73rd Annual Tony Awards Predictions: Part 2

Honestly, all I can say is wow... I was not expecting half of those nominations. I just have no idea what to say.

ABC= Nominee I did not predict was nominated
ABC= Nominee prediction was not nominated

• Best Play
• Choir Boy
• The Ferryman
• Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
• Ink
• What the Constitution Means to Me
• Network
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Best Musical
• Ain't Too Proud
• Beetlejuice
• The Cher Show
• Hadestown
• The Prom
• Tootsie
• Best Revival of a Play
• All My Sons
• The Boys in the Band
• Burn This
• King Lear
• Torch Song
• The Waverly Gallery
• Best Revival of a Musical
• Kiss Me, Kate
• Oklahoma!
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
• Adam Driver- Burn This as Pale
• Bryan Cranston- Network as Howard Beale
• Jeff Daniels- To Kill a Mockingbird as Atticus Finch
• Jeremy Pope- Choir Boy as Pharus Jonathan Young
• Nathan Lane- Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus as Gary
• Paddy Considine- The Ferryman as Quinn Carney
• Tracy Letts- All My Sons as Joe Keller
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
• Annette Bening- All My Sons as Kate Keller
• Elaine May- The Waverly Gallery as Gladys Green
• Glenda Jackson- King Lear as King Lear
• Heidi Schrek- What the Constitution Means to Me as Heidi
• Janet McTeer- Bernhardt/Hamlet as Sarah Bernhardt
• Kerry Washington- American Son as Kendra
• Laura Donnelly- The Ferryman as Caitlin Carney
• Laurie Metcalf- Hillary and Clinton as Hillary Clinton
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
• Alex Brightman- Beetlejuice as Beetlejuice
• Brooks Ashmanskas- The Prom as Barry Glickman
• Damon Daunno- Oklahoma! as Curly McLain
• Derrick Baskin- Ain't Too Proud as Otis Williams
• Santino Fontana- Tootsie as Michael Dorsey
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
• Beth Leavel- The Prom as Dee Dee Allen
• Caitlin Kinnunen- The Prom as Emma Nolan
• Eva Noblezada- Hadestown as Eurydice
• Kelli O'Hara- Kiss Me, Kate as Lilli Vanessi/Katharine
• Rebecca Naomi Jones- Oklahoma! as Laurey Williams
• Stephanie J. Block- The Cher Show as Star
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
• Benjamin Walker- All My Sons as Chris Keller
• Bertie Carvel- Ink as Larry Lamb
• Brandon Uranowitz- Burn This as Larry
• Gideon Glick- To Kill a Mockingbird as Dill Harris
• Frederick Weller- To Kill a Mockingbird as Bob Ewell
• Hampton Fluker- All My Sons as George Deever
• Robin De Jesús- The Boys in the Band as Emory
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
• Celia Keenan-Bolger- To Kill a Mockingbird as Scout Finch
• Fionnula Flanagan- The Ferryman as Aunt Maggie Faraway
• Jayne Houdyshell- King Lear as Earl of Gloucester
• Julie White- Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus as Carol
• Kristine Nielsen- Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus as Janice
• LaTanya Richardson Jackson- To Kill a Mockingbird as Calpurnia
• Ruth Wilson- King Lear as Cordelia
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
• André De Shields- Hadestown as Hermes
• Andy Grotelueschen- Tootsie as Jeff Slater
• Ephraim Sykes- Ain't Too Proud as Paul Williams
• George Salazar- Be More Chill as Michael Mell
• Jarrod Spector- The Cher Show as Sonny Bono
• Jeremy Pope- Ain't Too Proud as Eddie Kendricks
• Patrick Paige- Hadestown as Hades
• Patrick Vaill- Oklahoma! as Jud Fry
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
• Ali Stroker- Oklahoma! as Ado Annie Carnes
• Amber Gray- Hadestown as Persephone
