The Theater Enthusiast Podcast

This episode we are joined by artist Marianna Gailus!  Marianna was recently Andrew Scott's understudy in Vanya and made her Broadway debut in Patriots starring Michael Stuhlbarg.  She got her MFA at the Juilliard School and is a proud of Group 51.  We speak with Marianna about when she decided to pursue a career in acting, her time at Juilliard, working on Vanya and much more!

This episode we are joined by actor Caesar Samayoa!  Caesar is currently starring in the Broadway production of Just in Time and was in the original casts of Come From Away and How to Dance in Ohio! Other credits include Seared at Capital Repertory Theatre, Evita at American Repertory Theater and Love's Labour's Lost at Shakespeare in the Park!We talk with Caesar about when he realized he wanted to study and perform professionally, being able to originate new work, how How to Dance in Ohio's rehearsal process changed things for him, working on Just in Time and much more!

This episode we are joined by actress Carrie St. Louis!  Carrie is best known for her roles on Broadway as Glinda in Wicked, Sherrie in Rock of Ages and Lauren in Kinky Boots. She also is known for starring as Rose in Titanique (which I highly recommend seeing before it closes in June) and Annette in Cruel Intentions. She recently has been lucky enough to work with Dolly Parton on the Dolly Parton musical as Young Dolly.  Carrie also is a vocal coach and you can check out Carrie's website (carriestlouis.com) for more info on how to work with her!We speak with Carrie about how she is able to sing different types of music when she started off studying opera, her love of being a vocal coach, working with Dolly Parton and much more!

This episode we are happy to welcome back Matt DeAngelis and talk about all things The Janice Jam!  Matt founded The Janice Jam to honor his mother, Janice, who he lost in 2022 to metastatic breast cancer, and the countless people affected by this disease, he, alongside a group of friends and Broadway industry colleagues, is culling another evening of Celebration, Remembrance, and Awareness, that will have guests singing, dancing, and helping bring funding to this very special cause.There's an amazing lineup this year with people such as Ariana DeBose, John Gallagher Jr., Jeremy Jordan, Kara Lindsay, Jenn Colella, Stark Sands and many more! The Janice Jam is on May 5th at Sony Hall and you get go onto Matt's social's for tickets (link in his bio).

This episode we are joined by awarding winning playwright, librettist and activist Catherine Filloux. Catherine's works have been performed nationally and internationally and her new play Third Person will be make its premier this fall at Culture Hub. Her other works include How to Eat and Orange, whatdies, Eyes of the Heart and Lemkin's House. We speak with Catherine about what got her into activism and how it relates to her works, working on operas and musicals, her new play Third Person and much more!

This episode we are joined by performer Sydney Jones!  Sydney is currently starring in Sunset Blvd on Broadway in the role of Dorothy/Ensemble where she also understudies the role of Betty and Young Norma.  She made her Broadway debut in A Beautiful Noise and performed in many regional productions such as The Karate Kid and Boop! the Musical! She's also had 12 seasons with The Muny!We speak with Sydney about what got her interested in performing, what it was like making her Broadway debut and graduating college while performing on Broadway!  We also speak with Sydney about her experience with Sunset Blvd, from the audition process, understudying, and much more!

Zeniba is an award winner writer, musical storyteller, performer and vocalist. She is currently working on the musical Take the Lead at Papermill Playhouse where is she co-wrote the music and lyrics. Zeniba is also a member of Maestra Music and will be performing at their AMPLIFY2025 gala on Monday, March 31st at Sony Hall! We speak with Zeniba about how one gets involved in creating a new musical, how one writes something based on something else, her involvement with Maestra Music and how Maestra has helped her in her career.Make sure to get your tickets for AMPLIFY2025!

This episode we are joined by performer Tiffany Mann!  Tiffany was last seen in City Center's production of Urinetown. She's been on Broadway in Waitress and Be More Chill, off-Broadway in Jerry Springer:the Opera (where she won a Lucille Lortel Award), Jelly's Last Jam and Ragtime at City Center, on television in Rise, Orange is the New Black and New Amsterdam, the film You Go Girl! And much more!We speak with Tiffany about the hustle of being/making it as an artist, originating a role on Broadway, working on Ragtime at City Center and being the "Princess of City Center", and much more!

