Broadway Pop Quiz: The Play's the Thing

It's Back to School time! So why not start with a little test? This one's all about plays on Broadway. Good luck!

Broadway Pop Quiz:

The Play's the Thing! 

    

1. TRUE or FALSE: The current Broadway revival of Art is playing in the same theater as the original Broadway production.

2. TRUE or FALSE: The three stars of the Art revival have all been a part of various Stephen Sondheim projects over the years.

3. On September 1st, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will:

    A. close after 2,388 Broadway performances.

    B. begin performing a new, even shorter version of the show.

    C. become the 3rd longest-running play in Broadway history.

    D. will welcome Rupert Grint to the cast, playing the same role he played in the films.

4. TRUE or FALSE: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is the first playwright in the 21st century to win both the Pulitzer Prize for drama AND the Tony Award for the same play.

5. TRUE or FALSE: Purpose is the only Best Play to play at the Hayes.

6.  A major Hollywood star is headlining this season in each of these plays EXCEPT:

    A. Waiting for Godot

    B. Punch

    C. Bug

    D. Oedipus

7. Which star of Marjorie Prime has also appeared in a musical on Broadway?

    A. June Squibb

    B. Cynthia Nixon

    C. Christopher Lowell

8. Which of the following is NOT true about Bug star Carrie Coon?

    A. She is married to the play's author.

    B. She currently stars in HBO's The Gilded Age.

    C. She made her Broadway debut in a Tennessee Williams play, co-starring her then future husband.

    D. She will be making her Manhattan Theatre Club debut in this play.

9. TRUE or FALSE: John Proctor is the Villain is not only the Broadway debut of playwright Kimberly Belflower, but it is the only play she has written.

10. Which female pop artist has a song, "Green Light," that figures prominently in the action of the play John Proctor is the Villain?

    A. Taylor Swift

    B. Selena Gomez

    C. Cardi B

    D. Lorde

STOP SCROLLING NOW!

(When you are ready for the answers look below!)

1. FALSE: The current Broadway revival of Art is playing in the same theater as the original Broadway production.

2. TRUE: The three stars of the Art revival have all been a part of various Stephen Sondheim projects over the years.

3. On September 1st, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will:

    C. become the 3rd longest-running play in Broadway history.   

4. FALSE: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is the first playwright in the 21st century to win both the Pulitzer Prize for drama AND the Tony Award for the same play.

5. FALSE: Purpose is the only Best Play to play at the Hayes.

6.  A major Hollywood star is headlining this season in each of these plays EXCEPT:

    B. Punch

7. Which star of Marjorie Prime has also appeared in a musical on Broadway?

    A. June Squibb

8. Which of the following is NOT true about Bug star Carrie Coon?

    C. She made her Broadway debut in a Tennessee Williams play, co-starring her then future husband.

9. FALSE: John Proctor is the Villain is not only the Broadway debut of playwright Kimberly Belflower, but it is the only play she has written.

10. Which female pop artist has a song, "Green Light," that figures prominently in the action of the play John Proctor is the Villain?

    D. Lorde

Broadway 3-peats: Bonnie Milligan

In hockey, three goals in a single game is called a "hat-trick," and three strikes in a row is called a "turkey." When a team wins a championship three times in a row, they call it a "three-peat."

While it might be feasible to call a Broadway performer with three great performances a "hat-trick" - particularly a dancer, I suppose, it is only a negative to call anything Broadway related a "turkey." And so, I've settled on calling a run of three terrific performances a "3-peat." 

First up: Tony Award-winner Bonnie Milligan.

Broadway 3-peats:

Bonnie Milligan

Role #1: Pamela in Head Over Heels (2018)

As an unconventional princess in an unconventional jukebox musical, Bonnie bowled me over with her belty "Beautiful," bringing body positivity into the Broadway conversation, and a great new talent into the spotlight. I've been a smitten fan ever since. Of her Broadway debut, I wrote, "That newbie is the positively smashing Bonnie Milligan, who is everything you've read and heard about, and so much more. She's one of those people who you just know was born to be on stage. She is charming, alarming and an absolute joy to watch. Whether she's singing an ode to her own beauty or throwing an epic temper tantrum, she is a marvel of what comes off as spontaneity, and her line delivery is impeccable. The gal is going places and I can't wait to see more." Even then I knew she was something special.

She was honored with a 2019 Theatre World Award for her performance.

Role #2: Aunt Debra in Kimberly Akimbo (2022)

As the felonious Aunt Debra, Milligan had us howling as she taught the fine art of mail fraud to a group of teens. And, of course, she once again stopped the show with her signature belt and fiery delivery in the number, "Better." The first time we saw the show, I wrote, "Kimberly's family is a hot mess, almost making her debilitating and tragic sickness the least of her worries. Hilariously and pitifully white-trash, each are perfectly cast... Bonnie Milligan, the larger than life aunt, and so bad the family moves around just to get away from her. They are all by turns bat-shit crazy, morally appalling, and complex in ways that are surprisingly heartwarming. Each has stand out moments, with Ms. Milligan blowing the roof off the theater with what has become the riotous breakout song from the show, "Better."

