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by Michael Portantiere

Broadway Heats Up!


  • Broadway Heats Up!

    Excessive heat and humidity didn't faze the stars -- and future stars -- who performed in this year's Broadway on Broadway concert in Times Square on Sunday, September 14. Here are some photos of this always-fun event, presented by Times Square Alliance and The Broadway League.

    Billys4-edit.jpg

    Meet the three boys who'll be rotating in the title role of Billy Elliot, one of the most-looked-forward-to shows of the year: (left to right) Kiril Kulish, David Alvarez, and Trent Kowalik.

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    The leads of the upcoming White Christmas: Jeffry Denman, Meredith Patterson, Kerry O'Malley, and Stephen Bogardus.

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    James Barbour, who plays Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities.

    Leguizamo-Hanks1-edit.jpg

    John Leguizamo, who'll soon be starring in a revival of American Buffalo, with Bailey Hanks, the new Elle Woods in Legally Blonde

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    Hunter Parrish, a star of TV's Weeds, is the new Melchior in Spring Awakening.

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    Derek Keeling, the new Danny Zuko in Grease.

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    Ashley Brown, a.k.a. Mary Poppins.

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    Carolee Carmello, star of Mamma Mia!

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    The Gypsy strippers -- Alison Fraser, Marilyn Caskey, and Lenora Nemetz -- with Lisa Rohinsky, understudy for the role of June.

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    On hand were a bunch of folks from Xanadu, such as the adorable Kerry Butler...

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    ...hottie Cheyenne Jackson...

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    ...sisters under the skin Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman...

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    ...and Curtis Holbrook, whose other credits include the Off-Broadway musical Saved and the film version of Hairspray.

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    Here's the present company of Avenue Q...

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    ...and here's Christy Carlson Romano, who'll soon be stepping into that long-running show.

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    Christopher Jackson and Mandy Gonazalez of In the Heights.

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    Spamalot's Drew Lachey did double duty, performing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from that show and also serving as host for Broadway on Broadway.

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    Michael Longoria, who has moved up from the role of Joe Pesci to the role of Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys.

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    Director Michael Berresse (far left) with the company of [title of show]: Hunter Bell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Susan Blackwell, Jeff Bowen, and Larry Pressgrove.

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    Tom Wopat, who's now playing Billy Flynn in Chicago, looked way cool despite the heat.

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    Charles Strouse, composer of such shows as Bye Bye Birdie and Annie, with Broadway stalwart Bebe Neuwirth.


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    Parting shot: The amazing Beth Leavel, now co-starring in Young Frankenstein, with James Gray, understudy for the role of Igor.


    Published on Sunday, September 14, 2008


    Michael Portantiere has more than 30 years' experience as an editor and writer for TheaterMania.com, InTHEATER magazine, and BACK STAGE. He has interviewed theater notables for NPR.org, PLAYBILL, STAGEBILL, and OPERA NEWS, and has written notes for several cast albums. Michael is co-author of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: BEHIND THE MYLAR CURTAIN, published in 2008 by Hal Leonard/Applause. Additionally, he is a professional photographer whose pictures have been published by THE NEW YORK TIMES, the DAILY NEWS, and several major websites. (Visit www.followspotphoto.com for more information.) He can be reached at [email protected]


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