This episode we are joined by artist Solea Pfeiffer!  Solea is currently starring as Satine in Moulin Rouge on Broadway, which she is great in- 10 out of 10 highly recommend!  Her other Broadway credits include Hadestown and Almost Famous, where she made her Broadway debut.  Her other credits include Gatsby at A.R.T., Evita and Songs For a New World at City Center, Hamlet with The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park, The Light in the Piazza, West Side Story at the Hollywood Bowl, and the film A Jazzman's Blues.  We speak with Solea about her the meaning behind her motto "Fuck Um" and how that's helped her throughout her career, allowing herself to let opportunities to come to her, how "artists should be given the permission to be imperfect without judgment" and much more!Solea will also be performing at Café Carlyle April 24th, 25th, and 26th.  Make sure to get your tickets! 

This episode we are joined by the delightful Jordan Tyson!  Jordan is currently starring as June in the Broadway revival of Gypsy with Audra McDonald and made her Broadway debut as Young Allie in The Notebook.  Her other theater credits include Lempicka at La Jolla Playhouse, Into the Woods at PCLO, Bulrusher at McCarter/Berkeley Rep and Streets of New York at Irish Repertory.We speak with Jordan about her career, the importance of self care while working, making her Broadway debut, working with Audra McDonald and much more!

This episode we are joined by actor Brandon Kalm!  Brandon was last seen in Swept Away and has also appeared on Broadway in Waitress and American Psycho. Other credits include The Tempest at Shakespeare in the Park and on tour with American Idiot. Brandon is a fellow Pace alum and also studied at the Esper Studio.  We talk with Brandon about his career, especially working as an understudy and swing, his experience working on Swept Away, beard maintenance, our mutual love of Once the musical and much more!

This episode we are joined by Tony nominee and Drama Desk and Theatre World Award winning actor Tom Pecinka!  Tom made his Broadway debut in Stereophonic which he also was a part of at Playwrights Horizons.  He has numerous New York and Regional credits including Ghosts at Williamstown with Uma Thurman, which he also starred in the movie The Kill Room with.  We talk with Tom about making his stage debut as a kid in The Wizard of Oz (FUN FACT: turns out that Tom and I did the show together!  He was the Scarecrow and I was Dorothy!), working with Uma Thurman, performing at the Tonys, working on Stereophonic, what he hopes to work on in the future and much more! 

This episode we are joined by actor, composer, writer, lyricist, diversity dramaturg and director Heath Saunder! Heath will be directing upcoming annual event I Put a Spell on Your ALiiVE at Webster Hall on Monday, October 21st benefiting the Ali Forney Center.  We talk to Heath about all things I Put a Spell on You ALiiVE, what it's like to direct an even like this, some fun things they have inshore and much more!  Visit https://cbo.io/tickets/ipasoy24/tix to get your tickets and don't forget to donate to the Ali Forney Center!

This episode we are joined by actor, singer and writer Julie Benko! Julie was last seen on Broadway originating the role of Ruth in Harmony and is known for her star turn as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl! Other Broadway credits include Fiddler on the Roof and Les Miserables. She's also toured with Les Miserebale and the first national tour of Spring Awakening. She was also last seen in Theatre Raleigh's production of Jane Eyre and has performed regionally in productions of Once, Rags and The Fantasticks. You can also check out her three albums: introducing Julie Benko, Hand in Hand and Christmas with You!  As a writer, Julie has written a a short called, "The Newlywed's Guide to Physical Intimacy" in which she also directed and starred in.  She even wrote a play called "The District". We chat with Julie about what her experience in Funny Girl was like and what she took away from the experience, life as an understudy, working on her albums, life in the business and much more!

