#usa today

[d-criss-news]

Broadway's 10 best shows of 2024, including 'Oh, Mary!'

2. 'Maybe Happy Ending'

Critics have rightly championed “Maybe Happy Ending” for being the scarcest of Broadway treasures: an entirely original new musical. But more than just inventive, it’s also really damn good. Darren Criss and Helen J Shen are luminous as a pair of star-crossed androids who fall in love on the cusp of their expiration dates. Brimming with humor and heart-tugging emotion, this wise and wistful masterpiece is also one of the most visually stunning shows to hit New York in ages.

Now playing at the Belasco Theatre.

[official-wonho]

[INTERVIEW] Wonho talks return to music, US tour, upcoming album: 'I feel really happy every day'

Midtown Manhattan is bustling beyond its normal fast pace on Dec. 13, and it's not just because of the holiday season. The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball is in town.

Among those performing at the concert's pre-show All Access Lounge is Korean solo artist Wonho. It's his first time back in the States since being discharged from his military enlistment in September.

"I'm surprised that I was able to come back so quickly to the U.S.," the 31-year-old tells USA TODAY backstage at the Hammerstein Ballroom. "And I think it's due to my fans support."

Wonho's schedule has been packed, but there's so much that he's grateful for.

"Now that I see my fans in front of me, I feel really happy every day," Wonho says.

Challenges in returning back to the stage

Wonho says it was challenging to readjust after nearly two years away from music.

"It was a little bit strange to be back on stage performing again. It had been such a long time ... I even felt like I was so nervous that my legs were shaking" he reveals. "I thought that it was a little bit awkward to get used to making facial expressions to the camera again, and it took a little bit of time."

Prior to his Jingle Ball performance in New York, Wonho performed at Brooklyn Steel Dec. 12 as part of his "Welcome Back, Wenee" tour. And despite the muscular musician's physique and calm demeanor, he still gets shy.

"I feel nervous now, because I'm constantly in new places and in front of new fans," he shares. "Each stage is different, especially in the U.S.."

On his first solo tour, Wonho made stops in six cities, including Houston, Seattle and Los Angeles.

But on stage, Wonho has been able to acclimate with ease. He commands attention with his smooth voice and compelling choreography.

Wonho shares his love for Wenee

Coming back to music was an easy decision for Wonho. After all, his fans are what kept him grounded during his enlistment.

He says he would read fan letters and recall shared memories as motivation. All of those "helped the time go very quickly," he adds

Wonho's fans, called Wenee, are the impetus for his artistry. They are one reason for his latest single, "What Would You Do".

"I came back with an English single because English is a global language, and I can reach fans all over the world," he says.

And to be able to see his international fans so soon has felt unbelievable.

"Each each day is actually very memorable, and today, too is special in its own way," he says.

Wonho's morning routine on tour

The last month has been busy for Wonho, but his days always start the same.

He takes a wellness shot in the morning, easing into his schedule and then working out. "That's basically my morning routine every day, no matter where I am in the world," he says with a laugh.

"As for workouts, arms would be an easy day," Wonho says. "Chest is probably the worst. So sometimes, I skip those days." Wonho does, however, like leg workouts.

And Wonho's must-have tour items include a massage ball, a massage gun, pairs of white and black athletic socks and his medicine pouch.

Wonho's upcoming album teasers

Wonho calls "What Would You Do" a new start. "My goal is not really charts or numbers, but I just want to make a lot of good music," he explains.

In 2025, he plans to release a new album. "I actually recorded a song in Chicago, and I've been constantly working on music," he reveals. "For my future album, I want to try out new styles."

When writing music, Wonho sees it as a point of connection with his fans. He focuses on expressing his emotions in each song, so that others can apply the lyrics to their own experiences.

"I want them to remember the moments that we shared together," he says. "I think now I just want to really focus on making the mood of the songs."

via: usatoday.com

[mysharona1987]

Credit to Irish press for keeping it real, unlike everyone else.

