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PHOTO RECAP: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Star-Studded Best Man With Corey Brill

First intermission! Kerry Butler's the one who got me hooked on the uke--sometimes we sit out and play together. If you're ever walking along 45th and hear beautiful music above... it's probably not us. — PHOTO RECAP: A Two-Show Day at Broadway's Star-Studded Best Man With Corey Brill

The star-studded recent revival of Gore Vidal's The Best Man closed on this date in 2012. We look back at this two-show day backstage feature with Corey Brill, who played Don Blades in the production. Read the
78 PHOTOS

What the $%#, �뵺��? It's a little early, don't you think? Well, welcome to my two-show day with <i>Gore Vidal's The Best Man</i>! Be patient. . . I had a long night. — What the $%#, �뵺��? It's a little early, don't you think? Well, welcome to my two-show day with Gore Vidal's The Best Man! Be patient. . . I had a long night.

Corey Brill

Priority number one. — Priority number one.

Corey Brill

Priority number two... — Priority number two...

Corey Brill

Starting to feel human. Each morning of late has started with coffee, a nice scramble and a liberal serving of the previous night's Rachel Maddow show. — Starting to feel human. Each morning of late has started with coffee, a nice scramble and a liberal serving of the previous night's Rachel Maddow show.

Corey Brill

My roommates' cats have to have breakfast, too. I call them Uday and Qusay (they're really named Harvey and Mac) for the royal pillaging they get up to each night. For the record: my roommates hate those nicknames. — My roommates' cats have to have breakfast, too. I call them Uday and Qusay (they're really named Harvey and Mac) for the royal pillaging they get up to each night. For the record: my roommates hate those nicknames.

Corey Brill

Next Slide

This fella's been living in the hallway for the last couple of days. Luckily, thanks to the efforts of Daoud and Michelle, he'll be picked up later this afternoon by a shelter... — This fella's been living in the hallway for the last couple of days. Luckily, thanks to the efforts of Daoud and Michelle, he'll be picked up later this afternoon by a shelter...

Corey Brill

A little more coffee never hurt... this is the Blue Roost across the street in Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn. Lovely! — A little more coffee never hurt... this is the Blue Roost across the street in Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn. Lovely!

Corey Brill

Daoud (my roommate) joins me. I forced him to look friendly. He's not. Especially in the morning. He's just a really good actor. — Daoud (my roommate) joins me. I forced him to look friendly. He's not. Especially in the morning. He's just a really good actor.

Corey Brill

Back inside for some FaceTime with my pooch, Arlo! — Back inside for some FaceTime with my pooch, Arlo!

Corey Brill

This is my wife, Joy, in Los Angeles. Well, it's her hand. She refused to be photographed this early in the morning. I can't imagine why, as she's always so pretty! — This is my wife, Joy, in Los Angeles. Well, it's her hand. She refused to be photographed this early in the morning. I can't imagine why, as she's always so pretty!

Corey Brill

Waiting for the Q train. Yes, I smoke a pipe. No, I'm not in AARP. I just like it. Why all the judgement? — Waiting for the Q train. Yes, I smoke a pipe. No, I'm not in AARP. I just like it. Why all the judgement?

Corey Brill

Crossing the Manhattan Bridge. You could ask for a prettier day, but you'd just be greedy... — Crossing the Manhattan Bridge. You could ask for a prettier day, but you'd just be greedy...

Corey Brill

It occurs to me that this is the first photo I've taken of Times Square in years. Onward to the Schoenfeld. . . — It occurs to me that this is the first photo I've taken of Times Square in years. Onward to the Schoenfeld. . .

Corey Brill

Here we are! Such a great theatre, and perfect for this play, I think. — Here we are! Such a great theatre, and perfect for this play, I think.

Corey Brill

There's our fine looking cast! — There's our fine looking cast!

Corey Brill

Signing in. . . yes, I'm here and fully awake! Only took all morning... — Signing in. . . yes, I'm here and fully awake! Only took all morning...

