Best known for his recurring role as FBI Special Agent Aram Mojtabai on the NBC hit TV show, "The Blacklist” is stage and TV actor Amir Arison who's also currently making his Broadway debut as Amir in "The Kite Runner". He shares one of the hardest scenes in the show for him, and that while playing his role can get tiring at times, he finds it "bizarrely energizing" and cathartic. Amir recalls the preparation he did for his role where he spent months not doing anything, practicing his lines and how his dog barking at him while doing so is a good thing. Amir shares an incident of a service dog barking in one of their shows and how he uses incidents like that as an opportunity to have a direct relationship with the audience. He shares the two moments that made him want to pursue acting, the support he's gotten from his parents who are both in the medical field, and why he thinks medicine is an art. Advocating for mental health, animal rescue and arts education, Amir makes sure to do good and that while he's alive, and why he believes that the one thing that transcends time and space is love. Amir Arison is a stage and screen actor best known for his role as FBI Special Agent Aram Mojtabai in NBC's "The Blacklist". His TV and film credits include "Billions", "Fringe", "Homeland", "The Mentalist", "American Horror", "NCIS", "Girls", "The Visitor", and "Jane Wants a Boyfriend". His stage credits include "Hamlet", and Off-Broadway productions like "The Way of the World", and "Aftermath". In 2018, he received the Mendez Award from the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown, an award given to those who use their platform to give back to the community. Aside from acting, Amir advocates several causes , including mental health, arts education, and animal rescue. He recently made his Broadway debut as part of the ensemble cast of the Kite Runner, playing the role of Amir. Connect with Amir: Twitter: @AmirArison Instagram: @amirarison Facebook: @amirarison Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor, writer, director and producer Faran Tahir may be best known for his roles in “Iron Man” (he tried to kill Tony Stark!) and “Star Trek” (he was killed by Nero!) but is now currently making his Broadway debut as Baba in “The Kite Runner”. Faran talks about playing villain roles, the challenge that comes with it, and how he brings a level of humanity to his roles. He talks about his childhood and growing up in a family who has been in the arts, and why he wasn't initially supported in his goal of becoming an actor. Aside from playing a bad guy, Tahir also shares the challenge of playing a good guy and of finding flaws, why he thinks art is "about putting up mirrors so that we can look at and examine ourselves". He shares what he would tell his students when he used to teach acting, which was you can never say you've mastered something. He also reflects on his role as Baba in "The Kite Runner", finding your spiritual community, and how as humans there is always room for redemption. Faran Tahir is an actor, writer, director, and producer who came from a theatre family. He has appeared in over 50 stage productions across the US and the world. He received his Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and his graduate degree from the Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. His film credits include "Iron Man", "Star Trek", "Escape Plan", and Elysium. He has also appeared in numerous TV shows, including "The West Wing", “12 Monkeys”, "Shameless", "Supernatural", "24", "Lost", "Prison Break", "Chuck", "Criminal Minds", and "How to Get Away with Murder". He's recently played the title role of Othello at Shakespeare Theatre Company and Richard III at Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. His other theatre credits include "Macbeth" at American Repertory Theatre, "Beast and Moon" and “A Perfect Ganesh” at Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, and "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. Tahir is currently making his Broadway debut as Baba in "The Kite Runner". Connect with Faran: Twitter: @farantahir_ Instagram: @faran.tahir Facebook: @OfficialFaranTahir Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Damian Sandys is currently bringing his talent to the Broadway stage as The Kite Runner's associate director. The theatre director talks about the difference between the UK production and Broadway production of “The Kite Runner”, the importance of humor in the show, and how its US audiences are more vocal. He shares how he started getting into theatre directing, from watching and learning from his dad to meeting Cameron Mackintosh which opened up opportunities for him. Damian recalls how after graduating, he ended up taking a teaching job at a boy's boarding school where he taught English and Drama, and after putting on shows at the Edinburgh Festival, a producer who watched one of his shows offered him a directing job. He talks about working for the show, “NewsRevue” which was influential in his career. Damian also shares how he got connected with "The Kite Runner" production, why he decided to stay with the show for this long, and why he thinks a line from the show, "there's a way to be good again" is the key to life. Damian Sandys is a theatre director with productions across the UK, Edinburgh Fringe, the West End and internationally. He graduated from Oxford University and has directed over 50 productions at the Edinburg festival, including “Shakespeare For Breakfast: 25th Anniversary”. He has been the resident/associate director for several West End and international tours of “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”, “The Kite Runner”, and more. His other directing credits include “Aladdin”, “The Taming of the Shrew”, “Beauty and the Beast”, and “Sleeping Beauty” among others. He's also been a part of the teams responsible for the London revival of “Tick, Tick... Boom!”, “When Midnight Strikes”, and “West Side Story”. Currently, he's the associate director for Broadway's "The Kite Runner”. Connect with Damian: Twitter: @munchkindamo Instagram: @munchkindamo Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Azita Ghanizada is currently making her Broadway debut in "The Kite Runner" as Soraya, and is now the first woman of Afghan descent to originate a role on Broadway. As we learn, Azita's childhood life was far from ordinary and easy. Her family fled Afghanistan and ended up in the US as political asylum seekers. Similarly to what happens in “The Kite Runner”, she had trouble getting citizenship because she didn't have proper paperwork, including her birth certificate. She talks about growing up and learning how to speak English through watching tv shows and movies, which has also sparked her interest in acting. She shares how she pursued acting by buying a one-way ticket to Hollywood and ended up working at E! for a couple of years where she learned everything about show business. From finding a loophole in not getting jobs she used to get to being told she was white, Azita, together with other actors who joined her cause, successfully drafted a new SAG-AFTRA – AMPTP TV/Theatrical hiring contract for the first time in 37 years. She also talked about MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition, an organization she founded to support and educate. Azita reflects on the issues we still need to fight for such as inclusion, and why we have to create from our heart and operate from a place of truth and integrity. Azita Ghanizada is an Afghan American actress who began her on-air camera career as a commercial model. Her family fled Afghanistan to the US and were granted asylum to remain. She has appeared in numerous television series, including “How I Met Your Mother”, “Entourage”, “Veronica Mars”, “The Wedding Bells”, “NUMB3RS”, “Bones”, “Psych” and “Castle”. Her film credits include "Killroy Was Here", “Our Friend”, “We Broke Up”, “Draupadi Unleashed”, “Complete Unknown”, “X's & O's”, and “A Kiss on the Nose” where she received a film festival best actress nomination for her performance. She's the Founder and President of MENA Arts Advocacy Coalition, an organization she launched after helping build the MENA category into the SAG-AFTRA theatrical contracts. In 2020, she gave her first TEDx talk on the path to visibility in Hollywood. In addition to "Ballers," and Freeform's "Good Trouble," she's also got a recurring role on the CBS show, “United States of Al” and is currently performing in Broadway’s "The Kite Runner" as Soraya.   Connect with Azita: Watch Azita’s amazing TEDx Talk “The Invisible to Stereotyped: The Journey to Hollywood”  Twitter: @azitaghanizada Instagram: @azitagram MENA Arts Advocacy Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Sirakian recently made his Broadway debut in "The Kite Runner" as both Hassan and Sohrab. With stage credits such as "The Jungle", "Twelfth Night", "The Comedy of Errors", and "Pericles", Eric is definitely putting the extracurriculars he did at Yale and his training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art into good practice. He recalls his first acting class and being introduced to London’s West End shows by his aunt and uncle, which helped him realize his passion for acting and gave him the push to pursue it as a career. He shares what it was like to attend school in London and New York and the difference between the two. Eric talks about how he got the role for “The Kite Runner” and how the entire process was done on Zoom, the preparation and research he did for his roles, including Afghan cooking and music. He talks more about his training, including how to deal with heavy subject matters and pushing himself to the extremes in a safe environment. He shares that he's been doing transcendental meditation for more than five years now, the difference between acting and therapy and that acting is “in service of something.” Eric Sirakian is a first-generation Armenian-American actor who graduated from Yale and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He starred in podcast series, "The Effect" and "Passenger List", and short films such as "Deadpan" and "Nightswims". He is set to appear in the upcoming TV mini-series, "Masters of the Air", and the Netflix movie, "Havoc". Eric is also making his Broadway debut in "The Kite Runner" as Hassan and Sohrab. His other stage credits include "The Jungle" (West End), "Twelfth Night", "The Comedy of Errors", and "Pericles" (Shakespeare’s Globe). Connect with Eric: Twitter: @ericsirakian Instagram: @esirakia  Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With years of training with the best teachers, including Grammy award winner Ustad Zakir Hussain, it’s no surprise that Salar Nader is considered percussionist royalty. Apart from being the tabla artist and creating additional arrangements for The Kite Runner, Salar has also performed for the hit show and is playing the tabla for its current Broadway run. Salar passionately shares the history of tabla and the tradition that comes with it, treating instruments as a living entities and why it's important for him to connect with an instrument before playing it. No matter how long he's been playing and making music, Salar still considers himself a student who has more to learn--whether it's from performing or from the cast. He shares a story of buying three sets of tablas in 2020 to use for Stanley Clarke's concert, not knowing that the world is going