This episode we are joined by actress Kerstin Anderson!  Kerstin Anderson made her Broadway debut in My Fair Lady as the understudy then alternate of Eliza Dolittle.  She also played the role of Maria in the Sound of Music national tour directed by Jack O'Brien.  She was last seen in Lincoln Center's concert of A Little Night Music and her other credits include Cult of Love at Berkeley Rep, Unknown Solider at Playwrights Horizons and Arena Stage and Doubt at Westport Playhouse. Kerstin also is a teaching artist and if you are interested in working with her, contact her via her website or DM her on Instagram!We chat with Kerstin about her experience leading a national tour, working as an understudy then alternate in My Fair Lady, what excites her about teaching and much more!

This episode we are so excited to welcome actor Andy Karl!  Andy is an Olivier winning and Tony nominated performer who just finished the Australian run of Groundhog Day where he also starred in the show in London and Broadway, and will next be seen off-Broadway in Teeth at New World Stages! His other credits include Rocky, Legally Blonde, 9 to 5, Pretty Woman, On the Twentieth Century, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Into the Woods, Alter Boyz and Jersey Boys. You also know him as Sgt. Mike Dodds on Law and Order SVU!We talk with Andy about his Groundhog Day journey, what got him into performing, his excitement about his upcoming show Teeth and much more!

This episode we are joined by actor Ben Rappaport!  Ben has appeared on Broadway in Picnic, Fiddler on the Roof and most recently Goodnight, Oscar opposite Tony winner Sean Hayes! Ben has also been seen on TV in Younger, For the People, Ozark, The Good Wife, Inventing Anna, Mr Robot, and (my personal favorite) Outsourced. You can catch him next on the new NBC series Grosse Point Garden Society and the upcoming movie Albany Road opposite Renée Elise Goldsberry!We talk with about what got him into performing, working theater refreshments, his amazing career on stage and screen, giving a little history lesson on the Belasco Theatre and much more!

This episode we are joined by actor Shereen Ahmed!  Shereen made her Broadway debut in My Fair Lady where she became the first woman of color to play the role of Eliza Doolittle on Broadway!  She later would tour with My Fair Lady across the country as Eliza.  She was most recently seen in Nine at The Kennedy Center and her other credits include A Man of No Importance at Class Stage Company, The Light in the Piazza New York City Center Encores! and The Age of Innocence at The Old Globe.We chat with Shereen about her journey to making her Broadway debut, her "master classes" in watching her fellow performers work, finding new ways to use her voice and much more!

This episode we are joined by actor, writer, director and producer Noah Weisberg!  Noah is currently starring in Cellino v Barnes at The Asylum NYC!  His credits included the national tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as Willy Wonka, on Broadway in Legally Blonde, Enron and South Pacific.  You've seen him on TV in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, Super Pumped, Law & Order, Modern Family and so many other shows…! He also has a production company called Shermerville and you can check out his short films Thank You Kindly and What's Life Got to Do with It!

This episode we are joined by Lucille Lortel Award winning director, Annie Tippe!  Annie is known for her directing work with Dave Malloy's Octet, Ghost Quartet, Cowboy Bob, and most recently Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares and Dave Malloy's Three Houses (currently playing at Signature Theatre until June 16th!).  Annie has also directed short films such as Help Me Mary and Egg Timer.  We talk with Annie about how she got her start, her directing style, what it's like working on new works and much more!

This episode we are joined by two time Obie Award winner, Brenda Wehle!  Brenda is currently starring in Mary Jane at MTC and has a long career not only in theater but tv and film as well.  We talk with Brenda about Mary Jane, her experience with the show and what she hopes the audience takes away from it.  We also talk to her about some of her career highlights, the importance of theater etiquette and much more!Don't miss seeing Brenda in Mary Jane at MTC until June 30th!

This episode we are joined by actress Michelle Ray!  Michelle is just got back from touring the country in the national tour of Book of Mormon and is making her director debut at 54 Below with the new musical Masked.  Michelle graduated from Pace University with a degree in Arts and Entertainment Business Management/ Directing.  We talk with Michelle about her career, survival jobs and how important it was for her to get her degree in Arts and Entertainment Business Management and how it has helped in her career as a performer.  

