Podcasts about The Drowsy Chaperone

Go backstage as Mandi  interviews the cast and crew of the Loyola Players' spring musical, The Drowsy Chaperone.  Even though the show has wrapped, you can still get a behind the scenes look at how the show came together. 

This is a special encore episode of my 2022 interview with Tony-award-winning lighting designer Ken Billington. This past week, Ken received rave reviews for his lighting design of the new Broadway musical SMASH, which amazingly is his 108th Broadway production. So, I thought it was an ideal time to revisit this fascinating conversation about the history of lighting design on Broadway and Ken's own tremendous contribution to it. This is a two-part conversation and I will be rereleasing both parts this week. Original Description: My guest on this episode is Tony Award winning lighting designer Ken Billington who created the lighting for an incredible 105 Broadway plays and musicals, including 21 productions that were directed by Harold Prince.  Ken's career spans from his very first Broadway show in 1967 when he was the assistant to legendary lighting designer Tharon Musser, to his most recent Broadway show, the hit musical, Waitress.  Along the way, he designed the original productions of Sweeney Todd, On The 20th Century, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Scottsboro Boys, The Search For Signs Of Intelligent Life In the Universe starring Lily Tomlin, three revivals of Fiddler On The Roof, two revivals of Sunday In The Park with George, and the still running 1996 revival of Chicago for which he received the Tony Award. I have had the great pleasure of knowing and working with Ken for more than 40 years, and it is always fascinating and always a delight to speak with him. Theatrical lighting design is a very young art form. Its history begins primarily in the early 20th Century -- just as the Broadway musical was being invented. Lighting design's earliest innovators include the American actress Maude Adams – most famous today for her performance as Peter Pan – and producer, director, playwright, and theater owner David Belasco.  One of the recurring themes of this podcast, and one of my obsessions, is how the art and craft of the Broadway Musical have been handed down directly – firsthand – from artists to artists, from craftsperson to craftsperson.  Ken Billington's long career and especially his early experiences as the assistant to the pioneering designers Peggy Clark, Pat Collins, Tom Skelton, William Rittman, and Tharon Musser make him the ideal guest for this episode. And of course, after Ken stopped being an assistant, he eventually became one of Broadway's most acclaimed and most prolific lighting designers. And we'll hear the story of how that came about on the next episode of Broadway Nation! You can learn more about Jean Rosenthal, Tharon Musser and other great women lighting designers on Episode 8 of Broadway Nation, which is titled, “Agnes DeMille & The Women That Invented Broadway”. It's a fascinating episode and I encourage you to check it out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of The Other Side of the Bell, featuring trumpeter, band leader and iconic plunger mute designer Kenny Rampton, is brought to you by Bob Reeves Brass. This episode also appears as a video episode on our YouTube channel, you can find it here: "Kenny Rampton trumpet interview"   About Kenny Rampton:   Trumpeter Kenny Rampton grew up in Las Vegas, and studied music at both the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and the Berklee College of Music. In 1989, he moved to New York, where he quickly established his reputation as a versatile musician, touring and performing with a veritable who's who in jazz.   Kenny's first road gig was a world tour with The Ray Charles Orchestra. He subsequently went on the road with legendary jazz drummer Panama Francis and The Savoy Sultans, and soon thereafter, with The Jimmy McGriff Quartet.   As a sideman, Kenny has also performed with jazz greats Jon Hendricks, Chico OFarrill's Afro-Cuban Jazz Big Band, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Persip and Supersound, Illinois Jacquet, Dr. John, Edy Martinez, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Reuben Wilson, Charles Earland, Tony Monaco, Clark Terry, Slide Hampton, Marcus Roberts, Christian McBride, Geoff Keezer, Richard Bona and a host of others.    Kenny Rampton joined the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis as a full time member in 2010. He also leads his own groups in addition to performing with the Mingus Big Band, The Mingus Orchestra, The Mingus Dynasty, George Gruntz' Concert Jazz Band, and The Manhattan Jazz Orchestra.   Kenny is also well known as being the trumpet voice on the legendary Sesame Street. Some of his Broadway credits include "Anything Goes" (lead/solo trumpet), "Finian's Rainbow," "The Wiz," "Chicago: The Musical," "In The Heights," "Hair," "Young Frankenstein," and "The Producers," "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Spamalot," "Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me," "The Wedding Singer," "Hot Feet" and several other shows on Broadway.   Finally, in 2020 Kenny started collaborating with Hirschman Mutes to design the innovative KR Indigo plunger mute, which has been a hit ever since its release.   In our conversation today, Kenny shares how he got his start growing up in Las Vegas in a family of entertainers. Studying trumpet at the time largely meant classical trumpet, but Kenny soon developed a deep love for jazz. This took him across the country to Berklee, and the rest is history.   Kenny tells us what it was like getting a sudden call from Ray Charles to join his orchestra, being on-screen on Sesame Street, and working closely with Wynton Marsalis at the Lincoln Center.   And, we learn the story of how he developed the famous KR Indigo plunger mute, in the midst of the pandemic, as not just a useful tool for musicians but a way to stay engaged with the community during that tough time.   Kenny Rampton is brimming with inspiration and heart, and it was a pleasure to have him on the podcast today.   Podcast listeners! Enter code "podcast" at checkout for 15% off any of our guard bags! Visit trumpetmouthpiece.com for more info.   Episode Links: kennyrampton.com National Trumpet Competition YouTube channel International Women's Brass Conference, May 19-24, Hartford, Connecticut. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: bobreeves.com/iwbc International Trumpet Guild Conference, May 27-31, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: bobreeves.com/itg William Adam Trumpet Festival, June 19-22, Clarksville, Tennessee. Sign up sheet for valve alignments: bobreeves.com/williamadam hirschmanmutes.com   Podcast Credits: “A Room with a View“ – composed and performed by Howie Shear Podcast Host – John Snell Audio Engineer – Ted Cragg

Today, I'm thrilled to announce my episode with Tony winning librettist and performer Bob Martin, who is the author of two of this season's newest hits—SMASH and BOOP—both of which started previews on Broadway this week. Tune in to hear about the writing processes of those two musicals, and some of the other stories of his legendary career, including why he was sore every night after performing THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, the character he almost played in THE PROM, writing for the film adaptation of that musical, why he loves writing for Beth Leavel, the challenges of working on MINSKY'S, changing ELF between its three Broadway runs, what he learned from Charles Strouse and Thomas Meehan, revisiting unsuccessful musicals in HEY, LOOK ME OVER, how supply chain issues have affected Broadway, developing THE STING with Harry Connick, Jr., working with Kevin Kline on AMERICAN CLASSIC, his idea for a sequel to THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, revising KISS ME, KATE in London, and so much more. You won't want to miss this honest and fun conversation with one of Broadway's funniest and most prolific writers.

That's a wrap on today's episode of Be the One! A huge thank you to Lulie Lampton and Bo Blackmon for joining us and sharing their Brookstone stories, favorite memories, and all the exciting details about The Drowsy Chaperone. It's always inspiring to hear from our students who pour their passion and talent into the fine arts at Brookstone.If you enjoyed today's conversation, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend. And don't forget to mark your calendars for The Drowsy Chaperone—you won't want to miss it!Until next time, keep showing up, making a difference, and being the one.

On this On the Rocks, curtain up! We welcome Tony Award Winner Beth Leavel to chat about her many, many roles in 15 Broadway shows and counting, we talk about her early days auditioning in NYC, the roles that have left a mark on her life, the joy of originating roles in The Drowsy Chaperone and The Prom, the future of Broadway, the power of Sondheim, and all about her current run in Old Friends alongside Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga...with your sassy host with the sassy most, Alexander Rodriguez! Raise a glass, it's On the Rocks!

Today, I'm thrilled to announce my interview with one of stage and screen's funniest comedians, Lea DeLaria. You can buy tickets to her “Brunch is Gay” series at 54 Below at this link: https://54below.org/events/lea-delaria-brunch-is-gay-2/  Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including how she made everyone break during POTUS, winning over Adolph Green at her ON THE TOWN audition, a memorable ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW stage door encounter, going solo in HAPPY DAYS, her friendship with Elaine Stritch, the joy of working with Gavin Creel on PROMETHEUS BOUND, being the first openly gay comedian on TV, her journey to playing “Big Boo” on ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, developing SOME LIKE IT HOT and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, starring in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS in California, why she thinks LIL' ABNER should be revived, sharing a special moment with Austin Pendleton during NIGHT OF THE IGUANA, and the current Broadway show she would love to star in. You won't want to miss this honest and hilarious conversation with a beloved star.

