Broadway's Backbone - Page 3

In this episode: Broadway Debut Special Episode with Mary Claire King (War Paint) Elliot Mattox (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) and Kristen Smith Davis (Anastasia). These three talented performers are over the moon about making their debut in the 2017 season. They share their surprises, expectations, and fears and learned that sometimes you just have to stop and breathe. The biggest shock was realizing that when confronted with this ominous task at had, they were more than capable and that when preparation meets opportunity, embrace it.

In this episode: ROMAN HOLIDAY's associate Hair Designer Mitchell Beck talks about how the hair department is the first  to arrive at the theatre, the last to leave, and they are usually kept in the basement.  He wasn't ready for New York City, but after 14 years of touring, realized it was NYC or back to Indiana.  He shares that hair in theatre, TV, and film are all the same language, just a different dialect; that creating wigs is similar to sculpting; and that the hair room is like the kitchen of the party... the best place to be. 

n this episode: Juliet Fischer was on track to be a Prima-Ballerina until the puberty fairy came a smacked her with a wand. After years of touring, being a Rockette, and toe tapping in PBS' 'Crazy for You' she finally made her Broadway debut.

In this episode: Felicia Finley, soon to be in The Muny's 'All Shook Up' was born in the Appalachian Mountains, raised in New Orleans, and simply tells it like it is. She started off in ballet, toured, was in the ensemble, was a swing, and then a stand-by and now cemented herself as a leading lady. It was Cy Colman who pushed her to embrace centerstage. Felicia is a woman that has the motto: know who you are, be yourself, and clip coupons along the way.

In this episode: Keenah Armitage began her career as a modern dancer, performed on Broadway and at Radio City, and now is a thriving success coach. With the goal of eradicating the term 'starving artist,' Keenah inspires and encourages musical theatre performers to clearly focus on their career intentions, overcoming fear, taking one's power back, and to truly accept: what's mine is mine. With a philosophy that there is plenty for everyone and abundance is a reality, Keenah begins her coaching with first discovering how to detach from the outcome.

In this episode: Katrina Yaukey of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, is a quadruple threat, having made a Broadway career singing, dancing, acting and playing instruments; which she feels is just an extension of her voice. She is equally talented at all four and has found her niche. Kat has embraced her uniqueness and has combined her individually with her marketability. She was an oboe major in school, made her Broadway debut after submitting a cassette tape, and today runs up and down stairs at the Imperial Theatre with hot pink in her hair, playing an accordion.

In this episode: School of Rock's Jay Gill and Wagner Professor Alan Smith share their insights of being on the fronts lines with a Broadway ensemble member. Being a dresser is so much more than the wardrobe. Its about personality navigation, people-skills, knowing that connections go a long way, and that life and ensembles are best when they are a mix of people. Whether dealing with giraffe heads or ball gowns, cowboy boots or spike heels, at the end of the day, a simple thank you can be priceless.

 In this episode: Broadway's Beth Johnson Nicely was just thrust back into the audition world after the closing of Something Rotten, but with her tap shoes in hand she is forever moving forward. New York has forced this Ohio gal to grow up in the business, but it hasn't darkened her truly nice spirit.  She may not carry headshots developed in her high school darkroom in her purse anymore, but this sweet girl knows the difference between being sexy verses sexual, is self aware,  and will continue to love learning; because that is what makes her strong (and also Body by Simone).

 In this episode: Adam Perry of the Public's Joan of Arc: Into the Fire grew up in the rural mountains of conservative Tennessee, where he learned how to hide his true self. Since then, he's reinvented himself from an awkward teen in husky jeans into one of Broadways most sought after male ensemble members. This southern gentleman talks about the realities of social media, how he never thought he'd be 'cool' enough to be on Broadway and how his biggest dream was to be a performer at Dollywood (which is actually where he was when he found out he would make his Broadway debut).

 IN TRANSIT's Nicholas Ward made his Broadway debut in his mid-30s in ON THE TOWN and now has a featured role in the a cappella musical, where he is the foundation of the chord. Growing up 'in the sticks' he never dreamed he'd be creating music on Broadway, but with some faith, a good foundation, and the trust that life will come full circle, he is on the rise. It's his appreciation of magical moments that makes him so congenial, but it's his knowledge that they must be shared that makes him so special. 