This episode we are joined by Isra Elsalehie!  Isra is an award winning Iraqi-Swedish actor and writer.  She also teaches acting at Second City in NYC!  We talk with her about her journey to coming to NY, the importance of knowing what you need for an Artist Visa, what got her into writing, her teaching style and much more!  We had a great time talking with Isra and can't wait to have her back on!  To learn more about Isra, visit her website at https://israelsalihie.com/ and follow her on social media at @isra.elsalihie. 

This episode we are joined by actor Matt DeAngelis!  Matt is known for his roles in Waitress, American Idiot, Once, Hair and most recently Swept Away.  We talk with Matt about his career but more importantly we speak with him about his upcoming gala The Janice Jam: Broadway for Breast Cancer.  THE JANICE JAM: BROADWAY FOR BREAST CANCER is an annual event from Matt who lost his mother, Janice, in 2022 to metastatic breast cancer.  To honor her and the countless people affected by this disease, he, alongside a group of friends and Broadway industry colleagues, is culling another evening of Celebration, Remembrance, and Awareness, that will have guests singing, dancing, and helping bring funding to this very special cause. This event serves as an annual celebration of Janice, her love for theater, and raising money for the millions of people affected by breast and other types of cancer.This annual concert will benefit Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), and will take place at Haswell Green's (240 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019) on Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 7:30 pm (doors open at 6pm). This year's event invites guests to one of the most power-packed and exciting benefit concert events of the year, with 100% of net proceeds funding metastatic breast cancer research grants through BCRF, the largest private funder of breast cancer research worldwide Make sure to check out Matt's social media @mattdeangelis22 for tickets!

This episode we are so happy to welcome back Gabra Zackman!  Gabra is an award winning audio book narrator, actor, director, author and teacher.  We talk with Gabra about the work of audio book narration, her classical theater training, and much more!

This episode we are joined by producer, director, writer and actor Craig Newman!  Craig is based in LA and we talk about what brought him to LA, his experience teaching acting, him writing, directing and producing content and much more!  Craig also has a production company called Craig & Co and can be checked out here: https://www.craigandco.co/.  He also has a film premiering April 12th and 13th in NY.  Follow Craig on social media at @cvnema for more info!

Happy to welcome Maestra Music's Kat Sherrell and Kathleen Wrinn as our next guests. Kat and Kathleen are Program Heads with Maestra Music with Kat being Program Head of Regional and Affinity Groups and Kathleen being the Directory Manager. We talk with them about their careers, working with Maestra Music, its importance in the theater community and about Maestra's upcoming concert: Maestra Music's AMPLIFY 2024!

This episode we are joined by actress Lesli Margherita!  Lesli is an Olivier Awarding winning performer and is best known for her originating the role of Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda on Broadway.  She also appear in Dames at Sea on Broadway and Emojiland off-Broadway.  Lesli has a ton on tv, film and regional theater credits and got her Olivier Award from her West End debut in Zorro the Musical.  You can also listen and/or purchase her album, Rule Your Kingdom which was recorded live at 54 Below.  We talk with Lesli about Broadway debut, how she really feels about slime tutorials. the importance in being ones self and much more! 

This episode we are joined by the founders of Holy City Arts & Lyric Opera, Dimitri Pittas and Leah Edwards.  Both Dimitri and Leah are opera singers and have brought their love of the arts and opera to Charleston, SC with founding Holy City Arts & Lyric Opera, also known as HALO.  We talk with them about what got them into singing opera, why art is so important, what they hope to bring to the audiences with their performances and events and much more!

This episode we are joined by actor Aaron C. Finley!  Aaron is currently in the ensemble of Moulin Rouge the Musical where is also understudies Christian and The Duke.  He is one of 5 original cast members left in Moulin Rouge!  Aaron made is Broadway debut in Rock of Ages and starred as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots. Other credits include It Shoulda Been You and the regional premier of Diner.  Aaron also travels the country with his symphony concerts of music from the 80s, Phil Collins and Genesis.

