PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With American Idiot's Extraordinary Girl, Libby WintersEver wonder about the routine of a Broadway actor on one of those grueling two-performance days? Libby Winters, an original cast member of American Idiot currently playing the high-flying Extraordinary Girl, offers Playbill.com readers an exclusive look behind the scenes at a recent day at the theatre.
By
Matthew Blank
April 19, 2011
Armed with a digital camera, Winters snapped everything from her morning routines to mandatory "flight call" to various backstage hijinks.
Here is a two-show day at American Idiot with Libby Winters:
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With American Idiot's Extraordinary Girl, Libby Winters
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With American Idiot's Extraordinary Girl, Libby Winters
Libby Winters, who plays the role of Extraordinary Girl in the Broadway production of American Idiot, offers Playbill.com readers an exclusive look at a recent two-show day, from morning wakeup to final bow. The show closes on April 24 after 421 performances and 27 previews.
30 PHOTOS
Several cups of tea are required to start a two-show day off right.
Libby Winters
This picture makes it look like I live in farmhouse in the south of France.
Libby Winters
I play some records on my darling Crosley record player to help wake me up a bit more. This morning I chose Sufjan Stevens' "All Delighted People" EP.
Libby Winters
Gotta blow out the fringe to get that perfectly messy look.
Libby Winters
It takes me a long time to wake up, so I usually linger over a crossword while eating breakfast. Note the extremely healthy breakfast of bananas and pineapple on yogurt.
Try and think of something funny to say on Twitter and inevitably fail. Its too early for jokes. Note change of outfit, second cup of tea, bags under eyes. Still not really awake.
Libby Winters
Its a beautiful sunny day in Brooklyn! Now I'm headed to the train.
Libby Winters
Ah yes, the subway commute will wake me up...
Libby Winters
First thing I do at the theatre is flight call. Mark Diaz and I do a static-check backstage to make sure my harness is "comfortable." Note: matching my tank-top to my harness.
Libby Winters
I'm all hooked in!
Libby Winters
Flying!
Libby Winters
Door to the 3rd floor girls dressing room. I can't wait to see if the Sissies are here already.
Libby Winters
Our neon light is "nailing it," don't you think?
Libby Winters
After the matinee I go to physical therapy to work on a hamstring injury. Mark is the best and always makes me feel better. Note my post-matinee "tired face." Also note Mark's rippling tricep muscles.
Libby Winters
I meet up with my high school friend Bo for lunch at Pain Quotidien.
Libby Winters
Relaxing in the dressing room. Leslie McDonel shows off her pedicure while Josh Henry shows off his physio-ball. Note Josh Henry killing it at "Words-With-Friends" on his phone.
Libby Winters
Nap time in Rebecca's room with the other Sissies.
Libby Winters
There's always some kind of treat in the crew room!
Libby Winters
Rebecca Naomi Jones works on some lines for an audition.
Libby Winters
More treats in the break room! It's Brian Charles Johnson's birthday! The second show will be fueled by sugar.
Libby Winters
I make sure to take the two biggest pieces... or maybe three.
Libby Winters
Eric and I enjoying pre-show birthday cake.
Libby Winters
Now I have to lead warm-ups for the evening show. I am working very hard to get these people in gear.
Libby Winters
Military-style push-ups with the boys.
Libby Winters
I usually eat about 20 Lakerol pastilles over the course of the show.
Libby Winters
Another static check before doing Upside-Down-Girl at the top of the show.
Libby Winters
Everyone's getting pumped-up for show time.
Libby Winters
Before every show we all gather around the bed, put our hands in the middle and shout, "1, 2, 3, IT'S F*** TIME!" to get pumped up. Billie Joe even wrote a song about it!
Libby Winters
I have a small break during the show where I go upstairs and chat with Rebecca. Looks like show number two is going well.
Libby Winters
Come see us at the St. James Theatre through April 24th!
Winters makes her Broadway debut in American Idiot. She played Sophie in the Las Vegas production of Mamma Mia! and has performed at Bowery Ballroom, Mercury Lounge, Joe's Pub and the Viper Room.
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Following 421 performances on Broadway and 27 previews, American Idiot plays its final show is April 24 at 7:30 PM. The first national tour launches in the fall.
Based on Green Day's groundbreaking rock opera album, "American Idiot," the 90-minute show about three suburban pals who take divergent paths in post-9/11 America, is a collaboration of Green Day and the Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (who co-wrote the book), Tony Award-winning orchestrator Tom Kitt and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Steven Hoggett.
Tickets range from $127-$49 and can be purchased at The St. James Box Office or via telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200. Visit www.AmericanIdiotonBroadway.com.
The queer-themed short plays will be made available for free to non-profit theatres, schools, and community organizations to support fundraising for LGBTQIA+ groups.
