Friday 5: 5 Favorite Joshua Henry Performances

Favorite Joshua Henry Performances

From the very first time I saw Joshua Henry on the St. James Theatre stage, I knew he had "it." That intangible-but-you-know-it-when-you-see-it thing that so many strive for but never quite get.My eye was drawn to him, and I've been a huge fan ever since.

American Idiot (Favorite Son - 2010)

Yes, my first time seeing Henry involved seeing him in his skivvies. Intriguing for about 5 seconds, when I found myself watching every movie he made, none of which had to do with his state of dress. Charisma, charm and that effortless star power. Green Day's "Favorite Son" became an instant favorite of mine.

Carousel (Billy Bigelow - 2018)

This was my first brush with Carousel as a whole show. I had, of course, seen and heard bits from the film and the more popular tunes from the score. While others were lamenting script changes, song removals and perceived casting issues, I was swept away and overwhelmed by this masterpiece. And I was thoroughly mesmerized by the powerfully complex portrayal of the conflicted Billy Bigelow of Mr. Henry. Amazing, breathtaking and completely satisfying. Brilliant.

Ragtime (Coalhouse Walker, Jr. - 2025)

I've made no secret of the fact that I was not a huge fan of the original production outside of its cast recording. This new revival was an altogether different story, and a much improved version. Henry has taken full advantage of the more character-focused, less spectacular version by making a grounded, fierce and brutally honest, human performance as Coalhouse Walker, Jr.. As an equally fervent fan of the role's originator, my liking of Henry's performance wasn't a given. Rather, it was fully earned. I don't think he's ever been better... which is no small feat considering the next role on this list.

The Scottsboro Boys (Haywood Patterson - 2010)

Until Ragtime came along, I'd have said that this brave performance was his best ever. Now I'd say it is a close tie. Raw, passionate and utterly heartbreaking, Henry's star turn in this short-lived classic is one I hold as a most cherished privilege to have witnessed. I maintain that this Kander and Ebb musical is nothing less than a masterpiece, and is to date still the greatest new musical of the 21st century, That he was a part of it is icing on the cake, I suppose. But that in no way over states his profound impact on the piece. People often say a performance is breathtaking - this one surely took mine away.

Violet (Flick - 2014)

What I loved about Joshua's performance here was how beautifully he played with his two co-stars. It was never about elevating himself, but rather working in what seemed to be in effortless tandem with them. Again this was no small feat considering how utterly smitten I was with Sutton Foster's performance (her best to date, by far). I loved the show, the actors and him. And what a delicious treat that his co-star here, Colin Donnell, is now his Ragtime co-star!

Broadway Games: There's Something About Jeanine

These days Jeanine Tesori is the talk of the town. With the acclaimed revival of Caroline, or Change wrapping up this weekend, and her new (and acclaimed) musical, Kimberly Akimbo ending next weekend, we thought we'd play a little True or False game as a tribute. Good luck!

Broadway Games:

There's Something About Jeanine!

1. TRUE or FALSE: Jeanine has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize twice.

2. TRUE or FALSE: Jeanine has been nominated for a Best Score Tony for a play.

3. TRUE or FALSE: Jeanine has 5 Tony nominations and 2 wins.

4. TRUE or FALSE: Jeanine and Kimberly Akimbo co-stars Victoria Clark and Bonnie Milligan all have one thing in common: they have each won a Tony Award.