Happy Wednesday everyone! Today Karen and Lauren take us on a deep dive of The Drowsy Chaperone and all the things about we love and don't love... Stumble along with us. Get in touch! @downstageleftpc downstageleftpc@gmail.com downstageleftpodcast.com

U Guys, a true triple threat, and Seussical's original Gertrude McFuzz, Janine LaManna is here! This week's BroadwayWorld Recap is a short and sweet little roundup of Bway news. Then I am joined by a true Bway legend, Janine LaManna! From standing by for Chita Rivera in Kiss of the Spider Woman, to originating the role of Gertrude McFuzz in Broadway's Seussical, Janine has truly done it all. She made her Broadway debut as Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime alongside the original company, and eventually went on to work with such legends as Anne Reinking and Harold Prince. She shares about her experience of being the wife of a military officer and traveling the country with her family living in new places, simultaneously being a mother and continuing to work as a performer. We talk about her time playing Nickie in the Broadway revival of Sweet Charity with Christina Applegate, as well as replacing Bway star Sutton Foster as Janet Van De Graaff in the original Broadway production of The Drowsy Chaperone. Her other Bway credits include Swing!, Kiss Me, Kate, and The Look of Love. A true triple threat, Janine's talent is only matched by her grace, humility, and humor. U don't wanna miss this episode! Follow the pod on Instagram: @ohmypoduguys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Hayley and Amy talk with Broadway performer Happy McPartlin about always being prepared to go on as a standby/cover, the importance of storytelling for human connection, holding onto your values and identity as a theatre person through career ups and downs, and more. Click here for a transcript of the episode! Episode Notes Hosts: Hayley Goldenberg and Amy AndrewsGuest: Happy McPartlinMusic: Chloe Geller Episode Resources: The Notebook Come From Away Guest Bio: Happy McPartlin (she/her) is currently understudying Older Allie and Mother/Nurse Lori on Broadway in the new musical The Notebook, written by Ingrid Michaelson and Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Michael Greif and Schele Williams. Prior to that, she completed a 5-year run as a standby with Come From Away on Broadway, performing in the show well over 400 times in 5 different roles. Prior to that, she spent time working in some of the preeminent theaters in Washington, DC, performing in the ensembles of 110 In The Shade at Ford's Theatre, The Secret Garden for The Shakespeare Theatre, Gun & Powder (workshop ) at Signature Theatre, as well as standing by for the Pre-Broadway run of Come From Away. Happy was honored to be chosen to play the role of Beulah in Come From Away for the 20th Anniversary Memorial Concert for 9/11 in Washington, DC at the Lincoln Memorial, which was attended by roughly 10,000 people. She has also appeared on the Come From Away national tour and performed the role of Hannah for the Come From Away Tiny Desk Concert for NPR. Other favorite credits include - Broadway: Hands on a Hardbody. National tours: Memphis 1st National Tour, Hairspray (Velma), The Full Monty (Georgie). Regional: Stages Repertory: Diana in Next to Normal; Paper Mill & TUTS: Curtains; Geva: …Spelling Bee; Ogunquit Playhouse: Les Misérables, Sunset Boulevard, and The Full Monty; Bucks County Playhouse: Pennywise in Urinetown, the Witch in Into The Woods, and Sugar Babies; The Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone at Theatre By the Sea. Happy's biggest joy is her family - an 8-year-old son and husband - and she loves spending time with dear friends doing just about anything, baking, and watching way too much television! Find Happy Online: Instagram Thanks for listening! Who do you want to hear from next on the Women & Theatre Podcast? Nominate someone here. The Women & Theatre Podcast is created and produced by Hayley Goldenberg and Amy Andrews. Please like, comment, subscribe, follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and consider making a donation to support our work. Thank you for listening!

Ticket Link: https://54below.org/events/beth-leavel-sings-sondheim/ Today, I'm thrilled to announce my interview with Tony winner Beth Leavel, who will be performing a 54 Below concert celebrating the works of Stephen Sondheim on October 26 and 27. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including the advice she got from Elaine Stritch, her process of finding the character of Dee Dee Allen in THE PROM, how 42ND STREET ruined a trip to Disneyland, performing for Elton John and Steven Spielberg, why her involvement in LEMPICKA felt fated by the universe, the role of hers that Eartha Kitt and Joan Van Ark also auditioned for, working with Casey Nicholaw on TUCK EVERLASTING and SOMETHING ROTTEN, the tragic closing of THE CIVIL WAR, taking inspiration from Margaret Dumont for THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, the most important lines in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, and so much more. You won't want to miss this uproarious conversation with a true Broadway treasure. 

We've got our first "musicologist" and first Gershwin brothers musical in the same episode! This week we welcome William A. Everett to discuss George & Ira's first full collaboration LADY, BE GOOD! Not only did this musical star the Astaire siblings, but it also landed in 1924, a year you'll soon realize was one of the most important in all of Broadway history. Don't miss this jam-packed episode that in under an hour manages to include both HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL references and highbrow words like "diagetic." (insert exclamation point here!) Order Bill's new book The Year that Made the Musical: 1924 and the Glamour of Musical Theatre If you enjoyed this conversation, give a listen to our episode on THE DROWSY CHAPERONE with Ken Werther, a modern take on a similar musical style. Have you subscribed to PATREON! yet?! For only $1 a month you get a bonus episode and more great ways to participate in "A Musical Theatre Podcast." You can also follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and X for a steady flow of episode related content. Don't forget about our TeePublic Store, where the profits we receive are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. More than anything, thank you for being a part of this wonderful podcasting community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kecia Lewis is celebrating 40 triumphant years as a dynamic storyteller on stage and screen in the entertainment industry. Lewis' rich career of portraying formidable women has come full circle with her critically acclaimed, Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle nominated, and Lucille Lortel Award winning performance of Miss Liza Jane in Alicia Keys' Broadway hit musical Hell's Kitchen. Entertainment Weekly proclaims "Lewis is commanding...her voice is a weapon, and she knows just when to fire." Kecia's Broadway journey began with her debut at 18 years old in the original company of Dreamgirls. In addition to originating on Broadway iconic roles in Once On This Island, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Leap of Faith, Kecia has graced the Broadway stage in The Gospel at Colonus (with Morgan Freeman), Big River, Ain't Misbehavin' (standby for Nell Carter) and Children of a Lesser God. Off Broadway she has starred in the title role of Mother Courage (CSC), The Skin of Our Teeth (TFNA - Obie Award Winner), Dessa Rose (LCT - Drama Desk nom.), and Marie and Rosetta (ATC - Lortel & Drama League Nom, Obie Award Winner). Kecia's work on the reboot of MAD ABOUT YOU was loved by fans and critics alike. Other selected TV guest and recurring roles include "And Just Like That" (Max), "With Love" (Amazon), "The Passage (Fox), The Blacklist (NBC), Law and Order SVU (NBC) and “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” (Hulu). As a vocalist Kecia has performed in Canada, Switzerland, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Russia. Kecia can also be seen in Evan Parter's feature “The Independent” alongside Brian Cox, Jodie Turner-Smith and John Cena which is now streaming on Peacock.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Patrick Wetzel joins Scott and The Mouse and Me for a great chat about his incredible career in film, on tour, and on Broadway.  Patrick was in Disney's film version of "A Christmas Carol" starring Jim Carey where he was Bob Hoskins dance double. He was also in the 2005 movie "The Producers" starring Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, "The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete" with Jennifer Hudson, and "The Prom."  His tour credits include "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" with Donny Osmond, "Cinderella" with Eartha Kitt, "The Producers" with Martin Short and Jason Alexander, "Billy Elliot," and "The Prom."  On Broadway, Patrick made his debut in "Ain't Broadway Grand" and appeared in the revival of "Annie Get Your Gun" with Bernadette Peters, "Thou Shalt Not," "The Producers," "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Spamalot," and "All About Me" with Dame Edna.  Also on Broadway he was the Associate Director for "Tuck Everlasting," he stage managed "Something Rotten" and Disney's "Frozen," and he continues to sub as a resident director for "Aladdin" and stage manages the national tour of "Mrs. Doubtfire."  Be sure to stay tuned next week where there may or may not be a first for The Mouse and Me. There may or may not an Extra Special Guest. We cannot confirm nor deny this fact. We're just sayin'... Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.com Support: www.patreon.com/themouseandme FB & Instagram: The Mouse and Me TikTok: @TheMouseAndMePodcast Twitter: @MouseMePodcast Music by Kevin MacLeod from https://incompetech.filmmusic.io --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themouseandme/support

