2007 Wrap-Up: Star Resolutions
Just like the rest of us, Broadway pros make New Year's resolutions—both serious and silly. With that in mind, Broadway.com asked some of our favorite folks in the industry to tell us what they are pledging to do in 2008. Read their answers, and get inspired!
Tamyra Gray
In 2007: Made her sophomore appearance on Broadway her debut was in Bombay Dreams as shiny-blue-pants-clad dancer Mimi Marquez in the long-running musical hit Rent.
2008 Resolution: "2 stress less, live more and love harder."
Christian Hoff
In 2007: Continued to wow sold-out audiences with his charismatic, Tony-winning performance as Four Season Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys.
2008 Resolution: "My New Year's resolution is to pray for wisdom and discernment when it comes to a successful family and career and to joyfully balance them both."
Annaleigh Ashford
In 2007: Won hearts as Elle's delightfully ditzy sorority sister Margot in Legally Blonde, then graduated to a starring role as good-hearted Glinda in the Broadway smash Wicked.
2008 Resolution: "My New Year's resolution is to look up more often than I look down. I can't remember the last time I looked at the clouds or the stars. Sometimes you forget to when you're walking around in New York City. I just hope I don't step in any dog poo! I also need to cut back on the Diet Coke!"
Andrea Martin
In 2007: Made a smashing return to Broadway as Frau Blucher, the scariest major domo in all of Transylvania, in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein.
2008 Resolution: Because "resolution" is such an act of finality and I prefer to see my life as in progress, I will substitute the word "intention." My intention for 2008 is to keep my heart open, observe and not judge, and turn every negative thought I might have to a positive one. If that goes well, look for a book on The Vill to Succeed, by Frau Blucher, in 2009.
Orfeh & Andy Karl
In 2007: Married since 2001, they paired up as Paulette and the UPS man of her dreams in Legally Blonde, earning her a Tony Award nomination and him instant Broadway hunk status.
2008 Resolution: "We had so much fun working together this year so we're actively pursuing more opportunities to do so. If they don't already exist, maybe we'll just sit down and write and produce something ourselves! The "work hard, play a little" idea works well for us, so more quick getaways in 2008 as they do wonders for the spirit. And more sports for both of us as well--the gym can get so boring! Also, Orfeh will be going into the studio at the end of January to record a solo album. This is something she "resolves" to do every year, but in 2008, it will finally be a reality!"
Jonathan Groff
In 2007: Received a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of Melchior in Spring Awakening and took a break from the show to star as Claude in the Public Theater's summer production of Hair.
2008 Resolution: "To get a subscription to The New York Times and read it every morning. And exercise more."
Stephanie J. Block
In 2007: Jumped from one demanding Broadway musical role Grace O'Malley in The Pirate Queen to another as Elphaba, the charismatic green witch, in Wicked.
2008 Resolution: "My New Year's resolution is to learn how to cook. I am a whiz at breakfast sandwiches and snacks, but that is the extent of my culinary skills. Now that I have a husband [Sebastian Arcelus, who's jumping from Wicked to Jersey Boys in the new year] to feed, I need to move on from Lucky Charms and mac-and-cheese. But, really, who doesn't love a good breakfast sandwich?"
Mary Testa
In 2007: Conjured up some very funny "Strange Magic" as Melpomene, oldest sister of Kira and one of the scheming Greek muses, in the Broadway musical Xanadu.
2008 Resolution: "I'm going to try to work out more. My ass hasn't really moved since I started rehearsals for Xanadu."
Chazz Palminteri
In 2007: Brought the colorful characters of his childhood in the Bronx to vivid life onstage, playing multiple roles in the Broadway production of his solo play A Bronx Tale.
2008 Resolution: "To wear clothes in colors other than black."
Joan Rivers
In 2007: Workshopped her new play Joan Rivers: A Work in Progress by a Life in Progress at San Francisco's Magic Theatre in preparation for a February 2008 opening at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
2008 Resolution: "My New Year's resolution is to live long enough to make one next year."
Shuler Hensley
In 2007: Traded in his loincloth as the patriarch gorilla Kerchak in Disney's Tarzan and began "puttin' on the ritz" as the great green Monster in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein.
2008 Resolution: "To finally get to appear on the Broadway stage as myself, without any makeup."
Jenn Gambatese
In 2007: After departing the Broadway jungles of Tarzan as Jane, morphed into Marie Leroux, a proper 19th-century heroine, in the "new" Mark Twain comedy Is He Dead?
2008 Resolution: "My New Year's motto for 2008 is "Expand." And no, this is not just a convenient choice so that I feel okay about myself should my jeans suddenly start to feel tight. I mean to expand as a person—to allow myself to stretch and grow into everything that life has in store for me this year."
Brad Oscar
In 2007: Jumped from the Las Vegas company of The Producers to the Broadway production of Monty Python's Spamalot as Sir Bedevere, Dennis' mother and Concorde.
2008 Resolution: "To solve the writers' strike so that next year I will have a clever New Year's resolution."
Daniel Reichard
In 2007: While continuing his charismatic performance in Jersey Boys as Four Season Bob Gaudio, moonlighted in a series of concerts at Joe's Pub "Glory Daze," "Summer Mix Tape" and the Metropolitan Room "Black & White Christmas".
2008 Resolution: "To do more jukebox musicals."
Debra Monk
In 2007: Snagged a Lead Actress Tony nomination for her witty portrayal of brassy Broadway producer Carmen Bernstein in the Broadway musical Curtains.
2008 Resolution: "My New Year's resolution is to take time every day, no matter how busy or stressed, to be grateful and give thanks for my family, friends and the privilege to work."