Ms. Milligan won the 2023 Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical Tony Award.

Role #3: Alice Beane in Titanic (2024)

In a small role in the epic musical, Bonnie once again captivated the enthralled audiences at Encores! presentation of the rarely performed show. In a fun twist, she played 2nd Class passenger (and rabid social climber) Alice Beane, the role her Kimberly Akimbo co-star, Victoria Clark, originated on Broadway! In my review, I said, "Soon to be Broadway royalty Drew Gehling and Bonnie Milligan as Edgar and Alice Beane, 2nd class, offer up many of the show's comic moments as she attempts to social climb, while he, completely smitten, tries to keep her in her place. Their separation in the final moments is a heartbreaking thing."

Three roles, three powerful performances. Critical acclaim and awards! And she's only getting started!

Let us know of another "3-peat" Broadway performer you'd like to see us honor.

At This Theatre: The Ambassador

There are a few Broadway theaters that have had shows run so long in them, that those shows are the only ones that have played there during many theater-goers' lifetime. Until recently, there was a generation or more who only knew the Majestic as the home of The Phantom of the Opera. Even today, people know the same for the Gershwin (Wicked) and the Minskoff (The Lion King).

Such is the case with The Ambassador Theatre, which has been host to Broadway's longest-running American musical, Chicago, since January 29, 2003. During its run there, a host of established stars from all walks of the entertainment world - from film, TV, music, and, of course, Broadway, have trod the boards here. Many up and coming performers, including future Tony nominees and award-winning dancers got their start here as well.

At This Theatre: The Ambassador

Built in 1921, the Ambassador has been a legitimate theater, a TV studio, a small movie house, and even a radio studio. Its current tenant not withstanding, this house has been a largely unsuccessful one. Many a flop has played here, but it has been the home to the end of runs of some hits, like the original productions of Godspell and Dancin'. Some well-regarded revivals played here, like Ain't Misbehavin', Dreamgirls and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, with Kristin Chenoweth in her Tony-winning turn as Sally Brown. Prior to its current tenant, arguably the most successful show to play here was Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk.

We haven't been inside the Ambassador in some 15 years since we caught Ruthie Henshall and Matthew Settle in the show. Prior to that, I had only been there once before, to see the short-lived musical, A Class Act.

NUMBER OF SHOWS WE'VE SEEN THERE: 2

A Class Act, Chicago

 

A Class Act (March 11, 2001 - June 10, 2001): A musical about the life of one of the writers of my beloved favorite A Chorus Line? There was now way I was missing that! It starred Lonny Price of Merrily We Roll Along fame and another favorite, Randy Graff (Les Miserables, City of Angels) and featured a score filled with Edward Kleban's songs. It was a delight from start to finish, and an artistic, if not financial, success. It spawned one of my all-time favorite show tunes, "Under Separate Cover."

Chicago (January 29, 2003 - present): One of my favorite shows, I had seen this revival at the Shubert, and had to return here to catch the West End star Ruthie Henshall as Roxie Hart. In looking over my Playbills, I found that I actually saw this revival here another time, with Tom Wopat as Billy Flynn. As the show approaches it's 30th Broadway anniversary and no end in sight, it seems likely that we'll probably return to this odd little theater with no lobby.

Broadway Games: A New Mash-up!

 Broadway Games:

A New Mash-up!

This is what happens when two award-winning shows collide. Figure out each word based on the given clues, then rearrange the "red" letters to win the game!

____ ____ ____ ____   ____ ____ 

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____   ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

HINT: It's what happens when film noir meets 80s epidemic.

Star of HBO’s The Gilded Age and soon-to-be star of Bug.  

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Former home of Tammy Faye, future home of The Lost Boys.

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Tony-winner Jak Malone’s show, Operation _____.

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Oliver’s roommate at the HelperBot Yards.

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

One of the Side Show twins.

___ ___ ___ ___ ___

He shined the spotlight on Norma Desmond when she returned to Paramount Studios.

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Broadway’s premier theater magazine.

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Director of the most recent Gypsy revival.

___ ___ ___ ___ ___

He wrote In the Heights and Hamilton.

___ ___ ___

John Proctor is the Villain headliner Sadie.

___ ___ ___ ___

STOP SCROLLING NOW

(unless you are ready for the answers!)

Star of HBO’s The Gilded Age and soon-to-be star of Bug.  

C A R R I E C O O N

Former home of Tammy Faye, future home of The Lost Boys.

P A L A C E

Tony-winner Jak Malone’s show, Operation _____.

M I N C E M E A T

Oliver’s roommate at the HelperBot Yards.

H W A B O O N

One of the Side Show twins.

D A I S Y

He shined the spotlight on Norma Desmond when she returned to Paramount Studios.

H O G E Y E

Broadway’s premier theater magazine.

P L A Y B I L L

Director of the most recent Gypsy revival.

