Podcast appearances and mentions of billy bigelow

SCOTT LOGSDON has written the book/lyrics for STICKS & STONES (with composer John McDaniel) which had a premiere concert starred Audra McDonald, Javier Muñoz, and George Salazar for Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation/BC/EFA; 12 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS (with composer Dana P. Rowe, currently in development as a film with Jerry Mitchell attached); JOYCE JACKSON'S GUIDE TO DATING, (with composer Steve Marzullo) which premiered in Orlando and was seen in concert at 54 Below; AN AMERICAN COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CAROL (with various CMA winning and nominated composers) THE CRINOLYNNS and LOVE (r)EVOLUTION, a song cycle covering 120 years of LGBTQIA+ history, both written with Aaron Gandy. Both STICKS & STONES and JOYCE JACKSON won the Florida Theatrical Association's New Musical Discovery Competition. JOYCE was featured in the NAMT Composer's Concert Series and was a finalist for Richard Rodgers/ Jonathan Larson Awards. Scott has written Broadway specialty lyrics for Roundabout Theater Company's Tribute to Alec Baldwin (directed by Scott Ellis) and the GYPSY OF THE YEAR Competition for the LES MISERABLES company, as well as for notable performers including Jason Alexander. Logsdon was vetted by the Cole Porter estate to rewrite lyrics for the documentary, Fabulously Fake: The Real Life of Kenneth Jay Lane. With Dana P. Rowe, he wrote the theme song for the series Stars In the House. His non-musical plays include THE BOIS (an all-male, contemporary take on the classic play THE WOMEN), which received a staged reading at the Abbey in Orlando, and THE MOURNING AFTER (a dark comedy.) As an actor, he was an originating cast member in the LES MISÉRABLES national company. He's been seen in such roles as Thenardier, Sweeney Todd, Billy Bigelow, Che, El Gallo, and King Herod. He has performed across North America as a soloist with symphonies and as a guest star in the award-winning Sondheim Unplugged at 54 Below in New York City. His many directing credits include CHESS, THE FANTASTICKS, DRIVING MISS DAISY, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, and the southeastern premiere of SECRETS EVERY SMART TRAVELER SHOULD KNOW. He holds a degree in musical theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory and received a Distinguished Alumni Award for work in the field of musical theatre.   Aaron Gandy A specialist in American musical theater and American popular song, Aaron Gandy's concerts and recordings embrace the best of Broadway from Kern to Lloyd-Webber, while encompassing Swing, Jazz and the golden age of Hollywood. Recent recordings include the all-star Jule Styne In Hollywood (PS Classics) and the upcoming Busker Alley (Jay Records). In 2004 he conducted the premiere recording of Kay Swift's Fine & Dandy on PS Classics featuring Broadway's Carolee Carmello and HBO's Mario Cantone. Upcoming recordings include Alec Wilder's Miss Chicken Little (originally broadcast on CBS television in 1953) and a restoration of Walter Donaldson's jazz-age romp Whoopee! Regarded as a leading authority on composer Vincent Youmans, Mr. Gandy restored and conducted the premiere recording of Youmans' final Broadway score Through the Years starring Metropolitan Opera Soprano Heidi Grant Murphy. Mr. Gandy restored the original film orchestrations for Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I, and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. His restoration of the original film orchestrations for Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma! was performed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in 1997. Mr. Gandy's Broadway credits include Disney's The Lion King, Urinetown, and Dora the Explorer Live! at Radio City Music Hall. He has concertized with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, The Chicago Humanities Festival, 42nd Street Moon, Cami Hall, San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon, The Museum of Television and Radio, Symphony Space, Tribeca Performing Arts Center and solo appearances with Davis Gaines, Leslie Uggams, Christianne Noll, Jerry Hadley, Jim Dale, Dick Hyman, Lainie Kazan and Glenn Close.

Jamie Muscato is preparing to play three solo concerts at Cadogan Hall. Celebrating his career and favourite things, the first two shows sold out in minutes before a third was added. This weekend Jamie will star as Billy Bigelow in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel in Concert at the Royal Festival Hall with a 30-piece orchestra.Some of Jamie's most recent theatre credits include starring as Christian in Moulin Rouge! (Piccadilly Theatre), Matty in 13 Going on 30 (workshop), Guy in Once In Concert (London Palladium), Enjolras in Les Misérables The Staged Concert (Sondheim Theatre) and Tony in West Side Story (Leicester Curve).Jamie originated the role of JD in Andy Fickman's UK premiere of Heathers at the Other Palace and Theatre Royal Haymarket. Some of Jamie's other theatre credits include: Story Edward in Big Fish (The Other Palace), Ben in Lazarus (King's Cross Theatre), George Jacob Holyoake in A Subject of Scandal and Concern (Finborough Theatre), Jake in Stay Awake Jake (The Vaults), Joe in Bend it Like Beckham (Phoenix Theatre), Anthony in Sweeney Todd (Welsh National Opera), Nathan in House of Mirrors and Hearts (Arcola Theatre), Eddie in Dogfight (Southwark Playhouse), The Light Princess (National Theatre), Rock of Ages (Shaftesbury Theatre), Love Story (Duchess Theatre) and Jean Prouvaire in Les Misérables (25th-anniversary tour). Jamie made his professional debut in the original UK cast of Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith and Novello Theatre. Jamie recently reunited with the company to perform a one-off reunion concert to mark the show's 15th anniversary at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Some of Jamie's screen credits include The Chemistry of Death, The Undeclared War, Pistol, Doctors Cilla and the Les Misérables film.Jamie plays Cadogan Hall on 21st and 22nd July 2024. Visit www.cadoganhall.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins  @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  STOPTIME: Live in the Moment.Ranked in the top 5% of podcasts globally and winner of the 2022 Communicator Award...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Today's premiere, Rodgers and Hammerstein's “Carousel,” is one of the most popular musicals in the world. Since its premiere on Broadway, there have been numerous remounts on Broadway, the West End and around the world. Listen to the moving story of Julie Jordan, Billy Bigelow and all the citizens of that small town in Maine today on WPMT – available on our YouTube channel and all major listening platforms.

Professor Matt Koplik takes over this episode to discuss his research into Carousel, specifically his time looking into the 1994 Broadway revival (which is what Jon watched because Matt told him to). Matt helps guide Jon through the history of Carousel, what is missing in the slime tutorial that they watched, and get into all things Billy Bigelow.Matt's Instagram: @mattkoplikPodcast Socials -Email: butasongpod@gmail.comInstagram: @butasongpodTwitter: @butasongpodFacebook: @butasongpodNext episode: Babes in Toyland (1986)!

In this special #PREPPED episode, Naka is joined by Broadway star (and Long Island native) Derrick Davis to discuss the path to becoming an actor and studying theater arts in college. Derrick started his journey studying voice at LIU Post, and his career since has spanned iconic roles on stage from Phantom of the Opera to the Lion King. Derrick shares his advice and tips for the self-taping auditioning process and how to find the type of program that will help students thrive.  Meanwhile, Naka grounds the episode with a reminder about how earning good standardized test scores can have additional benefits, such as placing out of freshman-year classes and helping with critical college essays. Derrick's #PREPPED Pro Tip is certain to resonate not only with theater arts students but also with all students striving to accomplish their goals.About Our Guest:Derrick Davis is a dynamic and passionate performer of stage and screen.  In his exciting theater career, he has held the roles of The Phantom in the 25th Anniversary Tour of The Phantom of the Opera and Mufasa on the Gazelle Tour of Disney's The Lion King. He has also gone on as Scar and Mufasa in The Lion King and Billy Bigelow in Carousel on Broadway. Regionally Davis starred in Dallas Theater Center's production of Dreamgirls as Curtis Taylor, Jr., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Opera Carolina's production of I Dream, and King Triton in The Little Mermaid at Theater Under the Stars.Show Notes:@dreamclimbertherealderrickdavis.comttprep.compreppedpodcast.com for a free Zoom preview of our TestTaker courseTheater Arts Scholarshipswww.greatvaluecolleges.net/scholarships/theater-studentshttps://ccm.uc.edu/

Matt Blaker recently took over as Raoul in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera, having previously understudied the role in 2017. A few of Matt's early theatre credits include Footloose (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre), Pride and Prejudice (Lyric Belfast), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour), Dusty (Charing Cross) and Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Tour).Following his first run with Phantom, Matt originated the role of  Bob Gaudio in Luke Sheppard's new production of Jersey Boys (International Tour). He played Lt. Cable in South Pacific (Concert), Ernst in Cabaret (Frankfurt) and most recently starred as Billy Bigelow in Carousel at Kilworth House Theatre. In this episode, Matt discusses why returning to Phantom is a special moment in his career and lots more!The Phantom of the Opera is currently booking in London through to 4th March 2023. Visit www.uk.thephantomoftheopera.com for info and tickets. Hosted by Andrew Tomlins. @AndrewTomlins32  Thanks for listening! Email: andrew@westendframe.co.uk Visit westendframe.co.uk for more info about our podcasts.  