• Leslie Kritzer- Beetlejuice as Delia Deetz/Miss Argentina
• Lilli Cooper- Tootsie as Julie Nichols
• Mary Testa- Oklahoma! as Aunt Eller
• Sarah Stiles- Tootsie as Sandy Lester
• Stephanie Hsu- Be More Chill as Christine Canigula
• Best Book of a Musical
• Anaïs Mitchell- Hadestown
• Anthony King & Scott Brown- Beetlejuice
• Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin- The Prom
• Dominique Morisseau- Ain't Too Proud
• Rick Elice- The Cher Show
• Robert Horn- Tootsie
• Best Original Score
• Adam Guettel- To Kill a Mockingbird
• Anaïs Mitchell- Hadestown
• Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar- The Prom
• David Yazbeck- Tootsie
• Eddie Perfect- Beetlejuice
• Joe Iconis- Be More Chill
• Best Scenic Design of a Play
• Bunny Christie- Ink
• Jan Versweyveld- Network
• Miriam Buether- To Kill a Mockingbird
• Rob Howell- The Ferryman
• Santo Loquasto- Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
• Best Scenic Design of a Musical
• Brett J. Banakis, Christine Jones and Darrel Maloney- The Cher Show
• David Korins- Beetlejuice
• David Rockwell- Tootsie
• Laura Jellinek- Oklahoma!
• Peter England- King Kong
• Peter Nigrini and Robert Brill- Ain’t Too Proud
• Rachel Hauck- Hadestown
• Best Costume Design of a Play
• Ann Roth- Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
• Ann Roth- To Kill a Mockingbird
• Clint Ramos- Torch Song
• Jane Greenwood- All My Sons
• Rob Howell- The Ferryman
• Toni-Leslie James- Bernhardt/Hamlet
• Best Costume Design of a Musical
• Bob Mackie- The Cher Show
• Bobby Frederick Tilley II- Be More Chill
• Jeff Mahshie- Kiss Me, Kate
• Michael Krass- Hadestown
• Paul Tazewell- Ain't Too Proud
• William Ivey Long- Beetlejuice
• William Ivey Long- Tootsie
• Best Lighting Design of a Play
• Jan Versweyveld and Tal Yarden- Network
• Jennifer Tipton- To Kill a Mockingbird
• Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer- Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
• Neil Austin- Ink
• Peter Mumford- The Ferryman
• Best Lighting Design of a Musical
• Bradley King- Hadestown
• Howell Binkley- Ain’t Too Proud
• Kenneth Posner and Peter Nigrini- Beetlejuice
• Kevin Adams- The Cher Show
• Peter Mumford- King Kong
• Scott Zielinski- Oklahoma!
• Tyler Micoleau- Be More Chill
• Best Sound Design of a Play
• Adam Cork- Ink
• Eric Sleichim- Network
• Fitz Patton- Choir Boy
• Josh Gromada- All My Sons
• Nick Powell- The Ferryman
• Scott Lehrer- To Kill a Mockingbird
• Best Sound Design of a Musical
• Brian Ronan- Tootsie
• Drew Levy- Oklahoma!
• Jessica Paz and Nevin Steinberg- Hadestown
• Peter Hylenski- Beetlejuice
• Peter Hylenski- King Kong
• Steve Canyon Kennedy- Ain’t Too Proud
• Best Direction of a Play
• Bartlett Sher- To Kill a Mockingbird
• George C. Wolfe- Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
• Ivo van Hove- Network
• Rupert Goold- Ink
• Sam Gold- King Lear
• Sam Mendes- The Ferryman
• Best Direction of a Musical
• Casey Nicholaw- The Prom
• Daniel Fish- Oklahoma!
• Des McAnuff- Ain’t Too Proud
• Jason Moore- The Cher Show
• Rachel Chavkin- Hadestown
• Scott Ellis- Tootsie
• Best Choreography
• Camille A. Brown- Choir Boy
• Casey Nicholaw- The Prom
• Christopher Gattelli- The Cher Show
• David Neumann- Hadestown
• Dennis Jones- Tootsie
• Sergio Trujillo- Ain't Too Proud
• Warren Carlyle- Kiss Me, Kate
• Best Orchestrations
• Daniel Kluger- Oklahoma!
• Harold Wheeler- Ain't Too Proud
• John Clancy and Larry Hochman- The Prom
• Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose- Hadestown
• Simon Hale- Tootsie

