Podcasts about Barrow Street Theatre

Emmy, Tony, and SAG Award nominee Norm Lewis joins The Art of Kindness with Robert Peterpaul to discuss leading a cast with kindness, the unique way advertising influenced his career, his new show Ceremonies in Dark Old Men and more. NORM LEWIS was recently seen onstage starring in the national tour of the Tony Award-winning production of A Soldier's Play and in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End Concert of Love Never Dies. He starred in Spike Lee's critically acclaimed, "Da 5 Bloods," and in the groundbreaking FX series, Pose. Additionally, Mr. Lewis can be seen starring opposite Hilary Swank in the feature "The Good Mother," Amazon Prime's newest series, Swarm, and Hulu's, Up Here. He was also seen as 'Caiaphas' in the award-winning NBC television special, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!,” alongside John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Alice Cooper. Mr. Lewis returned to Broadway in the Fall of 2021, starring in Chicken and Biscuits at the Circle In The Square Theatre. He previously appeared in the Broadway revival of Once on This Island and as Sweeney Todd in the Off-Broadway production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Barrow Street Theatre, receiving the AUDELCO Award for his performance. In May of 2014, he made history as The Phantom of the Opera's first African American Phantom on Broadway. He has been seen on PBS in the Live From Lincoln Center productions of Showboat with Vanessa Williams, Norm Lewis: Who Am I?, New Year's Eve: A Gershwin Celebration with Diane Reeves, as well as American Voices with Renée Fleming and the PBS Specials First You Dream – The Music of Kander & Ebb and Ella Wishes You A Swingin' Christmas. He can be seen recurring in the VH1 series, Daytime Divas, also alongside Vanessa Williams. His additional television credits include Women of The Movement, Law & Order, Dr. Death, Mrs. America, Better Things, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bull, Chicago Med, Gotham, The Blacklist, and Blue Bloods, as well as in his recurring role as Senator Edison Davis on the hit drama Scandal. Mr. Lewis is a proud, founding member of Black Theatre United, an organization which stands together to help protect Black people, Black talent and Black lives of all shapes and orientations in theatre and communities across the country. He received Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle award nominations for his performance as Porgy in the Broadway production of The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess. Other Broadway credits include Sondheim on Sondheim, The Little Mermaid, Les Misérables, Chicago, Amour, The Wild Party, Side Show, Miss Saigon, and The Who's Tommy. In London's West End he has appeared as Javert in Les Misérables and Les Misérables: The 25th Anniversary Concert, which aired on PBS. Off-Broadway Mr. Lewis has performed in Dessa Rose (Drama Desk nomination, AUDELCO Award), Shakespeare in the Park's The Tempest, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Drama League nomination), Captains Courageous, and A New Brain. His regional credits include Porgy in The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (A.R.T.), Ragtime, Dreamgirls (with Jennifer Holliday), First You Dream, Sweeney Todd, and The Fantasticks. His additional film credits include Christmas In Tune (starring opposite Reba McEntire), Magnum Opus, Winter's Tale, Sex and the City 2, Confidences, and Preaching to the Choir. Norm's albums "The Norm Lewis Christmas Album" & "This is The Life" can be found on Amazon.com as well as cdbaby.com. Ceremonies in Dark Old Men Tickets: https://www.thepeccadillo.com/ Follow Norm: @thenormlewis Follow us: @artofkindnesspod / @robpeterpaul youtube.com/@artofkindnesspodcast Support the show! (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/theaok) Got kindness tips or stories? Want to just say hi? Please email us: artofkindnesspodcast@gmail.com Music: "Awake" by Ricky Alvarez & "Sunshine" by Lemon Music Studio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jason Blitman talks to Katie Kitamura (Audition) about learned behaviors, the nature of intimacy, the art of performance, and her immersive process of writing. Perhaps most importantly, they talk at length about french fries. Jason is then joined by Guest Gay Reader Nathan Lee Graham, currently starring in Hulu's Mid-Century Modern to talk about what he's reading. Katie Kitamura is the author five novels, most recently Audition and Intimacies, which was named one of the New York Times 10 Best Books of 2021, longlisted for the National Book Award and the PEN/Faulkner Award, and a finalist for a Joyce Carol Oates Prize. She is a recipient of the Rome Prize in Literature, fellowships from the Cullman Center and the Lannan Foundation, and many other honors. Her work has been translated into twenty-one languages. She teaches in the creative writing program at New York University.Nathan Lee Graham is an American cabaret artist, actor, singer, writer, and director. He is known for roles in Zoolander and its sequel, Sweet Home Alabama, and Hitch, along with appearances in films like Confessions of an Action Star, Bad Actress, and Trophy Kids. On television, he originated the role of Peter in The Comeback and guest-starred on Scrubs, Absolutely Fabulous, and Law & Order SVU. Graham's stage credits include the original Broadway cast of The Wild Party and Miss Understanding in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. He received a Drama League nomination for his role in Wig Out! and won a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award in 2006 for Best Featured Performer in The Wild Party (LA premiere). More recently, he played Carson in Hit the Wall at the Barrow Street Theatre. As a soloist, he earned a 2005 Grammy Award for Best Classical Album for Songs of Innocence and of Experience.SUBSTACK!https://gaysreading.substack.com/ BOOK CLUB!Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply.http://aardvarkbookclub.com WATCH!https://youtube.com/@gaysreading FOLLOW!Instagram: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanBluesky: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanCONTACT!hello@gaysreading.com

