More than ever—and in the age of peak TV—more and more theatre actors cross over into work on television and streaming series.
With upcoming pilots and new seasons already underway, familiar Broadway faces make their way to TV. Check out the list of highlights below to see some of the theatre stars you can watch out for on the small screen.
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The Good Fight Broadway stars:Christine Baranski, Sarah Steele, Audra McDonald, Bernadette Peters Baranski leads the cast as Diane Lockhart, a lawyer whose savings and lifelong hard work are completely destroyed after her goddaughter’s reputation goes under. A spin-off of hit network series The Good Wife is now in its third season and follows Diane’s journey as she tries to rebuild and start fresh at a new lawfirm. Steele, Broadway alum from The Humans, has been with the series from the start. McDonald joined the cast as a series regular in 2018 as Liz Reddick-Lawrence, a fellow attorney, and Broadway legend Peters makes recurring appearances on the series as Lenore Rindell, the wife of Diane’s former financial aide, and the mother of her goddaughter, Maia. Tony nominee Brenda Braxton will appear this season. Past guest stars have included Andrea Martin, Corey Cott, Helene Yorke, Kelli O’Hara, Becky Ann Baker, and more. The Good Fight is one of those shows you’ll always find Broadway faces. How to watch: CBS All Access Premiere Date: March 14, 2019
Sex Education Broadway star: Gillian Anderson High-schooler Otis Milburn teams up with his crush Maeve Wiley to set up a secret sex therapy business at school to help other students with their problems in the bedroom. Gillian Anderson plays Otis’ mother, Jean, who is a licensed sex therapist and the reason why Otis knows so much about the subject in the first place. Theatrelovers will recognize Anderson as the star of the West End’s All About Eve, playing at the Noël Coward Theatre in a limited engagement directed by Ivo van Hove. How to watch: Netflix Premiere date: Season 1 is currently streaming and a second season was recently announced.
Heléne York
The Other Two Broadway star: Heléne Yorke Yorke, who has starred in Bullets Over Broadway and American Psycho, plays Brooke Dubek, a former professional dancer who is struggling to come to terms with her younger brother’s overnight fame. She and her older brother (Drew Tarver) try to cope with the 13-year-old’s sudden success, while also trying to find their place in the world. How to Watch: Thursdays at 10:30PM/9:30c on Comedy Central and catch up OnDemand or at CC.com Premiere Date: January 24, 2019
One Day at a Time Broadway star: Rita Moreno The Netflix series follows the everyday life of a modern Cuban-American family, and focuses on the issues all American families face today. It also confronts some controversial topics such as mental health issues, religion, and addiction in each episode. Broadway legend Rita Moreno plays Lydia Margarita del Carmen Inclán Maribona Leyte-Vidal de Riera, mom to Penelope Alvarez and abuela to her two kids, Alex and Elena. (Note: Netflix recently announced the series will end after Season 3, but the Norman Lear reboot is looking for a new potential home.) How to watch: Netflix Premiere date: Season 3 premiered January 2019
The Enemy Within Broadway stars: James Carpinello and Sophia Gennusa CIA operative Erica Shepherd (played by Jennifer Carpenter of Dexter) complies with a Russian master criminal to save her daughter, played by Gennusa. When she is caught for her crimes, she is sentenced to life in prison for treason. The show picks up three years later, when the same Russian villain poses a new threat and the FBI needs Shepherd’s help. Broadway fans will recognize the young star as one of the original Matildas in Matilda The Musical, a performance that earned her a Tony Honor for Excellence. Carpinello, who has been seen on Broadway in Saturday Night Fever, Xanadu, and Rock of Ages, plays recurring character Anthony Cabrera, another CIA official who worked with Shepherd prior to her arrest. How to Watch: Mondays at 10PM/9c on NBC and catchup OnDemand Premiere date: February 25, 2019
Broadway stars:Will Chase, Katrina Lenk, Hailey Kilgore This new drama follows the intertwined stories of residents of a Brooklyn apartment building as they all come together to try and battle individual challenges. Chase, currently leading the Broadway revival of Kiss Me, Kate, will play John, a character introduced in the pilot. Lenk, a Tony winner for The Band’s Visit and Kilgore, a Tony nominee for Once On This Island, will be seen later in the premiere season. How to Watch: Tuesdays at 10PM/9c on NBC Premiere date: March 19, 2019 Fosse/Verdon