5. TRUE or FALSE: Jeanine has a producer credit for the Roundabout revival of Sunday in the Park with George.

6. TRUE or FALSE: Jeanine has never collaborated on a musical with David Lindsay-Abaire before Kimberly Akimbo.

7. TRUE or FALSE: Of all of Jeanine's musicals, the only one NOT based on other source material is Caroline, or Change.

Kimberly Akimbo

8. TRUE or FALSE: Caroline, or Change is NOT the first musical of Jeanine's produced by the Roundabout Theater Company.

9. TRUE or FALSE: If Kimberly Akimbo transfers to Broadway, it will be the first of Jeanine's shows to make such a move.

10. TRUE or FALSE: Of all of Jeanine's musicals, only Fun Home is based on real-life events.

At This Theater: The American Airlines Theatre

Like the Hudson and Lyric Theatres, the American Airlines Theatre is one of Broadway's "new-old" venues, with its auditorium revitalized to its former glory. For me, it is one of the most comfortable places to see a show. The leg room - especially in the mezzanine - is a spacious luxury. And I don't think there's a bad seat in the house; even the last row upstairs feels close to the action. I look forward to my fifth visit! (Check out the seating chart and seat views HERE.)

At This Theater:

The American Airlines Theatre 

The Shows I saw There: Violet, On The Twentieth Century, Noises Off, Long Day's Journey Into Night

How They Rate:

4. On The Twentieth Century: Maybe it was the show itself, but all of the lavish sets and costumes, spectacular tap dancing porters, and across-the-board star-casting couldn't save this one for me. I truly adore Kristin Chenoweth and Peter Gallagher (not to mention the supporting cast), but I found them to be over-acting and shrill. I was bored within 15 minutes, and really only stayed to see how bad it would get. I wasn't disappointed in that regard.

3. Long Day's Journey Into Night: This one was the show itself. Far be it from me to cast aspersions on a true American classic. I can appreciate why it is so highly ranked by critics everywhere. But we got the point O'Neill was trying to make by the end of act one. Three acts? Torture. The saving grace? The casting, with Jessica Lange (and her table) turning in a spectacular performance, and Gabriel Byrne, Michael Shannon and John Gallagher, Jr. more than holding their own as father and sons. The tension was thick. But it was exhausting.

2. Noises Off: I had seen the previous revival (with Peter Gallagher!) and loved it. But I had to wonder if I'd get much out of this production, given that I knew all of its many surprises going in. Well, I wasn't disappointed one bit. It was great fun to see a new crop of amazing actors chew through this one. I especially loved Megan Hilty and Andrea Martin. Sardines!

1. Violet: Other than being aware that Jeanine Tesori was involved in the creation of the piece, I went into this show completely unknowing. What a beautiful, moving piece it is - at times horrifying, joyful, sinister and hopeful, I was immediately swept up in the journey of a disfigured girl. That said, it was the three principals that sealed my love for this show. Both Colin Donnell and one of my all-time favorites, Joshua Henry, were wonderful. But it was Sutton Foster who impressed me most. With no traditional musical comedy tricks to play, and even less glamour, Ms. Foster shined in way I didn't think she could. And without a stitch of extra make-up on her face, she made me see Violet's disfigurement clearly, and the beautiful young woman underneath it.

House chart & seating views site courtesy of SeatPlan.com. 

Do you have fond (or not so fond) memories of a show at the American Airlines Theater? Please share with us by email (jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com) or on Twitter (@jkstheatrescene).

#2495

Where Are They Now? Mr. Broadway: Joshua Henry

In November 2010, we highlighted the brilliant Joshua Henry as Mr. Broadway (HERE), and celebrated his success in such shows as In the Heights, American Idiot and The Scottsboro Boys. So, what has he been up to since then?

Well, most importantly, he got married and started a family. But professionally, he has graced stages all across America in a variety of high-profile musicals, and has earned 3 Tony Award nominations, including one for The Scottsboro Boys.

Where Are They Now?

Mr. Broadway Update:

JOSHUA HENRY

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (Jake - Richard Rodgers Theatre) 

(right) with Norm Lewis

Violet (Flick - American Airlines Theatre)
Tony Award Nomination - Best Featured Actor in a Musical

(right) with Colin Donnell

Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed (Noble Sissie - Music Box Theater)

(second from left)

The Last Five Years (Jamie Wellerstein - The Town Hall)

with Cynthia Erivo

Hamilton (Aaron Burr - Chicago Company/1st National Tour)

Carousel (Billy Bigelow - Imperial Theatre)

Tony Award Nomination - Best Actor in a Musical

Here's to a long career with much continued success, Mr. Henry! We look forward to giving you another update!

