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In this episode, writer-producer Hilliard Guess and guest co-host actor-writer-prod-dir Dalila Ali Rajah sit down for an educational conversation (we do talk a bit of politics in this one - FYI), with actor/writer/coach and 2026 NAACP Image Award nominee ADAM DAVENPORT, recognized in the Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism category for his essay examining Audra McDonald's 2025 Tony Awards performance of “Rose's Turn.” The piece reframes the performance as a landmark cultural moment - serving as an act of protest, reclamation, and artistic defiance within the lineage of Black women reshaping American performance. The nomination is a full-circle moment for Davenport, as the NAACP was the first organization to recognize his writing when he was in high school. He can speak to the nomination as well as his broader career as a multidisciplinary artist working across acting, writing, directing, producing, casting, and education. A Chicago native and Yale graduate, Davenport is a member of SAG-AFTRA, BAFTA, the European Film Academy, and the Recording Academy. His screen work includes Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (Netflix), for which he received a Satellite Award for Best Ensemble alongside multiple critics' group honors. In 2020, he founded The International Acting Studio (TIAS), where he coaches actors working at the highest international level. Two performers he coached are current 2026 Czech Lion Award nominees, and his clients have appeared in projects including The Brutalist, Dune: Part Two, The Crown, and numerous network and cable series.Read the Essay here:https://www.bronzecommhub.com/blog/audra-mcdonald-took-the-stage-and-rewrote-the-rules
In this first mini-sode of year 3, we are shining the spotlight on the Broadway musical "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". While we did spend a quarter of this episode talking about the Traitors, we promise this is a great show to know, especially for all our character actors out there!!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
Welkin is a poetic or archaic term for the sky, firmament, or vault of heaven.To “ring the welkin” or make the “welkin ring” is a literary idiom meaning to make a very loud noise, such as shouting, cheering, or singing, that seems to echo throughout the sky or heavens. It implies creating a celebratory or boisterous sound that fills the air.Will you ring welkin?“Jet” Eisenberg knew immediately why I was doing what I did. He said that I spoke about it on the day that we met more than a quarter-century ago.He said that I have spoken about it in every class that he has ever heard me teach.Most people continue to be confused regarding my commitment to @GreatWritersSeries, so I recently updated the description of that channel on Youtube. (You should subscribe, by the way.)You may recognize a line within that description that I used in last week's Monday Morning Memo.This is my new description on Youtube: The goal of @GreatWritersSeries is to tempt you to read great literature: the novels, histories, poems, and news stories that won the Pulitzer and Nobel prizes. The song lyrics and screenplays that won the Grammy and Tony Awards.Because they will change you.Great literature is the lightning bolt that will pierce your skull, illuminate your mind, and set your tongue on fire.“For as you read, so will you speak and write.”Roy H. Williams had a marvelous English teacher during his junior and senior years of high school in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.Her name was Linn Ball.She taught him to hear the music of great writing and dance to it.She taught him to lift his eyes to the sky so that he could fly.She taught him to hear the music of unexpected words as they bang into each other and fill the movie screen of the mind with scenes that are startling and true.He wants to do the same for you.Moments before I began writing this Monday Monday Memo to you, I posted on Youtube a musical video of a poem written in 1929 by Ogden Nash.The title of that poem is “No Doctors Today, Thank You.” You can see and hear that Youtube performance in today's rabbit hole.This is it:They tell me that euphoria is the feeling of feeling wonderful,well, today I feel euphorian,Today I have the agility of a Greek god and the appetite of aVictorian.Yes, today I may even go forth without my galoshes,Today I am a swashbuckler, would anybody like me to buckleany swashes?This is my euphorian day,I will ring welkin and before anybody answers I will run away.I will tame me a caribouAnd bedeck it with marabou.I will pen me my memoirs.Ah youth, youth! What euphorian days them was!I wasn't much of a hand for the boudoirs,I was generally to be found where the food was.Does anybody want any flotsam?I've gotsam.Does anybody want any jetsam?I can getsam.I can play chopsticks on the Wurlitzer,I can speak Portuguese like a Berlitzer.I can don or doff my shoes without tying or untying the laces because I am wearing moccasins,And I practically know the difference between serums and antitoccasins.Kind people, don't think me purse-proud, don't set me down as vainglorious,I'm just a little euphorious.I'm just a little euphorious.I want you to dance.I want you to fly.I want the movie screen of your mind to be filled with scenes that are startling and true.I want you to feel euphorious.Roy H. WilliamsRegular viewers of cable news will instantly recognize Arthur Lih and his
In Episode 96, Brennan is once again joined by actor and now casting assistant, Sarah Hogewood, as they talk about TYA, the fear of cringe, the idea of "play", and the ways being on the casting side of the process has influenced how she approaches the acting side now! Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
In this week's mini-sode we are shining the spotlight on Broadway's Sister Act the Musical! From screen to stage, this show is a delightful mix of habits and shenanigans that has made it the classic it is today!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
Thank you for being a longtime listener of Broadway Drumming 101.I've been thinking about doing more solo episodes for a while, and I'm finally starting today.Over the past week, I've been deep in rehearsals for Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and this version is even stronger than what we did at PAC. Everything feels sharper and more focused. We officially open on April 7th, and I'm excited for people to see it.READ: Two Icons of New York, Ready for Broadway's ‘Jellicle Ball'At NAMM, I brought up a topic that doesn't get talked about enough:How careers really begin.For me, it wasn't Broadway. It wasn't some audition. It was a hotel gig in New Rochelle, playing the same 20 songs every other Friday night.A connection from that gig led me to a tour.That tour opened the door to subbing.And subbing eventually brought me to Broadway.In this new solo episode, I break down:• Why saying yes early in your career matters• Why showing up beats just posting• How small gigs compound over time• And how to know when it's time to start saying noIf you caught my talk at NAMM, this episode goes even deeper into that topic.READ: And if you're serious about building a real career in theater, get my book:Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career.You can order it right now on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.If you want a signed copy, go to SignatureBrandWorks.com.Listen to the new solo episode.Pick up the book if you're interested.And I hope to see you at the Broadhurst!Clayton Craddock is the drummer for the upcoming Broadway musical Cats: The Jellicle Ball, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 7th. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of the forthcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career.His Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Ain't Too Proud, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, along with extensive subbing on shows such as Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe
