Mo Brady News

Earlier today, Broadway actor Kyle Jean-Baptiste tragically died from injuries suffered during an accident at his mother's home. Last month, Jean-Baptiste became both the youngest, and the first African American, actor to play the role of Jean Valjean on Broadway. News of his death spread across the internet quickly, with many members of the Broadway community paying tribute to this history-making performer. Quickly, 'Kyle Jean-Baptiste' became a trending topic on Twitter around the world. 

On Thursday, July 16, the Theater People Podcast welcomes Broadway vet and ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK star Lea Delaria. On the episode, DeLaria shares stories from her nearly 35-year career as a stand-up comic, jazz musician, Broadway leading lady, and film and television actor.

On Monday, June 6th the Theater People Podcast welcomes two-time Tony winner Michael Cerveris. The star of stage and screen won his second Tony Award last month for his turn as Bruce Bechdel in FUN HOME. Cerveris shares stories of his over two-year journey with the show, which won this year's Tony for Best New Musical. He discusses his decision not to read the graphic memoir on which the show is based, and his experience of visiting the real life Bechdel home where most of the show takes place. 

On Monday June 22, 2015 Theater People Podcast welcomes Tony nominee Kerry Butler. Currently starring as Hillary Clinton in CLINTON THE MUSICAL at New World Stages, Butler made her Broadway debut in BLOOD BROTHERS before replacing as Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

Annoying Actor Friend enlisted a pack of theatre talent to present the inaugural AWARESIE AWARDS today, June 1. Click below to see them announce the winners (full list below)! The AWARESIE AWARDS honor excellence on Broadway, Broadway Internet, and more specifically: Shit the Tonys Leave Out.

Tom Viola, Executive Director of BC/EFA, recently joined the cast of KINKY BOOTS in presenting Cyndi Lauper with a "big check" representing the $150,000 donated to TRUE COLORS FUND by BC/EFA from over $1.2 million in resources raised by the show since opening in April 2013. Scroll down for photos!

On Monday, May 25th the Theater People Podcast welcomes Tony-nominated composer Jeanine Tesori. In the interview, she talks of the five-year journey that she took alongside lyricist and book writer Lisa Kron adapting Alison Bechdel's celebrated graphic memior. After a ground breaking Off-Broadway run, the musical is now Tony-nominated and playing at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theater. Tesori and Kron have been nominated together for this year's Best Original Score award; should they win, the pair would become the first all-female writing team in Tony history to take home that the prize.

On Monday, May 18th, the Theater People Podcast welcomes IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU star Lisa Howard. Lisa made her Broadway debut as Rona Lisa Peretti in the 2006 Tony nominated production of 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. From there she has been seen on Broadway in SOUTH PACIFIC, PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT, and 9 TO 5. In IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU, Howard has received glowing notices and a Drama Desk Award nomination for her turn as Jenny, older sister of the Bride who's gone out of her way to plan the perfect wedding. Despite acting alongside Broadway favorites like Tyne Daly, Harriet Harris, and Sierra Boggess, much has been made of IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU being a star making vehicle for Howard. 

On Monday, May 11 the Theater People podcast welcomes 2015 Tony-nominee, Tony Yazbeck. Currently starring in the critically acclaimed and Tony nominated Broadway revival of ON THE TOWN, Tony opens up about how the role first came to him for the 2008 Encores production, his experience with the pre-Broadway run at Barrington Stage, and how, as a true triple threat, he was particularly suited to play the role on Broadway.

On Monday, May 4, Theater People podcast welcomes 'The First Lady of British Musical Theater,' Olivier Award-winner Elaine Paige. For the episode, Paige discusses her farewell tour, and what exactly she means by 'farewell.' She also talks about the upcoming theatrical release of her recent concert which was filmed at Royal Albert Hall in London. Paige, perhaps best know for originating the roles of Eva Peron in EVITA and Grizabella in CATS, shares her remembrances of how those roles came to her and how they changed her life and career. Paige made her Broadway debut in 1995 as Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber's SUNSET BOULEVARD Sunset Boulevard. She returned to Broadway in the critically acclaimed and Tony award winning 2012 revival of FOLLIES. In the role of Carlotta Campion, Paige received terrific notices for her performance of the showstopping song 'I'm Still Here.'

After 18 months of successful broadcasting, the popular Theater People Podcast has launched a KickStarter campaign to help fund their new season. Having interviewed Broadway greats from Lin-Manuel Miranda to Laura Osnes (twice) to Celia Keenan-Bolger, the Theater People Podcast is one of the most influential and inspiring connections that many theatre fans have with their idols. The podcast has become a valuable resource for students, individuals working to build a career in the performing arts, and theater lovers across the world.

On Tuesday, April 28th the Theater People Podcast welcomes three-time Tony-nominee Martha Plimpton. Perhaps best know for her TV and film work (RAISING HOPE, THE GOONIES, PARENTHOOD, 200 CIGARETTES), she is also a reproductive rights activist and beloved theater star. On the episode she discusses 'Broadway Acts for Women,' taking place Sunday, May 3rd at 54 Below. The event, benefiting A is For..., an organization co-founded by Plimpton in 2012, will feature Patti LuPone, Lena Hall, and Jessie Tyler Ferguson among other Broadway A-Listers. Information and tickets can be found at www.54below.com.

Annoying Actor Friend just announced the inaugural AWARESIE AWARDS. But what are they, exactly?

On Monday, April 13th, the Theater People Podcast welcomes ROCKY and ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY star Andy Karl. Karl, who has previously been seen on Broadway in JERSEY BOYS, LEGALLY BLONDE, 9 TO FIVE, and others shot to stardom when he was cast in the title role of Ahrens and Flaherty's $17 million adaptation of the Sylvester Stallone film. Karl reflects on being cast in the role, the physical and emotional toll the role took on him, and the life and career altering journey the experience was for him. He also discusses his excitement to be working alongside Kristin Chenowith in Roundabout Theater Company's ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY (the first Broadway job for which he didn't have to audition), and tells hilarious stories about collaborating with his wife Orfea on the Jerry Mitchell helmed 2007 production of LEGALLY BLONDE.

MCC THEATER (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey and William Cantler, Artistic Directors; Blake West, Executive Director) presented its annual gala, Miscast 2015 Gala last night at The Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center (311 West 34th Street). Miscast 2015 honored two bold and fearless women: Emmy® & Golden Globe® nominated stage and screen actress Sarah Paulson and Tony® Award-winning producer Fran Weissler. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the star-studded red carpet below!

Mo Brady and Nikka Graff Lanzarone announce the release of The Ensemblist's 45th episode: 'Parallel Careers.'

?Mo Brady and Nikka Graff Lanzarone announce the release of The Ensemblist's 44th episode: "Life On Tour."

?Mo Brady and Nikka Graff Lanzarone announce the release of The Ensemblist's 43rd episode: "Understudies."

Hosted by Lesli Margherita (Matilda), the late night #SOBLESSED Live! at 54 Below on February 7th featured performances by Adam Kaplan (Newsies), Joey Taranto (Kinky Boots), Michael James Scott (Something Rotten), Megan Sikora (Like a Million Broadway Shows), Mo Brady (The Addams Family), Nikka Graff Lanzarone (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown), Ellyn Marie Marsh (Kinky Boots), with special guest appearance by Julia Murney as Jeremy Jordan and musical direction by Drew Wutke. Scroll down for photos!

Mo Brady and Nikka Graff Lanzarone announce the release of The Ensemblist's 42nd episode: "Spotlight On: Costumes!"