Join your favorite podcast hosts Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo , on the latest episode of Survival Jobs, as they chat with the iconic Broadway veteran and Tony Nominee Kecia Lewis in the hit Broadway musical ‘Hell's Kitchen', which is nominated for thirteen Tony Awards including Best Musical this season. Kecia shines a spotlight on her 40+ year career which includes starring in the original Broadway runs of ‘Dreamgirls', ‘Once On This Island' and ‘The Drowsy Chaperone' to such iconic television shows such as ‘Mad About You', ‘Law and Order: SVU', ‘The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, “Passages” and more! Kecia also dives into the joy of working with her powerful female co-stars Shoshana Bean and Maleah Joi Moon and Lead Producer and Composer Alicia Keys in ‘Hell's Kitchen' and why audiences and critics are praising the production!   Before closing out with a fun game of Fill in the Lyric…Alicia Keys Edition, Kecia dives into the many surprising gigs she's had over the years as a working actor! Tickets for ‘Hell's Kitchen' are available at the Shubert Theatre or online here. The episode opens with Samantha and Jason chatting about the Stephen Sondheim Awards at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut where Jason was a presenter!  Lastly, the exclusive video interview can be found here on Broadway World, while the audio-only version of the episode is available on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible or any of your other favorite podcast apps. Tune in now for insights, inspiration, and entertainment! Info on Your Hosts:  Broadway World Article on our Season 3 Launch Party Follow Samantha: Instagram  |  Samantha's Official Website here Follow Jason on Instagram  | Twitter. Check out Jason's Official Website here Check out and support The Bridgeport Film Fest Info on Guests:  Follow Kecia on Instagram  Tickets to 'Hell's Kitchen' on Broadway "Mad About You" Revival Trailer "The Passage" on Fox Trailer Mic Check Links: Info on the Bridgeport Film Fest [save 30% by using the code: BFFSURVIVALJOBS2024] Tony Award Nominations article by Broadway World Important Links: Support the citizens of Gaza CAIR Shares Resources to Support Students Protesting the War and Genocide in Gaza Native Land Map US Interior Indian Affairs NPR: "How To Help Puerto Rico" Article How to Help the People of Florida Article Abortion Funds Website Plan C Pills Website National Write Your Congressman Link How to help Uvalde families NPR Article Where to Donate to Support Access to Abortions Right Now Support Us... Please!  If you're feeling generous, Buy Us A Coffee HERE! Please don't become complacent: Support the Black Mamas Matter Alliance Support Families Detained and Separated at the Border.  Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund. Support Black Trans Folx here Donate to the Community League of the Heights (CLOTH) Support the People of Palestine How to be an Ally to the AAPI Community 168 Ways to Donate in Support of Black Lives and Communities of Color The New York Times: On Mexico's Border With U.S., Desperation as Migrant Traffic Piles Up PBS: How to help India during its COVID surge — 12 places you can donate Covid quarantine didn't stop antisemitic attacks from rising to near-historic highs Opening and Closing Theme Music: "One Love" by Beats by Danny | Game Music: "Wake Up" by MBB.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We sit down with members of the Drowsy Chaperone cast to talk about theiatre, the show, and their experiences in the show. There are still tickets avialable if you would like to see the show, but the 10th, 11th, and 12th are the last show times. #qiroberts #qirstudentgovernment #excellenceinallendeavors #qirstudentgovernment #theBozeKnows @q.i.roberts cambridge @qirclassof2024 @qirclassof24 @qirclassof2025 @qirclassof2026 @qirclassof2027 @qir.avid @qir_ffa @qir_nhs @qirinteract @qirobertsclassics

In this week's episode, Patrick and Tommie argue whether all movement is dance, take aim at dog killer Kristi Noem, meet the Finnish Hound, celebrate Calamity Jane and Joanna Lumley, mourn the passing of rock 'n' roll legend Duane Eddy, debate whether heterosexuality in unnatural, review a pair of classic films, wake up the Drowsy Chaperone, send out a May Day, learn the background behind Donald Trump's immunity claim, review the recent college protests, and Tommie re-tells classic fairy tales in his own inimitable way.

“There was David Cronenberg (The Fly, Scanners), but not many other examples,” says Don McKellar, about his childhood as a Canadian where he felt there were few role models in the business. “But I did love theater. I created shows with my friends and all the disciplines — writing, directing, acting — blended together for me.” Those live performances helped to shape his work. “I co-wrote a musical called The Drowsy Chaperone on Broadway. In that kind of show, if you do a show and it doesn't work, it's obvious. What I think helps as a writer is having that actor's eye ingrained in my bones. You can sort of feel what works, what can play, what's enjoyable to deliver. That instinct really informs my writing.” “Knowing what actors will enjoy is consequently knowing what viewers will enjoy. I think that helped me work with Robert,” he jokes, in regards to the new series The Sympathizer, which stars Robert Downey Jr., Sandra Oh, and Hoa Xuande. The plot reads, “Near the end of the Vietnam War, a plant who was embedded in the South Vietnam army flees to the United States and takes up residence in a refugee community where he continues to secretly spy and report back to the Viet Cong.” Want more? Steal my first book, Ink by the Barrel - Secrets From Prolific Writers right now for free. Simply head over to www.brockswinson.com to get your free digital download and audiobook. If you find value in the book, please share it with a friend as we're giving away 100,000 copies this year. It's based on hundreds of interviews here at Creative Principles. If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60-seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom on your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!

We're back with another script tease! This week, we'll be discussing and explaining The Drowsy Chaperone. We'll talk about themes and messages and just how crazy these storylines are! Every Thespians Dream: a podcast from two lifelong theatre kids talking all things theatre! Join Ty Eatherton and Kiera Sweeney in each episode as they discuss their own theatre fantasies and knowledge! Theme Song, "Thots Thots Thots" by Nick Rogers, and Logo Art by Madi Spillman.

"Right from the beginning, in talking with Park Chan-wook, we wanted this sort of multiplicity of narrative voices and devices. In a way, it's about how the story, in this case of the Vietnam War, has been told, what the expected story is, at least, for American viewers, which they may mainly know through the movies and through visual representations. And it's how our lead character, The Captain, who is writing the story, who has divided loyalties. How can we capture the contradictions within that story? And we tried to make that complexity part of the actual fabric of the show."Don McKellar is a highly accomplished writer, director, and actor. He has written films including Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, The Red Violin, and Blindness. He won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival for his directorial debut, Last Night, which he also wrote and starred in. He is an eight-time Genie Award nominee and a two-time winner.He wrote the book for the acclaimed musical The Drowsy Chaperone, for which he received a Tony Award. Most recently, Don served as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner on The Sympathizer, a television adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series was co-created with Park Chan-wook.www.imdb.com/name/nm0001528/mediaviewer/rm2411273728/?ref_=nm_ov_phwww.imdb.com/title/tt14404618/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%20sympawww.creativeprocess.infowww.oneplanetpodcast.orgIG www.instagram.com/creativeprocesspodcastPhoto courtesy of HBO

On casting Robert Downey Jr. in 4 Roles:"That was Park Chan-wook's idea early on. In the book, there are these sorts of male-white figures of the American establishment. They're all differentiated in the book, but he had the idea. What if we have one actor playing all the parts kind of like Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove and immediately we thought that's a great idea. Robert Downey Jr.'s characters represent academia, intelligence in the military, entertainment, and politics. Even if they have opposing political ideas on the surface, there's something at the root that is working together. It's a kind of deep-state metaphor and - I don't want to give away the ending of the series - but it comes together in a way that feeds into The Captain's character, too." "Casting of The Captain (Hoa Xuande) was very hard because it's really all from his perspective. The whole thing is on his shoulders. He's in almost every scene. And when he isn't, it's from his point of view, so he's a spy, you know, so he's got to be able to have that poker face. He's got to be able...it can't be on the surface. He's got to have a certain amount of control. So we had to have someone who was very emotional, but at the same time had a lot of control, who was very agile in a way, like the narrative of the book is, who is able to quickly change modes and at the same time sort of evoke the protagonists of American 70s action films, except from a Vietnamese side.”Don McKellar is a highly accomplished writer, director, and actor. He has written films including Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, The Red Violin, and Blindness. He won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival for his directorial debut, Last Night, which he also wrote and starred in. He is an eight-time Genie Award nominee and a two-time winner.He wrote the book for the acclaimed musical The Drowsy Chaperone, for which he received a Tony Award. Most recently, Don served as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner on The Sympathizer, a television adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series was co-created with Park Chan-wook.www.imdb.com/name/nm0001528/mediaviewer/rm2411273728/?ref_=nm_ov_phwww.imdb.com/title/tt14404618/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%20sympawww.creativeprocess.infowww.oneplanetpodcast.orgIG www.instagram.com/creativeprocesspodcastPhoto courtesy of HBO