In Episode 95, Brennan is joined by actor/ fellow audition monitor, Kevin Herrera, as they talk about audition season and all of the common questions/ situations they experience! The audition process can be very daunting and scary, but above all else, they want you to know that they are there to help!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
In this week's mini-sode, we're shining the spotlight on one of the most iconic Broadway musicals, "The Phantom of the Opera"! Obviously everyone has heard of this show, and there is good reason as to why it's the longest running production in Broadway history!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
Sean McDaniel is currently the drummer for Chess on Broadway. He also played Smash, Cabaret, Some Like It Hot, Frozen, The Book Of Mormon, Spamalot, Violet, La Cage Aux Folles, and Nine To Five on Broadway. Off-Broadway he originated Hamilton. Sean can be seen and heard in Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tick Tick Boom. He has played all over the country with American Idol Runner-Up Clay Aiken. Other performances include Sutton Foster, Barry Manilow, Audra McDonald, Jennifer Hudson, Sting, Dolly Parton, Idina Menzel, Tituss Burgess, Jane Lynch, and the Tony Awards. Sean earned his BM at University of North Texas and his MFA at New York University. He is endorsed by DW, Evans, Vic Firth, and Sabian. In this episode, Sean talks about: Not just playing to serve the song, but playing to serve the drama The importance of getting some live playing experience you can then bring into a musical theatre show The huge variety of playing experience he got at North Texas The common thread among great Broadway drummers/drumming Playing for the Tony Awards Finding ways to love the process, not just the product Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage
In Episode 94, Brennan is joined by former Broadway actor turned Financial Advisor, Kevin Worley, as they talk about all the tricks and tools actors can use to set themselves up for the most financial stability possible! While we are all aware of the age old trope of the struggling artist, they may not need to be struggling as much was they think!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
A few days ago, it was announced that MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL would close on Broadway after 7 years at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.The stage musical, based on the Baz Luhrmann film of the same name, opened in July 2019 and earned multiple Tony Awards, before giving way to multiple international productions and a US national Tour.Is this a surprising announcement for Broadway, and does it tell us anything about the current theatrical landscape in New York? Or is this simply an example of a successful show reaching a natural end?•00:00 | introduction01:22 | the closing details08:08 | the show's success16:06 | why is it closing?20:58 | what comes next?About Mickey-Jo:As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: MickeyJoTheatre is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 93, Brennan is joined by Broadway's Robb Sapp as they talk about what it's like for the little theatre nerd to make it all the way to Broadway! Not only is Robb incredibly talented with a resumé to boot, but he also the kindest, most humble guy who still lets that little inner theatre kid out to experience the wonders of Broadway!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
pWotD Episode 3198: 68th Annual Grammy Awards Welcome to popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 844,030 views on Monday, 2 February 2026 our article of the day is 68th Annual Grammy Awards.The 68th Annual Grammy Awards honored the best recordings, compositions, and artists from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025, as chosen by the members of the Recording Academy, on February 1, 2026. In its 23rd year at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and for the very last time, the ceremony was broadcast on CBS and available to stream on Paramount+. South African comedian Trevor Noah hosted the ceremony for the sixth consecutive and final time.Kendrick Lamar was the night's biggest winner for the second consecutive year with five wins, including a second consecutive Record of the Year win with "Luther" and a sweep in the Rap categories, winning Best Rap Album for GNX. His fourth five-win Grammy night in his career, Lamar surpassed Jay-Z to become the most-awarded hip-hop artist in Grammy Awards history. Bad Bunny followed him with three wins, including Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, becoming the first Spanish-language album to receive the honor. Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas won Song of the Year for "Wildflower", becoming the most-awarded artists in the category in Grammy Awards history with three wins each. Eilish's win also tied her with Adele for the most wins in the General Field by a female artist, with seven each. Olivia Dean won Best New Artist, the ninth woman in a row to win the award and the first British winner since Dua Lipa in 2019, while Tyler, The Creator's Chromakopia and Zach Top's Ain't in It for My Health took home the inaugural Best Album Cover and Best Traditional Country Album awards. "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters won Best Song Written For Visual Media, becoming the first K-pop song to win a Grammy award in any category.Steven Spielberg won Best Music Film for his role in producing Music by John Williams. Though industry sources claim this win made him the 22nd person to achieve EGOT status, this claim is disputed; he is not credited in Tony Award records as a winning producer of the musical A Strange Loop (which previously made Jennifer Hudson the 17th EGOT winner, and also counted towards the non-competitive EGOT of Amblin Entertainment co-founder Frank Marshall) at the 75th Tony Awards, but one source claims he nonetheless received a Tony statuette in that capacity, and he is listed as a producer of A Strange Loop in the Internet Broadway Database. Lamar led the Grammy Awards with nine nominations, while Jack Antonoff, Cirkut and Lady Gaga followed with seven nominations each.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 02:23 UTC on Tuesday, 3 February 2026.For the full current version of the article, see 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm generative Matthew.
