Playbill Presents
OBSESSED!: Frances Ruffelle Recreates Eponine’s Iconic Pose Using Her “Monkey Arms”
Frances Ruffelle, Les Miz's original Eponine, joins Seth in studio to chat about her Tony-winning role as well as her experiences in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express — basically, friends should NOT let friends roller-skate after a few drinks! Ruffelle then gives a sample of her signature tune "On My Own" with some slightly altered lyrics and another sample which illustrates exactly why Eponine’s classic pose looks like it does. Read Seth’s weekly column. Visit his online home at SethTV.com.

Playbill Presents
Mitchell Jarvis and Wesley Taylor's "It Could Be Worse": Episode 14
The fact that Jacob (series co-creator Wesley Taylor) is allowing Sam (series co-creator Mitchell Jarvis) to crash at his new apartment has Ben (Adam Chanler-Berat) up in arms. And as usual, Veronica Bailey (Alison Fraser) is up to something — her plot to insert Philip (Gideon Glick) into The Ice Queen is coming to fruition. Watch the series from Episode 1.

*Includes adult situations and language. Viewer discretion is advised.

Playbill and the Players
Laura Benanti's 54 Below Gigs Will Entertain You and Your Grandmother
Television and Broadway star Laura Benanti is doing what she describes as her "favorite thing" — singing on stage in an environment that allows for audience interaction. The set list for her upcoming 54 Below gigs (May 20-25) is a virtual "mix-tape" of songs that promises to entertain audiences of all ages. Expect tunes from shows like The Boy Friend and from artists like Harry Chapin, Lana Del Rey and Ellie Goulding, as well as original tunes penned by Benanti and her pianist-arranger-musical director Todd Almond. The 54 Below engagement will be recorded for an upcoming CD release. For tickets and info visit 54Below.com.

Playbill and the Players
Nick Adams, Jessica Grové and Liz McCartney Preview Paper Mill's The Little Mermaid
Paper Mill Playhouse's new production of Disney's The Little Mermaid offered a sampling of musical numbers as they opened rehearsal-room doors to the press. Jessica Grové stars as Ariel in the titular role alongside Nick Adams as Prince Eric. Liz McCartney plays Ursula and Alan Mingo, Jr. plays Sebastian. Directed by Glenn Casale, the production will feature original choreography by John MacInnis and flying sequence choreography by Paul Rubin. Performances begin May 29. For more, read the Playbill story.

Playbill and the Players
Pasek and Paul (and Mendez) Ready to Bite Into Dogfight Original Cast Recording
Based on the film starring River Phoenix, Dogfight (with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul) has racked up multiple nominations this awards season, coinciding with the release of the show's original cast recording and a special CD release concert featuring most of the cast and musicians from the Second Stage Theatre production. In this exclusive in-studio video, Pasek, Paul and leading lady Lindsay Mendez run through Dogfight tunes in preparation for the May 15 event. For more on the concert and CD release, read the Playbill story.

Playbill and the Players
Sylvester Stallone, Lynn Ahrens and Alex Timbers Give First Look at Broadway-Bound Rocky the Musical
Based on the 1976 film starring Sylvester Stallone (he was an Academy Award nominee for both his acting and screenplay), Rocky the Musical is set for a Broadway bow in Feb. 2014. In this early glimpse behind the scenes of the production (which premiered in Hamburg, Germany, last fall), creator and producer Stallone is joined by Tony-winning lyricist Lynn Ahrens and Tony-nominated director Alex Timbers to chat about love, dreams and the triumph of the underdog. For more, read the Playbill story.

Playbill and the Players
George Salazar Bangs the Drum for F#%king Up Everything
George Salazar is known as a performer with roles Off-Broadway and in the hit Broadway revival of Godspell. What many fans might not know is that Salazar's first love was not musical theatre, but drumming. From his earliest days, Salazar was inspired by his father's playing and naturally developed percussion skills of his own. In this exclusive profile, Playbill caught up with Salazar at the Elektra Theatre where he is currently a cast member of F#%king Up Everything. This new comic musical not only displays his chops as a musical theatre performer but also as a drummer — Salazar sits behind the skins for the shows 23 songs. Check out a Playbill Playlist with the show's Salazar, Max Crumm, and Jason Gotay.

Playbill Backstage
Playbill Backstage: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Part Two
Join Billy Magnussen, a 2013 Tony nominee for his performance as Spike in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, as he takes a camera backstage at the Golden Theatre to capture the behind-the-scenes life at his show. In part two, Magnussen shows what goes on backstage during a performance, learns how Tony nominee Shalita Grant prepares for her role, and chats with Tony nominees Kristine Nielsen and David Hyde Pierce, as well as some of the show's understudies and crew. To watch part one, click here.

Playbill Presents
Mitchell Jarvis and Wesley Taylor's "It Could Be Worse": Episode 13
Jacob (series co-creator Wesley Taylor) is at his wits' end as his co-star Veronica Bailey (Alison Fraser) attempts to pressure him into buying one of her husband's paintings. Meanwhile, Jacob's agent (series co-creator Mitchell Jarvis) has taken over his apartment with yoga lessons and all-day juicing marathons. Watch the series from Episode 1.

*Includes adult situations and language. Viewer discretion is advised.

Playbill Presents
EXCLUSIVE: On Your Toes Gets Toes A-Tapping
Randy Skinner, Karen Ziemba and youngster Dalton Harrod (a sixteen-year-old who's been tap dancing since he was two!) star as a family of Vaudeville performers in City Center's Encores! production of Rodgers and Hart's On Your Toes. In this exclusive peek inside the rehearsal room, the trio break down the process and explain the dance skills and techniques needed for their show-opening tap number "Two a Day for Keith." See a Playbill Photo Call from On Your Toes.

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