Ariana Grande: A Broadway Night Out
Ariana Grande, the pop sensation and Grammy winner, took a nostalgic trip back to Broadway, where her journey to stardom began. Before the world knew her for her chart-topping hits, she was a Broadway star, marking her beginning in Jason Robert Brown’s 2008 musical, 13.
A Return to the Great White Way
This weekend, Ariana Grande was back on Broadway, not on the stage but as a part of the audience at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, witnessing the Tony-nominated musical & Juliet. This isn’t just any show for Grande; she has a special connection to it. The musical, a speculative continuation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, features some of Grande’s hits like “Problem” and “Break Free,” exploring Juliet’s life had she not died.
The musical’s score is derived from the works of Max Martin, the five-time Grammy-winning songwriter and producer, who has collaborated with Grande and was also present in the audience with her. The presence of the pop icon and the renowned songwriter created quite a buzz among the audience members.
Backstage Moments and Celebrity Encounters
After enjoying the performance, Ariana Grande and Max Martin went backstage to meet the cast, including Tony winner Paulo Szot, Tony nominees Lorna Courtney and Betsy Wolfe, and the rest of the ensemble. “She was so sweet and gracious,” shared an insider, revealing that Grande, ever the Broadway enthusiast, brought her Playbill and eagerly asked the cast to sign it, embodying the spirit of “once a stage door girl, always a stage door girl!”
During this backstage interaction, Grande also met the Tony-nominated choreographer Jennifer Weber and learned some of the “Problem” choreography from the show, dancing along with the cast.
However, Ariana wasn’t the only star in the audience that night. Actress and talk show host Drew Barrymore was also present, enjoying the show with her daughters. The source mentioned, “The audience was so starstruck by Ariana,” that they didn’t even notice that she was sitting with Max Martin, the mastermind behind the songs in the show.
A Broadway Love Story
Ariana’s boyfriend, Ethan Slater, is currently in rehearsals for the revival of Spamalot, a Broadway adaptation of the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Slater is preparing to play the dual role of The Historian/Prince Herbert, with performances beginning on Oct. 31 at the St. James Theatre.
Interestingly, another musical, Wicked, which has ties to both Grande and Slater, is celebrating its 20th anniversary the day before Spamalot’s performances begin. Wicked, narrating the untold story of the witches of Oz, is the fourth longest-running show in Broadway history. Grande and Slater are set to star in the upcoming film adaptation of this musical, with Grande portraying Glinda and Slater as Boq. The first part of the film is scheduled to release on Nov. 27, 2024.
Ariana Grande’s return to Broadway, even as an audience member, was a journey full of nostalgia, excitement, and star-struck moments. Her connection to & Juliet and her interactions with the cast highlighted her enduring love for Broadway. With her upcoming role in the film adaptation of Wicked and her boyfriend’s role in Spamalot, it seems like Broadway will continue to play a significant role in Grande’s life, intertwining her pop music journey with her roots in musical theatre.
Source: People
