Show People With Paul Wontorek

LAURA BENANTI is heading back to Broadway as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. The Tony winner, social media maven and Melania Trump impersonator begins performances at the Vivian Beaumont Theater on October 23. This year marks 21 years since Benanti's Broadway debut. Her resume is full of dream roles, including Maria in The Sound of Music, Cinderella in Into the Woods and Louise in Gypsy, for which she won a Tony Award. Benanti, who is the mother of toddler Ella Rose, who is as vocal and assertive as her mother, says that being a parent is her true role of a lifetime. The Broadway favorite stopped by Show People with Paul Wontorek to talk about the post-partum challenges, getting close to Amy Schumer during Meteor Shower and much more.

NICOLETTE ROBINSON is living her dream: the actress is making her Broadway debut in Sara Bareilles' Waitress, and she is proud to be the first performer of color to take on the leading role of Jenna. Robinson is also the first mother to play the role of the pregnant diner waitress and pie maker extraordinaire. The actress and her husband, Hamilton Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr., welcomed their daughter, Lucille Ruby in the spring of 2017. Robinson stopped by on Show People with Paul Wontorek to talk about her daughter, gush about her husband and rave about her first experience on the Great White Way.

Tony-nominated for bending and snapping as Paulette in Legally Blonde, ORFEH is now back on the boards as another beltress BFF: Kit De Luca, the wise and sassy working girl who's got Vivian Ward's back in Pretty Woman:The Musical. Her powerhouse stage presence and one-of-a-kind vocals have made her a Broadway favorite. Orfeh recently opened up about learning the ropes of the Great White Way during her Footloose days, how she sees the glass as half full after the end of Or-N-More, why her co-star and hubby Andy Karl's onstage lip locks don't bother her and so much more on Show People with Paul Wontorek.

When it was announced that DONNA MURPHY would be filling in for Bette Midler on Tuesday evenings in the Tony-winning revival of Hello, Dolly!, the two-time Tony winner described the opportunity as "heavenly." That's the word audiences are surely using when they see Murphy in the role of the meddlesome matchmaker. With few opportunities left to catch the elegant star as Dolly Levi (she will perform on August 12, 19 and 20) before the production takes its final bow on August 25, we jumped at the chance to speak with her about how the loss of her husband, actor Shawn Elliott, informed performance as a Dolly, widow starting her life anew. Murphy also opened up her early days on the New York theater scene, where she keeps her Tony Awards and much more on Show People with Paul Wontorek.

After winning a Tony Award for Caroline, Or Change in 2004, starring in Dreamgirls on the big screen with Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson, making Disney princess history as Tiana in The Princess and the Frog and starting her own production company, ANIKA NONI ROSE is back on the New York stage. This latest role—one the performer has been pursuing for years now—truly sizzles in a simplified though still sensational John Doyle-directed production of Carmen Jones, Oscar Hammerstein II's take on Georges Bizet's grand opera Carmen. The gorgeous production has already been extended through August 19. The talent took a break from belting out the larger-than-life score at Classic Stage Company to chat about the role that got away, The Princess and the Frog, what really went on during Dreamgirls and more on Show People with Paul Wontorek.

MATT BOMER has arrived. To be sure, the Texas native has been performing since childhood and has solidified his career as a screen star in White Collar, Magic Mike, American Horror Story and more. It's not just those gorgeous baby blues. The Carnegie Mellon grad nabbed a Golden Globe in 2015 for his heart-wrenching performance in HBO's The Normal Heart and cut his teeth in the early workshops for what feels like every musical theater fans worship (Thoroughly Modern Millie and Spring Awakening, to name a few). As Donald in Mart Crowley's iconic gay play The Boys in the Band, true stage man Bomer makes a Broadway debut for the books: a star-studded cast of proud and out men, Joe Mantello at the helm and a historic premiere of a play that was and remains a theatrical game-changer since its debut in 1970. Bomer sat down on Show People with Paul Wontorek to discuss his newfound passion for the director's chair, why the world is ready for that Magic Mike musical and more.

