Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Broadway Boys: Mr. Broadway June 2013: Billy Porter

MR. JUNE 2013
BILLY PORTER


WHY HE'S MR. BROADWAY: Hmmm... two words: Tony Award!  OK, the truth is, I've been following Billy Porter long before he donned those kinky boots!  Let me show my age: I first saw him in his debut show, Miss Saigon, when he was in the ensemble, and later when he took over the role of John.  I missed him Five Guys Named Moe, but loved his outrageous star-turn as Teen Angel in the 1994 revival of Grease! Since then, he's been all over the place - on and off-Broadway, in concert, in the recording studio.  But it will likely be his current role as the strong but loveable Lola that will be a major turning point in an already long, distinguished career.  I can't think of anyone who deserves it more.

FUN FACTS:

  • Billy's from Pittsburgh, born on September 21, 1969. He's a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon.
  • When he made his debut on Broadway, his name in the Playbill was W. Ellis Porter.
  • Billy was a winner of Star Search - Best Male Vocalist.  In Grease!, he shared the stage with 2 other Star Search winners: Rosie O'Donnell and Sam Harris.



IN PHOTOS


ONE OF HIS MANY RECORDINGS


GREASE! 1994


GHETTO SUPERSTAR


BILLIE BLUE



ANGELS IN AMERICA
TOP: with Michael Urie
BOTTOM: with Zachary Quinto

KINKY BOOTS







TONY AWARD WINNER, BILLY PORTER!

RECORDING "SEX IS IN THE HEEL"



Jeff
4. 279

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