2024 has been the year of the iconic lovers Romeo and Juliet, and director Sam Gold has brought a bold new production of the timeless tragedy to Broadway. With a fresh, contemporary approach, Gold transforms Shakespeare's classic love story into an immersive experience that features a dynamic young cast led by Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) and Kit Connor (Heartstopper) and an innovative score by Grammy-winning musician Jack Antonoff, blending live music seamlessly into the action. Gold discusses how he re-envisioned the play for today's world, capturing the urgency and intensity of youth while staying true to the emotional heart of the original. He reflects on the challenges and joys of reinterpreting a well-known story and shares the creative process behind staging a Romeo and Juliet that feels relevant to a whole new generation of theatergoers, many of whom may be seeing their first Broadway. Sam Gold is a Tony Award-winning director with an extensive Broadway and theater resume. His Broadway credits include An Enemy of the People (this season) with Jeremy Strong and Michael Imperioli, Macbeth with Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga, King Lear with Glenda Jackson, A Doll's House, Part 2 (Tony Award Nomination), The Glass Menagerie, Fun Home (Tony Award), The Real Thing, The Realistic Joneses, and Seminar. Recent credits include Hamlet at The Public Theater, Othello at New York Theatre Workshop, The Flick (Lucille Lortel Award nomination) at Playwrights Horizons, Barrow Street Theatre, and the National Theatre, The Glass Menagerie (Toneelgroep, Amsterdam), John (Signature Theatre; Obie Award, Lortel and Drama Desk Award nominations), The Village Bike (MCC Theatre), and Uncle Vanya (Soho Repertory Theatre; Drama Desk nomination), among many others. From the Shakespeare Unlimited podcast. Published December 16, 2024. © Folger Shakespeare Library. All rights reserved. This episode was produced by Matt Frassica. Garland Scott is the associate producer. It was edited by Gail Kern Paster. We had help with web production from Paola García Acuña. Leonor Fernandez edits our transcripts. Final mixing services are provided by Clean Cuts at Three Seas, Inc.

Des Bishop is a stand up comedian, podcaster, writer and author. His new comedy special, ‘Of All People' Is now out on 800 Pound Gorilla Media (links below) . Of All People is an hour of original stand-up and a culmination of years of experience on stage all over including in Queens, Ireland, and China. Bishop crafts high-energy stories and jokes, bringing the audience on a wildly entertaining ride through tales of his international travels and the gap between his looks and attitude. The openness and honesty of his presenting style combined with his restless imagination and perceptive observations make Des Bishop a must-see for fans of unique, insightful and provocative comedy. Now a massive star in Ireland, native New Yorker, Des moved from Queens to Ireland in his mid-teens in 1990. He first came to prominence with his extraordinary TV series The Des Bishop Work Experience (2004), where he lived on minimum wage in a series of different jobs in Ireland. Mixing this documentary footage with stand-up, the series became one of the most talked-about of the year, and propelled Des into national stardom. In 2006, he embarked on his second critically acclaimed TV series, Joy In The Hood, where he taught stand-up comedy in disadvantaged areas in four major Irish cities. Another hugely successful live tour followed including invitations to the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and the Melbourne Comedy Festival in Australia. In 2007/8 Des embarked on his most ambitious and challenging TV programme to date: he decided to learn Irish from scratch and perform a 60 minute stand-up comedy routine in the Irish language. Over the course of 12 months, he lived with a family in the West Of Ireland honing his craft and in March 2008, the first episode of In The Name Of The Fada was broadcast. In The Name Of The Fada has prompted a radical re-think about how to teach Irish in schools and it unsurprisingly won the Irish Film and Television Award (IFTA) for Best Television Series later that year. In 2010, Des put together his most personal show to date called My Dad Was Nearly James Bond. Inspired by his father, Mike who was diagnosed with terminal cancer; Des documented the remarkable life of an actor and model who gave up the glamour for a steady job in a department store when his three sons were born. Des also wrote a memoir by the same name, which was short-listed for an Irish Book Of The Year Award. The My Dad Was Nearly James Bond live show previewed in Melbourne, before opening at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to widespread acclaim and five star reviews including Brian Logan of The Guardian who called it “a coup de théâtre…compelling…like diamonds, this show is forever”. The show toured extensively both nationally and internationally in 2010/11 including The Barrow Street Theatre in New York. In 2013 Des travelled to Beijing, China to learn Mandarin and he has been living there for the past 18 months. He is now fluent and the show, Breaking China was another major hit for broadcaster RTE in 2014 and he also made a half hour radio documentary about the rise of Stand Up in China for the BBC World Service called “Stand up for China”. His live show again opened at the Edinburgh Festival where he played to over 5,000 people and included an invitation to perform at the Soho Theatre in London and a return to Barrow Street in New York. Des has appeared on many live stand up shows including Edinburgh Comedy Festival Live (BBC), Live at the Comedy Store (Comedy Central) and Australian music themed quiz show Spicks and Specks (ABC). He was also the star of HBO's “A Comic's Climb” about his debut at the Aspen Comedy festival in 2005. In total, Des has released five bestselling stand-up DVDs: Des Bishop Live at Vicar Street (2004); Des Bishop Live (2005); Des Bishop – Fitting In (2006); Des Bishop – Tongues (2007); and Desfunctional (2009). His special, “Made in China” was released by Universal Pictures in November 2015. His special One Day You'll Understand was released in November 2018 on the RTE Player. The openness and honesty of his presenting style combined with his restless imagination and perceptive comic observations make Des Bishop a must-see for fans of unique, insightful and provocative comedy. We chat about his new comedy special, moving in his teens to boarding school in Ireland, grief and loss of his father, ‘crazy' reviews, imposter syndrome, becoming the parent to your parents, rehab, addiction in his teens, finding his voice, plus plenty more. The video footage of this entire chat is now out as well (one day after release)! So check them out on YouTube under Michael Kahan Check Des out on: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desbishop Website / tour dates: https://www.desbishop.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desbishop Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Desbishopcomedy TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@desbishop5 Comedy special (newer one): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdlYHOmSpaM&t=675s&pp=ygUKZGVzIGJpc2hvcA%3D%3D ------------------------------------------- Follow @Funny in Failure on Instagram and Facebook https://www.instagram.com/funnyinfailure/ https://www.facebook.com/funnyinfailure/ and @Michael_Kahan on Insta & Twitter to keep up to date with the latest info. https://www.instagram.com/michael_kahan/ https://twitter.com/Michael_Kahan

