Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic “The Voice” has not been much concerned with current Broadway voices until now. That’ll change in a big way with this coming Monday’s episode, which will feature a show-stopping number from “Shucked” — marking the first time a song from a currently running Broadway show has been featured on the long-running singing competition series. The song is “Independently Owned,” a major nightly showcase for Tony nominee Alex Newell. It’s been cited as the rare example of an original Broadway musical having its first and possibly biggest standing-ovation number come in the middle of the first act… and it’s a testament to “Shucked” as a whole that the production doesn’t feel like it’s going downhill from that early barn-burner.
How Alex Newell, the Non-Binary and Gender Nonconforming Star of Broadway’s ‘Shucked,’ Decided to Compete for Supporting Actor at the Tonys
26.04.2023 - 18:53 / variety.com
Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Each night at Broadway’s new musical-comedy “Shucked,” audiences are treated to the sweet (and pun-filled) story of Cobb County residents Maizy and Beau, who are forced to postpone their wedding when the corn stalks that fuel their small rural town are ravaged. But the show’s undeniable breakout is Maizy’s cousin Lulu, a local whiskey distiller who convinces her too-innocent relative to travel to Florida to find a way to save their crops. Alex Newell, who plays Lulu, brings down the house in the middle of Act I with the show-stopper “Independently Owned,” an anthem to warn to Maizy’s new friend Gordy, a conman pretending to help Cobb County, that she don’t need no man. On most nights, the rafter-shaking performance concludes with the rare mid-show standing ovation.
“I’m so exhausted by the end of the number because I’ve just spent a minute and a half screaming to the back row,” she says. So it’s no surprise, especially to those who watched the actor on “Glee” and “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” that the words Tony nominations and Newell are frequently mentioned in the same sentence. Since Newell is gender nonconforming and uses he/she/they pronouns, the big question has been which category they’ll be nominated in at the Tonys. Non-binary and gender nonconforming actors are able to select between the gendered categories, and Newell tells Variety they ultimately wanted to be considered for supporting actor. “I went based off the English language. Everyone who does acting is an actor. That is genderless,” she says, wearing a slouchy sweater and ripped jeans in their dressing room at the Nederlander Theater before a recent performance. As for Lulu, the character that Newell plays in
Lala Kent Warns ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Fans About the Raquel Leviss and Tom Sandoval Content in Season 10 Finale: ‘If You Thought You Hated Them Before’
A roller-coaster journey. Lala Kent had plenty of thoughts about the Vanderpump Rules content filmed after Raquel Leviss and Tom Sandoval‘s cheating scandal broke — and it doesn’t seem like any of them were positive.
Tom Sandoval And Raquel Leviss Face The Heat In ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Reunion Trailer
The big moment is almost here.
Lala Kent Shuts Down 'Vanderpump Rules' Fan Theory About Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss' Affair
Lala Kent is pushing back on a Scandoval fan theory. On the latest episode of her podcast, the 32-year-old reality star denied that Tom Sandoval's affair with Raquel Leviss, which he had amid his nine-year relationship with Ariana Madix, was staged for ratings.«This is not a staged thing.
Paul Mescal, Sharon Horgan Take Home Top Prizes at the Irish Film and Television Awards
K.J. Yossman Paul Mescal and Sharon Horgan were among the winners at the Irish Film and Television Awards. Despite Colin Farrell losing out the best actor award to Mescal, “The Banshees of Inisherin” beat out competitors to win best film. In the international category “All Quiet on the Western Front” took home the top award on Sunday night. Read on for the full list of winners. FILM CATEGORIES Best Film“Aisha”“The Banshees of Inisherin” – WINNER“God’s Creatures”“Lakelands”“Róise & Frank”“The Wonder”
The Top 300 most-streamed songs by UK artists from the 70s, 80s and 90s
Greatest Hits Radio has revealed the Top 300 most-streamed songs by UK artists from the 1970s, 80s and 90s.
