Special FeaturesMad Men Star and Broadway Regular Bryan Batt Describes the Ultimate Vacation for Theatre FansThe La Cage aux Folles, Sunset Boulevard, and Cats star is convinced there’s nothing else like it for theatre devotees.
By
Bryan Batt
March 19, 2017
Seth’s chat with Karen Mason, Melissa Errico, and Bryan Batt was full of stories and laughs.
Marc J. Franklin
Besides “Girls in white dress with blue satin sashes” some of my favorite things are Broadway and travel. I have had the good fortune to appear in many Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, hit TV series and films, as well and traveled far and wide. I thought I knew the score. I thought cruises were not for me—not my thing. I wasn’t a Love Boat fan. I have never been more wrong IN MY LIFE!
One Playbill cruise and I was hooked! The Playbill cruise combines everything I love in one week on a glamerous enchanting ship...and with a valet!!! Being a native New Orleanian, I’m a foodie too. The daily meals are simply divine, whether one breakfasts in their suite or indulges in the buffet. I confess I am a breakfast buffet addict and this one beats the Waldorf’s! Plus, there are numerous gourmet restaurants to choose from for dinner. But, the best part is that if you like theatre, this is Broadway HEAVEN.
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Photos: Inside the Star-Studded Week-Long Caribbean Fantasy Broadway on the High Seas 8
Photos: Inside the Star-Studded Week-Long Caribbean Fantasy Broadway on the High Seas 8
Bryan Batt, Andrea Martin, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Judy Kuhn, Melissa Errico, and Alice Ripley are among the stars sailing on the Caribbean adventure.
91 PHOTOS
Day 7: It was another rainy morning on the Silver Wind…
Day 7: ...But that couldn’t stop our guests from exploring St. Thomas.
Day 7: Alice Ripley and John Carucci joined one of the day’s excursions - snorkeling at an underwater shipwreck.
Day 7: Back on land, our guests explored the shops at the port.
Day 7: Our last chatterbox featured Andrea Martin, Lorna Luft, Kevin Chamberlin, and Tony Yazbeck.
Day 7: Lorna Luft received a standing ovation after performing a medley of iconic songs NOT nominated for an Oscar.
Day 7: Christine Pedi, Howard McGillin, Richard Samson, Kevin Chamberlin, and Andrea Martin enjoyed one final dinner at sea.
Day 7: For our last night, our guests were treated to a stellar performance by Judy Kuhn.
Day 7: Judy Kuhn
Day 7: Judy Kuhn
Day 7: Judy Kuhn
Day 7: The night concluded with a Broadway singalong led by Kevin Chamberlin.
Marc J. Franklin
Day 7: And that’s a wrap! Thank you to our Broadway talent for an exciting week at sea!
Marc J. Franklin
Day 6: It was quiet morning on the Silver Wind…
Day 6: … because most of our guests headed into gorgeous St. Barts!
Day 6: Melissa Errico and her family say hello before venturing into the island.
Day 6: Louise Pitre and husband Joe Matheson explore the town.
Day 6: With its chic shops and gorgeous beaches, St. Barts was a highly anticipated town for our guests.
Day 6: Broadway goes to the beach.
Day 6: After a busy day on the island, our guests slowly returned to the ship to relax as the sun began to set.
Day 6: Judy Kuhn
Day 6: This afternoon, our stars held another lively autograph session for our guests.
Day 6: Even the ebb and flow of the ship couldn’t stop Tony Yazbeck from bringing his amazing tap danced filled show to the Silver Wind.
Day 6: Tony Yazbeck
Day 6: Tony Yazbeck
Day 6: Tony Yazbeck
Rainy morning in Guadeloupe.
Fortunately, the rain cleared up before noon and we were able to head into town.
In the town square.
Andrea Martin and a guest navigate the city.
The afternoon’s Chatterbox featured Ernie Sabella, Lillias White, Virginia Ann Woodruff, and Howard McGillin.
Marc J. Franklin
Lillias White earned a standing ovation after belting an impromptu performance of “And I Am Telling You” from Dreamgirls.
Virginia Ann Woodruff with a guest.
For tonight’s show, our guests were treated to a thrilling performance by Tony award winner Alice Ripley.
Alice Ripley took the audience through a musical walkthrough of her career.
Alice Ripley
Alice Ripley
The night ended with a trivia, hysterically hosted by Bryan Batt.
Day 4: We arrived in our port in Antigua and Barbuda just as the sun arose.
Day 4: Many of our earlier risers headed out to begin the day with some island excursions…
Day 4: ...including a horseback tour of Antigua.
Day 4: Horseback riding on the Antigua sand.
Day 4: After an early morning adventure, we returned back to port to explore the shops.
Day 4: Back on the ship, it’s another day of relaxation.
Day 4: Louise Pitre and Joe Matheson lounge by the poolside deck with a guest.
Day 4: Our audience got a hilarious peak behind the Broadway curtain during today's Chatterbox featuring Alice Ripley, Christine Pedi, and Judy Kuhn.
Day 4: Christine Pedi brings the house down with a hysterical finale to today's chatterbox!
Day 4: Tonight’s show was twice the fun as Karen Mason and Howard McGillin teamed up for a doubleheader.
Day 4: Pre-show festivities with Tony Yazbeck
Day 4: Karen Mason
Day 4: Howard McGillin
Day 4: Karen Mason and Howard McGillin
Hello from St. Kitts and Nevis.
Exploring St. Kitts.