Broadway stars: Michelle Williams, Norbert Leo Butz, Laura Osnes, Brandon Uranowitz, Tyler Hanes, Kelli Barrett, Ethan Slater, Ahmad Simmons, Bianca Marroquin The highly anticipated FX series chronicles the five-decades-long professional and romantic relationship of famed choreographer and director Bob Fosse and Broadway performer Gwen Verdon. This show is chock-filled with Broadway vets: Michelle Williams, Broadway’s recent Sally Bowles, as Gwen Verdon, two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz as Paddy Cheyefsky, two-time Tony nominee Laura Osnes as Shirley MacLaine, two-time Tony nominee Brandon Uranowitz as Dustin Hoffman, Cats alum Tyler Hanes as Jerry Orbach, Wicked alum Kelli Barrett as Liza Minnelli, Tony nominee Ethan Slater as Joel Grey, Hadestown performer Ahmad Simmons as Ben Vereen, and Chicago’s Bianca Marroquin as Chita Rivera. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alex Lacamoire will also executive produce, Dear Evan Hansen scribe Steven Levenson wrote the pilot serves as showrunner, and Andy Blankenbuehler is the show’s choreographer. How to watch: Tuesdays at 10PM/9c on FX Premiere date: April 9, 2019
Broadway star: Caroline Basu Ramy Youssef plays Ramy, the son of Egyptian immigrants, who navigates through a politically polarized town in New Jersey while struggling to uphold the values of his Muslim community and fit in with his peers. May Calamnawy plays the female lead, Dena, and School of Rock alum Caroline Basu will play her younger self. How to Watch: Hulu Premiere date: April 19, 2019
Mandy Gonzales, Javier Muñoz and Rory O’Malley Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic
Like Magic and American Princess Broadway star: Rory O’Malley Having originated the role of Elder McKinley in The Book of Mormon and having played King George in Hamilton, O’Malley now has two upcoming TV projects. Like Magic tells the story of aspiring magicians trying to make names for themselves in the dog-eat-dog world of magic. O’Malley will play Michael V, one half of a magic duo. In American Princess, a socialite runs away to join a local Renaissance Faire after her wedding doesn’t go as planned. O’Malley is set to play the Faire’s beloved Shakespeare. How to watch: Like Magic has been picked up by NBC; American Princess on Lifetime Premiere dates:Like Magic TBA; American Princess June 2, 2019
LOOKING AHEAD
Samantha Marie Ware
What/If Broadway stars: Samantha Ware Billed as a show about “the ripple effects of what happens when acceptable people start doing unacceptable things,” this season will see a newlywed couple accepting a morally questionable offer from an unknown female character. While we don’t know much about Ware’s character just yet, The Book of Mormon and Hamilton alum (she played Nablungi on Broadway and Peggy/Maria in Hamilton in Chicago) will be sure to bring her A game to the show that also stars Chicago actor Renee Zellweger. She was last seen Off-Broadway in the 2018 rock opera This Ain’t No Disco. How to Watch: Netflix Premiere date: Upcoming 2019
Snowpiercer Broadway stars: Daveed Diggs and Lena Hall Snowpiercer, based on the 2013 sci-fi film of the same name, follows the story of survivors of the second Ice Age as they come together on a luxury train to battle the arctic climate. Things only get more complicated when the lower class train dwellers decide to overrun the train’s management. Diggs will play a quiet but intelligent prisoner on the train who takes on a role in the uprising. Hall will play the train’s archivist who is tasked with recording all of the events that take place on board. Both Diggs and Hall are Tony winners, Diggs for Hamilton and Hall for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Diggs currently plays Off-Broadway in the new Suzan-Lori Parks play White Noise. How to Watch: TNT Premiere date: Upcoming 2019
Lin-Manuel Miranda Marc J. Franklin
His Dark Materials Broadway stars: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ruth Wilson Based on the British novel trilogy of the same name, His Dark Materials follows young Lyra Belacqua and Will Parry as they travel through different universes. Tony-winning writer-composer-lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda plays Lee Scoresby, who guides Lyra on her journeys to the North. Tony nominee Ruth Wilson, who made her Broadway debut in Constellations and will star in this season’s King Lear, is Marisa Coulter. How to Watch: Set to premiere on BBC, with an HBO release in the U.S. Premiere date: Upcoming 2019
1918 Actor-manager Sir George Alexander dies in London at age 60. His most popular role was the lead in The Prisoner of Zenda. In 1889 he took his own theatre and began producing the plays of Oscar Wilde and Arthur Wing Pinero.