Billy Hayes : Midnight ExpressFIRST he wrote the best-selling book.THEN came the Oscar ® winning movie.NOW, following its critically acclaimed Off-Broadway run at the Barrow Street Theatre, and sold out engagements in Edinburgh and London, Billy Hayes is taking his riveting one-man show on tour. In this “engrossing,” “spellbinding” performance, Billy recounts the true story of his time in Turkish prisons and his brazen, harrowing escape. It's an epic journey of self-discovery, a cautionary, yet uplifting tale of desperation, determination and personal transformation.Hayes was arrested at the Istanbul airport in 1970 with two kilos of hashish taped to his body. The Turkish High Court sentenced him to life in prison. Five years later, Billy escaped from Imrali Island prison in the dead of night – rowing 17 miles across the Sea of Marmara in a raging storm.On his return to the US, Hayes wrote Midnight Express.Published in 18 languages, the book was an instant best-seller.When the iconic film was released in 1978, Billy Hayes became a mythical figure – a modern-day Billy The Kid. 36 years later,he remains a cultural anti-hero known throughout the world.If you've seen the movie, you might think you know Billy's story. But you probably don't. Midnight Express didn't win anyOscars® for factual accuracy. While the film was about prison – a chilling exploration of the depths of incarceration in aforeign land – Riding the Midnight Express with Billy Hayes is about the prisoner. It's an intimate, gripping memoir that can only be told by the man who lived it.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/1198501/advertisement

Billy Hayes : Midnight Express FIRST he wrote the best-selling book. THEN came the Oscar ® winning movie. NOW, following its critically acclaimed Off-Broadway run at the Barrow Street Theatre, and sold out engagements in Edinburgh and London, Billy Hayes is taking his riveting one-man show on tour. In this “engrossing,” “spellbinding” performance, Billy recounts the true story of his time in Turkish prisons and his brazen, harrowing escape. It's an epic journey of self-discovery, a cautionary, yet uplifting tale of desperation, determination and personal transformation. Hayes was arrested at the Istanbul airport in 1970 with two kilos of hashish taped to his body. The Turkish High Court sentenced him to life in prison. Five years later, Billy escaped from Imrali Island prison in the dead of night – rowing 17 miles across the Sea of Marmara in a raging storm. On his return to the US, Hayes wrote Midnight Express. Published in 18 languages, the book was an instant best-seller. When the iconic film was released in 1978, Billy Hayes became a mythical figure – a modern-day Billy The Kid. 36 years later, he remains a cultural anti-hero known throughout the world. If you've seen the movie, you might think you know Billy's story. But you probably don't. Midnight Express didn't win any Oscars® for factual accuracy. While the film was about prison – a chilling exploration of the depths of incarceration in a foreign land – Riding the Midnight Express with Billy Hayes is about the prisoner. It's an intimate, gripping memoir that can only be told by the man who lived it.

Billy Hayes : Midnight Express FIRST he wrote the best-selling book. THEN came the Oscar ® winning movie. NOW, following its critically acclaimed Off-Broadway run at the Barrow Street Theatre, and sold out engagements in Edinburgh and London, Billy Hayes is taking his riveting one-man show on tour. In this “engrossing,” “spellbinding” performance, Billy recounts the true story of his time in Turkish prisons and his brazen, harrowing escape. It's an epic journey of self-discovery, a cautionary, yet uplifting tale of desperation, determination and personal transformation. Hayes was arrested at the Istanbul airport in 1970 with two kilos of hashish taped to his body. The Turkish High Court sentenced him to life in prison. Five years later, Billy escaped from Imrali Island prison in the dead of night – rowing 17 miles across the Sea of Marmara in a raging storm. On his return to the US, Hayes wrote Midnight Express. Published in 18 languages, the book was an instant best-seller. When the iconic film was released in 1978, Billy Hayes became a mythical figure – a modern-day Billy The Kid. 36 years later, he remains a cultural anti-hero known throughout the world. If you've seen the movie, you might think you know Billy's story. But you probably don't. Midnight Express didn't win any Oscars® for factual accuracy. While the film was about prison – a chilling exploration of the depths of incarceration in a foreign land – Riding the Midnight Express with Billy Hayes is about the prisoner. It's an intimate, gripping memoir that can only be told by the man who lived it.

Eryn LeCroy is currently playing Martha Jefferson & Dr. Lyman Hall in the highly anticipated Broadway Revival of 1776 directed by Diane Paulus and Jeffrey L. Page in association with Harvard University's American Repertory Theatre Company and Roundabout Theatre Company. Prior to her Broadway debut in the iconic role of Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera, Eryn made her Off-Broadway debut in two back-to-back Stephen Sondheim productions in New York City - Assassins with the New York City Center Encores Off-Center! under the direction of Anne Kauffman, followed by portraying the role of Johanna in the critically acclaimed immersive production of Sweeney Todd at the Barrow Street Theatre. Other career highlights include the World Premiere in Toronto of Sousatzka as Young Sousatzka (Dir. Adrian Noble and Choreographer Graciela Daniele), Brigadoon as Fiona with the Pittsburgh CLO, and the National Tour of Jekyll and Hyde as Emma Carew. As a concert artist, Eryn has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and the Ocean City Pops in addition to touring internationally in Israel with Isaac Sutton and Broadway Israel. Follow @ErynLeCroy for the latest! Engineered by Jeremiah McPadden Produced by @onairwithQ

On this episode of Conversations with Changemakers, we speak with Eryn LeCroy. She is heading back to Broadway to play Martha Jefferson & Dr. Lyman Hall in the highly anticipated Broadway Revival of 1776 directed by Diane Paulus and Jeffrey L. Page. Prior to her Broadway debut in the iconic role of Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera, Eryn made her Off-Broadway debut in two back-to-back Stephen Sondheim productions: Assassins with the New York City Center Encores and Sweeney Todd at the Barrow Street Theatre.  I wanted to have Eryn on to speak about service through entertainment and education. We end up talking about politics and spirituality. There's so much in this episode… enjoy! Click here to access bonus resources from this episode. Connect with Eryn LeCroy Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Connect with Tony Howell: Website Instagram YouTube Twitter Facebook Episode Credits: Art by Tony Howell + Gertrude Pillena Editing by Unapologetic Amplified Hosting by Broadway Podcast Network If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Be sure to check out our past conversations and subscribe for next month's special guest! 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: 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 feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. 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

Norm Lewis can currently be seen starring in the SAG, Critic's Choice, and NAACP Image Award-nominated Netflix film Da 5 Bloods by Spike Lee and in the Hulu miniseries, Mrs. America. He was previously seen in the NBC television special, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!, alongside John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Alice Cooper. He recently appeared in the Broadway revival of Once on This Island and as Sweeney Todd in the Off-Broadway production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Barrow Street Theatre, receiving the AUDELCO Award for his performance. In May of 2014, he made history as The Phantom of the Opera's first African American Phantom on Broadway. Philanthropic/Activist Causes: Black Theatre United