“Doubling is kind of a big theme, and maybe it always is in spy literature, but maybe I think that that's why Viet chose to write a spy novel in a way and play with those sort of tropes because it's central and I think it's central to the message of the show and of the book. This idea that there's another side to every question. I mean, that's the central quandary. There's this problem with the whole Vietnam War. It's saying to Americans, at least put yourself on the other side, the Vietnamese side, and then recognize that that side also has two sides and then within that, there are further divisions. And if you do that, I think what it's proposing is that you have to step back. It forces a sort of objectivity and humility, and it asks you to step back and allow the bigger human questions to resonate."Don McKellar is a highly accomplished writer, director, and actor. He has written films including Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, The Red Violin, and Blindness. He won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival for his directorial debut, Last Night, which he also wrote and starred in. He is an eight-time Genie Award nominee and a two-time winner.He wrote the book for the acclaimed musical The Drowsy Chaperone, for which he received a Tony Award. Most recently, Don served as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner on The Sympathizer, a television adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series was co-created with Park Chan-wook.www.imdb.com/name/nm0001528/mediaviewer/rm2411273728/?ref_=nm_ov_phwww.imdb.com/title/tt14404618/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%20sympawww.creativeprocess.infowww.oneplanetpodcast.orgIG www.instagram.com/creativeprocesspodcastPhoto courtesy of HBO

"What saved me as a young person, I think, was how I connected with the arts. And I was exposed to this sort of world of possibility. What I hope for children is sort of courageous curiosity. I feel that they have to pursue their creative impulses, and I hope that art can inspire them to do that. That's what I always do. When I'm creating work, I always want it to be inspiring in a way. Not inspiring like a Hallmark movie, you know, like not happy, not necessarily, but provocative in a way that inspires thought, inspires creativity. So when I see young people, what I always try and encourage in them is sort of courage. Courage at facing the world, not being afraid of the world, and being. And I think that art can provide that, can bolster that courage."Don McKellar is a highly accomplished writer, director, and actor. He has written films including Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, The Red Violin, and Blindness. He won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival for his directorial debut, Last Night, which he also wrote and starred in. He is an eight-time Genie Award nominee and a two-time winner.He wrote the book for the acclaimed musical The Drowsy Chaperone, for which he received a Tony Award. Most recently, Don served as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner on The Sympathizer, a television adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series was co-created with Park Chan-wook.www.imdb.com/name/nm0001528/mediaviewer/rm2411273728/?ref_=nm_ov_phwww.imdb.com/title/tt14404618/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%20sympawww.creativeprocess.infowww.oneplanetpodcast.orgIG www.instagram.com/creativeprocesspodcastPhoto courtesy of HBO

"Right from the beginning, in talking with Park Chan-wook, we wanted this sort of multiplicity of narrative voices and devices. In a way, it's about how the story, in this case of the Vietnam War, has been told, what the expected story is, at least, for American viewers, which they may mainly know through the movies and through visual representations. And it's how our lead character, The Captain, who is writing the story, who has divided loyalties. How can we capture the contradictions within that story? And we tried to make that complexity part of the actual fabric of the show."Don McKellar is a highly accomplished writer, director, and actor. He has written films including Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, The Red Violin, and Blindness. He won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival for his directorial debut, Last Night, which he also wrote and starred in. He is an eight-time Genie Award nominee and a two-time winner.He wrote the book for the acclaimed musical The Drowsy Chaperone, for which he received a Tony Award. Most recently, Don served as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner on The Sympathizer, a television adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series was co-created with Park Chan-wook.www.imdb.com/name/nm0001528/mediaviewer/rm2411273728/?ref_=nm_ov_phwww.imdb.com/title/tt14404618/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%20sympawww.creativeprocess.infowww.oneplanetpodcast.orgIG www.instagram.com/creativeprocesspodcastPhoto courtesy of HBO

What are the stories we tell ourselves to justify our actions in times of war? How can the arts convey complexity and foster understanding?Don McKellar is a highly accomplished writer, director, and actor. He has written films including Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, The Red Violin, and Blindness. He won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival for his directorial debut, Last Night, which he also wrote and starred in. He is an eight-time Genie Award nominee and a two-time winner.He wrote the book for the acclaimed musical The Drowsy Chaperone, for which he received a Tony Award. Most recently, Don served as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner on The Sympathizer, a television adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series was co-created with Park Chan-wook."Right from the beginning, in talking with Park Chan-wook, we wanted this sort of multiplicity of narrative voices and devices. In a way, it's about how the story, in this case of the Vietnam War, has been told, what the expected story is, at least, for American viewers, which they may mainly know through the movies and through visual representations. And it's how our lead character, The Captain, who is writing the story, who has divided loyalties. How can we capture the contradictions within that story? And we tried to make that complexity part of the actual fabric of the show."www.imdb.com/name/nm0001528/mediaviewer/rm2411273728/?ref_=nm_ov_phwww.imdb.com/title/tt14404618/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%20sympawww.creativeprocess.infowww.oneplanetpodcast.org IG www.instagram.com/creativeprocesspodcastPhotos courtesy of HBOSusan Downey, Robert Downey Jr., Don McKellarRobert Downey Jr. in The Sympathizer, photo by Beth Dubber/HBOHoa Xuande in The Sympathizer, photo by Hopper Stone/HBO

What are the stories we tell ourselves to justify our actions in times of war? How can the arts convey complexity and foster understanding?Don McKellar is a highly accomplished writer, director, and actor. He has written films including Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, The Red Violin, and Blindness. He won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival for his directorial debut, Last Night, which he also wrote and starred in. He is an eight-time Genie Award nominee and a two-time winner.He wrote the book for the acclaimed musical The Drowsy Chaperone, for which he received a Tony Award. Most recently, Don served as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner on The Sympathizer, a television adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series was co-created with Park Chan-wook."I think the reason for success of the novel The Sympathizer was the very unique voice in the book. It's told in first person with this kind of raconteur who's very intelligent. It's satiric. It tackles big issues, and it's very lively and fun at the same time. It's quite and it's also complicated where it's coming from. It's a confession. It's written in theory under duress. It's very hard to replicate because it's sort of very freewheeling, and we didn't want to weigh the show down with just a lot of voiceover, you know, that feeling of a literary adaptation you get where you just have a voiceover quoting the book all the time. So, the first thing we tried to do, well, the first thing we did was get Park Chan-wook involved because he has a very similar visual language. We tried to replicate that voice visually, and we've tried to come up with parallel visual narrative devices that would give that feeling that the book had."www.imdb.com/name/nm0001528/mediaviewer/rm2411273728/?ref_=nm_ov_phwww.imdb.com/title/tt14404618/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%20sympawww.creativeprocess.infowww.oneplanetpodcast.org IG www.instagram.com/creativeprocesspodcastPhotos courtesy of HBOSusan Downey, Robert Downey Jr., Don McKellarRobert Downey Jr. in The Sympathizer, photo by Beth Dubber/HBOHoa Xuande in The Sympathizer, photo by Hopper Stone/HBO

"I think the reason for success of the novel The Sympathizer was the very unique voice in the book. It's told in first person with this kind of raconteur who's very intelligent. It's satiric. It tackles big issues, and it's very lively and fun at the same time. It's quite and it's also complicated where it's coming from. It's a confession. It's written in theory under duress. It's very hard to replicate because it's sort of very freewheeling, and we didn't want to weigh the show down with just a lot of voiceover, you know, that feeling of a literary adaptation you get where you just have a voiceover quoting the book all the time. So, the first thing we tried to do, well, the first thing we did was get Park Chan-wook involved because he has a very similar visual language. We tried to replicate that voice visually, and we've tried to come up with parallel visual narrative devices that would give that feeling that the book had."Don McKellar is a highly accomplished writer, director, and actor. He has written films including Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, The Red Violin, and Blindness. He won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival for his directorial debut, Last Night, which he also wrote and starred in. He is an eight-time Genie Award nominee and a two-time winner.He wrote the book for the acclaimed musical The Drowsy Chaperone, for which he received a Tony Award. Most recently, Don served as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner on The Sympathizer, a television adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series was co-created with Park Chan-wook.www.imdb.com/name/nm0001528/mediaviewer/rm2411273728/?ref_=nm_ov_phwww.imdb.com/title/tt14404618/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%20sympawww.creativeprocess.infowww.oneplanetpodcast.orgIG www.instagram.com/creativeprocesspodcastPhoto courtesy of HBO