In this Totally Trans Minisode, Henry Giardina (@punkgroucho) talks about  Billy Bigelow from the musical Carousel. Back us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/totallytrans)We have moved all our merch to Red Bubble! (https://www.redbubble.com/people/TotallyTrans/)Follow us on Twitter(@TotallyTransPod)

Nat chats with Joshua Henry, a two-time Tony Award nominee, Broadway star, and solo vocal artist, about his new role as dad to twin boys. Joshua shares the ups and downs of raising infant twins alongside his amazing wife and their toddler son. Sponsored by Tub O' Towels, our favorite heavy-duty cleaning wipe. Learn more at TubOTowels.com. Joshua Henry, the two-time Tony Award nominee who made his Broadway debut in Lin-Manuel Miranda's breakout show, In the Heights. Joshua most recently appeared as Billy Bigelow in the Broadway revival of Carousel and Aaron Burr in the Chicago company of Hamilton. He made his stage debut as Judas in Godspell at the Paper Mill Playhouse, followed by his Broadway debut in In the Heights. After playing Favorite Son in American Idiot, he gave Tony-nominated performances in The Scottsboro Boys and Violet. He also appeared in the Broadway revival of Porgy and Bess and Bring It On the Musical. On film, Henry is remembered as Jennifer Hudson's fiancé in Sex and the City. Click here to listen to Joshua's debut album, GROW, and find him here on Instagram.CONTACT USDownload the Twiniversity App: For twin pregnancy tracking and twins baby tracking! Download hereVISIT Twiniversity.com for tons of free twin tips!FOLLOW us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Twitter.SUBSCRIBE to our email newsletter!Take a class! Twiniversity offers online expecting twins classes (both on-demand and live), a breastfeeding twins class, a twins after singletons class, and a baby safety class including CPR, first aid, car seat safety, and childproofing. Click here to check out our online classes.Twiniversity Memberships: Includes Zoom Twin ClubPLEASE review our podcast! We'd love to hear what you think!

Arts journalist and theatre critic Fiona Mountford, sits down with cast members Carly Bawden (Julie Jordan), Jo Eaton-Kent (Mrs Mullin), Christina Modestou (Carrie Pipperidge) and Natasha May-Thomas (Louise Bigelow), to discuss their character relationships with protagonist Billy Bigelow.

Russ doesn't live in the Springfield area anymore, but he was a mainstay on the Muni stage during much of the 1980s. He made his Muni debut as James in Shenandoah in 1979. Later that summer he played Billy Bigelow in Carousel. Russ played such roles as Frank in Show Boat, Lieutenant Cable in South Pacific, Buddy Plummer in Follies and Juan Perón in the first production of Evita in 1985. His last role at Muni was Julian Marsh in 42nd Street in 1988. Russ also directed two productions for Muni, The Student Prince in 1983 and Seven Brides for Seven Brides in 1986. Russ now resides in Louisville, Kentucky. Want to get involved in this project? Email history@themuni.org.

Today I feature as part of my summer series on Great Baritones, one of the greatest Broadway baritones of all time, John Raitt (1917-2005). Wait: did I say one of the greatest? Make that possibly the greatest! Along with Alfred Drake and a handful of others, John Raitt completely redefined the Broadway leading man: strapping, robust, virile, handsome, with an operatic caliber voice and splendid acting chops to match. His creation of the role of Billy Bigelow in Rodgers and Hammerstein's magnum opus, Carousel, turned a deeply problematic character into a sympathetic one. In this episode we hear excerpts from this role, as well as some of Raitt's other hits (and non-hits), both on—and away from—Broadway: The Pajama Game, Oklahoma!, Annie Get Your Gun, Three Wishes for Jamie, Show Boat, and others, as well as a bit of opera! I also feature tracks from four of his solo records, recorded and released between 1955 and 1970, which include Neopolitan songs, folk songs, and pure late 60s pop as well as Broadway standards not normally associated with him. Some of his duet partners include Barbara Cook, Rosemary Clooney, Florence Henderson, Doretta Morrow, Anne Jeffreys, as well as his daughter Bonnie, herself one of the great blues singers and guitarists of the late 20th century. We also hear Bonnie's deeply personal song “Circle Dance,” which concerns their sometimes fraught—but eventually fully reconciled—relationship. Was he really a baritone, was he a tenor masquerading as a baritone, or was he a true “baritenor”? I consider all these possibilities but leave it to my listeners to draw their own conclusions. No matter how you assess John Raitt's voice, in the end, it sustained him through a career that lasted seven decades; it is a thrill to present him to my listeners in his full baritenorial splendor. Countermelody is a podcast devoted to the glory and the power of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great singers of the past and present focusing in particular on those who are less well-remembered today than they should be. Daniel's lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and journalist yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” Occasional guests from the “business” (singers, conductors, composers, coaches, and teachers) lend their distinctive insights. At Countermelody's core is the interaction between singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. At Countermelody's core is the interaction between singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. Please visit the Countermelody website (www.countermelodypodcast.com) for additional content including artist photos and episode setlists. And please head to my Patreon page at www.patreon.com/countermelody to pledge your monthly support at whatever level you can afford. Bonus episodes available only to Patreon supporters are currently available.

On this episode, soprano Anna Christy and baritone Steven LaBrie talk about their roles of Julie Jordan and Billy Bigelow in CAROUSEL. Steven and Anna discuss the big question most of us think when watching this show – why does Billy treat Julie the way that he does, and why does Julie stay? Anna also shares how the roles she's played on the Central City Opera House stage have shaped her as an artist, and Steven goes into how his first big role with a lot of spoken dialogue has been both challenging and immensely rewarding. They also share what they'd like audiences to take away from this summer's production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's CAROUSEL. Read the show notes for this episode here. Have questions or want to provide feedback? Email us at podcast@centralcityopera.org. Remember to subscribe to our podcast to get the latest episodes delivered directly to your device. To hear more stories from inside Central City Opera and buy tickets to the shows, visit us at centralcityopera.org. 

Episode 495 Joshua Henry is a First Class Father and 3x Tony Award Nominated Actor. He portrayed the lead role of Aaron Burr in the first U.S. tour of “Hamilton”. He is best known for portraying Haywood Patterson in the musical “The Scottsboro Boys”. Joshua also portrayed the lead role of Billy Bigelow in a Broadway revival of “Carousel”. He has several other Broadway credits to his name and launched his own musical career by releasing his debut EP “Guarantee”. He has a brand new song dropping on 6/24/21 called “Checking In”. In this Episode, Joshua shares his Fatherhood journey which includes three boys. He discusses some of the challenges of having twins with a three year old at home. He describes the impact the pandemic had on Broadway and his career and how he stayed motivated during it all. He tells us which Broadway show will likely be the first one he takes his kids to. He offers some great advice for new or about to be Dads and more! Subscribe to First Class Fatherhood and watch on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCD6cjYptutjJWYlM0Kk6cQ?sub_confirmation=1 SPONSORS: SeatGeek - https://seatgeek.com Promo Code: FirstClass Save: $20 off tickets MY PILLOW - https://www.mypillow.com Promo Code: Fatherhood Save Up To 66% Off 1-800-875-0219 More Ways To Listen - https://linktr.ee/alec_lace First Class Fatherhood Merch - https://shop.spreadshirt.com/first-class-fatherhood-/we+are+not+babysitters-A5d09ea872051763ad613ec8e?productType=812&sellable=3017x1aBoNI8jJe83pw5-812-7&appearance=1 Follow me on instagram - https://instagram.com/alec_lace?igshid=ebfecg0yvbap For information about becoming a Sponsor of First Class Fatherhood please hit me with an email: FirstClassFatherhood@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/alec-lace/support

This week, we take a critical look at the 1945 masterpiece Carousel – perhaps Rodgers and Hammerstein's finest score, but a show that has not aged well. What can contemporary audiences – and theologians – do with Julie Jordan and Billy Bigelow and their complicated and violent relationship? In Carousel, we talk about... Billy and Julie's complicated relationship and the idea of the “conditional love song The myth of redemptive suffering – and Carousel's theatrical depiction of the afterlife Are we more than our worst choices? Is it true that “you'll never walk alone?” Can a problematic show with a gorgeous score be “redeemed” for contemporary audiences? You'll hear this music from the 1956 film version of Carousel: Shirley Jones & Claramae Turner singing “You'll Never Walk Alone” Shirley Jones singing “If I Loved You” Barbara Ruick, Claramae Turner, Robert Rounseville & Cameron Mitchell singing “This Was a Real Nice Clambake” Continue the conversation with Peter (@pgeinvan) and Nathan (@nathan_lerud) on Twitter, and follow the Gospel of Musical Theatre on Instagram or Twitter @gospelofmt!