Jonathan Tolins is the showrunner and executive producer of the critically acclaimed CBS drama ELSBETH, which returns for its third season. Tolins has been an executive producer on THE GOOD FIGHT on Paramount+, co-executive producer on “Schmigadoon!” and co-producer on “Queer as Folk,” along with producer credits on EAST NEW YORK, BRAINDEAD and PARTNERS on the Network. Other TV credits include the Tony Awards, the Academy Awards, “Grease Live!” and “A Christmas Story Live!” Additionally, Tolins was a producer and co-writer with Seth E. Bass for the films “Martian Child” starring John Cusack and “The Twilight of the Golds,” based on his Broadway play and starring Brendan Fraser and Faye Dunaway. Tolins is best known as the author of one of the 10 most produced plays in America in 2016, “Buyer & Cellar,” which won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Solo Show and was named “Best Unique Theatrical Experience” by the Off-Broadway Alliance during its record-breaking run at the Barrow Street Theatre. The show also enjoyed a London engagement at the Menier Chocolate Factory, a run at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles and was shown on the WNET series “Theater Close-Up.” Other plays by Tolins include “The Last Sunday in June,” “Secrets of the Trade,” “If Memory Serves” and “The Forgotten Woman.” He was also represented on Broadway by additional material written with his husband, Robert Cary, for the revival of “On the Town.” Together, Jon and Rob also wrote the book for the new musical “Take the Lead,” which premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in the spring of 2025 Tolins is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Writers Guild of America. He has written articles for Opera News, Opera Monthly, TheaterWeek, Time magazine and the Huffington Post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode of LIGHT TALK, The Lumen Brothers and Sister interview Legend of Light, Bob Dickinson. Join Bob, Ellen, Dennis, Steve and David as they discuss: Yacht and other small boat ownership; Going with your instinct; Getting started in Broadcast Lighting; Solid Gold; Working on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert; Discovering moving lights and moving them to broadcast; Bob's first (and almost last) Oscar gig; Working with "assholes"; The importance of learning how to manage Divas; Designing the Tony Awards; and Working with programmers. Nothing is Taboo, Nothing is Sacred, and Very Little Makes Sense.
In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on the Broadway musical "[title of show]"! This delightful little one act musical is a hidden gem full of friendship, silliness, and some cozy, good vibes!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
In this episode of “Half Hour”, we take a closer look at the Manhattan Theatre Club production of Bug at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Tracy Letts' psychological thriller about loneliness, paranoia, and conspiracy thinking. We break down how the plot unfolds in a single motel room, how David Cromer's direction shapes the tension, and why the story feels especially pointed in today's political climate. We discuss what's working with the cast, including Carrie Coon, Namir Smallwood, Jennifer Engstrom, Steve Key, and Randall Arney, and how each performance supports the play's blend of intimacy and horror. We also reflect on our own questions with the material, the production's design choices, and where we see Bug fitting into this year's Tony Awards conversation. The episode wraps with our “Half-Minute” segment, where we each highlight one specific moment that stayed with us after the curtain came down. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Share your thoughts on this production in the comments on Spotify, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show conversations, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Guest: Elena Bonomo, drummer for SIX. Originally released January 14, 2022.This is one of those conversations that still holds up years later.In this episode, Elena Bonomo talks through what it actually looks like to build a career in theater music from the ground up. Elena shares how early musical experiences with her family shaped her connection to music, why drums always felt like fun instead of work, and how getting her first drum set set everything in motion.We also talk about her early pit experiences, reading music at a young age, and how playing school musicals laid the foundation for what she does now. She breaks down her time at Berklee, why versatility mattered to her more than locking into one lane, and how musical theater work at school mirrored the real expectations of Broadway life.Elena also gets honest about touring right after school, making very little money, and learning the realities of life on the road. From there, she talks about cruise ship work, adaptability, and how every gig, even the unglamorous ones, added tools to her toolbox.If you're trying to understand how Broadway careers are actually built over time, this episode is full of perspective that's still relevant today.https://www.elenabonomo.comThis Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.If you want to go deeper into this world, Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career, is available now on Amazon.com.If you'd like a signed copy by Clayton, along with Broadway Drumming 101 merchandise, head to signaturebrandworks.com.The book lays out the mindset, preparation, relationships, money realities, and long-term thinking behind real theater careers.Clayton Craddock is the drummer for the upcoming Broadway musical Cats: The Jellicle Ball, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 7th. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of the forthcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career.His Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Ain't Too Proud, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, along with extensive subbing on shows such as Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe
In Episode 92, Brennan is joined by Broadway's Shelby Acosta as they talk about theatre boarding school, getting into the grind, and making sure you're always bringing yourself to every space you enter!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on the 2012 Pasek and Paul musical: Dogfight! This one is quite a doozy of a plot with some absolute bops thrown in there, but boy did it leave us with a lot to talk about!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
Song Sung Blue is a musical biopic written and directed by Craig Brewer and based on a documentary of the same name. It tells the true story of a Neil Diamond tribute act, Lightning & Thunder. Hugh Jackman plays Lightning, and Kate Hudson was just nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her turn as Thunder. And: Merrily We Roll Along is a filmed version of the 2023 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s 1981 problem musical. It stars Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez, and the Broadway production won four Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. GUESTS: Jim Chapdelaine: An Emmy-winning musician and a patient advocate for people with rare cancers Jacques Lamarre: A playwright, and chief communications officer at Buzz Engine Carolyn Paine: An actress and comedian; she’s the founder and director of CONNetic Dance and the creative producer and choreographer for The Bushnell’s Digital Institute Bill Yousman: Professor of media studies at Sacred Heart University MUSIC FEATURED (in order): Soolaimón / Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show – Hugh Jackman Cherry Cherry – Hugh Jackman ft. Kate Hudson Merrily We Roll Along – From the Movie (2023 version linked, very similar) Old Friends – From the Movie (2023 version linked, very similar) See You On The Radio – Grayson Hugh Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Don't Kill the Messenger with movie research expert Kevin Goetz
