Theater Thursday - Current Show Panels at BroadwayCon 2019

We were given free tickets to BroadwayCon for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Me & Mom -BroadwayCon is a great place to learn about shows currently playing on Broadway. There are numerous panels made up of the cast members and creators of various shows. At this year's BroadwayCon the following shows were represented:

The Cher Show - During this panel, we learned what it is like to meet Cher and how Stephanie J. Block developed the perfect Cher accent. For more about The Cher Show, visit https://thechershowbroadway.com.

Come from Away - This panel was as inspirational as the show and made us want to go out and do something nice for someone. We also liked learning about how the writers' daughter likes calling the cast of the show "her people". We are with you, Molly. They are our people too as are all Broadway people. For more about Come From Away, visit comefromaway.com.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child  - During this panel we learned that they were originally planning to use live owls in the show, but that didn't work out too well when they had owls flying around the theater. For more about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, visit
www.harrypottertheplay.com.

Mean Girls - This panel included Tina Fey, the former Saturday Night Live star and the show (and the movie's) writer. Erika Henningsen who plays Cady had to rush off early to see Pretty Woman reminding us that Broadway stars are just like us. They are theater fans too who welcome the opportunity to see other  people's shows. For more about Mean Girls, visit meangirlsonbroadway.com.

My Fair Lady - During this panel we learned how Laura Benanti had always wanted to play Eliza Doolitttle but thought she wouldn't get the chance because her daughter was born just before the current production of the show started. However, she was lucky enough to have the opportunity come around again when the original star, Lauren Ambrose left the show. Also, it is interesting that Laura Benanti got her start on Broadway as the understudy to Rebecca Luker in The Sound of Music, and she later took over the role. Now, Danny Burstein, Rebecca Luker's husband is playing Laura Benanti's father in My Fair Lady, a full circle moment that can only happen on Broadway. For more about My Fair Lady, visit www.lct.org/shows/my-fair-lady.

Pretty Woman - During this panel we learned how the ensemble develops backgrounds for every character they play in the show and how many incarations it sometimes takes to get the a number in the show right. For more about Pretty Woman, visit prettywomanthemusical.com.

The Prom - During this panel we learned how many people are touched by this show. For more information about this show, visit https://theprommusical.com.

Dear Evan Hansen - We did not happen to attend this panel, but I am sure it was just as fascinating.

We also learned a lot of other fun facts from the various panels and about what it was like putting together these shows and working on them. We even got to know the stars and creators a little bit.

For more about BroadwayCon, visit http://www.broadwaycon.com.

Tune in to tomorrow and Saturday for more about BroadwayCon including information about upcoming shows.