#2161

2014 in Review: The Best of the Best

Yesterday, I named my best musical and play moments of the year (HERE).  Today, I'll name my favorite/best individual elements of the shows on and off Broadway in 2014.

Non-Performance Bests

Best Broadway Show Logo (Musical): Hedwig and the Angry Inch Any version.  It manages to be subversive and mainstream, rock and roll and showtune, sensual and sexy.  Just like the show it advertises.

Best Broadway Show Logo (Play): This Is Our Youth It reeks of disenfranchised youth.  It is trendy and grungy. The RENT generation has grown up and this is the play for them.

Best Show Logo Do-Over: If/Then I liked the original to begin with, especially the two color schemes. But I really love the realistic/photographic version even more.

Best Box Office Do-Over: The Marquis Theatre Box Office.  Have you seen the latest version on 46th Street?  Hip!

Best Upper-Level Theatre Seating: The American Airlines Theatre.  You can sit comfortably even as other people go past you to find their seats!  And it doesn't feel like you are a mile from the stage, either.

Best Theatre District Dinner: Virgil's BBQ.  HUGE portions, fast, attentive service.  And you won't go broke, either.

Biggest Loss to the Theatre District: The closing of my beloved Cafe Edison.  Please re-open...

Virgil's

Cafe Edison

Best Loss to the Theatre District: The removal of the scaffolding around the former Milford Plaza Hotel.  How nice to be able to walk on that block of 8th Avenue and not rub against a few dozen strangers.

Best Idea, Worst Execution: The Tony Awards Pop Up Shop.  I'm all for temporary, topical shopping.  But stock it with more stuff next time, okay?

Performance Bests

Best Use of Projections: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Wow.  What else is there to say?

Best Set Morphing (Play): The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Wow. Did you really think all of that would happen in a geometric box?  I was shocked.  Over and over.

Best Set Morphing (Musical): Hedwig and the Angry Inch Wow. Did you really think all of that would happen on an up-cycled fake musical set?  I was shocked.  Over and over.

Best Strobes (Play): The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time It only lasted a few seconds at a time.  But my appreciation for what some people must live with every second of their lives will last a lifetime.

Best Strobes (Musical): Hedwig and the Angry Inch The amazing-ness of "Midnight Radio" was all the more so because of those amazing blinkers.

Best Costume Quick Change (Small-scale): Side Show What a transition into "Stuck With You."

Best Costume Quick Change (Large-scale): Aladdin Not once, but twice.  25 people look like a cast of hundreds in both "Friend Like Me" and "Prince Ali."

Best Show Economy: TIE Allegro and Violet Both shows were trimmed to 90 intermission-less minutes or so.  And both were all the better for it.

Best On-stage Chemistry - Siblings: Erin Davie and Emily Padgett as Violet and Daisy Hilton in Side Show.

Best On-stage Chemistry - Bros: Tony Yazbeck, Clyde Alves and Jay Armstrong Johnson as Gabey, Ozzie and Chip in On the Town.

Best On-stage Chemistry - BFFs: Laura Benanti and Heidi Blickenstaff as Rosabella and Cleo in The Most Happy Fella.

Best On-stage Chemistry - Forbidden Love: Sutton Foster and Joshua Henry as Violet and Flick in Violet.

Best On-stage Chemistry - Period: Kelli O'Hara and Steven Pasquale as Francesca and Robert in The Bridges of Madison County.

Special Bests

Best Replacement: Michael C. Hall in Hedwig and the Angry Inch I thought he was better than NPH.

Best Alternate: Taylor Trensch in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Can Alex Sharp be any better?

Best Pinch-hitter: Curtis Holbrook in If/Then A vast improvement on Anthony Rapp.  Sorry, Rentheads.

Who or what did I leave out?  What would you have picked?  Let me know!  Email: jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Twitter: @jkstheatrescene

Jeff