Leigh Scheps - Page 2

At 21-years-old and fresh out of college, Cheech Manohar's got it pretty grool. He's about to make his Broadway debut as suave virgin North Shore mathlete, Kevin Gnapoor, in the new musical Mean Girls, an adaption of the 2004 film of the same name.

It's a story about a plus-sized girl, a one-eyed guy and a closeted gay teen. Some describe it as 'John Hughes-esque.' But Molly Ringwald isn't in this modern day ugly duckling love affair.

'It's a gift to come back. Shakespeare's hard,' Grant says of her return to theater. She hasn't performed Shakespeare since 2011 and hasn't been on a stage since 2014. 'I feel like an artist again.'

The new musical, Hit Her with the Skates, by Christine Rea & Rick Briskin, directed by Michael Schiralli with musical direction by Brandon Ethridge and choreography by Gina Ventura, opened last weekend at Hamilton Stage (UCPAC, Rahway, NJ) from May 12 - 27, 2017. BroadwayWorld's Leigh Scheps talks with star, Amy Toporek, about her involvement with the show since inception plus what it's like performing on stage with Broadway's John Treacy Egan.

Derek DelGaudio has got magic to do. The creator and star of the hit show, In & Of Itself, is currently wowing audiences in New York City until September 3, 2017 after a successful run in Los Angeles. The show is directed by Frank Oz, who is known for voicing both Yoda and Miss Piggy, and executive produced by Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris.

While Roger Bart is known for his comedic chops in shows like Disaster!, Young Frankenstein and The Producers, he knows how to make people laugh even in some of his more serious roles.

It's been nothing but 'memories' for Betty Buckley this theater season. She won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Grizabella, the glamour cat, in Cats when it opened in 1982 and replaced Glenn Close as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. Both shows are in revival runs right now on Broadway.

'It's possible.' Especially for Broadway's original Cinderella, Laura Osnes, who is busier than ever these days rehearing for multiple shows and benefit concerts. On Sunday, February 19, the Tony Award nominated actress will play Polly Baker in Manhattan Concert Productions' one-night only 25th anniversary performance of Crazy for You at Lincoln Center.

The inspiration behind the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company says he's never actually eaten there. Mykelti Williamson, the actor who played Forrest Gump's best friend Bubba in the 1994 Academy Award-winning film, admits he's never been to the restaurant featuring his character's name, despite performing only a few blocks away from its Times Square location.

If Max Bialystock used to be the king of Broadway, Seth Rudetsky has since taken over the throne. Not only was he juggling the album release of Disaster! on the day we met for this interview in a (noisy from construction) park on the Upper West Side, but at the same time, spearheading a dance remix video to Broadway for Orlando's 'What The World Needs Now Is Love.' 'We are filming a whole video with the ladies who did Beyonce's 'Single Ladies,' Seth explained. 'We are hoping that raises more money and more awareness.'

Sutton Foster has an exciting week ahead. On Tuesday, she starts rehearsals for the off-Broadway production of Sweet Charity and will appear on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. On Wednesday, season 3 of Younger premieres on TVLand. But even with her busy schedule, the two-time Tony Award winner still made time for a visit to the Jersey Shore, where she performed for 90 minutes at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal.

Kristin Chenoweth opened the NFL season by singing the national anthem at a New England Patriots versus the Arizona Cardinals game on September 11. Now, she's kicking off the North Jersey theater season with a concert at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown. Kristen admitted she likes to shake up her shows a bit. 'I never want to get bored myself,' she explained over the phone in a soft spoken voice. 'I want to keep looking in different directions and try some new songs.'

I've met Matthew several times over the last decade and a half. The first time was in 2002, right after Hairspray opened. The second instance was at 54 Below, when he was seeing his on-screen arch nemesis, Jane Lynch, perform. Most recently, I got the chance to briefly chat with him backstage after a performance of Finding Neverland.  When I left the theater, I remember saying he was the most gracious star on Broadway.  Friday, was no different.

He is everyone's favorite funny uncle. Dave Coulier has an exciting year ahead of him. The Netflix series of 'Fuller House' will be premiere on February 26th. In April, the stand-up comedian is releasing an electronic kid's book full of familiar voices. In the meantime, Coulier's spending time making people laugh and is set to appear at The Stress Factory in New Brunswick for a 3-night show. When I spoke to him, he dished about it all: from what happened to Mr. Woodchuck, being back on that famous 'San Francisco set,' to his brotherly bond with John Stamos and Bob Saget.

Christopher Fitzgerald brings down the house with his comedic timing in every show he's in. The two-time Tony Award nominee starred on Broadway in Chicago, Amor, Wicked, Young Frankenstein, Finian's Rainbow, The Merchant of Venice, An Act of God and this season in Waitress. Right now, he's prepping for more 'Comedy Tonight' in an all-male production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Two River Theater in Red Bank. I got to chat one-on-one with the Broadway star about the production, making history and his upcoming Broadway season.

Tony Award winning actress Laura Benanti will perform in concert at NJPAC on November 21st. A week before her solo show, Laura ties the knot to Patrick Brown. I caught up with the busy Broadway and now 'Supergirl' star as she dishes on behind the scenes of 'The Sound of Music LIVE,' why her tweets get a lot of attention, and some recent sad news.

Original roles being revived in movies & Broadway

No one tried to plug their cell phones into an outlet on the stage last night at Idina Menzel's World Tour concert. Maybe that's because it wasn't a Broadway house, but a concert venue in New Jersey's suburbs. But, some might think it was Broadway based on the set list for her solo show at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel Sunday night.  

Natalie Stovall and The Drive are giving fans the first taste of their music available for purchase tomorrow, October 22nd at iTunes.