What are the stories we tell ourselves to justify our actions in times of war? How can the arts convey complexity and foster understanding?Don McKellar is a highly accomplished writer, director, and actor. He has written films including Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, The Red Violin, and Blindness. He won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival for his directorial debut, Last Night, which he also wrote and starred in. He is an eight-time Genie Award nominee and a two-time winner.He wrote the book for the acclaimed musical The Drowsy Chaperone, for which he received a Tony Award. Most recently, Don served as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner on The Sympathizer, a television adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series was co-created with Park Chan-wook."Casting of The Captain (Hoa Xuande) was very hard because it's really all from his perspective. The whole thing is on his shoulders. He's in almost every scene. And when he isn't, it's from his point of view, so he's a spy, you know, so he's got to be able to have that poker face. He's got to be able...it can't be on the surface. He's got to have a certain amount of control. So we had to have someone who was very emotional, but at the same time had a lot of control, who was very agile in a way, like the narrative of the book is, who is able to quickly change modes and at the same time sort of evoke the protagonists of American 70s action films, except from a Vietnamese side.”On casting Robert Downey Jr. in 4 Roles:"That was Park Chan-wook's idea early on. In the book, there are these sorts of male-white figures of the American establishment. They're all differentiated in the book, but he had the idea. What if we have one actor playing all the parts kind of like Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove and immediately we thought that's a great idea. Robert Downey Jr.'s characters represent academia, intelligence in the military, entertainment, and politics. Even if they have opposing political ideas on the surface, there's something at the root that is working together. It's a kind of deep-state metaphor and - I don't want to give away the ending of the series - but it comes together in a way that feeds into The Captain's character, too."www.imdb.com/name/nm0001528/mediaviewer/rm2411273728/?ref_=nm_ov_phwww.imdb.com/title/tt14404618/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%20sympawww.creativeprocess.infowww.oneplanetpodcast.org IG www.instagram.com/creativeprocesspodcastPhotos courtesy of HBOSusan Downey, Robert Downey Jr., Don McKellarRobert Downey Jr. in The Sympathizer, photo by Beth Dubber/HBOHoa Xuande in The Sympathizer, photo by Hopper Stone/HBO

What are the stories we tell ourselves to justify our actions in times of war? How can the arts convey complexity and foster understanding?Don McKellar is a highly accomplished writer, director, and actor. He has written films including Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, The Red Violin, and Blindness. He won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival for his directorial debut, Last Night, which he also wrote and starred in. He is an eight-time Genie Award nominee and a two-time winner.He wrote the book for the acclaimed musical The Drowsy Chaperone, for which he received a Tony Award. Most recently, Don served as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner on The Sympathizer, a television adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series was co-created with Park Chan-wook.“Doubling is kind of a big theme, and maybe it always is in spy literature, but maybe I think that that's why Viet chose to write a spy novel in a way and play with those sort of tropes because it's central and I think it's central to the message of the show and of the book. This idea that there's another side to every question. I mean, that's the central quandary. There's this problem with the whole Vietnam War. It's saying to Americans, at least put yourself on the other side, the Vietnamese side, and then recognize that that side also has two sides and then within that, there are further divisions. And if you do that, I think what it's proposing is that you have to step back. It forces a sort of objectivity and humility, and it asks you to step back and allow the bigger human questions to resonate."www.imdb.com/name/nm0001528/mediaviewer/rm2411273728/?ref_=nm_ov_phwww.imdb.com/title/tt14404618/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%20sympawww.creativeprocess.infowww.oneplanetpodcast.org IG www.instagram.com/creativeprocesspodcastPhotos courtesy of HBOSusan Downey, Robert Downey Jr., Don McKellarRobert Downey Jr. in The Sympathizer, photo by Beth Dubber/HBOHoa Xuande in The Sympathizer, photo by Hopper Stone/HBO

What are the stories we tell ourselves to justify our actions in times of war? How can the arts convey complexity and foster understanding?Don McKellar is a highly accomplished writer, director, and actor. He has written films including Roadkill, Highway 61, Dance Me Outside, The Red Violin, and Blindness. He won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival for his directorial debut, Last Night, which he also wrote and starred in. He is an eight-time Genie Award nominee and a two-time winner.He wrote the book for the acclaimed musical The Drowsy Chaperone, for which he received a Tony Award. Most recently, Don served as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner on The Sympathizer, a television adaptation of Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. The series was co-created with Park Chan-wook."What saved me as a young person, I think, was how I connected with the arts. And I was exposed to this sort of world of possibility. What I hope for children is sort of courageous curiosity. I feel that they have to pursue their creative impulses, and I hope that art can inspire them to do that. That's what I always do. When I'm creating work, I always want it to be inspiring in a way. Not inspiring like a Hallmark movie, you know, like not happy, not necessarily, but provocative in a way that inspires thought, inspires creativity. So when I see young people, what I always try and encourage in them is sort of courage. Courage at facing the world, not being afraid of the world, and being. And I think that art can provide that, can bolster that courage."www.imdb.com/name/nm0001528/mediaviewer/rm2411273728/?ref_=nm_ov_phwww.imdb.com/title/tt14404618/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_the%20sympawww.creativeprocess.infowww.oneplanetpodcast.org IG www.instagram.com/creativeprocesspodcastPhotos courtesy of HBOSusan Downey, Robert Downey Jr., Don McKellarRobert Downey Jr. in The Sympathizer, photo by Beth Dubber/HBOHoa Xuande in The Sympathizer, photo by Hopper Stone/HBO

My next guest has been working as a writer, performer, and producer in television, film, and theatre in Canada and the US for more than three decades. He is the co-creator of the Tony Award winning The Drowsy Chaperone, which is widely considered to be the most successful show in Canadian musical theatre history. He served as co-writer on Elf, which has enjoyed similar success on Broadway and internationally and co-wrote the The Prom, which opened on Broadway in November 2018 to high critical acclaim, including being named a New York Times Critic's Pick and was later adapted into a Netflix film with an all-star cast, produced by Ryan Murphy. He has been recognized internationally with award wins and nominations for his acting, producing, and writing work, including multiple Tony Awards, a Drama Desk Award, and multiple Gemini Awards. He is co-creator of Slings & Arrows, which was named one of the ten best television shows of the decade by a number of publications including New York Magazine. As I sat down with the endlessly inventive Bob Martin, his narrative unfolded like a vivid tapestry, weaving tales of a life rich with humor, heart, and the pursuit of creative enlightenment. In our conversation, we journey from Bob's early days, where comedy and writing were a refuge from shyness, to the birth of his Broadway hit "The Drowsy Chaperone." Bob's insights on identity, culture, and the lure of the present moment offer a refreshing perspective on the complexities hidden beneath the surface of professional accomplishments.Listeners are in for a treat as we peel back the layers of fear and vulnerability that accompany the world of improvisational theater. Bob shares the philosophy that guides his approach to performance, emphasizing connection over perfection. The dance of co-creation is at the heart of our discussion, as we explore the transformative power that comes from watching one's work brought to life by others. Bob's reflections on the therapeutic nature of arts, the challenges of collaboration, and the joy of reinvention are a testament to his belief in the courage to embrace change.The episode takes a more personal turn as Bob opens up about navigating through life's significant shifts, including the emotional landscape of divorce and the daunting leap into a full-time arts career. With the world of entertainment shaken by a global pandemic, we ponder the resilience of live performances and the reinvention of connection with audiences. Concluding with a look toward new horizons, Bob shares his aspirations for growth and the creative pathways he's eager to explore. Join us for an inspiring session that celebrates the resilience, passion, anSupport the showTAKE YOUR MINDFULNESS & INSIGHTS ONE STEP FURTHER WITH PREMIUM MEDITATIONSSubscribe to premium content today and have access to bonus episodes worksheets and meditations. Whether you are looking to relax, recenter, reduce stress, increase motivation, fall asleep peacefully or wakeup ready to take on the day, these meditations and visualizations are for you. You will also have the opportunity to connect directly with me via email to let me know what kind of meditations you are looking for, share your episode insights and suggest guests that you might be interested in hearing from so that I can create content for you!Subscriptions begin at $3/month and subscribers who choose $10 a month subscription also receive a monthly coaching exercise from my client workbook.Interested in finding out more about working with Lisa Hopkins? Visit www.wideopenstages.comFollow Lisa https://www.instagram.com/wideopenstages/

This week I am thrilled to chat with Vincent Pelligrino, Theatre teacher at Gulf Coast State College and the director of their spring musical, "The Drowsy Chaperone". We talk about his professional career in theatre, what brought him to Northwest Florida, the impact that theatre has on the lives of a community and of course, his upcoming spring production. To purchase tickets, click the below link today: https://www.gulfcoast.edu/academics/academic-division/visual-performing-arts/index.html

