https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjp1kbxEdGU
Who says you cannot go home again? Definitely not James Corden who is doing a week of The Late Late Show over in his native London. Since he has been over in the States, he has added a bunch of new bits that the Brits do not know about like Crosswalk the Musical.
If you are going to do a musical production near the West End, then you have do something from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber. How can you do just one? You cannot, so the CBS host did a number from four of his biggest musicals. And did I mention the musical genius was there to witness it all on the streets of London. Not Mr. Sheffield, but Mr. Webber.
They started it off with Don’t Cry for Me Argentina from Evita, and no one was crying until the light turned green. Next up was a song from Cats, the most overrated musical of all time. For their traffic stopping number they did something from Phantom of the Opera with a surprise guest. As we know, many a dreams are made on the Great White Way, so you have to end it with Any Dream Will Do from Joseph and the Amazing Techicolor Dreamcoat. Although, I prefer Go, Go, Go Joseph or Joseph’s Coat.
Anyways, there were so many great moments, but the best one was when a dog walked by them when they were dressed as Cats. It was the only hiss they heard all day, but there were plenty of boos. Not because of the production numbers but because no one likes to be stuck in traffic anywhere in the world. Even if they are getting a free show.
The most powerful and most memorable moment from the Tonys last night was when the drama students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School sang Seasons of Love during the awards show. Today, those students and their teacher, Melody Herzfeld, talked about their big night on Today.
Mrs. Herzfeld said that moments like this, “Is a constant reminder. It is a repeat of everything.” Then she added, “Like even being invited here, brings all of that back again. When it has just gone away a little bit. And then it gets a little emotional again. It is not easy.” She knows that emotion because, on February 14th, she protected and hid 65 students in her classroom as a madman shot up her school in Parkland, Florida.
Kali Clougherty, whose high note sent chills through our bodies said, “It was actually a dream come true. I have been dreaming that since I was 8 years old.” Then she continued with, “I just graduated high school. I am not even on Broadway yet. I got to do what a lot of Broadway people haven’t even had to do yet.”
Even though her note will soon not be forgotten, it almost did not happen because she felt a cold coming on. But none of that matters when you have the audience and your classmates backing you up. It was their energy that caused her to break a lot of legs in Radio City Music Hall.
How long did they practice to make that performance so powerful? Two weeks, even though school ended a week into rehearsals. Who were they excited to see at the Tonys? A unanimous vote for Tina Fey, who I am sure was as wowed by them as we are of her!
Lastly, who do they have thank for their special night? Tanzil Philip, who asked to be part of Broadway’s big night. The Great White Way has done a lot for the students and the students wanted to give something back. That they did and I wish we could give them some more.
If you missed the performance that proves that tune from Rent can be used as a song of hope, then watch it below.
During Saturday’s matinee of The Boys in the Band, Jim Parsons fell and fractured his foot. He was not able to do the next couple of performances and an understudy had to fill in. You know the saying, “The show must go on”? Well, it did!
His Big Bang Theory nemesis went the show yesterday and John Ross Bowie shared a photo of the injured actor. The Speechless star wrote, “This is my friend Jim. Jim has a fractured foot. That did not stop Jim from going on in a boot for this evening‘s performance of The Boys In The Band. His work ethic and professionalism Always astonish me, but tonight was something else.” Then he added, “His performance is funny, mean, tragic and human. Also, I have never heard him curse so much. Honorable mention – the rest of the cast, each of whom have shining moments under the direction of Joe Mantello.
Thanks for a great evening of theater, Jim.”
Bowie also shared a sign from the Broadway theater that said Parsons is not in pain. And neither are the audience members because Sheldon Cooper’s TV brother Jerry O’Connell also praised the show and that was before he did it with a broken tootsie. If you are in NYC, go see it before it closes on August 11th.
Yesterday, while you, me and millions of other people tuned in to see Sheldon get married to Amy on The Big Bang Theory, neither Jim Parsons nor his TV brother Jerry O’Connell were watching it. What were Sheldon and Georgie Cooper doing that was so important that they would miss their own/brother’s wedding?
Parsons is on the other side of the country starring in The Boys in the Band with Matt Bomer, Zachary Quinto and Andrew Rannells for the next couple of months; and O’Connell went to see his little TV brother in the Broadway play that is being produced by Ryan Murphy.
When O’Connell got out of the show, he wrote, “OVERWHELMED by my baby brother @therealjimparsons in @boysbandbway. Go see this play this summer. Wow. Wow. Just wow. I LOVE YOU. 5 points.”
Who knew that by playing brothers, you actually become like brothers? Look how gosh darn precious they are together? Maybe the producers will bring him back on TBBT more often? Sheldon can use a lot more brotherly advice, now that Young Sheldon revealed that Shamy will have kids in the future. What did you think of that reveal?
Last week, Bill Murray went not once but twice to see the Broadway musical Groundhog Day based on 1993 movie and yesterday the producers announced that the show will be closing on September 17th. According to Page Six, his appearance helped sales but it was too little, too late.
This is the second show this month to announce its closing. Last week, The Great Comet said its final performance is also next month. Maybe if Broadway lowered their prices, more people could afford to see them. I know that is why I have not been to see one in a long time.