Alice Ripley and John Carucci venture into town.
Nevis is the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton.
The view from the Silver Wind.
Seth Rudetsky returned to host his show, Chatterbox.
Seth’s chat with Karen Mason, Melissa Errico, and Bryan Batt was full of stories and laughs.
Marc J. Franklin
Tonight’s show, our guests were treated to a passionate performance by Louise Pitre
Louise Pitre
Louise Pitre
Louise Pitre
They ended with a Broadway singalong in the ship’s panorama lounge.
Good night from Broadway on the High Seas!
Day 2: After sailing overnight, we woke up in beautiful Dutch St. Maarten.
Day 2: The main priority on the ship in morning was relaxation.
Day 2: While many people soaked in the sun on the Silver Wind, many of our guests and stars ventured out to explore Philipsburg, St. Maarten, including Broadway veterans Howard McGillin and Judy Kuhn.
Day 2: A gorgeous day to spend on a gorgeous beach!
Day 2: After a wonderful day spent, we returned to the Silver Wind for some Broadway fun!
Day 2: Up first, an autograph session with our wonderful Broadway talent!
Day 2: Melissa Errico displays the incredible custom lithographs featuring our stars.
Day 2: Even our stars are fans of our stars. Alice Ripley crashed the autograph session to get her playbill signed by her colleagues!
Day 2: The evening featured a riveting performance by Brian Stokes Mitchell.
Day 2: Brian Stokes Mitchell
Day 2: Ernie Sabella joined Brian Stokes Mitchell to perform a rousing number from Man of La Mancha, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
Marc J. Franklin
Day 2: Brian Stokes Mitchell
Welcome to Broadway on the High Seas!
Marc J. Franklin
This week we will be traveling throughout the Caribbean on Silversea's luxurious Silver Wind.
As we prepare to set sail, our Broadway talent begin to arrive for some lunch.
Our Broadway talent gather for a company meeting in prep for our most star-studded cruise to date!
What better way to begin the week than with a cocktail hour at sunset!
Before we set sail, a few words from our captain.
Playbill President and CEO Phil Birsh kicks off the week as he welcomes our guests to our 8th Broadway on the High Seas cruise.
Brian Stokes Mitchell with guests.
Lillias White with guests.
Alice Ripley with guests.
Melissa Errico kicks off our nightly concert series.
Guests eagerly await what is sure to be a thrilling first performance.
Melissa Errico
After a riveting performance, Melissa Errico and her family wish our guests a goodnight and a wonderful trip.
Besides chatting with and getting to know Broadway actors, award winners and legendary talents by the pool, during dining , at the bar, in the halls, on the tender, on the dock , at the port, on the deck (stop me, I’m starting to sound like a Sondheim patter “list song”) every day there is a smart Broadway lecture or Chatterbox hosted by Seth Rudetsky with impromptu songs (usually show-stoppers) and never-heard wild personal tales of the wonders and woes of the Great White Way.
This last trip, Seth Rudetsky, Virginia Woodruff (Smokey Joe’s Café), and Tony winner Lillias White decided to perform the fight scene from Dreamgirls—just for fun. Seth knew all the boys’ parts, Virginia did all the girls and, of course, Lillias reprised her Effie. Not only was it great, rather than end with that, Seth continued to play the piano and Lillias blew the roof off that ship with “And I am Telling You.” Instant standing ovation. As far as incomparable moments from this trip, I think that tied with Brian Stokes Mitchell singing either “Man of La Mancha”—a surprise reunion with his Sancho Panza, Ernie Sabella—or “America the Beautiful.” (It’s still a toss up between the two mind-blowing performances and the memory will never fade!)
Day 2: Ernie Sabella joined Brian Stokes Mitchell to perform a rousing number from Man of La Mancha, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
Marc J. Franklin
Besides singing a little ditty here and there, my job this trip was that of Master of Cermonies. It was a blast each evening to introduce my friends and cohorts, for every night there as a first rate, first class solo cabaret show by the Broadway powerhouses aboard the ship. I have never felt energy and love like that in a room, so up close and personal! My fellow actors are just as thrilled to see their comrades perform as they are to take the stage.
The Caribbean ports were beautiful, too, but to be honest, I have so much fun on the boat and with the passengers and actors, I really don’t want to disembark! It’s the onboard joy and comaraderie that is infectious. Come on, when was the last time you bellied up to the piano bar and joined in a singalong of your favorite show tunes with the likes of Howard McGillin, Alice Ripley, Judy Kuhn, Ernie Sabella, and Karen Mason? With Kevin Chamberlain tickling the ivories—no less—as two-time Tony winner Andrea Martin sang her song from Pippin, “Oh, It’s Time to Start Living.”
I’ll be clamoring to join Playbill’s travels as long as I can walk up the gang plank. Hope to see you on the next adventure!
Don’t miss your chance to hop on the next cruise! Playbill Travel’s Rhine River cruise sets sail in August 2017. The luxury cruise—complete with performances by top Broadway talent such as Faith Prince, Andréa Burns, Terrence Mann, Santino Fontana, and more—tours the stunning and culture-filled cities of Basel, Cologne, Amsterdam, and more. And, recently announced, Playbill cruises the Danube River in November 2017 and Iceland in summer 2018. For more information about Playbill Travel and to book your next Broadway getaway click here.
Bryan Batt, Andrea Martin, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Judy Kuhn, Melissa Errico, and Alice Ripley were among the many stars sailing on the Caribbean adventure.
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