BroadwayGirlNYC: Here's to the Actors who Tweet

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the first preview of Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Anything Goes at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.  

Sutton Foster was sensational. Joel Grey was hilarious.  But you know who I spent most of my time watching?  Ensemble member Raymond J. Lee.  Why, you may ask?  It's because, despite never having met the man in person, I feel like I know him a little bit.  By following his tweets and even conversing with him via twitter, I've been given the opportunity to get to know the actor off the stage; and that made me feel like I was supporting a friend, not a stranger, in the debut performance of his new Broadway show.  

Twitter has provided the means for celebrities of all types to communicate with their fans in an intimate way -- one on one -- without needing to be face to face.  It's wonderful how many of them have embraced the medium, and used it to let us into their worlds.  It's even better when they reach out to thank us for our support, respond to questions, or engage in conversation.  140 characters at a time, I've developed a whole new set of online friends who are all on Broadway.  The acknowledgement of us "little people" makes me appreciate them in a bigger way, and makes me want to support them onstage in everything they do.

My first famous twitter friend was Andrew Kober, who was tweeting up a storm at the peak of success for the Broadway blockbuster HAIR.  While Gavin Creel and Will Swenson were the dreamboats of the show, Andrew Kober became the fan favorite.  Twitter had everything to do with that -- not only did Kober use his account to post funny quips, photos and backstage videos, but he also responded to fans every day, encouraging our adoration by making us feel like maybe we were cool enough to hang out with a Broadway star.  

Hot on Kober's heels was a man who has quickly become one of my favorites: Priscilla: Queen of the Desert actor Tad Wilson.  Before being cast in Priscilla, Tad was in Rock of Ages, in a role that mostly had him singing from an off-stage mic.  He didn't allow that to keep him from interacting with audiences; on the contrary, he became the most vocal twitterer in the cast. From stories about his castmates to tips on auditioning for burgeoning actors, his attention to his fan-base made it grow exponentially.  To this day I call Tad my "twittercrush," since every time he tweets I'm reminded how a little bit of reciprocal attention can make the day of a fan like me.

You might recognize Telly Leung from his role as Wes (a prominent member of the Dalton Warblers) on "Glee," but he's a Broadway stalwart, having appeared in Pacific Overtures, Flower Drum Song, and RENT (along with the upcoming Allegiance, in which he'll costar with Lea Salonga).  I LOVE getting tweets from Telly, maybe because I feel like I "knew him when".  I've never actually met the guy, but I've certainly admired him afar for years; so to hear from him directly over twitter -- especially now that he's gained national fame -- feels pretty special, and makes me want to pay to see anything he's in. 

It's not just the boys.  Sassy leading lady Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde) has been away from Broadway doing the Country Music thing, but it hasn't stopped her from twittering away with the theatre fans that still love her.  Laura Bell was one of the first actresses I saw on a big stage when I was a little girl (Off-Broadway in Ruthless); I've admired her since, so to have even an online interaction with her feels pretty special.  (Plus, her tweets are overall hilarious -- she never seems to hold anything back!)  

Two of my favorites are Daisy Eagan -- who won a Tony in 1991 for The Secret Garden, when she was just 11 years old -- and Natalie Hill, who is currently preparing for the opening of Wonderland after covering the lead in Bye Bye Birdie last year.  Both have come to feel like my friends, engaging in twitter conversations replete with emoticons and x's & o's.  I haven't gotten to see either onstage since our back-and-forth twittering began, but you better believe I'll get my tickets right away any time either of them has a show to put on.  It's amazing what a little bit of online conversation can do to get me in a seat.

There is nothing like a tweet from a legend.  Two that are especially active on twitter -- especially when it comes to interacting with fans -- are Betty Buckley and Ben Vereen. From retweeting to answering questions to sharing exclusive information, these are two whose tweets I always look forward to.  Their resumes are extensive, their reputations impeccable, and their talent off-the-charts.  You'd think these two would have grown egos that would keep them far from the "common people" like us.  But no -- they're kind, witty, and extremely generous with their responses to fans who tweet them.  They've embraced this new technology as a way to converse with those who have supported them all these years.  

There are countless Broadway actors who have brought conversation to twitter, giving us a glance into their lives off-stage.  I live for what they write each day, waiting to glean the next little piece of knowledge that acts as a window into the industry I love above all else.  Twitter has become a remarkable way for us to become more than just audience members, and to feel connected in a bigger way across the Broadway industry.   

Consider this a public thank you not only to those listed above, but to all of the theatre insiders who have taken the time to interact with their fanbase via social media of any kind.  We love you so, and when you dish in 140-characters, it makes us feel the love reflected back at us, even when we're away from the theatres in which you shine.

Click here for my recent list of the 100 theatre twitterers you must follow.