March 26, 2018 – At the Hammerstein Ballroom on West 34th Street, MCC Theater hosts one of the most highly anticipated and coveted events of the theatrical world. The annual Miscast gala is a night for renowned artists to come together and perform in roles for which they would never be cast. This year’s gala honored Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee Laurie Metcalf, who took to the stage with a radiating grace and humility that only matches her robust and indisputable talent. "Lady Bird" director Greta Gerwig attended in support of Metcalf, and the powerhouse pair stunned in matching suits. The cast included Sara Bareilles, Victoria Clark, Auli’I Cravalho, Robert Fairchild, Jordan Fisher, Jayne Houdyshell, James Monroe Iglehart, Jeremy Jordan, Gavin Lee, Katrina Lenk, Caissie Levy, Alex Newell, Ethan Slater, and Wesley Taylor.
Miscast is a star-studded night that shocks and thrills the audience in gripping suspense. While the performers are revealed, their chosen pieces are kept a secret until the moment they step on stage, leaving us guessing at the introduction of every number. Robert Fairchild made the guessing game easier, divulging his performance by flying in those three iconic mirrors. His rendition of Cassie from "A Chorus Line"was complete with opening dialogue by Robert LuPone as Zach (yes– really) and jaw-dropping choreography. Katrina Lenk announced her performance through the strings of a violin. With seduction, humor, and fiddle in hand, Lenk brought the house to its feet as Tevye in “If I Were A Rich Man” from "Fiddler on the Roof," ending the number with a resounding, “If I were a wealthy WO-man” (yes–really).
Other highlights of the night included Caissie Levy’s (superhuman) seamless rendition of “Shiksa Goddess” from "The Last Five Years," James Monroe Iglehart’s version of “Satisfied” from "Hamilton,"Auli’I Cravalho as Tony from "West Side Story," Jeremy Jordan’s heartbreakingly authentic “She Used to Be Mine” from "Waitress,"and Sara Bareilles’ moving “Make Them Hear You” from "Ragtime."
Unlike any event that comes to the stage, Miscast is unapologetic, taking on a life of its own to share a night not based on the comfort of expectation, but on the freedom of surprise.