Arturo Luís Soria is an actor and writer with roots in Brazil, Italy, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic. Most recently, Arturo can be seen Off-Broadway at the Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre in his critically acclaimed play, “Ni Mi Madre”, which he wrote and stars in. A first time playwright, “Ni Mi Madre” received rave reviews from New York Times and Vulture. The show is playing now through September 19th. Arturo made his Broadway debut in “The Inheritance” by Matthew Lopez and directed by Stephen Daldry. He played Tano in the World Premiere production of “Hit the Wall” by Ike Holter at the Steppenwolf Garage Theatre, reviving the role off-Broadway at Barrow Street Theatre. TV credits include “The Blacklist” and “Insatiable”. He is a graduate from Yale School of Drama and The Theatre School at DePaul University. He is currently a TV writing mentee in Lena's Waithe's mentorship program at Hillman Grad Productions. Philanthropic/Activist Causes: Youth Theater Education in Marginalized Communities

​​The incredibly generous and wholehearted Casting Director Alaine Alldaffer is my guest on today's episode of the Brian Breaks Character podcast.   She's been casting theatre and television for over 25 years (peep her impressive bio below).    And as a long-time champion for creatives everywhere, Alaine's actionable advice will appeal to you whether you're...   ...a butcher ...a baker ...an actor ...a writer ...a director ...or all of the above (...you multi-hyphenate, you!)   HERE'S A PEEK AT SOME OF THE JUICY TAKEAWAYS:   Why you must define your success by your commitment to the work... that is, ONLY IF you want to have longevity in your career.  How to use creativity in your theatre self-tape auditions so you stand out from the crowd (while also not making a fool of yourself) … oh, and the same rules apply for TV/film!  How to future-pace your self-care so you're better able to be "onto the next thing" rather than wallow in disappointment.     REAL TALK: Alaine's full-time gig is having collaborative conversations with writers, directors, artistic directors, designers, and actors, so don't be fooled by this *feel-good* episode.   Alaine outlines a unique insider's take on the way back to live performance and the newest trends in successful self-tape auditions so you can get into those rooms whether you're a writer, a director, an actor, or... oh, you get the picture!    Want the full tea on Alaine? Alaine Alldaffer received 12 Artios Award nominations, and 2 wins, for Excellence in Casting. For more than two decades, she's served as CD for Playwrights Horizons - casting over 100 productions, where her credits include GREY GARDENS (also for Broadway), CLYBOURNE PARK (also for Broadway), CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION (Drama Desk and Obie Awards for Best Ensemble and an Artios Award for Casting), and THE FLICK (Playwrights Horizons and The Barrow Street Theatre). Television credits include ABC's THE KNIGHTS OF PROSPERITY with Sofia Vergara and Associate credits include NBC's ED and USA's MONK. Regional work includes Geffen Playhouse, Huntington Theatre, Arena Stage, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Seattle Rep, ACT, and Berkeley Rep. Notable productions include: DETROIT with David Schwimmer, RAPTURE BLISTER BURN, DEAD MAN'S CELLPHONE with Mary Louise Parker, EVERY TONGUE CONFESS with Phylicia Rashad, A LIFE with David Hyde Pierce, and BETHANY with America Ferrera (Women's Project Theater). And she's worked with some of the most notable contemporary playwrights: Annie Baker, Bruce Norris, Christopher Durang, Craig Lucas, Sarah Ruhl, Gina Gionfriddo, Lynn Nottage, Richard Nelson, Robert O'Hara, and Theresa Rebeck.   Alaine's experience speaks for itself, but you should really hear her speak for herself.   Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Brian Breaks Character!   If you loved this episode, please subscribe and leave an honest review. Your review helps boost the show and gives us the chance to help more creatives get out of suffering for their art and into action. Be sure to leave your IG handle when you do so I can send a VIP episode to say thank you.   Want to learn more? If you're an actor and your goal is to have a fabulous representation, come watch Make Agents Want You for free (https://www.makeagentswantyou.com). That way, you can get off the hamster wheel of reaching out and focus on the acting you were born to do. CONNECT WITH Alaine Website  https://www.alainealldaffer.com/ Playwrights Horizons Soundstage Podcast https://www.playwrightshorizons.org/watch-listen/soundstage/   Subscribe To The Podcast Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brian-breaks-character/id1570747490   Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2A0QC6RYtcULRMtbsIT3yq?si=xu3QstDpS9WkpoQwHVSueg&nd=1   Watch The Uncut Behind-the-scenes Video Of This Episode On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/brianpatacca   Need New Representation? Get In On This Free Training: https://makeagentswantyou.com   Follow Me On Instagram For A First-look At Our Guests And Upcoming Episodes! https://www.instagram.com/briansaysthat   Episode Transcript:  https://brianbreakscharacter.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/EP16+-+Alaine+Alldaffer+-+Transcript.pdf