73rd Annual Tony Awards Predictions: Part 1

I think the title is pretty self explanatory. James Corden as host... again? I didn't think he

was that good the first time. This was definitely the most stressful Tony Awards Prediction Post I've ever done. There were so many shows this Broadway season, most of which had mixed reviews and several have been slammed by critics. There were also many shows that would have gotten awards, but closed to soon or in The Ferryman's case the original cast left. The plays were especially good this season which made it so very difficult to decide. So many were highly praised by critics, especially the leading men this year, which made it so very difficult for me to decide who was nominated for what. There were many times to where it came between two nominees for the final slot that I ended up flipping a coin for it and see who won for 3 out of 5 tosses. I honestly am going to be very surprised at this years nominations because while there are a few nominees that are shoo-ins there are others where it really just depends on the Tony voters and how they are feeling. Also each production has 5 slots for nominees due to Tony Award ruling that "In addition, the Tony Administration Committee determined that in the 26 competitive categories for which there are at least nine candidates, there shall be five nominees in that category." (You don't realize how long it took me to find that. Also I've heard some say that the rule actually states it is "up to 5 nominees.") So for all categories I just put 5 nominees (Except for Best Revival of a Musical.) I also am still not sure if they will have two separate categories for Best Revival or just combine it into one so I provided both (The option with separate categories and the option of one combined category.) Well... anyway here goes!

