The Show Biz Buzz Podcast

Jacquez Linder-Long (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.) and Nicole Vanessa Ortiz (Sarah) talk about how they've approached their roles in the Ragtime production. They say the show is more than a telling of history--it's showing race struggles in America. It's showing justice and how that means different things to different groups. They talk about how difficult scenes with inflamatory words are handled among cast members. Jacquaez says it's a show that needs to be seen. This is a podcast that needs to be listened to!

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts Music Director Carson Eubank can seamlessly move from behind a piano to a podium to the main stage. He talks about his excitement of taking notes on a piece of paper and bringing it into life and 3D. He also has a shout-out to JMU!

Jake David Smith and Juliette Redden are starring in "Escape to Margaritaville" at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Stafford, Virginia. What's it like to work together? Do they get jealous when they see the other kissing others in a show? We talk about the role of the audience and how theater today is the one place where everyone is focused on the same thing. No cell phones to be a distraction.

Patrick A'Hearn, the Producing Artistic Director at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts talks about the process of writing and putting together a holiday show. The art of mixing traditional Christmas music with new songs and music that's now a Christmas theme. Also, away from home during the holidays for many of the performers.

Richmond native Kathy Halenda is currently on the Broadway national tour of "Tootsie." We caught up with her to talk about the demands of touring--it's not a 9-5 type lifestyle. What's it take to be successful on stage? Kathy Halenda says you have to see the world thru emotion and not logic.

Broadway musical and theatre performer Loni Ackerman joins us. Among her many credits is the title role in the Los Angeles production of Evita. She's witty and insightful--especially when she talks with us about skills many actors today lack.

Change. Life in the theater is always about getting ready to travel to the next show. But can it work if both husband and wife act? Join us as we talk with Adrianne Hick and Andrew Foote. They're making marriage and show biz work!

Toneisha Harris was the runner-up on The Voice in 2020. Hear her fascinating description of what happens behind the scenes. Toneisha tells us successes on The Voice have given her confidence on the stage.

The Rave-Ons are a nationally touring Buddy Holly and the Crickets tribute act. Todd Meredith entertains and teaches. He tells us Buddy Holly influenced the Beatles. He'll be at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts on October 5th.

You may know her from "In the Heights, " or the singing voice of Abuela Alma in “Encanto. Olga Merediz talks with us about being born and Cuba and the impact of having to flee the country as a child. She's produced a documentary based on her real life events.

Salisbury, Maryland native Toneisha Harris initially planned to compete in "The Voice" in 2012. But a family crisis pushed it back to 2020. Hear her story. She'll be in "Ghost-The Musical-"this fall at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts. COVID has changed one of the performers. COVID continues to impact the arts.

Sally Struthers reflects on 50+ years in entertainment. From TV to movies to the stage. She talks about the role of a celebrity. She spends much of her time now acting and enjoys interacting with each community where she's performing. Struthers also describes a conversation with Rob Reiner during a taping of "All in the Family" that changed her attitude about acting.

From the small local productions to Broadway, Patrick A'Hearn of the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Fredericksburg, Virginia, explores the excitement felt throughout the theater community after months of COVID shutdowns. What's it like to be back on stage? What has changed in this post-COVID world and what remains the same?