(Off) Broadway Quiz: The Denizens of Skid Row

(Off) Broadway Quiz:

The Denizens of Skid Row

With the recent announcement of new casting for the long-running (and utterly fantastic) off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors, it occurred to me that I haven't paid much attention to this gem of a production since I reviewed it in 2019. That was egregious of me to say the least. Today, I aim to rectify that oversight!

How well do you know the folks who have spent time on Skid Row over the past six or seven years? Take today's quiz to find out! (NOTE: Some of the questions have multiple correct answers.)

1. Soon-to-be Seymour Jordan Fisher co-starred with another Seymour, Nicholas Christopher in which show?

   A. Hamilton   B. Sweeney Todd   C. Dear Evan Hanson   D. Chess

2. Several Disney Channel stars have headlined this revival. Which of these actors has not appeared in a Disney Channel sitcom or movie?

   A. Jordan Fischer   B. Joshua Bassett   C. Corbin Bleu   D. Milo Manheim

   E. Thomas Doherty   F. Darren Criss   G. Andrew Barth Feldman

3. What Broadway show does former Seymour Jeremy Jordan and former Audrey Sarah Hyland have in common?

4. TRUE or FALSE: Former Mushnik Stuart Zagnit also appeared in the original off-Broadway production.

5. Former Audrey Madeline Brewer is probably most famous for her role in which TV series?

   A. Grey's Anatomy   B. The Handmaid's Tale   C. Schitt's Creek   D. Reba

6. Which of the following former cast members have won Tony awards?

   A. Andrew Barth Feldman   B. Jonathan Groff   C. Lena Hall   D. Joy Woods

7. Which of the following former cast members are Tony nominees, but not winners?

   A. Darren Criss   B. Jeremy Jordan   C. Matt Doyle   D. Andrew Durand

E. Joy Woods   F. Conrad Ricamora   G. Constance Wu

8. These former cast members, Jonathan Groff, Matt Doyle, Gideon Glick and Skylar Astin, all have which Broadway show in common? 

9. All of these former cast members have appeared or are currently appearing on Broadway during the 2025-2026 season EXCEPT:

   A. Nicholas Christopher   B. Darren Criss   C. Andrew Barth Feldman   

D. Sarah Hyland   E. Sherie Rene Scott   F. Jeremy Kushnier

10. Graham Phillips was Seymour to Elizabeth Gillies' Audrey. In what show did they both appear with Ariana Grande on Broadway?

STOP!

Keep scrolling only when you are ready for the answers.

1. Soon-to-be Seymour Jordan Fisher co-starred with another Seymour, Nicholas Christopher in which show?

B. Sweeney Todd

2. Several Disney Channel stars have headlined this revival. Which of these actors has not appeared in a Disney Channel sitcom or movie?

F. Darren Criss

3. What Broadway show does former Seymour Jeremy Jordan and former Audrey Sarah Hyland have in common?

Actually, as of this spring, there will be two! The Great Gatsby and Just In Time

4. TRUE: Former Mushnik Stuart Zagnit also appeared in the original off-Broadway production.

5. Former Audrey Madeline Brewer is probably most famous for her role in which TV series?

B. The Handmaid's Tale

6. Which of the following former cast members have won Tony awards?

B. Jonathan Groff   C. Lena Hall

7. Which of the following former cast members are Tony nominees, but not winners?

B. Jeremy Jordan   D. Andrew Durand   E. Joy Woods   F. Conrad Ricamora

8. These former cast members, Jonathan Groff, Matt Doyle, Gideon Glick and Skylar Astin, all have which Broadway show in common?

The original Broadway production of Spring Awkening 

9. All of these former cast members have appeared or are currently appearing on Broadway during the 2025-2026 season EXCEPT:

F. Jeremy Kushnier

10. Graham Phillips was Seymour to Elizabeth Gillies' Audrey. In what show did they both appear with Ariana Grande on Broadway?

13: The Musical

Remembering David Edward Byrd

 Remembering David Edward Byrd

Generations of theater fans are familiar with the work of artist David Edward Byrd, who passed away yesterday. You may have some of his work hanging on your wall, or maybe you have a t-shirt or program from your school production of Godspell or Little Shop of Horrors.

Show logo lovers like me have long been mesmerized by his works, staring at the symmetry of Jesus' hair on the Godspell cast recording, finding the tiniest fun detail on the original Little Shop artwork, and scrutinizing each crack on the Follies poster. His brilliant use of dynamic colors was perfectly matched with his eye for composition. The genius of his work was that it told you everything you needed to know about its subject without giving anything away.

His reach as an iconographer extended well past the theater district as he created brilliant posters for some of the greatest music acts of all time. Prince, Fleetwood Mac, The Who, The Grateful Dead, David Bowie and Janis Joplin among many others. He was also the resident artist for The Fillmore.

Thankfully, his art is readily available to be enjoyed, be it in our personal collections, online or in a number of published books.

RIP Mr. Byrd and thank you.