to shut down two weeks later. He talks about the longevity of tablas, and why he would usually have a secret backup off stage in case they break on the spot. Salar recalls how he met Khaled Hosseini in the late 90s and how he eventually ended up making music for the Kite Runner's stage adaptation. For Salar, music has no boundary and is the most peaceful way of connection. He shares the emotional aspect of playing music for Kite Runner, and why it gets heavy at times. Salar Nader is a percussionist, composer, producer, beat maker, and one of the most sought-after Tabla virtuosos of his generation. He started his music career at an early age, doing classical training with Tabla bols as his main concentration. He also began studying with the Grammy award-winning Tabla virtuoso, Ustad Zakir Hussain, at the age of seven. With years of training and experience, he has become the leading pioneer in combining the art of Tabla with the musical sounds and rhythms from Afghanistan being the primary component. He is constantly expanding his musical language by weaving Tabla into contemporary music. In 2019, Saler launched the Salar System Collective which offers scholarships, as well as The Salar System album. He originally played the tabla and composed additional arrangements for the hit Broadway show, Kite Runner, which has been nominated for several awards. He has now played the tabla in seven “Kite Runner” productions, including its current Broadway run. He’s also currently touring with legendary bassist, Stanley Clarke. Connect with Salar: Twitter: @salarnader Instagram: @salar_system Website: www.salarnader.com Facebook: salartabla Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Ian Eisendrath, being an artist is like coming home. So many kids, Ian shares, don’t feel like they fit or belong until they find their creative outlet. By embracing chance, trusting his gut and putting himself out there in big ways, Ian has done just that. The University of Michigan School of Music graduate could never have predicted the path he would forge that has included various roles on the original Broadway version of Come From Away, which led him to a 2018 Olivier award and a 2017 Grammy nomination. Ian served as the Music Supervisor, Executive Music Producer, and Arranger for Come From Away. After the show's successful run on Broadway, Ian then music-supervised the Apple TV film version, which was recorded live on stage in New York City. Ian is currently the Executive Music Producer on Apple’s Spirited (starring Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell & Octavia Spencer) and his upcoming projects include Disney’s live-action Snow White (starring Rachel Zegler & Gal Gadot) and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (starring Shawn Mendes, Javier Bardem & Constance Wu). Ian has traveled the world with his family and continues to take exceptional risks that seem to have beautiful rewards. He’s always looking for that “I can’t not do this” feeling as that’s his sign to go, go, go! We love when our creative worlds collide! Ian is also a big fan of former WIC guest, Josh Breckenridge (we’re big fans also!). It was fun to chat about that during the episode. Follow Ian on Instagram and on the web.  Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales EPISODE TAKEAWAYS So many artists are kids that felt they “didn’t have a place” when they were younger. Access to live theater and music can, literally transform a child life.  Mentors matter from a very young age.  You have to ask for it … take the risk, put yourself out there. It’s with the risk because you never know what the answers will be if you don’t ask.  Sometimes we can love what we do so much that it induces fear of failure.  It’s amazing what people will do for and with you once they know how deeply and passionately you care. That you won’t lead them stray because you care too much to let it fall apart.  Art, music, and theater are so powerful. They help people heal, grow and learn.  Look for that “I can’t NOT do this” feeling and then go, go, go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sonoya Mizuno recently made her stage debut as Maggie in the first Off-Broadway production of the Tennessee Williams classic, "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof". The actress slash ballet dancer and now a stage performer speaks candidly about her childhood, and how her uncle who was a stage actor inspired her to pursue acting. She talks about her ballet dancing career, auditioning and getting the role of Kyoko in Alex Garland's "Ex Machina" which was also her first feature film. She would later appear in Garland's other works as well. She shares what made her try theatre and how she got an audition for "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof", the production timeline and how the pandemic affected it, her favorite part about performing on stage, and why she prefers to play characters that are far from her personality. Sonoya Mizuno is an actress and ballet dancer who has appeared in movies, including Alex Garland's works like "Ex Machina" and "Annihilation". Her other film credits include "La La Land", "Beauty and the Beast", and "Crazy Rich Asians". She also appeared in film shows such as the Netflix miniseries "Maniac" and "Devs". Her upcoming works include the HBO Game of Thrones prequel series, "House of the Dragon" and the movie, “Civil War”. She made her stage debut as Maggie in the first Off-Broadway production of the Tennessee Williams classic, "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof". Get tickets to see "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof": https://www.telecharge.com/Off-Broadway/Cat-on-a-Hot-Tin-Roof/Overview Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A LIVE panel discussion with Rob McClure, Brad Oscar, and Analise Scarpaci of “Mrs. Doubtfire” talking about the roller coaster of being part of a Broadway show during a pandemic and the bond formed as they all dealt with the effects of COVID, including their show getting postponed. Rob recalls what it was like playing a role originally played by Robin Williams, and why he thinks the greatest adaptations of either material or performances are those that try to imitate how it made the audience feel. Analise shares her experience working with Rob and Brad, and how she helped her younger co-actors in the show. Coming from two shows back to back that dealt with serious matters in a comedic way, Rob shares the positive reception they got from people, and why comedy is such a good genre in that "you come to laugh and then through laughter we crack you open so that in the end we can deliver a message". Brad supports this by sharing how doing comedy is a means of catharsis. Rob explains the term "actually actually" that he cherishes particularly in comedy, and how acting is "reacting truthfully to imaginary circumstances". The three also talk about their favorite scenes, rehearsal as playtime, and the learnings they got from being in “Mrs. Doubtfire”. Rob McClure is an actor best known for his roles in musical theatre, particularly as Nick Bottom in "Something Rotten!" and Adam Maitland in "Beetlejuice". His performance in the title role of the musical "Chaplin" has earned him a nomination for the 2013 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and has won the Theatre World Award. His other theatre credits include "I'm not Rappaport", "Avenue Q", "Noises Off", "Honeymoon in Vegas", and the latest one, "Mrs. Doubtfire" where he was nominated for the 2022 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He won Best Actor at both The Queen’s World and Williamsburg Independent film festivals for the movie, "Recursion". His TV credits include "Person of Interest", "Elementary" and "The Good Fight". Brad Oscar has been seen on numerous Broadway shows, including "Something Rotten!" and “The Producers” where he earned two Tony Award nominations for his performance. He has also performed in "The Big Fish", "Nice Work...", "The Addams Family", "Spamalot", "Jekyll & Hyde", "Aspects of Love", and “Mrs Doubtire” among others. His Off-Broadway and Regional credits include “Damn Yankees”, “Forbidden Broadway”, “Sweeney Todd”, and both the “Phantom of the Opera” and “Young Frankenstein” national tours. He has also appeared in movies and TV shows such as "Ghost Town", "The Producers", "Madam Secretary", "Smash", "The Good Wife"', and "Law & Order". Analise Scarpaci made her Broadway debut in 2012's “A Christmas Story, The Musical” where she played the role of Esther Jane. Her other stage credits include "Matilda the Musical", "Lolita, My Love", and "Mrs. Doubtfire" which was her first principal role as Lydia Hillard. Analise has also appeared in the short films, "Thespians" and "We're Gonna Come Back". She recently released her debut EP, "Pathetic Little Dreamer" which received positive reviews. Apart from performing, Analise has also done activist work and raised money with her walking group, Broadway for Bellies, and is currently giving private coaching and lessons to teens and kids. Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Analise Scarpaci is a powerhouse performer who landed her first principal role as Lydia Hillard in "Mrs. Doubtfire". She talks about how she coped when the pandemic hit, including playing the guitar and recording her first EP, "Pathetic Little Dreamer", finishing her Bachelor's Degree in Musical Theatre, and why it was a blessing in disguise for her when "Mrs. Doubtfire" got postponed. She shares why she got into performing, which started with her parents' love for Phantom of the Opera, listening to Shirley Temple, and seeing “Billy Elliot”. Analise also talks about what it was like to perform as a child and do eight shows a week, swing into multiple tracks, get notes for mistakes, and why despite the pressure, she appreciated being treated like they were adults—which framed the artist that she is today. She talks about how she got the role in “Mrs. Doubtfire”, recording the cast album and why she found it difficult. Analise opens up about getting diagnosed with Crohn's disease, and what pushed her to pursue her dreams, despite the odds. Analise Scarpaci is a New York-based performer who made her Broadway debut in the ensemble of 2012's “A Christmas Story, The Musical” as Esther Jane. Her other stage credits include "Matilda the Musical", "Lolita, My Love", and "Mrs. Doubtfire" which was her first principal role as Lydia Hillard. Analise has also appeared in short films, including "Thespians" and "We're Gonna Come Back". She recently released her debut EP, "Pathetic Little Dreamer" which received positive reviews. Analise has also done activist work and has raised money with her walking group, Broadway for Bellies, and is currently giving private coaching and lessons to teens and kids as one of her passions. Connect with Analise: Twitter: @analise_2999 Instagram: @analise.scarpaci Website: analisescarpaci.com TikTok: @analisescarpaci Facebook: @analise.scarpaci Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A man of many talents, Frankie Grande is currently playing Victor Garber and Luigi in the Off-Broadway production of “Titanique”. In a parallel universe, Frankie went to med school and became a doctor, but in this universe, he’s an unstoppable, multi-hyphenate creative and philanthropist. He speaks candidly about his upbringing, triple majoring in college, meeting Celine Dion, paving the way for his sister, Ariana Grande, and why he’s a “chronic 15-minute late person”. Frankie talks about starring in "Mamma Mia!" where he made his Broadway debut, and eventually produced shows on and off Broadway which include "Hamlet", "La Bête", and the recent Tony-winning production, “Dana H”. He shares his philanthropic work and why he does it. He also opens up about his alcoholism and drug addiction and how getting diagnosed helped him, and why you need to give yourself permission to fail and feel exhausted. Frankie Grande is currently starring as Victor Garber and Luigi in the Off-Broadway production of Titanique. An actor, philanthropist, dancer, singer, model, producer, television host, and YouTube personality, Frankie began his Broadway career on stage in “Mamma Mia!”