In this episode: Asolo Rep's Miss Adelaide, Veronica J Kuehn, has currently given up her gypsy robe for a mink stole in 'Guys and Dolls'. She sacrificed walking on graduation to make her Broadway debut and continued a career in bikinis, on roller skates, and with puppets. In this episode she shares things she wished she'd known before hitting NYC, breaking away from the ensemble, and how being focused and fearless paved the way for a young chorine to become a leading lady.

In this episode: Todd Anderson began is career with Twyla Tharp, made his Broadway debut with Hugh Jackman, and then went on to cover 36 tracks in 4 different companies as Wicked's universal swing. He grew up in Texas in the 80s when being 'different' wasn't always easy. With the mantra of 'I just never thought I couldn't,' he pounded the pavement, dancing with the skill of finding his quiet place to survive the concrete jungle.

In this episode: Wes Pope & Richie Mastascusa have performed on Broadway, the West End, and at Radio City Music Hall. They've graced the silver screen and television in everything from Gap commercials to Dr. Oz. They we the first gay couple to be on 'Fear Factor' and are known for facing the fear factor of the next chapter of their careers. The thing that makes this episode so special is their joy of life or 'joie de vivre'. They solve everything from showbiz to politics with laughter, and its contagious. In today's climate, listen to these two talented men face the unknown, giggling all the way.

In this episode: Broadway's Michael Cusumano won the World's top medal for ballet at the age of 14 in Bulgaria, and at 15 was the youngest company member of ABT. In this episode, Michael talks about his transition from the ballet world to the world of musical theatre, how he confronted male body issues and learned to not hate his body, and says that teaching is what currently fills his heart. He has dealt with bullying and self-doubt, but has made brave decisions about his career because he now follows his inner-voice.

The Legendary Chita Rivera got her musical theatre start at the age of 17 on the 1st national tour of 'Call Me Madam' and every step since then has paved the way to making her Carnegie Hall debut on Monday Nov. 7th 2016 at 8:00 in Chita: Nowadays. Chita refers to herself as an eternal gypsy, talks about how dancing is acting without words, and that listening is the best way to learn the craft. With ten Tony nominations and two wins, and with consummate wisdom and skill, Chita shares that many of the disciplines that made her a star, she learned from dancing in the chorus. When the universe opens a door, Chita Rivera always peeks in. 

In this episode: Wicked's Jerad Bortz has lit up the Gershwin stage for 11 years and has the attitude of, 'I get to do this everyday' and shares that experience with his cast and audience. After getting his first encouragement from his Grandma, he learned how to swing in a theme park (36 tracks), made his Broadway in Mamma Mia!, and says 'Yes' to life.

In this episode: Janelle A. Robinson trained in opera but always had a love for musical theatre. She has cake walked to "Can't Help Loving that Man" and gave out letters in "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.' Janelle talks about being classical trained, becoming a a teacher, race relations in theater, her truth on the myths of non traditional casting, and still being miffed she didn't get cast as Maria in "Sound of Music' as child.

Kinky Boots' Nathan Peck gives an honest take on the reality of aging as a dancer, the toll injuries take on the mind (not just the body), and the sadness one feels when one just cant do what he used to. That being said, Nathan is embracing becoming a character man, loves choreography as just acting with movement, is just a natural comedian, and can still kick 171 degrees. (loosing the 19 degrees is only noticeable to him)

In this episode: On Your Feet's David Baida- If you were to combine phrases like: 'Slow and steady wins the race,' 'Don't give up on your dreams,' 'Perseverance is the key,' you'd find the career of David Baida. His story spans 20 years of not giving up, finding his creativity outside NYC and within himself, and leaving the business many times. Now he can say its because of Lin-Manuel Miranda that he's working with Gloria Estefan.

In this episode: Susann Fletcher- a whore for Tommy Tune, a Stripper for Jerome Robbins, and a damsel in distress in Bloodsucking Pharoahs in Pittsburgh. She has enough career stories to fill a novel. At her emotional core she is just grateful to still be in this business with her tribe. She plans to continue to break down barriers, mentor the future, and persevere when the inner demons want to set up shop in her head. All the greatness came out of the need to correct a childhood club foot.