Doctor Bird Productions⁠ is looking to bring something fresh and new to Toronto's performance world.   We want to put on productions that stretch the imagination, that bring smiles to peoples faces and help to make people walk away with new thoughts and new ideas.  We hope to put on new productions in Canada and hope to reimagine shows that have been so important to the makeup of Torontos performance world.  We are committed to the practice of color-conscious casting. We recognize that considerations of race, including how race and ethnicity shape society and the stories we tell, are vital components to the casting process. Also critical to the casting process are audience perceptions of race on stage and in film. We strive to craft performances in ways that respect, care for, and honor individuals, cultures, and communities of color. Furthermore, we recognize that the practice of white-washing erases culturally and racially specific stories and experiences. White-washing takes away opportunities from people of color and reinforces the dangerous notion of white superiority. Therefore, we reject this practice. In light of this, we seek to be inclusive and color-conscious not only in our casting but also in the material we choose to stage. Manuele Adrian Mizzi Jamaican-Italian tenor, Manuele Adrian Mizzi discovered his love for performing at a very young age. Growing up in Markham he attended Unionville High School for the Arts later obtaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Voice Performance from York University under the tutelage of renowned Canadian operatic soprano Stephanie Bogle and having also studied with renowned European soprano Galina Lumkosky. With a repertoire ranging from pop to musical theatre to opera and classical, he has performed in a wide variety of venues throughout North America. His musical theatre credits include performing the roles of Schroeder in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Japheth in Two by Two, Thomas in Emmanuel the Musical (New York City), Barnaby in Hello Dolly, Shrek in Shrek Tateh in Ragtime, The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, and Dickon in The Secret Garden among many others.Manuele Adrian Mizzi also has a long career of teaching under his belt. As an avid pianist, accompanist, musical director and director, he has been working with all ages from 3-99 for the last 23 years. His directing and musical directing credits include musicals, plays, pantos and recitals. Ethan Rotenberg Ethan is a Toronto-based music director and classically-trained pianist who's has been described as "delivering all the colours of an orchestra" (Schmopera), "an accomplished accompanist" (Richard Ouzonian), and "brilliantly drawing the listener into the world of the story by using the piano as the backdrop to sweeping, emotionally nuanced melodies" (Mooney on Theatre). He frequently collaborates with both Opera and Musical Theatre singers on productions, concerts, and open mics, most recently serving as music director and performance accompanist for The No Frills Revue (Spotlight Musical Productions). Having grown up in theatre and music, he has enjoyed both sides of the stage, graduating from Queen's University with a Bachelors in Drama and Music. He currently trains with world-renowned pianist Dmitri Levkovich. In 2019, he co-founded and is current music director of Impromptu Concert Series, presenting concerts featuring the Toronto's top non-professional talent, bringing the series outdoors during the Covid-19 pandemic as The Front-Lawn Series. Previous musical credits include: Songbook VI, Songbook XII (Tapestry Opera), Dr. Silver (Musical Stage Co.) Legally Blonde, The Drowsy Chaperone, Mamma Mia (Nightwood Theatre), Masterclass (Oshawa Little Theatre), Ragtime (Encores). HEmilia Basllester Is a Mexican dancer, actor singer and photographer living in Toronto. She studied dance perfromance at Centennial College and phtography at Escuela Activa De Fotografia.

“If I were king of the mountain and I got to say how all arts education was – I would actually say the idea of being curiously creative is key; testing out all the ideas and options.” – Scott Barnhardt This is a wildly fun and informative podcast for artists of all ages – especially those looking into studying theatre in college. Here's what you'll find in this episode: The college audition mindset The falsehoods of being a “starving artist” What is true about being a “starving artist”? Lucrative ways of working in the theatre Leaning into the type of artist you want to be known as The worth of a college degree SCOTT BARNHARDT is a musical theatre actor, theatre maker, writer, educator and Independent Education Consultant (IEC). He is also the owner and creator of The Creative College Journey, a bespoke approach to college guidance working exclusively with creative applicants (writers, filmmakers, actors, dancers)—helping families handle both the academic and artistic aspects of a college application with the goal to lower stress and increase clarity and enjoyment throughout the process. As a teacher and administrator, he most recently served as Lead Faculty for the Contemporary Musical Theatre + Film BFA program at Hussian College Los Angeles, and before that as the Director of Musical Theatre at the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA). He is a graduate of Wagner College (BA, Theatre/Speech) and UCLA (MFA, Playwriting). His acting credits include the original Broadway cast of The Book of Mormon (Elder Harris/Elder Thomas, u/s Elder McKinley, Asst. Dance Captain) and the Deaf West Broadway Revival of Big River at Roundabout. Other NYC: Yank! (The Old Globe Workshop), Bye Bye Birdie (City Center Encores!). National tours: The Boy Friend directed by Julie Andrews, Deaf West's Big River, the Detroit company of White Christmas and the Japanese tour of Disney on Classic with the Tokyo Philharmonic. At OCSA, along with teaching audition prep and a class called Mind|Body|Voice, he directed the virtual production of Now. Here. This. (the first full-length musical to be shot and presented entirely during quarantine), Evita (in association with Musical Theatre West), the High School premiere of Jasper in Deadland, The Drowsy Chaperone, Xanadu, 9-to-5 (alongside Jessica Lea Patty). He was also seen in concert with students at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in Coming Home with Krysta Rodriguez and Scott Barnhardt. Scott has taught workshops, master classes and built programming for UCLA, The Grammy Foundation, Professional School for the Arts, American Ballet Theatre, University of Michigan, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, MTCA of OC, Cal State Fullerton, Broadway Dreams, Broadway Classroom, International Thespian Festival, EdTA Professional Development, Florida Thespian Festival and The Performing Arts Project among others. Awards and grants include the 2004 Tony Honor (Big River), Grammy Citation for Best Cast Album (The Book of Mormon), Tim Robbins Playwriting Award, Sono Osato Scholarship, Caroline H. Newhouse Scholarship and the George Burns & Gracie Allen Fellowship in Comedy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dylan and Connor are joined by Broadway LEGEND Danny Burstein (Moulin Rouge, Fiddler on the Roof). Are you ready, chickens? The incredibly kind, generous, and talented Danny shares story upon story of his magnificent career. He's worked with everyone in the business – from Bernadette Peters to Alan Cumming to Kelli O'Hara to Aaron Tveit. A true lover of the craft of acting, he delves into the fun of playing different types of roles like his characters in Moulin Rouge (which he won the Tony for), South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, and The Drowsy Chaperone. In remembrance of his late wife Rebecca Luker, Danny tells the twins about the first time he saw her and the cosmic connection they had. They also get into Danny's television and voiceover work, Beckham on Netflix, Matt Rogers' “Have You Heard of Christmas?” album, and MORE. You won't want to miss this all-encompassing chat. To life!Follow Danny on InstagramFollow DRAMA. on Twitter & Instagram & TiktokFollow Connor MacDowell on Twitter & InstagramFollow Dylan MacDowell on Twitter & InstagramEdited by DylanSupport the podcast by subscribing to DRAMA+, which also includes bonus episodes, Instagram Close Friends content, and more!

Over the history of the Marquis Theatre, three musicals have closed during the month of December. Two of them we've already covered here on the podcast: Me and My Girl and Nick & Nora. The third one was The Drowsy Chaperone and is the focus of this bonus mini-episode. It starred Tony Award winner Sutton Foster was cast as Janet Van De Graff, Emmy-nominated TV star Georgia Engel was Mrs. Tottendale, British actor Edward Hibbert played Underling, and the inimitable Beth Leavel took on the title role of the Chaperone. My goal was to keep this under 15 minutes, but the more I learned, the more I had to include. Plus, I finally had to figure out why it didn't win Best Musical. So please enjoy this "quick" look at one of the most successful musicals that has come and gone from the Marquis. Follow on Instagram and listen to Closing Night on your favorite podcast app. --- Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer. Click here to find the transcript for this episode and a full list of links and resources used. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dylan and Connor are joined by Beth Leavel (The Prom, The Drowsy Chaperone). To celebrate FOUR YEARS of DRAMA, the twins finally chat with the legend, the icon, the moment: Beth Leavel. The queen herself regales listeners with tales from her extensive resume: from winning the Tony for creating Beatrice Stockwell in The Drowsy Chaperone, to embodying the iconic DeeDee Allen in The Prom, and stepping into Miranda Priestley's Prada shoes in The Devil Wears Prada. But don't worry, we cover everything else in between. Starring in Mamma Mia and belting out 15 songs every night, the early days of performing in 42nd Street and Crazy for You, and even performing as Rizzo in Grease on the road. We also get into Beth's other Tony nominated role of Florence Greenberg in Baby, It's You. They chat about The Crown, eBay and Black Friday deals, and even Beth's recent appearance in Gutenberg! The Musical! Listen in for the EXCLUSIVE. You're going to love this episode with Beth. Thanks for four amazing years of DRAMA, y'all. See Beth Leavel at 54 Below this January 2 and 8!Follow DRAMA. on Twitter & Instagram & TiktokFollow Connor MacDowell on Twitter & InstagramFollow Dylan MacDowell on Twitter & InstagramEdited by DylanSupport the podcast by subscribing to DRAMA+, which also includes bonus episodes, Instagram Close Friends content, and more!