1922 Phileas Fogg is asked to go Round in Fifty instead of 80 days. The musical runs at London’s Hippodrome for 471 performances. Circling the globe are Renee Reel, George Robey, and Wallace and Barry Lupino.
1997 Paula Vogel’s How I Learned To Drive opens at Off-Broadway’s Vineyard Theatre and stars Mary-Louise Parker and David Morse. The play transfers to the Century Theatre and wins the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for Drama (as it was not eligible for the 1997 award owing to a scheduling technicality.) Despite the award, the show closes as scheduled, four days after winning, on April 19, 1998.
2000 After years of international touring and even a TV broadcast, the Celtic dance revue Riverdance opens at the Gershwin Theatre under the title Riverdance - on Broadway, and runs 605 performances.
2014Mitch Leigh, the theatre composer and jingle writer who had a single, but enduring, hit musical in Man of La Mancha, and who, with a handful of repeated, but dramatically escalating musical phrases, gave the world an aspirational anthem in “The Impossible Dream,” dies at age 86. Leigh’s other Broadway musicals include Cry for Us All, Home Sweet Homer, Sarava, Chu Chem, and Ain’t Broadway Grand. Also an accomplished director, he received a Tony nomination for his work on the 1985 revival of The King and I.
Serenbe Playhouse launches its 10th anniversary season with the Civil War-set musical Shenandoah, which officially opens March 15. The Atlanta-area theatre company, known for creating epic, site-specific outdoor productions, sets Shenandoah in the midst of a Civil War re-enactment incorporating more than 100 soldiers, horses, and canon fire to sweep audiences into the story.
Artistic Director Brian Clowdus directs the production that stars American Idol Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks and The X Factor finalist Rachel Potter. Shenandoah has a book by James Lee Barrett, Peter Udell, and Phillip Rose with music by Gary Geld and lyrics by Udell.
Performances are scheduled through April 7.
Also featured in the cast are Caleb Baumann (Gabriel), Daniel Burns (James Anderson), Chase Davidson (Jacob Anderson), Pilot Bunch (Boy Anderson), Sophie DeLeo (Jenny Anderson), Jeremy Gee (John Anderson), Cullen Gray (Nathan Anderson), Jordan Patrick (Sam), Aaron Schilling (Henry Anderson), and Jeremy Skidmore (Rev. Byrd). The ensemble includes Andrew Andersen, Alden Burroughs, Brady Dunn, Destiny Freeman, Alexandria Joy, Karley Rene, and Terrence Smith.
Clowdus is marking the theatre’s 10th anniversary with a season of shows that capture turning points in American history. Up next is the Tony-winning musical Ragtime (May 8–June 9), an all-new adaptation of Pocahontas (June 13–August 4), and Hair (July 3–August 18).
The creative team for Shenandoah includes Bubba Carr (choreography), Chris Brent Davis (music director), Adam Koch (scenic designer), Joel Coady (lighting designer/director of production), Rob Brooksher (sound designer), Emmie Thompson (costume designer), Mark Warner (technical director), and Jake Guinn (stunt coordinator). Casting is by Binder Casting.