The Heartbreaking Reason Vanderpump Rules Producers Didn't See Cheating Scandal Coming
Apparently, Vanderpump Rules producers were just as shocked about scandoval as the rest of us!
Prince Harry A No-Show As Royal Family Gathers On Buckingham Palace Balcony After Coronation
Prince Harry was conspicuous by his absence when the royal family gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace following Prince Charles III’s coronation ceremony.
Scheana Shay Claims Tom Sandoval Told Her On Camera That He Cheated on Ariana Madix Before Raquel Leviss Affair: ‘It Was More Than Once’
More to the story? Scheana Shay offered some context to the explosive Vanderpump Rules season 10 finale trailer — which finally showed the cast’s reaction to Tom Sandoval‘s cheating scandal with Raquel Leviss.
Andy Cohen Asked Bravo Producers What They Knew About Scandoval Ahead of Time, Explains Why They Didn’t Push ‘Pump Rules’ Story Lines Further
Was it all staged? Andy Cohen clarified why Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss‘ affair was so shocking — even though Vanderpump Rules captured footage that questioned their relationship months prior.
Sara Bareilles, Josh Groban, Ben Platt, Alex Newell, & More Tony-Nominated Actors from Broadway's Hit Musicals Attend Meet the Nominees Event!
The nominations for the 2023 Tony Awards were announced this week and every actor who is nominated for their performance in a musical showed up for the Meet the Nominees event!
Bre Tiesi Defends Nick Cannon Relationship Against 'Triggered' Co-Star In HEATED Selling Sunset Trailer -- WATCH!
The new Selling Sunset trailer is here — and it comes with several new faces and a s**t ton of drama!! Guess we didn’t need Christine Quinn for that after all…
Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee Make Tony Award History as First Nonbinary Nominees
Alex Newell and J. Harrison Ghee made history on Tuesday, when the two performers became the first nonbinary-identifying people nominated for individual acting prizes for the 76th annual Tony Awards. Newell, who first broke out on and has since become a Broadway and TV fixture, was nominated for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical.
They Came to Slay! Best Dressed Stars at the 2023 Met Gala: Top 5 Looks
They came, they saw, they slayed! Hollywood’s biggest names dressed to impress at the 2023 Met Gala.
Kristen Doute, Tayshia Adams, Jill Zarin and More Reality Stars to Compete on Amazon Freevee’s New Series ’The GOAT’
Reality television stars from Bravo, ABC, CBS, TLC and more are set to compete on Amazon Freevee’s upcoming series The GOAT.
Ant and Dec lead stars invited to King Charles' Coronation
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will lead the star-studded attendees at King Charles' Coronation on 6 May, it has been revealed. The TV presenters are among the 2,000 guests to receive an invite to King Charles III and Camilla's crowning on Saturday at Westminster Abbey, with members of the Royal Family, heads of state and charity champions are set to be in the crowd.
Scheana Shay Reveals Whether Ariana Madix And Tom Sandoval Fertilized Her Eggs Before Cheating Scandal Was Revealed
Scheana Shay is setting the record straight about whether Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval ended up fertilizing her eggs.
Scheana Shay Reveals Whether Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval Ended Up Freezing Embryos
No longer an option. Scheana Shay revealed what happened to Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval‘s plans to freeze embryos after his cheating scandal with Raquel Leviss.
Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Spotted Holding Hands in NYC Amid Plans to Move in Together Post- ‘GMA3’ Scandal: Details
Soaking up the sun. Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes stepped out for a stroll together in NYC, several months after their affair scandal surfaced.
How many episodes of ‘The Diplomat’ are there?
The Diplomat.Created by Debora Cahn (The West Wing, Homeland), the series follows Kate Wyler (Russell) as she adjusts to her new role, between tackling international crises and dealing with her turbulent marriage to a high-profile political figure.A synopsis reads: “Kate Wyler is the new US Ambassador to the United Kingdom. She was supposed to go to Afghanistan.