• Best Play
• Choir Boy
• The Ferryman
• Ink
• Network
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Best Musical
• Ain't Too Proud
• The Cher Show
• Hadestown
• The Prom
• Tootsie
• Best Revival of a Play
• All My Sons
• The Boys in the Band
• Burn This
• King Lear
• Torch Song
• Best Revival of a Musical
• Kiss Me, Kate
• Oklahoma!
• Best Revival (If categories are combined)
• All My Sons
• The Boys in the Band
• Burn This
• Kiss Me, Kate
• Oklahoma!
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
• Adam Driver- Burn This as Pale
• Bryan Cranston- Network as Howard Beale
• Jeff Daniels- To Kill a Mockingbird as Atticus Finch
• Nathan Lane- Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus as Gary
• Tracy Letts- All My Sons as Joe Keller
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
• Annette Bening- All My Sons as Kate Keller
• Glenda Jackson- King Lear as King Lear
• Heidi Schrek- What the Constitution Means to Me as Heidi
• Kerry Washington- American Son as Kendra
• Laurie Metcalf- Hillary and Clinton as Hillary Clinton
• Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
• Alex Brightman- Beetlejuice as Beetlejuice
• Brooks Ashmanskas- The Prom as Barry Glickman
• Damon Daunno- Oklahoma! as Curly McLain
• Derrick Baskin- Ain't Too Proud as Otis Williams
• Santino Fontana- Tootsie as Michael Dorsey
• Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
• Beth Leavel- The Prom as Dee Dee Allen
• Eva Noblezada- Hadestown as Eurydice
• Kelli O'Hara- Kiss Me, Kate as Lilli Vanessi/Katharine
• Rebecca Naomi Jones- Oklahoma! as Laurey Williams
• Stephanie J. Block- The Cher Show as Star
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
• Benjamin Walker- All My Sons as Chris Keller
• Bertie Carvel- Ink as Larry Lamb
• Brandon Uranowitz- Burn This as Larry
• Frederick Weller- To Kill a Mockingbird as Bob Ewell
• Hampton Fluker- All My Sons as George Deever
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
• Celia Keenan-Bolger- To Kill a Mockingbird as Scout Finch
• Jayne Houdyshell- King Lear as Earl of Gloucester
• Julie White- Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus as Carol
• LaTanya Richardson Jackson- To Kill a Mockingbird as Calpurnia
• Ruth Wilson- King Lear as Cordelia
• Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
• André De Shields- Hadestown as Hermes
• George Salazar- Be More Chill as Michael Mell
• Jarrod Spector- The Cher Show as Sonny Bono
• Patrick Paige- Hadestown as Hades
• Patrick Vaill- Oklahoma! as Jud Fry
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
• Ali Stroker- Oklahoma! as Ado Annie Carnes
• Amber Gray- Hadestown as Persephone
• Leslie Kritzer- Beetlejuice as Delia Deetz/Miss Argentina
• Mary Testa- Oklahoma! as Aunt Eller
• Stephanie Hsu- Be More Chill as Christine Canigula
• Best Book of a Musical
• Anaïs Mitchell- Hadestown
• Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin- The Prom
• Dominique Morisseau- Ain't Too Proud
• Rick Elice- The Cher Show
• Robert Horn- Tootsie
• Best Original Score
• Adam Guettel- To Kill a Mockingbird
• Anaïs Mitchell- Hadestown
• Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar- The Prom
• David Yazbeck- Tootsie
• Joe Iconis- Be More Chill
• Best Scenic Design of a Play
• Bunny Christie- Ink
• Jan Versweyveld- Network
• Miriam Buether- To Kill a Mockingbird
• Rob Howell- The Ferryman
• Santo Loquasto- Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
• Best Scenic Design of a Musical
• Brett J. Banakis, Christine Jones and Darrel Maloney- The Cher Show
• David Korins- Beetlejuice
• David Rockwell- Tootsie
• Peter England- King Kong
• Rachel Hauck- Hadestown
• Best Costume Design of a Play
• Ann Roth- Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
• Ann Roth- To Kill a Mockingbird
• Jane Greenwood- All My Sons
• Rob Howell- The Ferryman
• Toni-Leslie James- Bernhardt/Hamlet
• Best Costume Design of a Musical
• Bob Mackie- The Cher Show
• Bobby Frederick Tilley II- Be More Chill
• Jeff Mahshie- Kiss Me, Kate
• Michael Krass- Hadestown
• William Ivey Long- Tootsie
• Best Lighting Design of a Play
• Jan Versweyveld and Tal Yarden- Network
• Jennifer Tipton- To Kill a Mockingbird
• Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer- Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
• Neil Austin- Ink
• Peter Mumford- The Ferryman
• Best Lighting Design of a Musical
• Bradley King- Hadestown
• Kenneth Posner and Peter Nigrini- Beetlejuice
• Peter Mumford- King Kong
• Scott Zielinski- Oklahoma!
• Tyler Micoleau- Be More Chill
• Best Sound Design of a Play
• Adam Cork- Ink
• Eric Sleichim- Network
• Josh Gromada- All My Sons
• Nick Powell- The Ferryman
• Scott Lehrer- To Kill a Mockingbird
• Best Sound Design of a Musical
• Brian Ronan- Tootsie
• Drew Levy- Oklahoma!
• Jessica Paz and Nevin Steinberg- Hadestown
• Peter Hylenski- Beetlejuice
• Peter Hylenski- King Kong
• Best Direction of a Play
• Bartlett Sher- To Kill a Mockingbird
• Ivo van Hove- Network
• Rupert Goold- Ink
• Sam Gold- King Lear
• Sam Mendes- The Ferryman
• Best Direction of a Musical
• Casey Nicholaw- The Prom
• Daniel Fish- Oklahoma!
• Jason Moore- The Cher Show
• Rachel Chavkin- Hadestown
• Scott Ellis- Tootsie
• Best Choreography
• Casey Nicholaw- The Prom
• Christopher Gattelli- The Cher Show
• David Neumann- Hadestown
• Dennis Jones- Tootsie
• Sergio Trujillo- Ain't Too Proud
• Best Orchestrations
• Daniel Kluger- Oklahoma!
• Harold Wheeler- Ain't Too Proud
• John Clancy and Larry Hochman- The Prom
• Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose- Hadestown
• Simon Hale- Tootsie

