Broadway’s biggest gossip takes “remote work” to a whole new level.
The guy who knows everything about what goes on behind the scenes on Broadway is unlikely to be seen drinking spirits at Sardi’s or munching on food at Joe Allen’s. In fact, this prominent industry figure is nowhere to be found in New York.
Actor Jonathan Lewis said: “I live with my parents, I don’t have a car, and I live in the middle of nowhere.” But armed with a video camera and a network of informants, the Pumpkintown, South Carolina, resident has become one of the top sources for theatrical news on the social media platform TikTok, using the nickname “Sweaty Oracle” I became a person.
Approximately 43% of TikTok’s 1.92 billion users regularly use the platform to get news, so we’re more likely to hear from “sweaty oracles” on TikTok than from mainstream media or trade publications. More people are likely to get gossip about the White Way. Unlike print news, television, radio, and even podcasts, social media platforms provide users with a sense of community and serve as a basis for sharing gossip.
“Everyone in this industry loves gossip, whether they want to admit it or not,” Lewis commented. “There’s always gossip at parties, and industry bars stink with gossip every night,” he says. But because of industry politics and fear of leaks, “many people can’t talk about gossip publicly” and he has become “their mouthpiece,” Lewis said.
“I’m amazed at the number of people, including Tony Award winners, who come up to me by name and highlight only the most joyful events,” Lewis said.
Sweaty Oracle still receives anonymous tips, but TikTok’s Walter Winchell says many of his stories come from “an insider friend of over 10 years.” I admitted that there was. He met some of them while working at Walt Disney World. sleep no moreAnd he met some of them while singing show tunes at a piano bar downtown. Mary’s Crisis Cafe.
“At this point, almost everything I run can be vetted with two or three people I know who are personally involved in production,” Lewis said.
Some of the Sweaty Oracle stories shared on TikTok would have made it onto the front page of a trade publication.
With the enthusiasm of an evangelical preacher, Lewis announced in front of journalists from major media outlets that Lea Michele would be replacing Beanie Feldstein. funny girlwill star Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford Sweeney ToddMichelle Yeoh and Ethan Slater are set to star. Evil movie. “These three stories of his helped him grow his following very quickly,” he recalls.
In some cases, the “Sweaty Oracle” will share news about the show faster than the producers.
For example, a few weeks ago, Lewis announced that he was going to perform on Broadway. My son is queer (but what can I do?) It had been canceled. “Broadway productions have been canceled, stage staff have been sent home, and loading operations have ceased,” he announced.
After the video was posted, someone from the show contacted me to confirm if it was true.
“I was shocked that someone in Pumpkintown, South Carolina, knew that.” [what is happening] “It goes through five or six sources directly connected to the production before it gets to someone who is paid by the production and works on the production every day,” Lewis said. “I’m angry about the climate we live in because it feels very disrespectful to the artists who run the show,” he continued.
“Sweaty Oracle” continues to post videos on TikTok every day, but his goals are elsewhere.
“I don’t think TikTok will last forever,” Lewis said. He recalled a time when people were making a lot of money on Vine, another short-form video platform that was shut down in 2017. Admitted.How the tabloid news organization TMZ TMZ Presents The documentary series’ content creators are currently working on a two-hour documentary about the drama. Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812.
“I really want to make this a more professional operation,” Lewis said, adding: [in] In a year’s time, I’ll be starting in the middle of Manhattan. ”
