Friday 5: 5 Broadway Boys For Spring 2025

Back in the day, we used to celebrate Broadway beefcake with "Broadway Heat" competitions. The good news was, without fail, every "winner" and "runner-up" was a lot more that just eye candy. Today, we sorta keep that tradition going with occasional "Stars-To-Be." This week's Friday 5 is a bit of a hybrid: these guys are all good looking, but we strongly suspect that they are going to be big names on the Great Bright Way. Mark our words!

5 Broadway Boys For Spring 2025

Jacob Dickey (Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends as Performer)

Of the 5, he has the most Broadway experience. This spring he is part of the big name ensemble for this tribute to the Master. It'll be great to see him in the spotlight.

Broadway Credits include:

• Aladdin as Aladdin
• Company as a New Yorker and understudy

National Tour Credits include:

• Company as Andy
• Aladdin as Aladdin

McGee Maddox (Smash - Ensemble)

This Canadian makes his Broadway debut here. He comes with a host of skills and credits, including as an accomplished ballet dancer and regional theater actor. Plus, I love his name!

National Tour Credits include:

• Cats as The Rum Tum Tugger
• An American in Paris as Jerry Mulligan

Zachary Noah Piser (Redwood as Spencer and others)

This guy has been the "one that got away" for me. Missed him in Dear Evan Hansen and Wicked, and he was out the day we saw KPOP. I've heard nothing but good things about his performances. Here's hoping he's there when we visit the Nederlander next month!

Broadway Credits include:

• Dear Evan Hansen as Evan Hansen
• Wicked as Boq

Colin Trudell (Floyd Collins as Ensemble)

Here's our second Broadway debutante, though we are happily able to testify to this young man's talent with first hand knowledge. He really bowled us over as the warmhearted Emmet Otter off-Broadway. And now he's coming to Broadway in a Lincoln Center production, no less. He's definitely on the way up!

Off-Broadway Credit:

• Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas as Emmet Otter

Wesley Wray (Buena Vista Social Club as Young Ibrahim)

Another of our Broadway newcomers, the young man is still in college - University of Michigan - going for his BFA in Musical Theater. He's also trained at the Alvin Ailey School and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. With an already packed resume, he is ready to take Broadway by storm, and we are here for it.

At the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts:

• As You Like It as Amiens and Silvius (also music composer)

At University of Michigan:

• Guys and Dolls as Harry the Horse
• A Chorus Line as Mike Acosta
• Shaina Taub's Twelfth Night as Duke Orsino

BONUS: Diego Andres Rodriguez (Sunset Blvd. as Artie)

Because we've already seen him once this season, we can verify he's got the goods! Making his debut as Joe Gillis' best friend and making a meal out of that snack of a role. He also goes on for Tom Francis as Joe Gillis on occasion. And, following his run in Sunset, he has already got his next gig lined up!

Broadway Credit:

• Sunset Boulevard as Artie/Ensemble, Joe Gillis understudy

Upcoming National Tour:

• The Great Gatsby as Nick Carraway