Broadway Games: 6-time Tony-winner Audra McDonald

The Tony-winningest actress of all time, the incredible Audra McDonald, has SIX of them! S. I. X.! She's won them in all four acting categories. 

Today's game asks you to match the show she was in with the award she won. Good luck!

BROADWAY GAMES:

Audra's Tony Awards

Match the award to the show.

1. Best Leading Actress in a Play

2. Best Featured Actress in a Play

3. Best Leading Actress in a Musical

4. Best Featured Actress in a Musical

A.    B.    C.    D. 

E.    F.    G.    H. 

I.    J. 

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ONE THAT GOT AWAY: John Cameron Mitchell in HEDWIG

Recently, Mike and I were talking about how lucky we've been to have seen so many great shows over the years, but still had some regrets about things we've missed. Considering that we saw the revival of Hedwig and the Angry Inch four times, you'd think we'd have no regrets in terms of that show, right? Well, Mike pointed out one thing about that show that he did feel we missed out on: not seeing the original Hedwig, John Cameron Mitchell.

Not only did Mitchell star in the original off-Broadway production and the movie version, he also wrote the show's book. If anyone knows how to be Hedwig, it is him. By all accounts we read, he was as great as ever. His performance was definitely One That Got Away.

     

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BEST OF THE DECADE: The Broadway Top 40 Countdown #40 -31

Only time will tell if the second decade of the 21st Century will have generated what will be known as a "classic Broadway musical." No one knows for sure. But with the wonderful mix of established writers and fresh new voices that the past ten seasons has seen, it seems likely. 

As we have been looking back and creating our "Best of" lists, we took note of all of the new songs created for shows (there were a lot of them). And we decided to go old school and create a Casey Kasem-like Top 40 Countdown, which we will begin today!

THE BEST OF THE DECADE:

The Broadway Top 40 Countdown

# 40 - 31

This first group includes songs from 3 Best Musicals, several established composers and lyricists, some folks new to the game, mega-hits and mega-flops. Enjoy!

40. "Welcome to the Renaissance" - Something Rotten

        MUSIC and LYRICS by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick

            SUNG by Michael James Scott and Company

Seems like the perfect song to kick off a countdown. Love how this one is smart, clever and sets the tone perfectly. And it's catchy, too!

39. "Unruly Heart" - The Prom

        MUSIC by Matthew Sklar     LYRICS by Chad Beguelin

            SUNG by Caitlin Kinnunen and the Ensemble

This one makes me feel so many emotions. A beautiful song with an important and beautiful sentiment.

38. "When Your Feet Don't Touch the Ground" - Finding Neverland

        MUSIC and LYRICS by Gary Barloe and Eliot Kennedy

            SUNG by Matthew Morrison and Aidan Gemme

See number 39. One of four or five places during that show that made me cry.

37. "Alexander Hamilton" - Hamilton

        MUSIC and LYRICS by Lin-Manuel Miranda

            SUNG by The Company

Talk about a great opening number! I especially love how it builds and builds to that amazing tag and poster pose!

36. "I Believe" - The Book of Mormon

        MUSIC and LYRICS by Robert Lopez, Matt Stone and Trey Parker

            SUNG by Andrew Rannells

After the zany bombast and spectacle of "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream," it was wise for the plot to slow way down, add a good bit of actual substance. And what a great way to highlight Andrew Rannells' vocal gifts, too. Nice that while it is an epiphany, it still has a great sense of humor.

35. "On the Verge" - Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

        MUSIC and LYRICS by David Yazbek

            SUNG by Patti LuPone, Sherie Renee Scott, Laura Benanti, Nikka Graff Lanzarone and the Women

Easily one of the catchiest numbers of the entire decade. The colorful bungee swings. The ululating. The lollipop.

34. "Show Some Respect" - The Last Ship

        MUSIC and LYRICS by Sting

            SUNG by Sally Ann Triplett, Michael Esper, Jimmy Nail, Rachel Tucker and Company

Moving, catchy and a call to arms anthem all at once - this song is just one of many highlights of a vastly underrated score and show.

33. "How 'Bout a Dance?" - Bonnie and Clyde

        MUSIC by Frank Wildhorn  LYRICS by Don Black

            SUNG by Laura Osnes

It's no secret that I loved this show and its beautiful score. The absolute highlight, though, is this song, so sensual, so evocative of a different time, so plaintive. One of Laura Osnes' best performances.

32. "It All Fades Away" - The Bridges of Madison County

        MUSIC and LYRICS by Jason Robert Brown

            SUNG by Steven Pasquale

Another great score from another great show, flop or not. Pasquale is just glorious here.

31. "Words Fail" - Dear Evan Hansen

        MUSIC and LYRICS by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

            SUNG by Ben Platt

I've made no secret that I have big problems with this show, one being its rather generic score. It mostly all sounds the same to me. But it isn't without highlights, and this song is one of them. Andrew Barth Feldman (above) acted it better.

LOOK FOR #30-21 NEXT WEEK!

#2335

BEST OF THE DECADE: 10 FAVORITE SONDHEIM REVIVALS

Another decade, another plethora of Sondheim shows! While we all wait for a new Sondheim show (PLEASE, STEVE!), there certainly hasn't been a lack of his works to enjoy. Over the past ten years, we saw 14 productions on and off Broadway and regionally - a small drop in the bucket, I know. Nonetheless, here are our 10 favorites of those we did see. NOTE: We didn't include any shows we saw where he contributed lyrics only.