Corey Brill

In the interest of journalistic integrity, I've left my dressing room the pig-stye that it is. — In the interest of journalistic integrity, I've left my dressing room the pig-stye that it is.

Corey Brill

Quick trip to the basement to say hi to folk and yes, get a bit more coffee. Here's our wonderful company manager Brig Berney and PSM Matthew Farrell... — Quick trip to the basement to say hi to folk and yes, get a bit more coffee. Here's our wonderful company manager Brig Berney and PSM Matthew Farrell...

Corey Brill

The infamous James Lescene. Kevin Bacon has nothing on this guy. Everyone in the city knows James. It's a lucky city. — The infamous James Lescene. Kevin Bacon has nothing on this guy. Everyone in the city knows James. It's a lucky city.

Corey Brill

Cantwell usurper John Stamos is caught lurking behind Bill Kux. I caught him measuring Eric McCormack's dressing room--welcome aboard good man! — Cantwell usurper John Stamos is caught lurking behind Bill Kux. I caught him measuring Eric McCormack's dressing room--welcome aboard good man!

Corey Brill

Each day I lead an optional warm-up for the cast (I don't know how I ended up leading these, but they're fun!). You're about to see some photos of very talented people making some very strange sounds. Bear that in mind. . . — Each day I lead an optional warm-up for the cast (I don't know how I ended up leading these, but they're fun!). You're about to see some photos of very talented people making some very strange sounds. Bear that in mind. . .

Corey Brill

Here's Fred Parker showing us how it's done! — Here's Fred Parker showing us how it's done!

Corey Brill

Hey! Here's James Earl finding his lower register (as if he could lose it--I think he invented the damn thing)! He never misses a warm-up, nor a chance to smile. He's an inspiration. — Hey! Here's James Earl finding his lower register (as if he could lose it--I think he invented the damn thing)! He never misses a warm-up, nor a chance to smile. He's an inspiration.

Corey Brill

Who needs coffee when you have Kerry Butler around? She's kinetic energy personified. . . — Who needs coffee when you have Kerry Butler around? She's kinetic energy personified. . .

Corey Brill

I've managed to capture the longstanding feud between these two--here they are in the middle of an anger-filled wrestling match! — I've managed to capture the longstanding feud between these two--here they are in the middle of an anger-filled wrestling match!

Corey Brill

Okay, actually they're talking about the fact that they only have 2 more weeks with the show... — Okay, actually they're talking about the fact that they only have 2 more weeks with the show...

Corey Brill

Here's Eric's calendar. He's been trimming off each week of the run after it's done. You can tell he has mixed feelings about the short time remaining... — Here's Eric's calendar. He's been trimming off each week of the run after it's done. You can tell he has mixed feelings about the short time remaining...

Corey Brill

Curtis Billings, ladies and gentlemen. Possibly the coolest cucumber in the cast. — Curtis Billings, ladies and gentlemen. Possibly the coolest cucumber in the cast.

Corey Brill

A quick visit to the mens' dressing room (it's waaayy up there, but so worth it). Here's Tony Carlin getting in some guitar time before the show... — A quick visit to the mens' dressing room (it's waaayy up there, but so worth it). Here's Tony Carlin getting in some guitar time before the show...

Corey Brill

The guys are so lucky to have Danny Paul as their dresser. Never once seen this guy do anything but spread good feelings... — The guys are so lucky to have Danny Paul as their dresser. Never once seen this guy do anything but spread good feelings...

Corey Brill

See? This is looking down the stairwell from the top floor! It's like an Escher drawing. . . — See? This is looking down the stairwell from the top floor! It's like an Escher drawing. . .

Corey Brill

Like all great actors, I've read Stanislavsky's "An Actor Procrastinates." It's half hour, so of course it's time to sit out on the fire escape and play the ukulele! What? — Like all great actors, I've read Stanislavsky's "An Actor Procrastinates." It's half hour, so of course it's time to sit out on the fire escape and play the ukulele! What?

Corey Brill

Love seeing the crowds gather on 45th St before the shows. . . — Love seeing the crowds gather on 45th St before the shows. . .

