JK's TheatreScene

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Summer Bracket 2026: Where Do 21st Century Broadway Musicals Come From? The Elite 8

Each summer, we play a Broadway themed bracket game using your votes on a particular topic. This year, the topic is 21st Century Musicals and their sources. Inspired by the relative lack of completely original musicals like Maybe Happy Ending and Two Strangers, we thought this summer we'd settle, for once and for all which musical from the last 25 years is the very best based on another source.

This week is The Sweet 16! You'll be voting to name the shows that will move on to next week's Elite 8 round!

Summer Bracket 2026:

Musical Sources

The Elite 8

You can see from the bracket above which shows on the left side moved on to this round. This week, we have 8 musicals, all of which are worthy to make it to next week's Final 4! Tough choices this time around!

Select one show from each pair. Consider the entire production and how well it used its source material to create a new piece of art.
When you are done all of the pairs (all are required), be sure to tap the SUBMIT button at the end to record your vote.
The poll is 100% secure and no personal information is collected.

This week's round will close at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, July 28th. (Haven't voted before? No worries! Join the fun this week!)

Thanks for playing along this summer!

Monday, July 20, 2026

Broadway 3-peat: Score Edition: The Lost Boys

Our Broadway 3-peat series continues with a look at three songs in a row - no skipping from a new score. This week, in honor of the July 24 release of their Original Broadway Cast Recording, we take a look at three great tunes that close out act one of The Lost Boys. To be honest, this score is so packed with excellent songs, it was hard to pick which three we'd name!

Broadway 3-peats:

Score Edition: The Lost Boys

The Tony-nominated score by The Rescues runs the gamut of edgy Broadway show tunes, soaring ballads and indy-rock bangers. All pay homage to the variety of 80s sounds so beloved of the time period, while sounding accessibly contemporary. Other favorites include the gorgeous duet "Wild," the fun and empowering "Superpower", and the breathtaking finale, "If We Make It Through the Night."

But these three represent the baring of the main character's soul, the seductive allure of danger, and the immediate consequences of giving in to temptation. What a close to a spine-tingling act!

Song 1: "My Heart With You" - David, Star, Marko, Dwayne, Paul and the Ensemble

Who wouldn't be seduced by those tight harmonies that sound almost like a religious call to action? Michael has accepted the offer to join their family and drinks the blood. They have convinced him that they have everything he is missing.

Song 2: "Belong to Someone" - Michael, David, Marko, Dwayne, Paul and the Ensemble

From the rite of passage to the iconic bridge scene, Michael is initiated and given a taste of what life will be like as part of the clan. He flies for the first time, and must face his fears by joining the Lost Boys in a jump from the train bridge. The soaring ballad matches the grandeur of the moment and the ache of loneliness met with the awakening of belonging.

Song 3: "Secret Comes Out" - Michael, Star, The Lost Boys, and the Ensemble

As the best Broadway act one finales do, all of the plot elements converge in a cliff-hanging climax. Here, Michael tries to reckon with what he is praying was some sort of dream, his mother pursues a new relationship, and his brother begins to realize that his worst fears are coming true. Meanwhile, The Lost Boys perform once again bringing the young people of Santa Carla to a frenzy as they fall under their spell. The harmonies here are breathtaking, especially the ominous final seconds of the track.

I, for one, cannot wait to get my hands on this recording! Of course, we'll do a full review in the coming weeks!

Friday, July 17, 2026

The Friday 5: Favorite Current Broadway Bit Players

5 Favorite Current Broadway Bit Players

They aren't above the title, and they aren't really supporting characters. But the shows they are in just wouldn't be the same without them! They are on. Then they are off. Then they blend back into the ensemble. Short time. Big impact. Here are 5 that we love that are currently brightening up the Broadway boards.

5. The Alien Showgirls from The Rocky Horror Show

Played by The Phantoms - What do you get when you cross a Vegas showgirl outfit with a one-eyed alien? A sign toting late night sci-fi hostess! They carry signs that warn us not to be assholes, and even told some audiences it was Knicks in 5! Just a first in a long line of zany costumes in a crazy revival. You may or may not agree with their signs say, but don't shoot the messenger!