In today's episode, I welcome Natalie Cordone & Shawn Kilgore! This incredibly dynamic duo have amazing stories to share about the show that introduced them to each other, the creation of their own tribute show to Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, and all the adventures in between. (Fun fact: the cover image for this episode is of Natalie & Shawn!)   Get in touch with Cordone & Kilgore: www.cordoneandkilgore.com Support Artfully Told: www.paypal.me/elevateart Artfully Told links: www.facebook.com/artfullytold | www.artfullytold.podbean.com | elevateartskc@gmail.com Get a free audiobook through Audible!  http://www.audibletrial.com/ArtfullyTold Schedule your own interview as a featured guest with Artfully Told! https://calendly.com/artfullytold/podcast-interview   Episode 54 - Natalie Cordone & Shawn Kilgore Lindsey Dinneen: Hello, and welcome to Artfully Told, where we share true stories about meaningful encounters with art. [00:00:06] Krista: I think artists help people have different perspectives on every aspect of life. [00:00:12]Roman:  All I can do is put my part in to the world. [00:00:15] Elizabeth: It doesn't have to be perfect the first time. It doesn't have to be perfect ever really. I mean, as long as you, and you're enjoying doing it and you're trying your best, that can be good enough. [00:00:23] Elna: Art is something that you can experience with your senses and that you just experiences as so beautiful.  [00:00:31] Lindsey Dinneen: Hello, and welcome back to another episode of Artfully Told. I'm your host Lindsey, and I am so very excited to have as my guests today, Shawn Kilgore and Natalie Cordone. They are a performing duo that has been producing, writing and touring around the country for almost a decade. And they are currently the hosts of "Live! With Cordona and Kilgore." And I am so excited to chat with them about their artistic journeys and what they're up to now. I know their whole focus on is on positivity and light, and I'm just so excited that they're here. So thank you, Sean and Natalie, so much for being here today. [00:01:14] Shawn Kilgore: Thanks for having us. This is very exciting. I'm excited to be here. [00:01:18] Natalie Cordone: Yeah, we're thrilled to be here. Thanks, Lindsey. [00:01:20] Lindsey Dinneen: Of course. And it sounds like we have some guest artists as well. [00:01:25] Shawn Kilgore: Yes. I apologize for the, for the hounds in the background. [00:01:29] Lindsey Dinneen: It's all good. I have two dogs too. They might make a sound appearance at some point as well. [00:01:36] Natalie Cordone: Yeah. I'm not making any promises on my end, either. The pup is-- he's being good right now, but you just never know. [00:01:41] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah. You never know when they'll have to defend the house against the UPS driver. You just never know. [00:01:46] Shawn Kilgore: Exactly. [00:01:47]Lindsey Dinneen: Well, okay. So I would just love if you two wouldn't mind just sharing a little bit about your backgrounds, maybe how you got into art in general, into your specific fields, how you guys met, and maybe a little bit about what you're up to now, which is I know a tall order, but we'll just dive in and I can't wait to hear. [00:02:07] Shawn Kilgore: Absolutely, Natalie, go ahead. [00:02:09] Natalie Cordone: Sure. So my artistic journey actually began in a tutu when I was about three. So I started dancing in tap and ballet lessons like most of us did, and I was a dancer up until I was in college, but along the way, I joined the theater and became an actor and then didn't find my voice as a singer until I was in college, really, which is an odd journey and kind of very different from Shawn's. But then I started singing mostly opera and I sang with the Orlando Opera and got my Master's Degree in Acting, and became a professional actor right away and started dancing and singing in musicals. And along with singing with the opera, and along that journey is when I met Shawn. But let's have him tell you a little bit about him before we talk about how we met. [00:03:00] Shawn Kilgore: For me, I started singing from a very young age, mostly in church, and I was very involved in music all through school. But it wasn't really, until I was in eighth grade, I was about to be a freshman in high school when my mom took me to see my first big musical. And from the second that it started, I knew exactly that that's what I wanted to do. So I immediately got involved in theater, you know, and, and musical theater in, in high school. And that continued that on through my college years. That's what I studied both at a school in Ohio and then later at a school in New York City. And then I moved to Florida, South Florida, worked professionally for many, many years in regional theater throughout the state and then moved to central Florida. And that brings us to where Natalie and I connect. [00:03:43]Natalie Cordone: Oh, it's a good story. So, so the, the real story of how we met begins with Shawn's singing with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. He was doing this fantastic version of "Carousel," where he played Billy Bigelow. He was the big man on campus and it was a very coveted role and super exciting, singing with a full orchestra and in the midst of it, I was moving back from New York City. And we both got cast in a show together. So Shawn had been cast in the musical from the beginning and his partner in the show was supposed to be another actress. The show is called "Baby," and in the show, our two characters are desperately trying to get pregnant. I think that's a nice way of putting it. So in that show, we spent most of our time in a bed. That was our set. And so we got to know each other very closely, very quickly... [00:04:39] Shawn Kilgore: Yeah, a lot of intimacy from the day we met. [00:04:41]Natalie Cordone:  And I just thought he was the most wonderful actor. And the only reason why I was cast in the role was that this whole time, the storyline it's really about how this couple cannot get pregnant. And the actress who was supposed to play the role, got pregnant. And so she was going to be five months and showing on stage, which would have made absolutely no sense. She's a wonderful actress and it's the only way she could have possibly lost the role. And so as I was coming back from New York, that theater called me and asked if I would do the show. And so I was thrilled to get a chance to work with Shawn and, and have it be my sort of return to this regional theater that I'd worked at many times. And so we did get onstage and, and get pretty close, pretty fast. And in the midst of that, I was doing a solo show. And Shawn said, you know, "Would you want to do a cabaret show with me?" And I'd done quite a few of them. And I said, "Yes, I'd love to work with you again, but can we do something even bigger and better than a cabaret?" And from there we put a band together and we got charts and we found that we loved the same kind of music. And so we loved singing together. And I couldn't imagine not working with him and having him in my life every day. And so we started creating theatrical concerts. And they got really popular pretty quickly. And so we created, we created well over a dozen shows at this point. And, and we started touring them around the country. So that's how we met. [00:06:10] Shawn Kilgore: And while we were doing that, we also became, because of Natalie, had also done a show with the Orlando Philharmonic. So we had sort of cultivated this relationship with, with that local orchestra here. And so we maintained that relationship and that brought us once they saw that we were what we were doing, they invited us to be guest vocalists. So then we would start to appear with the Orlando Philharmonic on a semi-regular basis for pops concerts and those kinds of things. And, you know, between the shows that we were producing and performing and the shows with the Philharmonic, our audience members would always come up to us and say that we reminded them of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. [00:06:47] Natalie Cordone: Yes. [00:06:48] Shawn Kilgore: So that led really sort of catapulted us into our next venture, which was creating a tribute show to, to those really incredible artists at the time. You know, we knew who they were, we had heard the names before and not really, you know, very well versed, you know, in their careers though. But now, you know, we have been-- that show, that's our longest running show. We've been touring with that show for almost eight years now. I think that show has played, you know, from everywhere to Las Vegas, to, to Miami. And so, so that show really has sort of been the biggest, the, the biggest thing that we've, that we've been focusing on over the past couple of years, but it's been great. We learned a lot about Steve and Eydie. They were really incredible entertainers and they both had incredible individual careers. And when they came together, for those out there that, that remember them, know that it was just magic and there was nothing like it. So for us to be able to sort of try to recreate that a little bit, we're not, we're not impersonating them. We are, we are simply tribute artists where, you know, we're, we're out there as ourselves singing their music. So that is sort of what we, that's what led us to this point now where we are now. [00:07:55] Natalie Cordone: Yeah. And we're about to do that show again, coming up as we come out of everything that's happened recently, it's super exciting to get to kick off our season with it. And while we were waiting to do that show again, is when we started our live with Cordone and Kilgore show, which is an online show where we are the interviewers. And we bring on a different guest every week because we found that what we really wanted to do during this time was just accentuate the positive as much as possible. One of the things that I love about Shawn so much, and I think what made us click from the beginning, is that we really both like to air on the sunny side of whatever's going on in any situation. And we found that anytime we would jump online and just sing a song or the rare occasions, when we got to sing together, people really were resonating with the fact that we were bringing some kind of light and positivity to the world and we wanted to be able to bring other people in to do the same. [00:08:55] So that's when we started our live interview show where we have it kind of like Regis and Kathy Lee back in the day, if they were to have sung together, which we do on every show, we get a chance to, to sing together, whether that's old footage of the last 10 years of our shows, or if we get to do it live and in person. And we get to bring on great guests, everyone from artists to dog rescues to people who are making drinks and bakeries and anything that makes us, you know, feel good. Yeah, and brings us positivity. [00:09:30] Shawn Kilgore: Yeah, we say, we say our goal is to accentuate the positive. Yeah, like, like she said every week. And so it's a, it's a nice thing to do. We talk about, you know, good news stories. We're talking about good things that have happened to us. We invite our guests to share, you know, stories of what's happened in their weeks that might've been positive or good. Yeah, so we're really enjoying it. So not only so people can join us live for that when we do it live, but it is also available as a podcast currently on Spotify and Stitcher, and hopefully coming soon to all other podcast platforms. [00:10:00] Lindsey Dinneen: Wow. That is so cool. I am so enamored with your stories. Oh my word. And the way that they intersected and I just love what you're bringing to the world. I think this is just so cool. And yes, this whole time I've been smiling because what great stories you guys have to share about, you know, how, how you all got started. And I, I resonate with you, Natalie, about getting started in a little tutu. I started dancing when I was four, but it wasn't for the dancing itself. It was for the costumes. Let's be real. [00:10:32]Shawn Kilgore: That's the one thing you guys have a lot in common. Natalie changes gowns I think maybe eight to 10, maybe 12 times in the show. [00:10:40]Natalie Cordone: I do have, I hope you do too at this point, but I'm so lucky that my work wear is actually two full closets of gowns in my house. 'Cause that's what I get to get dressed up in to go to work. So I'm with you on the sequins and rhinestones front for sure. [00:10:57] Lindsey Dinneen: Oh yeah, yeah, no completely. I, I still get extremely excited to put on a tutu and tiara. Still a wonderful moment. So yes, I resonate and yes, I do have actually in my house because you know, I also have a professional dance company. We have, I think, three closets that are fully devoted to dance costumes. It's ridiculous. But here we are. Yeah. [00:11:22] Shawn Kilgore: That's it, but I've actually worn a tutu one time. [00:11:25] Lindsey Dinneen: What, why? [00:11:27] Shawn Kilgore: It happened once. It was actually in high school, believe it or not. I can't believe I did it. And I can't believe I'm still alive after doing it. It was in a show. It was like, you know, our show choir was doing a Best of Broadway thing and we did the number "You Gotta Get a Gimmick" from "Gypsy." And it was the two women came out to do the first two. And I came out and I was the ballerina butterfly. I was Tessitura. [00:11:50] Natalie Cordone: Okay. So the only time that this gets weird is that Shawn and I have once in our lives played the same role in a musical two different musicals, but we both-- [00:11:59] Shawn Kilgore: Two different productions, yeah. [00:12:00] Natalie Cordone: That's right. In the same musical, in "Nunsense." We both played Sister Mary Amnesia at two different times. He played it. I played it in "Nunsense" and he played it in "Nunsense Amen." so we've actually shared-- the three of us have all shared the experience of a tutu. And two of us have actually experienced being the same role on stage, which as a soprano and a baritone makes absolutely no sense, but we did it. We've done it. [00:12:22] Shawn Kilgore: I'm actually on the national cast recording of "Nunsense Amen," which is also available on Spotify, you know, out there that as Sister Amnesia on the recording. [00:12:30] Lindsey Dinneen: What! That is so cool. Oh, my word. You two. I love it. Okay. So I just, I was really tickled when you were talking about, you know, the first time you met and it was like, "Well, here we are. We're going to get to know each other real fast." Was that ever, and I guess I'm just curious about this in general, you know, not as an actress, I, is that ever just super awkward and difficult when you have to kind of jump into those roles and you're like, "Well, we're going to be up close and personal for awhile." [00:12:59] Shawn Kilgore: It really, it really depends on the other actor. And I think, you know, for me, I feel really lucky. From the moment I met Natalie, I knew that I was going to be friends with her. That was that it was going to go beyond. I had not in my wildest imagination could have dreamt that we would be where we are today. But I knew that we were going to be friends and we were going to be in each other's lives for a while. So you get lucky. So you get lucky with that casting, you know, it's, it's all about the other person in that situation 'cause it could have been a nightmare. You know what I mean? It really could have been a nightmare from day one. But thankfully, you know, we really, we connected and, and, you know, it turns out to be the show itself was a, it was an incredible show and we got to do some really wonderful moments together. We got to play the happiness of, of being a couple into the, the heartache of, you know, thinking you are pregnant and then finding out that you're not, again. You know those scenes were pretty powerful and to get to go through that together every, you know, eight times a week for however many weeks, it was, I think that's something that, that bonded us also, you know, [00:13:57] Lindsey Dinneen: Oh, for sure. [00:13:58] Natalie Cordone: Yeah, for sure.  I was just going to say that chemistry piece of it is one thing that you can't make up, right? It's genuinely liking someone and then getting to fall in love with them over and over again. It's really special and I've, I've been lucky that I've never had a bad experience, but I've definitely had ones where you do sort of walk out and go, "Oh my gosh, I can do this eight times a week with this person. And it will be just a joy every night." It's so easy. And when you meet Shawn, everyone falls in love with Shawn. There's just no person that's ever not immediately been enamored with him. So I was very, very lucky on that front, but I think that it can be super awkward if you don't enjoy the person you're with. So I think that that was one of the things where, because we both had been professional actors for a long time, we both knew that when we met, it was like, "Oh, this is different. Like, this is special. Thank goodness. This is going to be fun." You know? [00:14:54] Lindsey Dinneen: Absolutely. And I can, I can relate to that just on the dancer level of when you're doing partnering, it is so physically close. I mean, you're, you're literally touching each other so that you can be supported in pretty cool ways in these different lifts and all sorts of different things. And I, I relate to the fact that sometimes I've worked with partners where it felt like a lot more work. I mean, I was also always lucky to have people who were awesome to work with, but yeah, when I met the, the guy who is currently my dance partner was like a very similar experience of, "oh, this is easy." And this is a lot of fun versus, you know, like, feeling like it's more of a job. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. And so your tribute show, I'd, I'd love to delve into that a little bit more. I think that is such a cool thing that you guys have developed and, and obviously you've gotten to tour with it and do all sorts of wonderful things.  How long of a process was that to sort of write the show and, you know, come up with all of the different components. I mean, I, I can only imagine from my production experience, but I feel like this is a whole 'nother level when you're doing something to be a tribute to people who came before you essentially. [00:16:08] Shawn Kilgore: Yeah, absolutely. We sort of live, we sort of lived in their, in their music for a good period of time. Right? Not only like we listened to almost everything and like we went through there, you know, as much as possible. And to really try to, you know, look at every video we could find and read everything we could find.  I mean, we, we fell in love with them, you know? And so then when we get to the point where we're creating the show, it really made us want to do them justice, you know? [00:16:35] Natalie Cordone: Yeah. And knowing that they were such a special couple for those of you guys that don't know Steve and Edyie were, they worked together and they lived together and were married for 55 years. So, and they were on over 90 albums between the two of them both together and separately. And they had hugely successful solo careers, but they also were one of the best known duos at the time. And we're friends with Frank Sinatra and toured with him and on the Carol Burnett Show, people knew them from the Carol Burnett Show. Yeah, it's a legacy. Yeah, all of that music that it was really hard for us to whittle it down to just a 90 minute show. I mean, that was part of the hard part was going in and saying, "But we love all of this stuff." How do we try to make, you know, how do we try to do them justice and tell their story in a way that resonates with ours. And also get to do this incredible music that spans so many decades, but still has a real through line of sophisticated pop music. That's really what they were known for. [00:17:41]And so that was the easy part was being able to sit back and sort of go, "Oh, what's good? Well, everything's good." Now the hard part is how do you pick what to do, what to do? And so, like Shawn said, we really did live in their world for a long time and, and touring with the show, one of the things that's been really great is that we've met a lot of people that were either related to, or were friends with, or worked with Steve and Eydie along the way. Everyone from like roadies, we had a guy who told us that he was, he worked backstage and that Edyie Gormé would sit there at a table Pac-Man that she used to travel with, like back when Gameboys, right, were a thing, or you couldn't put an app on your phone, she used to have one of those full tabletop things that they, she would sit and she'd have her hair in curlers with like a martini in one hand and a cigarette in the other, playing this tabletop. And you can't find that, right, in an interview with Johnny Carson. You can only find that from people who knew them. So that's been really cool too, to sort of live in that space and have people resonate with the show so much that we always try to do, you know, some kind of a talk back with the audience if we can, after the show. And they've taught us just as much as we've entertained them. So that's been a really neat thing to, to add to our repertoire along the way. [00:18:55] Shawn Kilgore: It is. That's one of my favorite things about it is, is getting to meet the audiences afterward and getting, getting to meet the people who did work with them or they, they knew them. And getting those stories like that story that Natalie just told, like she said, not anything you would ever find on the internet. We would never know that if we didn't come across that person. And now that story is in the show, we tell that story in the show. So when people see the show, they're getting to hear, you know, the things that they knew and loved and remember about Steve and Edyie, but also some of these more personal touches that we're weaving into the story that we tell, you know, so it's, that's a really cool thing about it and, you know, see there's, their story really is probably, I would venture to say, even to this day, one of the greatest Hollywood love stories there is. They met on the original Tonight Show, you know, way, way back in the day when they, they were very young, they were cast as singers side by side-by-side with Steve Allen. They met there, you know, they fell in love. They were together for over 55 years and they managed to stay married and work together that closely for that long is, is really a remarkable thing, you know? [00:20:01] Natalie Cordone: Yeah. And what they did so beautifully too, was that onstage, they jabbed at each other, like only a married couple really can. And that's something that I think we're really lucky to be able to bring sort of that wit and humor into the show because it keeps it alive and fresh for us even after all these years, because I think we might have a very similar dynamic to what Steve and Edyie had on interviews and stuff just as people. So that's been fun to recreate too. People, our audiences swear that we're married. I mean, they, you know, they can't believe it when we tell them, we don't really tell them in the show, but if people ask us afterwards, you know? [00:20:38] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, yeah. Oh, that is so fun. I mean, but, okay. So then to be compared to, to such an iconic couple and yeah, what a feat in general, let alone with the pressures of being super famous and having these amazing careers and things like that. So kudos to them, but was it ever incredibly intimidating at all to sort of think like, "Oh my goodness, people are comparing us to them. How do we do this justice?" [00:21:05]Shawn Kilgore: I would say it's not really because we've never tried to impersonate them in any way. We really are going out there. We're singing in our own voices.  