Send Kevin a Text MessageIn this episode of Don't Kill the Messenger, host Kevin Goetz welcomes Gail Berman, one of Hollywood's most versatile executives. From producing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Broadway at 22 to becoming the first woman to lead both a major TV network (Fox Entertainment) and a film studio (Paramount Pictures), she has consistently rewritten what creative leadership looks like in Hollywood.From Brooklyn to Broadway: The Joseph Origin Story (04:03): At just 22 years old, Gail and her partner, Susan Rose, produced Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. They brought the show to Broadway, earning seven Tony nominations.The Red Dress and the Palisades Fires (15:52): Gail's Tony Awards dress remains in storage due to insurance settlements following the recent Palisades fires that damaged her home.Starting Over in Television (19:30): Gail shares how she received a message on her answering machine about a new venture at HBO. Despite knowing nothing about television, she took the job at the comedy channel that would become Comedy Central.The Buffy Breakthrough at Sandollar (23:56): After reading the Buffy the Vampire Slayer film script, Gail saw it as a perfect TV show. While serving as President of Sandollar, she partnered with Sandy Gallin and Dolly Parton to develop and executive produce the show—launching a cultural phenomenon.The Austin Butler Screen Test for Elvis (28:26): When Baz Luhrmann showed four screen tests, Austin Butler's was last. The film would earn Gail an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.From Regency Television to Running Fox (33:49): After producing Malcolm in the Middle, Roswell, and The Bernie Mac Show at Regency Television, Gail received a call from Peter Chernin asking her to run Fox Entertainment.The Paramount Years (40:28): Hired to run Paramount Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Films, Gail faced some resistance. She secured the Star Trek film rights back from CBS with just 18 months to put it into production, hiring J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof to work fast.Black Swan: The Musical (50:43): After leaving Paramount, Gail launched The Jackal Group. She's now producing the musical adaptation of Black Swan with Darren Aronofsky, Kevin McCollum, and Scott Franklin.Gail Berman's story shows how versatility and the willingness to start over can create a remarkable career. From Broadway to broadcast television to film, she's proven that embracing new challenges leads to extraordinary places.Host: Kevin GoetzGuests: Gail BermanProducer: Kari CampanoWriters: Kevin Goetz, Darlene Hayman, and Kari CampanoAudio Engineer: Gary Forbes (DG Entertainment)For more information about Gail Berman:Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gail_BermanIMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0075762/LinkedIn: For more information about Kevin Goetz:- Website: www.KevinGoetz360.com- Audienceology Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Audience-ology/Kevin-Goetz/9781982186678- How to Score in Hollywood: https://www.amazon.com/How-Score-Hollywood-Secrets-Business/dp/198218986X/- Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack: @KevinGoetz360- LinkedIn @Kevin Goetz- Screen Engine/ASI Website: www.ScreenEngineASI.com
In Episode 91, Brennan is joined by Broadway's Tiernan Tunnicliffe as they talk about the shifts that have to happen after you achieve your dreams, and giving yourself permission to make new ones! It's often in those moments of uncertainty that you discover new passions and goals you hadn't let yourself entertain before!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!This week, we're honored to welcome legendary sound effects and foley artist Dick Maitland, whose masterful work has helped shape the soundscape of children's television for over five decades. Since Sesame Street first hit the airwaves in 1969, Dick has been behind countless iconic noises, from Cookie Monster's cookie eating noises to Muppet footsteps, crashes, squeaks, rustles, the list goes on! Dick shares stories from his remarkable run creating manual foley for the series, as well as contributing to its beloved recurring segments, specials, home videos, and more.. Fans will also enjoy hearing how he brings the charming, squeaky voice of Slimey the Worm to life. Beyond the Street, we dive into Dick's work on other classic Children's Television Workshop productions including The Electric Company, 3-2-1 Contact, and Square One TV, along with his collaborations with The Muppets, The Jim Henson Company, and other children's series, including Between the Lions, Oobi, Wonder Pets!, Maya & Miguel, and many more. We also explore Dick's extensive career as a live sweetener, shaping the audience experience for major televised events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Grammy Awards, the Tony Awards, and A Capitol Fourth. Tune in for a fascinating deep dive into the art of sound and the man who helped define it.Taping date: February 9, 2025Edited by: Simon A. (Baby Lamb Creations)https://www.youtube.com/@BabyLambCreationshttps://www.tiktok.com/@babylambcreationshttps://www.instagram.com/babylambcreations/https://www.reddit.com/user/BabyLambCreationsYT/Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
Marty Supreme is the first movie written and directed by Josh Safdie without his former filmmaking partner, his brother Benny Safdie. It is a sports comedy-drama-thriller about a professional ping pong player played by Timothée Chalamet, who just won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy. And: Good Night, and Good Luck.: Live on Broadway is the recorded version of the live television broadcast of the stage version of the 2005 film mostly about the production of a live television show. Like the movie, it is written by George Clooney and Grant Heslov, with Clooney this time starring as Edward R. Murrow. The play was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Actor in a Play for Clooney. GUESTS: Xandra Ellin: Produces The Global Story for the BBC Shawn Murray: A stand-up comedian, writer, and the host of the Fantasy Filmball podcast Irene Papoulis: Taught writing for a long time at Trinity College MUSIC FEATURED (in order): I Have the Touch – Peter Gabriel Change – Tears for Fears When I Fall In Love - Georgia Heers How High The Moon - Georgia Heers See You On The Radio – Grayson Hugh Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on Broadway's favorite corn musical, "Shucked"! Well... it's a musical about corn, and if that's not incentive enough to listen to this episode, I don't know what is!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
“Who can draw when the world is burning?” asks celebrated Vermont cartoonist Alison Bechdel in her new graphic novel, Spent.This tension between the political and personal has been a deep well for Bechdel in her art. Bechdel has been cartoonist laureate of Vermont, as well as a recipient of a MacArthur "genius award" and a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship.She garnered a cult following with her early comic strip, “Dykes to Watch Out For.” Her best-selling graphic memoir, Fun Home, was named Best Book of 2006 by Time. It was adapted into a musical that won five 2015 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Fun Home tells the story of growing up in a family that ran a funeral home, and how, after Bechdel came out as a lesbian, her closeted gay father died in a presumed suicide.The cartoonist is also known for the Bechdel Test, which rates movies on whether they include at least one scene in which two women talk to each other about something other than men.Bechdel is now a professor in the practice at Yale University. She divides her time between teaching for a semester at Yale and living and drawing at her home in West Bolton, Vermont. Bechdel's wife Holly has been the colorist for her last two books. This week, she had an op-ed cartoon featured in the New York Times about how to stand up to tyranny.She spoke to me from her home in Vermont.
