Friday , March 29 2024
The historic theater debuts a new series that showcases top Broadway stars in an evening of music, humor and casual conversation.

Theater Review (San Antonio): Ana Gasteyer and Seth Rudetsky at the Woodlawn

Broadway @ San AntonioFor the inaugural installment of its Broadway @ San Antonio series, the Woodlawn Theatre welcomed Sirius/XM radio host and entertainer Seth Rudetsky and multi-hyphenate star Ana Gasteyer last Saturday for an evening of song, comedy, and casual conversation.

Gasteyer, whose resume encompasses television (Saturday Night Live, Suburgatory), theater (Wicked), and film (Mean Girls), performed songs from her new album, I’m Hip, and regaled the audience with stories from the road. Rudetsky, a Broadway historian and entertainer, accompanied her on piano and conducted an interview whose offbeat questions were designed to provoke the most amusing responses.

The pair met at the gym at 30 Rock back when she was working on SNL and he was writing for The Rosie O’Donnell Show. A fast friendship was formed, and their shared history provided some rollicking material for the enthusiastic Woodlawn audience on Saturday. Nothing was off-limits, from the agony of auditioning to working in less-than-desirable circumstances to the oddball quirks of fellow performers.

And then there was the music. Gasteyer certainly has the pipes; her  performances brought down the house. Along with the title track of her album, she also sang “Don’t Rain on My Parade” from Funny Girl and “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, among other tunes.

Ana Gasteyer I'm HipEarlier in the day, Gasteyer and Rudetsky conducted a special Master Class, during which local theatrical aspirants auditioned for the pair, receiving a professional critique of their performance and valuable tips.

The special Broadway @ San Antonio shows continue next year when Rudetsky interviews Megan Mullally (Will & Grace, Broadway’s Young Frankenstein) on March 21, and Christine Ebersole (42nd Street, Tony award-winner for Grey Gardens) on May 9. The Master Class will also be offered on those dates. A third guest, to be announced, will be featured in January. All shows start at 7:30 p.m.

More information and tickets for these events can be obtained on the Woodlawn Theatre’s website. Special VIP tickets include a pre-show meet and greet and seating in the first four rows. The theater is located at 1920 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio.

[amazon template=iframe image&asin=0990316157][amazon template=iframe image&asin=B00ND1KU0I]

About Kurt Gardner

Writer, critic and inbound marketing expert whose passion for odd culture knows no bounds.

Check Also

Anthony Edwards, Prayer for the French Republic

Theater Review (NYC): ‘Prayer for the French Republic’ – Profound, Timely

In 'Prayer for the French Republic' questions are raised about the safety of French Jews with antisemitism on the rise. Wouldn't it be better to emigrate to Israel where it is safer?