Nominations per production:

14: Hadestown
11: To Kill a Mockingbird
10: Oklahoma!, Tootsie
8: The Cher Show, The Prom
7: All My Sons
6: The Ferryman, Ink, Network
5: Ain't Too Proud, Be More Chill, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus, King Lear
4: Beetlejuice
3: Burn This, King Kong, Kiss Me Kate
1: American Son, Bernhardt/Hamlet, The Boys in the Band, Choir Boy, Hillary and Clinton, Torch Song, What the Constitution Means to Me

The Last Midnight: May 2019

All About Eve
Theatre: Noël Coward Theatre (West End)
Opened: February 12, 2019
Closing: May 11, 2019
Olivier Awards:
Best Actress for Gillian Anderson [Nominated]
Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Monica Dolan

Admissions
Theatre: Trafalgar Studios (West End)
Opened: March 12, 2019
Closing: May 25, 2019
Olivier Awards: N/A

The Last Midnight: April

The Band's Visit
Theatre: Ethel Barrymore Theatre (Broadway)
Opened: November 9, 2017
Closing: April 7, 2019
Tony Awards:
Best Musical
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Tony Shaloub
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Katrina Lenk
Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for Ari'el Stachel
Best Book of a Musical for Itamar Moses
Best Original Score for David Yazbeck
Best Scenic Design in a Musical for Scott Pask [Nominated]
Best Lighting Design in a Musical for Tyler Micoleau
Best Sound Design in a Musical for Kai Harada
Best Direction of a Musical for David Cromer
Best Orchestrations for Jamshied Sharifi

Kinky Boots
Theatre: Al Hirschfeld Theatre (Broadway)
Opened: April 4, 2013
Closing: April 7, 2019
Tony Awards:
Best Musical
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Billy Porter
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Stark Sands [Nominated]
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for Annaleigh Ashford [Nominated]
Best Book of a Musical for Harvey Fierstein [Nominated]
Best Original Score for Cyndi Lauper
Best Scenic Design in a Musical for David Rockwell [Nominated]
Best Costume Design in a Musical for Gregg Barnes [Nominated]
Best Lighting Design in a Musical for Kenneth Posner [Nominated]
Best Sound Design in a Musical for John Shivers
Best Direction of a Musical for Jerry Mitchell [Nominated]
Best Choreography for Jerry Mitchell
Best Orchestrations for Stephen Oremus

Home, I'm Darling
Theatre: Duke of York's Theatre (West End)
Opened: February 5, 2019
Closing: April 13, 2019
Olivier Awards:
Best New Comedy [Pending]
Best Actress for Katherine Parkinson [Pending]
Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Susan Brown [Pending]
Best Set Design for Anna Fleischle [Pending]
Best Costume Design for Anna Fleischle [Pending]

Motown: The Musical
Theatre: Shaftesbury Theatre (West End)
Opened: March 8, 2016
Closing: April 20, 2019
Olivier Awards: N/A

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Theatre: Piccadilly Theatre (West End)
Opened: December 11, 2018
Closing: April 27, 2019
Olivier Awards: N/A

The Price
Theatre: Wyndham's Theatre (West End)
Opened: February 11, 2019
Closing: April 27, 2019
Olivier Awards:
Best Revival [Pending]
Best Actor for David Suchet [Pending]
Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Adrian Lukis [Pending]

Run and Tell That: The Cher Show

Note: Wowza. By now ya'll know that I'm a terrible editor. So be prepared for me to be editing this AFTER I upload it. Also, I'm not a professional reviewer nor do I try to be in these. I'm simply stating what I thought. Also, I apologize for the first chunk of this review because it sounds like I'm going to just absolutely trash the show, but I promise I'm not.

