Clayton Howe’s Entertainmentx

Actors

Episodes

Monday Apr 17, 2023

Celia Keenan-Bolger (IG:@celiakb)(TW:@celiakb) is currently in The Gilded Age on HBO. She was born on January 26, 1978 in Detroit, Michigan and is a Tony Award winner and Broadway favorite. Celia Keenan-Bolger will return to To Kill a Mockingbird at the Shubert Theatre from October 5, 2021.
Keenan-Bolger trained at both the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and the Detroit School of Arts and graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA in musical theatre. She began her stage career in regional theatres such as the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and Theatre Works in Silicon Valley, and she made her Off-Broadway debut as Aggie in Summer of '42 in December 2001.
During the Kennedy Center's Sondheim Celebration in 2002, she starred as Johanna in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and she would then perform again off Broadway in January 2003 in Second Stage Theatre's production of Michael John LaChiusa's Little Fish. Also in 2003, she would originate the role of Clara Johnson in the celebrated musical The Light in the Piazza at both Seattle's Intiman Theatre and Chicago's Goodman Theatre.
She originated the role of Olive Ostrovsky in William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Barrington Stage Company in the summer of 2004, reprised her performance off Broadway at Second Stage Theatre in January 2005, and did so again on Broadway, marking her Broadway debut in April 2005. She was nominated for her first Tony Award for her performance as Olive and received a Theatre World Award and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance. She remained with the production until September 17, 2006. Her next Broadway venture would be to originate the role of Éponine in the 2006 revival of Les Misérables, playing the role from October 2006 to January 2008, earning a Drama Desk nomination in 2007.
Keenan-Bolger returned off Broadway for her next productions, starring as Mary in the musical Saved at Playwrights Horizons from May to June 2008, as Katie in Bachelorette for Second Stage Theatre from July to August 2010, and as Jenny Bridges in A Small Fire from December 2010 to January 2011, once again at Playwrights Horizons. She then landed the role of Molly in New York Theatre Workshop's acclaimed production of Peter and the Starcatcher, which played the Off-Broadway venue from February to April 2011, resulting in yet another Drama Desk Award nomination, and transferred to Broadway in March 2012, leading to her second Tony Award nomination. Ahead of the Broadway premiere, Keenan-Bolger also starred as Mary Flynn in New York City Center's Encores! production of Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along in February 2012.
In the fall of 2013, she took on the role of Laura Wingfield in the Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie from September 2013 to February 2014. She garnered great acclaim for her performance, winning a Drama Desk Award, earning her third Tony Award nomination, and receiving the Theatre World Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in 2014.
Keenan-Bolger followed this performance with her Lincoln Center Theater debut, starring as Mother in an Off-Broadway production of Sarah Ruhl's The Oldest Boy from October to December 2014. She was next seen on Broadway as Varya, opposite Diane Lane, in Roundabout Theatre Company's 2016 revival of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, and she was last seen off Broadway in Second Stage Theatre's 2017 production of A Parallelogram. 
Keenan-Bolger returned to Broadway on November 1, 2018, taking on the role of Scout in Aaron Sorkin's new stage adaptation of the classic Harper Lee novel To Kill a Mockingbird. She won her first Tony Award in the category of Best Performance By An Actress In A Featured Role In A Play for her portrayal, and she ended her year-long run in the production on November 3, 2019. She leads the reopening cast of the play once more starting in October 2021.
Although primarily known for her career on stage, Ms. Keenan-Bolger has also appeared in a number of high-profile television shows over the years, including Law & Order (2007), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2014), Nurse Jackie (2014), The Good Wife (2015), Elementary (2015), Good Behavior (2016), Blue Bloods (2017), NCIS: New Orleans (2017), and Bull (2018). Her film credits include Mariachi Gringo (2012), The Visit (2015), Breakable You (2017), and Diane (2018).

Monday Mar 06, 2023

Alex Joseph Grayson (alexjosephgrayson.com)(IG:@alexjgsings) currently in Parade on Broadway is an actor and musician from Watertown, NY.  He accredits his eclectic artistic influences to a nomadic upbringing as a military brat. Over the last decade, Alex has performed on the biggest stages of the American theatre, including Broadway, National Tours, and several Regional theaters.  Alex previously acted as lead vocalist of the metal band “Ten Thousand Pounds.” 