New York Theatre Workshop has postponed its previously announced production of a new project from renowned writer and performer Anna Deavere Smith. The yet-untitled play from the Notes From the Field creator was slated to round out NYTW’s 2019 season.
NYTW, which will continue to “work with Anna to realize her exciting vision,” will instead co-produce Chisa Hutchinson’s Proof of Love with Audible at the Minetta Lane this spring. The solo play, to be performed by Suzzanne Douglas, will begin performances May 7 ahead of a May 14 opening.
The switch-up follows NYTW’s earlier postponement of Sanctuary City, a new play by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok, which was scheduled for the spring as part of the 2018–2019 season. That production was delayed due to creative team scheduling conflicts and will be presented at a later date.
As previously reported, in place of Sanctuary City, the Off-Broadway theatre will offer 17 Border Crossings, created and performed by Thaddeus Phillips, with direction by Tatiana Mallarino (Red Eye to Havre de Grace). The show, a look at the imaginary lines that divide the world and the very real barriers they create, will begin previews April 11 ahead of an April 15 opening.
Currently in performances at NYTW is Hurricane Diane, by Pulitzer Prize finalist Madeleine George, directed by Tony nominee Leigh Silverman(Violet). Hurricane Diane, which is co-produced with WP Theater, runs through March 24. The production follows the acclaimed, sold-out run of Slave Play by Jeremy O. Harris.
Photos: Hurricane Diane Opens Off-Broadway
Photos: Hurricane Diane Opens Off-Broadway
23 PHOTOS
Michelle Beck Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Kate Wetherhead Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Kate Wetherhead and Jeff Croiter Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Danielle Skraastad, Kate Wetherhead, Becca Blackwell, Michelle Beck, and Mia Barron Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Leigh Silverman, Danielle Skraastad, Kate Wetherhead, Madeleine George, Becca Blackwell, Michelle Beck, and Mia Barron Joseph Marzullo/WENN
Three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Edward Albee, the author of dozens of plays, member of the Dramatists Guild Council, and president of the Edward F. Albee Foundation, was born March 12, 1928. He was awarded the Gold Medal in Drama from the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1980 and in 1996 received the Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts. Albee passed away September 16, 2016.
His play Three Tall Women makes its Broadway debut this season starring Glenda Jackson, Laurie Metcalf, and Alison Pill, at the Golden Theatre. Additionally, The Signature Theatre production of Edward Albee’s At Home at the Zoo recently extended a second time, now playing through March 25.
Flip through some of Albee’s stage highlights below:
Remembering Edward Albee: A Look Back at Some of His Work
It’s a sleepy winter morning, snow falling in a gentle blanket over a quiet Manhattan, but Wicked’s Katie Rose Clarke is buzzing. The actor, currently starring as Glinda in the hit musical, has been up for hours, caring for her eight-month-old daughter while settling into her new apartment and preparing for a concert appearance. It’s an impressive amount of multitasking, but Clarke is taking it all in stride.
“I think any working mom will tell you that it’s not easy. It is a hard balance to have no matter where you are in life. But I’m so grateful. There’s a new life that wasn’t there before! Having Eleanor in the world and becoming a mom and still working—it’s humbling I get to do these things and have them at the same time.”
It may be hard work but being back in Wicked is also a full circle moment for Clarke. The actor has played the Good Witch off and on since joining the first national tour show in 2007 (joining the Broadway company in 2010), but she is viewing her current stint with the fresh eyes as a new mother. The new perspective fuels a fresh understanding of both the character and Wicked’s place in the cultural landscape.
“I believe that art and theatre does have the power to change and make a difference. It’s hugely important when girls to come see these roles and see themselves onstage.” Clarke explains. “[Girls] need to see that they can do anything. If they have the work ethic, anything is possible. I want my daughter to see that. Playing Glinda is really taxing physically and vocally, but I find the show to be rewarding and important.”