Corey Brill

Here's John enjoying the weather through his window...this is right before he tells me to leave him "the %#$^ alone" so he can get ready. Such a kidder. . . — Here's John enjoying the weather through his window...this is right before he tells me to leave him "the %#$^ alone" so he can get ready. Such a kidder. . .

Corey Brill

Caught Angelica Page in the midst of preparation. . . — Caught Angelica Page in the midst of preparation. . .

Corey Brill

And now my own. . . you're about to witness a stunning transformation. Wait for it. . . — And now my own. . . you're about to witness a stunning transformation. Wait for it. . .

Corey Brill

See?? Unrecognizable, right? — See?? Unrecognizable, right?

Corey Brill

Here's our dresser, the wonderful Lolly Totero. No, she doesn't walk around with Eric's headshot all of the time. She's just dropping off some fan mail. . .

Corey Brill

My dressing-roommate, Dakin Matthews tries to make himself look even older! (I'll pay for this comment, I'm sure...) — My dressing-roommate, Dakin Matthews tries to make himself look even older! (I'll pay for this comment, I'm sure...)

Corey Brill

Candice (among others) loves her dresser, the awesome Andrea Gonzalez... — Candice (among others) loves her dresser, the awesome Andrea Gonzalez...

Corey Brill

How could you not love that friendly, on-the-spot face? It's Ken McGee our ASM! I'm told that Gore Vidal named the play after him. . . — How could you not love that friendly, on-the-spot face? It's Ken McGee our ASM! I'm told that Gore Vidal named the play after him. . .

Corey Brill

Yikes! What did I do?? Flynn (JEJ's assistant) is actually very nice--this photo makes him look like he's sometimes strangles kittens. He doesn't. (You don't, do you Flynn?) — Yikes! What did I do?? Flynn (JEJ's assistant) is actually very nice--this photo makes him look like he's sometimes strangles kittens. He doesn't. (You don't, do you Flynn?)

Corey Brill

So I gave the camera to some of our on-stage reporters to take actual shots with a real camera. Very meta. Here's Eric and I about to enter stage left. — So I gave the camera to some of our on-stage reporters to take actual shots with a real camera. Very meta. Here's Eric and I about to enter stage left.

Corey Brill

And. . . I'm now onstage! — And. . . I'm now onstage!

Corey Brill

Sherman Howard used to like me. I'm losing friends right and left with this camera... — Sherman Howard used to like me. I'm losing friends right and left with this camera...

Corey Brill

Here's the lovely Amy Tribby being wigged-up by the incredible Linda Rice! — Here's the lovely Amy Tribby being wigged-up by the incredible Linda Rice!

Corey Brill

First intermission! Kerry Butler's the one who got me hooked on the uke--sometimes we sit out and play together. If you're ever walking along 45th and hear beautiful music above... it's probably not us. — First intermission! Kerry Butler's the one who got me hooked on the uke--sometimes we sit out and play together. If you're ever walking along 45th and hear beautiful music above... it's probably not us.

Corey Brill

HA! Kim Butler. HA!! — HA! Kim Butler. HA!!

Corey Brill

This is right before the couch they're sitting on spins around onto the stage. I love knowing that the three of them are sitting on a couch in the dark together every night. Kerry, Angela and Candice-- about to have a tea party! — This is right before the couch they're sitting on spins around onto the stage. I love knowing that the three of them are sitting on a couch in the dark together every night. Kerry, Angela and Candice-- about to have a tea party!

Corey Brill

Another meta-shot. Dakin leaves them laughing every time! — Another meta-shot. Dakin leaves them laughing every time!

Corey Brill

I should be shot for including this photo--but I can't help it. I managed to catch "Sheldon Marcus" just after finishing his sandwich offstage. — I should be shot for including this photo--but I can't help it. I managed to catch "Sheldon Marcus" just after finishing his sandwich offstage.