We're talking as ourselves. We're not putting on their persona in any way. But we feel very good about the, the way that we're honoring them and their careers and their lives and what we've put together and our audience, you know, based on what the audience is say, you know, it's, it's a good-- we feel, we feel good about where we are with it and how it all just sort of came together. It all full sort of feels like it was meant to be for us.  Maybe some might think a weird thing to say, but you know, the way our stories connected and how similar it is to their story, they met when they were cast on a show together, you know? So did we and we are doing this because people told us, you know, when they saw us perform together, that we reminded them of them. And so it just feels like the universe has told us this is what we're supposed to be doing. [00:21:59] Natalie Cordone: Yeah, the only time I can say I was intimidated was when we were doing our show, we sat down in Vegas for awhile and we found out afterwards that Steve Lawrence's people had sent people to come see the show. And I talked to them on the phone afterwards and they, they loved the show. They thought it was great. I'm glad I didn't know they were in the audience the night they were there. But knowing that they had like sent people to make sure that the show was-- because they'd heard, well, I mean, we had, we had told them we were coming and they had they come to sort of vet the show and it was nice to hear that they, they enjoyed the show-- but that I'm glad I didn't know ahead of time, I would have been a ball of nerves if I had known that they were listening to me saying her iconic songs on stage. [00:22:41] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, that makes complete sense to me. That is, that is so cool. Definitely meant to be, it sounds like. And now, I'm excited to hear that you guys are going to be able to go back to performing again. I know COVID sort of threw a curve ball at many different people, especially performing artists, but tell me a little bit more about your show that you're doing now, these live productions that interview people and things like that sounds like an incredible way to bring, like you said, positivity to the world. I'm just super curious how that came about and how that's going. [00:23:13] Shawn Kilgore: The funny thing is it came about. So after like eight months about of not being together, not singing any of our tunes, we were both feeling good. We got together, we had maybe a bottle, maybe a bottle and a half of wine. And we were like, "Hey, let's play Russian roulette with our songs and see what we remember." And we decided to do it live on Facebook.  [00:23:34] Natalie Cordone: I'm glad that we know each other well enough that we were okay. If things didn't go well, because it was good, it was fun. It wasn't always good. I guess that's a good... [00:23:43] Shawn Kilgore: That's a perfect way of saying it, but even when it, yeah, even when it wasn't, it was still fun, you know, so that's kind of how it all started. We enjoyed it. We had, you know, we got great feedback from that and that's sort of pushed us in the direction of trying to do something on a more regular basis. And, and now we're sort of, have delved into this world of podcasting and podcasting with video, and I'm really excited about the, about the direction, the direction of it. [00:24:08]Natalie Cordone: And Sean and I had both expected along the way that we would be broadcast journalists. It's odd. That was where we kind of had both begun thinking our careers would end up and it's fun to have brought it full circle where that's really sort of what all podcasters and video podcasters are doing now. And it's neat to come back to that sort of love of ours that we had to put aside while we were touring all over the place for the last umpteen years together. [00:24:33] Shawn Kilgore: And we really are about sort of modeling the show after sort of, so it is sort of modeled after that sort of Live with Regis. And I always say Regis, but... [00:24:41] Natalie Cordone: I like the Regis and Kathie Lee and we can stick with that one. We can go old school, Shawn, that's alright. [00:24:46] Shawn Kilgore: Kathy Lee would sing sometimes, but she would not have Regis sing with her. [00:24:50] Natalie Cordone: No, that's for sure. I think she might've pushed him off the stage, but she wouldn't have the bottom line. [00:24:54]Shawn Kilgore: So we sort of modeled after that kind of field. So it has a very fun lighthearted, we wanted it to be very conversational. We didn't want it to be about any one particular topic so that we could have, you know, it seems like, you know, even like how you're doing, you know, you have a variety of people in the arts, which is awesome. But yeah, so we sort of like, we, like Natalie said, we next week are having a, a baker on the show. And then, you know, we were having some other podcasters on the show and we have had musicians and like Natalie said, pet dog rescues. We've had, so open to just anything that would make anyone feel good or lift them up after, you know, a long day. Or a long year... [00:25:31] Natalie Cordone: Yeah, that seems to drag out. [00:25:33]Lindsey Dinneen: Yes, that's fantastic. I'm so glad you guys are doing that. And so, and I'm sure I have more questions, but I'm sure that there are people who are super interested in following your journey and connecting with you and, and, you know, getting to experience these live shows. Is there a way for people to find you and connect with you and, and support you? [00:25:54]Shawn Kilgore: Absolutely. [00:25:55] Natalie Cordone: They sure can! They can find us on Facebook. They can find us on YouTube and they can also find us on our website. And you can always look us up as Cordone and Kilgore. So if you find us on Facebook, it's Cordone and Kilgore, Instagram: Cordone and Kilgore, YouTube: Cordone and  Kilgore, and then on the web it's cordoneandkilgore.com. So super easy. We are very unimaginative when it comes to naming things. So you can just always find us as. [00:26:22]Shawn Kilgore: It's just us. That's what, you know, this is a beautiful thing. It's just us. [00:26:26]Natalie Cordone: All the time everywhere. Our show, as of right now is streaming live at 7:00 PM Eastern time, 4:00 PM Pacific on most Mondays. And you can always find it after the fact on those channels as well. [00:26:40] Shawn Kilgore: Absolutely. And they are also posted to IGTV because we're not able to go live to Instagram, so they are edited and then posted to IGTV. And then again, you know, we take then the audio from it and then do an edit of that for audio podcasts that are currently available on Spotify and Stitcher. And then and again, hopefully we'll be expanding that audience pretty soon as well. [00:27:02] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, absolutely. Perfect. Well, that's, that's very exciting. I am personally delighted to follow your journey and also to support this live show in particular, because that just sounds fantastic. I can't wait to tune in, but yeah. So I'm, I'm just curious. I'm sure this has happened to you both on multiple occasions, but are there any stories that stand out to you? Where either somebody was experiencing art that you were creating or, you know, a show or something like that, or that you personally got to witness that was really impactful? It was kind of this moment to remember, like, I, I need to file this away because this is really special. [00:27:44]Shawn Kilgore: Yeah. [00:27:45]Natalie Cordone: From my own personal experience and watching someone else create that really moved me in a way that I'll never forget. I've seen so many shows, both my friends and other professionals' work, but the one that hit me, the strongest that I can sit here and put myself right back in the theater was-- I watched Audra McDonald do "110 in the Shade." And there is a song called "Old Maid" towards the end of the first act, I believe. And, and she ripped me to shreds. And I just remember, I'm still, I'm getting chills, just thinking about it as I'm sitting here. And it was the way that she connected to the material that she was singing. And it was that she was, she's a brilliant vocalist, but she was really experiencing that, the moment in a way that I could feel in my own body and my own soul, the way that she was experiencing that moment for that role. And I was sobbing in the audience and the audience was completely full.  [00:28:54] I had gone to theater by myself, which I do often, and I didn't know either of the people sitting next to me and I know they thought I was nuts. I kept getting like those sideways glances of ,why is this? Why are you crying? Now the whole entire audience wasn't sobbing. And it, for me was one of those pinnacle moments of great art that I got to experience and is something that no one will ever get to do again, if you weren't in that theater. And I think that's what I love so much about live performance is that it is temporal. And when it's done, it's done. And any time I get to experience live performance, dance, music, if it's being made in front of you, that's something that no one can take away from you, right? My house could burn to the ground. I could lose everything I have, but no one can take that experience for me. And that's one of the things that I love so much about art and about live performance. [00:29:50] Shawn Kilgore: That's a great answer. I feel like that's why we as artists and why everybody who loves art comes back to it because you're always, I don't know. It's sort of like, when you have a moment like that, you want another one, so you seek it out. And so you're, it's like trying to chase that high. Yeah. I love it. So that, but that was a great answer, I think, but for me, I've had many impactful moments with art. My most recent one though, however, was getting to see a Bette Midler performance of "Hello, Dolly" in New York City for me now that I can tell you why I sobbed, not all the way through, but there were moments where, I mean, I, and not for, because it was, it was just the most amazing-- I don't know. And I'm getting chills thinking, just thinking about it, talking about it. Cause it was, you felt like I don't even know how-- I can't even put it in words. I'm at a loss for words, trying to even explain what it was, how it was, but... [00:30:45] Natalie Cordone: Well, I know that when they came out for "Put on Your Sunday Clothes," and I know we've talked about this, when they did the "Parade of the Costumes," it's what you've wanted every musical to ever be in all the world. And I know, I remember you talking about how she just touched you so much and I, I can feel it listening to you talking about it. [00:31:04] Shawn Kilgore: Yeah. Yeah, that's cool. That's cool. Yeah. Like, and after that iconic, the iconic "Hello, Dolly" number and just the roar of the, you know, in full Broadway theater. And as everyone like stood up and I, I swear it went on for like five minutes or more the, the standing ovation, like it was, yeah. I just love it. I love, yeah, that was awesome. [00:31:28] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, of course. That is so cool. Well, yeah, you both have incredible stories about art being impactful and really like the, the idea of the art addict. [00:31:38]Natalie Cordone: We might have to make a t-shirt. [00:31:41] Lindsey Dinneen: Thankfully it's the healthiest addiction you can probably have, right? Oh, man. I feel like that needs to be explored further. We might, you know, that's fantastic. [00:31:52] Natalie Cordone: Art might make you poor, but it'll definitely get you high. [00:31:53]Lindsey Dinneen: This is perfect. I love it. Oh my gosh. And I totally resonate with what you were both talking about with live theater. I mean, I'm so grateful that there are so many avenues nowadays to view art virtually whether it's a, you know, it's a musical or something else, but there's nothing that compares to live theater, even as a performer. I feel, you know, if you're taped it's, it's nice. I mean, I'm glad to have that so I can go back in and see it again. But there's nothing like that feeling of just being on stage and looking out into the audience and hopefully it's a super dark theater, so you don't see anyone's face, you know? Oh, that's awesome. That's so exciting. So when's your first live performance back? [00:32:40]Natalie Cordone: We are so lucky that we will be performing at the Grand Oshkosh in Oshkosh, Wisconsin coming on June the 11th. It's a Friday night and there'll be a live broadcast of it as well that's completely free. So if this happens to air before June 11th than anyone wants to watch it, if you go to the, if you Google the Grand Oshkosh or watch any of our shows, we always try to put up a link for it. That night you can watch the free live broadcast of the show along with the 50 or so people that are going to be allowed into the house that are going to be socially distanced in the balcony for the night, but we get to have our three piece band with us. We're going to get to actually tour up there again. [00:33:19]Shawn Kilgore: And it will be a really nice stream too. It's going to be a three camera shoot and that's all thanks to, I believe a sponsor, right, Natalie? Somebody, a corporate sponsor, that's sponsoring these, the stream so that we can share the show with, you know, an even broader audience, which is awesome. [00:33:33] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, that is fantastic. You know, it's so interesting because again, in so many ways artists have had to really switch gears or be a little bit differently innovative, I would say. I think in general artists are very good at adapting, but yeah, I do like the fact that it's kind of opened the world to some of our artistic endeavors that might not necessarily get to see. Like, I wouldn't necessarily get to see that show, but now I can. And that's, that's really exciting, you know, and just to have those opportunities. So yeah. [00:34:06] Shawn Kilgore: Absolutely. There've been some crazy-- I just finished a project where it was eight actors, all in different states, all working with green screens. And it was a sketch comedy show, and that would have never happened, you know, if this didn't happen. So yeah, absolutely. There have been some, some good, some really interesting and cool things to come out of it, for sure. [00:34:27] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, absolutely. Well, first of all, your stories are just so fantastic. And I literally have been sitting here smiling the whole time. So this has been fantastic and wonderful. And I do have three questions that I always like to ask my guests if you two would be up for that. [00:34:44] Shawn Kilgore: Sure. [00:34:45] Natalie Cordone: Oh yeah! [00:34:46] Lindsey Dinneen: Okay. So first of all, how do you personally define art or what is art to you? [00:34:52]Natalie Cordone: Ooh. I feel like we should have studied. All right. So what is art to you? Apparently we answered this earlier and the answer is like a drug. I think art to me is self-expression in a way where you're attempting to communicate something that is incommunicable to another person. [00:35:10] Shawn Kilgore: That's good.  I think for me, it's the opportunity to escape. [00:35:16]Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, absolutely. And then what do you think is the most important role of an artist? [00:35:23]Shawn Kilgore: To keep it alive, to keep it going. [00:35:26]Natalie Cordone: I think for me, it's to tell the truth, whatever your truth is in that moment, to be vulnerable enough, to be honest, in a way where you are sharing something real, sharing a piece of yourself with people that you might never meet or really get to know. [00:35:46]Lindsey Dinneen:  Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Okay. And then my final question, and I'll define my terms a little bit, but do you think that art should be inclusive or exclusive? And what I mean by that is inclusive referring to artists who put their work out there and provide some context behind that, whether it's, you know, as simple as a title, or whether it's show notes, whether it's the context behind it, the inspiration sort of that, that prompted it. Versus exclusive referring to artists that put their work out there, but don't provide the context and basically leave it solely up to the viewer to determine what they will. [00:36:22]Shawn Kilgore: I, for me, I think inclusive because it should be also about the educational piece of it and to let young people growing up today know how it all works, you know, and hopefully to be able to inspire.  [00:36:37] Natalie Cordone: Yeah. I think for me it can be, it can be valid in either direction. I think it's really up to the discretion of the artist as to what they want that experience to be for their viewer or their audience. I know for myself, I much prefer to make what would be considered inclusive art. And I think for the most part, I prefer to be the viewer of it as well. But I think that both of them are valid. It just depends on what the project is. I think, I know that wasn't really an answer, but I'm gonna, I'm gonna pick D, all of the above. [00:37:13] Shawn Kilgore: That's always the best-- if it's an option, I'm going with it. [00:37:17] Lindsey Dinneen: Right, right. No. And, and you're absolutely right. You're both right. I mean, there's value in both. And, and I think it's, it's really interesting to hear the answers to that particular question, because everyone has a different, you know, opinion, just like art is subjective, so is that question. I love it. Well again, thank you guys so very much for being here today. I'm just so thrilled to hear your stories. And I'm, I'm very excited about what you guys are doing. I'm going to mark it in my calendar to catch that live stream, because that's really exciting to me too. And, you know, with your, with your live shows that you're doing weekly, I think-- I just know that what you bring to the world brings so much positivity and light and value. And I just commend you two for doing that. And for choosing to look on the bright side, choosing to highlight the good that's happening, because that is so needed. And I just know that what you're doing is making a tangible difference in people's lives. And so I just want to commend you for that. And thank you for that because you know, it, it does take you time and effort and I appreciate it. So thank you. [00:38:29] Shawn Kilgore: That's very nice, Lindsey. Thank you so much. This was really a lot of fun. [00:38:33] Natalie Cordone: Yeah. Thank you. And we hope that you will be a friend of our show. We would love to have you on as a guest, not to put you on the spot, but we would love to have you. And so hopefully we'll get a chance to collaborate again because your spirit is so open and kind, and the work that you do here to, to gain the following of the people who rely on getting to hear you every week. We just were glad that we were able to share. [00:38:54] Lindsey Dinneen: Yeah, of course. And, oh my gosh, yes! I would absolutely love to be a guest. That would be a huge honor. [00:39:01]Natalie Cordone: We'll have our people call your people. [00:39:04]Lindsey Dinneen: Oh my gosh. Well, thank you again so much. I'm very much looking forward to that opportunity as well, but also, thank you so much for everyone who has listened to this episode. And, oh my goodness, if you're feeling as inspired as I am right now, I would just love if you would share this episode with a friend or two and we will catch you next time. [00:39:26] If you have a story to share with us, we would love that so much. And I hope your day has been Artfully Told.