[enemymine2000]

Self-defence tip by Eliot Spencer: Put your hip into the punch!

[hotdaemondtargaryen]

“I have trouble rolling my "r's" in High Valyrian. But that turned out interesting since Aemond doesn't flower up this beautiful language. He uses the language more lethally. The Council meeting is very much a public shaming, but switching to High Valyrian allows Aegon to save face, since only the two brothers understand it. It allows Aegon to recover.”

EWAN MITCHELL — ABOUT SPEAKING HIGH VALYRIAN IN EPISODE 4.

[scarletcarmensmith]

Q: What's your message to Joe Biden?

Union Worker: “F*ck you.”

🔥

[queerism1969]

[xoxox-bby]

Don’t you think I deserve a Re-blog 🔁

[anna-kendrick]

Anna Kendrick talks about her film "Alice, Darling"

[spaceoracle]

My name is Austin. My family is homeless and has been since 2-2-22. My disabled, bed bound, immunocompromised father who is on oxygen 24/7, mom with a very painful disabled leg, cute as can be dog, wonderful and beautiful cat, and myself are in urgent need of support to keep us off the streets and in a motel room. We were evicted from our home after the passing of my aunt. She had a reverse mortgage and the bank took possession. We've been busting our butts to find a place ever since, with no luck finding housing whatsoever. Our daily motel fees eat up all of the money we manage to raise or save up, but crowded shelters are simply not an option because of my dad’s medical conditions. Catching COVID in a congregate shelter with his weak lungs and immunocompromised system would possibly kill him. We have been waiting for another Emergency Housing voucher as we were unable to find a place in the few days we were given to find one when approved previously. We are on countless low income housing waiting lists who have also told us to just wait. We have paid to apply for apartments and are rejected because of our low or non existent credit and low income. We are working with some new resources at the moment and hoping something comes of it. Basically, our issue is this: If we don’t have enough money for motel fees, we will have to sleep in our car which is super difficult for my parents and our pets, not even mentioning myself. There's honestly not enough room in our car for all of us to sit, let alone sleep comfortably. My dad’s oxygen machine needs electricity to run, and spare tanks only last a few hours each. The days are scorching and the nights get cold in California, especially this time of year, and we’re trying our best to stay together as a family and stay sheltered, healthy, and safe, and out of the triple digit summer heat. We would appreciate any donations you could spare to keep our motel room while we attempt to get on our feet during this awful experience. Thanks for your consideration, it means the world to us all. -Austin

The USA Today story featuring my family was published today. Apparently they have a policy that they can't link our fundraiser directly. So please help me spread it here.

[henry-cavs-tudor]

[enemymine2000]

Put pressure on his carotid artery. (Doesn't have to be a triangle chokehold btw.)

- Self-defence with Eliot Spencer

[rebeccasextsworld]

Re-blog and send me a DM

#taylornation #tattoed girls #dating #sexy content

[skirazed]

#campinglife

[pedropascal24-7]

[d-criss-news]

Darren Criss on why playing a robot in 'Maybe Happy Ending' makes him want to cry

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"I'm playing a non-human so the one thing that I want to do the entire time is cry my eyes out," Criss, 37, tells USA TODAY. "Not because I'm sad, because there is so much resilience to the show. To say that the show is about loss, I think is maybe as misleading as if I was saying that it was a Korean show."

Criss, who is half-Filipino, believes the show addresses both love and loss in the "age-old paradigm of 'Is it better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all?'"

"I think the show really does a good job of answering that," he continues. "These robots are not human. So the one thing that I can't do is really process that in a human way. The only people in the room that can do it is the audience. And with any luck they do.

"For me, every night, I just need like a good like five minutes to cry it out after because the entire show, I'm just gripping on for dear life not to do the one human thing that you want to do the most."

Emmy-winning actor Darren Criss chats with USA TODAY's Ralphie Aversa about the new Broadway musical "Maybe Happy Ending" and iconic show "Glee." (Photo by USA TODAY)