Category Archives: Broadway

Fresh off their Tony win as Best Leading Actor in a Musical, J. Harrison Ghee earns their first crowning as Dazzler of the Day. With an acclaimed performance in ‘Some Like It Hot’, Ghee is burning up the Broadway boards, which should come as no surprise to those of us who have followed their incendiary career, including on-stage appearances in ‘Kinky Boots‘, ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’, and ‘Chicago’. I can’t wait to see where they will take us next.  

One of my most enjoyable Broadway experiences was getting to see the original production of ‘Steel Pier’ when it first opened in 1997. Aside from the ferocious appearance of Debra Monk and the broadway debut of a powerhouse sprite named Kristin Chenoweth, it also marked the first Broadway show for Brad Bradley. What I remember most of that show was the incredible troupe of dancers, and how I marveled at what they were doing on that stage – physically defying the limits of the human body for every show – emblematic of the dance competition at the heart of the production. Brad Bradley played Buddy Becker and Mr. Peanut, gamely dancing his way into the heart of every audience. Since then he’s kept going, one long dance of a theatrical journey that has tread throughout Broadway, television, and film. Check out his website here for further evidence of his brilliance. Today he is the Dazzler of the Day for thrilling me all those years ago in ‘Steel Pier’. 

My adoration for Douglas Sills was born instantly, intensely, and irrevocably the moment he set foot onstage as the lead character in ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ in the 90’s. In that show he gave the performance of a lifetime, cementing his stature as a powerhouse in front of an audience, as much as he had proven himself to be behind the camera. His turn as Percy, alternately swashbuckling and fanciful, filled with foppish flourishes and pivoting into deadly-earnest drama at the drop of a feathered hat, was the sort of revelatory showcase that seals a history-making moment on Broadway. I still remember that theatrical season, mostly due to Sills and his indelible creation. Decades later, we would have the privilege and joy of seeing him back on a big Broadway stage with his scene-stealing role in ‘War Paint’ with Patti LuPone (who infamously once flashed him on a dare) and Christine Ebersole (hello Big and Little Edie). Lately, he’s been giving hearts a tug on the Broadway-infused fabulousness that is ‘The Gilded Age‘, where his pseudo-French chef proved one of the downstairs highlights of the first season. I can’t wait to see where he takes us next – until then he is the Dazzler of the Day. 

If her impressive body of Broadway work wasn’t enough to merit this honor, her turn on last night’s Tony Awards certainly cements the deal. This is Joaquina Kalukango, who also won a Tony Award last night for her soul-seering work in ‘Paradise Road’. Today she earns this Dazzler of the Day, and is no doubt on her way to more compelling accolades.

This marks Ricky Schroeder’s second appearance as Dazzler of the Day, following his very first time here, and it’s a well-deserved honor, timed to coincide with his fundraising efforts for the 30th anniversary of Broadway Bares, which raises money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Schroeder has been one of stand-outs in that entertaining enterprise (this is his tenth year taking part), and looks to continue that red-hot streak as the show returns to its live, in-person glory. 

{Check out his fundraising page here, and spread the good word.}

Theatrical force-of-nature Ramin Karimloo is an Olivier and Tony Award nominated stage icon, who earns his first Dazzler of the Day thanks to his upcoming role in Broadway’s revival of ‘Funny Girl’. If there’s one show I want to see this season, that is definitely it. Check out Karimloo’s website here for a more comprehensive view of his impressive accomplishments. 

It was his tapping prowess in the recent revival of ’42nd Street’ that was broadcast on PBS the other night that sold me on Ashley Day, hence this Dazzler of the Day crowning. Many of us have been missing the live theatrical experience that was so sadly curtailed with COVID, so seeing this on television was the next best thing. It reminded me of the magic that can only be found on stage and in person. As for Mr. Day, his dancing and singing skills stole every scene he was in, and his talents more than earn this Dazzler honor. 

Broadway performer Kyle Dean Massey was part of the recent revival of ‘Company’ but when the show announced its return later this year he had a happier announcement that since he and his husband were welcoming their new baby, he’d have to drop out. There is something refreshingly noble about someone who makes such a sacrifice for their child, and for that alone Massey earns his first Dazzler of the Day. (It’s an honor he can add to his previous Hunk of the Day crowning here.)

Broadway superstar and theatrical legend in her own time, Lea Salonga easily earns her first Dazzler of the Day honor. My Mom and I saw her magical performance in the revival of ‘Once On This Island’ and she’s been conjuring such indelible achievements for decades, from Eponine in ‘Les Miserables’ to the voice of Princess Jasmine in ‘Aladdin’ as well as her Tony-winning turn in ‘Miss Saigon.’ In recent years, she’s made a successful turn in touring, as well as album work, including a collection of traditional Filipino songs entitled ‘Bahaghari.’ Check out her gorgeous website for more. 

Javier Muñoz was an easy selection as Dazzler of the Day, given his penchant for showstopping, scene-stealing antics in such celebrated shows as ‘In the Heights’ and ‘Hamilton‘ – and his personal triumphs over cancer and HIV give an additional layer of strength and vulnerability to his storied journey. The greatest dazzlers are survivors – on the stage and in their personal lives. 

The very first time I witnessed the wonder that is Audra McDonald on stage was in the 1995 production of ‘Master Class’. She has been dazzling audiences ever since, hence this long-overdue Dazzler of the Day honor. While the stage of ‘Master Class’ was cluttered with the chewed-up bits of Zoe Caldwell’s scene-devouring, every time McDonald appeared she stole whatever bit of scenery remained with her luminescent star-power and seemingly-super-human talent. I was mesmerized, and my fandom has been burning brightly ever since.

A couple of years later I was lucky enough to see her turn as Sarah in ‘Ragtime’ where she once again rose above an already-impressive ensemble to achieve new heights with that gloriously soaring voice. Since those indelible Tony-winning performances, she’s gone on to win multiple Tony Awards (so many in fact that she holds the record for Tonys given for performances), made memorable impressions on film, and taken up the admirable mantle of activism in helping out all of us who have been marginalized in some way. She continues to dazzle and astound, and she’s one of those people who just makes me feel that the world is a little better than it sometimes seems.