Best of the Decade:

Jeff and Mike's 10 Favorite

Sondheim Revivals

10. Merrily We Roll Along (Encores!)

Any chance to see the long troubled, often revised show done at all is an opportunity we can't miss. And when you have a full orchestra and a cast headed by the likes of Colin Donnell, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Lin-Manuel Miranda, you be a fool to miss it. Well, it was great to see it, even if it didn't really break any new ground.

9. Passion (Classic Stage Company - Off-Broadway)

Here's another difficult show that suffers from its reputation as a difficult show and the landmark performances of Donna Murphy and Marin Mazzie. This production, helmed by John Doyle (read: minimalist) and starring then-new guy Ryan Silverman, Melissa Errico and the incomparable Judy Kuhn as Fosca, felt fresh and vibrant in ways that the original felt leaden.

8. Into the Woods (Roundabout - Off-Broadway)

Speaking of minimalist! A cast of 9, using minimal costumes, props and instruments as scenery did feel like it was straining to break free from its self-imposed constraints occasionally, but the Fiasco Theater company knows what it is doing. They found great ways to be creative, finding new treasures in a treasure-filled piece. We enjoyed this trip to "ever after."

7. Merrily We Roll Along (Roundabout - Off-Broadway)

Fiasco Theater was two-for-two for us. This time the cast numbered 6, and the same creativity with props and costumes worked to clever results. Also, this time, an effort was made to re-work the show, streamlining it and interpolating things from previous editions. While Merrily wasn't completely fixed, it may be the one closest to "right" we've seen. Who knew there'd be two major revivals of this show in the last 10 years?

6. Assassins (Signature Theatre - Regional)

Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia is one of our favorite regional theaters. They are so consistent, they try difficult pieces, new and old, and have a decades long relationship with the master. Their recent production of this very timely show was perfectly cast and hugely entertaining. And they didn't shy away from the political ramifications, either. 

5. Pacific Overtures (Classic Stage Company - Off-Broadway)

This is a show of Sondheim's that is rarely done, and one where I really did not enjoy the cast recording without having seen the show. I know this production was a love/hate thing for theater fans, but I was enthralled from start to finish. I'm not sure I breathed. I adored the orchestrations and vocal arrangements. It was nice to see George Takei, and of course, I reveled in Ann Harada's all too brief role. I'm still ticked that no recording was made of this! On the up side, now the cast recording I do have isn't nearly as off putting as it was.

4. Passion (Signature Theatre - Regional)

Uniquely elegant staging and a clear focus from director Mathew Gardiner and powerhouse performances from Steffanie Leigh (Clara), Claybourne Elder (Giorgio) and Natascia Diaz (Fosca) made this one of the best performances of this work we've seen.

3. Sunday in the Park with George (Broadway)

Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford gave thrilling, occasionally heartbreaking performances in this pared down revival. Somehow, that less is more approach actually made this production even more beautiful. And, from the balcony, we gt to see the full effect of the stunning Chromolume. Never really one of my favorite Sondheim shows, this version pretty much changed my mind!

2. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Off-Broadway)

I adore this show, and have seen it many times in many venues. I've come to develop high standards for every production, and this immersive, small scale production exceeded my every expectation. Sure it is clever - even gimmicky - to be in a pie shop, sitting at tables. But having a razor-wielding Sweeney Todd literally inches from your face growling his epiphany directly to you is nothing less than terrifying. Hugh Panaro was chilling, and Carolee Carmello, maybe the best Mrs. Lovett I've ever seen, was deliciously wicked. Good luck to the next Sweeney we see.

1. Follies (Broadway)

Here's another show that was new to me, and another that faced an uphill battle in earning my adoration. My prior exposure was limited to the hideous original cast production. I loved it from the moment I took my seat and watched the ghosts gliding around the set. As mentioned in our earlier musical revivals list, we loved the entire company, and were incredibly moved by what we saw. Both times.

#2334

BROADWAY HEAT 2019-2020: THE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS!

Well, I have to say that our readers are the best! Last week's preliminary round of the finals had the biggest voter turn out we've ever had in all the years we've been doing this. Considering all that is going on these days, we are glad that we can provide you a fun diversion. Thank you all for playing along and for all of your support.

And now, without further ado, this is IT! This week's poll will determine who will be named THE HOTTEST BROADWAY MUSICAL STAR OF THE 2019-2020 SEASON!

The poll is below, following the pictures and instructions.

The 2019-2020 Season

BROADWAY HEAT CHAMPIONSHIP

THE FINAL!

🔥🔥THE 6 FINALISTS🔥🔥

    

(Left) Brendan C. Callahan (Sing Street)

(Right) Aldolfo Mena Cejas (West Side Story)

      

(Left) Antonio Cipriano (Jagged Little Pill)

(Right) Matt Doyle (Company)

          

(Left) Robyn Hurder (Moulin Rouge!)

(Right) Adrienne Warren (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical)

HOW TO COMPLETE THE POLL:

• There are 6 finalists and 6 heat levels. 
• Rate each finalist on that scale (HOT to MOLTEN LAVA), with one finalist per scale level. (Pick 1 finalist as "HOT" a different finalist as "HOTTER" and so on.)
• When you are finished, scroll to the bottom and tap/click the "I'M FINISHED! COUNT MY VOTE!" button.
• NOTE: Your vote WILL NOT count if you don't rate ALL 6 finalists. The program will lock you out because you did the poll, but the vote will not be part of the tally.
• One vote per device.
• Your information is secure. The poll program collects only your vote.

Create your own user feedback survey

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