Christopher Hanke Hearts Darren Criss, Jerry O’Connell Is an Alan Rickman Fanboy & More Lessons of the Week

It’s curtains on another week in theater-land, and here at Broadway.com we’re looking back at what we’ve learned in the last seven days. From Patti LuPone’s memorable boobs to Christopher Hanke’s fickle fandom, there’s always something to surprise you here on the Rialto. Click on below to learn our latest Broadway lessons.

Mandy Patinkin Will Never Forget Meeting Patti LuPone’s Breasts
Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin have been an iconic Broadway pair for decades, but Patinkin still remembers their first meeting vividly. “The first time I saw Patti she was in a show called School for Scandal,” he told Broadway.com. “She had a big beauty mark on her face and the most extraordinary breasts.” LuPone’s explanation that her costume had “a restoration [comedy] shelf” didn’t matter. “I didn’t care why, I was grateful for the shelf. I wanted to put my coffee cup on it.” Probably a good move that you didn’t, Mandy. (Or did you?)

Lily Rabe Got Cozy with Al Pacino and Alan Rickman 
She may be young, but actress Lily Rabe has held her own against some of the biggest stars on stage, from Al Pacino in The Merchant of Venice and Mercedes Ruehl in The American Plan to her current role in Seminar opposite Alan Rickman. So, which of these all-stars has been the most intimidating? “None of the above!” she told Broadway.com. “They’re all powerful, brilliant people and big, big, big stage presences, but I’ve had cozy relationships with all of them.”

Christopher J. Hanke is Over Daniel Radcliffe (and into Darren Criss)
How to Succeed’s Bud Frump, Christopher J. Hanke, will soon be losing his co-star Daniel Radcliffe, and he’s already found a way to comfort himself, as he revealed in his New Years resolution for Broadway.com. “To stop sending fan mail to Daniel Radcliffe and re-purpose that "enthusiasm" toward daily letters to Darren Criss,” he said. “Wow, I feel better now that I have said that out loud.” You know what they say, Hanke: Admitting you have a problem is the first step.

Dulé Hill Totally Wears a Snuggie
He’s a star of stage and screen, but Stick Fly actor Dulé Hill isn’t above wearing that infamous infomercial favorite, the Snuggie. Hill recently took Broadway.com on a tour of his dressing room, in which he showed off his pineapple-shaped pillow (a pineapple appears in almost every episode of his TV show Psych) as well as his snuggly swag. “What better thing for me to have in my dressing room than my very own Psych Snuggie?” he said. Our only suggestion? A Stick Fly Slanket, duh!

There’s No Wrong Way to Sing “Summertime”
With Porgy and Bess back on Broadway, everyone is humming the showstopping song, “Summertime.” But which version? The Gershwin classic has been covered countless times, and Broadway.com wanted to know: does its brilliance hold up in any genre? The answer is a resounding yes. From ‘60s rock goddess Janis Joplin and jazz chanteuse Billie Holliday to American Idol contestant Fantasia Barrino and even ska band Sublime, the song never fails to wow.

Daisy Eagan Has a Lot in Common with Kurt Cobain
She was the youngest female Tony winner ever when she won her trophy for The Secret Garden at age 11, but that didn’t protect Love, Loss and What I Wore star Daisy Eagan from some days ahead as an angsty teenager. These feelings led to an enduring love for all things mid-‘90s, the actress recently told Broadway.com, including a kinship with the frontman of pioneering grunge band Nirvana. “Me and Kurt Cobain, man. No one understood our pain.” Do you also smell like Teen Spirit, Daisy?

Being an “Attractive Idiot” Got Michael Crawford into Wall-E
Michael Crawford is revered as the original star of Phantom of the Opera, but he recently gained a new generation of fans for his performance in the 1969 Hello, Dolly movie musical via the Pixar movie Wall-E. The animated film highlights Crawford singing “It Only Takes a Moment,” in the beloved musical. It turns out, the actor landed the part in the movie musical for only semi-flattering reasons. "When I was cast, [director] Gene Kelly told me he was looking for an 'attractive idiot,'" Crawford said. “His wife thought me attractive and he thought me an idiot so I got the role!”

Buck and Blanche Barrow are Also Adorable Offstage!
The onstage relationship between Bonnie & Clyde's Buck and Blanche Barrow is full of ups and downs (and shoot-outs), but, according to Melissa van der Schyff, who plays Blanche, the pair is nothing but sweet together in real life. She and her Buck, Claybourne Elder, were “instant best friends,” they even call their daily pre-show gabfest "couples counseling." Aww. Who knew cold-blooded killers could be so endearing.

Joanna Gleason Is a Dirty Bird
When Susan Blackwell joined Joanna Gleason at her home for some holiday fun, she quickly brought out the Tony winner’s blue sense of humor. After announcing the tree-trimming rule “big balls hang low,” Sons of the Prophet star Gleason let Blackwell show off one of her classier ormanents, a reindeer butt that farts to the tune of “Deck the Halls,” though she insisted she didn’t buy it herself. Suuuuure, Joanna.

Jerry O’Connell Has a Man-Crush on Alan Rickman
If there’s anything more exciting for Jerry O’Connell than making his Broadway debut in Seminar, it’s working with his co-star, Alan Rickman. “It’s a definite man-crush/fanboy thing I have going with Alan,” he told Broadway.com. When Rickman was voted Broadway’s sexiest man in a Broadway.com poll, O’Connell joked that it was because “I personally voted 3000 times.” He quickly amended, “That’s a joke everyone. You’re only allowed to vote once, so calm down.” It’s OK, Jerry, we know you tried.