(clockwise from top) Donna Murphy, Bernadette Peters, Joel Grey and Bebe Neuwirth. (Photo: Emilio Madrid)
Joel Grey, star of stage and screen, cut right to the chase today, on his 90th birthday, with a message for theater fans of all ages:
“If you are a young person who dreams of being a part of Broadway, come to New York. We want your talent. If you’re a fan, buy a ticket, see a show. We want your passion and your energy. Broadway is back and better than ever!”
Grey headed to Times Square with three other theater legends, Bernadette Peters, Donna Murphy, and Bebe Neuwirth, to mark the occasion.
Grey made his Broadway debut in 1951 in Borscht Capades, and a Tony Award 16 years later for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of the Emcee in Cabaret, directed by Harold Prince. Grey reprised the role for the film version opposite Liza Minnelli and directed by Bob Fosse.
Other notable Broadway roles include the 1996 revival of Chicago, Wicked, and the 2011 revival of Anything Goes with Sutton Foster. Grey also directed a Broadway production of The Normal Heart the same year, which won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.
