Musical’s chorus boy hits a high note
The buzz began during previews. Fans and industry insiders were talking about a standout in one of the season’s most celebrated new musicals, but it wasn’t one of the stars of “Hadestown” who was a sudden focus of admiration. It was the 6-foot-7 actor in the show’s five-person ensemble, Timothy Hughes.
“My dresser told me, ‘Check the message boards, check Twitter; there’s a lot of chatter,’ ” Hughes said when he caught wind of the attention. “People at the stage door were telling me, ‘I’ve never seen so much discussion about one individual ensemble member.’ ”
Hughes has seen his Instagram following jump more than 20% to about 24,000 since “Hadestown” began performances March 22. He said audience members started sending him messages immediately after the show — and even during intermission.
“It’s mostly all wonderfully positive and funny and kind of ridiculous,” said the Wisconsin native, whose previous viral fame came when he snatched away a Trump sign from an audience member while appearing in “Frozen.”
“I don’t take any of it for granted. I’ve tried to respond to everybody who reaches out to me,” he said. He’s also conscious of not wanting to pull focus away from “Hadestown” as a whole, which won eight Tony Awards last week, including best musical.
“We want unique personalities on the stage,” said one of the casting directors, Duncan Stewart. “Then you want your jewels in the crown that just pop, and that’s what Timothy is.”
A cottage industry for thirsting after uptown’s finest includes the list from Time Out New York of “The 10 Hottest Chorus Boys and Girls on Broadway” (the 2019 ranking, of course, includes Hughes). On social media, actors like Adam Perry, Charlie Williams and much of the original cast of “Newsies” have substantial followings that they treat to revealing personal and corporal content.
But it’s not just about a look; actors who stand out do so because they’re given the chance.
“Usually they have a featured moment,” Estrin said. “It’s a combination of a talent that comes through” and, in technical terms, “the hotness factor.” Estrin and others pointed to the example of Nick Adams, who turned heads with virtuosic dancing in the 2006 revival of “A Chorus Line” before graduating to larger principal roles. Adams starred as Whizzer in the “Falsettos” tour that played the Ahmanson Theatre last month.