. His other stage credits include "Rock of Ages" and "R.R.R.E.D.", the Off-Broadway revival of "Pageant", and the regional production of "Crazy For You". Frankie is also known worldwide for starring in the hit reality TV shows "Big Brother" and "Celebrity Big Brother UK". His credits for TV shows and movies include “Haters Back Off”, “Henry Danger”, “Worst. Post. Ever.”, “'Spree”, and more. He also has credits as a Broadway producer, which include "Hamlet", "La Bête", “Dana H” and "Born Yesterday". As a philanthropist, Frankie is a founding member of Broadway in South Africa, a global arts outreach group. In 2014, he was awarded by buildOn with their Global Impact Award for his charity work in Malawi. Connect with Frankie: Twitter: @frankiejgrande Instagram: @frankiejgrande Website: jaredmgrimes.com YouTube: frankiejgrande Facebook: @thebigbrothertho Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a career spanning decades, Marylouise still finds joy in acting and is now starring in Brian Watkins' new play "Epiphany" as Morkin at Lincoln Center Theater. She chronicles her journey of pursuing her dream of becoming an actress, from switching majors and going to grad school to getting a day job and attending an acting school, and eventually moving to New York during the 70s. She recalls what it was like doing free theatre in New York in the 70s and then gradually taking acting seriously. She talks about doing TV and movies, getting the role of Morkin for “Epiphany” and how she connected with her character immediately, and the theatrical experience she hopes the audience will get from the play. Marylouise Burke is an actress who has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway plays, including "Ripcord", "The Broken Pitcher", "Kimberly Akimbo", "Fuddy Meers" where she won Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Gertie, and the latest one, Brian Watkins’ “Epiphany”. She has also appeared in various films and television shows including "Sideways" where she played Phyllis, the lead character's mother, "Ozark", "30 Rock" "The Blacklist", "Fringe", “Hung”, and "New Amsterdam". Her Broadway credits include "Into the Woods", "Is He Dead", "Inherit the Wind", "True West", and "Fish in the Dark". Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J. Harrison Ghee made their Broadway debut as Lola in the Tony-winning musical “Kinky Boots” where they received recognition for their performance. J. briefly talks about their humble beginnings, from coming out to their parents and leaving their hometown in North Carolina to pursuing their dreams and sharing their talent with the world. They share some of their stage credits, including their role as Velma Kelly in The Muny's “Chicago”, which was played by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the movie. They have been breaking gender barriers when it comes to casting and how we imagine traditional roles. J. also talks about drag as one of their passions, the importance of thinking outside of the box as an artist, and why “you have to free yourself to see yourself”. J. Harrison Ghee is a Broadway actor and drag artist born and raised in North Carolina and is currently based in New York City. They have performed all over the world, and made their Broadway debut as Lola in “Kinky Boots” the musical and has received recognition for their performance. They originated the role of Andre Mayem in “Mrs. Doubtfire”, and will appear as Jerry/Daphne in the 2022 stage musical “Some Like It Hot”. Their TV credits include HBO's "High Maintenance" and the Netflix series, "Raising Dion". In this episode, we talk about: How J. got the role of Velma in "Chicago". Gender pronouns and gender fluidity Growing up in North Carolina Doing drag and entertaining as part of J.'s ministry  Connect with J.: Twitter: @jharrisonghee Instagram: @jharrisonghee Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony and Grammy award-winning Charlie Rosen takes us through his journey as a musician and now an orchestrator. Born in a family of talented musicians, it's no surprise that Charlie grew up to be a good multi-instrumentalist and has already worked for renowned Broadway shows like "Be More Chill", "Moulin Rouge", etc., and won prestigious awards for his work. He talks about what it's like to work and prepare for the recently rescheduled revival of "Some Like It Hot". Charlie explains what exactly an orchestrator is, how he works with other departments, and how he uses Spotify and YouTube to get the overall feel of the show. He talks about his fascination with big sounds, why theatre is a great place for a "Swiss army knife" kind of musician like him, and the communal aspect of making music that motivates him to do and create more. Charlie Rosen is a musician, composer, arranger, orchestrator, musical director, and music producer who is best known for his work on Broadway. Some of his credits include "Be More Chill", "Prince of Broadway", "Moulin Rouge!", "A Strange Loop", "Some Like It Hot", and "American Psycho". He has also worked for TV shows such as "The President Show" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel". He has won numerous awards, including an Obie Award for "A Strange Loop", Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for "Moulin Rouge!", and a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella for "Meta Knight's Revenge (From Kirby Superstar)".  In this episode, we talk about: What makes a great orchestrator composer and a musical successful How Charlie got involved with the musical, “A Strange Loop” Charlie's 35-piece jazz orchestra called The 8-Bit Big Band Composing for video games Connect with Charlie: Twitter: @crosenmusic Instagram: @crosenmusic Website: charlierosen.com and the8bitbigband.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Elizabeth Teeter found out she will be taking on the role of Lydia Deetz in the beloved musical, Beetlejuice, the world suddenly shut down due to COVID and she never got to take her first bow as Lydia. Now, two years later, Elizabeth recalls what it felt like as well as the things she did while dealing with the new normal, including some performing experiences. She talks about her early years on stage, from making her Broadway debut in Mary Poppins to performing alongside renowned actress, Helen Mirren, in The Audience. Elizabeth also shares her experience living alone in New York at age 14 to pursue her dreams, all while making sure she still gets to have a normal life and childhood. With the success of Beetlejuice, she opens up about the connection she has with her character and the show’s message, and why she does it for the fans of the show. Elizabeth Teeter is an American actress and Broadway performer with impressive stage credits under her belt, including several Broadway shows namely, "Beetlejuice", "The Crucible", "Mary Poppins" and "The Audience". Her other credits include "The Secret Life of Bees" (Off-Broadway), “Jerome Robbins' Broadway” (Regional), and "The Sound of Music" (Regional). Her TV and film credits include "The Last O.G." and "Leaving". In this episode, we talk about: Living in New York alone at the age of 14 Playing alongside and attending an award show with Helen Mirren What it was like getting COVID during tech Doing ballet Connect with Elizabeth: Instagram: @elizabethteeterofficial TikTok: @eteetphonehome Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get to know Khaila Wilcoxon, Jasmine Forsberg, Storm Lever, Olivia Donalson, and Gabriela Carrillo from the first national tour of SIX THE MUSICAL as they share their journey from auditioning for the show to joining the Aragon tour. They talk about the different and interesting auditioning processes each of them went through and the stress and difficulties that came along with it as the pandemic hit. The queens discuss about what it's like being on a tour have been so far, how special the show is for having a diverse cast—an opportunity some of them have never had before, and how the group auditions helped in forming a camaraderie with the other casts, and the sisterhood that was formed along the way. Gabriela talks about her successful YouTube channel and why acting and vlogging are important for her. Khaila and Olivia share their Broadway experience, the physical and mental aspects of it versus doing Six now. From receiving gifts to meeting the audience after the show, they reflect on the widespread fame of the show and what it means to them.  Khaila is currently playing Catherine of Arogan in the Aragon leg of the 2022-23 North American Tour production of Six the Musical. Her stage credits include Company (University of Wisconsin), Ruben and Clay's First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show (Imperial Theatre), and Hadestown (Walter Kerr Theatre). Jasmine is currently Jane Seymour in the Aragon leg of the 2022-23 North American Tour production of Six the Musical. Her stage credits include Shrek the Musical (Orlando Repertory Theatre), Legally Blonde (Penn State Centre Stage), A Grand Night for Singing (Goodspeed Opera House), and The Lucky Boy (Penn State Center Stage) Storm is currently playing Anne Boleyn in the Aragon leg of the 2022-23 North American Tour production of Six the Musical. Her stage credits include Romeo and Juliet (Arthur Miller Theatre), Freaky Friday (Signature Theatre), Almost Famous (The Old Globe), and Hair (The Old Globe) Olivia is currently playing Anna of Cleves in the Aragon leg of the 2022-23 North American Tour production of Six the Musical. Her stage credits include Tangle the Musical (The Disney Magic), Disney Dream (The Disney Magic), and Aladdin (US Tour, New Amsterdam Theatre) Gabriela is currently playing Catherine Parr in the Aragon leg of the 2022-23 North American Tour production of Six the Musical. Her stage credits include Atlantis (Tuacahn Amphitheater), The Prince of Egypt (Tuacahn Amphitheater), Love Actually Live (Bram Goldsmith Theatre), Mamma Mia! (La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts) In this episode, we talk about: Their favorite moments in the show Gabriela's YouTube vlogs and why documenting her life is important for her How Olivia recorded her self-tape What it’s like doing group auditions and seeing each other in the final callbacks Jasmine doing Broadway Bounty Hunter The ability to make dolphin sounds Connect with Khaila, Jasmine, Storm, Olivia, Gabriela: Twitter: @KhailaWilcoxon, @forsbergjasmine, @StormLever, @oliviadonalson, @officialgabrielacarrillo Instagram: @thekhailawilcoxon, @jasmine_forsberg, @stormlever, @oliviadonalson TikTok: @khaila.wilcoxon, @jasmineforsberg, @stormlever, @oliviadonalson YouTube: Gabriela Carrillo Website: jasmineforsberg.