Television and theatre star joins students for 'Next Stop, Broadway'

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Actor Stephen Wallem will perform with Western Michigan University theatre students in "Next Stop, Broadway" Thursday, Nov. 30, through Saturday, Dec. 2, in the Williams Theatre located inside the Gilmore Theatre Complex.

Performance schedule

• Thursday, Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets

Tickets for University Theatre productions can be purchased online at wmutheatre.com, by calling (269) 387-6222 or by visiting the Gilmore Theatre Box Office between noon and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission for the general public is $20, $18 for seniors and WMU faculty and staff, $10 for students and $6 for WMU students. The box office at Miller Auditorium also sells tickets to University Theatre productions.

A cash bar is available and drinks are welcome inside the theatre.

For more information about "Next Stop, Broadway," visit wmich.edu/theatre/next-stop-2017 or call (269) 387-6222.

Wallem

Wallem is a SAG Award-nominated actor best known as Thor Lundgren for seven seasons on the Emmy-winning Showtime series "Nurse Jackie." He worked as a stage actor and After Dark Award-winning cabaret singer in Chicago before moving to New York to make his television debut on "Nurse Jackie." Other television appearances include Randall in the mini-series "Horace and Pete," Mitch on "Divorce" and Chad on "Difficult People."

He was recently seen as the Cowardly Lion in "The Wizard of Oz" at The Muny in St. Louis, following appearances there as Horton the Elephant in "Seussical" and Shrek in "Shrek the Musical." At the Williamstown Theater Festival, he appeared in the world premiere of Craig Carnelia's "Poster Boy." He made his professional opera debut in New York City Opera's "Anna Nicole." Manhattan theatre and cabaret credits include "A Burly Night Music at Birdland," "Of the Wallem at Don’t Tell Mama," the "Sondheim, Unplugged" series at 54 Below, and playing Hazel in the Encores! production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Pipe Dream" at New York City Center.

Wallem's performance in "Bedroom Secrets" earned him the 2014 Fringe NYC Overall Excellence in Acting Award. He also teamed with Edie Falco for a sold-out run of the original cabaret "The Other Steve and Edie" at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. Chicago Cabaret Professionals named Stephen their National Honoree for 2014. National tours include "Forever Plaid," "Into the Woods," and "Scrooge" starring Richard Chamberlain. Wallem has accrued nearly 2,500 performances as both Jinx and Sparky in various companies of "Forever Plaid" including Chicago (Royal George Cabaret), Las Vegas (Flamingo Hilton and Gold Coast Hotel), Denver Center for Performing Arts, Drury Lane Oakbrook, and the first national tour. He portrayed Judas/Padre in Court Theatre's acclaimed production of "Man of La Mancha" (Joseph Jefferson Award, After Dark Award) and reprised his performance at Long Wharf Theatre. At the Ravinia Festival, he appeared with Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald and Michael Cerveris in "A Little Night Music," "Passion," and "Sunday in the Park with George."

Wallem served as host of the Marriage Equality USA National Gala in 2013 and the Empire State Pride Agenda Gala in 2014. He recently brought "A Burly Night Music" to Toronto for the We're Funny That Way Festival which benefits LGBTQ youth and was a keynote speaker at the Human Rights Campaign gala in Philadelphia.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.