We begin a new miniseries, focusing on character songs -- those moments when the spotlight falls on a single character and we get a chance to look inside their heart and soul. Fittingly enough, we're beginning with "Soliloquy," the centerpiece aria from Rodgers & Hammerstein's classic Carousel. All clips are from the 2018 revival recording featuring Joshua Henry as Billy Bigelow and are used in accordance with the Fair Use Exemption for criticism and commentary. Listen to and buy the album on Amazon! Listen to the SMSTS playlist on Spotify. Follow the show on Twitter: @somuchstuffpod Email the show: somuchstufftosing@gmail.com

Originally from Half Moon Bay, CA, Adam Jacobs began his early performing career as a pianist studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. After playing for 8 years (ages 5-13), he decided to forgo the concert pianist route and try something new.  He found his artistic outlet through art classes and musical theater.  After playing “Oliver” in Oliver! and “Curly” in Oklahoma! in 7th and 8th grade respectively, he auditioned for a role in the local community theater–Peninsula Center Stage's production of Jesus Christ Superstar.  Even though the show had been fully cast by the time of his audition, the creative team decided to foster his young talent and create a role of a “13th apostle” or “apostle wanna-be” just so he could be in the show.While attending St. Ignatius College Preparatory, Adam was fortunate enough to be cast in the leading roles of “Billy Bigelow” in Carousel, “Drummond” in Inherit the Wind, “Marius” in Fanny (1961), and “Che” in Evita. With the help of his high-school mentor, Peter Devine, Adam discovered his love for the theater and made his decision to pursue a career in the arts.  It was also during this time that he attended the summer programs of the American Conservatory Theater (ACT) in downtown SF and the California Institute of the Arts (CSSSA) in Valencia, CA.One night after a high-school performance of Evita, a representative from the SF Opera who happened to see the show invited Adam to audition for the new upcoming documentary opera based on the life of Harvey Milk, the country's first openly gay city council member who was assassinated along with the mayor of SF in 1978.  As a result of this invited audition, he was cast as “Young Harvey” and participated not only in a powerful show performed on the anniversary of Milk's assassination, but also in a re-enactment of the historic candlelit march down Market Street just prior to the show.At New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Adam studied with the Collaborative Arts Project Musical Theater program (CAP21) as well as the Stonestreet Film and Television Studios program.  After graduating with a BFA in Theater, he worked the regional theaters, performed on cruise ships, and toured the country as Cinderella's Prince before landing his first Equity (Actor's Union) production as Nanki-poo in Marriott Theater's Hot Mikado.Around this time, he met his future wife while doing a Christmas show in Hershey, PA.  She was a rag-doll/ballerina and he was a well-padded, white-bearded Santa Claus (with black eyebrows).  While being paired as waltz partners might have helped the relationship blossom, it's possible the chocolate may have had something to do with it…Adam Jacobs and Aaron LazarAdam's big break came with the opportunity to play “Marius” in the national tour of Les Miserables.  This job led to him being cast in the Broadway revival and his subsequent Broadway debut.  Within the short 14 months that the show played the Broadhurst Theater, he had the benefit of working with many Broadway veterans including Lea Salonga, Judy Kuhn, Gary Beach, Daphne-Rubin Vega, Norm Lewis, Ann Harada, Aaron Lazar (seen in photo), among many others.Since Les Miserables, he has journeyed from the islands of Mamma Mia! to the African pridelands of The Lion King.  He's gone from the tropics of Once On This Island to the Arabian deserts of Aladdin. His mixed ethnicity has allowed him to play varied roles, and he thanks his parents for their whole-hearted encouragement to pursue a life in the arts.Adam, his wife Kelly, and their sons Jack and Alex now make their home in Chicago. After touring for two years with the first national tour of Disney's Mary Poppins as a dance captain and swing, Kelly happily joined the Broadway company and stayed with it until its closing in 2013.

