Playbill Celebrates Broadway's April Birthdays

Willkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome!

Amidst April rainfall, the sun is shining on performers, directors, playwrights, and other theatre artists who celebrate their birthdays this month. Full of shine and full of sparkle, April is a joyful month for a host of talent who have sprouted on Broadway. Let's shower them with well wishes as they begin a new year.

And for those of you hoping for guidance from the heavens above, let this month's horoscopes help you determine whether or not to throw caution to the wind and what might spring forth as new growth. It's Aries and Taurus season!

Hello, David Hyde Pierce (Vanya, Sonia, Masha, and Spike; Spamalot)! Our first Broadway birthday for the month of April is actor and director David Hyde Pierce, who made his most recent appearance in the 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly! It should be you wishing David a happy birthday on April 3rd.

Start spreading the news! April 8th marks composer and lyricist Fred Ebb's birthday. It will be perfectly marvelous when his newest musical New York, New York opens April 26 on Broadway.

Save some razzle dazzle for God's Favorite Michael Bennett, who also celebrates his birthday on April 8th. The director and choreographer inspired A Joyful Noise in Broadway audiences with his work on musicals A Chorus Line, Company, Follies, Promises, Promises, and Dreamgirls.

Shuffle Along this April 9th to celebrate Paul Robeson (Show Boat). The bass-baritone and activist made history in 1943 when he became the first Black actor to perform the role of Othello in a major production. The Broadway run of Othello then became the longest-running Shakespeare play in the history of the Great White Way.

It's Broadway's Master of Ceremonies Joel Grey's birthday on April 11th. Anything Goes while celebrating the actor, director, and photographer as he completes another Grand Tour around the sun. The Golden Globe, Tony, and Oscar winner has danced through life on the Broadway stage, originating roles in Cabaret, Chicago, Wicked, and George M!

We'll all be giving The Look of Love to Liz Callaway (Merrily We Roll Along, Miss Saigon) on April 13th. The Tony nominee has been the voices to beloved animated characters such as Anya in Anastasia, Kiara in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, and Odette in The Swan Princess.

Put on your Sunday clothes this April 18th for Gavin Creel's birthday. The Tony and Olivier Award-winner made his Broadway debut in Thoroughly Modern Millie. He was most recently seen as the Wolf and Cinderella's Prince in the 2022 Broadway revival of Into the Woods. Set sail with him into the South Pacific next spring as part of Playbill Cruise.

We'd like to propose a toast for Patti LuPone's birthday on April 21. Everything will be coming up roses for the three-time Tony winner (Evita, Gypsy, Company), who is touring in concert around the country this year. The impact of her signature voice has been felt around the world as the Broadway great, whose credits include War Paint, and Noises Off, was the first American actress to win an Olivier Award (for Les Miserables).

We will also whistle a happy tune for Ruthie Ann Miles (Sunday in the Park with George, The King and I), April 21st. The Tony winner is currently on stage as the Beggar Woman in this season's revival of Sweeney Todd and will also play Margaret in The Light in the Piazza at New York City Center June 21-25.

We're so glad we have this time together to wish Carol Burnett (Moon Over Buffalo, Once Upon a Mattress) a very happy birthday on April 26th. This year, Burnett's nearest and dearest will gather to celebrate her in NBC's special, Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love. In addition to her stage credits, the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winner is also known for starring in film adaptations of Annie and Noises Off!.

Playwright August Wilson (Fences, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Joe Turner's Come and Gone) is our finale birthday for the month of April as we honor him on April 27th. The Pulitzer Prize-winner penned a cycle of 10 plays known as The Century Cycle, a series of ten plays that span across the 20th Century, documenting the experiences of Black people in the United States. This season, a revival of The Piano Lesson performed at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.