"Even in the midst of all the glitz and the glamour Elice's book managed to be a personal and sometimes intimate experience"

To be completely honest I had never really been a Cher fan. I knew that many people in the gay community loved her, but I just wasn't one of them. I was aware of Cher and a few things she had done. I watched her in Burlesque and thought she was good. I also knew of her because at every school dance

Teal Wicks, Micaela Diamond, Stephanie J. Block
and Ensemble

"Believe" was one of those standards that was played. (Looking back, it was a super weird choice considering my town's demographic, but whatever.) So, I was aware of Cher, but I wasn't a "Cheraholic" as I like to call her fans. My first thought when I heard that Cher was going to have a Broadway musical based off her life was "WHAT THE F*CK?!?!? WHY???? WHY DO WE NEED ANOTHER BIO MUSICAL? WHY DO WE NEED ANOTHER JUKEBOX MUSICAL STOP!!!!!!" (In case you can't tell I was against it at first.) Then news of the workshop came around and I heard that three different women were going to play Cher, much like Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, and the three women for the workshop were Lesli Margherita, Lena Hall and Abby Mueller. I sat confused staring at my computer thinking "How on Earth are these three completely different women, with three completely different vocal styles going to play the same woman?" Anyway, then time passed, and I heard that they were having a Chicago Out-of-Town Tryout before coming to Broadway and it was soon announced that Stephanie J. Block would be one of the three women to portray Cher. My first thought was "No Stephanie! You just did this amazing

Female Ensemble

show, Falsettos, and now you're going to do this?" However, my tune quickly got turned around when more info started to come out about The Cher Show and specifically the book. The script is penned by 3x Tony nominee Rick Elice, the man behind The Addams Family, Jersey Boys and Peter and the Starcatcher. Elice was writing the musical as if Cher were doing a variety show of her life. I found this incredibly interesting because it's a completely different way of telling someone's life story. Elice's book is filled with witty and zingy one liners along with some great campy jokes, and plenty of gay ones (all of which were tasteful.) Even in the midst of all the glitz and the glamour Elice's book managed to be a personal and sometimes intimate experience, even if it did leave out several key events in Cher's life that I think would have really strengthened the character of Cher. (But how much can you expect for a 2 1/2 hour musical.) There were other little problems I had with Elice's book and also a few questions, but overall Elice delivers the comedy and even manages to add some great emotional depth, with the heart breaking 11 o'clock

Ashley Blair Fitzgerald and Male Ensemble

number "You Haven't Seen The Last of Me." However, there was one thing I wish Elice had kept and that was the opening scene from the Chicago Out-Of-Town Tryout where it is made clear that what we are watching is a variety show about Cher's life. That would have made the entire show a bit clearer as to why the show was staged the way it was. The Cher Show is helmed by Tony Award nominated director Jason Moore who made sure that the show kept moving. There was never a dull moment happening on stage and it was nothing, but nonstop action filled with dazzling and sexy choreography by Christopher Gatteli. The stand out number of the night, in my opinion, is "Dark Lady" sung by Jarrod Spector as Sonny Bono and Matthew Hydzik as Gregg Allman, Cher's two husbands. (Which on a side note fit perfectly considering how Cher, at this point in the story, was using both men.) It is danced by the beautifully talented Ashley Blair Fitzgerald who commands the space while dancing, featuring gravity defying lifts and stunts as she dances with every man of the ensemble. The show was designed by a team of all stars, there were mammoth sets by Christine Jones and Brett J. Banakis many of which if you look closely had a hidden "C"

