Today we are talking to a supremely gifted performer who can be seen eight times a week on Broadway in the currently running Des McAnuff revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Jeremy Kushnier. Tracing his Broadway trajectory from his memorable debut in FOOTLOOSE back in the late 1990s to his impressive regional theatre and concert work - CHESS to The Dream Engine to BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY and beyond - to his success touring in AIDA, RENT and others, up to his most recent gig in JERSEY BOYS, Kushnier opens up about his diverse career thus far and what we can expect from him in the future, near and far. Plus, Kushnier analyzes the five roles he has essayed in the current production of SUPERSTAR so far, since he was first brought into the production as a standby and understudy, after all - Jesus, Judas, Pilate and two different priests - and shares his enthusiasm for the dazzling, Tony Award-nominated production - all of this as he prepares for his long-awaited upcoming solo spotlight concert at Birdland on June 18! Additionally, Kushnier shares plans and wishes for a forthcoming solo album, as well as offers his thoughts on GLEE, SMASH and much, much more!
Last week, the 68th annual Theatre World Awards were held on Tuesday, June 5th, 2012 at an invitation-only ceremony celebrating the 2012 Theatre World Award winners for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performances during the 2011-2012 theatrical season. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you inside the ceremony and brings you presentation and performance highlights!
Tony night was one for the record books and BroadwayWorld.com brought you live updates all night, with LOTS more to come...Here are highlights from the three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network on Sunday, June 10, 2012.
The 2012 Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, was broadcast last night in a live three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network. Here we take you inside the post-Tony Ball!
Overflowing with enthusiasm and energy, the true star of the 2012 Tony Awards was unquestionably three-time host and affable Broadway spokesman extraordinaire Neil Patrick Harris, doing what he does best - namely, being the host with the most. Whether web-slinging behind Angela Lansbury and Ted Chapin or leading a spectacular production number with Patti LuPone and a lawnmower, Harris proved yet again why is he is the best in the biz at this sort of thing - well, right up there along with Hugh Jackman, at least. Speaking of whom, in addition to a goosebump-inducing trailer for the forthcoming Tom Hooper-directed film adaptation of the Broadway sensation LES MISERABLES, Hugh Jackman was featured on the Tony Awards telecast and personally on hand to receive a well-earned special Tony Award for his many fundraising successes over the course of his three-show Broadway career, as was crossover superstar Bernadette Peters who took home a special Tony Award for her BC/EFA and Broadway Barks efforts. Adding to the star quotient of the night was Broadway/Hollywood super direct Mike Nichols, giving one of the classiest (despite the CBS-sanction bleep; on the same word as during Danny Burstein's FOLLIES turn, "godammit", incidentlly) and most profound acceptance speeches on the Tony Awards in recent memory - breaking the current record with, now, six Best Director statuettes, by the way. As far as musical performances go, in addition to Harris's triptych of showstoppers throughout the show - without even mentioning the many biting and sassy remarks, jokes and offhand commets; staged and otherwise - there were some seriously strong showings from almost all new musicals and revivals currently running, and even one or two terrific turns from productions already shuttered. The musical highlights of the night were Josh Young and the cast of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR in a spirited and divine take on the title song from the celebrated Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera, as well as good showings from new musical head-to-head, nail-bite-worthy competitors, ONCE and NEWSIES, plus one or two other swoon-worthy moments, too. The 2011-2012 Broadway season may not have been a record-breaker insofar as outstanding content and memorable modern classics - while NEWSIES is certainly a smash, last year's THE BOOK OF MORMON is the type of hit we only see once a decade or so, and, therefore, is a bit eclipsed; and, ONCE won Best Musical, anyway - but Harris and the team of this year's show made it an unusually entertaining and unique Tony telecast, even when compared to the finest shows on the past - particularly those from the rightly lauded Cohen era. ONCE may have dominated the wins, but the many musical numbers showed that there is a lot of room for enjoyment whether or not your personal favorite show took home the prizes. Most of all, Neil Patrick Harris proved he was once, twice, three times a Tony triumph.
ONCE, el musical basado en la película del mismo nombre ha obtenido ocho premios Tony en las once categorías para las que estaba nominado incluyendo Mejor Musical, Mejor Director y Mejor Actor Principal. Le siguen Peter And The Starcatcher con cinco premios, y Newsies, Nice Work..., y Porgy and Bess con dos premios cada uno.
The 2012 Tony Awards, presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing and hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, are underway! The ceremony is being broadcast tonight, June 10, in a live three-hour ceremony from the Beacon Theatre, on the CBS television network.
BroadwayWorld is, of course, at the Beacon Theatre bringing you full coverage all night! Check out photos of tonight's attendees on the red carpet below- part 3!
Last night, June 9, The Tony Awards Administration Committee hosted the annual Tony Eve Cocktail Party Tony at the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts to celebrate this year's Special Tony Award winners.
Watch the second episode of the Tony-nominated JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR's new behind-the-scenes video series, 'Spotlight on the Superstars' below! Episode 2 is called 'Love at First Listen' and features interviews with the cast and creative team, including Paul Nolan (Jesus) and Josh Young (Judas Iscariot).
The 2012 Tony Awards ceremony is just days away and this morning, BroadwayWorld was invited inside the Beacon Theatre to catch a glimpse of a tech rehearsal for Peter and the Starcatcher and speak with host Neil Patrick Harris about how the exciting show is shaping up.
Want to see what the Starcatchers (sans costumes and make up) were up to today? Click below to watch them in action, and hear from stars Christian Borle, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Neil Patrick Harris!
It's here! The 2012 Tony Awards will air on CBS tonight, June 10 at 8pm and, as usual, BroadwayWorld.com will be your one-stop shop for all things Tonys on Tony Day, Night and Beyond!
The big day is here! Follow our LIVE coverage starting from Tony Rehearsals starting at approximately 10am. Want to know who's performing what? What order to expect the awards in and other tidbits? Spoil yourself!
BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you an exclusive look at JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR's new TV commercial and invites you to take advantage of a Superstar Summer Ticket Offer!
The 68th annual Theatre World Awards were just held last night, June 5th, 2012. The winners for Outstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut Performances during the 2011-2012 theatrical season were:
Today, June 5, several of this year's Tony nominees enjoyed the sunshine on top of the Empire State building for a special meet and greet and photo op. BroadwayWorld joined in the fun and brings you photo coverage below!
On hand for the event was Michael Cerveris, Kelli O'Hara, Jeremy Jordan, Laura Osnes, Norm Lewis, James Earl Jones, Josh Young and more!
