Hit the Gym with Five Up-and-Coming Stars Prepping for Broadway This Spring

New year, new stars! As the Broadway season gets moving, The Broadway Show is highlighting five of its rising stars, bringing them to the gym for some musical spring training. These Ones to Watch share the paths that led them to Broadway and explain how they’re getting into fighting shape to take center stage.

For Nichelle Lewis, who makes her Broadway debut as Dorothy in the revival of The Wiz, TikTok is at the center of her fortuitous origin story. Lewis has been touring in the lead role ahead of the revamped production’s arrival in New York, and with all that experience under her belt, she’s stronger than ever and ready to make Broadway her new home.

Having already reigned on Broadway as SIX’s Catherine Parr, Joy Woods is no stranger to a Broadway stage, but she will be originating her first Broadway role as Allie in The Notebook. She plays the middle of three Allies in the new Ingrid Michaelson-scored musical, a role that is stretching her as an artist while also stamping out the remnants of her imposter syndrome. 

Meanwhile, Brody Grant proves why Ponyboy was the perfect role to usher him into the Broadway community. The young actor is one of 15 Broadway debuts in the musical adaptation of The Outsiders, and as he waxes nostalgic over the classic 1983 film version of S.E. Hinton’s novel, Grant looks back on his own coming-of-age story, including his relentless pursuit of art.

Meet up with Ali Louis Bourzgui as he hops off the train, fresh from the national tour of Company. Now navigating his Broadway debut, Bourzgui is digging deep to bring grit to the classic rock hits of The Who’s Tommy, reprising the role he played in the revival’s Chicago premiere. Music is essential to his prep, so find out what pumps him up enough to embody Broadway’s pinball wizard.

Last but not least is Shaina Taub, a familiar face (and voice) for off-Broadway audiences, but a multi-hyphenate talent who is finally landing on Broadway. Her historical musical Suffs—which she conceived, wrote and will star in this spring at the Music Box Theatre—has been a passion project for nearly a decade. And now, the show has a couple of political heavyweights in its corner.

Before The Broadway Show with Tamsen Fadal airs nationwide this weekend, you can watch the episode's YouTube premiere at 5PM ET on Wednesday, January 17. Hosted by Emmy winner Fadal, this episode will air in New York City on Sunday, January 21 at 4:30PM ET on WPIX. Be on the lookout for The Broadway Show, the only nationally syndicated weekly theater news program, on your local TV station. 

To find out where The Broadway Show with Tamsen Fadal airs nationally, head here.

GET TO KNOW THE ONES TO WATCH
Left to Right: NICHELLE LEWIS (The Wiz) | ALI LOUIS BOURZGUI (The Who's Tommy) | JOY WOODS (The Notebook) | BRODY GRANT (The Outsiders) | SHAINA TAUB (Suffs)

Watch the premiere of the episode below!