This episode we are joined by actor, writer, director, producer and teacher Colin Hanlon!  Colin made his Broadway debut in Rent. Other credits include Falsettos, In Transit, the original off-Broadway cast of I Love You Because, Submissions Only (my personal favorite!), Uncoupled and Modern Family. He also directed an acclaimed regional production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!  We chat with Colin about his career, his transition into writing and directing, his real feelings on the tv show SMASH, and much more!   

This episode we are joined by actor and filmmaker Tom Riley!  Tom was last seen on stage in the National Theatre's production of Dancing at Lughnasa.  Tom is best known for playing Leonardo Da Vinci in Da Vinci's Demons and made his Broadway debut playing Septimus Hodge in Arcadia.  He has a long list on theater credits and made his directing debut with his film The Toll Road.  We talk with Tom about his theater career, The Toll Road, his Broadway experience and much more!*This episode of recorded at the very beginning of the actors strike*

This episode we are joined by actor Tam Mutu!  Tam was last seen in City Center Encores' production of Oliver and is known for originating the role of The Duke in Moulin Rouge! The Musical!   He made his Broadway debut in Doctor Zhivago as Yuri Zhivago and his other credits include Love Never Dies, City of Angels and Les Misérables.  We talk with Tam about what led him to theater, his love of sports, his take on new works vs. revivals, what he's learned from working on different projects and much more!

This episode we are joined by theater journalist and photographer Shoshana bwaySHO!  Shoshana talks about what got her into journalism, her transition from being a reporter in Texas to deciding to come back to New York, the importance of changing your name and much more!  You can follow Shoshana on social media at @bwysho and can subscribe to her Patreon!

This episode we are joined by cast members of the off-Broadway play The Inheritance of a Long-Term Fault!  Gabra Zuckman and Craig Wesley Divino give us insight into all things The Inheritance of a Long-Term Fault: why you should see it, why it's important piece of theater,  what it's like portraying different roles and much more.  Gabra also talks about her work as a voice performer and Craig talks about Fault Line Theatre, the theater company he has co-founded.  The Inheritance of a Long-Term Fault is playing at Theatre Row now until December 23rd!

This episode we are joined by actor Elliot Cowan!  Elliot was last seen in the West End production of A Little Life in the roles of Brother Luke/Dr. Traylor/Caleb.  His other credits include 2:22 A Ghost Story, An Ideal Husband, A Streetcar Names Desire, Macbeth and Henry V.  He is also known for playing Mr. Darcy in Lost in Austen and his film debut, Alexander.  We talk with Elliot about his career, the importance of mental health and checking in with your fellow actors, role preparation, the stage door experience of A Little Life and much more!

This episode we are joined by Lauren Kennedy Brady!  Lauren is the Producing Artistic Director of Theatre Raleigh and her Broadway credits include Sunset Boulevard, Side Show, Les Miserables and Spamalot.  She has numerous regional credits and was the original Kathy in Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years.  We chat with Lauren about her career in New York and what brought her back home to Raleigh.  We also talk about all things Theatre Raleigh and her finding her calling in producing.  

This episode we are joined by performer Lindsay Nicole Chambers!  Lindsay is currently in the cast of the new Stephen Sondheim musical, Here We Are.  Lindsay has also appeared on Broadway in Lysistrata Jones, Legally Blonde and Hairspray.  She toured with Kinky Boots, Elf and Hairspray and has a number of regional credits.  You can also get her album, This is the Chord, This is the Note, on bandcamp.com.   We chat with Lindsay about working on the new/last Sondheim musical (which we came up with a fun "take a shot or do a crunch" game while you listen to this episode), the importance to talking about fellow peers and their work, her audition experiences, the importance of theater, and much more! 

