ALEX NEWELL "Independently Owned" Broadway Musical SHUCKED | Musical Theatre Coach Reacts 

People always talk about Alex on Glee, but what about their much more major role on Zooeys Extraordinary Playlist. They were stupendous!!

I have been watching many videos of Alex in the Broadway show "Once on this Island," where Alex plays the goddess of the earth, Asaka. Alex is fantastic at singing "Mama Will Provide." I also watched Alex singing "Independently Owned" from the new show "Shucked." I cannot stop listening to those videos. I hope they will win the Tony Award this Sunday evening.

I had the same thought as you while I was watching them on the Voice…what a difference between the contestants and the professional. 😂 Loved this performance.

Saw her in the show early may and she got mid show standing ovations

I fell in love with Alex when they were on the Glee Project! I personally feel they're deserving of so much credit for creating awareness for trans and non conforming people. Forget their insane talent, their lovable nature and contagious smile can win anyone over!

I’m pretty sure these awarding bodies (Oscars, Grammys and so on) created gendered categories to insure that women got some recognition from them at all. Not based on talent, strictly politics (because that’s really what these associations end up being about) With limited nomination slots available for each category and so many candidates every year if there were just a “best actor” for everyone to be lumped into how many nominations let alone awards would go to women? How many go to women in production (directing, writing, etc) other than costumes? Entertainment has always been an old boys club. I hope that things are changing, but I know we’re not there yet.

Actually, considering Alex's story, his appearing on The Voice is perfect! He was a high school sophomore when he saw a singing contest to secure a spot on The Glee Project, which would secure the winner a story arc on Glee. He got onto TGP and while he didn't win, Ryan Murphy wrote him a character on Glee. Ryan mentioned on a panel later that he had to get Fox approval to write that character as transgender but having met Alex he saw the opportunity to show a timely issue. Alex wasn't on that many episodes of Glee but they made a big mark! Even on Broadway, casting him as Mother Earth in Once on This Island, was ground breaking. And tragic that they weren't Tony nominated for that role.

I like how you said they were nominated in the best actor category just to be recognized and not to conform to being a male or a female. Alex said themself that to them, "actor" is a gender neutral, anyone who acts is an actor, so that's why they chose to be nominated in that category.

Saw Alex in Shucked and in Once on This Island. They never disappoint. Excellent in both shows, thrilled with the Tony win❣️

I got to see Shucked the night after it opened and Alex got a standing ovation mid-show for this song. They were so phenomenal live

I have been loving Alex since they were on Glee and they are SO incredible!

"singing through a growl" and the whole growl/squall style is very much indicative of o.g. blues vocalist, as well as many who grew up singing in the black baptist, and pentecostal church.

Just went to NY to see this and was blown away! They are even better live!

Although it’s not that old, this reaction aged well

Alex is one of a kind. A wonder! Unique❤😉

Just a brief comment about the award shows...instead of putting the burden on the performers in terms of gender, put it on the role, so it would be " nominees for best lead/supporting/featured male/female character." That way, the performers don't have to pigeon hole themselves as one over the other.

Saw "Shucked" today, front row, and was blown away. Their performance was truly magical and monumental. The audience reaction was perfection. I sat there and said I'd see it again, just to experience that song, with their voice. Wow! And truth be told, I didn't really know too much about the show, or Alex, but heard this was a laugh-out-loud production and I was in it for a fun day in NYC. I did see them win the Tony and now I know why. It was awesome! Enjoyed your reacts video 🙂

I saw Shucked during previews and it is a freakin' hoot! So different and so funny. Alex gets a standing ovation after this song and is not the only amazing voice. Go see it!

If I'm not misremembering, Alex ended up on Glee after a contest where fans could audition for a one time walk on, but they were so good, they ended up with a regular cast role. I have kept my eye on them since then, because Alex is from my home town. Also, I have heard that Shucked sounds nuts on paper, but is super fun in reality.

I was lucky to see Alex in Once on this Island and they killed it then to. Go find “Mama Will Provide”. I feel so fortunate to have met them at the stage door back then. I was so excited when they got the Tony!!

Alex is incredible. I got to see them live at Pride one year in their hometown area of Massachusetts, they were amazing

Such a great song with a wonderful message so appropriate for Alex themself. TONY WINNER ALEX NEWELL!!!😍

They shouldn’t lump in the gender categories and give fewer awards to performers just to spare a few people’s feelings.

It's honestly cruel of them to put Alex on the Voice... I mean, the other contestants are there and have to hear that voice, they're backstage going "oh god, we have to follow THAT?!" because let's face it, none of them have a voice anywhere close to the legendary Alex Newell

They are serving "telling you I´m not going" vibe

"You better SANG!" - my mom probably

One of the most incredible voices on broadway!

People who remember on Glee🤩 People who remember Alex from Glee Project 😍😍😍😍

Saw Shucked in previews; the show itself is hilarious and beautiful. All the performances are fantastic. And then...there's...Alex. Just show stopping, night stopping, week stopping.

So good. Remember them from Glee too.

I was in New York in April with five other people… This is my 12th trip to the city and of the other five, three had never been so they gave me the reins to plan the trip. I saw a total of seven shows in that trip. My one friend said to me if she knew how much the ticket that to Shucked was, she would’ve likely picked another show because she didn’t know anything about it. I have seen over 60 performances on Broadway and after Alex performed this number, there was a roaring standing ovation in the middle of the act. I had only experienced that one other time. My friend looked at me with full body goosebumps and said, “best show ever!” Standing ovations can feel obligatory but this show deserves all of the credit. For me, a good show is measured by my physical visceral response and it’s ability to take me on an emotional journey. It is funny, heartwarming, relatable, and even pulls at your heartstrings! At times, I’ve been known to be a harsh critic, and I do have strong opinions when it comes to creative decisions and casting. Shucked is a must see 10/10 experience!

First you need to Run to NYC 2see Shucked, Alex is getting 1st Act Standing O's 2nd on the whole Gender-less categories There needs to be 3 Actor/Actress/Non-Binary that way potentially 15 people get to compete for 3 awards vs 10 for 1, which historically have gone to Cis Gender white males.

Alex grew up in the city where I worked which is a few towns over from where I live in Massachusetts. They also grew up in the youth theater program at the North Shore Music Theater in Beverly. There, Alex was exposed to a lot of industry people and performers who were there for their own shows. Some big names came through over the years and many were from the Broadway world. I ushered there for 21 years and can attest to the quality of the shows and performers. Kristin Chenoweth performed there before she was really well known. Those who attended that youth program were very lucky indeed. Everyone is excited for Alex’s success over the years. Congrats Alex on your groundbreaking Tony win!

They devoured this performance!!

I remember lea salonga praises her during once in an island days and says watch out for this alex newell

I saw Shucked and it was fantastic!

Alex is amazing. I always knew they had a fantastic voice, but the song that made me a massive fan was If I Were a Boy. The whole scene is so powerful.

I want to see Shucked so bad.

White man talking about how signature gospel growls annoy him… interesting

Outstanding!