2019 in Review: Trend of the Year: Teens Playing Teens

2019 in Review:

Trend of the Year

One may have thought that eleven years ago, Broadway would have tried a little bit harder at getting actual teenagers to play teenagers when the musical 13 opened. After all, it did bring Ariana Grande to the stage. But that show was a resounding flop. And so, Broadway kept on hiring 20-somethings to play high schoolers, and they still do. (At least one current show has 30-somethings playing teenagers!) It looks like that may be changing.

2019, it seems, was a breakthrough year for teen-somethings getting hired to play age appropriate roles. Five (maybe more) teenaged actors have played major characters of high school age this year. Here they are, in alphabetical order:

Sophia Anne Caruso (Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice): Her voice is a zillion times bigger than her diminutive stature, and her presence is even bigger than that. Considering that she's up against larger than life scenery and effects, not to mention the larger than life Alex Brightman, she'd have to be. She nails that teen angst thing perfectly!

Antonio Cipriano (Phoenix in Jagged Little Pill, 2017 Jimmy Award Finalist): We haven't seen him perform live yet, but the videos that Jagged Little Pill has put out certainly show that this young man has an amazing voice, chemistry with his co-star Celia Gooding, and presence to spare. And he's brave, too. He appears to be completely unflappable singing in front of no less than Alanis Morissette!

Micaela Diamond (Babe in The Cher Show): I will never forget that huge voice coming out of that fur vest/bell bottom clad whirlwind of energy! She had two of the best numbers in the show, "I Got You Babe" and "The Beat Goes On." Let's see her in another show and soon!

Andrew Barth Feldman (Evan Hansen in Dear Evan Hansen, 2018 Jimmy Award Winner): There is something particularly wonderful and genuine about seeing an actual high school student going through what Evan Hansen goes through. Regardless of age, Mr. Feldman gives one of the best performances in any role I've ever seen. I worry for his well-being, he is so convincing. Here's to the long, brilliant career we will all be able to enjoy from this phenom.

Renee Rapp (Regina George in Mean Girls, 2018 Jimmy Award Winner): We haven't had the pleasure of seeing this young woman in action, but I'll bet it is quite a hoot to see a just out of high school girl playing the queen bee of a nasty clique! Her video of "Watch the World Burn" is chilling and a lot of fun, so I can only imagine what a full performance may be like!







Will this trend continue? We hope so. The authenticity and level of talent can only add to the experience. Besides being grateful for the work, don't you think 30-somethings would like the chance to play adults?


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Where Are They Now? Ms. Broadway Update: Stephanie J. Block

Six years ago, we named Stephanie J. Block as Ms. Broadway November 2013. At the time, she was starring in off-Broadway's Little Miss Sunshine. Between now and then, she's kept pretty busy with two Broadway shows, an off-Broadway show, and featured roles in two TV series. Oh, and she's won a Tony Award and, probably her greatest achievement, has a daughter! We congratulate her on all of that, and can't wait to see what she does next!

Where Are They Now?

Ms. Broadway Update:

Stephanie J. Block

Falsettos (Trina - Walter Kerr Theatre)

Tony Award Nomination - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Brigadoon (Meg - City Center)

Madam Secretary (Abby Whitman - CBS)

Rise (Patricia Saunders - NBC)

The Cher Show (Star - Pre-Broadway - Oriental Theatre)

The Cher Show (Star - Neil Simon Theatre)

Tony Award - Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role in a Musical

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CD Review: OBCR The Cher Show

The song is called "Woman's World," but let's face it, we live in Cher's World. For proof, you need look (or listen) no further the Original Broadway Cast Recording of The Cher Show which is really quite something, especially since she isn't even on it. And what a wonderful treat to listen to it from start to finish. The sound quality is superb, allowing the Daryl Waters orchestrations/arrangements to bring joy to your ears. What is impressive, too, is that even more so here than in the theater, this is truly a tribute to, rather an in impersonation of one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Anything less would be an insult.

If you are keeping track, you know that I gave the show a B+, mainly because as a musical, it's a little shaky, but as entertainment, it is ACES. This recording is right in line with that, only... better. You see, it shows off wonderful renditions of the classics as we know them (like "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves," "If I Could Turn Back Time"), and other songs are given the full Broadway treatment (like "Heart of Stone," "Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do").

Of course, it showcases the three Chers - Star, Lady and Babe, and each really shines - my two favorites from Micaela Diamond are wonderfully preserved here - the glorious duet "I Got You Babe" featuring a never-been-better Jarrod Spector, and her big production number, the sexy "The Beat Goes On," which also gives the hard working ensemble a chance to shine on record. Meanwhile, Teal Wicks is brilliant on "Bang Bang" and heartbreaking on "A Song For the Lonely." Frankly, on stage, Wicks is nearly lost in the hugeness of her co-stars, but here, she is at least an equal. Which brings me to the incomparable Stephanie J. Block, who, here as on stage, is the one to beat. Man, is she excellent. Yes, she sounds like Cher, but as more homage than replica, and she brings it. What a belt! It was exhausting watching her, and I am just as wiped out after hearing her tear her way through "Turn Back Time," "Dark Lady," and especially "I Found Someone."

Everyone who contributes - Emily Skinner, Matthew Hydzik and Michael Berresse, all of whom I wish had more to do, and the entire ensemble - comes across as a complete labor of love. Just like when they perform the show. Surely, the Goddess Warrior approves.

Grade: A+

#2088

The Friday 5: 5 Favorite Show Logos of the 2018 -2019 Season

With the 2018-2019 Broadway season now in the history books, it's time to take a look back at the year in logos. It's one of my favorite topics, so it makes sense to start there! So, this week's Friday 5 is dedicated to our favorite signage on the Great White Way.

Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
Bloody and irreverent. Just like the play. It reminds me of a cross between two of my all-time favorite logos, Sweeney Todd and Something Rotten! I also love it that it resembles the actual production. Great logo. (The title, not so much...)

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Hadestown
Love the mystery and romanticism. Haven't seen the show (yet), but this logo alone - and its clever, telling tagline - intrigues me enough to want to see it based on that alone. Of course, I've seen the press photos, and I know the red flower figures prominently in the story. Can't wait to see it!

Head Over Heels
Loved the show, loved the logo - both versions! Our full logo review: HERE.

Oklahoma!
Another show I can't wait to see. The dark side of Rodgers and Hammerstein excites and intrigues, as does this logo. Our review of this artwork HERE.

The Cher Show
Like its subject, this logo is so stylish. And it nails the three faces of Cher, the three eras... Best tagline of the year. Our review of the logo HERE.

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