Broadway veteran Aaron Lazar has wowed theatergoers in such shows as A Little Night Music, Les Misérables, The Light in the Piazza, and recently starred opposite Megan Hilty and Rachel York in the acclaimed City Center Encores! production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. He has now returned to the Great White Way as Sam Carmichael in Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ global smash hit musical, Mamma Mia!. TheaterMania recently spoke with Lazar about his latest role.

THEATERMANIA: How did Mamma Mia! come about for you?
AARON LAZAR: It was pretty standard. My agent called and I went to audition. I had never seen the show. So I saw it and had way more fun than I ever thought!… Read the rest

It was a special Winesday Wednesday over at NBC as one of my idols returned to morning television. Regis Philbin (filling in for Hoda Kotb, or Koda as he calls her) and Kathie Lee Gifford reunited after twelve years on the fourth hour of Today.

The show was off to a rough start as the announcer introduced him as Hoda, but quickly realized the mistake and said “that’s not Hoda, that’s Regis Philbin.” They kicked off the morning with a first-time-ever studio audience, Philbin eating cherries and Gifford, of course, drinking wine. Their natural chemistry was better than ever. They haven’t been on-air together in years, but picked up right where they left off.… Read the rest

We are only one day away from the American Theatre Wing’s 66th Annual Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris. If you are in a Tony pool, here are my predictions:

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical:
Jeremy Jordan (Newsies)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical:
Audra McDonald (Porgy and Bess)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical:
Michael Cerveris (Evita)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical:
Judy Kaye (Nice Work If You Can Get It)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play:
 James Corden (One Man, Two Guvnors)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play:
Nina Arianda (Venus in Fur)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play:
Judith Light (Other Desert Cities)

Best Revival of a Play:
Death of a Salesman

Best Revival of a Musical:
Porgy and Bess

Best Play:
Claybourne Park

Best Musical:
Once

Let’s see what happens tomorrow night!… Read the rest

In a change of pace, Donovan is currently starring in the world premiere of Kenneth Lonergan‘s comedy Medieval Play at Off-Broadway’s Signature Theatre. TheaterMania recently chatted with Donovan about his latest role, his new NBC show, Infamous with Victor Garber, and what it’s like to work behind the scenes on Glee.… Read the rest