Jarrod Spector and Micaela Diamond

on them. The lights were fabulously blinding, in a good way, by Kevin Adams and of course the stylish costumes designed by the legend Bob Mackie and who better to design the costumes of The Cher Show than the man who created many of Cher's most iconic looks. The only design that lacked for me was the sound design by Nevin Steinberg (Now I'm very new to sound design so I may not be talking about the right person here. I always confuse the sound designer and the sound engineer.) My problem with the sound was that it was too loud. I'm not sure if that's what they wanted, but I'm pretty sure I lost part of my hearing after the show. They just need to turn down the volume a smidge. I also want to give a shout out to the hair and wig designer Charles G. LaPointe who did a wonderful job with all the wigs. Now before I move onto the main characters, I do want to give a quick shout out to the wonderful ensemble for doing an

Jarrod Spector and Teal Wicks

amazing job and especially Blaine Alden Krauss who delivered some killer vocals as the head of the Dave Clark Five. To quote Cher "A man is not a necessity, a man is a luxury" and Cher has had many men in her life. However, all of the men featured in The Cher Show, except for Sonny, were on stage for maybe all of 10-15 minutes and they don't really have much character build up. The men I'm talking about are Cher's non celebrity boyfriend Rob Camilletti played by Michael Campayno her second husband Gregg Allman played by Matthew Hydzik and Bob Mackie played by Michael Berresse all of whom played their character's excellently despite having only 15 minutes of fame. Another strong performance was given by Emily Skinner who played Georgia Holt, Cher's mother. Skinner also had a brief, and to a certain point rather unnecessary, cameo as Lucille Ball. I can't think of a clever segue into talking about Jarrod Spector as Sonny Bono so let's get to it then. Spector delivers an absolutely wonderful performance as the short in stature, but not in talent, Sonny Bono. No stranger to a Broadway bio musical (Having previously starred as Barry Mann in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys) Spector perfectly copied Sonny's unique singing voice and interesting personality. Spector gives a top of the line performance. (Although I don't recall Sonny Bono being that buff.) We can't have Sonny without Cher, or in this case Babe, played by the so extremely talented that "you want to punch her" Micaela Diamond. Diamond delivers a metamorphosing Broadway debut performance at only 19. She holds her own against fellow Cher's power houses Wicks and Block. (Both of whom used to play Elphaba in Wicked.) She delivers stunning vocals on her main song "I Got You Babe" as well as a groovy solo version of "The Beat Goes On" delivered in the second act. Diamond also captures all of Cher's quirks she had in her "Babe" years, but still manages to have her own personality shine through. Diamond has quite the career ahead of her especially if she continues with performances like this one (Please cast her as Elphaba.)

Stephanie J. Block and Male Ensemble

When Sonny and Cher are down on their luck playing night clubs Cher must transform herself from Babe to Lady, who is portrayed by the wonderfully sassy Teal Wicks. Despite Wicks having the least amount of stage time out of all three Cher's she delivers an absolutely knockout performance with a stellar voice and fires off great comedic and sassy one-liners like a machine gun. Cher goes through one final transformation to become Star played by the stellar Stephanie J. Block who proves once again her chameleon like talents to dive into a role and truly bond with it are never to be underestimated. Block has the most meat in her role out of the three Cher's and not only does Block cook the meat to perfection, but also adds all the right seasoning and serves it up to the audience with a enough flair to light up a 4th of July fireworks show. Block belted song after song without missing a note like the "Warrior Goddess" she is and the one she portrays. Overall, The Cher Show is a glitzy, glittery show filled with camp, sass and crazy vocals. If you're looking to have a fun time and hear catchy songs go catch The Cher Show currently running on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre and booking until October 13, 2019*.

"I got you to kiss goodnight, I got you to hold me tight.  I got you, I won't let go. I got you to love me so. I got you babe."

*As of March 16, 2019 when this review was published.