Corey Brill

There we go--much better. Jefferson Mays defies description, but a good starting place is "genius" — There we go--much better. Jefferson Mays defies description, but a good starting place is "genius"

Corey Brill

Dresser Laura Beattie created this wonderful photo menagerie--gives you something to smile at while you're huffing up and down the stairs. Thanks Laura! — Dresser Laura Beattie created this wonderful photo menagerie--gives you something to smile at while you're huffing up and down the stairs. Thanks Laura!

Corey Brill

Mark Blum is our most recent addition (miss you Michael McKean) and he's fit in perfectly. . . — Mark Blum is our most recent addition (miss you Michael McKean) and he's fit in perfectly. . .

Corey Brill

Had to include this: Costume designer Ann Roth chose this for me. Can you see? It's a tortoise and a hare. But in this case. . . . it's a TIE! (Go ahead and groan, I don't care) — Had to include this: Costume designer Ann Roth chose this for me. Can you see? It's a tortoise and a hare. But in this case. . . . it's a TIE! (Go ahead and groan, I don't care)

Corey Brill

Dar-nit. Angelica's stunning eyes are closed. . . — Dar-nit. Angelica's stunning eyes are closed. . .

Corey Brill

Another meta shot. See how angry I am? Don't mess with me. — Another meta shot. See how angry I am? Don't mess with me.

Corey Brill

Olja Hrustic has a little crush on Eric's photo. Not Eric. Just the enormous photo... — Olja Hrustic has a little crush on Eric's photo. Not Eric. Just the enormous photo...

Corey Brill

From the wings at curtain call--first show wrapping up! — From the wings at curtain call--first show wrapping up!

Corey Brill

Pure class, and the audience shares the sentiment. . . — Pure class, and the audience shares the sentiment. . .

Corey Brill

I think they liked the show. . . fun house at today's matinee! — I think they liked the show. . . fun house at today's matinee!

Corey Brill

Okay, maybe Andrea is the coolest cucumber. I stand corrected... — Okay, maybe Andrea is the coolest cucumber. I stand corrected...

Corey Brill

Joined for a between show meal at Tacocina (delicious) by friends Daoud, Michelle and David. . . — Joined for a between show meal at Tacocina (delicious) by friends Daoud, Michelle and David. . .

Corey Brill

After a nap (no photos of that) it's time for the second warm-up. . . — After a nap (no photos of that) it's time for the second warm-up. . .

Corey Brill

It's been decided: we have the coolest front of house crew on Broadway. Or at least they have the best hats! — It's been decided: we have the coolest front of house crew on Broadway. Or at least they have the best hats!

Corey Brill

I'm just so sick of these photographers. . . — I'm just so sick of these photographers. . .

Corey Brill

Sean has been so helpful during the run--now he's off to San Diego to play Machiavelli... go get 'em, good man! — Sean has been so helpful during the run--now he's off to San Diego to play Machiavelli... go get 'em, good man!

Corey Brill

The lovely Linda Lee is either yawning or laughing. . . I either said something funny or boring. Can't remember. — The lovely Linda Lee is either yawning or laughing. . . I either said something funny or boring. Can't remember.

Corey Brill

James and Fred hanging in the stairwell. . . who needs a green room? — James and Fred hanging in the stairwell. . . who needs a green room?

Corey Brill

One thing I learned today: James Lescene is an incorrigible ham! — One thing I learned today: James Lescene is an incorrigible ham!

Corey Brill

The delegates before the top of Act II. (See what I mean about James?) — The delegates before the top of Act II. (See what I mean about James?)

Corey Brill

No comment. — No comment.

Corey Brill

Bill Kux was shocked--shocked, I say, that I was taking a photo of him. — Bill Kux was shocked--shocked, I say, that I was taking a photo of him.

Corey Brill

This is John tolerating me again. . . — This is John tolerating me again. . .

Corey Brill

A slightly blurry, but no less beautiful, Donna Hanover hanging in the basement. . . — A slightly blurry, but no less beautiful, Donna Hanover hanging in the basement. . .

Corey Brill

One more meta shot. Angela leaving them laughing as she goes. . . — One more meta shot. Angela leaving them laughing as she goes. . .

Corey Brill

There's some scene change music that brings out the worst dancing in us. Here are James and I right before I lift him above my head. Why we weren't invited to perform at the Tony's I'll never know. . . — There's some scene change music that brings out the worst dancing in us. Here are James and I right before I lift him above my head. Why we weren't invited to perform at the Tony's I'll never know. . .

Corey Brill

Onstage with Kerry and JEJ. Come see me, with a handful of new cast members, through Sept. 9. — Onstage with Kerry and JEJ. Come see me, with a handful of new cast members, through Sept. 9.

Corey Brill

First intermission! Kerry Butler's the one who got me hooked on the uke--sometimes we sit out and play together. If you're ever walking along 45th and hear beautiful music above... it's probably not us.

What the $%#, �뵺��? It's a little early, don't you think? Well, welcome to my two-show day with <i>Gore Vidal's The Best Man</i>! Be patient. . . I had a long night.

Priority number one.

Priority number two...

Starting to feel human. Each morning of late has started with coffee, a nice scramble and a liberal serving of the previous night's Rachel Maddow show.

My roommates' cats have to have breakfast, too. I call them Uday and Qusay (they're really named Harvey and Mac) for the royal pillaging they get up to each night. For the record: my roommates hate those nicknames.

This fella's been living in the hallway for the last couple of days. Luckily, thanks to the efforts of Daoud and Michelle, he'll be picked up later this afternoon by a shelter...

A little more coffee never hurt... this is the Blue Roost across the street in Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn. Lovely!

Daoud (my roommate) joins me. I forced him to look friendly. He's not. Especially in the morning. He's just a really good actor.

Back inside for some FaceTime with my pooch, Arlo!

This is my wife, Joy, in Los Angeles. Well, it's her hand. She refused to be photographed this early in the morning. I can't imagine why, as she's always so pretty!

Waiting for the Q train. Yes, I smoke a pipe. No, I'm not in AARP. I just like it. Why all the judgement?

Crossing the Manhattan Bridge. You could ask for a prettier day, but you'd just be greedy...

It occurs to me that this is the first photo I've taken of Times Square in years. Onward to the Schoenfeld. . .

Here we are! Such a great theatre, and perfect for this play, I think.

There's our fine looking cast!

Signing in. . . yes, I'm here and fully awake! Only took all morning...

In the interest of journalistic integrity, I've left my dressing room the pig-stye that it is.

Quick trip to the basement to say hi to folk and yes, get a bit more coffee. Here's our wonderful company manager Brig Berney and PSM Matthew Farrell...

The infamous James Lescene. Kevin Bacon has nothing on this guy. Everyone in the city knows James. It's a lucky city.

Cantwell usurper John Stamos is caught lurking behind Bill Kux. I caught him measuring Eric McCormack's dressing room--welcome aboard good man!

Each day I lead an optional warm-up for the cast (I don't know how I ended up leading these, but they're fun!). You're about to see some photos of very talented people making some very strange sounds. Bear that in mind. . .

Here's Fred Parker showing us how it's done!

Hey! Here's James Earl finding his lower register (as if he could lose it--I think he invented the damn thing)! He never misses a warm-up, nor a chance to smile. He's an inspiration.

Who needs coffee when you have Kerry Butler around? She's kinetic energy personified. . .

I've managed to capture the longstanding feud between these two--here they are in the middle of an anger-filled wrestling match!

Okay, actually they're talking about the fact that they only have 2 more weeks with the show...

Here's Eric's calendar. He's been trimming off each week of the run after it's done. You can tell he has mixed feelings about the short time remaining...

Curtis Billings, ladies and gentlemen. Possibly the coolest cucumber in the cast.

A quick visit to the mens' dressing room (it's waaayy up there, but so worth it). Here's Tony Carlin getting in some guitar time before the show...

The guys are so lucky to have Danny Paul as their dresser. Never once seen this guy do anything but spread good feelings...

See? This is looking down the stairwell from the top floor! It's like an Escher drawing. . .

Like all great actors, I've read Stanislavsky's "An Actor Procrastinates." It's half hour, so of course it's time to sit out on the fire escape and play the ukulele! What?

Love seeing the crowds gather on 45th St before the shows. . .

Here's John enjoying the weather through his window...this is right before he tells me to leave him "the %#$^ alone" so he can get ready. Such a kidder. . .

Caught Angelica Page in the midst of preparation. . .

And now my own. . . you're about to witness a stunning transformation. Wait for it. . .

See?? Unrecognizable, right?

My dressing-roommate, Dakin Matthews tries to make himself look even older! (I'll pay for this comment, I'm sure...)

Candice (among others) loves her dresser, the awesome Andrea Gonzalez...

How could you not love that friendly, on-the-spot face? It's Ken McGee our ASM! I'm told that Gore Vidal named the play after him. . .

Yikes! What did I do?? Flynn (JEJ's assistant) is actually very nice--this photo makes him look like he's sometimes strangles kittens. He doesn't. (You don't, do you Flynn?)

So I gave the camera to some of our on-stage reporters to take actual shots with a real camera. Very meta. Here's Eric and I about to enter stage left.

And. . . I'm now onstage!

Sherman Howard used to like me. I'm losing friends right and left with this camera...

Here's the lovely Amy Tribby being wigged-up by the incredible Linda Rice!

First intermission! Kerry Butler's the one who got me hooked on the uke--sometimes we sit out and play together. If you're ever walking along 45th and hear beautiful music above... it's probably not us.

HA! Kim Butler. HA!!

This is right before the couch they're sitting on spins around onto the stage. I love knowing that the three of them are sitting on a couch in the dark together every night. Kerry, Angela and Candice-- about to have a tea party!

Another meta-shot. Dakin leaves them laughing every time!

I should be shot for including this photo--but I can't help it. I managed to catch "Sheldon Marcus" just after finishing his sandwich offstage.

There we go--much better. Jefferson Mays defies description, but a good starting place is "genius"

Dresser Laura Beattie created this wonderful photo menagerie--gives you something to smile at while you're huffing up and down the stairs. Thanks Laura!

Mark Blum is our most recent addition (miss you Michael McKean) and he's fit in perfectly. . .

Had to include this: Costume designer Ann Roth chose this for me. Can you see? It's a tortoise and a hare. But in this case. . . . it's a TIE! (Go ahead and groan, I don't care)

Dar-nit. Angelica's stunning eyes are closed. . .

Another meta shot. See how angry I am? Don't mess with me.

Olja Hrustic has a little crush on Eric's photo. Not Eric. Just the enormous photo...

From the wings at curtain call--first show wrapping up!

Pure class, and the audience shares the sentiment. . .

I think they liked the show. . . fun house at today's matinee!

Okay, maybe Andrea is the coolest cucumber. I stand corrected...

Joined for a between show meal at Tacocina (delicious) by friends Daoud, Michelle and David. . .

After a nap (no photos of that) it's time for the second warm-up. . .

It's been decided: we have the coolest front of house crew on Broadway. Or at least they have the best hats!

I'm just so sick of these photographers. . .

Sean has been so helpful during the run--now he's off to San Diego to play Machiavelli... go get 'em, good man!

The lovely Linda Lee is either yawning or laughing. . . I either said something funny or boring. Can't remember.

James and Fred hanging in the stairwell. . . who needs a green room?

One thing I learned today: James Lescene is an incorrigible ham!

The delegates before the top of Act II. (See what I mean about James?)

Bill Kux was shocked--shocked, I say, that I was taking a photo of him.

This is John tolerating me again. . .

A slightly blurry, but no less beautiful, Donna Hanover hanging in the basement. . .

One more meta shot. Angela leaving them laughing as she goes. . .

There's some scene change music that brings out the worst dancing in us. Here are James and I right before I lift him above my head. Why we weren't invited to perform at the Tony's I'll never know. . .

Onstage with Kerry and JEJ. Come see me, with a handful of new cast members, through Sept. 9.

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