Photo Special: Stage Stars Are Strong As Hell! Broadway's Best Inhabit the World of Netflix Sensation "Kimmy Schmidt" | Playbill

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Photos Photo Special: Stage Stars Are Strong As Hell! Broadway's Best Inhabit the World of Netflix Sensation "Kimmy Schmidt" Since its release earlier this month, everyone is abuzz about the new Netflix sitcom "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," starring Ellie Kemper. Even more exciting to theatre fans is that the New York-set show is largely populated by familiar faces from the stage. We introduce their characters and take a look back at some of their stage credits.

By Matthew Blank

March 17, 2015

Photo Special: Stage Stars Are Strong As Hell! Broadway's Best Inhabit the World of Netflix Sensation "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"

"Pinot Noir..." — Photo Special: Stage Stars Are Strong As Hell! Broadway's Best Inhabit the World of Netflix Sensation "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"

Since its release earlier this month, everyone is abuzz about the new Netflix sitcom "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," starring Ellie Kemper. Even more exciting to theatre fans is that the New York-set show is largely populated by familiar faces from the stage. We introduce their characters and take a look back at some of their stage credits.
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Tituss Burgess stars as Titus Andromedon on "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"

"Pinot Noir..."

Tituss Burgess starred as Sebastian in the Broadway production of <i>The Little Mermaid</i> — Tituss Burgess starred as Sebastian in the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid

Tituss Burgess played Nicely-Nicely in the 2009 Broadway revival of <i>Guys and Dolls</i> — Tituss Burgess played Nicely-Nicely in the 2009 Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls

Carol Rosegg

Carol Kane plays landlady Lillian Kaushtupper

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Kane was last seen on Broadway in the recent revival of <i>Harvey</i> — Kane was last seen on Broadway in the recent revival of Harvey

Kane has also appeared onstage in <i>Wicked</i> — Kane has also appeared onstage in Wicked

Jane Krakowski as the wealthy Jacqueline Voorhees

"Later days, buddy..."

With Broadway credits including <I>Starlight Express</i> and <i>Grand Hotel</i>, Krakowski won a Tony for her performance in <i>Nine</i> — With Broadway credits including Starlight Express and Grand Hotel, Krakowski won a Tony for her performance in Nine

In 2008, Krakowski starred with Sean Hayes and Cheyenne Jackson in a City Center Encores! Summer Stars production of <i>Damn Yankees</i> — In 2008, Krakowski starred with Sean Hayes and Cheyenne Jackson in a City Center Encores! Summer Stars production of Damn Yankees

Sara Chase plays Cyndee Pokorny

"It means 'Bean Curd.'"

Chase starred in the Off-Broadway premiere of <i>The Toxic Avenger</i> — Chase starred in the Off-Broadway premiere of The Toxic Avenger

Chase (right) was in the Broadway production of <i>First Date</i> — Chase (right) was in the Broadway production of First Date

Mark Harelik appears as Julian Voorhees, Jacqueline's billionaire husband

Harelik played Sir George Crofts in the 2010 revival of <i>Mrs. Warren's Profession</i> — Harelik played Sir George Crofts in the 2010 revival of Mrs. Warren's Profession

Harelik played Signor Naccarelli in the original production of <i>Light in the Piazza</i> — Harelik played Signor Naccarelli in the original production of Light in the Piazza

Harelik (right) played Ben Weeks in the acclaimed Broadway production of <i>The Normal Heart</i> — Harelik (right) played Ben Weeks in the acclaimed Broadway production of The Normal Heart

Richard Kind makes an appearance as Mr. Lefkovitz, Kimmy's GED teacher.

Kind has starred as Max in <i>The Producers</i> on Broadway and at the Hollywood Bowl — Kind has starred as Max in The Producers on Broadway and at the Hollywood Bowl

Kind earned a Tony nomination for his performance in <i>The Big Knife</i> — Kind earned a Tony nomination for his performance in The Big Knife

James Monroe Iglehart appears as Titus' nemesis Coriolanus Burt

Iglehart won the 2014 Tony for his performance in <i>Aladdin</i> — Iglehart won the 2014 Tony for his performance in Aladdin

Iglehart has also been seen on Broadway in <i>Memphis</i> and <i>Spelling Bee</i> — Iglehart has also been seen on Broadway in Memphis and Spelling Bee

Martin Short appears as Dr. Sydney Grant, Jacqueline's plastic surgeon

Short made his Broadway debut in <i>The Goodbye Girl</i> — Short made his Broadway debut in The Goodbye Girl

Short won a Tony Award for <i>Little Me</i> — Short won a Tony Award for Little Me

Short brought <i>Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me</i> to Broadway in 2006 — Short brought Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me to Broadway in 2006

Christine Ebersole appears as Helene

Among her many Broadway credits, Ebersole won a Tony Award for her performance in <i>Grey Gardens</i> — Among her many Broadway credits, Ebersole won a Tony Award for her performance in Grey Gardens

John McMartin shows up as Grant Beldan

A veteran of over 20 Broadway shows since the early 1960s, McMartin's many credits include Ben in the original cast of <i>Follies</i> — A veteran of over 20 Broadway shows since the early 1960s, McMartin's many credits include Ben in the original cast of Follies

McMartin's most recent Broadway credit was Sen. Richard Russell in <i>All the Way</i> — McMartin's most recent Broadway credit was Sen. Richard Russell in All the Way

Stage favorite John Ellison Conlee shows up as Professor Rick

Conlee''s Broadway work includes <i>1776, The Full Monty</i> and <i>The Constant Wife</i>. He was recently seen in the new musical <i>Murder Ballad</i> — Conlee''s Broadway work includes 1776, The Full Monty and The Constant Wife. He was recently seen in the new musical Murder Ballad

Nic Rouleau, Jefferson Mays and John Cullum make a cameo as the stars of the 1938 musical <i>Daddy's Boy</i> — Nic Rouleau, Jefferson Mays and John Cullum make a cameo as the stars of the 1938 musical Daddy's Boy

Rouleau has starred in the Chicago, Broadway and West End productions of <i>The Book of Mormon</i> — Rouleau has starred in the Chicago, Broadway and West End productions of The Book of Mormon

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Mays is currently starring in the Tony-winning musical <i>A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder</i> — Mays is currently starring in the Tony-winning musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

Cullum is a Broadway legend with credits dating back to the 1950s and two Tony Awards. He was most recently on the Broadway stage in <i>Casa Valentina</i>. — Cullum is a Broadway legend with credits dating back to the 1950s and two Tony Awards. He was most recently on the Broadway stage in Casa Valentina.

Ellie Kemper, who stars in the title role, comes from an improv background and has yet to appear on Broadway. Hopefully we'll see her there soon!

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The series, from "30 Rock" creator-star-executive producer Tina Fey and executive producer Robert Carlock, stars Ellie Kemper as the title character, who after 15 years of living in a cult, decides to move to New York.

All episodes are now available on Netflix.

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