4. Henry Ford from Ragtime

Played by Jason Forbach - He gets one of the catchier songs in the score - one of the few I wish was a bit longer. I love how it's the perfect sound for an assembly line, and has all the pompous bluster of an arrogant American. A small gem of a part, in a tapestry full of them.

3. The Sax Guy from The Lost Boys

Played by Cameron Loyal - This guy is an icon from the movie, and I can't imagine the musical without him. Thank goodness I didn't have to! The body, the oil, the smooth jazz... is it any wonder Sam has a sexual awakening when he sees him! And he sure can play!

2. Pete from Schmigadoon!

Played by Jess LeProtto - The goofy, clumsy guy who seems to appear in every Golden Age musical would naturally live in Schmigadoon, too, right? And in the hands of Jess, he's charming, sweet and pops up in fun and unexpected ways. For all his clumsiness, isn't it great that he can dance so well?

1. Sillabub from Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Played by Teddy Wilson, Jr. - This adaptation of the classic musical really clarified and deepened a lot of things in an otherwise light as a feather plot. One of the nicest surprises and most heartfelt things of that ilk is the sweet kitten Sillabub, who looks to Grizabella as a role model and mentor. Not only does it give the kitty more to do, but adds some weight to Grizabella's backstory; best of all is the deepening of Sillabub's verses in "Memory." Oh, how I'll miss this revival...

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Summer Bracket 2026: Where Do 21st Century Broadway Musicals Come From? The Sweet 16

This week is The Sweet 16! You'll be voting to name the shows that will move on to next week's Elite 8 round!

Summer Bracket 2026:

Musical Sources

The Sweet 16

You can see from the bracket above which shows on the left side moved on to this round. This week, we have 16 musicals, all based on films!

Select one show from each pair. Consider the entire production and how well it used its source material to create a new piece of art.
When you are done all of the pairs (all are required), be sure to tap the SUBMIT button at the end to record your vote.
The poll is 100% secure and no personal information is collected.

This week's round will close at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, July 21st. (Haven't voted before? No worries! Join the fun this week!)

Thanks for playing along this summer!

Friday, July 10, 2026

Broadway Games: Who Am I?: July Birthdays Edition

Broadway Games:

My Birthday Is In July. Who Am I?

There are many Broadway luminaries celebrating another trip around the sun this month. Can you name the actor, writer or director based on the three given clues? Good luck!

July 3:

Who am I?

I made my Broadway debut in a Tony-winning show perfect for the month of July.
I played one role in the movie version of this story, and I played another, bigger part in the short-lived musical version.
So far, I am the only Jellicle to win a Tony Award.

Who am I?

I celebrated Sondheim by singing "The Ladies Who Lunch" as a trio while drinking wine via Skype.
I am married to another Broadway star.
I credit my late, great friend Gavin Creel with my getting my most recent Tony-nominated role. It was a real mother!

July 4:

Who am I?

I am most well-known as a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright.
I won one of my Tonys for bring a Leading Actor in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
My wife is a beloved actress who was nominated last season for her role in a revival of one of my plays.

July 7:

Who am I?

I was born in Brazil, but have played a Frenchman in two Broadway shows.
I won the Tony. Drama Desk and Theatre World Awards for my Broadway debut.
I am also an acclaimed opera singer.

July 9:

Who am I?

I made my debut in a flop musical about the woman behind many girl groups, played by Beth Leavel.
I am probably most familiar to theater fans as a musicals guy, but I won my Tony for a play that also starred my current co-star.
I have a long history with my current show, for which I was nominated for a Best Leading Actor in a Musical Tony.

July 13:

Who am I?

I am a famous pop singer, who at one time was a backup singer for Celine Dion.
I have made a name for myself on the Broadway stage, making my debut as a replacement in the title role of Aida.
I play a real-life person in my current show, proving life vests really did work.

July 15:

Who am I?

I have co-starred in two different shows with my friend Patti LuPone.
I am probably best known outside of the theater scene for my impersonation of a certain First Lady.
I won my Tony for playing a famous ecdysiast.

