'Fearless' Trisha Paytas Makes Her Broadway Debut with Special Guests Rachel Zegler, Sutton Foster and More

Mar. 15, 2025

Trisha Paytas.Photo:Rebecca J. Michelson

Rebecca J. Michelson

Trisha Paytasis officially a Broadway star!

The internet personality andJust Trishpodcast host, 36, took over the St. James Theatre in New York City for one night only on Feb. 3 forTrisha Paytas' Big Broadway Dream, an original musical featuring special guestsSutton Foster,Ben Platt,Rachel ZeglerandJoy Woods.

“This is wild. This is crazy. This isliterallymy dream,” Paytas told the crowd during curtain call. “I feel like it’s not real. I’m going to wake up tomorrow and want to be pinched.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Trisha Paytas.Rebecca J. Michelson

“I don’t think you need any advice from me, first of all, ‘cause you are the most fearless person in the world,” Zegler, 23, told Paytas, who’s been active on YouTube since 2007 and gone viral with one-woman performances of numbers from shows includingLittle Shop of HorrorsandBeetlejuice.

Trisha Paytas and Sutton Foster.Carianne Older

Carianne Older

Each guest appeared alongside Paytas on a recreated version of her pinkJust Trishpodcast set, and she was clearly giddy to be seated opposite such bonafide theater stars, let alone sing duets with each of them. She performed “I Am What I Am” fromLa Cage aux Folleswith Foster, “Together Wherever We Go” fromGypsywith Platt and “Take Me or Leave Me” fromRentwith Zegler.

After having fruitful conversations with each performer, Paytas finally felt ready to make her Broadway debut — leading into a big finale reimagining songs from shows includingInto the Woods,A Chorus Line,Hamilton,Fiddler on the Roofand more with new lyrics focused on the leading lady.

Ben Platt and Trisha Paytas.Carianne Older

Before the show ended, Paytas performed a bit of “Any Dream Will Do” fromJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoatand even sported a version of the coat in a full-circle moment for her, asJosephwas the reason she fell in love with theater as a child.

Trisha Paytas and Rachel Zegler.Trisha Paytas and Joy Woods.Trisha Paytas and Rachel Zegler.PHOTO:Carianne OlderTrisha Paytas and Joy Woods.PHOTO:Carianne Older

Trisha Paytas and Rachel Zegler.Trisha Paytas and Joy Woods.

Trisha Paytas and Rachel Zegler.

Trisha Paytas and Joy Woods.

Trisha Paytas and Rachel Zegler.PHOTO:Carianne OlderTrisha Paytas and Joy Woods.PHOTO:Carianne Older

All net proceeds from the production will benefit the Entertainment Community Fund.

Upon the announcement ofTrisha Paytas’ Big Broadway Dreamin December, Paytasspoke to PEOPLEabout her goals for the future.

“If this is my Broadway debut and closing, it’s fine. But I would also love to do something on stage in New York, Broadway or off-Broadway, and then I would love to do a movie,” she said at the time. “I love that [movie] musicals are coming back, and if they doJoseph, I would love to be somewhere in there.”

source: people.com