Welcome back to Season 2 of Josh Swallows Broadway! Our first episode back features Matt Leisy, who at the time of recording the episode was literally one of the only working actors in the world! He recently appeared in the season finale of NBC's "The Blacklist" and played lead roles in Nothing Without You and Eva. Other film and television credits include: Tell, Someone I Used to Know, This is the Girl, Shooting Script, Man From the Dying Planet, The Good Shepard and "Live from Lincoln Center" on PBS. Recent theatre credits include Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny in the World Tour of The Phantom of the Opera, the Lucille Lortel Award winning Sweeney Todd at the Barrow Street Theatre and the Tony Award winning Broadway First National Tour of A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder where he played the lead role of Monty Navarro at such theaters as The Kennedy Center in Washington DC and The Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Matt played over 1,000 performances as The Boy in The Fantasticks Off Broadway and appeared at Lincoln Center in Carousel with the New York Philharmonic. Matt has played many of the leading regional theatre houses including Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Repertory Theatre of St Louis, Arizona Theatre Company, Arden Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival in such productions as Red, The Importance of Being Earnest, Ragtime, The 39 Steps, Pride and Prejudice, Camelot, Witness For The Prosecution and The History Boys. Support me via Patreon! Twitter: @JoshLamon Instagram: @Josh.Lamon Produced by Alan Seales and Dori Berinstein. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We always love our amazingly talented guests, but this time we were Star Struck! David Pasquesi is a brilliant artist and one of the nicest people you're ever likely to meet. He is a master improvisor and has created memorable performances in many movies and TV series. He was excellent as Julia Louis Dreyfuss's ex-husband, Andrew in VEEP and had a great role as the "local alchemist" on the weird and wonderful Lodge 49. He also has done some infamous and long running voice-over spots for clients like McDonalds and Anheuser Busch. We have included his remarkable commercial reel in this episode. You can also go to David's website to check out his work. David studied with the legendary improvisation pioneer Del Close, who created the Harold and was part of the first ever Harold team, Baron's Barracudas. David describes the Harold as a "long form group improvisation that was developed as a performance piece itself as opposed to using it to create material for revues...The aim is that the work is consistently good enough to be able to warrant a ticket price." We talk about Del's ideas about working genuinely in improvisation. Gary reads from David and TJ Jagodowski's book, Improvisation at the Speed of Life. "Del taught us to play slowly without worrying about entertaining the audience. He stressed the importance of playing at the top of our intelligence...Another big lesson I took from Del was not to talk too much because overusing words diminishes the power of each one. Del taught us to dare to be poets...Don't be afraid of silence." TJ & Dave have been doing long form performances at iO in Chicago and Barrow Street Theatre in New York since 2001. Stephen Colbert says of them, "One of these guys is the best improvisor in the world. And the other one is better." The New York Times calls their work, "...a creative tour de force, an intellectual high-wire act as astonishing as it is entertaining." They met on a team at the Chicago Improv Festival and found they shared a reverence for the same kind of work. They make it "more about discovery than invention...The work can be funny, but also sad, heartwarming, kind, scary, brutal. It's unlimited." David talks about the important role of the audience. TJ & Dave "requires interested people watching it." David and our co-host Frank talk about teaching improvisation. "The most important thing is listening and paying attention...Be genuine moment to moment and the rest of it takes care of itself." Gary asks about another of David's teachers and mentors, Charna Halpern, who built ImprovOlympic with Del, has taught so many magnificent actors and writers, and now owns the marvelous iO Theatre at 1501 Kingsbury. There are 4 performances there every night of the week, a nice bar, and good food. Charna gave us great backstory on a few things. Such as: David camped out at her place when he was a student without an apartment and cooked dinner in exchange for his room. She also told us about him juggling apples in his stand up act and that he does great impersonations (not). Learn more about the force of nature that is Charna on episode 47 of our show, performed live at Steppenwolf Theatre. Frank reviews the superb production of Sheepdog, directed by friend of the show and recent guest, Wardell Julius Clark. Frank says its is an important and powerful play that poses questions that lead to great discussions. Running through February 29. Gary is going to see it Feb. 13 and can't wait. David tells us about some of his other important influences. He took his first class with Judy Morgan. Then read Jeff Sweet's book, Something Wonderful Right Away. David tells us about the importance of the concepts of heat and weight. Heat involves the gravity of the situation and weight is about the emotional charge. Things that they discover about what's "already there" rather than making it up. Gary shares his love of a new book called, Life Isn't Everything,

The Sol Project's Founder and Artistic Director, Jacob Padrón, sits down with two Latinx actors currently on Broadway: Irene Sofia Lucio who plays Patricia in Jeremy O. Harris's Slave Play and Arturo Luis Soria who plays Jason #2 in Matthew Lopez's The Inheritance. They discuss their experience making their Broadway debuts, bringing their whole selves into the roles they play, and the importance of recognizing and learning about the legacy of Latinx artists that have come before us. Arturo Luís Soria is currently making his Broadway debut at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre as Young Man 8 & Jason #2 in Matthew Lopez’s The Inheritance through June 7th, 2020. He is a recent graduate from the acting program at Yale School of Drama, where, in addition to performing, he also produced two of his own plays at the Yale Cabaret. His solo show, Ni Mi Madre, has been featured at festivals in Chicago, as a one-night only event at Barrow Street Theater, at Yale Cabaret, and in the inaugural year of Ken Davenport’s Rave Theater Festival. In 2015, it received the Luso-American Scholarship at the DisQuiet International Literary Program in Lisbon, Portugal. Hilton Als of The New Yorker likened Arturo to “a young Al Pacino” for his portrayal of the fast-talking, sassy, Puerto Rican, snap queen, Tano, in the World Premiere of Hit The Wall by Ike Holter at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and then off-Broadway at Barrow Street Theatre. Arturo can also be seen recurring on season 2 of the Netflix series Insatiable. He received his BFA in acting from the Theatre School at DePaul University.  Irene Sofia Lucio is currently on Broadway at the Golden Theatre as Patricia in Jeremy O. Harris’s Slave Play. Broadway: Wit. Off-Broadway: Slave Play, Love and Information (NYTW), Orange Julius (Rattlestick), Undertaking (BAM), King Liz (Second Stage), We Play for the Gods (Women’s Project). Regional credits: Yale Rep, Studio Theatre D.C., and Cal Shakes, among others. Television: “The Americans,” “Bartlett,” “Madam Secretary,” “Gossip Girl,” and “Casi casi.” Lucio co-created the web series “BUTS” (NBC Short Film Festival winner). A Princeton and YSD graduate, she is originally from Puerto Rico. Jacob Padrón is the Founder and Artistic Director of The Sol Project. In addition to his work on The Sol Project, Padrón is the newly appointed Artistic Director of Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, CT. He is also on faculty at Yale School of Drama where he teaches artistic producing in the graduate theater management program. Originally from Gilroy, California, Padrón is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University (BA) and Yale School of Drama (MFA). Follow us on Facebook at The Sol Project and Instagram and Twitter at @solprojectnyc!

