I was on the red carpet on Thursday, March 16, for the opening night of the highly anticipated revival of PARADE starring Tony award winner Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond. Take a look at the coverage and my interview with the cast and the other VIP guests!
Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond chat with me about about what they will take away from their roles as Lucille and Leo Frank. I cant believe I had the chance to finally get a chat with THE Ben Platt--somebody pinch me please!!
Then I ran into the one, the only, the INCREDIBLE Jessica Vosk (or Vosk Sauce as many called her) who is just a dream!!! Our chemistry on-camera is electric and it was great to chat about her tour (that has 4 dates left!), what PARADE means to her, and our run in (or photo bomb) of a fashion icon herself! In the words of Jessica herself "Blesses, Curses, and Dreams"
Ok, OHMYGODYOUGUYS!! Jeremy Jordan stopped by and chatted with him briefly before he went into the show. As you know, Jeremy portrayed Leo Frank in the concert of PARADE a few years back at Lincoln Center (alongside Laura Benanti) so he has a special connection to the show. We chatted about his upcoming moveie "Spinning Gold", returning to Broadway, and the significance of PARADE. Yes, can confirm, Jeremy is even more handsome and charming in person! #zdaddy
I also got to speak with most of the cast members from PARADE on Broadway! Many of these talented artists were making their Broadway debut in this show which was always great to see! Check that out here.
The incredible Andy Mientus, and husband of Michael Arden (director of PARADE) spoke with me about the production means for Michael and how important the story is.
Paul Alexander Nolan, who has done 9 Broadway shows (eight, if you include the two times slave play came back) spoke with me about how he was feeling on opening night. We chatted our love of Bright Star, what this show means to him, and more! I am such a fan of his work and the roles has had played have spanned the gambit. His nine Broadway credits include (ONCE, Jesus Christ Superstar, Doctor Zhivago, Bright Star, Chicago, Escape to Margaritaville, Slave Play, Parade)
Oh my goodness how Cameron Mannheim is my new favorite person! We chatted about PARADE and how this will be her first time seeing it (I told her to bring tissues!), her return to NYC and now working on Law and Order arresting the bad guy, and she even teaches me a new Yiddish word "shepping nachas" which she said my Mother must be for me... I learned that means "to get joy/pride from" and I must agree with her!
The one and only Alfred Uhry, who wrote the two time Tony award winning playwright who wrote the book for PARADE. He chats with me about how special this new production is for him, working with Hal Prince, and what Hal Prince would think about this production.
And I caught up with everyone's favorite triple threat Jay Armstrong Johnson. Check out our chat here. And be sure to listen to our podcast interview here about Jay's annual " I Put A Spell on You."
Howard McGillan chatted with me about the significance of the show. We of course also chatted about Phantom of the Opera closing next month considering Howard is currently the longest running Phantom with over 2500 performances.
Manoel Feliciano chat with me about what this night means to him!
Max Chernin (who was also crowned the legacy robe recipient) chats about being back on Broadway, working with Ben & Micaela, and what he is looking forward to!
Part 2 of the cast members from PARADE chat with me about making it to opening night, what they are looking forward to, and what the show means to them.
The legendary Chuck Copper stopped by to talk about what it felt like to have his son make his Broadway debut, and join the rest of the Cooper family (him and his daughter Lilli Cooper) as Broadway performers
Stacy Bono talks with me about her Broadway debut and covering several roles, including for Micela Diamond as Lucille Frank.