Kelli O'Hara Is a Teeth Tapper, Sierra Boggess' Dreams Died (and She Loved It) & More Lessons of the Week

Happy Friday the 13th! While you're off avoiding black cats, broken mirrors and ladders, take some time to catch up on the wackiest news from this week on the Great White Way. It's been a wild ride for the past seven days, so there's a lot to take in. From a forgetful genius to a totally committed lion, we've got you covered with the Lessons of the Week!

Kelli O'Hara is Her Own Percussion
The Worm is so last season. While taking a seat on the Broadway.com couch with her King and I co-star Hoon Lee, Tony winner Kelli O’Hara revealed that whenever she feels afraid she clacks her teeth in lieu of whistling a happy tune. Think the entire ensemble of Stomp, but it’s Kelli O’Hara’s mouth. It’s very impressive…and cringe-worthy to those with gum sensitivity.

Lin-Manuel Has Too Much On His Mind
We know, we know. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a genius. He can make U.S. history cool. He can rhyme “askance” with “pants.” He can rattle off Camelot for Charlie Rose. However, the man behind Hamilton doesn’t know his Social Security Number. We totally understand. Nine digits is a lot to handle when entire scores are floating around in your head. At least he knows his name. What's your name, man?

David Alan Grier Is a Method Lion
The Wiz Live! is just weeks away from easing on down the road to NBC, and Tony nominee David Alan Grier is already in costume. And, uh, we don’t think he’s taking it off any time soon. “I actually went to the Central Park Zoo and I was put in a cage with lions, just to get their movements,” he said recently. That seems like a good way to get in character as a lion, but not exactly cowardly.

LuPone & Ebersole Will Make Up
Patti LuPone’s been Christian Dior-ed from her head to her toes, and Christine Ebersole knows that the best kind of clothes for a protest pose is this ensemble of pantyhose. Now, after teaching us all about fashion on the Broadway stage, the Tony-winning duo will explore the world of cosmetics in War Paint, premiering in Chicago in June 2016. On that note, we'll be in Chicago in June if you need us.

Sierra Boggess Loved Being Miserable
Some say Fantine’s life is miserables (you know, the job, the haircut, the prostitution, the death, etc.) But not Sierra! According to the School of Rock darling, that Les Miz role was “the greatest, most fun time” of her life. Well sure—you have all that downtime backstage between dying and coming back as a ghost! Just be careful; that mid-show break got a certain cosmetic stalwart in trouble.

Matt Ryan Also Loved Being Miserable
Move over, Sierra. You’re not the only one who enjoys singing and dying in a three-hour French epic. Before Thérèse Raquin star/heartthrob Matt Ryan was jumping into onstage rivers, he was slumming in Saint Michele, living on crumbs of humble piety in the West End around the age of 10. We’re thrilled he’s back on stage a couple decades later, looking dapper as ever.

Jay Kuo Needs to Aim "Higher"
Someone needs to update his vision board. At the opening night of his new musical Allegiance, composer Jay Kuo told us that when he was a kid, he’d listen to the Miss Saigon album constantly, hoping to one day meet Lea Salonga. Now, he’s writing songs about swinging higher for her. It’s like The Secret on steroids!

Nina Arianda Is a Red Sock Thief
When we asked you to submit questions for Fool for Love stars Nina Arianda and Sam Rockwell’s visit to Broadway.com HQ, we inadvertently got involved in some unexpected family drama. Arianda’s dad got in on the action by getting Rockwell to ask her if she stole his red socks. She did, and she’s not giving them back. Sorry, Nina’s dad. Will you settle for some red kinky boots instead?

We're on a Cake!
Oh my gaw. BROADWAY.COM. WE’RE ON A CAKE! Lesli Margherita’s Looks Not Books spinoff Dames at Sea vlog has sailed away for good, but not before giving us a glimpse of the oh-so-nautical opening night party at Sardi’s (Lesli was even permitted inside!) And Ship Happens (and, by proxy, us) have officially made it by making an appearance at the base of the cake! Fame tastes so sweet.

There's a Psycho B'way Family Reunion
They don’t need a life that’s normal; that’s way too far away. And it’s probably better that way, because a life with investment bankers with serial killer tendencies is definitely not normal. Alice Ripley and Jennifer Damiano, after playing mother and daughter in Next to Normal, will appear in American Psycho on Broadway this spring. And no, Jenn, we don’t know who’s going to vlog for us yet ;)