This episode we are joined by the delightful Jenn Gambatese!  Jenn has originated roles on Broadway in such shows as Hairspray, All Shook Up, Tarzan, Is He Dead? and Mrs. Doubtfire.  She's has also appeared in School of Rock, Carousel, The Sound of Music and on tour with Wicked.  Jenn talks about the Broadway Green Alliance, what it's like being a working mom, auditions stories and much more!  This is also just part one of our chat with Jenn so stay tuned for the part deux!

This episode we are joined by musical theater star Amy Spanger!  Amy is known for her roles in Tick, Tick...Boom!, The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate!, Rock of Ages, Chicago, Elf, Matilda and many others.  We talk about her career, her early involvement in the musical now known as Next to Normal, getting to work with theater legends and much more!

This episode we are joined by actor, writer and producer Catherine Waller!  Catherine is the creator and performer of the new off-Broadway show called The Creeps.  We talk with Catherine about all thing The Creeps, her career, her ambitions for the future and much more! 

This episode we are joined by actor Lindsay Heather Pearce!  Lindsay is currently starring as Rose in Titanique.   She made her Broadway debut as Elphaba in Wicked and played Janis in the national tour of Mean Girls.  Lindsay is also known for being on the Glee Project.  During our chat Lindsay talks about the importance of taking care of ones self in the industry, what  lessons she's learned, what is was like making her Broadway debut in Wicked and much more!

This episode we are joined by Tony and Grammy Award winning actor Steve Kazee!  Steve is known for playing the role of Guy in Once.  He has appeared in other Broadway shows such as 110 in the Shade, Spamalot and Seascape.  Steve talks about what it was like working on all the shows he has been in, the Tony experience, the book he is working on and much more! 

This episode we are joined by performer James D. Gish.  James was last seen in City Center Encores' production of The Light in the Piazza  and made his Broadway debut in Wicked.  James was also in the national tours of Beautiful and Les Miserables.  You can also listen to James' album "So in Love" on iTunes.  James takes about his life as a working actor, his love of writing and "camp", and much more! 

This episode we are joined by actors Kim Chase and Aurora Leonard!  Both Kim and Aurora are currently starring in Ruskin Group Theatre's production of A View From a Bridge as Beatrice and Catherine.  Kim and Aurora talk about working on and performing in this famous play as well as their careers as working actors.  We also touch upon the SAG-AFTRA Strike and why it's so important. 

This episode we are joyed by playwright, producer and director Neil LaBute!  Neil talks about what it's like to get plays produced, working as a director in theater, film and television, the progression of his plays and much more!

Let's get informed about the SAG-AFTRA Strike! This episode we are in conversation with Austin Highsmith as she breaks down the SAG-AFTRA strike.  She talks about why SAG-AFTRA is striking, what they are asking for and much more! 

This episode we are joined by actor Jay Armstrong Johnson!  Jay is currently starring in the Tony winning Broadway revival of Parade.  His past credits include, Hair, Catch Me if You Can, Hands on a Hardbody, On the Town and Phantom of the Opera.  We chat with Jay about his career, his passion for producing, working with Emma Thompson and his yearly Halloween fundraising event I Put A Spell On You: The Return of the Sanderson Sisters.

This episode we are joined by hair, wig and makeup designer J. Jared Janas!  Jared shares with us the his process of how we starts to design for a show, creating wigs and make designs, and much more!  You can currently see his work on Broadway in the newly minted Tony winner for best musical, Kimberly Akimbo, Good Night, Oscar and &Juliet.  

This episode we are thrilled to welcome the cast of Park Theatre's The Shape of Things by Neil LaBute!  Starring Luke Newton (Bridgerton, The Book of Mormon), Amber Anderson (Peaky Blinders, Black Mirror), Carla Harrison-Hodge (Cyrano De Bergerac, Amadeus) and Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy (War Horse, Hollyoaks).  We chat with the cast (our first in-person interview since before the pandemic) about working on this current production of The Shape of Things, their interpretation of the characters, and much more!*Please note that this podcast episode contains plot spoilers of the play.* 

This episode we are joined by actor, writer and director Eddie Datz!  Eddies talks about his life as a working actor, the importance of having a life outside of performing, survival jobs and much more!