Encore! Encore! This January Janet, John, (and Pen) wanted to revist the astounding life this actress with her 80-year long career in film, television, and the stage... Angela Lansbury. This English-born, though Irish-bred actress began her career, after escaping the Blitz by moving to United States, at the age of eighteen by playing a cheeky Cockeny servant to Charles Boyer in the thriller Gaslight (1944). This role brought her a contract with MGM and her first Academy Award nominaton for best supporting actress. At the time, she was seen as a b-list actor, but her role in The Manchirian Candidate (1962) put her on the map and is often considered, to this day, one of her best perfomances. She also quickly gained stardom for her lead role in the Broadway musical Mame in 1966, a catergory of performance she absoluted dominated. This role lead to her winning her fist every Tony Award. However, this starlet didn't stop only at theatrical appearances. In fact, she made her way to worldwide fame after playing the sleuth, Jessica Flecther, in the American whodunit series Murder She Wrote. The show ran for 12 seasons until 1966. Earning it the title of one of the longest-running and most popular detective dramas in television history. Some of Lansbury's projects include, Dear World, Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, National Velvet (1944), The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945), Nanny McPhee (2005), and Mary Poppins Returns (2018). She also acheived many acolades such as 6 Tony Awards, 6 Golden Globes, 2 honorary BAFTA Awards and many more. So join us and relax as we revist Tribute 9 Mini-Sode: Angela Lansbury! To learn more about this episode and others, visit the official Cinema Sounds & Secrets website!
In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on the very beloved Broadway musical "Ragtime"! With its current Broadway production extending nearly 6 months, this star-studded revival is the talk of the town!Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut NovelMost writing podcasts just inspire. This one teaches the craft skills that hook readers.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
Joe Bergamini on Subbing, Broadway Reality, and Building a Real Music CareerIn this episode of the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast, I sit down with Joe Bergamini—drummer, educator, author, and one of the most thoughtful voices in the drum world.Joe has subbed on more than 15 Broadway shows, toured nationally, taught for decades, and written some of the most respected drum books out there. But what really stands out is how clearly he talks about what it actually takes to build a sustainable life as a working musician.We dig into what subbing on Broadway is really like, how learning music note-for-note early on prepared him for theater work, and how teaching, touring, rock bands, and saying yes to the right gigs quietly shaped his career. Joe also shares stories from his early club days and why preparation, curiosity, and relationships matter more than hype or shortcuts.This is an honest, practical conversation for drummers who care about longevity.Here are just a few books he has written:Speaking at NAMM – January 24I'll be expanding on many of these ideas in person at NAMM:Building a Career in Theater MusicSaturday, January 2411:30 AM – 12:00 PMHilton California AIf you're attending NAMM and curious about Broadway, touring, subbing, networking, contracts, and the real financial side of being a working musician, I hope you'll stop by.Broadway Bound and BeyondMy upcoming book, Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career, goes deeper into many of the topics we talk about here—how musicians actually get hired, how careers are sustained, and what no one explains when you're starting out.Get on the list at:www.broadwayboundbook.comSubscribe and Stay ConnectedIf you're getting value from these conversations, make sure you're subscribed to Broadway Drumming 101 so you don't miss future episodes and articles.If you know a musician trying to figure out their next move, share this episode with them. Subscriptions and reviews help more working players find the show.Thanks for listening and for supporting the Broadway Drumming 101 community.This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Clayton Craddock is the drummer for the upcoming Broadway musical Cats: The Jellicle Ball, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 7th. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of the forthcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career.His Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Ain't Too Proud, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, along with extensive subbing on shows such as Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe
Hamilton's brilliant director Thomas Kail helps me wrap up the podcast with two thoughtful, insightful, and sweet episodes. Tommy is known as "The Architect" and I'm telling you, the guy lives up to the title and then some. This week T.Kail unpacks a lot of the HamilTen celebrations and how they came to be, including how they landed on the decision to release the Hamilfilm in movie theaters, his profound experience with the original cast reuniting for the Tony Awards, and Leslie Odom Jr.'s reprising Aaron Burr in Hamilton on Broadway. Tommy also talks a lot about editing the Hamilton film (or as he calls it, his love letter to the original company) and how incredibly moving it was to watch it with them at the famous Delacorte Theater, under a full moon. Plus, we gush about Freestyle Love Supreme and the episode ends on a very rare cliffhanger! I don't know if that's ever happened on the pod but I explain why at the end of the episode. It's nothing crazy, it's mostly a timing issue, but here we are! This episode was recorded in November of 2025 at WTF Media Studios in Manhattan and produced with Natalie Grillo from Any Moment Productions in collaboration with Meghan Miles. #124: Thomas Kail // Part One (2018) #125: Thomas Kail // Part Two (2018) #230: Jonah Moran // #HamilFilm Editor // Part One #231: Jonah Moran // #HamilFilm Editor // Part Two #232: Jonah Moran // #HamilFilm Editor // Part Three Freestyle Love Supreme Freestyle Love Supreme on The Hamilcast Moondrunk - "My Words" /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on TikTok The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps
It is a thrill to welcome back my friend, three-time Tony-winning producer and investor Evan McGill, to The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast! Evan is also a Drama Desk Award and Drama League Award-winning theatrical and music producer whose work spans Broadway, the West End, and Australia. He is a member of the Broadway League and the founder of Evan McGill Productions, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping some of the most celebrated theatrical productions in recent years. On Broadway, his producing credits include Parade (2023), The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window (2023), The Outsiders, and Sunset Blvd (2024), and he has held a stake in numerous other commercial productions. Across the pond, Evan is involved in the West End revivals of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express (2024) and Evita (2025), among others. In Australia, he has been involved with Hamilton, MJ, and Beetlejuice.In addition to his work on stage, Evan McGill has produced successful Broadway cast albums, including The Music Man: The 2022 Broadway Cast Recording and Funny Girl: New Broadway Cast Recording—both of which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Cast Albums chart. In the world of entertainment finance, Evan McGill serves as a general partner at Tanninger Fund II, an SEC-registered investment vehicle that supports live entertainment ventures globally. His work has earned him three Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical for Parade at the 76th Tony Awards, Best Musical for The Outsiders at the 77th Tony Awards (in collaboration with Tanninger Entertainment), and Best Revival of a Musical for Sunset Blvd. at the 78th Tony Awards. He also received a Drama Desk Award for Parade and a Drama League Award as part of the producing team behind Sunset Blvd. On this episode of The Jake's Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Evan McGill talked about his success with The Outsiders, why Sunset Blvd was a cultural phenomenon, and previewed both the latest North American tour of Monty Python's Spamalot and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
In Episode 90, it is time for the annual solo episode as Brennan goes back and talks about everything we've chatted about during Year 2! It was a really great year for the pod, and we are so excited for what 2026 has in store!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
Welcome to Jake's Happy Nostalgia Show, the podcast where nostalgia comes alive!This week, we're thrilled to welcome legendary director and associate director Ken Diego, whose remarkable career has helped shape some of the most beloved moments in children's television. Since 1993, Ken has been a creative force behind Sesame Street, directing and associate directing countless episodes, fan-favorite segments, home videos, television specials, and educational outreach projects that have touched generations. We also dive into his work directing the planetarium production One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure, the musical event A Swingin' Sesame Street Celebration at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater, and the spin-off The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo. Beyond the Street, Ken shares stories from his work on Square One TV, Allegra's Window, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, Out of the Box, Live by Request, and more. Plus, we chat about his ongoing role as associate director of the Tony Awards.Special thanks to Martin P. Robinson for connecting us!Taping date: January 19, 2025Edited by: Chris Bixby (Co-Host)https://www.facebook.com/cbixby2000Be sure to check out our website, where you can learn more about the podcast and find how to follow the Happy Nostalgia team!https://jakeshappynostalgiashow.weebly.com/Listen to the audio version wherever you find your podcasts!https://linktr.ee/JakesHappyNostalgiaShow
In this episode of “Half Hour”, we look back at the 2025 Broadway and Off-Broadway year, from new works like John Proctor Is the Villain and Buena Vista Social Club to other standout plays and musicals that stayed with us. We revisit memorable actor performances, reflect on the most talked-about Tony Awards moments, and share how listener support helped the show double its audience from 2024 to 2025. The conversation then turns to 2026, with a look at upcoming productions like Schmigadoon! at the Nederlander Theatre and Cats: The Jellicle Ball at the Broadhurst, as well as new titles and revivals that could shape the next season. We offer predictions, hopes, and a few wishes for where Broadway and Off-Broadway might be headed next, inviting listeners to weigh in on what they are most excited to see. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Share your thoughts on this production in the comments on Spotify, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show conversations, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a Broadway Drumming 101 Classic.Originally released in December 2021, this episode features Rich Rosenzweig, recorded on the very day Companyofficially opened on Broadway. The timing alone makes it special. Rich was stepping into an opening night shaped by grief, history, and pressure, following the passing of Stephen Sondheim, while carrying the responsibility of yet another major Broadway chair.But what makes this episode endure is not the moment. It is the honesty.Rich and Clayton dig into the parts of Broadway drumming that rarely get talked about clearly. Reviews. Word of mouth. Why some shows with mediocre press run for years while others with praise disappear. Rich explains how the power of critics has shifted, and why storytelling, audience response, and momentum now matter more than ever.From there, the conversation goes deep into subbing. This is one of the most detailed discussions anywhere about what chair holders actually look for in a sub drummer. Not flash. Not ego. Preparation, consistency, psychological trust, and the ability to make a conductor feel safe. Rich explains why subbing can be more stressful than holding a Broadway chair full time, and why even great drummers struggle if they miss these non-negotiables.They also talk candidly about career reality. Getting fired. Losing gigs. Being passed over. How to assess whether feedback is something to grow from or simply a mismatch. Rich shares stories from Beauty and the Beast, Cats, Rent, Memphis, and more, showing how longevity in this business often comes down to adaptability and self-awareness, not perfection.This episode is essential listening if you are serious about musical theater, Broadway, or touring at a high level.Not motivational quotes. Not shortcuts. Just real talk from someone who has lived it.If you are trying to understand how Broadway actually works, this one belongs in your library.Support Broadway Drumming 101 and unlock exclusive content at BroadwayDrumming101.com.Clayton Craddock is the drummer for the upcoming Broadway musical Cats: The Jellicle Ball, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 7th. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of the forthcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career.His Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Ain't Too Proud, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, along with extensive subbing on shows such as Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe
The most anticipated episode of the year is here - ranking our favorite Broadway and Off-Broadway shows of 2025! Lindsey and Bryn sit down to review the WILD year Broadway has had, from the biggest news stories (Tony Awards drama with Audra vs. Nicole) to the top-grossing shows! Comment below your top shows for the year and what major Broadway news stories had you SHOOK!JOIN THE PATREON: https://patreon.com/FromTheMezzanine?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkTIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@fromthemezzaninebroadway?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pcINSTA: https://www.instagram.com/fromthemezzaninebroadway/?hl=en
Send us a textThis episode wrecked me in the very best way.On September 11th, 2001, while most of the world was glued to their TVs watching unimaginable horror unfold, Diane Davis was teaching Grade 3 French immersion in Gander, Newfoundland, an airport town of about 10,000 people that would suddenly become home to nearly 7,000 stranded airline passengers.What happened next is the part of the 9/11 story you probably don't know.Diane walks me through those surreal days when 38 planes were diverted to Gander and an entire community quietly, efficiently, and compassionately mobilized. Teachers turned schools into shelters. Bus drivers walked off strike to shuttle passengers. Churches, camps, and tiny outport towns filled trucks with food, bedding, and toothbrushes. Bulletin boards replaced the internet. Tim Hortons boxes became filing systems. No one waited to be told what to do. People just did what they could.Diane's story became part of Come From Away, the Broadway musical inspired by Gander's response to 9/11. Yes, there is literally a character based on her. But what struck me most wasn't the red carpets or the Tony Awards. It was her belief that none of this was extraordinary. It was simply people showing up with whatever skills they had.We also talk about the other side of being a lifelong helper, learning how to receive. Diane shares candidly about her current cancer treatment, the discomfort of accepting support, and how community once again is carrying her through. This conversation is about kindness, grit, humility, and the quiet magic that happens when strangers choose to care for each other.You might cry. I definitely did. And you'll walk away remembering what humans are capable of when we're at our best.What's Inside:What really happened in Gander when thousands of planes were diverted on 9/11How ordinary people self-organized to care for thousands of strangersThe real-life story behind Come From AwayWhy learning to receive help can be just as powerful as giving itSo here's what I want you thinking about after this episode. What does being rich actually mean to you? Is it having more than enough for yourself or being so resourced that you can show up for others without hesitation? Diane's story is a masterclass in emotional wealth, generosity, and community. And look, that kind of life is built one choice at a time.I want to hear from you. What kind of world do you want to help create, and what role do you want to play in it? DM me on Instagram and let's talk about it. I read every message.Mentioned in This Episode:Give Back To Diane DavisOonagh Duncan on InstagramFit Feels GoodLeave me a voice note on Speak Pipe!Goal Setting Workshop
In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on the holiday classic "Meet Me In St. Louis"! From screen to stage, this charming little show has cemented itself as a must-watch for so many every holiday season!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
New York-based mixer and sound designer Jason Crystal joins the show in Episode 311 for a tour through his wide-ranging career, spanning from Broadway — where his resume includes working as the associate sound designer and audio supervisor for every production of Hamilton around the world, as well as sound designing the Broadway and touring productions of Suffs — to mixing front of house for major broadcast events such as the Tony Awards and the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Homecoming Concert at Radio City Music Hall. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.Whether you're interested or working in musical theatre, TV awards shows, a look behind what goes in to SNL every week, or the logistics and technical challenges of massive multi-stage televised concert events, this episode is for you!Episode Links:Hamilton, The German EP On Apple Music & SpotifSuffsSignal to Noise Episode 306 (Sonic Secrets of Hamilton)Episode 311 TranscriptConnect with the community on the Signal To Noise Facebook Group and Discord Server. Both are spaces for listeners to create to generate conversations around the people and topics covered in the podcast — we want your questions and comments!Also please check out and support The Roadie Clinic, Their mission is simple. “We exist to empower & heal roadies and their families by providing resources & services tailored to the struggles of the touring lifestyle.”The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.Want to be a part of the show? If you have a quick tip to share, or a question for the hosts, past or future guests, or listeners at home, we'd love to include it in a future episode. You can send it to us one of two ways:1) If you want to send it in as text and have us read it, or record your own short audio file, send it to signal2noise@prosoundweb.com with the subject “Tips” or “Questions”2) If you want a quick easy way to do a short (90s or less) audio recording, go to https://www.speakpipe.com/S2N and leave us a voicemail there.