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With credits in singing, dancing, acting and choreographing, and now a 2022 Tony Nominee for his role in Broadway's first-ever revival of Funny Girl, Jared Grimes deserves the title “quadruple threat”. The Broadway Star recalls his early days when he would tap dance and perform in the New York City subway and other spots in the city. Jared shares the story of how he landed a gig as Mariah Carey's backup dancer, and how he pulled off filming Manifest and rehearsing for Funny Girl at the same time. He talks about his inspiring outlook regarding rejection and why he considers it as "just a different path to another opportunity", resilience as one of his superpowers, and the importance of finding your purpose. Jared is a dancer, singer, actor, and choreographer whose long list of credits includes touring with iconic singer, Mariah Carey, and dancing for popular artists like Salt-n-Pepa and Busta Rhymes. His theatre performance credits include "A Soldiers Play on Broadway", "The Radio City Spring Spectacular", "After Midnight on Broadway", "Twist", "Babes in Arms", and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes". His TV credits include NBC's Manifest, Fox's "Fringe" and HBO's "Boardwalk Empire". His choreography credits include “Banana Shpeel” off-broadway, “After Midnight” on Broadway, and “Holler If You Hear Me”, “Jelly’s Last Jam”, “The Scottsboro Boys”, "Ain't Misbehaving", “42nd Street” where he won a Jeff Award for Best Choreography and “Lights Out: Nat King Cole” where he won a Barrymore Award for Best Choreography. Jared has also choreographed his first film, "Breaking Brooklyn". His film credits include "The Marc Pease Experience", "Little Manhattan" and "First Born. In this episode, we talk about: The history of tap dancing Dancing for Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, Salt-n-Pepa, and more Bailing school to audition as one of Mariah Carey's backup dancers Trying out for his middle school basketball team and getting cut twice Getting the role of Eddie Ryan in Funny Girl Connect with Jared: Twitter: @JaredMGrimes Instagram: @grimeystepz Website: jaredmgrimes.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s a special preview of the Cautionary Tales podcast from Pushkin Industries. On Cautionary Tales, bestselling author Tim Harford shares stories of human error, natural disasters, and tragic catastrophes from history that contain valuable lessons for today. In this preview, you’ll hear about Movin Out', the 2002 Billy Joel-inspired Broadway show created by dance legend Twyla Tharp. When Billy Joel agreed to let dance legend Twyla Tharp turn his songs into a Broadway musical it seemed like a surefire hit. But in previews, Movin’ Out was panned by the critics. It was soon headed for Broadway and was set to be an expensive and embarrassing failure. So how could Twyla turn things around and avert disaster before opening night? Hear more from Cautionary Tales at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/ctbroadway?sid=ttp.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starring opposite each other in the national tour of The Prom, Kaden Kearney and Kalyn West talk about what it’s like to be part of the award-winning musical. With Kalyn being a part of the Broadway cast and Kaden being relatively newer to the scene, the two talk about their experience going on a national tour during a pandemic and the challenges they faced, including rehearsing (and dancing hard!) with their masks on. Kalyn shares her story of how her love for theatre started and moving to New York to pursue her dreams. Kaden recalls their experience watching The Prom on Broadway and begging their manager to get her an audition for the movie when it came out. While not a trained dancer it didn’t stop Kaden from doing musicals and auditioning for The Prom. Kalyn and Kaden also talk about what it was like to develop a rapport and how it was easy for them to work with each other. The two reflect on their experiences with the audiences, and what it feels like to be part of a show that tackles important issues and teaches you empathy. Kalyn has been in many productions, from regional to Broadway. She was on the first national tour of Mean Girls, and some of her credits include Moby Dick and The Prom. Her TV and film credits include Imitation Girl, Blue Bloods, and The Times. Kaden, has recently attended the University of California, Irvine and received their Master's of Fine Arts. They have done a number of shows and some of their credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, One Man Two Guvnors, Agent 355, and the TV series, Prodigal Son. In this episode, we talk about: Kalyn auditioning for The Prom in 2018 and understudying Alyssa Doing self-tape for auditions The rehearsal process during a pandemic and why Kalyn missed it Kaden accidentally going onstage with their mask on Connect with Kaden and Kalyn: Website: www.kalynwest.com Twitter: @kadenokearney Instagram: @kadenokearney & @misskurlykay Find tickets to The Prom Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Dratch recently had her Broadway debut in POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, a play by Selina Fillinger. With three decades of experience in the business, Rachel recalls her SNL days where she worked for seven years and compares the pressure that came along with it and how it differs from doing Broadway. She speaks candidly about her love for comedy, particularly improv and sketch, and whether she'll ever try drama on stage or in movies. Rachel also shares why she prefers sticking to the script and rarely improvises on a film, why she decided to leave SNL, and why you should have fun when you're in a "dip". Rachel Dratch is an actress, comedian, and writer, whose latest stage credits include POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, her Broadway debut. She was a cast member on Saturday Night Live for seven years, where she had memorable characters like Debbie Downer, Boston teen Denise, and the "Lovers" professors with Will Ferrell. She was an alumna of the Second City Theater in Chicago, where she performed in four revues on the main stage, two of which she received the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actress in a Revue. Some of her live comedy credits include ASSSCAT 3000 at the UCB Theater in New York, "Dratch and Fey". Her TV credits include "Frasier," "Ugly Betty," "30 Rock," "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," and "Shameless," and some of her film credits include "Wine Country," "Click," and "Just Go with It." In this episode, we talk about: Having a minor in Psychology and wanting to be a therapist Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Unexpectedly getting pregnant at 44 Living in Chicago for nine years and getting into The Second City Her memoir, Girl Walks into a Bar . . .: Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters, and a Midlife Miracle Connect with Rachel: Twitter: @TheRealDratch Instagram: @raedratch Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With two of his plays, Tambo & Bones and Exception to the Rule, being produced simultaneously, Dave Harris shares his chaotic but exciting schedule as he goes back and forth to LA and New York to help and make sure everything is in order on their openings. He talks about his relationship with writing and how switching from a public school to a private one influenced his writing as well as his love for theatre. He reflects on what makes theatre frustrating at times, why he chooses to write from an individual perspective, and how he uses playwriting to address his personal fears. Dave also shares why he’s happiest when he’s doing multiple projects, and why his friends’ imaginations motivate him the most. Dave Harris is a poet, performer, and playwright whose recent works include Tambo & Bones produced at Playwrights Horizons and Center Theatre Group, and Exception to the Rule which will premiere this year at Roundabout Underground. He has won numerous awards, including the 2019 Ollie Award, The Lorraine Hansberry Award, Mark Twain Award from The Kennedy Center, the 2018 Venturous Fellowship from The Lark, and a Cave Canem poetry fellowship. Other works include Summertime, his adapted film that premiered at Sundance in 2020. His first full-length poetry collection, Patricide was also recently published from Button Poetry. His work has also been seen at Actors Theatre of Louisville Humana Festival, Roundabout Underground, Manhattan Theater Club, Center Theatre Group, The Goodman, Victory Gardens, The Kennedy Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and many more. In this episode, we talk about: His fear of birds and how he got it Getting into the Tow Foundation Playwright Residency Program Joining the Callaloo poetry workshop Reading Stephen King at a young age Playing Elden Ring for a week straight Connect with David: Instagram: @staydancingdave Twitter: @StayDancingDave Web: staydancingdave.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2022 Tony Nominee(!!) David Morse is reprising his role for Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play How I Learned to Drive, making it's Broadway debut! David recalls his journey from loving theatre in high school to joining the Boston Repertory Company and eventually moving to New York to join the Circle Repertory Company. He also shares what made him change his mind from vowing to never do TV early in his career to becoming an established actor with a long list of TV and film credits. He opens up about how acting and playing different characters helped him get through tough times when he was younger, giving up theatre when he was struggling financially, finding the silver linings and being grateful for the way things turned out despite any shortcomings.  David has become an established actor with an incredible TV, film, stage, and acting career, boasting a long list of credits like “The Green Mile” and the Off-Broadway production of Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, “How I Learned to Drive” where he won numerous awards, including an Obie Award and a Drama League Award. He appeared in over 30 productions with the Boston Repertory Company and further his stage career with the Circle Repertory Company in New York before giving TV and film a chance. Some of his other notable credits include movies like “St. Elsewhere”, “12 Monkeys”, “Contact”, “The Hurt Locker”, “Proof of Life”, “Double Vision”, and a number of TV series like “Hack”, “The Chair”, and “House”.In this episode, we talk about: In this episode, we talk about: Auditioning for the Boston Repertory Company Joining Neighborhood Playhouse to study for two years Facing bankruptcy Waking up Richard Donner in his hotel room to get a script from him Doing a one-person play Getting offered a film from Sean Penn Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.J. shares how he had to learn Irish step dance for the new Broadway musical, Paradise Square where plays the role of Owen Duignan. He also talks about his acting career which started at a young age, from landing his first professional job for the national tour of the Sound of Music and living in New York to pursue his dreams, to moving back to Ohio after the 9/11 attacks. He also shares a fun anecdote about his years in Professional Children's School, where a girl from his math class turned out to be Scarlett Johannson. A.J. opens up about how there’s still so much to learn about America’s history despite being a history nerd himself, why Broadway feels intimate to him, and why he thinks storytelling is important to help us remember and find empathy. A.J. stars as Owen Duignan in the new musical Paradise Square which opened recently on Broadway at the Barrymore Theater. He has also been seen on Broadway in Bright Star; The Sound of Music; National Tour: Bright Star; La Cage aux Folles, and more. Some of his other Off-Broadway/stage credits include February House (The Public); Brigadoon (Irish Rep); The Suitcase Under the Bed (Mint); Unlock’d (Prospect); A Contemporary American’s Guide to a Successful Marriage (Cherry Lane); Things To Ruin (Second Stage). He was also recently seen in television shows, including CBS's “Bull” as Jerry McConnell and HBO Max's “Julia” as Chef André Soltner. A.J.’s Film and TV credits also include “Hunters”, “The Blacklist”, “Madam Secretary”, “Younger”, and “Homeland”. In this episode, we talk about: Being on tour with The Sound of Music when he was 12 years old Attending the Professional Children’s School Living in New York when 9/11 happened Getting the role of Jean-Michel for La Cage aux Folles right after he graduated Watching Douglas Hodge's Tony-winning performance every night for a year Connect with A.J.: Instagram: @aj_shively Web: ajshively.