2019 in Review: Off-Broadway & Regional Theater

Over the past twelve months, we only had the opportunity to see three off-Broadway and four regional theater productions, but they were all terrific and all for different reasons. Off-Broadway, we saw Puffs, Merrily We Roll Along and Little Shop of Horrors; regionally we saw Fun Home at Baltimore's CenterStage, and Grand Hotel, Assassins and A Chorus Line at Signature Theater in Arlington, Virginia. Here's what stood out for us in 2019.

2019 in Review:

Off-Broadway & Regional Theater

February: Puffs

(New World Stages)

Being huge Harry Potter fans who identify as Hufflepuffs, we had to see this parody. It was very funny and smart in its sharp observations about all things Potter.

• What we liked best: Hands down, it was the creative use of props that were instantly recognizable yet completely original. I can't imagine being in charge of all that.
• What we liked least: It could have used a bit of a trim. A little of that goes a long way.

February: Fun Home
(New World Stages)

One of our all-time favorite musicals, this may have been the best post New York production we have seen. Alison Bechdel would be pleased.

• What we liked best: An amazing performance by Michelle Dawson as Helen, a frightening take on Bruce by Jeffrey Denman, and a touching performance by Molly Lyons as Young Alison. And the use of projections was masterful.
• What we liked least: It was over way too fast.

April: Merrily We Roll Along
(Laura Pels Theatre)

As Sondheim fans, whenever there's a new interpretation of this enigma, we must see it. That this was being done by Fiasco Theatre made it all the more urgent.

• What we liked best: The cuts made were fine - they actually helped clarify things. And the arrangements and vocal direction were spot-on. Watching a cast of six navigate multiple roles added to the fun of trying to get a grasp on what makes these characters tick. Then there's that Mary transformation...wow.
• What we liked least: The search for the perfect Merrily rolls along. Maybe the next one?

May: Grand Hotel: The Musical
(Signature Theater)

One of my ten favorite musicals of all time, this show just isn't done that often. A major New York revival is long overdue.

• What we liked best: They didn't try to replicate Tommy Tune's work, and the show was perfectly cast. The set by Paul Tate Depoo III was beautiful, especially the floor. And Bobby Smith's take on Kringelein was heartbreaking.
• What we liked least: Really hard to think of anything... rub a dub!

August: Assassins
(Signature Theater)

Another Sondheim show that must be seen anytime it comes around. Needless to say, we are really excited to see the 2020 off-Broadway revival. Until then, we are glad we saw this one!

• What we liked best: The dynamic duo of "Squeaky" Fromme and Sara Jane Moore, played to perfection by Rachel Zampelli and Tracy Lynn Olivera. And the final scene between John Wilkes Booth (Vincent Kempski) and Lee Harvey Oswald (Sam Ludwig) was absolutely brilliant.
• What we liked least: A couple of characters overplayed it, but that may have more to do with us seeing an early performance than anything else.

November: A Chorus Line
(Signature Theater)

I never miss a chance to see my favorite show ever. The downside is that it takes a lot to impress me. The good news is that there's a lot to love in almost any production. This was no exception.

• What we liked best: A really strong, nuanced Zach is always a plus, and Matthew Risch was one of the best I've ever seen. And our belief that seeing understudies is an opportunity, not a bad thing was proven once again, by Zeke Edmonds, who made the smaller role of Al into a star turn. Hope to see him again and soon!
• What we liked least: They promised us it would be like we've never seen it before, but it was pretty much your standard A Chorus Line.

November: Little Shop of Horrors
(Westside Theatre - Upstairs)

Sometimes doing a show the way it was originally meant to be is a good thing.

• What we liked best: This was one of the best shows we saw in all of 2019, no matter what the venue. Jonathan Groff was the sweetest nerd ever, Christian Borle was never funnier, and in another understudy discovery, Chelsea Turbin was brilliant as Audrey.
• What we liked least: We probably won't have a chance to see it again.

#2234

Mr. Broadway December 2019: Little Shop's Jonathan Groff

The current off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors has rekindled my appreciation for Mr. December 2019. I've been a fan since I first saw him in an early preview of another off-Broadway musical - a little show called Spring Awakening. Then again a few more times on Broadway, including from onstage seating. In between, we caught him in both The Submission and Hamilton. Fortunately, our "Groffsauce" addiction has been sated by his pretty extensive film and television career, including Glee, Looking, Mindhunter, and of course, Frozen. (Can't wait to see Frozen II!). Thankfully, Jonathan Groff loves the stage, because that means it won't be long before he's back!

Mr. Broadway

December 2019

Little Shop of Horrors' Jonathan Groff

Headshots & Candids

Jonathan with current beau Corey Baker

A Little Bit About Jonathan Groff

• Birth Date:March 26
• Birthplace:Lancaster, PA
• Education:Conestoga Valley High School; accepted to Carnegie Mellon, but deferred
• Select Theater Credits: Broadway:In My LIfe, Spring Awakening (Tony nomination: Lead Actor in a Musical), Hamilton (Tony nomination: Featured Actor in a Musical); Off-Broadway:Spring Awakening, Hair, Prayer for My Enemy, The Submission, Hamilton, A New Brain, The Bobby Darin Story, Little Shop of Horrors; West End:Deathtrap, How to Succeed...; Regional:Fame, Red, Sondheim on Sondheim

West End

Off-Broadway

Broadway

#2221