In Episode 89, Brennan is joined by Broadway's Russell Daniels as they talk about his journey from a degree in Music Education to being Josh Gad's standby in Gutenberg on Broadway! From sketch comedy, to hit parody shows, to Broadway itself, Russell has made a name for himself as one of the best comedic actors in the biz, and has a lot of wisdom to share of how he did it!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
In this week's mini-sode, we're shining the spotlight on Broadway's TYA musical "The Lightning Thief: the Percy Jackson Musical"! It's not often you see TYA (theatre for young audiences) on Broadway, but despite the negative Broadway reviews, the show has garnered a huge following across the country! It's creativity, ingenuity, and accessibility prove that there is a place for TYA on Broadway!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway
Here we go! The grand finale of The Hamilcast is officially underway with the return of Hamilton's mastermind choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler! Andy was the last guest before lockdown, coming over in person in February of 2020. Five years later, he's back to celebrate #HamilTEN and reflect on over a decade of working the show we are still happily dissecting all these years later. I love talking to Andy because every single story he tells gives more insight into his incredible thought process. From getting Hamilton Broadway's original cast together for the 2025 Tony Awards performance, to the necessary changes to the "What'd I Miss?" choreography in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, to why the Hamilfilm is the best filmed version of a show ever... everything he does is so layered and as he says, "thick." This week we get into the logistics of the famous "Andy Refreshers" and what maintenance for the show looks like after all these years, especially when he's working on other projects, including bringing the Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis concept album Warriors to the stage. I tried to keep my cool but sdlkfjsldkfj this is so exciting and based on what Andy tells us (which is a lot!) it's going to blow all of our minds into outer space. But honestly, what else is new? This episode was recorded in October of 2025 at WTF Media Studios in Manhattan and produced with Natalie Grillo and Meghan Miles. #217: Andy Blankenbuehler // Part One (2020) #218: Andy Blankenbuehler // Part Two (2020) #219: Andy Blankenbuehler // Part Three (2020) /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps
In this episode of “Half Hour”, we take a deeper dive into the Broadway musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), now playing at the Longacre Theatre. We unpack the show's rom-com structure, how the title frames the central journey across New York, and where the book and concept land for us. We also examine the contemporary score by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, the production's direction by Tim Jackson, and the scenic and costume design by Soutra Gilmour, alongside lighting by Jack Knowles and sound design by Tony Gayle. Performances from Sam Tutty as Dougal and Christiani Pitts as Robin are front and center as they consider chemistry, character arcs, and how this production might factor into this year's Tony Awards race, including the possibility of future stunt casting. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Share your thoughts on this production in the comments on Spotify, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show conversations, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This Classic episode goes back to 2021 with drummer Rich Rosenzweig. At the time, he was playing the drum chair for Company. Today, he is the drummer for Ragtime at Lincoln Center. Part One focuses on his early years, his training, and his path into the Broadway world.What we cover in this episode* How Rich transitioned from piano lessons to drums.* Growing up in a home filled with music and support for the arts.* Group snare drum lessons in grammar school and early practice habits.* Playing in the basement, practicing with records, and discovering big band.* Hearing Buddy Rich, Basie's band, and how those experiences shaped his sound.* Getting into jazz as a teenager and forming his first jazz groups.* Studying at UNC Chapel Hill and balancing music with a liberal arts education.* His obsession with film, film scores, and composers like Bernard Herrmann and Ennio Morricone.* Moving to New York with pianist Frank Kimbrough and building a freelance life.* Playing weddings, club dates, and the slow grind toward professional theater work.* Watching Ray Marchica play The Will Rogers Follies and learning what Broadway drumming really requires.* Subbing under conductor Eric Stern and facing a click track for the first time.* Landing his first Broadway chair on State Fair and what he learned from that experience.* Why Broadway drumming demands consistency, reading skills, groove, and a full understanding of the storytelling behind the music.This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Why this episode matters* It gives a clear picture of how a Broadway drummer builds a career from scratch.* It highlights the mix of training, influences, timing, and relationships that shape a long career on Broadway.* It shows how jazz, film music, and classical Broadway scoring all feed into a drummer's approach and musical identity.* It offers practical insight for anyone who wants to pursue theater drumming at a high level.Part Two will be released next week.Clayton Craddock is the drummer for the upcoming Broadway revival of Cats: The Jellicle Ball, opening at the Broadhurst Theatre on April 7th. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of the forthcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career.His Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include tick, tick…BOOM!, Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Ain't Too Proud, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, along with extensive subbing on shows such as Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.Clayton is currently on tour with The Rock Orchestra and has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the TONY Awards, and has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe
In 2014, Colin McEnroe and the playwright and screenwriter Tom Stoppard recorded a live conversation at The Study in New Haven. Stoppard, whom Colin considers “quite possibly the most dizzyingly proficient writer of the English tongue (who) did not grow up speaking English,” has died at the age of 88. In appreciation of Stoppard and his work, we’re republishing their conversation with a note from Colin. GUEST: Tom Stoppard is a Czech-born playwright. His most famous works include "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" and "Every Good Boy Deserves Favor." He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1998 Academy Award winning film, "Shakespeare in Love." Over the course of his career he has written for radio, television, film and stage. He' received one Academy Award and four Tony Awards for his work. Betsy Kaplan and Chion Wolf produced the hour. The Colin McEnroe Show is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Subscribe to The Noseletter, an email compendium of merriment, secrets, and ancient wisdom brought to you by The Colin McEnroe Show. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of “Half Hour,” we take a sharper look at the new Broadway musical The Queen of Versailles at the St. James Theatre, tracing Jackie and David Siegel's rise, their unfinished Orlando mega-mansion, and the show's transformation of Lauren Greenfield's documentary into a full-scale musical. We dig into Stephen Schwartz's score, Lindsey Ferrentino's book, and Michael Arden's staging, asking how the music, design, and performances serve the story's ideas about wealth, ambition, and collapse, with particular focus on sound design, vocal clarity, and the tension between flashy visuals and what the audience actually hears. We also examine Kristin Chenoweth's performance as Jackie, the ensemble around her, and the design team's scenic, lighting, and costume choices, before turning to how The Queen of Versailles may factor into this season's Tony Awards races and where it sits among the year's other large new musicals. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Share your thoughts on this production in the comments on Spotify, and let us know what you would like us to cover next. If you enjoy these post-show conversations, follow Half Hour and leave a rating and review so more theater lovers can find the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices