#Beth Leavel

[lempickathemusical]

We do not control the world  We control one flat rectangle of canvas at a time LEMPICKA (2024)

[droughtofapathy]

Highlights from Follies at Carnegie Hall

Audio from Transport Group's Follies concert at Carnegie Hall, June 20th, 2024.

The Jennifer Holiday "I'm Still Here" is too big to post, so...tough luck for all of you.

[broadwaydivastournament]

And the Tony Award Goes to...

Six-Time Tony Winner Audra McDonald, reigning Queen of Broadway

In honor of the Tony nomination announcement today, it's about time I published this post I've had waiting for almost two months now. With 64 Divas in our tournament, they're practically drowning in Tonys. Collectively, 53 Divas have received one or more nominations across four eligible acting categories, and 31 have taken home the prize. And you'll never believe what tumblr's image limit is. 30.

As luck would have it, two Divas won Tonys in the same year and despite what might be the most dramatic height difference possible, Bebe Neuwirth and Janet McTeer were photographed together specifically so I could make this post work 27 years later. (Bebe in heels and Janet in flats, and still...)

Pictured (L to R): Andrea Martin (2013), Anika Noni Rose (2004), Bebe Neuwirth and Janet McTeer (1997)

Pictured (L to R): Bernadette Peters (2012), Beth Leavel (2006), Betty Buckley (1983)

Nominations: (excluding wins)

Nominations Overall: 125 Best Leading Actress in a Musical: 56 Best Featured Actress in a Musical: 36 Best Leading Actress in a Play: 13 Best Featured Actress in a Musical: 19 Producer: 1

Pictured (L to R): Cherry Jones (2004), Christine Baranski (1989), Debra Monk (1993)

Pictured (L to R): Donna Murphy (1996), Harriet Sansom Harris (2002), Heather Headley (2000)

Nominations: (including wins)

Nominations Overall: 175 Best Leading Actress in a Musical: 75 Best Featured Actress in a Musical: 50 Best Leading Actress in a Play: 18 Best Featured Actress in a Musical: 29 Producer: 3

Pictured (L to R): Jayne Houdyshell (2016), Joanna Gleason (1988), Judith Light (2012)

Pictured (L to R): Julie White (2007), Karen Ziemba (2000), Katie Finneran (2002)

Wins: (2024 pending)

Wins Overall: 50 Best Leading Actress in a Musical: 19 Best Featured Actress in a Musical: 14 Best Leading Actress in a Play: 5 Best Featured Actress in a Musical: 10 Producer: 2

Pictured (L to R): Katrina Lenk (2018), Kelli O'Hara (2015), LaChanze (2023)

Pictured (L to R): Laurie Metcalf (2018), Lea Salonga (1991), Lillias White (1997)

Special Tony Awards (non-competitive):

Special Tony Award (posthumous): Marin Mazzie (my beloved) Isabelle Stevenson Award: Bernadette Peters, Judith Light

Pictured (L to R): Patti LuPone (2008), Stephanie J. Block (2019), Tonya Pinkins (1992)

Pictured (L to R): Tyne Daly (1990), Victoria Clark (2023)

Most Frequent Nominee: (including wins)

Leading Actress in a Musical: Kelli O'Hara (7) Featured Actress in a Musical: Andrea Martin (5) Leading Actress in a Play: Cherry Jones/Laura Linney (5) Featured Actress in a Play: Jayne Houdyshell/Judith Light/Julie White (3)

No Diva has won more than twice in any performance category. This will not change with the current nominees this year.

Oldest Winners:

Leading Actress in a Musical: Victoria Clark (63) Featured Actress in a Musical: Patti LuPone (72) Leading Actress in a Play: Laurie Metcalf (62) Featured Actress in a Play: Judith Light (64)

Oldest Nominee: Mary Beth Peil (76)

[lonelylittledot]

great things about Bandstand (feel free to add your own)

"it's radio, what does it matter?

Laura's high notes

"consider that an order, you screwy nutcase"

Davy's jokes

"sing because you just need to sing"

literally every second Beth Leavel is on stage

"don't. teach."

Jimmy's little glasses

"No, that’s shitty. Irksome is your use of the word irksome"

Corey's awkward little laugh

"wait... I gotta transpose"

Julia clutching Donny's jacket in This Is Life

"...what day of the week is Sunday?"

Donny's continuous disdain for Frank Sinatra

"it's a good thing you're one of the best, because putting up with you is an endurance test"

Johnny dancing with Julia

"and I'm never allowed to admit there is nothing remotely heroic about it"

all of Julia's waredrobe

"And stop picking up my clothes! If I wanted them in the drawer, I'd put them in the drawer!" (bonus: Wayne trying to hide his smile)

"dO i NoT kNoW TeLL mE tHE niGhT"

Wayne being a Donny x Julia shipper

"it's a solo, it's selfish by definiton!"

"you know, there’s a fine line between jazz and bad"

"this is life with the craziness of, the reality of, the necessity of being madly in love with you"

[paintingdaylight]

lempicka cast recording makes me want to cry, scream, paint, move to paris, be gay and dance

[ladylizaelliott]

THAT ESCALATED QUICKLY

[vivitalks]

i've been a beth leavel girlie since bandstand sorry prom fans

[havanasroses]

don't give up on her yet.

[ohwowthats-awesome]

Does anyone have the bootleg of Spamalot (2005) and I’m also looking for The Prom thats not the 2016 version I really want the closing night version but any one you have is great!

[lempickathemusical]

LEMPICKA + Act II songs

[droughtofapathy]

"Welcome to the Theatre": Diary of a Broadway Baby

Introducing my new theatre series where you can follow along as I trawl the theaters of New York to see all there is to see. First up:

Beth Leavel at 54 Below

January 2, 2024 | 54 Below | Evening | Cabaret | Solo Show | 1H 10M

Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone, The Prom, etc.) is a Class A riot from start to finish. Tonight, she delivered an eclectic mixture of sordid theatre stories, brassy belting, and misty-eyed ballads. She also ended the show with "Broadway, I'll see you in the spring," and...what did she mean by that? What would she even be in? She's too old for the female parts in The Who's Tommy, and the only other real option is The Heart of Rock and Roll, but the workshop cast doesn't have anyone in her age range either. And I really don't see her in Suffs. I am left with too many questions.

Edit (1/13): consider this my formal prediction for Lempicka. I was so caught up in Eden Espinosa that I forgot that musical has other people in it too.

Verdict: Why I Love the Theatre

A Note on Ratings

[broadwaydivastournament]

Broadway Divas Tournament: Round 1B

Bold and brassy beltress Beth Leavel (1955) burst onto the Broadway stage in 42nd Street in 1985, and has since been in eleven additional shows. She won a Tony in 2006 for her showstealing performance in The Drowsy Chaperone, and was subsequently nominated twice more. Other stage work includes The Prom (2018), Mamma Mia (2009), and Lempicka, slated to open this spring. She is a frequent solo cabaret artist, and regional actress.

Donna Murphy (1959) is a two-time Tony-winning legend of the Broadway stage, with five nominations in all, each for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. Her gripping performance as the chronically ill Fosca in Sondheim's Passion (1994) may have disgusted and disturbed audiences, but earned her immense critical acclaim. Two years later, she won her second Tony for The King and I (1996), and the year after that, earned a Daytime Emmy. She adopted a five-pound dog named Pippi Shortstocking Murphy-Elliott, and it's one of the cutest fucking things you'll ever see.

PROPAGANDA AND MEDIA UNDER CUT:

"With a voice like a foghorn to rival that of Ethel Merman, Beth Leavel is still as strong and brassy as ever. I've been to two of her cabarets, and have fallen a little in love each time. Many women (and men) have done "Before the Parade Passes By," but her version is my personal favorite."

"Beth Leavel Propaganda: Her Closing Night "The Lady's Improving" Just listen to "It's Not About Me" Bandstand: Everything Happens "As We Stumble Along" - Submitted by @puppywritesthings

"She's Donna Fucking Murphy. A certified Sondheim Lady in Red DIVA who Sondheim himself considered one of his greatest interpreters. I cannot stress enough how much I desire this woman carnally. She has spent decades of her life shamelessly dedicated to the no-bra/stiff-nipple combo, and I am appreciating it respectfully. Also, this woman is a Grade A Flirt who knows exactly what she's doing. I am in love, and have been for decades of my life. I saw 150 shows in 2023 and Donna Murphy in Dear World was at the top of the damn list. Beth Leavel, I love you, but I need Donna Murphy to sweep her section of this tournament, because if she doesn't, I will riot. "

[theatredreamcasting]

Beth Leavel as Princess Puffer (The Mystery of Edwin Drood)

[theywontletmebeprincipal]

realized I never posted this! it’s unlisted so it won’t get taken down, but here’s beth leavel singing maybe this time (72 version) . she does the belt Sitting Down. sorry this is video of my tv, but the sound isn’t bad :)

[ladylizaelliott]

Next theatrical adventure is set! Playing the Chaperone and in my opinion, keeping a straight face while staging this is going to be a *CHALLENGE* as it is SO ridiculous