This season, we invited our credit readers to interview our storytellers. Today, you'll hear from Amy Landecker who narrated the previous episode about Corrie Ten Boom. If you haven't listened to last week's episode, now is a good time to go back and check it out!Landecker reveals the guiding principles her parents communicated to her during her unconventional childhood, the meaning of resistance and more. Sponsored by:www.rebelgirls.co Use promocode REBELPODCAST to get 15% off your first purchase!About Landecker:Amy Landecker is known for her portrayal of Sarah Pfefferman on the award-winning Amazon original series "Transparent." Other TV credits include: Season 3 of "Sneaky Pete," recurring opposite Giovanni Ribisi, "Room 104," "Louie," "Revenge," "House M.D.," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "House of Lies."Upcoming feature projects include the UNTITLED ROGER AILES PROJECT from Director Jay Roach and Academy Award winning screenwriter Charles Randolph as well as Netflix’s UNTITLED HENRY & REL SCI-FI PROJECT where Landecker will star opposite Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.Additional film credits include: A KID LIKE JAKE, an independent drama also starring Jim Parsons; BEATRIZ AT DINNER, opposite Salma Hayek and John Lithgow; THE HUNTER'S PRAYER; BABYSITTER; THE MEDDLER with Susan Sarandon and Rose Byrne; PROJECT ALMANAC; ENOUGH SAID with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini; ALL IS BRIGHT with Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd; Joel and Ethan Coen's A SERIOUS MAN and DAN IN REAL LIFE with Steve Carell, among others.In 2017 Landecker made her directorial debut with "Transparent: The Lost Sessions," a 10-episode offshoot of comedic shorts for Funny or Die using Jill Soloway's world of the Pfeffermans and cast of characters surrounding the often-dysfunctional family.Amy Landecker began her career in Chicago as an intern at the Steppenwolf Theatre, where she later went on to perform, in addition to The Goodman and the Public Theatre in NY. She won an Obie Award for her work in Tracy Lett's BUG at the Barrow Street Theatre.Credits:This episode of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is produced by Elena Favilli, Joy Fowlkes, and Meg Murnane. Sound design and original theme music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer. Special thanks to Clio McClure for coordinating our credit readers and interviewers.

This season, we invited our credit readers to interview our storytellers. Today, you'll hear from Amy Landecker who narrated the previous episode about Corrie Ten Boom. If you haven't listened to last week's episode, now is a good time to go back and check it out!Landecker reveals the guiding principles her parents communicated to her during her unconventional childhood, the meaning of resistance and more. Sponsored by:www.rebelgirls.co Use promocode REBELPODCAST to get 15% off your first purchase!About Landecker:Amy Landecker is known for her portrayal of Sarah Pfefferman on the award-winning Amazon original series "Transparent." Other TV credits include: Season 3 of "Sneaky Pete," recurring opposite Giovanni Ribisi, "Room 104," "Louie," "Revenge," "House M.D.," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "House of Lies."Upcoming feature projects include the UNTITLED ROGER AILES PROJECT from Director Jay Roach and Academy Award winning screenwriter Charles Randolph as well as Netflix’s UNTITLED HENRY & REL SCI-FI PROJECT where Landecker will star opposite Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.Additional film credits include: A KID LIKE JAKE, an independent drama also starring Jim Parsons; BEATRIZ AT DINNER, opposite Salma Hayek and John Lithgow; THE HUNTER'S PRAYER; BABYSITTER; THE MEDDLER with Susan Sarandon and Rose Byrne; PROJECT ALMANAC; ENOUGH SAID with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini; ALL IS BRIGHT with Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd; Joel and Ethan Coen's A SERIOUS MAN and DAN IN REAL LIFE with Steve Carell, among others.In 2017 Landecker made her directorial debut with "Transparent: The Lost Sessions," a 10-episode offshoot of comedic shorts for Funny or Die using Jill Soloway's world of the Pfeffermans and cast of characters surrounding the often-dysfunctional family.Amy Landecker began her career in Chicago as an intern at the Steppenwolf Theatre, where she later went on to perform, in addition to The Goodman and the Public Theatre in NY. She won an Obie Award for her work in Tracy Lett's BUG at the Barrow Street Theatre.Credits:This episode of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is produced by Elena Favilli, Joy Fowlkes, and Meg Murnane. Sound design and original theme music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer. Special thanks to Clio McClure for coordinating our credit readers and interviewers.

Corrie Ten Boom / Watchmaker & Resistance Worker / HollandOnce upon a time, a girl risked everything to do what was right. Her name was Corrie. From the time she was a small child, Corrie learned two things from her parents: how to make a broken watch tick and how to care for people in need. Her family always took in those less fortunate than themselves, so when Jewish people knocked on their door asking for sanctuary, Corrie knew just what to do. Her courage saved more than 800 people from persecution during WWII.About the Narrator:Amy Landecker is known for her portrayal of Sarah Pfefferman on the award-winning Amazon original series "Transparent." Other TV credits include: Season 3 of "Sneaky Pete," recurring opposite Giovanni Ribisi, "Room 104," "Louie," "Revenge," "House M.D.," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "House of Lies."Upcoming feature projects include the UNTITLED ROGER AILES PROJECT from Director Jay Roach and Academy Award winning screenwriter Charles Randolph as well as Netflix’s UNTITLED HENRY & REL SCI-FI PROJECT where Landecker will star opposite Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.Additional film credits include: A KID LIKE JAKE, an independent drama also starring Jim Parsons; BEATRIZ AT DINNER, opposite Salma Hayek and John Lithgow; THE HUNTER'S PRAYER; BABYSITTER; THE MEDDLER with Susan Sarandon and Rose Byrne; PROJECT ALMANAC; ENOUGH SAID with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini; ALL IS BRIGHT with Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd; Joel and Ethan Coen's A SERIOUS MAN and DAN IN REAL LIFE with Steve Carell, among others.In 2017 Landecker made her directorial debut with "Transparent: The Lost Sessions," a 10-episode offshoot of comedic shorts for Funny or Die using Jill Soloway's world of the Pfeffermans and cast of characters surrounding the often-dysfunctional family.Amy Landecker began her career in Chicago as an intern at the Steppenwolf Theatre, where she later went on to perform, in addition to The Goodman and the Public Theatre in NY. She won an Obie Award for her work in Tracy Lett's BUG at the Barrow Street Theatre.Credits:This episode of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is produced by Elena Favilli, Joy Fowlkes, and Meg Murnane, with writing by Corinne Purtill and narration by Amy Landecker. Jestine Ware edited all scripts and Janice Weaver fact-checked all scripts. Sound design and original theme music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer. Special thanks to Clio McClure who coordinated all credit recordings and narrator donations.Sponsored by: www.rebelgirls.coUse promocode REBELPODCAST to get 15% off your first purchase!Resources:The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom with John and Elizabeth SherrillCorrie Ten Boom’s Prison Letters by Corrie Ten BoomCorrie Ten Boom Museum Website (www.corrietenboom.com)