HAILEY KILGORE has a lot to say about Ti Moune, the character she plays in the Tony-nominated revival of Once On This Island: "She is a powerhouse. She knows what she wants. She's going to go and do it." The same can be said for the 19-year-old Tony nominee. The Michael Arden-helmed production of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's musical began performances at the Circle in the Square Theatre in November 2017. In just over six months, Kilgore has become a fresh-faced Broadway star, winning the hearts of audiences and critics alike. Tony winner LaChanze, currently starring in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, garnered her first nomination for originating the roleback in 1991. Now, LaChanze and Kilgore are facing each other in the stacked Leading Actress in a Musical category. Kilgore has always been a go-getter as well as a devout Ariana Grande fan and a pageant queen. Like Ti Moune, she's someone who knows what she wants and is going to go and get it. The young talent stopped by Show People with Paul Wontorek

Skeptics who rolled their eyes at the thought of Nickelodeon’s hit animated series SpongeBob SquarePants heading to Broadway were quickly silenced when they experienced the talent of triple threat ETHAN SLATER. In less than a year, the young talent has gone from fresh-faced Broadway newcomer to 2018 Tony nominee, Outer Critics Circle Award winner and two-time Broadway.com Audience Choice Award winner. His energetic performance in the role of SpongeBob SquarePants has wowed both audiences and critics. Not unlike the delightfully zany production he stars in, Slater has proven that the Bikini Bottom director Tina Landau has created at the Palace Theatre is a lot more than burgers and bubbles. This show, boasting 12 Tony nominations, has proven that it's not just a simple Great White Way show: it's a contender and more. Slater recently discussed making the optimistic yellow cartoon his own, learning about loss, counting his blessings and other takeaways on Show People with Paul Wontorek.

Seven years ago, it was announced that LAUREN AMBROSE would be playing the coveted role of Fanny Brice in the Bartlett Sher-directed Broadway revival of Funny Girl. Though the production never made it to the Great White Way, Ambrose is now starring in the Sher-helmed hit reincarnation of My Fair Lady at the Vivian Beaumont Theater and is having a loverly time doing so. She's earned a 2018 Tony nomination for her spunky, sparkling performance as Eliza Doolittle. Not unlike the iconic character's transformation, this musical theater milestone is truly a metamorphosis to witness, especially for those that know and love Ambrose from her Emmy-nominated time on HBO's Six Feet Under, the cult classic film Can't Hardly Wait and her past Broadway performances in the plays Awake and Sing! and Exit the King. The classically trained soprano stopped by on Show People with Paul Wontorek to talk about her least favorite haircut of her career, how she's been "threatening" to be in a musical forever and why My Fair Lady feels

The name "Dumezweni" means "to be known in the world," which is fitting for this 2018 Tony nominee. Already a two-time Olivier Award-winning stage great in London, NOMA DUMEZWENI is now making magic in her Broadway debut in the acclaimed hot ticket Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Her portrayal of beloved character Hermione Granger earned her a 2018 Tony nomination. Despite having all eyes on her and the cast as they bring a new chapter of J.K. Rowling's phenomenal book series to life, Dumezweni exudes confidence, calm and an inspiring gratitude for the moment—and she is definitely having a moment. The talented performer stopped by Show People with Paul Wontorek to talk about keeping the casting secret of the century, how her daughter feels about her mom playing Hermione, what she wants to share with her twenty-something self and more.

With hailed performances in The Social Network, The Amazing Spider-Man and many more film favorites, a 2017 Academy Award nomination for Hacksaw Ridge and a 2012 Broadway debut in Death of a Salesman alongside the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman, it's no secret that ANDREW GARFIELD is an exceptional actor. Nevertheless, his Tony-nominated performance in Tony Kushner's landmark play Angels in America as Prior Walter is a career high. He leans into his character's fantastical fabulousness just as wholeheartedly as he captures his despair and distress as a gay man living with AIDS in 1980s New York. Garfield stopped by on Show People with Paul Wontorek to talk about this truly transformative stage performance, his absolute favorite guilty pleasure show, his dad's favorite role in his repertoire and more.

Fade in on a girl living Karen Cartwright's best life. American Idol season five finalist KATHARINE MCPHEE, who recently revealed the 2018 Tony nominees alongside Hamilton Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr., is making her Broadway debut in Waitress. The Smash favorite has truly become a part of the theater community. Nevertheless, McPhee's been a Broadway baby her entire life. She watched her mother in regional productions of Show Boat and Man of La Mancha growing up, booked roles in Into the Woods and The Pajama Game in high school and she even auditioned for the role of Amneris in Aida on Broadway, which makes us want that revival to happen even more. Learn all about why she chose to make her Great White Way debut in the piping hot hit Waitress, the Smash season three episode Christian Borle wrote years ago and more on this week's Show People with Paul Wontorek.

NATHAN LANE is a Broadway legend. Loved for his hilarious roles in The Producers, The Birdcage and many more, the two-time Tony winner is currently giving one of the most masterful dramatic performances of his career. Taking on real-life lawyer and Donald Trump mentor Roy Cohn in the Broadway revival of Tony Kushner's landmark two-parter Angels in America, Lane displays the deterioration of a giant. The performance captures his versatility as one of the most celebrated entertainers of our time.. Here's what we learned from Lane about why Angels in America "marathon days" are the best ones, his divalicious dog Mabel, what's up with that Death of a Salesman revival with Laurie Metcalf and more on this week's Show People with Paul Wontorek.