The day before gathering around the turkey, gather around the nearest jukebox to celebrate National Jukebox Day! As Americans flock to their hometowns for Thanksgiving, many will head out to neighborhood bars and restaurants. They will catch up with friends and family and celebrate by playing great songs on their local jukebox. The name jukebox is thought to originate from places called ‘juke houses' or ‘jook joints.' In the early 1900s, people congregated in these establishments to drink and listen to music. In 1889, Louis Glass and his partner William S. Arnold invented the first coin-operated player in San Francisco. They were both managers of the Pacific Phonograph Co. Formally known as the nickel-in-the-slot machine, the player included a coin operation feature on an Edison phonograph. However, it played a limited selection of songs without any amplification. Glen Kelly is a music arranger and composer. He is best known for his musical theatre arrangements for Broadway shows including Beauty and the Beast, The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Spamalot, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Book of Mormon and Aladdin. Nicolas King has been performing since age 4. He was seen first on Broadway in 'Beauty & The Beast', then in 'A Thousand Clowns' opposite Tom Selleck, and 'Hollywood Arms' directed by Hal Prince, all before age 12. Tess La Bella https://tesslabella.com/about-tess-labella/ Seth Sikes www.instagram.com/sethsikes Steve March-Torme https://www.stevemarchtorme.com Mystery Guest Richard Holbrook

Today, I'm so excited to announce my interview with 2023 Tony winner Casey Nicholaw, whose show Some Like it Hot runs through December 30th. Tune in today to hear some of the stories of his legendary career, including the stroke of good luck that led to his Broadway debut, returning to performing recently for one week, why Encores reminds him of summer stock, collaborating with Mike Nichols, the changes made to Aladdin out of town, why tap is his favorite style of dance, the process of restaging Dreamgirls, the difference between older and younger performers in the rehearsal room, staging the dream ballet in Tuck Everlasting, the joyous process of bringing The Drowsy Chaperone to Broadway, and more.

Harvey Brownstone conducts an in-depth interview with NaTasha Yvette Williams, Tony Award Nominated Broadway Star, "Sweet Sue" from “Some Like It Hot” About Harvey's guest: Today's special guest, NaTasha Yvette Williams, is currently taking Broadway by storm in her spectacular Tony Award-nominated portrayal of “Sweet Sue”, who most definitely puts the HEAT in the smash hit musical, “Some Like it Hot”.   In addition to her Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, she received an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical.   Our guest is a Broadway veteran, having appeared in 7 other Broadway shows including “The Color Purple”, “The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess”, which earned her and her fellow cast members a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Theatre Album,  “A Night With Janis Joplin”, “Waitress”, “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical”, “Chicago”, and “Chicken & Biscuits”.    She's also appeared in the national tours of “Xanadu”, “The Drowsy Chaperone”, the Elvis musical “All Shook Up”, “Seussical the Musical”, and “Cinderella”.  And she's starred in Regional productions of many shows including “Hairspray”, “Ain't Misbehavin'”, and “Mahalia: A Gospel Musical”.   She won an Audelco Award for Outstanding Performance in a Musical for playing “Grandma” and “Spirit of the Booty” in “Bella: An American Tall Tale”.   On the big screen, she appeared in “Sweet Little Lies”, “Alice”, and “Better Nate than Ever”.  And on TV, you've seen her in “Orange is the New Black”, “Madam Secretary”, “New Amsterdam”, “FBI”, “The Good Fight”, “Harlem”, “Partner Track”, “Run the World”  - and of course, who can ever forget her magnificent 2015 television performances as “Queenie” in “Live from Lincoln Center” and “Glinda” in “The Wiz: Live!”.   In addition to her Broadway cast albums, she's released 2 solo albums of beautiful standards, “How Deep is the Ocean”, and “For My Mother”.   And she's appeared in concert with the New York Philharmonic and numerous symphony orchestras across America.    After seeing “Some Like it Hot” during my recent trip to New York, I became OBSESSED with getting this FABULOUS woman to appear on our show.  And today, despite her grueling performance schedule, she has graciously agreed to grant me this interview. For more interviews and podcasts go to: https://www.harveybrownstoneinterviews.com/ To see more about Joel Thurm, go to:https://www.instagram.com/natashayvettewilliams/https://open.spotify.com/artist/53sTxOQ5mNoqYdxO1heLUk #NaTashaYvetteWilliams   #harveybrownstoneinterviews

Katie Leatherbury graduated from UMS-Wright in 2007.  She started studying acting at a young age both in a local theater and in theater at school. She was involved in The Wright Players and the Center Stage Show Choir. Leatherbury continued her education at Birmingham-Southern College and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music.  After graduation, she followed her dreams to become an actress. She played the role of Janet in The Drowsy Chaperone with the Mobile Theatre Guild as well as joined the ensemble with Mobile Opera's Sunset Boulevard, and performed in a charity show for Chickasaw Civic Theater. In 2012, she began with Walt Disney World as a Character performer where she was a part of the castle show Dream Along with Mickey as well as parades such as Celebrate A Dream Come True, Disney's Electrical Parade, and part of the opening cast for the Festival of Fantasy parade. In addition, she was part of the opening cast for the Frozen Sing Along and Frozen Fireworks as Elsa, and was Belle in The Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage show at Disney's Hollywood Studios. She has also performed in live performances such as the Halloween Icon Chance at Halloween Horror Nights 26 and Marilyn in Marilyn Monroe & the Diamond Bellas for Universal Studios Florida as an actress from 2015 to 2020.  In Orlando, Leatherbury has studied at Art's Sake Acting Studio, Class Act Studios, and even studied with the respected actor, acting coach, and director, Rus Blackwell. She went on to be cast in a co-star in "The Right Stuff " which was produced by Leonardo Decaprio, and as Giselle for a popular YouTube series. Visit your favorite podcast platform, search "The Wright Way," and click subscribe so you don't miss out on any upcoming episodes! Have someone you would like to hear on the podcast, or want to be a guest yourself? Drop a line in the comments or email asmith@ums-wright.org. #clearpathfor potential #thewrightwaypodcast

Today David Gallo joins us to discuss the life and work of playwright August Wilson. David Gallo is a Tony and Emmy Award-winning theater designer and artist. Broadway credits include First Date, Stickfly, The Mountain Top, Memphis, Reasons to Be Pretty, Xanadu, and the Drowsy Chaperone. His long-time association with August Wilson includes designing Broadway productions of King Hedley II, Jitney, Gem of the Ocean, and Radio Golf.

Linda Griffin is a tour guide at The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, and that's where she and Scott met this past February. In talking with her, not only did Scott realize that they had several friends in common, he learned that Linda was in the full run of the LA company of Disney's Beauty and the Beast and did two national tours of that show along with her husband (who was a musician in the pit) and her son (who played Chip!) Scott also learned that Linda was in the original Broadway cast of one of his all-time favorite shows, Something Rotten, and was part of the Broadway company of The Drowsy Chaperone and the Encores! cast of Anyone Can Whistle starring Donna Murphy and Sutton Foster. Linda also toured the country in The Drowsy Chaperone, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, and Wicked. Some of her television credits include General Hospital and the 2006 and 2016 Tony Awards. She was in the movie, The Prom, and her Disney movies include Shaggy Dog and Home on the Range. She's done other work for Disney and they get into that as well! Linda co-hosts a 2-hour radio show every Friday on the streaming platform boxofficeradio.co.uk. Known as Bert and Lindy, The Broadway Broads, Linda and her friend, Roberta, play musical theatre music from Broadway and the West End and songs from the movies. You can also listen on the Box Office Radio App. Be sure to follow Linda on her website: https://lindagriffinactor.weebly.com. Email: TheMouseAndMePodcast@gmail.com Support: www.patreon.com/themouseandme FB & Instagram: The Mouse and Me TikTok: @TheMouseAndMePodcast Twitter: @MouseMePodcast Music by Kevin MacLeod from https://incompetech.filmmusic.io --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themouseandme/support

It's April! Which means it's time for your intrepid hosts to explore our roots in the theater! Jen talks neglect and child abuse assessment with Olive from 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Meanwhile, Tyler discusses adult loneliness with Man in Chair form The Drowsy Chaperone.