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alyssa May Gold recently made her Broadway debut alongside Mary-Louise Parker and David Morse in the long-anticipated Broadway premiere of How I Learned To Drive. She was previously seen in WP Theater/Second Stage’s acclaimed world premiere of Our Dear Dead Drug Lord, and other New York credits include Arcadia (Broadway), Juliet + Romeo, Julius Caesar, The Maid’s Tragedy (Pocket Universe), Middle of the Night, Lemon Sky (Keen Company), and Brilliant Traces (Art of Warr). Alyssa’s Film and TV credits include “Rebel in the Rye,” “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,” “Taking Woodstock,”and “Law &Order: SVU.” She is also the founder of Pocket Universe, a theater/film production company dedicated to reconsidering and re-imagining classic stories and conventions.  Upon being asked how she first became involved in theater, Alyssa recalls seeing the Annie movie when she was four years old, and says she hasn’t stopped since. She talks about the inspiration and creation of her production company, Pocket Universe, revealing the meaning behind its title and how it relates to string theory. Alyssa also opens up about the great responsibility she feels to the audience as part of How I Learned To Drive, saying the play “is putting a handout to the people who need to be pulled up through hell back to Earth” – “…that's why there are doctors who do heart surgery, and then there are actors who work on your heart.” In this episode, we talk about: Why she considers this her actual Broadway debut  Playing in the World Series of Poker in Vegas   Her love for science and metaphysical discussions Playing the oldest and the youngest woman in the story, and what makes her track beautiful Why Mama Mia is one of her favorite musicals of all time  Listening to the things that light your heart on fire Connect with Alyssa: IG: @heylyssamay Web: alyssamaygold.com Pocket Universe Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor Simon Bailey hails from London, where his career on the West End is booming. He trained at the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, and his West End credits include Heathers: The Musical, Jersey Boys (Tommy DeVito), The Phantom of the Opera (Raoul), Enjolras in the 21st Anniversary cast of Les Miserables, I Can’t Sing! The X-Factor Musical, Romeo and Juliet -The Musical, Pharaoh in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, We Will Rock You, and more. SImon can be seen now in the West End production of Moulin Rouge as The Duke at the Piccadilly Theatre. Simon reminisces about his experience as part of the original workshop for Heathers: The Musical in London, and shares why it holds such a big place in his heart. He opens up about landing the role of The Duke, why he’s had so much fun building and developing a darker character, and also talks about why he particularly loves the first 10 minutes of the show when he’s able “to look out and see everybody… just completely entranced in this thing.” Simon also reflects on working as an understudy, and why he feels it’s such an important ground to start from and build on.  In this episode, we talk about:  The community working on the West End  Attending the National Youth Theatre, and bypassing drama school  Why being an actor now is very different than it was pre-2020 His experience as a swing in We Will Rock You  Creative freedom from Alex Timbers Connect with Simon: IG: @simonbailey1210 Twitter: @SimonBailey1210 Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Maliakel recently made his Broadway debut, following Broadway’s reopening, starring in the title role of Aladdin at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Additional credits include the National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera (Raoul u/s), Anything Can Happen: The Songs of Maury Yeston, Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding (Berkeley Rep), and She Loves Me (PlayMakers Rep). You may have also seen Michael on TV in Bull, and FBI.  As a first generation Indian American, Michael reflects on what he calls his “unexpected journey” to a career in the performing arts, including how his love for music brought him to the Peabody Conservatory to earn a degree in opera. He speaks candidly about representation in the industry, noting that as a child he had no real role models or examples for what his performing arts career could be, but trusted his gut and the way music made him feel alive in order to create space for himself and others like him. Michael also opens up about making his Broadway debut as the title character in a hit Disney musical, including the whirlwind audition process which began in the midst of the COVID shutdown, and the “full goosebumps” moment of his first curtain call as Aladdin.  In this episode, we talk about:  Attending the American Boychoir School in Princeton Using his facebook profile picture as his headshot at an open call  The interactive and collaborative experience of choral singing, and theater  Touring with Phantom of the Opera as the Raoul understudy  His love for Broadway’s Spring Awakening, and Bridges of Madison County Connect with Michael: IG @michaelmaliakel Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Combined across the Emmys, Grammys, Olivier and Tony Awards, Patt LuPone has 14 nominations and six wins. Her resume includes 27 Broadway credits, including Eva Perón in the original Broadway production of Evita (1st Tony Award), Anything Goes, Sweeney Todd, Noises Off, Rose in the 2008 Broadway revival of Gypsy (2nd Tony Award), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, War Paint, Working, Oliver!, The Robber Bridegroom, and The Beggar’s Opera. In London she starred in the original casts of Les Misérables, The Cradle Will Rock, Sunset Boulevard, and the West End revival of Company. She also has a long and illustrious career across TV and film, with credits including Driving Miss Daisy, Frasier, Will and Grace, Ugly Betty, 30 Rock, Glee, American Horror Story, Girls, Penny Dreadful, and of course, Life Goes On. She's a voiceover artist, a cabaret performer, a mom, and performs regularly with the New York Philharmonic, all of which mean you can find her singing across 22 different albums. Patti LuPone was the first American to ever win an Olivier Award, has been inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame, and can now be seen on Broadway in the revival of Company.  LuPone recalls her first introduction to the musical Gypsy (playing Louise) in high school, speaking candidly about not understanding the play at the time, and shares how she was initially banned from participating in any of Arthur Laurents work before going on to win a Tony Award for playing Rose. She reflects on going to the “dark side” a lot when COVID shut the industry down, noting it wasn’t that she couldn’t perform but rather that she had nothing to fill that void with, and shares how close-knit and supportive the cast and crew of Company is as a result of the collective trauma and uncertainty they faced together once they resumed rehearsals. LuPone also speaks about the importance of doing her work completely in the rehearsal room, allowing her and the audience to both play and relax once she is onstage, and shares why she looks at the audience every single night.  In this episode, we talk about:  Being in one of the first-ever students in Juilliard’s school of drama in the 70’s  Her Marilyn Monroe impression at 3 years old  What it is about laughter from an audience that brings her joy  What she calls the “Italian blast”, and not having a filter  Her “Andrew Lloyd Webber memorial pool” Resenting producers or anybody that underestimates the audience's intelligence Connect with Patti: Twitter: @pattilupone IG: @pattilupone Web: pattilupone.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reeve Carney is an actor, singer-songwriter, and musician, who may be best known for originating the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark on Broadway, and playing Orpheus in the original Broadway cast of the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown. Other notable roles include his portrayal of Dorian Gray in the Showtime series Penny Dreadful, and Riff Raff in the Fox musical television film The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again. Reeve is also the lead singer and songwriter of the band Carney, also consisting of his brother Zane, Aiden Moore, and Jon Epcar, who together have toured with The Veronicas, and opened for Arcade Fire and U2. He recently appeared as Tom Ford in the Oscar nominated film House of Gucci, and can currently be seen performing his original music in his residency at The Green Room 42, or captivating audiences eight times a week as Orpheus in Hadestown on Broadway. Reeve chronicles his almost 27 year guitar playing journey, which began at age 12 and led to playing in nightclubs in LA a few years later, where fellow musicians convinced him if he ever wanted to lead a band, he needed to learn how to sing. He recalls meeting Julie Taymor for the first time at one of his band’s shows, and how that meeting set the course for working with Bono and The Edge, and originating the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man on Broadway. Reeve also shares how he became involved with Hadestown, how the character of Orpheus changed significantly between their run at the National Theatre in London and the Broadway opening, and why he said “no” when asked to be a part of the first reading in 2012.  