Playbill and the Players Freestyle Love Supreme: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Crew Have Skills to Pay the Bills Led by Broadway’s Lin-Manuel Miranda, Freestyle Love Supreme is a freestyle rhyming crew that creates impromptu rap songs from single-word audience suggestions. Here, Miranda and group members Chris Sullivan, Anthony Veneziale and Arthur Lewis warmed up for their May 29 show at Joe’s Pub. Their quick lyrical wits were on display as Miranda took Playbill’s suggestion and created an on-the-spot rap. Check out upcoming shows at Joe’s Pub.
Playbill Presents Theatre Dictionary Term of the Month: "Catwalk" The improv troupe of Rochester, NY’s Geva Theatre takes up the camera for the latest installment of TDF’s Theatre Dictionary Term of the Month. Troupe members John Zaffino, Abby Kraai, Laura Sherwood and Tim Ryan draw upon their inner feline instincts to break down the meaning of the term “catwalk.” Watch the video definition of “Kick Your Face.” To see the ever-expanding theatre dictionary, visit www.theatredictionary.org.
Playbill and the Players Morgan James is “All Cried Out” at 54 Below Currently starring in Broadway's Motown: The Musical, Morgan James broke out a brand new tune called “All Cried Out” (she penned it along with Sam Watters and Louis Biancaniello) at the sound check for her last 54 Below gig. James returns to the venue on both June 17 and July 15 for 9:30 PM shows. Her set will feature bluesy and soulful tunes, many of which appear on her album “Morgan James Live From Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola” and many of which will appear on her soon-to-be-released CD (“All Cried Out” included). For tickets and info, visit 54Below.com.
Playbill and the Players Aaron Tveit, Tony Noms, The Jimmys And More On "On Stage Across America" In this preview for the next episode of "On Stage Across America," we catch up with Broadway's Aaron Tveit, chat with the 2013 Tony nominees, examine the ultimate real-life "High School Musical," and visit a 70-year-old theatre tradition. On the first Saturday of each month, "On Stage Across America" — a new monthly series uniting Playbill Magazine and Time Warner Cable news channel NY1 — will bring interviews with Broadway stars, writers, producers and directors, as well as the latest backstage theatre scoop, to Time Warner subscribers across the U.S. Each show will also include a list of theatre events relevant to your local market. The series will also be available on local On Demand channels in TWC markets. Click here for your local listings.
Playbill Presents OBSESSED! Willemijn Verkaik Takes “Defying Gravity” on a World Tour As she prepared to wrap up her run in Wicked, Willemijn Verkaik met up with Seth to chat about her background — she is from the Netherlands and has performed the role of Elphaba in three different countries and in three different languages. Seizing the opportunity to create havoc (as per usual), Seth asked her to sing “Defying Gravity.” The catch? She’d be required to switch amongst the three languages (and permutations thereof!) according to the cue cards doled out by his assistant. Read Seth’s weekly column. Visit SethTV.com, Seth’s online home.
Playbill Presents Tonya Pinkins Sings "My Funny Valentine" at Joe's Pub Tony Award winning actress and vocalist Tonya Pinkins (Caroline, or Change; Jelly's Last Jam) returns to Joe's Pub on June 3 with her new concert Tonya Pinkins Unplugged. The evening, which combines theatre songs with stories from her career, will include songs such as "Pirate Jenny," "Defying Gravity" and "Gimme Gimme." In anticipation of the concert, here is Pinkins singing the Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart classic "My Funny Valentine" at a previous Joe's Pub engagement. For more information on Tonya Pinkins Unplugged, click here.
Playbill Presents A Close Shave: Aaron Ramey Comes Clean on Jekyll & Hyde Aaron Ramey was compelled to grow massive mutton chops to help create an authentic look for his character in the 19th century-set Jekyll & Hyde. With the show now closed and summer quickly approaching, Ramey was this time compelled to remove his fantastic facial hair. Watch as Ramey deconstructs, reconstructs and eventually shaves off his chops and stache (which he’s worn for the better part of a year) and rejoins Broadway in the 21st century.