Natasha Yvette Williams is currently originating the role of Sweet Sue in the brand new production of “Some Like It Hot” on Broadway. She gets real as she opens up about why she doesn't consider herself a singer, admitting that she's still a little insecure about her singing, but despite dealing with imposter syndrome, Natasha remains positive by constantly reminding herself that everything is a challenge, a lesson, and a blessing. She also shares where she used to get validation and why all the validation she needs now comes from her. Being a part of “Some Like It Hot”, she continues her goal to develop a great relationship with each and every other cast member and see how it unfolds on stage. Natasha recalls watching Lily Tomlin in “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe,” which sparked something in her to join the musical theatre, and why she wants to have the same impact on other people whenever she performs. Natasha Yvette Williams is an actress who has starred in Broadway shows, including “The Color Purple”, “A Night with Janice Joplin”, “Waitress”, “Chicago”, “Chicken and Biscuits”, and “Porgy and Bess”. Her national credits include “Waitress”, “Xanadu”, “The Drowsy Chaperone”, and “All Shook Up”. Natasha has also starred in several tv shows and movies such as “Harlem”, “I Take Thee Zoe”, and “Better Late Than Never” among others. You can also catch her in “Alice”, the Disney Plus' “Better Late Than Never”, and the Netflix series “Partner Track”. She's currently on stage originating the role of Sweet Sue in the latest production of “Some Like It Hot”. Connect with Natasha: Instagram: @natashayvettewilliams Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A widely accomplished musical director, conductor, pianist, composer, and arranger, working primarily in the realm of musical theatre. His experience on Broadway includes both conducting and playing keyboards for Cinderella, How to Succeed in Business…, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Producers, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Phantom of the Opera and Carousel. Larry has also served as Musical Director for national tours of Anastasia, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Les Misérables, South Pacific, The Producers, Sunset Blvd. and Cats, as well as many regional productions. He has been a frequent collaborator with the Boston Pops Orchestra, contributing both vocal and orchestral arrangements, performing as pianist, coaching vocal soloists and music directing concert performances of Carousel and A Little Night Music. As a composer and lyricist, Larry has written the scores for the shows Big Bad Wolf and the Endangered Forest (Portland Opera Young Artists); Reality! (Stamford Center for the Arts reading); Groundhog Day (with lyricist Jack Lechner, BMI Musical Theatre Workshop); and Grounded For Life (with comedian Pat Hazell, York Theatre staged reading). His music and songs were regularly featured on the Pittsburgh children's TV show. Let's Read a Story, as well as the syndicated TV special Secrets of Success. He was also the 1st Prize Winner of the 1988 International Jewish Music Competition for his chamber opera A Test of Faith.

The vernal equinox is upon us! But don't worry. That doesn't mean you'll need a new vaccine. It means that spring is here! A time of rebirth and rejuvenation. Jay and Shua look at a variety of rebirths from movies to comics and the beauty of the spring (by which, of course we mean the Slinky). It's time to come out of hibernation and Enjoy Stuff!   Play a round of Geek Out! with Jay and Shua as we look at everything spring can bring!   News You can celebrate the 60th anniversary of Chips Ahoy on a yacht! Holy Smokes, Dr. Jones! Ke Huy Quan wins the best Supporting Actor Oscar for “Everything Everywhere, All at Once”! Get your spice on with Eva Longoria's new movie about Flamin' Hot Cheetos Check out the new Indiana Jones LEGO sets to celebrate the Dial of Destiny Send in your favorite jokes to EnjoyStuff@RetroZap.com and it may be featured on an upcoming show   Check out our TeePublic store for some enjoyable swag and all the latest fashion trends What we're Enjoying Shua was lucky enough to enjoy his daughter's high school musical “The Drowsy Chaperone”, a musical within a comedy. It was a laugh out loud performance that entertained him and made him proud of his youngest. Jay is on the road and exploring Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia. It's a beautiful area and also the setting for a location in Avengers: Infinity War. He'll keep exploring our great nation and Enjoy Stuff.     Enjoy Spring!    It's time for spring! Wake from your winter hibernation and play a game of rebirth with us! Geek Out! is a game that will challenge your knowledge of the TechnoRetro pop-culture that we all love. Play along with each round as we match them up with examples of pop-culture that have experienced a rebirth.    Here are the 5 rounds: Games Comics Sci-Fi Fantasy Miscellaneous   We are looking forward to what the new season will bring, and we want you to come along for some laughs.     What are you looking forward to this spring? Can you think of more pop-culture rebirths? First person that emails me with the subject line, “Zoinks!” will get a special mention on the show.  Let us know. Come talk to us in the Discord channel or send us an email to EnjoyStuff@RetroZap.com  

Marla Mindelle is currently making people laugh playing an over the top Celine Dion in the off-Broadway production of "Titanique". At an early age, she already knew that a career in musical theatre was all she ever wanted to do, thanks to her father (who was a musical theatre composer) and all the obscure musical theatre records she consumed. She chronicles her life from booking her first show and her experience as an actress to moving to Los Angeles to become a television and film writer. For Marla, writing as a career is harder than acting, proven by her humble beginnings in L.A. where she also worked at a "ratchet" dinner theatre venue doing movie and musical parodies. Ironically, this is also where the idea for "Titanique" was born. She shares the musical's (long) journey to success, including getting Celine Dion's team's blessing and keeping the script fresh and up-to-date, and how timing and the team's goal of making each other and the audience genuinely cackle are a huge part of its success. Marla Mindelle is an actress, writer, and composer who made her Broadway debut in "South Pacific" and originated the role of Sister Mary Robert in "Sister Act" as well as the role of the evil stepsister Gabrielle in the 2013 revival of "Cinderella". She also played Kitty in the first national tour of “The Drowsy Chaperone” and the evil boss Olivia in the Emmy-nominated series "Special" on Netflix. Her other tv and film credits include “The Nomads”, “Life in Pieces”, and “The Devil's B*tch”. As a writer and composer, she has had multiple writing projects sold and is in the works. Currently, she can be seen on stage playing Celine Dion in "Titanique" at the Daryl Roth Theatre, a musical she also co-wrote. Connect with Marla: Website: www.marlamindelle.com Instagram: @marlamindelle, @titaniquemusical Get tickets to Titanique Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beth Leavel (bethleavel.net) is a Tony Award-winning stage and screen actor. She recently starred as Miranda Priestly in the Broadway-bound new musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada, directed by Anna Shapiro and featuring music by Sir Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub and a book by Kate Wetherhead. Most recently, Beth was seen on Broadway as Dee Dee Allen in The Prom, for which she was nominated for Tony, New York Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards. She received Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and LA Drama Critics Awards for her performance as the title character in The Drowsy Chaperone. Beth also received Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for her role as Florence Greenberg in Baby, It's You. On Broadway, Beth also originated the roles of June Adams in Bandstand, Emily in Elf, Mrs. Bixby in The Civil War and Tess in Crazy For You. Other Broadway credits include Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Dorothy Brock in the revival of 42nd Street, Ellie in Hal Prince's Show Boat, and Anytime Annie (her Broadway debut) in 42nd Street. Other New York credits include starring as Lucille in the New York City Center Encores! production of No, No, Nanette, as well as the off-Broadway productions of Lone Star Love and Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. Regionally, Beth has performed some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre – from Mama Rose in Gypsy at The Muny and Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly at Cape Playhouse and The Muny, to Sally Adams in Call Me Madam at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, the Witch in Into the Woods at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and Miss Hannigan in Annie at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Beth has dazzled and delighted sold-out audiences with her cabaret act, which she has taken from 54 Below in New York City to other venues across the United States. You might also recognize Beth from numerous commercials and TV shows/films, including Ghosts of Christmas Always, The Bite, Walking Dead: World Beyond and the final episode of ER. She holds an MFA and an honorary PhD from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Of all the roles she has played, on stage and off, Beth is most proud of being T.J. and Sam's mom. She is helplessly in love with her fiancé, Adam Heller, and thanks her cat, Malcolm, for keeping her sane during the pandemic.

Beth Leavel (bethleavel.net) is a Tony Award-winning stage and screen actor. She recently starred as Miranda Priestly in the Broadway-bound new musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada, directed by Anna Shapiro and featuring music by Sir Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub and a book by Kate Wetherhead. Most recently, Beth was seen on Broadway as Dee Dee Allen in The Prom, for which she was nominated for Tony, New York Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards. She received Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and LA Drama Critics Awards for her performance as the title character in The Drowsy Chaperone. Beth also received Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for her role as Florence Greenberg in Baby, It's You. On Broadway, Beth also originated the roles of June Adams in Bandstand, Emily in Elf, Mrs. Bixby in The Civil War and Tess in Crazy For You. Other Broadway credits include Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Dorothy Brock in the revival of 42nd Street, Ellie in Hal Prince's Show Boat, and Anytime Annie (her Broadway debut) in 42nd Street. Other New York credits include starring as Lucille in the New York City Center Encores! production of No, No, Nanette, as well as the off-Broadway productions of Lone Star Love and Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. Regionally, Beth has performed some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre – from Mama Rose in Gypsy at The Muny and Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly at Cape Playhouse and The Muny, to Sally Adams in Call Me Madam at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, the Witch in Into the Woods at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and Miss Hannigan in Annie at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Beth has dazzled and delighted sold-out audiences with her cabaret act, which she has taken from 54 Below in New York City to other venues across the United States. You might also recognize Beth from numerous commercials and TV shows/films, including Ghosts of Christmas Always, The Bite, Walking Dead: World Beyond and the final episode of ER. She holds an MFA and an honorary PhD from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Of all the roles she has played, on stage and off, Beth is most proud of being T.J. and Sam's mom. She is helplessly in love with her fiancé, Adam Heller, and thanks her cat, Malcolm, for keeping her sane during the pandemic.