In this episode, we talk about:  Growing up in a family of artists  Being mistaken for Macaulay Culkin Getting signed to Interscope Records when he was 22  His electronic effects pedal company called Quarantine Effects USA How Orepheus’s purity of voice is reflected in his character  Connect with Reeve: Check out his Effects Pedal company: https://quarantineeffectsusa.com/ IG: @reevecarney Twitter: @reevecarney Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of eating disorders. At the age of 25, Eva Noblezada is a two time Tony Award nominee, a Grammy Award winner, and a WhatsOnStage Award winning actress and singer. She starred as Kim in Cameron Mackintosh’s London revival of Miss Saigon when she was 17 years old, and shortly after played Eponine in the West End revival of Les Misérables. Eva later reprised her performance as Kim in the first Broadway revival of Miss Saigon (also her Broadway debut). In 2019, she made her film debut in Yellow Rose starring alongside Lea Salonga, who originated the role of Kim in Miss Saigon. Eva originated the role of Eurydice in Hadestown on Broadway, and it's in Hadestown where she continues to lead, and take audiences “way down under the ground”.  Eva speaks candidly about her past toxic relationship with the word “perfect”, how it affected her life as a 17 year old all on her own abroad, leading Cameron Mackintosh’s London revival of Miss Saigon, and why she felt like she was “falling for years”. She opens up about living with anxiety, panic attacks, and body dysmorphia, and how she’s learned to come back to herself at those times, and ask the important questions - “Are we in danger? - We're okay”. Talking about Hadestown, Eva shares her thoughts on Eurydice (and playing Eurydice), and her love for the “extra layer of consciousness” that can be seen throughout the whole show.  In this episode, we talk about:  Growing up Filipino Mexican, and discovering musical theater  A strong work ethic, instilled by her father  The mental and physical toll of an 8 show schedule  Meeting Tara Rubin at the Jimmy Awards Pole dancing as fitness, and how society sexualizes women  Her “all or nothing” way of life  Connect with Eva: IG: @livevamaria Twitter: @EvaNoblezada Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Telly and Cameron discuss the inspiration behind the documentary Ensemble, the catharsis of filming it, and ​​the resilience of the 13 very diverse people in different stages of their life and career who are featured on screen. They share thoughts on George Takei’s legacy as an artist, activist and producer, and how his career encouraged and cleared a path for so many after him. Telly and Cameron express their support of “call out culture” in order to take time for yourself physically and mentally, and reflect on the old adage “the show must go on”. They also open up about what they hope people walk away with after watching their new documentary, Ensemble which dropped on March 11th on Broadway On Demand. Telly, as the producer, and Cameron, as a featured performer, are part of this brand new documentary, which gives an inside look at the private lives of Broadway ensemble members a year after Broadway shut down.  Telly Leung made his Broadway debut in the 2002 revival of Flower Drum Song, and was named one of 12 Faces to Watch in 2012: Dance, Theater, Architecture, and Art by the Los Angeles Times. He boasts an extensive resume on both stage and screen, and other notable roles include Aladdin in Aladdin on Broadway, the Broadway revival and national tour of Rent, Godspell, The Secret Garden, and In Transit.  Cameron Adams has over a dozen Broadway credits on her resume after making her Broadway debut in the 2000 revival of The Music Man, and she will return to Broadway and her role in Mrs. Doubtfire when the show re-opens for the second time post COVID.  In this episode, we talk about:  COVID compliance while shooting a documentary  Looking back and seeing how far you’ve come  Diversifying the power structures of broadway  The mythology of Broadway  The necessity of becoming a “multi-hyphenate artist”  Connect with Telly and Cameron: Watch Ensemble on Broadway On Demand IG: @tellyleung & @cameron.nyc Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes the heart, soul, and sound of Hermes? Ask three different Hermes u/s and get three different answers. That speaks to the brilliance of the Hadestown creative team, and their encouragement to anyone who steps into the winged shoes of Hermes to bring their actual selves to the role. With us in this episode are T. Oliver Reid, Trent Saunders, and Eddie Rodriguez (two Broadway and the national tour understudies respectively), three uniquely different individuals who are all joined together in their privilege of being to play Hermes, the messenger.  Eddie Noel Rodríguez (Swing, u/s Hermes) is a proud Puerto Rican performer who has lived and worked as a professional artist since he was 14 years old, starting with the folkloric dance company Gíbaro de Puerto Rico traveling the world representing his culture. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón with a specialty in telecommunications and theater. He’s collaborating with different Broadway artists to bring musical theater workshops to the artists living in Puerto Rico. Eddie is thrilled, honored and grateful to be in his second national tour with the family of Hadestown. Tour: On Your Feet! (Emilio). Regional: Godspell (Jeffrey), Man of la Mancha (Dr. Carrasco), La Cage Aux Folles (Hanna), Footloose (Willard), Rent (u/s Roger), Piaf (Ensemble), Hair (Ensemble). T. Oliver Reid (Swing, u/s Hermes, u/s Hades) Broadway show #13 for this award-winning artist. Broadway: Kiss Me, Kate; Follies; Thoroughly Modern Millie; Never Gonna Dance; La Cage Aux Folles; Chicago; The Wedding Singer; Mary Poppins; Sister Act; After Midnight; Sunset Boulevard; Once on This Island. TV/Film: The Sixth Reel, “Sex & The City,” “The Blacklist.” Educator Trent Saunders (Worker, u/s Orpheus, u/s Hermes) is grateful for the chance, joining this incredible company. He has been building some exciting things with his cohort and family of collaborators, The Saunders Collective (thesaunderscollective.com). Favorite credits: Evita (Che), Aladdin (OBC), American Idiot (St. Jimmy). Love to Tree, the Delfinitas, Mike, the family and all of you. Let’s tell the story! In this episode, we talk about: How majoring in telecommunications helped Eddie make it to Broadway Why their unique differences help unify them in the role of Hermes The stress of the vocal ranges required for covering multiple tracks How do get over that "I HAVE TO PEE!" feeling before going on stage Representation of 3 different guys being the same character Connect with Trent, T., and Eddie: IG: @eddienoelr, @toliverreid & @trensaun @nyugradacting @columbiamfaacting @ridermusicaltheatre Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A professional percussionist, Mauro Refosco has performed and recorded with artists such as David Byrne, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Thom Yorke’s Atoms for Peace. After beginning his touring career in 1994 as Byrne’s percussionist, he returned to NYC and joined cult creative ensemble The Lounge Lizards, playing experimental punk jazz. He formed his own band, Forro in the Dark, which has recorded four full-length albums and performed at major domestic and international festivals. He’s also composed music and soundtracks for movies, television, fashion shows and Off-Broadway plays. You can now find him walking around barefoot, on Broadway, in American Utopia Born in Brazil, he found his way to NYC and ultimately the professional touring world of music. His career exploded alongside other music legends. Once he began to embrace what makes him unique and different, he found his tribe after a short stint bring a NYC-based street performer in Central Park and in the subway. He found his way to an audition for David Bryne, which resulted in an interview(!). The rest, as they say, is history.  In this episode, we talk about: How his love for soccer led to his professional career as a percussionist  How the album “American Utopia” made its way to Broadway as a show The difference a percussion player and a drum player Why Ted Lasso is the greatest show ever Being a NYC busker Why he decided to stop singing backing vocals for David Byrne Connect with Mauro: IG: @MauroRefosco Web: MauroRefosco.com Listen to Jomoro (and Blue Marble Sky) Get tickets for American Utopia on Broadway Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Malcolm Armwood made his Broadway debut as a swing in Hadestown, and can currently be seen playing one of the workers. He previously starred in the national tours of Motown: The Musical and Smokey Joe’s Cafe, and other credits include Grease, Ragtime, Hairspray, and Showboat. Kay Trinidad is part of the original Broadway cast of Hadestown, and has continued her role as one of the Fates since Broadway’s reopening. Kay made her Broadway debut in the original cast of The Little Mermaid, and additional credits include the world premiere of Lempicka (Williamstown Theatre Festival), the New York Premiere of BARE: A Pop Opera, Children of Eden in concert at The Kennedy Center, The King and I, and Beauty and The Beast.  Not only do Kay and Malcolm have a Broadway show in common, they reveal both performing as kids at home in front of their families, and recall memories of each of their early interests in the performing arts. Chatting about the heightened importance of theatre and the arts in the midst of a pandemic, Kay and Malcolm share their thoughts on what they find so compelling about Hadestown, and storytelling in general. They also chat about working with the “powerhouse” creative team behind Hadestown, including the collaboration between cast and crew that went into creating the final product.  In this episode, we talk about:  Singing in front of crowds  Why they’ve stuck with Hadestown Missing post-performance stage door visits during COVID  Their favorite moments of the show  Call out culture, and self care Connect with Kay and Malcolm IG: @kaytrinidadkarns & @marmwood214 Twitter: @kaytrinidad1 And get your tickets to Hadestown! Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tara Jackson and Sayo Oni, both triple threats, recently made their Broadway debuts in Hadestown. Originally from Canada, Tara Jackson was previously part of the Hadestown Canadian premiere, and is now assistant dance captain, a swing, and an understudy for The Fates in Hadestown on Broadway. Sayo Oni recently completed his junior fall semester at Elon University, and can now be seen in Hadestown as a swing and an understudy for Orpheus.  Tara (who covers 8 tracks) and Sayo (who covers 6 tracks) chat about their experiences as swings and understudies - the unpredictability, the excitement, and the documents they both created to keep all their tracks mapped out. They recall what they were doing professionally when COVID shut the industry down, Tara with a flight booked to join the Broadway cast, and Sayo in his freshman year of college, and share how it affected their lives and careers. Tara and Sayo also take us back to when they were first bitten by the theater bug, and how they found their way to Broadway.  In this episode, we talk about:  Joining the Broadway cast of Hadestown  Learning choreography by osmosis  Finding theater in high school and college  Forming a dentist voice lesson company  Family reactions to their career choice  Connect with Tara and Sayo: IG: @taraatee && @sayo.oni Twitter: @taraatee && And get your tickets to Hadestown! Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alysia Reiner and David Alan Basche are a power couple of TV, film and theater. Alysia may be best known for playing Natalie “Fig” Figueroa, a warden on Orange is the New Black, and has a plethora of additional credits including Better Things, The Deuce, Masters of Sex, How to Get Away with Murder, 30 Rock and the upcoming production of Mrs. Marvel. David may be best known for his five seasons starring in the TV Land original series The Exes, and for his portrayal of Todd Beamer in the film United 93. His own string of credits includes Royal Pains, Blind Spot, Frasier, 30 Rock and Lipstick Jungle. Alysia and David are co-producers, co-creators, and co stars, who can now be heard in the podcast original Around The Sun.  As collaborators, Alysia and David share how they decide which projects to work on together behind the camera, as well as their experiences working together on camera. They dive into the realities of living with a fellow actor and artist, including how they balance their careers, handle jealousy or envy, and how they curb self-doubt. And as actors who have to engage in intimate scenes with others, Alysia and David also share their philosophies on the importance of trust as a couple, and thoughts on the dichotomy of being actors whose job it is to “get caught up in what’s not real” for a role, but also acknowledging that it’s a lie. In this episode, we talk about:  Meeting during a summer stock production of Twelfth Night  Love for voiceover work  Self-taping auditions for each other  The process of letting your character go at the end of the day  Working on Around the Sun Connect with Alysia and David: Listen to Around the Sun (episode 105 here) IG: @alysiareiner && @davidalanbasche Web: socialenterprisegiftguide.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me live on the red carpet for the opening night of The Music Man! In this episode we hear from Hugh Jackman, Sutton Foster, Jerry Zaks, Warren Carlyle, Jayne Howdyshell, Jefferson Mays, Daniel Patrick Russell, Drew Minard, Eloise Kropp, Kammie Crum, Marie Mullen, Jordan Beall, Maria Briggs, Phillip Boykin, Ronnie S Bowman, Sherisse Springer, Garrett Long, and Lance Roberts. There are even special cameos from Seth Meyers and Randy Rainbow. #justsayin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Schneider is one of Feinstein's/54 Below original programming producers, a freelance director, and co-host of the popular podcast Behind the Curtain: Broadway's Living Legends, the official podcast of BroadwayWorld. Some of his favorite directing credits include Memphis (Regional Premiere), Rock of Ages (Millbrook Playhouse), The Last Five Years (Fuse Productions), Good People with Tony Award winner Johanna Day, and City of Angels (Young Artists Ensemble). Robert is also the Artistic Director for the J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company, which just began its second season. Robert is currently on the faculty of both Penn State University and the New York Film Academy, and has a new book coming out on March 31st, called Fifty Key Stage Musicals, now available for pre-order.  Robert shares how the J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company was born through connections fostered while working at 54 Below, and recalls memories of the day the pandemic shut them down. He talks about the wisdom accrued and lessons learned from his guests as one of the co-hosts of one of the industry’s favorite Broadway podcasts, one of the most noteworthy being the validation that there really is no security in this business for anyone. Robert also gives us an inside look to his new book, Fifty Key Stage Musicals, including how they decided which shows to include, and what kind of healthy debate he hopes it inspires.  In this episode, we talk about:  How musical theater has always been in his DNA His dad, the private investigator  A common consensus on Danny Kaye  Why he hopes to see an end to open call auditions  What types of show’s he thinks we’ll see more of in the future  Connect with Rob IG: @robwschneider IG: @j2spotlightnyc Listen to his podcast BEHIND THE CURTAIN Check out J2 Spotlight Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lynn Nottage is a two time Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, and the first and only woman to win the category twice, for “Ruined” and “Sweat”. She's a screenwriter, a Tony nominee, a producer, the recipient of a MacArthur Genius Grant fellowship and was included in Time magazine's 2019 list of the 100 Most Influential People. Lynn’s work can currently be found on 2 different Broadway stages: “Intimate Apparel” the opera at Lincoln Center Theater (Libretto), and “MJ” a new Broadway musical at the Neil Simon Theater (Libretto). She's an activist working with the Art for Justice Fund, among others, and is an associate professor of playwriting at Columbia University.  Lynn opens up about one of her main reasons for going into teaching, noting the importance of nurturing and mentorships, and being invested in the success of her students, particularly her students of color. She talks about getting involved with the Art for Justice Fund specially through her play “Clyde’s”, a not for profit invested in how art can be used to help people who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated tell their stories and “transcend their circumstances”. Lynn also chats about one of her newest projects, the new opera “Intimate Apparel”, and why it’s considered a brand new show rather than a revival. In this episode, we talk about:  Almost becoming a journalist instead of a playwright  Researching and conducting interviews for her plays  Creating Broadway industry internships through the Art for Justice Fund  Reimagining her great grandmother's life to write Intimate Apparel  Working on MJ the Musical Connect with Lynn Twitter: @Lynnbrooklyn IG: @lynnnottage Web: http://www.lynnnottage.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lorin Latarro is a director and choreographer, who also has fourteen Broadway credits to her name as a performer, including Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out, Fosse, Swing!, Kiss Me Kate, A Chorus Line, Spamalot and Man Of La Mancha. She choreographed Broadway’s Mrs. Doubtfire, Waitress, Les Liasons Dangereuse, Waiting For Godot with Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stuart, Merrily We Roll Along for Roundabout, La Traviata at The Met Opera, and was the Associate Choreographer for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and American Idiot. Her choreography has also been seen at The Public Theater, The Kennedy Center, Brooklyn Academy of Music, City Center Encores!, and the Old Globe. Lorin is a Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Chita Rivera Award nominee, and recently directed Candace Bushnell’s one woman show, Is There Still Sex In The City, which became a NYTimes Critic’s Pick.  Lorin dives right into a conversation about her love for neuroscience and how it relates to the body (specifically dance), her obsession with the idea of how a collective experience (like watching live theatre) changes your brainwaves, and why she almost left the entertainment industry to create her own business. She opens up about why choreographing and directing suit her more than performing, and talks about her road to becoming a successful choreographer. Lorin also speaks about working on her newest Broadway show, Mrs. Doubtfire - how and why she integrated many different styles of dance, and how she carried out her vision.  In this episode, we talk about:  Deciding she was going to be a dancer at 4 years old  Being married to a brain surgeon  Studying dance at Julliard  Her upcoming projects: Almost Famous, and The Outsiders Founding ArtAmmmo.org - Artists Against Gun Violence Connect with Lorin Twitter: @lorinlatarro IG: @latarro https://mrsdoubtfirebroadway.com/ Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A seven-time Tony Award nominee, actress and singer Kelli O'Hara won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the Lincoln Center Theater revival of The King and I. She has also received Tony nominations for her performances in The Light in the Piazza, The Pajama Game, South Pacific, Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Bridges of Madison County, and Kiss Me, Kate. Kelli made her opera debut at The Metropolitan Opera in Franz Lehár's The Merry Widow in 2014. She also has many TV and film credits including Masters of Sex, 13 Reasons Why, Blue Bloods, and All My Children, and can currently be seen on TV in The Accidental Wolf and the new HBO series The Gilded Age.  Kelli may have studied opera at Oklahoma City University, but she opens up about why her true love is and always was Broadway, and how she often set herself into an “unusual size box” on Broadway in order to sing the way she felt most comfortable. She notes how performers are starting to take better care of themselves through both action and words, and shares why the shift to sharing roles more often with understudies, swings, covers, and standby’s sounds “delicious”. Kelli also chats about all things The Gilded Age, from lessons in using cutlery appropriately for the period, to where they filmed, to why she feels the shooting schedule is supportive of a family.  In this episode, we talk about: Differences between Broadway and Opera performance schedules   Having two babies while starring on Broadway  Working on The Gilded Age with other seasoned Broadway performers  Her children's artistic talents and interests Connect with Kelli Twitter: @kelliohara IG: @kelliohara Watch The Gilded Age on HBO Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor Brad Oscar has earned two Tony Award nominations for his performances in The Producers and Something Rotten!, and has additional Broadway credits which include The Addams Family, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Spamalot, Jekyll & Hyde, and Big Fish. Off-Broadway and Regional credits include Damn Yankees, Forbidden Broadway, Sweeney Todd, and both the Phantom of the Opera and Young Frankenstein national tours. You've seen him on TV in The Good Wife, Submissions Only, Madam Secretary, and Smash. Brad can currently be seen as Frank Hillard in the Broadway musical Mrs. Doubtfire.  Brad takes us on his journey with Mrs. Doubtfire, from the first table read of a very different iteration in 2015, to auditioning for the project in 2019, and the joy of working with the production’s creative team and cast. He opens up about his love and reverence for Stephen Sondheim, the man and his work, and about overcoming his fear of breaking the fourth wall in order to be a part of Barrow Street Theatre’s immersive production of Sweeney Todd. Brad also chats about the roller coaster of being part of a Broadway show in the time of COVID, and looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel. In this episode, we talk about:  Growing up in DC around theatre  Working with Jerry Zaks, and Rob McClure Memories of Stephen Sondheim at Barrow Street  Which musicals he calls his “touchstones”  Performing professionally in his hometown for the first time Get your tix for Mrs. Doubtfire's return: IG: @bradoscar64 https://mrsdoubtfirebroadway.com/ Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actress Kiera Allen was named by The Hollywood Reporter as one of their breakout stars of 2020, due in no small part to her performance opposite Sarah Paulson in Hulu's psychological thriller Run. She is the first wheelchair user to star in a major thriller in over 70 years, which has advanced the conversation about disability representation in the industry. Kiera has a collection of regional theater credits, including the world premiere of Bekah Brunstetter’s Girl #2, and is currently studying Creative Writing at Columbia University. She can now be heard as Pansy Freehold in the Broadway Podcast Networks’s new original radio comedy TWITS, starring opposite Michael Urie and Christian Borle.  