QUESTIONS! ADVICE! STORIES! THEATRE! On this week's episode, we are back to our original trio talking, life, creativity, and Billy Bigelow! You're going to have a blast! Welcome to the Dear Friends Podcast! A write-in advice podcast for the musical minded. Featuring the real-life friends: Christi Esterle, Emily Clark, and Jesse “Jess” McAnally are here to take your questions and turn them, into brilliant nuggets of wisdom, giving anecdotes, personal experiences, and depths of humor, honesty, and heaping helpings of empathetic sincerity in a cynical world. Donate to Black Lives Matter here Write us a Question Here! Inspired by Someone Else's Problem Podcast by Delaney Peterson & Erin Cholakain. Social Media: Dear Friends on Twitter Dear Friends on Instagram Email us at dearfriendspodcast@gmail.com Jess Socials Jess on Twitter Jess on Instagram Jess on Youtube Jess's other Podcast Emily Socials Emily on Instagram Emily on Twitter Emily on Youtube Christi Socials Christi on Twitter Christi on Instagram Christi on Youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Baritone, Gabriel Preisser, discusses baritone technique for navigating the passaggio. He goes deep into the dangers of muscling the sound as a young baritone, and explaining the voice turning over. Gabe has sung over 40 operatic and musical theatre roles in companies like Minnesota Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Opera Philadelphia, and Michigan Opera Theatre, in roles such as Danillo, Figaro, Billy Bigelow, and Dandini. In 2020 he sang with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project which won the Grammy-Award for best new opera recording. WATCH Gabe in action: https://youtu.be/q1B4WUA6jAU Voice with Julia's #techniquetalks is where we demystify conversations surrounding vocal technique with behind-the-scenes access to great singers of today. Forget what you thought you knew about singing from your pedagogy textbook. In this series, singers get real about what works, and what doesn't. Get inspired. Try these tips. Use your judgement. Show Notes: 6:20 Gabe discusses how he gets his voice working all-day-everyday – Technique + consistent skills 10:00 Difference between head voice, falsetto, and chest voice 12:30 Turning over the voice (what/how) 15:30 Gabe discusses the vowels that help turn over the passaggio 18:12 Gabe discusses tongue position when turning over 19:50 Gabe discusses exercises to build up breath system 24:30 Gabe discusses body alignment/posture (alexander technique, yoga) 29:50 Gabe discusses how to sing Largo as a baritone (high notes and patter/articulation) 33:23 Gabe discusses high notes and vowels 38:40 Gabe discusses low notes 41:35 Gabe discusses whistle tone vs. Falsetto 43:47 Gabe discusses coloratura 46:50 Gabe discusses contemporary vocal technique Repertoire, and cross-over 50:54 Gabe discusses hooking 52:07 Gabe discuses his most challenging cross-over role 53:30 Gabe discusses his favorite baritone vocally ❤️  JOIN my FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/techniquetalksforsingers/ ❤️  Subscribe to never miss a video: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGibxkvaN8KVff0ztzYznMg ❤️  More at https://www.voicewithjulia.com ❤️  To stay in the know, and gain behind-the-scenes access to upcoming guests: https://www.voicewithjulia.com/techniquetalks/ ❤️  More at https://www.voicewithjulia.com  ❤️  Instagram: @voicewithjulia  ❤️  Facebook: Voice With Julia

This week Autumn and Mackenzie are once again joined by friend of the podcast Lynn Slotkin to talk all about the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel. Together these three take ride on the old time carousel and discuss one of the most challenging and to many critics and audiences problematic musicals of the entire musical theatre canon. Through out the episode Autumn works to show Mackenzie and Lynn that this musical one that should still done today. They explore the complex character of Billy Bigelow and they debate if he is a character who we should sympathize with. They also examine Enoch Snow and how and why unlike Billy he proves to be successful. All this and some succulent clams in this latest episode. Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. Facebook Instagram Twitter Patreon

Next week Autumn, Mackenzie continue their chronological exploration of the Rodgers and Hammerstein canon with friend of the podcast Lynn Slotkin. Together they head to New England to attend a real nice clam bake and to talk all about the high controversial and challenging musical Carousel! Throughout the episode they debate complex character of Billy Bigelow, the role the community around Billy played in his actions and they try to figure out how you can tackle and perform the complicated song "What's the Use of Wonderin". All this and more coming next Friday on the podcast! Don't forget to leave us a review and share your thoughts on this episode on our social media pages. Follow the links below to reach our pages. Facebook Instagram Twitter Patreon

NOW AVAILABLE ON FOWL PLAYERS RADIO!!! https://fowlplayersradio.buzzsprout.comWe welcome award winning baritone Keith Harris!!I first met Keith Harris about 8 years ago when we performed together in "The Music Man" at Baltimore Actors' Theatre, when he played the part of Prof. Harold Hill.He is an award winning opera singer, and has performed in almost every state of the union and in several countries overseas.He has appeared in The Merry Widow, Faust, Werther, and Lulu with The Metropolitan Opera; the role of Valentin in Faust with Toledo Opera and Annapolis Opera; the creation of the role of Sir Plume in the world première of The Rape of the Lock at New York Opera Fest; Silvio in Pagliacci with Opera Tampa; Albert in Werther with Mobile Opera; and the roles of Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro and Dandini in La Cenerentola with Bar Harbor Music Festival, where he subsequently returned for a Tea Concert and pops concert for their 50th Anniversary.He has appeared with the Seattle Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Holders Festival in Barbados, Nevada Opera, Opera of East Texas, El Paso Opera, and Skagit Opera. Other roles in clude Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Papageno in Die Zauberflöte, and Athanaël in Thaïs. In musical theatre, he has performed as Billy Bigelow in Carousel, Anthony Hope in Sweeney Todd, Pirate Bras Pique in Naughty Marietta, and The Music Man with Baltimore Actors’ Theatre. Internationally, he performed the role of Journalist in Lulu at Teatro Comunale di Bologna and often performs many roles with The Festival lyrique international de Belle-Île en Mer in France, including Belcore in L’elisir d’amore, Iago in Otello, Ford in Falstaff, and, most recently, Tonio in Pagliacci.He has performed at Carnegie Hall for the world première of David N. Child’s Requiem, in Hayes’s Te Deum, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, Orff’s Carmina Burana, and Rutter’s Mass of the Children. With New Jersey Choral Society, he sang Fauré’s Reqiuem, and with both New Jersey Choral Society and Connecticut Choral Society he sang Haydn’s Heiligmesse and Ed Lojeski’s Psalms of Passover. Other highlights include the roles of Morales and Le Dancaïre in Carmen with Pacific Symphony; the baritone solo in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with New Haven Symphony, Lancaster Symphony, and National Chorale at Avery Fisher Hall; Karsa’s Brudibar with Phoenix Symphony; Händel’s Messiah with East Texas Symphony Orchestra; Gerald Finzi’s In Terra Pax with Dessoff Choirs under the baton of James Bagwell; Argento’s Andrée Expedition with Emerson Series in Wisconsin with pianist Kenneth Bozeman; Carmina Burana with Savannah Philharmonic, Lancaster Symphony, Riverside Choral Society at Alice Tully Hall, and National Chorale at Lincoln Center; Stephen Paulus’ So Hallow’d Is the Time with Greenwich Choral Society; and the world première of Morning Has Broken arranged by Bob Chilcott.So, he's pretty good.www.keithharris.netSubscribe for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Overcast, Pocketcast, Castro, Cast Box, or here- https://fowlplayersradio.buzzsprout.comFollow us on Facebook or on twitter @fowl_radio

Check the replay of the “Broadway” edition of #MusicMondaysWithTerriCann featuring Emmy award winning Broadway actor and singer Antoine L. Smith @antoinelsmith32. Antoine was last seen on Broadway in the Tony and Grammy Nominated Best Revival of a Musical Carousel as (Timony /u.s. Billy Bigelow). Other Broadway credits include; The 2016 Grammy, and Tony Award Winning Best Revival of a Musical) The Color Purple, playing opposite Jennifer Hudson & Cynthia Erivo as(Grady/u.s.Harpo). Other Broadway Credits include; Miss Saigon(Shultz /u.s. John); Memphis(Wailin' Joe) and the upcoming Broadway Production of MJ (Michael Jackson)The Musical this Winter! Antoine L. Smith is also an accomplished voice over actor. Voicing “King Dad” on Nickelodeons “Nella The Princess Night”. As well as other television, video games and radio commercials for Silent Hill, Pepsi, Valspar Paint, Biktarvey, Aflac, Philips Razors, Adidas, Chase Bank, Smirnoff, Square Space, just to name a few. Set your alarm for Monday at 7 PM on my IG live at @terricannmusic for #MusicMondaysWithTerriCann where we get up close and personal with your favorite artist. #MusicMondaysWithTerriCann #MondaysAt7 PMEST #IGLiveShow#BroadwayEdition #AntoineLSMITH #TheColorPurple #MichaelJackson #Memphis #VoiceoverArtist #IHost #Don'tMissIt #TerriCannMusic --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/musicmondayswithterricann/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/musicmondayswithterricann/support