Thursday Jan 26, 2023

Beth Leavel (bethleavel.net) is a Tony Award-winning stage and screen actor. She recently starred as Miranda Priestly in the Broadway-bound new musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada, directed by Anna Shapiro and featuring music by Sir Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub and a book by Kate Wetherhead.
Most recently, Beth was seen on Broadway as Dee Dee Allen in The Prom, for which she was nominated for Tony, New York Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards. She received Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and LA Drama Critics Awards for her performance as the title character in The Drowsy Chaperone. Beth also received Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for her role as Florence Greenberg in Baby, It’s You.
On Broadway, Beth also originated the roles of June Adams in Bandstand, Emily in Elf, Mrs. Bixby in The Civil War and Tess in Crazy For You. Other Broadway credits include Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Dorothy Brock in the revival of 42nd Street, Ellie in Hal Prince’s Show Boat, and Anytime Annie (her Broadway debut) in 42nd Street.
Other New York credits include starring as Lucille in the New York City Center Encores! production of No, No, Nanette, as well as the off-Broadway productions of Lone Star Love and Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays.
Regionally, Beth has performed some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre – from Mama Rose in Gypsy at The Muny and Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly at Cape Playhouse and The Muny, to Sally Adams in Call Me Madam at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, the Witch in Into the Woods at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and Miss Hannigan in Annie at the Paper Mill Playhouse.
Beth has dazzled and delighted sold-out audiences with her cabaret act, which she has taken from 54 Below in New York City to other venues across the United States.
You might also recognize Beth from numerous commercials and TV shows/films, including Ghosts of Christmas Always, The Bite, Walking Dead: World Beyond and the final episode of ER.
She holds an MFA and an honorary PhD from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.
Of all the roles she has played, on stage and off, Beth is most proud of being T.J. and Sam’s mom. She is helplessly in love with her fiancé, Adam Heller, and thanks her cat, Malcolm, for keeping her sane during the pandemic.

Monday Jan 23, 2023

Beth Leavel (bethleavel.net) is a Tony Award-winning stage and screen actor. She recently starred as Miranda Priestly in the Broadway-bound new musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada, directed by Anna Shapiro and featuring music by Sir Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub and a book by Kate Wetherhead.
Most recently, Beth was seen on Broadway as Dee Dee Allen in The Prom, for which she was nominated for Tony, New York Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards. She received Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and LA Drama Critics Awards for her performance as the title character in The Drowsy Chaperone. Beth also received Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for her role as Florence Greenberg in Baby, It’s You.
On Broadway, Beth also originated the roles of June Adams in Bandstand, Emily in Elf, Mrs. Bixby in The Civil War and Tess in Crazy For You. Other Broadway credits include Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Dorothy Brock in the revival of 42nd Street, Ellie in Hal Prince’s Show Boat, and Anytime Annie (her Broadway debut) in 42nd Street.
Other New York credits include starring as Lucille in the New York City Center Encores! production of No, No, Nanette, as well as the off-Broadway productions of Lone Star Love and Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays.
Regionally, Beth has performed some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre – from Mama Rose in Gypsy at The Muny and Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly at Cape Playhouse and The Muny, to Sally Adams in Call Me Madam at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, the Witch in Into the Woods at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and Miss Hannigan in Annie at the Paper Mill Playhouse.
Beth has dazzled and delighted sold-out audiences with her cabaret act, which she has taken from 54 Below in New York City to other venues across the United States.
You might also recognize Beth from numerous commercials and TV shows/films, including Ghosts of Christmas Always, The Bite, Walking Dead: World Beyond and the final episode of ER.
She holds an MFA and an honorary PhD from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.
Of all the roles she has played, on stage and off, Beth is most proud of being T.J. and Sam’s mom. She is helplessly in love with her fiancé, Adam Heller, and thanks her cat, Malcolm, for keeping her sane during the pandemic.

Thursday Jan 13, 2022

Jisel Soleil Ayon (IG:@jiselsayon)(jiselsoleilayon.com)currently on the Waitress national tour describes herself as a statuesque cocktail of African American and Latina ferocity with a sturdy mix belt and sugary soprano sound. She radiates an infectiously gregarious glow, but don’t get it twisted - she’s hellacious in a pair of heels and plays hard to forget. She is a Southern California based EMC singer, actor, dancer, who earned her BA in Theater Arts at California State University, Fullerton. 

Monday Jan 10, 2022


Jisel Soleil Ayon (IG:@jiselsayon)(jiselsoleilayon.com)currently on the Waitress national tour describes herself as a statuesque cocktail of African American and Latina ferocity with a sturdy mix belt and sugary soprano sound. She radiates an infectiously gregarious glow, but don’t get it twisted - she’s hellacious in a pair of heels and plays hard to forget. She is a Southern California based EMC singer, actor, dancer, who earned her BA in Theater Arts at California State University, Fullerton. 

Thursday Jan 06, 2022

Ann Harada (IG:@iamannharada)(TW:@annharada) originated the role of Christmas Eve in Avenue Q on Broadway and the West End. Other Broadway includes Cinderella, 9 to 5, M Butterfly, Seussical, Les Miserables (revival). Recent Off – Broadway includes Brooklynite (Vineyard Theatre) and Love, Loss, and What I Wore (Westside Theatre). Regionally: 42nd Street and Mamma Mia (MUNY), and God of Carnage (George Street Playhouse) FILM: Youth in Oregon, Sisters, Trouble, Admission, Hope Springs, and The Art of Getting By. TV: “The Jim Gaffigan Show,” “The Good Wife,” “SMASH,” “30 Rock,” “House of Cards,” “Master of None.”