Corrie Ten Boom / Watchmaker & Resistance Worker / HollandOnce upon a time, a girl risked everything to do what was right. Her name was Corrie. From the time she was a small child, Corrie learned two things from her parents: how to make a broken watch tick and how to care for people in need. Her family always took in those less fortunate than themselves, so when Jewish people knocked on their door asking for sanctuary, Corrie knew just what to do. Her courage saved more than 800 people from persecution during WWII.About the Narrator:Amy Landecker is known for her portrayal of Sarah Pfefferman on the award-winning Amazon original series "Transparent." Other TV credits include: Season 3 of "Sneaky Pete," recurring opposite Giovanni Ribisi, "Room 104," "Louie," "Revenge," "House M.D.," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "House of Lies."Upcoming feature projects include the UNTITLED ROGER AILES PROJECT from Director Jay Roach and Academy Award winning screenwriter Charles Randolph as well as Netflix’s UNTITLED HENRY & REL SCI-FI PROJECT where Landecker will star opposite Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.Additional film credits include: A KID LIKE JAKE, an independent drama also starring Jim Parsons; BEATRIZ AT DINNER, opposite Salma Hayek and John Lithgow; THE HUNTER'S PRAYER; BABYSITTER; THE MEDDLER with Susan Sarandon and Rose Byrne; PROJECT ALMANAC; ENOUGH SAID with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini; ALL IS BRIGHT with Paul Giamatti and Paul Rudd; Joel and Ethan Coen's A SERIOUS MAN and DAN IN REAL LIFE with Steve Carell, among others.In 2017 Landecker made her directorial debut with "Transparent: The Lost Sessions," a 10-episode offshoot of comedic shorts for Funny or Die using Jill Soloway's world of the Pfeffermans and cast of characters surrounding the often-dysfunctional family.Amy Landecker began her career in Chicago as an intern at the Steppenwolf Theatre, where she later went on to perform, in addition to The Goodman and the Public Theatre in NY. She won an Obie Award for her work in Tracy Lett's BUG at the Barrow Street Theatre.Credits:This episode of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is produced by Elena Favilli, Joy Fowlkes, and Meg Murnane, with writing by Corinne Purtill and narration by Amy Landecker. Jestine Ware edited all scripts and Janice Weaver fact-checked all scripts. Sound design and original theme music by Elettra Bargiacchi. Mattia Marcelli was the sound mixer. Special thanks to Clio McClure who coordinated all credit recordings and narrator donations.Sponsored by: www.rebelgirls.coUse promocode REBELPODCAST to get 15% off your first purchase!Resources:The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom with John and Elizabeth SherrillCorrie Ten Boom’s Prison Letters by Corrie Ten BoomCorrie Ten Boom Museum Website (www.corrietenboom.com)

Today I sit down with the mesmerizing Kathryn Grody. We talk everything from motherhood to acting to being a good human. Not to be missed. Kathryn Grody fled Los Angeles, arrived in New York City, and found herself employed on Broadway in Scapino, . Off-Broadway followed with appearances at Joseph Papp’s Public Theatre including Fishing by Michael Weller, Museum, by Tina Howe, Nasty Rumors and Final Remarks by Susan Miller and Lulu Bett directed by Jack Hofsiss at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. Ms. Grody received Obie Awards for her performances in Top Girls by Caryl Churchill, directed by Max Stafford-Clark and The Marriage of Bette and Boo by Christopher Durang, directed by Jerry Zaks as well as a Drama Desk nomination for her performance in her three character one woman play, A Mom’s Life, all at the Public Theatre. (( Other performances include Dusa Fish Stas and Vi at the Manhattan Theatre Club, The Split at Ensemble Studio Theatre, Cause Maggie’s Afraid of the Dark, The 49 Years by Liz Swados, with Estelle Parsons at the Actors Studio Raw Space, Waxing West by Savianna Stanescous at The Lark, and Victoria Roberts cartoon come to life directed by Linda Mancini at Dixon Place. )) Film appearances include Limbo, written and directed by John Sayles and Men With Guns, also by Mr. Sayles, My Body Guard, directed by Tony Bill, Lemon Sisters with Diane Keaton and Carol Kane, Another Woman by Woody Allen and Reds by Warren Beatty. Ms. Grody’s television appearances include “The Sunset Gang” with Uta Hagen, “Execution of Private Slovik” with Martin Sheen and many after-school specials. (( And of course, Law And Order-Criminal Intent in NYC..)) Kathryn Grody performed with A.C.T. in San Francisco, the Actors Theatre of Louisville and was a company member at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. ) Her essays have appeared in The Mountain Record, Harpers Bazar, Oprah magazine, and her narrative version of the original Mom’s Life was published by Avon. She appeared in the world premiere of two new Wendy Wasserstein plays, ((directed by Michael Barakeeva ))at Theatre J in Washington D.C., originated the role of Maggie in The Penetration Play by Winter Miller, ((directed by Josh Hec))t at The Mint, performed the classic role of Nell in Beckets Endgame, with Alvin Epstein, Adam Heller and Tony Roberts,(( directed by Charlotte Moore,)) at the Irish Repetory Theatre . She braved the Barrow Street Theatre with Tim Crouch in the Oak Tree, and was proud to participate in the Caryl Churchill reading at NYTW, Seven Jewish Children-a play for Gaza…... She played Hinda in Zuzka Kurtz’s My Inner Soul at The Lion, appeared in the 59th st shorts in Tina Howes’ The Woman Who Lost Her Head and was seen as Hilary Clinton in the Performance Art Biennial, I Feel Your Pain, by Liz Magic Laser..And was Lola in Donald Margulies A Model Apartment, directed by Evan Cabnet.. Falling Apart....together , the sequel of A Mom’s Life, was seen at CSC, directed by Timothy Near..Most recently played Gaby in Susan Millers’ 20th Century Blues, directed by Emily Mann at the Signature. She is a Ususal Suspect at NYTW, works with the IRC and Search For Common Ground and is on the board of Downtown Women For Change., Dances for A Variable Population and Noor Theatre.

