Special Reports

Broadway Shockers 2015: Ali Stroker Is the First Actor in a Wheelchair to Perform on Broadway

Broadway got a little more inclusive in 2015. FINALLY.

Editorial Staff

Editorial Staff

| Broadway |

December 31, 2015

Ali Stroker (second-from-left) is one of the stars of the new Broadway revival of Spring Awakening.
Ali Stroker (second-from-left) is one of the stars of the new Broadway revival of Spring Awakening.
(© Joan Marcus)

The Glee Project 's Ali Stroker made history this year as the first actor in a wheelchair to perform on Broadway, and we were shocked. Obviously we weren't surprised to see this multitalented performer featured in a Broadway revival of Spring Awakening. What we are astonished about is that her performance was a first. C'mon, there have been plenty of roles before now that could easily have featured an actor in a wheelchair, not to mention roles that actually call for wheelchair-bound characters, like A Little Night Music's Madame Armfeldt or President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Annie. Way to finally get a little more inclusive, Broadway, but we're kind of appalled it took so long.

Ali Stroker celebrates her opening night in Broadway's Spring Awakening.
Ali Stroker celebrates her opening night in Broadway's Spring Awakening.
(© David Gordon)

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