It's been a decade since stage favorite CAISSIE LEVY took her first steps on Broadway. In the last 10 years, she's become a checkerboard chick as Penny Pingleton in Hairspray, let the sun shine in in Hair, made out and made pottery in Ghost and so much more. Now, she's reigning as the ultimate ice queen: Elsa in Frozen. Despite the white hot spotlight, Levy continues to exude kindness and calm, focusing on how grateful she is to be a member of the theater community—and it helps having the hilarious Patti Murin as her on and offstage BFF. Here's what we learned from Levy about her audition for the Disney juggernaut, her adorable son Izaiah, her early days on the other side of the stage door and more on this week's Show People with Paul Wontorek.

Two-time Tony nominee JOSHUA HENRY is bringing down the house as Billy Bigelow in the Broadway revival of Carousel. Not only is his "Soliliquy" one of the standout performance moments of the theatrical season; taking on a coveted, classic musical theater role traditionally played by white male leads is just another showcase of how Broadway continues to break down barriers in the entertainment world. With his golden voice and commanding stage presence, Henry has appeared on the road in Hamilton, alongside Tony winner Cynthia Erivo in the "anybody who's anybody was there" concert performance of The Last Five Years and in memorable Broadway productions like Shuffle Along, Violet, The Scottsboro Boys and more. Now, the longtime performer is being hailed as a favorite as awards season kicks into high gear. Here's what we learned from Henry about his early days hitting the books at the University of Miami, his entry into the In the Heights dream team (and coincidentally, the Hamilton cabinet), why he's just as obse

KATRINA LENK is no stranger to ensnaring audiences, be it as the seductive viola player in Once or as spider goddess Arachne in Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. Now her performance in Itamar Moses and David Yazbek's The Band's Visit has had audiences and critics buzzing since it premiered off-Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company in 2016. With awards season ramping up, The Band's Visit (and Lenk herself) is being hailed as a favorite on the Great White Way. Here's what we learned from Lenk about her hilarious dance teacher growing up, why she gets shy at the stage door, her octopus obsession, why awards season doesn't scare her and more on this week's Show People with Paul Wontorek.

Though he may be well-known for making hearts flutter during his time on Dawson's Creek, JOSHUA JACKSON has grown so much since the days of Pacey Witter puppy love. The actor is making his Broadway debut in the emotionally wrenching love story of Children of a Lesser God alongside fellow Great White Way newcomer Lauren Ridloff. He calls the theater his "happy place," one that has reminded him why he loves to perform time and time again. In addition, he's got Showtime's steamy fourth season of The Affair premiering in June and a big year ahead as he turns 40. Here's what we learned from the stage and screen star as he chatted about his close connection with Ridloff, learning American Sign Language (ASL), his stage start alongside Patrick Stewart, the review he can still recite and more on this week's Show People with Paul Wontorek.

After penning the scores to musicals like The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and now the widely acclaimed The Band's Visit, three-time Tony nominee DAVID YAZBEK can seem like a songwriting chameleon of sorts. And yet, there is something so unmistakable about his work. According to Yazbek, The Band's Visit, currently playing at Broadway's Ethel Barrymore Theatre, marries his day job as a musical theater composer/lyricist with the sounds of his hustle as an eclectic recording artist. Here's what we learned from the music man as he looked back on his childhood in New York, stripping down on the Boston stage, what he's really looking forward to during awards season and more on this week's Show People with Paul Wontorek.

After steering clear of performing in musicals for over a decade, VICTOR GARBER is back on the Great White Way alongside Bernadette Peters in the hottest ticket in town. Currently making classic musical theater magic as the delightful curmudgeon Horace Vandergelder in Hello, Dolly!, Garber has won fans on both the stage and screen throughout his extensive career. Here's what we learned from the incredible talent as he looked back on the Sugar Shoppe, Sweeney Todd, Assassins, Annie with Audra McDonald, Titanic and more on this week's Show People with Paul Wontorek.

TAYLOR TRENSCH has been making a name for himself on the New York stage. From the off-Broadway revival of Rent to Broadway credits in Wicked, Matilda and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the young talent has certainly been keeping busy. A few months after opening the Tony-winning revival of Hello, Dolly! alongside Bette Midler, Gavin Creel, Kate Baldwin and more in April of 2017, it was announced that he would be stepping into the year’s other Tony-winning smash: Dear Evan Hansen. Now, Trensch is singing and sobbing eight times a week in the emotional role that earned Ben Platt his first Tony. Get to know the young talent on Show People with Paul Wontorek.