Broadway Divas 101: Lesson 10: Susan Egan

Born and raised in southern California, Susan Egan always thought she'd be a film actress.  With some encouragement from the great Tommy Tune, Susan made her way to New York City after leaving UCLA.  She was still an unknown when she made her Broadway Debut as Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.  She originated the role and played it for the first year of the 13-year run of the show.  She received a Tony Nomination for her performance.

Other Broadway credits include:  Margy in State Fair, Sally Bowles in the revival of Cabaret (she played the role five separate times during the run), and Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Susan voiced the character of Megera in the Disney film Hercules.  She also appeared in such films as 13 Going on 30, Man of the Century, and Gotta Kick it Up.

Susan now tours the country with various concert engagements.  Her concert "Susan Egan, the Belle of Broadway" was recorded live and is available on CD as Susan Egan: Live!  (Highly recommend it!  It's hysterical! )  She is married and has 2 daughters, Nina and Isla.

Fun Susan Facts:

*She did a production of Babes in Arms as a teenager and actor Jack Black was also in the cast.
*She had to really push Disney to let her audition for Meg in Hercules.  They only thought of her as Belle, and Meg is so different from Belle.  She finally convinced them to let her try it and she got the part!  She says that she was acting as Belle, but that she pretty much IS Meg.
*She served as interim Artistic Director of Orange County High School of the Arts (her alma mater) from 2002-2003
*She has done more Rodgers and Hammerstein shows in her career than all of the other composers combined!

Homework:
Watch these videos:







Also, watch her demo reels on her official website (listed below).

Sources:  http://www.susanegan.net/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Egan
http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=39325
Susan Egan Live! CD

Broadway Divas 101: Lesson 9: Rachel York

Rachel York was born and raised in Florida. She began performing at a very young age and made her way to New York City at age 19. She made her Broadway debut as Mallory in City of Angels.  Other Broadway credits include:  Fantine in Les Miserables, Marguerite in The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Christine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.  She also played the role of Lilli Vanessi/Katherine in the London Revival of Kiss Me, Kate, which aired on PBS and is available on DVD.  More recently, Rachel played Guenevere in a national tour of Camelot and Cruella de Vil in the national tour of 101 Dalmations (which featured a bunch of real dogs and the human actors performing on stilts so the show was seen from a dog's perspective.)

Rachel played Lucille Ball in the 2003 TV Movie Lucy.  (A must see!  She was fantastic!)

My earliest introduction to Rachel was the seeing Kiss Me, Kate on PBS.  She is INCREDIBLE in that show.  I also heard her singing "I'll Forget You" on the Encore CD of The Scarlet Pimpernel.  So when I went to NYC in early 2006 and we decided to go see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, I was very happy to see that she was playing Christine!  I'll never forget sitting there, awaiting her arrival on stage.  The first time we see Christine, she sings a great song, "Here I Am", which was one of 2 songs in the show I was familiar with prior to seeing it.  Out came Rachel and she was doing okay.  The song really raises the roof near the end, and Rachel was in rare form.  I was so excited to see her perform live and she did not disappoint!  She is a fantastic performer!

Homework:
Watch these videos:






Also, watch the PBS Kiss Me, Kate and the CBS Lucy, if you can find them!!

Sources:  http://www.rachelyork.net/Visitors.php/Home/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_York
http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=65872

Broadway Divas 101: Lesson 8: Bernadette Peters

Bernadette Peters' career spans 5 decades and she's still going strong! It was recently announced that she will return to Broadway next month as Desiree Armfeldt in the revival of A Little Night Music.

Bernadette began performing at a very early age, obtaining her Equity card at age 8.  (Actor's Equity is the union for actors and stage managers.)  At age 13, the understudied Dainty June in a national tour of Gypsy.  She made her Broadway debut in 1967 in a production called Johnny No-Trump.  Her Broadway credits include:  Hildy in On the Town (Tony Nomination),   Mabel in Mack and Mabel (Tony Nomination), Dot in Sunday in the Park with George (Tony Nomination), Emma in Song and Dance (Tony Winner), The Witch in Into the Woods, Paula in The Goodbye Girl (Tony Nomination), Annie in Annie Get Your Gun (Tony Winner) and Mama Rose in Gypsy (Tony Nomination).

Bernadette has appeared in over 32 feature films and television movies, including the 1983 version of Annie, the 1997 TV version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, and The Jerk with Steve Martin.  She was nominated for Emmys for her guest appearances on The Muppet Show and Ally McBeal.

Bernadette has recorded several albums and tours the country with singing engagements.  I had the privilege of seeing her in concert with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra in 2006.  It was literally 6 months after husband of 9 years had died in a tragic helicopter crash.  The songs I'd heard recordings of for years suddenly took on new meaning due to her circumstances.  The concert was fabulous!!