W O L F E

He wrote In the Heights and Hamilton.

L I N

John Proctor is the Villain headliner Sadie.

S I N K

ANSWER:

C I T Y O F A N G E L S

I N A M E R I C A

Social Media Survey: Jeff's Broadway Version (2015-2025)

Social Media Survey:

Jeff's Broadway Version (2015-2025)

Every so often, one of these surveys pops up on social media. I'm sure you've seen them - maybe you've even posted your responses to one. They all follow the same basic format, though the topic may be somewhat different. Maybe the subject is concerts or film, Taylor Swift albums, or as I found earlier this week, Broadway.

I always enjoy reading them. It's fun to see what other people's experiences are, what they love or dislike, and to see how their opinions compare to my own. It's especially interesting to me when someone young and new to the theater scene responds to these things. I often wonder what I'd have said in the mid-eighties. I suspect the Jeff of then versus the Jeff of today would be vastly different. To that end, today, I'm going to fill this out considering only shows from the last 10 years. Who knows what I'll say in another 10 years!

First Show I Saw:

Honeymoon in Vegas

Last Show I Saw:

Operation Mincemeat

Favorite Musical:

Hadestown/Kimberly Akimbo/Maybe Happy Ending

Favorite Play:

John Proctor is the Villain

Favorite Revival:

Spring Awakening

Least Favorite Show:

Once Upon a One More Time

Most Surprising Show:

Illinoise

Show I'd Love to See Again:

John Proctor is the Villain/The Outsiders

Favorite Theater (House):

The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

Favorite Theater (Lobby):

The refurbished James Earl Jones Theatre

Show I Want to See:

MJ: The Musical

Next Show:

Ragtime

What would make your list from the last decade? Let us know in the comments or on social media (@jkstheatrescene)!

The Golden Girls' Broadway Connection

 The Golden Girls' Broadway Connection

Lately, I've been enjoying a binge watch of The Golden Girls which is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary!

As I've been watching, it strikes me just how much of a connection to Broadway this classic sitcom has. Of course, there's the obvious Beatrice Arthur (Dorothy) who famously originated the role of Yente in Fiddler on the Roof and won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Vera Charles in Mame. Estelle Getty stole the show as Sophia, Dorothy's mother, played Harvey Fierstein's mother in Torch Song Trilogy and earned a Tony nomination in the process. The lascivious Blanche was played by Rue McClanahan, and she appeared on Broadway in seven shows, including California Suite, The Women and as Madame Morrible in Wicked. Even the guy who played Stanley, Dorothy's yutz of an ex-husband, had a Broadway career. Herb Edelman was a Broadway 3-timer, including a role in Chita Rivera's musical Bajour, and in the original production of Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park, a part he also played in the film version.

But it is on the guest stars list where the real treasure trove of Broadway connections lies. Here are but a few:

Dick Van Dyke (Tony winner: Bye Bye Birdie): He played Dorothy's lawyer boyfriend who leaves the bar to join the circus! (above left)

George Clooney (Tony nominee: Good Night and Good Luck): A young Clooney played an undercover cop who stays at the girls' house to spy on their criminal neighbors. (above center)

Jerry Orbach (Tony winner: Promises, Promises; among his credits: the original casts of The Fantasticks, 42nd Street, Chicago): Orbach played a former lover of Dorothy's who has finally left his wife and tries to win back Dorothy's heart. (above right)

Barney Martin (Chicago's original Mr. Cellophane): He played a gangster on the run named "The Cheese Man" who woos Rose (Betty White) in order to get to her boyfriend, who snitched on him to the Feds.

Brenda Vaccaro (three-time Tony-nominee for Cactus Flower, The Goodbye People, and How Now, Dow Jones): She played the widow of Sophia's son, the cross-dressing Phil. They butted heads over a $47 dowry check that bounced! (above left)

Hal Linden (Tony-winner: The Rothschilds): He played the guy who stood up Dorothy for her senior prom, and years later took her to the local high school's prom as a chaperone. Turns out he didn't stand her up, her mother kicked him out for dressing like a "hood." (above right)

George Hearn (Tony-winner: La Cage aux Folles, Sunset Boulevard): Former Sweeney Todd famously played Foxy Loxy in the girls' elementary school production of Henny Penny when the kids are quarantined.

Mario Lopez (A Chorus Line revival): In a timely (timeless?) episode, he plays a student of Dorothy's who gets deported for being an illegal alien. A rare sad ending for the show. (above left)

Inga Swensen (Two-time Tony nominee: Baker Street, 110 in the Shade): She played Rose's gold-digging sister Holly.

Polly Holliday (Tony nominee: Cat On a Hot Tin Roof (revival)): She played Lily, Rose's older sister who was learning to live as a newly blind person.

Marian Mercer (Tony winner: Promises, Promises): She played Stan's cousin, Magda, a staunch communist refugee from Czechoslovakia. (above right)

Like I said, these are but a few... I didn't even mention Bob Hope and Mickey Rooney!