This week on Showgoers I went to see “Sweeney Todd” at the Barrow Street Theatre with my friend, Darien Belemu. Join us as we discuss dark comedic sensibilities, activism in the arts, and the surprising flexibility of the musical theatre form.Facebook: @ShowgoersPodcastInstagram: @showgoerspodcastTwitter: @showgoerspodMusic: www.bensound.com

In this episode, we bring you our take on Barrow Street Theatre's "Sweeney Todd" or at least the version that Easy came around to eventually. While we saw understudies for the man who was Broadway's first black Phantom (Norm Lewis) and the man who played the oxymoronically hilarious Nostradamus (Brad Oscar) we still thought...well, you'll just have to listen. Also, we make a reference to "having a little priest." This is a show joke, mom.

On today's episode I talk to Grammy Award winning cabaret artist and actor Nathan Lee Graham. Originally from St. Louis, Nathan's notable film roles include Todd in Zoolander and Zoolander 2, Frederick Montana in Sweet Home Alabama and Geoff in Hitch and on TV has appeared as Peter in The Comeback, and had guest starring roles on Scrubs, Absolutely Fabulous and Law & Order SVU. His stage appearances include Phil D'Armano in the original Broadway cast of the Tony and Grammy Award nominated The Wild Party and as Miss Understanding in the original Broadway cast of the Tony nominated Priscilla Queen of the Desert. He received a Drama League Award nomination for the role of Rey Rey in the off-Broadway production of Wig Out! and won an Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Feature Performer in a Musical in The Wild Party LA Premiere in 2006. More recently, he has appeared in the role of Carson in Hit the Wall at the Barrow Street Theatre. He earned a 2005 Best Classical Album Grammy Award for Songs of Innocence and of Experience as a soloist and was just nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for “Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical.” This is the website for Beginnings, subscribe on iTunes, follow me on Twitter.

This 49th episode is about practicing the importance of listening. Much of communication relies on listening well but it's so easy to fall into the trap of only considering what we should say next. To practice listening we have three storytellers from around the country who are sharing a story of beauty that will help us practice and enjoy the singular activity of listening well. Enjoy! Sharifa Stevens, a Bronx native living in Dallas, TX, earned a BA from Columbia University in New York and a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary. She writes, sings, and prefers to spend her time giggling, noshing or traveling. Sharifa is married to Jonathan. They have two children.  Michael Padden is a New York based director who develops new plays with many artists and companies throughout the city. Some of the companies that he’s had the pleasure of working with include: Samuel French Short Play Festival, Rising Phoenix Repertory, MCC’s Youth Company, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, The New Group and Barrow Street Theatre. He was a member of the 2014-2015 Playwright Directors Unit and the 2015-2016 Director’s Unit at The Actor’s Studio. Jason Mitchell is a California native who has spent some quality time in Dallas too. He has worked for companies like The Pursuant Group, Operation Smile and is now the president of Makau Sports. Jason is married to Cheryl and lives in the San Francisco area.

Billy Hayes : Midnight ExpressFIRST he wrote the best-selling book.THEN came the Oscar ® winning movie.NOW, following its critically acclaimed Off-Broadway run at the Barrow Street Theatre, and sold out engagements in Edinburgh and London, Billy Hayes is taking his riveting one-man show on tour. In this “engrossing,” “spellbinding” performance, Billy recounts the true story of his time in Turkish prisons and his brazen, harrowing escape. It's an epic journey of self-discovery, a cautionary, yet uplifting tale of desperation, determination and personal transformation. Hayes was arrested at the Istanbul airport in 1970 with two kilos of hashish taped to his body. The Turkish High Court sentenced him to life in prison. Five years later, Billy escaped from Imrali Island prison in the dead of night – rowing 17 miles across the Sea of Marmara in a raging storm.On his return to the US, Hayes wrote Midnight Express. Published in 18 languages, the book was an instant best-seller.When the iconic film was released in 1978, Billy Hayes became a mythical figure – a modern-day Billy The Kid. 36 years later,he remains a cultural anti-hero known throughout the world.If you've seen the movie, you might think you know Billy's story. But you probably don't. Midnight Express didn't win anyOscars® for factual accuracy. While the film was about prison – a chilling exploration of the depths of incarceration in aforeign land – Riding the Midnight Express with Billy Hayes is about the prisoner. It's an intimate, gripping memoir that can only be told by the man who lived it.This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/1198501/advertisement

Annie Baker won the Pulitzer Prize in 2014 for her play "The Flick," which has been restaged this summer at the Barrow Street Theatre. But Baker also has a new play concurrently on the boards called simply "John," and presented by the Signature Theatre Company. The drama tells the story of a young couple with relationship problems who the week after Thanksgiving pay a visit to a rather odd bed and breakfast in Gettysburg, Penn. New York Times theater critic Charles Isherwood lets us know if "John" is worth the trip to the theater. The production plays through Sept. 6 at the Pershing Square Signature Center.

A quiet play about a group of people working in a run-down Massachusetts movie theater is getting its second New York City production. Annie Baker’s “The Flick” might be quiet onstage, but it has made noise in the theater world, winning the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was first produced at Playwrights Horizons in 2013. Now the play has been remounted in a Off Broadway production at the Barrow Street Theatre, with the original cast intact and the same director, Sam Gold, at the helm.  How has the mix of old and new elements altered New York Times theater critic Charles Isherwood’s impression? He tells us.

Comedian and actor Jonny Donohoe talks about the Edinburgh Fringe and New York success of Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan, as well as his experiences of working interactively with audiences and playing opposite Sarah Jessica Parker. After a successful run on the Edinburgh Fringe in Paines Plough's portable Roundabout Theatre at Summerhall, the production transferred to Barrow Street Theatre in New York from 5 December 2014 until 29 March 2015. Following its run in New York, Every Brilliant Thing will embark on an extensive UK Tour.

Susannah Flood stars in Nina Raine’s Tribes—originally produced at the Royal Court Theatre in London in 2010—at Barrow Street Theatre, New York and talks about the difficulties of playing a character losing her hearing and learning sign language in three weeks.