Homework:
Watch these videos:







Sources:  http://www.bernadettepeters.com/index.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernadette_Peters
http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=68530

Broadway Divas 101: Bonus Homework for Lessons 6 & 7

I purposely put Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel together in these lessons so that I could show you this video:



Sorry, it's audio only. But I couldn't find a good video and this is a live recording. Enjoy anyway! :)

Broadway Divas 101: Lesson 7: Idina Menzel

Idina Menzel (pronounced aye-DEE-nuh men-ZEL) doesn't have many Broadway credits to her name, but what she does have is AMAZING!  She originated the role of Maureen in RENT (Tony Nomination), played Amernis in Aida, and originated the role of Elphaba in Wicked, for which she won a Tony Award.

Idina was born and raised in New York.  She attended NYU and received a BFA in drama.  RENT was her first professional theatre job.

Idina has also done work in television and film.  Most notably, at least at my house, playing Nancy in the Disney movie Enchanted.  She also played Maureen in the movie version of RENT.  On TV, she has had guest roles on Private Practice and Kevin Hill.  Most recently she has been seen on Glee as Shelby Corcoran, the director of Vocal Adrenaline, (New Directions' chief rival at Regionals.)

In 2008, Idina performed in a concert version of the musical Chess in London.  She played Florence opposite Adam Pascal as Freddy and Josh Groban as Anatoly.  (I HIGHLY recommend this!!!  Idina's great, but it's worth it just to hear Josh Groban sing "Anthem".  I'm just sayin...)

Idina frequently performs with symphonies around the country.  (She'll be in Denver with the CSO in early November, if anyone wants to go!!)

Idina is married to actor Taye Diggs (whom she met in the original cast of RENT.)  They have a son, Walker, who was born in September 2009.

Homework:
Watch these videos:






You'll have to watch this one on YouTube:








Also, get your hands on a copy of Chess in Concert and watch the whole thing.

Sources: http://www.idinamenzel.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idina_Menzel
http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=52769

Broadway Divas 101: Midterm Report

So, how is everyone doing with the course?  Are you learning new things?  Have you spent hours on YouTube watching other videos than the ones I suggested?  I sure hope so!  (I know I have!)

We've reported on 6 Divas and we have 5 more to go, according to my final list:

Lesson 1:  Audra McDonald
Lesson 2:  Patti LuPone
Lesson 3:  Sherie Rene Scott
Lesson 4:  Victoria Clark
Lesson 5:  Sutton Foster
Lesson 6:  Kristin Chenoweth
Lesson 7:  Idina Menzel
Lesson 8:  Bernadette Peters
Lesson 9:  Rachel York
Lesson 10:  Susan Egan
Lesson 11:  Stephanie J. Block
Lesson 12:  "Demi-Divas"

I need some help with Lesson 12:  Who else should I talk about?  I'll give very brief reports on some other Broadway stars that I didn't know enough about or who aren't as a big a names (in my mind) as the others to get their own lesson.  I'm thinking about maybe Alice Ripley, Christine Ebersole, Sierra Boggess, Linda Eder, Kerry Butler, Laura Bell Bundy, Laura Michelle Kelly, Sally Murphy, Ashley Brown....  Please send me some suggestions!!

Broadway Divas 101: Lesson 6: Kristin Chenoweth

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Kristin Chenoweth studied opera in college.  She was named "most promising up and coming singer" by the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Take it from me...that is a BIG DEAL in the opera world!)  Instead of pursuing opera, after receiving her Masters, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in musical theatre.

Kristin made her Broadway debut in 1997 in a production of Steel Pier.  Two years later, she played Sally Brown in the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, which won her a Tony.  This was the theatre role she was most known for until 2003, when she originated the role of Glinda in Wicked.  She received a Tony nomination for this, but lost to her co-star, Idina Menzel.  She starred in the revival of The Apple Tree in late 2006-early 2007, and can currently be seen as Fran in the revival of Promises, Promises.

Kristin also has a done a lot of television and film work.  Most recently, guest starring on the hit show Glee.  She has recorded 3 albums and is working on her 4th.  One song she recorded is called "The Girl in 14G" which was written especially for her by Jeanine Tesori and Dick Scanlon (who wrote Thoroughly Modern Millie.)

Homework:
Watch these videos:



Make sure you watch all the way to the end on this one.  Note just how fast she changes out of costume before she has to come out to accept her Tony! 




This one you'll have to click on to view on YouTube...



Sources:  http://www.kristin-chenoweth.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristin_Chenoweth
http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=35170

Broadway Divas 101: Lesson 5: Sutton Foster

Sutton Foster took Broadway by storm in 2002 with her Tony-Winning performance as Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie.  This wasn't her Broadway debut, however.  She had previously appeared as Sandy in the 1994 Revival of Grease, various roles (including the Star to Be) in the 1997 Revival of Annie, ensemble in the original production of The Scarlet Pimpernel and as Eponine in Les Miserables.  Since her award-winning turn in Millie, Sutton has had a wonderful career on the Broadway stage.  Her credits include:  Jo in Little Women: The Musical (Tony Nomination), Janet van de Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone (Tony Nomination), Inga in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein, and Princess Fiona in Shrek: The Musical  (Tony Nomination).  She has just signed on to play Reno Sweeney in the upcoming revival of Anything Goes! with the Roundabout Theatre Company.

