Why John Barrowman will never host "Don't Forget the Lyrics!"

John Barrowman performing in Hair

As someone who has spent more time than he's comfortable admitting either in or prone and in front of various piano bars in the city, I happen to think there's nothing better than a good backstage theater story ... except perhaps a backstage theater story that involves John Barrowman, the gym teacher from Carrie, and the senseless terrorizing of union labor.

In his latest Onstage and Backstage column, the always-entertaining Seth Rudetsky shares this little gem that he recently heard from the amazing Betty Buckley while dining with her and Raul Esparza:

"Betty said that when cutie John Barrowman was starring with her in London's Sunset Boulevard, he told her about the technique he had up his sleeve. During Miss Saigon when he forgot a lyric, instead of singing nonsense syllables, he would mouth them in silence. Instead of the audience picking up that he was lost, it would look like he was singing the correct lyrics but his microphone went out! The poor sound guy would start frantically adjusting the sound board and when John finally remembered the lyrics, his mic would magically "work" again. Blimey, those Brits are tricky!"

I'll say ... and what's more, she's lucky he didn't flash his junk at her while he was at it! (Barrowman, that is.)