Monday Jan 03, 2022

Ann Harada (IG:@iamannharada)(TW:@annharada) originated the role of Christmas Eve in Avenue Q on Broadway and the West End. Other Broadway includes Cinderella, 9 to 5, M Butterfly, Seussical, Les Miserables (revival). Recent Off – Broadway includes Brooklynite (Vineyard Theatre) and Love, Loss, and What I Wore (Westside Theatre). Regionally: 42nd Street and Mamma Mia (MUNY), and God of Carnage (George Street Playhouse) FILM: Youth in Oregon, Sisters, Trouble, Admission, Hope Springs, and The Art of Getting By. TV: “The Jim Gaffigan Show,” “The Good Wife,” “SMASH,” “30 Rock,” “House of Cards,” “Master of None.”

Thursday Dec 30, 2021

Kevin Spirtas (kevinspirtas.com)(IG:@kevinspirtas) is most recognized around the world as Dr. Craig Wesley from NBC’s Daytime Drama: Days of Our Lives, and the cult classic film sequels: Friday the 13th – Part VII: The New Blood, and Wes Craven’s: The Hills Have Eyes – Part II, in 2008 the 30-year acting veteran produced the NY Shakespeare Festival reading-presentation of Don Cummings’: A Good Smoke, starring Academy Award winning actress, Meryl Streep, and directed by Tony Award winning director, Pam McKinnon. Shortly thereafter in 2009, Spirtas made his debut as a Broadway producer on the critically acclaimed revival of Finian’s Rainbow, and in 2012 he co-produced the hit Broadway musical: Priscilla…Queen of the Desert. In 2014, after running into Days Of Our Lives alum, the late, Michael Slade in a New York gym, the two set out to create the critically acclaimed, 6 x Emmy Award Winning Digital Drama Series: After Forever, In 2019 After Forever – Season 1 made history by becoming the most Emmy-awarded LGBTQ-themed drama series on any platform and Spirtas received an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Drama, along with 3 additional Emmys that he shares with Slade for Outstanding Digital Drama Series 2019 and Outstanding Writing Team for a Digital Drama 2019 and 2020. Spirtas played his DAYS character opposite Matt LeBlanc’s Dr. Drake Ramory on FRIENDS: The One That Could Have Been- Part 1. Spirtas won  the 2016 Indie Series Award for Best Actor in a drama, (of which he also earned an Emmy nomination) for his role as Dominic Delacorte on the digital drama series: Winterthorne. Some of Spirtas’ Broadway credits include: A Chorus Line, Meet Me In St. Louis, and Hairspray, and The Boy From Oz (Stand-by for Hugh Jackman). 
 

Monday Dec 27, 2021

Kevin Spirtas (kevinspirtas.com)(IG:@kevinspirtas) is most recognized around the world as Dr. Craig Wesley from NBC’s Daytime Drama: Days of Our Lives, and the cult classic film sequels: Friday the 13th – Part VII: The New Blood, and Wes Craven’s: The Hills Have Eyes – Part II, in 2008 the 30-year acting veteran produced the NY Shakespeare Festival reading-presentation of Don Cummings’: A Good Smoke, starring Academy Award winning actress, Meryl Streep, and directed by Tony Award winning director, Pam McKinnon. Shortly thereafter in 2009, Spirtas made his debut as a Broadway producer on the critically acclaimed revival of Finian’s Rainbow, and in 2012 he co-produced the hit Broadway musical: Priscilla…Queen of the Desert. In 2014, after running into Days Of Our Lives alum, the late, Michael Slade in a New York gym, the two set out to create the critically acclaimed, 6 x Emmy Award Winning Digital Drama Series: After Forever, In 2019 After Forever – Season 1 made history by becoming the most Emmy-awarded LGBTQ-themed drama series on any platform and Spirtas received an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Drama, along with 3 additional Emmys that he shares with Slade for Outstanding Digital Drama Series 2019 and Outstanding Writing Team for a Digital Drama 2019 and 2020. Spirtas played his DAYS character opposite Matt LeBlanc’s Dr. Drake Ramory on FRIENDS: The One That Could Have Been- Part 1. Spirtas won  the 2016 Indie Series Award for Best Actor in a drama, (of which he also earned an Emmy nomination) for his role as Dominic Delacorte on the digital drama series: Winterthorne. Some of Spirtas’ Broadway credits include: A Chorus Line, Meet Me In St. Louis, and Hairspray, and The Boy From Oz (Stand-by for Hugh Jackman). 
 

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