July 16:

Who am I?

I am a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright, who is not afraid to get political.
I am the only playwright to have written the Tony winner for Best Play two years in a row.
I am recently famous for re-writing the beloved screenplay for West Side Story.

July 21:

Who am I?

I followed up my Broadway debut in The Who's Tommy by being an original cast member of The Lion King.
I am a character actor, most recently Tony-nominated for my corny turn in Shucked.
I am really proud of my even more recent Tony nomination as a producer of Cats: The Jellicle Ball.

July 22:

Who am I?

I am an EGOT.
I am a composer/lyricist of four Disney on Broadway productions. One is still currently running.
I wrote my most famous musical with my partner Howard Ashman, and it is a enjoying a very popular off-Broadway revival.

July 23:

Who am I?

I am a world-famous actor, beloved for my title role in 8 movies!
I won a Tony for a role in a musical revival of a notorious Broadway flop.
I recently played in the same theater where I earned my Tony. It was a one-man show.

Who am I?

I am the only actor that appeared on both the original and revival productions of Spring Awakening.
I was in the TV series that was the basis for a musical that was all about putting on a Broadway show. Unfortunately, it did not live up to its title.
I am currently back on Broadway in the longest-running musical revival in history.

July 24:

Who am I?

I made my Broadway debut wearing a dress made of cellophane.
I won my Tony in a largely re-written role in a musical revival based on a comic strip.
I made a cameo in the the film version of my most famous role.

Who am I?

I am an acclaimed composer/lyricist, touted as a newer generation Sondheim.
I wrote an acclaimed musical for Lincoln Center that starred another July Broadway baby.
I wrote an acclaimed, but flop Broadway musical that recently had an even more acclaimed run at City Center.

July 30:

Who am I?

I made my Broadway debut as Frenchy in the Tommy Tune revival of Grease!
I am married to a popular Broadway character actor.
I have become a successful and sought after director since my directorial debut of a recent Best Musical. That one was puzzling, but my next effort was a real circus!

STOP SCROLLING NOW!

The answers are below!

July 3:

Who am I?

I made my Broadway debut in a Tony-winning show perfect for the month of July.
I played one role in the movie version of this story, and I played another, bigger part in the short-lived musical version.
So far, I am the only Jellicle to win a Tony Award.

I AM BETTY BUCKLEY

Who am I?

I celebrated Sondheim by singing "The Ladies Who Lunch" as a trio while drinking wine via Skype.
I am married to another Broadway star.
I credit my late, great friend Gavin Creel with my getting my most recent Tony-nominated role. It was a real mother!

I AM AUDRA McDONALD

July 4:

Who am I?

I am most well-known as a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright.
I won one of my Tonys for bring a Leading Actor in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
My wife is a beloved actress who was nominated last season for her role in a revival of one of my plays.

I AM TRACY LETTS

July 7:

Who am I?

I was born in Brazil, but have played a Frenchman in two Broadway shows.
I won the Tony. Drama Desk and Theatre World Awards for my Broadway debut.
I am also an acclaimed opera singer.

I AM PAULO SZOT

July 9:

Who am I?

I made my debut in a flop musical about the woman behind many girl groups, played by Beth Leavel.
I am probably most familiar to theater fans as a musicals guy, but I won my Tony for a play that also starred my current co-star.
I have a long history with my current show, for which I was nominated for a Best Leading Actor in a Musical Tony.

I AM BRANDON URANOWITZ

July 13:

Who am I?

I am a famous pop singer, who at one time was a backup singer for Celine Dion.
I have made a name for myself on the Broadway stage, making my debut as a replacement in the title role of Aida.
I play a real-life person in my current show, proving life vests really did work.

I AM DEBORAH COX

July 15:

Who am I?

I have co-starred in two different shows with my friend Patti LuPone.
I am probably best known outside of the theater scene for my impersonation of a certain First Lady.
I won my Tony for playing a famous ecdysiast.

I AM LAURA BENANTI

July 16:

Who am I?

