BWW Exclusive: It's a Jukebox Jamboree at 54 Below- CRY BABY Cast Reminisces Before Reunion Concert!
By: Nora Dominick Sep. 13, 2015
Nothing bad's ever gonna happen again! Because for one night only, most of the original stars of the Broadway musical Cry-Baby will reunite on the stage of 54 Below to revisit and perform the 2008 Tony-nominated score!
Cry-Baby is based on the movie of the same name by John Waters and features a score by David Javerbaum (Act of God) and Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne), and a book by Mark O'Donnell (Hairspray) and Thomas Meehan (Annie). Although it only ran for three months, Cry-Baby was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the long-awaited official cast album will be released shortly. You'd have to have a screw loose not to come!
We've asked some of the cast to share their favorite CRY BABY memories. Check out what they had to say below!
David Javerbaum (Book & Lyrcis)
I remember the first time Alli did "Screw Loose" in a workshop reading. The crowd went nuts and I had the nice feeling of, "Well, OK, that's one song we don't need to worry about anymore."
impossible to choose. But really it's the friends I made. Many of these cast mates are my dearest NYC friends. I think I'd have to say the entire time we were in LaJolla is one long beautiful memory. It was totally magical and I just remember laughing...A LOT. Though meeting John Waters is right up there--and I'll never forget his closing night note to us where he confessed he was always more comfortable being a "loser" than a mainstream hit. :)
So many great memories! Too many to pick just one, but I will say I LOVED singing this music every night, while catching eye contact with Lynne Shankel. I'm so glad this music is being archived and available for all to enjoy!"
Favorite show memory...it was a very funny and fun group of people and I got to work with some of my dearest friends. I especially enjoyed our time in La Jolla for our out of town run. Good times there! As far as actual memories from the show itself...James Snyder having to read cue cards from the wings because of major last minute lyric changes. Watching people make their Broadway debut. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Harriet Harris climb into a box and get cut in half by The Great Boydino played by Nick Blaemire (a scene that got cut before we got to Broadway). And eating massive amounts of ranch dressing from Dallas BBQ in Christopher Hanke's dressing room when we didn't have to be on stage.
Meeting John Waters, who appeared in red pants, looking very much like the Devil's butler.
My favorite Cry-Baby memory is this: our wonderful director Mark Brokaw gave me the best note of my entire career during a transition out of a scene when I was the only one onstage. I was trying to do a one act play within 8 counts of music and he said, "You are serving us Thanksgiving dinner when all we really want is a snack." BEST. NOTE. EVER. And he was right!
My favorite memory from Cry-Baby was the night I didn't quite make an insanely fast quick change and had to make my entrance with one shoe on. It wouldn't have been that bad but at that point in the show we re-entered into a very hard, fast and crazy dance transition with tons of partnering. My amazing dance partner, Marty Lawson saw I only had one shoe and he didn't hesitate for a second. He held me up through all of the partnering that would be on the leg and got me through it. He's a champ! Crazy memory but also a fun story.
The first photo is from our gypsy robe ceremony for cry baby showing all the broadway debuts. The amazing memories I have from my broadway debut with cry baby are too many to even begin to expound upon. But seeing this picture reminded me what a big group of us made our debuts with this show! I think back on all the amazing talent and what we've all accomplished personally and professionally over the years. I'm just honored to have made my debut along side these talented people. Taking my first broadway bow as Uncle Sam on stilts next to Abe Lincoln, Cigarette Box , and Apple Pie will always be such a thrilling memory. (And having to try to do as much amazing Rob Ashford choreo on stilts. :-))
Having fun making up names for all the different ensemble characters I played!! There was Aunt Flo, the Drape barmaid, Linda Lemonade was my Square mom...think the prison guard was Lily Hammer...? I don't remember. We'll just pretend that was it. There IS an official CryBaby yearbook that has them all if anyone is interested!
Favorite memory: Making out with Colin Cunliffe in Turkey point:)
Sitting there, listening for Judge Stone's cue, late in the first act, knowing I had to try to top all these great voices with my little 6-line musical riposte, followed by a testes-rattling key change. Good thing I was sitting up real high.
My favorite show memory was in the courtroom scene sitting next to Michael Buchanan and Stacey Todd Holt on a nightly basis. Nuff Said. It started when Michael Buchanan and I made a joke after my 'Wanda Wolf-Whistle' in rehearsals for La Jolla and we were the only two who found it funny; I found my brother that day and was actually just in his wedding a couple weeks ago; love sparked in a John Waters courtroom could not better describe Michael Buchanan and I's friendship.
I also can't forget our pre-show Whiffle tradition where Peter Matthew Smith, Nick Blaemire and I would sing through our Whiffle harmonies in Chris Hanke's dressing room. We were even nerdier than we came across onstage and I loved stepping into my first Broadway show with those amazing boys by my side, stepping on my foot and singing in my ear. God we were stupid. I loved it.
And finally, any moment John Waters was in the room. He must have been terrified of me (that's saying a lot coming from John Waters) as I was a huge fan at a young age and still am to this day. I always kept my cool but don't doubt I had a slight obsessed twinkle to my eye when he came around. We didn't talk much, Spencer's abs were much better than mine, but there were a few words exchanged throughout the process I will always cherish. I respect that man a great deal; I loved and appreciated watching him in action.
CRY BABY Reunion Concert plays 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) September 17th at 9:30pm & 11:30pm. The cover charge starts at $405-$60, premium seating starts at $75-$100 and a $25 food and beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.
54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, is the performance venue in the grand tradition of New York City nightlife. A few blocks from the heart of Times Square and just below the legendary Studio 54, 54 Below is a classically designed state-of-the art nightclub in the theatre district that hosts audiences with warmth and style. The venue provides a food and beverage menu from early evening through the wee hours of the morning that is worthy of the world-class entertainment on the stage. Located at 254 West 54th Street, 54 Below features up to three shows nightly with cover charges ranging from $15-$105, www.54Below.com.
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