Playbill Celebrates Broadway's April Birthdays

Willkommen! Bienvenue! Welcome!

Amidst April rainfall, the sun is shining on performers, directors, playwrights, and other theatre artists who celebrate their birthdays this month. Full of shine and full of sparkle, April is a joyful month for a host of talent who have sprouted on Broadway. Let's shower them with well wishes as they begin a new year.

And for those of you hoping for guidance from the heavens above, let this month's horoscopes help you determine whether or not to throw caution to the wind and what might spring forth as new growth. It's Aries and Taurus season!

Let's "Chant" well wishes to our April 2 birthdays, Amber Gray (Macbeth, Hadestown) and Schele Williams (Rent, Aida, Mowtown: The Musical). Gray is here to slay another year, starting off by joining a presentation of Kill the Whale at Joe's Pub. Williams is on double-duty this Broadway season, directing two musicals this season, The Wiz and The Notebook.

April 9 is a banner day for both Cynthia Nixon (The Little Foxes, Wit) and Elle Fanning (Appropriate), both of whom graced the stage this season. Nixon played a world-famous performer reuniting with her son after a seven-year disappearance in The Seven Year Disappear Off-Broadway. Fanning was "energized" every night on stage of Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins' Broadway revival of Appropriate.

It's Broadway's Master of Ceremonies Joel Grey's birthday on April 11th. Anything Goes while celebrating the actor, director, and photographer as he completes another Grand Tour around the sun. The Golden Globe, Tony, and Oscar winner has danced through life on the Broadway stage, originating roles in Cabaret, Chicago, Wicked, and George M!

We'll all be giving The Look of Love to Liz Callaway (Merrily We Roll Along, Miss Saigon) on April 13th. The Tony nominee has brought voice to beloved animated characters such as Anya in Anastasia, Kiara in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, and Odette in The Swan Princess.

It's hip to be John Dossett (Paradise Square, Newsies The Musical) on April 15. This season, Dossett will take the Broadway stage once again in the Huey Lewis and the News jukebox musical, The Heart of Rock and Roll.

April 16 is the day Kelli O'Hara (Kiss Me Kate, The King and I) and Jay O. Sanders (Girl From the North Country) took their "First Breath." Most recently seen on the Broadway stage in Days of Wine and Roses, O'Hara will next join Kristin Chenoweth in a Broadway Benefit concert remembering Roundabout's Artistic Director Todd Haines. Sanders was most recently seen on Broadway in Ossie Davis' Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch.

There is enough room at the birthday table for Jordan Donica (My Fair Lady, The Phantom of the Opera), Gavin Creel (Waitress, Hello, Dolly!), and Reeve Carney (Hadestown) on April 18. Donica most recently leapt around with Nathan Lane in MasterVoices' concert of The Frogs. Creel is soon to find himself Miscast. Carney most recently rocked us at Chelsea Table + Stage in a tribute concert for the British band Queen.

April 19 is a hit for orchestrator Jonathan Tunick (The Music Man Into the Woods), whose arrangements were most recently heard in the revival of Merrily We Roll Along, and director Scott Ellis (Take Me Out, 1776), in whose direction we have no Doubt.

All hail the Supreme Jessica Lange (A Streetcar Named Desire, The Glass Menagerie) on April 20. Not only will Lange star in Paula Vogel's Mother Play this spring, but she is also being recognized for her Contribution to the Theater Award for her commitment to furthering the art of the American theatre at the Drama League Awards.

We'd like to propose a toast for Patti LuPone's birthday on April 21. Everything will be coming up roses for the three-time Tony winner (Evita, Gypsy, Company), who is touring in concert around the country this year. The impact of her signature voice has been felt around the world as the Broadway great, whose credits include War Paint, and Noises Off, was the first American actress to win an Olivier Award (for Les Miserables).

We will also whistle a happy tune for Ruthie Ann Miles (Sunday in the Park with George, The King and I), April 21st. The Tony winner will next take the spotlight in The Broadway Green Alliance's concert Broadway Celebrates Earth Day and Lincoln Center's concert stagings of A Little Night Music orchestrated by fellow April birthday Jonathan Tunick.

April 24 is a gorgeous day to say hello to the Screen Actor's Guild Life Achievement Award recipient Barbra Streisand (Funny Girl), Jordan Fisher (Sweeney Todd), a recent songbird in Broadway's Hadestown, and Peter Friedman (Twelve Angry Men, Execution of Justice), star of Off-Broadway's psychological thriller Job.

We're so glad we have this time together to wish Carol Burnett (Moon Over Buffalo, Once Upon a Mattress) a very happy birthday on April 26th. Last year, Burnett's nearest and dearest gathered to celebrate her in NBC's special, Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love. In addition to her stage credits, the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winner is starring in Apple TV+'s Palm Royale.

All the Devils are gathering on April 27 to wish Patrick Page (Hadestown, A Man for All Season) all the joy that he can wish. Page's hit solo-show All the Devils are Here has set numerous records Off-Broadway this season and will embark on a tour of the United States beginning this fall.

Playwright August Wilson (Fences, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Joe Turner's Come and Gone) is our finale birthday for the month of April as we honor him on April 27th. The Pulitzer Prize-winner penned a cycle of 10 plays known as The Century Cycle, a series that spans across the 20th Century documenting the experiences of Black people in the United States. Over the next three years, ten Baltimore theatre companies will present the 10 plays of The Century Cycle in chronological order.

April 30 is a defining day for book writer Craig Lucas (The Light in the Piazza, Paradise Square). Following Days of Wine and Roses, Lucas' adaptation of A Christmas Carol entitled A Whynot Christmas Carol will premiere as part of the American Conservatory Theater's upcoming season.