Jackie Hoffman
In 2007: Won raves for her one-woman show Jackie with a Z at Joe's Pub, then gave new comic meaning to "Evil Woman" as Calliope, a scheming Greek muse, in the Broadway musical Xanadu.
2008 Resolution: "Have a regular mammogram. I'm at that age."
Alexander Gemignani
In 2007: Began the year as Jean Valjean, the embattled hero in Les Miserables, and ended it in rehearsal to play the Boatman and Dennis in the forthcoming Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park with George.
2008 Resolution: "I'm getting married this year to the most wonderful and beautiful woman I have ever known, and I'm really, really happy. So, hmmmm, I'd like to know more about cooking. Is that lame? I enjoy cooking, but I feel like I don't know enough about it or get a chance to do it enough. My resolution will be to cook more."
Darlene Love
In 2007: Belted out "Big, Blonde and Beautiful" in perfect 1960s pop-star style as Motormouth Maybelle in the Broadway company of Hairspray.
2008 Resolution: "My New Year's wish is for everyone to love one another, and for peace on earth and goodwill to men."
Karen Ziemba
In 2007: Picked up her fourth Tony nomination as Georgia Hendricks, a musical-comedy lyricist with expert skills as a stage hoofer, in Curtains.
2008 Resolution: "After experiencing the strike in November, I have come to realize how fortunate I am to be working and making a living in the theater, a profession and institution that means a great deal to me. So in 2008, I want to be more appreciative of all the inspiration that is constantly bestowed upon me from my friends, family and colleagues, and the all the inhabitants of New York City, who keep my life far from dull."
J. Robert Spencer
In 2007: While continuing his acclaimed performance as Four Season Nick Massi in Jersey Boys, wrote, produced, directed and starred in Farm Girl in New York, a feature film that was screened at the Big Apple Film Festival.
2008 Resolution: "My New Year's resolution is not to have any resoulutions."
Phyllis Newman
In 2007: Worked tirelessly on behalf of the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, an offshoot of the Actors Fund that provides financial assistance to women facing serious medical conditions.
2008 Resolution: "To gain more weight, and let my gray roots grow out!"
Michael Longoria
In 2007: Got the ultimate on-the-job promotion, moving up from the comic relief role of Joe Pesci to star-of-the-show Four Season Frankie Valli in the Broadway hit Jersey Boys.
2008 Resolution: "To make an effort to get out to the West Coast more often to see my family."
Victoria Clark
In 2007: Earned raves for her turn as Sally in the all-star Encores! production of Sondheim's Follies in April, then hit the recording studio for her first solo CD, Fifteen Seconds of Grace, which was released this fall.
2008 Resolution: "Whine less, eat less, worry less, laugh more, sleep more, drink more water, love more, trust more. And most importantly, try not to step on the cat!"
Jennifer Hope Wills
In 2007: Inspired the title character as soprano Christine Daae in Broadway's longest-running show, The Phantom of the Opera .
2008 Resolution: "I suppose my New Year's resolution should be to give up my after-show binge eating on McDonald's, Doritos, cheesesteaks, potato chips, etc. But I honestly don't think that would ever happen, so perhaps I should just promise myself to shovel in lots of greens, because that will counterbalance the bad stuff...right? Thank goodness for my mother's good genes and all the heavy costumes I drag around the stage at work!"
Dashaun Young
In 2007: Staked his claim as ruler of the African Pride Lands as headstrong prince Simba in Disney's The Lion King, now celebrating its 10th anniversary on Broadway.
2008 Resolution: "To start cooking more and stop eating so much Chinese takeout."
Carolee Carmello
In 2007: Rocked out as Donna Sheridan, the coolest mom on the planet in the hit musical Mamma Mia!
2008 Resolution: "In 2008 I would like to sing even more ABBA songs, even more times a week if that's humanly possible. Actually, I would really like to run a marathon. Everyone tells me I should try, and I'd love to if I could find the time to train for it."
Fred Applegate
In 2007: Did double comic duty as Inspector Kemp and the Hermit in the woods in Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein
2008 Resolution: "I resolve to remember that a smile from my wife is more important than any standing ovation."
Shannon Durig
In 2007: Charmed Broadway audiences as Tracy Turnblad, the Baltimore teen who's just gotta dance, in the Broadway production of Hairspray .
2008 Resolution: "On my list of New Year's resolutions there is always the usual: be more organized; be thankful; lose weight; write more; be a better daughter, sister, friend, girlfriend, actress, singer and dancer. I'm going to try and stick to all of them this time. I have a feeling that this is going to be one of my best years yet!"
Jared Gertner
In 2007: Showed off his spelling skills with the help of his character's "magic foot" as William Barfee in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
2008 Resolution: "My New Year's resolution is to do more yoga. Now that Spelling Bee is closing, I'm going to try and lose some of my extra Barfee weight."
Beth Leavel
In 2007: Imbibed hundreds of fake Gibsons onstage in her Tony-winning performance as the title character in The Drowsy Chaperone.
2008 Resolution: "Honey, I'm still trying to fulfill my New Year's resolution from January of 1992! I don't really do resolutions for that very reason. So when one hits me in June or July, that's when I'll do it. If you happen to see me 'walking four miles a day in November,' you'll know... hello, she's finally fulfilling that 'New Year's resolution.' What year it will be from remains to be seen, because at this point I'm working some serious retroactive drama!"
Jonathan Hadary
In 2007: Galloped through Camelot in search of the Holy Grail and a few good knights as King Arthur in the Broadway company of Monty Python's Spamalot.
2008 Resolution: "I resolve to pay attention to my resolutions. And to hire a new cleaning lady."