I am a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright, who is not afraid to get political.
I am the only playwright to have written the Tony winner for Best Play two years in a row.
I am recently famous for re-writing the beloved screenplay for West Side Story.

I AM TONY KUSHNER

July 21:

Who am I?

I followed up my Broadway debut in The Who's Tommy by being an original cast member of The Lion King.
I am a character actor, most recently Tony-nominated for my corny turn in Shucked.
I am really proud of my even more recent Tony nomination as a producer of Cats: The Jellicle Ball.

I AM KEVIN CAHOON

July 22:

Who am I?

I am an EGOT.
I am a composer/lyricist of four Disney on Broadway productions. One is still currently running.
I wrote my most famous musical with my partner Howard Ashman, and it is a enjoying a very popular off-Broadway revival.

I AM ALAN MENKEN

July 23:

Who am I?

I am a world-famous actor, beloved for my title role in 8 movies!
I won a Tony for a role in a musical revival of a notorious Broadway flop.
I recently played in the same theater where I earned my Tony. It was a one-man show.

I AM DANIEL RADCLIFFE

Who am I?

I am the only actor that appeared on both the original and revival productions of Spring Awakening.
I was in the TV series that was the basis for a musical that was all about putting on a Broadway show. Unfortunately, it did not live up to its title.
I am currently back on Broadway in the longest-running musical revival in history.

I AM KRYSTA RODRIGUEZ

July 24:

Who am I?

I made my Broadway debut wearing a dress made of cellophane.
I won my Tony in a largely re-written role in a musical revival based on a comic strip.
I made a cameo in the the film version of my most famous role.

I AM KRISTIN CHENOWETH

Who am I?

I am an acclaimed composer/lyricist, touted as a newer generation Sondheim.
I wrote an acclaimed musical for Lincoln Center that starred another July Broadway baby.
I wrote an acclaimed, but flop Broadway musical that recently had an even more acclaimed run at City Center.

I AM MICHAEL JOHN LACHIUSA

July 30:

Who am I?

I made my Broadway debut as Frenchy in the Tommy Tune revival of Grease!
I am married to a popular Broadway character actor.
I have become a successful and sought after director since my directorial debut of a recent Best Musical. That one was puzzling, but my next effort was a real circus!

I AM JESSICA STONE

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Summer Bracket 2026: Where Do 21st Century Broadway Musicals Come From? Round 4

This week, you'll be voting to name the 8 shows on the right side of the bracket that will move on to the Sweet 16 in a couple of weeks!

Summer Bracket 2026:

Musical Sources Round 4

(Movie-based Musicals)

You can see from the bracket above which shows on the left side moved on to this round. This week, we have 16 musicals, all based on films!

Select one show from each pair. Consider the entire production and how well it used its source material to create a new piece of art.
When you are done all of the pairs (all are required), be sure to tap the SUBMIT button at the end to record your vote.
The poll is 100% secure and no personal information is collected.

This week's round will close at 11:59 PM on Tuesday, July 14th. (Haven't voted before? No worries! Join the fun this week!)

Thanks for playing along this summer!

Monday, July 6, 2026

Broadway Who's Who: Casey Nicholaw

Broadway has a long history of actors becoming directors and/or choreographers. Bob Fosse, Graciela Daniele, Joe Mantello, and Maria Friedman are but a few. These days, Michael Arden carries that torch, too. But, so far the 21st Century's most prolific director/choreographer who used to be an actor is the latest addition to our Broadway Who's Who - Casey Nicholaw.

His work on both Aladdin and The Book of Mormon continues to pack them in at The New Amsterdam and Eugene O'Neill, respectively. And he's a consistently working artist, including working on film (he choreographed the movie version of his The Prom), television (directing episodes of Smash) and the West End (such as an acclaimed revival of Dreamgirls and the stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman). Is it any wonder we are honoring him this way?

Broadway Who's Who:

Casey Nicholaw

Did You Know?...

Born: October 6

Birthplace: San Diego, California

Education: UCLA

Broadway Acting Credits:

Crazy For You, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, Victor/Victoria, Steel Pier, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Saturday Night Fever, Seussical, Thoroughly Modern Millie