical based on the 1984 film of the same name. The music is by Tom Snow (among others), the lyrics by Dean Pitchford (with additional lyrics by Kenny Loggins), and the book by Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. It starred Jeremy Kushnier as Ren McCormack, Stephen Lee Anderson as Reverend Shaw Moore, Jennifer Laura Thompson as Ariel Moore, Tom Plotkin as Willard Hewitt, and Dee Hoty as Vi Moore. (more...)