James Cho’s first performance in musical theater ever was on the Randy Wilson stage as an ensemble member of TTC’s 2013 production of Les Miserables. He has appeared in over a dozen productions at TTC including as Billy Bigelow in Carousel, Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods, and Georg Nowack in She Loves Me. Most recently James played Jules and Bob Greenberg in Sunday in the Park with George. He is also co-producer and director of the documentary BCS to Broadway and Back: The Randy Wilson Story. Currently, James is in a workshop production of an original musical, Romeo and Katrina, as the title character Romeo Tran. Romeo and Katrina is written by Christine Hoang, with music and lyrics by Tyler Mabry, and produced by Color Arc Productions in Austin, Texas. A virtual preview of Act I will premiere in October.https://colorarcproductions.com/BCS to Broadway and Back: The Randy Wilson Story - https://youtu.be/8-SR4_Ksbi0https://www.ttcdivadads.comhttps://www.facebook.com/TTCDivaDadshttps://www.Instagram.com/TTCDivaDadshttps://www.twitter.com/TTCDivaDadshttps://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdivadadshttps://www.theatrecompany.com

About This Episode:James Barbour was nominated for the Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Awards for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Sydney Carton in the Broadway musical version of A Tale of Two Cities, and won the Sarasota Magazine Best Actor Award for the Asolo Rep pre-Broadway production. He has starred on Broadway in such Tony-Award winning shows as Stephen Sondheim's Assassins, Disney's Beauty and the Beast as The Beast, Carousel as Billy Bigelow, Urinetown as Officer Lockstock and as Edward Rochester in Jane Eyre (Drama League Award nomination). He also appeared in the Broadway production of Cyrano and the national tour of The Secret Garden. His voice can be heard on the international recording of A Tale of Two Cities, the PS Classics recording of Assassins, the Sony Classical cast recording of Jane Eyre, The Gift on Geffen Records, the upcoming release of Frank Wildhorn's Dracula, as well as on the live CD recording of his self-produced stage show Broadway in Concert (for which he won an LA WEEKLY Garland Award). As an author and producer, James is responsible for creating three concert series, James Barbour: The Holiday Concert and Love Songs (both at New York City's famed Sardi's Restaurant) and Back From Broadway/Broadway in Concert. Mr. Barbour is considered one of the most sought-after performers on Broadway today.  Mr. Barbour has worked tirelessly in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and is on the Artists' Committee of The Actors Fund.   Find out more about James at: http://jamesbarbour.com/ James as the Phantom of the Opera James on Facebook James on Instagram https://www.cr8conference.com/   See the Show Notes: www.jeremyryanslate.com/667   Sponsors: The Great Man Within Podcast: there's another podcast I think you should listen to. It's called The Great Man Within and the hosts tackle problems that men never talk about but secretly struggle with like sex, purpose, and success. After you're done with today's episode, search for and listen to The Great Man Within on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get podcasts.  Audible: Get a free 30 day free trial and 1 free audiobook from thousands of available books. Right now I'm reading "The Richest Man in Babylon" by George S. Clason. www.jeremyryanslate.com/book 

About This Episode:James Barbour was nominated for the Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Awards for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Sydney Carton in the Broadway musical version of A Tale of Two Cities, and won the Sarasota Magazine Best Actor Award for the Asolo Rep pre-Broadway production. He has starred on Broadway in such Tony-Award winning shows as Stephen Sondheim's Assassins, Disney's Beauty and the Beast as The Beast, Carousel as Billy Bigelow, Urinetown as Officer Lockstock and as Edward Rochester in Jane Eyre (Drama League Award nomination). He also appeared in the Broadway production of Cyrano and the national tour of The Secret Garden. His voice can be heard on the international recording of A Tale of Two Cities, the PS Classics recording of Assassins, the Sony Classical cast recording of Jane Eyre, The Gift on Geffen Records, the upcoming release of Frank Wildhorn's Dracula, as well as on the live CD recording of his self-produced stage show Broadway in Concert (for which he won an LA WEEKLY Garland Award). As an author and producer, James is responsible for creating three concert series, James Barbour: The Holiday Concert and Love Songs (both at New York City's famed Sardi's Restaurant) and Back From Broadway/Broadway in Concert. Mr. Barbour is considered one of the most sought-after performers on Broadway today.  Mr. Barbour has worked tirelessly in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and is on the Artists' Committee of The Actors Fund.   Find out more about James at: http://jamesbarbour.com/ James as the Phantom of the Opera James on Facebook James on Instagram https://www.cr8conference.com/   See the Show Notes: www.jeremyryanslate.com/667   Sponsors: The Great Man Within Podcast: there's another podcast I think you should listen to. It's called The Great Man Within and the hosts tackle problems that men never talk about but secretly struggle with like sex, purpose, and success. After you're done with today's episode, search for and listen to The Great Man Within on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get podcasts.  Audible: Get a free 30 day free trial and 1 free audiobook from thousands of available books. Right now I'm reading "The Richest Man in Babylon" by George S. Clason. www.jeremyryanslate.com/book 

The Phantom of the Opera is here! We talk with Derrick Davis, the titular star of Phantom's national tour about the cosmic journey to fulfill his Phantom destiny, the nuances of playing Carousel's Billy Bigelow as a black man, and the importance of sharing truthful stories of black experiences.  

This week Jess & Andrew talk about the classically controversial musical by Rogers & Hammerstein-- Carousel. They discuss the value of Billy Bigelow as a character, which romance is more relatable, whether or not the incredible music makes up for the problematic material in the story. Links: Listen to "Carousel" Social Media: Musicals with Cheese on Twitter Jess on Twitter Andrew on Twitter Musicals W/ Cheese on Instagram Jess on Instagram Email us at musicaltheatrelives@gmail.com Use our Affiliate Link

Broadway heartthrob James Snyder sings and discusses "If I Loved You" from the R&H classic, CAROUSEL. The analysis contrasts this complex and musically dense "not at all in love" type song with its simpler counterparts from other shows. James and I also talk about navigating the monumental "Bench Scene," and his own history with Billy Bigelow, as his wife was pregnant with their first child.

For the fourth Bonus Episode of our Tony Award series, Patrick catches up with Nicholas Belton, who understudies the lead role of Billy Bigelow in the current Broadway revival of CAROUSEL, which received 11 nominations. Nick talks about the joy of working with his nominated director and fellow actors as well as what's it's like to be back in the Imperial Theatre again after last season's THE GREAT COMET. Follow Nick on Twitter! ----- The time and expense needed to bring these guests and conversations to you each week is both sometimes challenging but always rewarding. Please consider buying me a coffee to support this work that goes into each episode.   Join the WINMI community by following on Instagram or Twitter as well as reaching out to Patrick with any questions or comments: contact.winmipodcast.com   "Hot Swing" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Two-time Tony nominee JOSHUA HENRY is bringing down the house as Billy Bigelow in the Broadway revival of Carousel. Not only is his "Soliliquy" one of the standout performance moments of the theatrical season; taking on a coveted, classic musical theater role traditionally played by white male leads is just another showcase of how Broadway continues to break down barriers in the entertainment world. With his golden voice and commanding stage presence, Henry has appeared on the road in Hamilton, alongside Tony winner Cynthia Erivo in the "anybody who's anybody was there" concert performance of The Last Five Years and in memorable Broadway productions like Shuffle Along, Violet, The Scottsboro Boys and more. Now, the longtime performer is being hailed as a favorite as awards season kicks into high gear. Here's what we learned from Henry about his early days hitting the books at the University of Miami, his entry into the In the Heights dream team (and coincidentally, the Hamilton cabinet), why he's just as obsessed with Jessie Mueller as you are and more on this week's Show People with Paul Wontorek.

Tenor Alfie Boe, poet John Agard, writer Allan Jenkins, and comedian and writer Katy Brand join Libby Purves. Alfie Boe is one of our most popular tenors. He is starring as Billy Bigelow in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel alongside Katherine Jenkins at ENO's London Coliseum. He has performed in opera and musical theatre alike, from Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme on Broadway to leading the cast of Les Miserables in the West End. The youngest of nine children, he left school to work as a mechanic before being plucked off the shop-floor to stardom. Carousel is at ENO's London Coliseum. John Agard is a poet. Winner of the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry, his new show Roll Over Atlantic is a reimagining of the voyage of Christopher Columbus and his discovery of the 'New World'. Born and educated in Guyana, John came to the UK in 1977. His most famous poems explore identity and belonging and he writes for children as well as adults and is well known for his skill in performing poetry. Roll Over Atlantic is on tour. Allan Jenkins is the editor of the Observer Food Monthly. In his memoir, Plot 29, he recounts his life growing up in foster care with his brother Christopher. Their foster father introduced them to the joys of growing flowers which triggered Allan's lifelong love of gardening. As the boys grew up, their lives took different paths and Allan began to search for the answers to questions about his past. His book follows the course of a year in which he traces the story of his birth parents and finds solace tending his London allotment. Plot 29 - A Memoir is published by Fourth Estate. Katy Brand is an award-winning comedian, writer and actor. She is taking part in the Red Nose African Convoy acting as one of the outriders to a convoy of HGVs travelling from Kenya to Uganda to deliver supplies to Comic Relief funded projects. Katy's show I Was a Teenage Christian explores her youthful fascination with evangelical Christianity. The Red Nose African Convoy is broadcast on BBC One. I Was a Teenage Christian is on tour from May. Producer: Annette Wells.