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Nathan Lane is Broadway.com’s #1 Superstar of the Decade
Broadway.com at 10: Top 10 Stage Superstars of the Decade
Features By Kathy Henderson, May 18, 2010
In the same way that Angelina or George Clooney can “open” a movie, a very short list of theater actors have the star power to attract producers (and audiences) on the strength of their name and talent alone. Broadway.com’s tenth anniversary is the perfect time to pay tribute to 10 stage superstars of the past decade—and to thank them for their loyalty to the Great White Way.
1. Nathan Lane
To borrow a lyric from his Tony-winning character Max Bialystock, Nathan Lane reigns as “the king of old Broadway.” After his triumph in The Producers (2001), Lane could have coasted through his pick of musical revivals, but he’s insisted on stretching his outsize talent in an impressive series of shows with nothing in common beyond his desire to bring them to Broadway: his own adaptation of The Frogs (2004), a smash-hit revival of The Odd Couple (2006), a black-comedy turn in Butley (2006), David Mamet’s satirical November (2008), an acclaimed revival of Waiting for Godot (2009) and now an irresistible performance as Gomez in the new musical The Addams Family. Wow! Where Nathan goes, audiences follow.
The following actors finish the list. To read the entire article, click here.
2. Patti Lupone
3. Kristin Chenoweth
4. Harvey Fierstein
5. Hugh Jackman
6. Liev Schreiber
7. Laura Linney
8. Angela Lansbury
9. Audra McDonald
10. Mary-Louise Parker
Merwin Foard Happy To Be “The Guy Who Isn’t Nathan Lane”
Foard (left) starred as Lancelot in a regional production of Camelot with Terrence Mann (right) as Arthur. Mann, who originated the role of Javert in Les Misérables on Broadway encouraged Foard to audition for the role.
Broadway’s #1 Backup Plan
Written by Bryan Reesman
Mar 23, 2010
Merwin Foard keeps going on Broadway by making sure the Broadway show goes on.
He has had one of the most enduring and consistent Broadway careers of the last three decades, yet Merwin Foard may not be the most recognizable face on the Great White Way. The reason is simple: While Foard has performed his fair share of supporting roles and ensemble work, he is now regularly a standby or understudy for leading parts. He’s the one waiting in wings in case the lead happens to fall ill or cannot perform for any reason, occasionally balancing that with ensemble parts. His fourteenth and latest Broadway gig is as both Nathan Lane and Terence Mann’s understudy for The Addams Family, which recently opened in New York after an out-of-town run in Chicago. Foard has become Broadway’s seasoned back-up man, and he has fashioned a career from this unusual position.
Rebecca and Merwin Foard
Throughout the last decade Foard has landed a mixture of ensemble, understudy and replacement supporting roles in shows like The Little Mermaid, Assassins, Sweeney Todd and Kiss Me, Kate. As he will readily attest, it’s a fun life. Prior to The Addams Family invading the Great White Way, Foard spoke to Stage Directions about his history, the twists and turns of his highly unusual career path, juggling professional work with family time (he is married with two daughters, aged 11 and 16) and how he has sustained and evolved his craft over three decades.
Stage Directions: You’ve been an ensemble player for many shows, and you are the main understudy on Broadway lately.
Merwin Foard: I’m like the main second guy on Broadway. This is the third show I’ve been a standby for which I’m not in the ensemble. I’m a peripheral person on a contract, but if the star is down I’ll step in for them. Before Addams Family was the Sweeney Todd revival where all the actors played instruments, and before that was the Kiss Me, Kate revival, where I stood by for Brian Stokes Mitchell and Ron Holgate. Nathan Lane and Terrence Mann, who I standby for in Addams Family, are my 24th and 25th actors who I have either stood by for or understudied on Broadway.
Ultimately, what is that experience like?
Auction Includes Addams Family Opening Night Ticket Package
On Monday, February 8, 2010, the Drama League will hold its annual all-star gala, “A MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF BROADWAY.” This year’s black-tie event, to be held at Pierre New York (2 East 61st Street at 5th Avenue), will honor five-time Tony Award winner and entertainment icon Angela Lansbury.
Among the highlights of The Drama League’s annual benefit gala is the remarkable Gala Auction, which has once again been made open to the general public. Among the items being auctioned this year:
~ THE ADDAMS FAMILY OPENING NIGHT
Two opening night tickets to The Addams Family, starring Tony Award winners Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Thursday, April 8, 2010. Plus two passes to the Opening Night party.
For a complete list of items and packages, or to access the auction, visit www.biddingforgood.com/thedramaleague.