Kiera talks about being exposed to the world of theatre from a young age, and how as a result of growing up around creatives, she learned about the hard work and dedication required to succeed, as well as to have respect for the process. She speaks candidly about holding space on social media for important conversations pertaining to the disability community, and shares her thoughts on being called “an inspiration”. Keira also chats about working on TWITS, and why she is proud to be a part of the project. In this episode, we talk about:  Finding inspiration from the new Beatles documentary  Mental health, and why she finds acting and writing therapeutic  Being in a writer’s group with Tom Alan Robbins  Booking her debut feature film role opposite Sarah Paulson Changes she hopes to see in the industry pertaining to disability and representation  Connect with Kiera: IG: @kierajallen Twitter: @kierajallen Listen to TWITS on Broadway Podcast Network Watch Run on Hulu Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Major Attaway has over 20 years of experience as an entertainer, actor, singer, and voiceover artist, and may be best known for playing the Genie in Disney's Aladdin on Broadway for the longest amount of time (three years). He also debuted in Mack and Mabel as Fatty Arbuckle at NY City Center Encores in 2020, and his regional credits include Hot Mikado, Hands on a Hardbody, Little Shop of Horrors, and Ain’t Misbehavin. An accomplished Voice Actor and Twitch Streamer, Major has lent his voice to numerous projects including One Piece, Bread Barbershop, Fairy Tail, Battleborn, Borderlands 3, and more. He can be seen in an upcoming HBO series as well as in The Netflix original series Orange is the New Black, and is currently revamping his Disney based cabaret show, Genies Jukebox, for an upcoming 54 Below performance.  Major shares how singing led him to musical theatre, and the life lessons he learned as a child while performing at Casa Mañana Theatre in Ft. Worth, Texas. He chats about continuing his growth as an artist through voiceover work, and how he gets into character for those roles. Major also talks all things Genie on Broadway, as well as his cabaret, Genie’s Jukebox, where he delves into Genie's life before/after Aladdin by exploring questions like: What if the Genie had villain friends? - Maybe he used to be friends with Ursula. How does Genie spend his free time? - Maybe he takes magic courses. Major calls the show a combination of his dream of being a Disney villain, and a love letter to Disney.  In this episode, we talk about:  Working on the Netflix Pokemon movie  Finding peace in art  Receiving his first standing ovation Standbys and swings as unsung heroes Being the voice of NuCalm Connect with Major: IG: @majorattaway Twitter: @majorattaway Facebook: @BigTexGenie Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephanie Styles is an actress, singer, and dancer who made her Broadway debut in the recent Roundabout Theatre revival of Kiss Me, Kate, opposite Kelly O'Hara, Will Chase, and Corbin Bleu. Other credits include Katherine Plumber in the national tour of Newsies, The Sound of Music national tour, and Kingdom Come at Roundabout Underground’s Black Box Theatre. On TV she may be best known as Autumn on Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, and can also be seen as Kate in the Netflix series Bonding. Her film credits include Bombshell, and Booksmart. Stephanie can now be heard on the original studio cast album of Goosebumps The Musical: Phantom of the Auditorium, available wherever you get your streaming music. Taking us back to the beginning, Stephanie shares her story of seeing The Phantom of the Opera for the first time at four years old (two nights in a row), and how it set the course for the rest of her life. She opens up about her love for all things Disney, and why she thinks both children and adults alike are drawn into Disney’s “sense of imagination, innovation, and hope”. Stephanie also chats about what it means to be part of the new original studio cast album of Goosebumps The Musical, and her experience singing and recording during COVID.  In this episode, we talk about:  Being a D23:The Official Disney Fan Club charter member  Horoscopes, and being a Libra  What type of music she is drawn to singing  Disney Theme Parks  Her love for Broadway and musical theatre  Connect with Stephanie: IG: @bystyles Web: stephaniestyles.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Glynn Turman is an Emmy Award winning actor, writer, director and producer, who made his Broadway debut at 12 years old originating the role of Travis Younger in A Raisin In The Sun. With a successful TV and film career spanning more than 50 years, Glynn has had notable roles in films including Cooley High, The River Niger, Gremlins, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Men of Honor, Justine, The Way Back, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. His TV credits include Peyton Place, Matlock, The Wire, In Treatment, House of Lies, How to Get Away with Murder, Mr. Mercedes, Fargo and many, many more. Glynn has also directed episodes of Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, A Different World, and The Wayans Bros. He is now the newest face for Beyonce’s new Ivy Park denim line, and can also be seen starring opposite Tony award winner Adrienne Warren in ABC’s new limited series Women of the Movement.  Glynn credits his mother for getting him into theater and acting, and talks about what life was like growing up in NYC's Greenwich Village in the 50’s and early 60’s, immersed in a bohemian lifestyle. He chats about his love for all things horses and rodeo, and tells the story of a dinner with Beyonce that led to him becoming a spokesperson for her new Ivy Park line. Glynn also reflects on his career and the opportunities that have led to where he is now - “I’m glad that I’ve lived long enough to see that we as a black people have gotten the opportunity to tell some of our stories from our point of view”.  In this episode, we talk about:  Auditioning for playwright Lorraine Hansberry, a friend of his mother’s and the creator of A Raisin in the Sun Skipping school to spend time with the horses in Central Park Getting into character as Mose Wright for Women of the Movement Auditioning to be the original Han Solo, and booking it  Acting icons James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson, Sidney Poitier, and Ruby Dee Connect with Glynn: Twitter: @GlynnTurman Learn more about Women of the Movement Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Debra Sperling is a professional voiceover artist with over 26 years of experience. Throughout her career, Debra has been the voice of dozens of national television campaigns such as Charmin, Cascade, Pampers, Maybelline, Listerine, Walmart, Folgers, Kellogg’s, Olive Garden, Johnson and Johnson, Band-Aid, and many more. Debra is a big player in the Promo world as well, having been the voice of The Oxygen Network and the voice of WEtv, with ongoing promo spots for many networks including NBC, National Geographic, USA, Investigation Discovery, A&E, Animal Planet, and HBO. She is also equally passionate about teaching and coaching, and her renowned "Authenticity in Voiceover" class has helped students worldwide. After attending the High School of Performing Arts, Debra went on to earn her BA in Theatre, her MFA in Acting, and has “been an actor since”. Although she makes her living as a voiceover artist now, she speaks candidly about how her journey began, noting she didn’t really know what voice overs were when she first started out. Debra talks about her approach to acting for theatre, TV or film compared to acting for voice overs: why “it is the same thing” for her, and how it starts with bringing your authentic self to the microphone, stage, or set. She also opens up about her love for teaching and coaching, and shares why she feels like leading her voice over class on Zoom during COVID saved her.  In this episode, we talk about:  The culture shock she felt while attending her first show in London  Morgan Freeman’s voice  Why she tells people to “stop acting words”  Stephen McKinley Henderson as a mentor and teacher  Missing the collaborative aspect of voice over work due to COVID Connect with Debra: Web: debrasperling.com/about IG: @debrasperlingvo Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've successfully completed yet another year around the sun (sorry flat Earthers, the truth hurts), this time with only about 4 months of Broadway theatre to talk about, and we're already seeing more shows permanently closed than expected due to Omicron breakthrough cases. Sheesh. Ayanna Prescod, a Broadway producer, critic, writer, and creator, and host of What's Up Broadway joins us for this final episode of the year as we discuss our favorite moments, shows, and what we're looking forward for in 2022. A big shout out to all the shows of 2021 that closed too early: Is This A Room Dana H Chicken & Biscuits The Rockettes Radio City Christmas Spectacular Diana, the Musical Thoughts of a Colored Man Jagged Little Pill Waitress Beautiful Ain’t Too Proud Connect with Ayanna: Twitter: @AyannaPrescod Web: OurBKSocial.com Listen to What's Up Broadway: bpn.fm/wub Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ilda Mason is a Panamanian actress, singer, and dancer who began her career in productions including Peter Pan, The Beauty and the Beast, A Chorus Line, Hello Dolly, and Legally Blonde. She performed as a professional dancer on Panama’s Dancing with the Stars for two seasons, and made her Broadway debut in Ivo van Hove’s adaption of West Side Story in 2020. Ilda has also performed in two other productions of West Side Story: at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, and at Paper Mill Playhouse. Ilda can now be seen as Luz (a Shark) in Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation and remake of West Side Story, now in theatres.  Born and raised in Panama, Ilda talks about moving to NYC 8 years ago to study musical theater and acting for film, and the “feeling” she had in high school that even though she didn’t know how she was going to do it, she was going to be a performer. She details how she found out about auditions for Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, the audition process, and booking the role of Luz without an agent or a manager. Ilda also opens up about why acting matters to her, and why it is her dream.  In this episode, we talk about:  Studying structural architecture as a plan B  Writing imaginary essays to Steven Speilberg  Taking stock of her accomplishments, and enjoying the moment  Her love for movie trailers  Working with Stephen Sondheim  “The Movies That Made Us” series, and Jurassic Park  Connect with Ilda: IG: @IldaMason Twitter: @liveMariana Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at [email protected]. I want to know what you think. Thank you to our friends Jukebox The Ghost for our intro and outro music. You can find them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @jukeboxtheghost or via the web via jukeboxtheghost.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices