Latest news with #ImperialTheatre
Newsweek
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
MrBeast's Body Transformation Takes Internet by Storm: 'Used to Be So Fat'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. MrBeast's body transformation has gone viral on social media. Why It Matters The YouTuber, whose real name is James "Jimmy" Donaldson, began his career with gaming videos before going viral in 2017 for posting a nearly 24-hour-long video of himself counting to 100,000. Today, he is considered to be one of the most influential YouTubers, with content ranging from over-the-top challenges to big giveaways in the form of cash, cars and more. Last year, he launched his Amazon Prime Video show Beast Games, a reality competition show where 1,000 contestants compete in a variety of challenges with the goal of winning the multimillion-dollar grand prize. In 2022, Forbes declared Donaldson was well on his way to becoming the first YouTuber billionaire, earning $54 million per year—largely from ads and sponsored content. "A lot of people still see YouTubers as a subclass of influencers," he told the outlet. "They still just don't truly understand the influence a lot of creators have." Jimmy Donaldson, professionally known as MrBeast, attends the YouTube Brandcast 2022 at the Imperial Theatre on May 17, 2022 in New York City. Jimmy Donaldson, professionally known as MrBeast, attends the YouTube Brandcast 2022 at the Imperial Theatre on May 17, 2022 in New York Youtube What To Know On Monday, Donaldson took to X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram to show off his weight loss to his combined 100 million followers on the platforms. "Go get gains boyz," the Feastables founder captioned a photo of himself at the gym. Go get gains boyz — MrBeast (@MrBeast) April 21, 2025 In a separate post shared to his Instagram Stories, Donaldson uploaded the same photo and wrote: "Need to lock in and get big this year. If your [sic] my friend text me everyday to lift lol." At the time of publication, the 26-year-old's X image racked up 6.8 million views, 100,000 likes and 4,800 comments. Gaming and entertainment website Dexerto posted shirtless before-and-after pictures of Donaldson from 2022 and 2025 and captioned it, "MrBeast shared his gym progress." In response, the internet sensation said, "Man I used to be so fat 😭." Newsweek reached out to Donaldson's representative via email for comment. In March, the Kansas native shared a video of his "morning routine" to TikTok, which included dipping his face into a bowl of ice with lemon, running and lifting weights. What People Are Saying In the comments on X, fans praised Donaldson for his new look. Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever Netflix star wrote in a message with over 135,200 views and 1,700 likes: "looking good jimmy," to which Donaldson replied, "Trying to not die like you." Fitness influencer Joey Swoll said: "Looking great brother! Keep it up 💪🏽." X user @AunySillyMe shared: "Your transformation has been amazing to see. Super inspiring!" Another X user @deltamagnet added: "Wow a Mr. Beast thirst trap wasn't on my April 2025 bingo card." Even Donaldson's fiancee Thea Booysen got in on the commenting and wrote: "🤭." What Happens Next Donaldson announced his engagement to South African-born content creator Booysen on January 1, though no wedding date has been announced.
CBC
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
N.B. comedian fears being 'locked up,' cancels U.S. show
James Mullinger is always looking for good fodder for jokes, but he may draw the line at being detained by police or border officials in the United States. The Saint John-based comedian recently cancelled an upcoming show in Houlton, Maine, with reports of entertainers encountering problems in the U.S. during the current trade dispute. "I love my job but not so much that I'd want to be locked up for two weeks … although it would probably make for good material," he joked. "But my wife needs me at home. If I didn't have people dependent on me I would possibly take the risk." The British-born comedian, who moved to New Brunswick more than a decade ago, had the venue and date booked and his paperwork in order, but it "seemed risky" making the trip to Maine in the current political climate. "It just felt like not the right time," said Mullinger. "I didn't want to get swept up in either misinformation or propaganda or necessarily believing everything you hear. But it just seemed risky hearing that there are performers being locked up [even though] they're there with the correct paperwork." Mullinger said he's never cancelled a show so it's not a decision he took lightly. "Whether it be personal injuries, physically or otherwise, personal family tragedies, terrible weather, I will always make sure [the show] happens," he said. Canadian artists losing U.S. opportunities Angela Campbell, the executive director of the Imperial Theatre in Saint John and a board member of the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts, said it's unfortunate but understandable that some performers fear crossing the border right now. "We want Canadian artists to go to the States, we want to introduce them into those markets, we want to give them that access. We want to do the same here [for U.S. artists]," she said. "[But] there's uncertainty right now on how their immigration policies will affect us. We're seeing some really unfortunate stories about Canadian artists having real trouble once they get into the U.S. and trying to get into the U.S." Campbell said performing artists are losing opportunities to perform in the U.S. so need to be supported more at home in Canada. "It's one of the conversations we're having at the national level," said Campbell. "How do we support Canadian artists … if they are seeing a decrease in touring availability in the U.S.? How do we backfill that for them and support them until they can start touring internationally again?" Mullinger said Canadians need to more actively support homegrown comedians at a time like this. "Canadians can do their part this summer," he said. "When they are deciding what comedy shows to go to, choose Canadian performers. There are Canadian comedy festivals booking solely American comedians … Let's treat Canadian comedians the same way we treat Canadian food. Embrace them and support them." Mullinger said these are not anti-American sentiments. He loves Maine and will return to doing shows there when it feels safe again. He also wants to continue to nurture the bonds that exist between people in both countries. To that end, he is organizing replacement shows near the border in St. Stephen and Saint Andrews that he hopes Americans will cross the border to attend. "I hope we can get the people of Maine and New Brunswick together in a room and we can all laugh together because, really, the things that certainly people in power want to do is divide us. This is a time more than ever for comedy to bring us together and unite us … and all just have a big hug and a big laugh together."
USA Today
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Smash' fans debate: Is the new Broadway musical better than the cult TV show?
'Smash' fans debate: Is the new Broadway musical better than the cult TV show? Show Caption Hide Caption NBC's 'Smash' gets a second life with Broadway musical More than a decade after its two-season run on NBC, the much-maligned "Smash" has been reimagined as a Broadway musical. NEW YORK — Like a peanut-laced smoothie or an airborne martini, 'Smash' is back with a vengeance. NBC's soapy backstage drama was a pricey misfire when it premiered in 2012, hoofing along for two critically derided seasons before the network pulled the plug. But the cultishly beloved series has now found new life as a gleefully bonkers Broadway musical, which opened April 10 at the Imperial Theatre. Exuberantly directed by Susan Stroman ('The Producers'), the ultra-meta comedy combines incisive showbiz satire with song-and-dance razzle dazzle, courtesy of the TV series' original choreographer, Joshua Bergasse. The show follows an eager-to-please actress named Ivy Lynn (Robyn Hurder) as she goes outlandishly Method for the role of Marilyn Monroe, alienating everyone she knows and bringing the (fictional) bio-musical 'Bombshell' to the brink of implosion. Join USA TODAY's resident 'Smash' fans, Patrick Ryan and Anna Kaufman, as they unpack this wildly chaotic yet clever theatrical iteration, from its myriad scarves to the "Let Me Be Your Stars": Patrick Ryan: So Anna, when did you first watch "Smash?" Anna Kaufman: I watched it as a preteen and was immediately hooked. We didn't have cable TV, so I found it in bits and pieces on YouTube. I was just enraptured by the dance numbers, the glamour of New York, and the idea of the musical theater world as a rat's nest of broken relationships and grudges. At that age, I was too young to detect camp and therefore engaged in it in a really earnest sense. Years later, I can see that the show wreaked of cringe in the best way, but my love for the music remains earnest. What about you? Ryan: I initially watched 'Smash' during a delirious weeklong binge with my partner in the early days of COVID lockdown, and then again this year in anticipation of the musical. Granted, there's way too much time wasted on Debra Messing's family (enough, Leo!), and Season 2 gets very bogged down with Pasek and Paul doing Jonathan Larson cosplay. And yet, I still love its nonsense. What other major network show had both Nikki Blonsky and Cole Escola? Or Megan Hilty leading a Rihanna singalong in Times Square while high out of her mind in an angel costume? I mean, how could any stage version match that lunacy? Kaufman: I went into the musical with so few expectations, which was kind of freeing. I was hopeful those big power ballads that grounded the series would feel even more stunning on stage and was not at all disappointed. The same goes for the dance numbers, which were costumed to the gods by Alejo Vietti. I will say, as a 'Don't Forget Me' fangirl, I wanted to see at least two Marilyns perform it, maybe even all three. That may have been a lot to ask, though. Ryan: I still can't fathom how with nearly two dozen songs, they couldn't make any room for "History is Made at Night," which is Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman at their best. But alas, enough of my soapbox. I had read and heard so much negative buzz going into the Broadway show that my expectations were on the floor, which is maybe why it's the biggest surprise of the season for me. I loved that writers Bob Martin and Rick Elice didn't just hit copy-paste from the TV series, but actually gave us a book that – while convoluted – is such a deeply weird and often hilarious twist on everything we love about "Smash." The digs at Broadway TikTokers? "I never liked you, Jerry?" Kristine Nielsen essentially playing a witch? It's genuinely the most I've laughed at any musical this past year, and I say that with all reverence to Hilty and Jennifer Simard, who both carry "Death Becomes Her." Kaufman: The comedic timing of Brooks Ashmanskas, who played "Bombshell" director Nigel, was so delightful. I don't remember the TV show being as intentionally funny as the musical was, and I really found myself reveling in his exasperation and subtle breaking of the fourth wall. Beowulf Boritt's scenic design was also stunning. Taking the expansiveness of a TV series and shrinking it for the stage is a challenge, and 'Smash' really rose to it. Ryan: It also can't be overstated what a star Hurder is. She's one of the few legitimate triple threats that we have on Broadway right now, and I felt exhausted on her behalf just watching the opening number and "I Never Met a Wolf Who Didn't Love to Howl." I will admit, I wish we had more Bella Coppola, who is such a powerhouse as Chloe, "Bombshell's" unassuming associate director. One of my favorite things about the "Smash" TV series was the tension of who will and should play Marilyn. Sure, Ivy was perfect on paper, but in the moments when Karen really locked in and you could see the vision, it was thrilling. Yes, I know the musical is telling a mostly different story, but it never truly lets you sit in the suspense of whether Chloe or Karen (or someone else entirely) could usurp the part of Marilyn from Ivy. Kaufman: The music and comedy of the show were a real high point, but the details of the plot disappointed a bit. It felt as though there were a lot of loose ends and ill-thought-out subplots that didn't jive together in a meaningful way. I was also disappointed by the way Karen (Caroline Bowman), who was integral to the TV show, was written. She felt a bit one-dimensional in the musical; confined to the role of the production's punching bag and easily walked over. Some of the unnecessary side-plots could have been axed to make more time for the audience to get to know her story (and hear her belt!). Ryan: Agreed. The show loses a touch of momentum in the overlong second act, and spins its wheels with how far exactly to take Ivy's Marilyn-consumed delusion. But part of the appeal of "Smash" has always been how perfectly imperfect it was, and I love that we have an unbridled musical comedy that captures some of that insane energy. I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it immensely. Kaufman: It's a soft recommend for me. I think you can definitely enjoy it without having seen the TV series, but I think it's more theater-for-a-theater-person. In many ways, it was a love letter to Broadway, so for fans of the industry and people who grew up loving it, this show will hit the spot. "Smash" is now playing at the Imperial Theatre (249 W. 45th Street).
