The Broadway showstopper is alive and well and living its best life this season, thanks to the 10 incredible performers featured in our upcoming spring photo & interview series. In the coming weeks, every Tuesday and Thursday, BroadwayBox will release a Jenny Anderson photo spread and in-depth interview with each of these insanely talented performers who helped make this year’s musicals so memorable. Scroll on for an alphabetical sneak peek of what’s to come.
John Behlmann (Tootsie)
John brings major laughs to the musical adaptation of Tootsie as Max Van Horn, a reality show contestant who makes his Broadway debut in the show within a show, and falls hard for the leading lady, Dorothy Michaels. His big song “This Thing” is a wonderful showcase for his comic timing.
Corbin Bleu (Kiss Me, Kate)
Corbin Bleu up the ante after his explosive Holiday Inn showstopper by legit tap dancing on the ceiling in the Kiss Me, Kate revival. As Bill Calhoun/Lucentio, Corbin displays the kind of throwback talent only found in MGM musicals with his number “Bianca”. Never mind that he also dances his butt off in “Tom, Dick, or Harry” and “Too Darn Hot” before his showstopper.
Micaela Diamond (The Cher Show)
Sitting at The Cher Show, you know you are watching a star being born in Micaela Diamond. The 19-year-old stars as Babe (the youngest Cher) and her vast talent knows no bounds, whether she’s crooning with Jarrod Spector to “I Got You Babe” or high-kicking to her face while crossing the stage and singing in “The Beat Goes On”.
Amber Gray (Hadestown)
Find one person who has seen Hadestown and wouldn’t follow Amber Gray and her Persephone to hell and back. She’s the life force of the acclaimed musical, and her Act II opener “Our Lady of the Underground” is a gift from the gods.
Leslie Kritzer (Beetlejuice)
Comedy queen Leslie Kritzer gives a dynamic, scene-stealing, LOL performance as the life coach who gives you life. Every moment with her Delia is your favorite moment, from the iconic “Banana Boat Song” possession to that feisty Miss Argentina.
This Tony winner stars as Dee Dee Allen in The Prom and stops the show TWICE with her belting prowess in “The Lady’s Improving” and “It’s Not About Me”. It’s one of the biggest star turns of the Broadway season and the most memorable.
Bonnie Milligan (Head Over Heels)
The Broadway beltress made her debut as Princess Pamela, a vain royal who finds unexpected love with her lady in waiting, this season in the short-lived Go-Go’s musical Head Over Heels. Hearing Bonnie belt “Beautiful”, “Automatic Rainy Day” and “How Much More” was a jaw-dropping, face-melting, fan-clacking, diva-in-training moment no audience member could forget.
George Salazar (Be More Chill)
The breakout star of Broadway’s Be More Chill created a musical theatre movement with his goofy, lovable Michael Mell and his showstopping, roof-shaking performance of Joe Iconis’ outsider anthem “Michael in the Bathroom”.
Jarrod Spector (The Cher Show)
The Tony nominee stars as Sonny Bono in The Cher Show and audiences verbally react with glee and awe when he begins "I Got You Babe". Beyond impressive impersonation, Jarrod brings a depth and dimension to Sonny that only a great theatre artist could mine.
Ali Stroker (Oklahoma!)
Ali creates an Ado Annie all her own in the hit revival of Oklahoma!. Hilarious and magnetic, she is a true country music queen performing her “I Cain’t Say No”. You understand why every man wants her Ado Annie because the audience cain’t get enough of her either.
Check BroadwayBox every Tuesday and Thursday for a full profile on each of these 10 showstoppers.
Photographed by Jenny Anderson at Haswell Green's. Assisted by Sydney Goodwin. Hair by Justin Bowen and makeup by Gianna Yanelli. Styling by Kae Manning Studio.
