James Carpinello and Cheyenne Jackson: the Broadway Connection Fans Kept Forgetting
By Alexander Ross
Jackson's triumph in Xanadu cemented his reputation among casting directors: he was an actor who delivered under impossible pressure. Broadway revivals came calling immediately. In 2009, he played Woody Mahoney in Finian's Rainbow, demonstrating pure golden-age vocal lyricism that earned him an outer-critics circle nod.
Television creators took notice of his comedic agility. Tina Fey cast him as Canadian cast member Danny Baker on NBC's 30 Rock, leading to multi-season appearances across Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story universe and the Fox sitcom Call Me Kat. By 2024 and 2025, Jackson returned triumphantly to Broadway in Cole Escola's critically lauded historical comedy Oh, Mary!, proving his comedic edge remains as sharp as ever. His trajectory reflects an expansive, multidisciplinary entertainment career sparked by stepping into Sonny Malone's skates.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
