Kathy Brier Is a Red Hot Mama on HBO's Stage-Friendly Boardwalk Empire

Thank you, Boardwalk Empire! Not only for giving us a gripping new series to cure our post-Mad Men blues, but for using so much Broadway talent week after week! The 1920s HBO drama, set in Atlantic City during Prohibition, features stage regulars like Michael Shannon (Mistakes Were Made) and Michael Stuhlbarg in prominent roles has also given screen time (and gorgeous period costumes!) to some our favorites including Danny Burstein (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown), Dana Ivey, Enid Graham, Paul Sparks, Tom Aldredge, Jordan Gelber and Stephen DeRosa.

In the November 14 episode, we spotted Kathy Brier (Hairspray, One Life to Live) camping it up as the last of the red hot mamas, Sophie Tucker. She told a few classic Tucker jokes (made even more famous by Bette Midler in the 1970s) and sang her well-loved tune “Some of These Days.” Nice job, Kathy! And awesome job, HBO!

Boardwalk Empire, which has already been renewed for another season, airs on Sunday nights at 9PM ET.