A lot of things can happen between the annoucement of a Broadway touring cast and what happens many months later when it finally lands at the Aronoff, but it looks like we’ll be seeing the fantabulous Judy Kaye as Mrs. Lovett in John Doyle’s “Sweeney Todd.”
Kaye is a Tony winner for “Phantom of the Opera” and a Tony nominee for “Mamma Mia!” and “Souvenir” and apparently an old hand with a meat pie.
According to BroadwayWorld.com, “The Color Purple” North American tour features Jeannette Bayardelle and Felicia Fields from the Broadway production, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child and “American Idol” alum LaToya London.
Cincinnati’s Alton Fitgerald White is currently in the Broadway production, starring as Mister.
Also, watch for an interviews coming up soon in The Enquirer (and at CinStages.com) with Andy Blankenbuehler, choreographer of Off-Broadway’s “In the Heights,” which has earned Andy heaps of New York stage nominations, including the Lucille Lortel, the Outer Critics and Drama Desk Awards.
The Lortels are being announced Monday, and it’s a tough category this year that includes modern dance legend Bill T. Jones for big buzz show “Spring Awakening.” I’ll also be talking to Michael Lawrence, who’s onstage with Live Shrieber in “Talk Radio.”
Speaking of Cincinnati on Broadway, you have until 11:59 p.m. May 10 to choose nominees in a bunch of categories, some serious, some not, for the Broadway.com Audience Awards. There’s a Cincinnati connection in a lot of them. So help pick the nominees, then return on May 11 to cast a vote.
Among your hometown options (and for nominations you’re allowed to choose up to five, it’s all clearly explained at the site):
Theresa Rebeck’s “The Scene” for New Off-Broadway Play
Raul Esparza for Lead Actor in a Musical (Playhouse in the Park’s Broadway transfer “Company,” of course.) Now playing at just over 40 percent, it’s looking like it’s on life support.
CCM grad Ashley Brown as Lead Actress in a Musical for “Mary Poppins”
Featured Actor in a Musical will call for choices -- CCM grad Aaron Lazar for Featured Actor in a Musical for “Les Miz” shares the category with all the hubbies from “Company”: Keith Buterbaugh, Matt Castle, Robert Cunningham, Fred Rose and Bruce Sabath.
There are also entirely too many choices for Featured Actress in a musical, led by Barbara Walsh in “Company” and all her co-stars: Angel Desai (she sang “Another Hundred People”), Kelly Jeanne Grant, Kristin Huffman, Amy Justman, Heather Laws, Leenya Rideout and Elizabeth Stanley. And there’s also CCM grad Kirsten Wyatt for “High Fidelity.”
Michael Laurence is on the list for Featured Actor in a Play, for “Talk Radio” and CCM grad Michele Pawk is on the Featured Actress in a Play list for “Losing Louie.”
Barbara Walsh made the list for Favorite Diva Performance, but so did Martin Short and Kevin Spacey, among others.
Check “Company” under Ensemble cast and the show’s Elizabeth Stanley makes the list for Favorite Female Breakthrough Performance (she’s hysterical bride Amy.).
Go to the very last name in the Favorite Replacement category and check Alton Fitzgerald White of “The Color Purple,” even if you can’t resist nominating American Idol alum Constantine Maroulis for “The Wedding Singer.”
And if I’ve left anybody out – let me know.
Jackie Demaline