Fresh Blood Principles in Wicked (Part 2)

It's been a little over a year since I last made a post about fresh blooded principles in Wicked and look how much has changed since then! We got fresh blood for the roles of Fiyero, The Wizard, Madame Morrible, Boq, Nessarose and Dr. Dillamond. Unfortunately we still have no fresh blood in the roles of Elphaba or Glinda. I really don't understand why casting directors find it so difficult to cast fresh blood in the roles of Elphaba and Glinda. There are so many amazing women who could do these roles and they just keep bringing back the same often mediocre people or only promoting the most mediocre standbys. It's time for some fresh blood in the two lead roles Wicked. I'm getting tired of seeing the same people. Again, I've listed dates of the latest fresh blood in a role meaning they were never an understudy or standby and/or weren't in a prior production of Wicked before. If a person's name is underlined that means they are currently in the show. (I have included Gizel who takes over as Nessarose on Broadway this March.)

• Broadway
• Elphaba: Lindsay Mendez (May 2013-Feb. 2014)
• Glinda: Jenni Barber (Feb. 2014-Nov. 2014)
• Fiyero: Ryan McCartan (Sep. 2018-Dec. 2018, Feb. 2019-Current)
• The Wizard: Michael McCormick (Feb. 2019-Current)
• Madame Morrible: Nancy Opel (Nov. 2018-Current)
• Boq: Robin de Jesús (Dec. 2014-Feb. 2016)
• Nessarose: Gizel Jiménez (March 2019-Current)
• Dr. Dillamond: Jamie Jackson (Nov. 2018-Current)
• 2nd US Tour
• Elphaba: Jessica Vosk (Sep. 2016-Sept. 2017)
• Glinda: Carrie St. Louis (Nov. 2014-Dec. 2015)
• Fiyero: Jon Robert Hall (Sep. 2017-Jan. 2018, March 2018-Feb. 2019)
• The Wizard: Jason Graae (May 2018-Current)
• Madame Morrible: Sharon Sachs (Feb. 2019-Current)
• Boq: Cole Dolman (March 2018-Oct. 2018)
• Nessarose: Mili Diaz (April 2018-June 2018, Aug. 2018-Current)
• Dr. Dillamond: Harry Bouvy (Feb. 2017-Feb. 2018)
• West End
• Elphaba: Rachel Tucker (March 10-Oct. 2012)
• Glinda: Sophie Evans (July 2017-Current)
• Fiyero: David Witts (July 2018-Current)
• The Wizard: Andy Hockley (July 2017-Current)
• Madame Morrible: Melanie La Barrie (July 2017-Current)
• Boq: Jack Lansbury (July 2017-Current)
• Nessarose: Sarah McNicholas (Jan. 2017-July 2017)
• Dr. Dillamond: Chris Jarman (July 2018-Current)

The Last Midnight: March

Caroline, or Change
Theatre: Playhouse Theatre (West End)
Opened: November 28, 2018
Closing: March 2, 2019
Olivier Awards:
Best Musical Revival [Pending]
Best Actress in a Musical for Sharon D. Clarke [Pending]
Best Costume Design for Fly Davis [Pending]

Choir Boy
Theatre: Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (Broadway)
Opened: January 8, 2019
Closing: March 10, 2019
Tony Awards: N/A

True West
Theatre: American Airlines Theatre (Broadway)
Opened: January 24, 2019
Closing: March 17, 2019
Tony Awards: N/A

Company
Theatre: Gielgud Theatre (West End)
Opened: October 17, 2018
Closing: March 30, 2019
Olivier Awards:
Best Musical Revival [Pending]
Best Actress in a Musical for Rosalie Craig [Pending]
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Jonathan Bailey [Pending]
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Richard Fleeshman [Pending]
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Patti LuPone [Pending]
Best Director for Marianne Elliot [Pending]
Best Theatre Choreographer for Liam Steel [Pending]
Best Set Design for Bunny Christie [Pending]
Best Lighting Design for Neil Austin [Pending]

Anastasia
Theatre: Broadhurst Theatre (Broadway)
Opened: April 24, 2017
Closing: March 31, 2019
Tony Awards:
Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for Mary Beth Peil [Nominated]
Best Costume Design in a Musical for Linda Cho [Nominated]