Sutton was born in Georgia and raised in Michigan.  She won Star Search at age 15.  She completed high school via correspondence because she was touring with the Tommy Tune-directed production of Will Rogers Follies.  Her brother, Hunter, is also a Broadway star.

Sutton is a classic "triple-threat".  She's a great singer, actor, and dancer!  Her solo album, "Wish" was released in 2009.

Other fun Sutton Trivia:

*She broke her wrist during The Drowsy Chaperone.  In order to stay in the show, she learned how to do one-armed cartwheels so she could still perform her stunts in "Show-Off".

*She is known for staying outside at the Stage Door after her shows until everyone who wants her autograph can get it.

*She performed in early workshops of Wicked, but has never performed in the actual show.

*She taught a class at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in the Spring of 2010.

My personal experience with Sutton (although I've never met her in person) dates back to 1999.  I saw her in the national tour of Les Miserables.  I remember thinking two things:  "Wow, the girl who played Eponine is AMAZING!!!!" and "Sutton...that's an interesting name."  Fast forward to Tony Night, 2002.  Sutton Foster wins the Tony and I'm thinking "Sutton Foster...that name sounds familiar."  I dug out my Les Miz program from 3 years earlier.  Lo and behold...SAME PERSON!!!!  I haven't seen her perform live again, but I'm sure I will someday!  I have geeked out on national tours of shows she was in, but that's a story for another day.  (Ask me later about "The Millie Incident" and the "Geek Trip.")

Homework:
Watch these videos:










Sources:  http://www.suttonfoster.com/home.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutton_Foster
http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=70151

Broadway Divas 101: Lesson 4: Victoria Clark

Victoria Clark was born and raised in Texas.  After graduating from high school, she attended Yale University.  She made her Broadway Debut in the original production of Sunday in the Park with George.  She went on to perform in the 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls and in the original Rodgers and Hammerstein revue It's a Grand Night for Singing  She played Smitty in the 1995 revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, originated the role of Alice Beane in Titanic: The Musical, played Fraulein Kost and Fritzie in Cabaret, played Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown, and originated the role of Margaret Johnson in The Light in the Piazza, a role that won her a Tony Award.  Most recently, she performed the role of Gabrielle York in the Lincoln Center production of When the Rain Stops Falling.

Victoria has done voice-over work, singing in several animated features, including Anastasia.  She has had guest roles on several television shows, including Mercy, Law & Order, and Law & Order: SVU.  She also performed in the PBS Special, Sweeney Todd in Concert with Patti LuPone and George Hearn.

I saw Victoria in The Light in the Piazza in 2006.  That is an AMAZING show and she was absolutely incredible in that role!  (Thank heavens for PBS and Live from Lincoln Center, for capturing this elegant performance so I can watch it whenever I want!!!)  We also met Victoria at the stage door after the show.  She was very kind and gracious!   SIDE NOTE:  If they ever do another revival of Hello, Dolly!, they should cast Victoria as Dolly.  Seriously.

Victoria teaches voice and continues to study with Michael Howard, Rebecca Taylor, and Edward Sayegh. Victoria released her first solo album in late 2007, "Fifteen Seconds of Grace."  She has one son, Thomas Luke.

Homework:
Watch these videos:  (Yes, I know the embedding has been disabled, but click where it says "Watch on YouTube" and you will be able to see them!)




This one you can watch on here. She shows up around 2 minutes, and you can't miss her:


And this one:


Sources:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Clark
http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=71299
http://www.victoriaclarkonline.com/

Broadway Divas 101: Lesson 3: Sherie Rene Scott

Sherie Rene Scott was born in Kentucky and raised in Kansas.  She started in theatre at a young age and headed for New York City when she was 18.  She made her Broadway debut in The Who's Tommy in 1993.  She was the original Amneris in Aida, the original Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony Nomination), and the original Ursula in Disney's The Little Mermaid.  She was also the original Kathy in the original off-Broadway production of The Last 5 Years.  She is currently in starring in Everyday Rapture, a show that she co-wrote and the "true-ish story" of her life.  (Tony Nomination).

Sherie and her husband, producer Kurt Deustch, founded Sh-K Boom Records and Ghostlight Records, which preserve cast recordings and solo albums for Broadway stars.  Sherie and Kurt have one son, Elijah.

I had the privilege of seeing Sherie twice in The Little Mermaid when it was doing its pre-Broadway run in Denver the summer of 2007.  She is a phenomenal performer.  She absolutely commands the stage with her illuminating presence.  She was hysterical as Ursula.  Additionally, my sister saw her one-night-only concert "You May Now Worship Me" in NYC in March of 2008.  This concert was expanded and became the show Everyday Rapture.

Sherie is a great performer and will be a shining star on the Broadway stage for many years to come!

Homework:
Watch these videos:




Sources:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherie_Rene_Scott
http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=73444
http://roundabouttheatre.org/aat/