Podcasts about tony awards

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.

Listen to Tony Moclair announce this year's Tony Tony Award winner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Entrevue avec Luc Guérin, metteur en scène La comédie musicale Peter Pan, arrive au Québec pour la toute première fois. C’est un classique de Broadway récipiendaire de 3 Tony Awards. La version québécoise est le produit de la mise en scène de Luc Guérin. Regardez aussi cette discussion en vidéo via https://www.qub.ca/videos ou en vous abonnant à QUB télé : https://www.tvaplus.ca/qub ou sur la chaîne YouTube QUB https://www.youtube.com/@qub_radioPour de l'information concernant l'utilisation de vos données personnelles - https://omnystudio.com/policies/listener/fr

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 Episode 88, Brennan is joined by Broadway Casting Director, Kevin Metzger-Timson, as they talk about his transition from performing into casting, and all the things one may not know about what goes on behind the casting table! Between his experience as a performer, and his time casting with the TRC Company, Kevin is the perfect person to help us debunk all the myths of the casting process!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Pippa speaks to Bethany Dickson, a guest director and choreographer about the new show the Luitingh Alexander Musical Theatre Academy, better known as Lamta is putting on. It opens at the Theatre on the Bay later this week and is called 20 years of the Tony Awards and as the name suggests, it celebrates some of the biggest hits to come out of Broadway in the last 2 decades. Lunch with Pippa Hudson is CapeTalk’s mid-afternoon show. This 2-hour respite from hard news encourages the audience to take the time to explore, taste, read and reflect. The show - presented by former journalist, baker and water sports enthusiast Pippa Hudson - is unashamedly lifestyle driven. Popular features include a daily profile interview #OnTheCouch at 1:10pm. Consumer issues are in the spotlight every Wednesday while the team also unpacks all things related to health, wealth & the environment. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Lunch with Pippa Hudson Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays between 13:00 and 15:00 (SA Time) to Lunch with Pippa Hudson broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/MdSlWEs or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/fDJWe69 Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

pWotD Episode 3133: Tom Stoppard 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 240,997 views on Saturday, 29 November 2025 our article of the day is Tom Stoppard.Sir Tom Stoppard (born Tomáš Sträussler, 3 July 1937 – 29 November 2025) was a Czech and English playwright and screenwriter. He wrote for film, radio, stage, and television, finding prominence with plays. His work covered the themes of human rights, censorship, and political freedom, often delving into the deeper philosophical bases of society. Stoppard was a playwright of the National Theatre; one of the most internationally performed dramatists of his generation; and critically compared with William Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw. He was knighted for his contribution to theatre by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 and awarded the Order of Merit in 2000. Born in Czechoslovakia, Stoppard left as a Jewish child refugee, fleeing imminent Nazi occupation. He settled with his family in England after the war, in 1946, having spent the previous three years (1943–1946) in a boarding school in Darjeeling in the Indian Himalayas. After being educated at schools in Nottingham and Yorkshire, Stoppard became a journalist, a drama critic and then, in 1960, a playwright.Stoppard's most prominent plays include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1966), Jumpers (1972), Travesties (1974), Night and Day (1978), The Real Thing (1982), Arcadia (1993), The Invention of Love (1997), The Coast of Utopia (2002), Rock 'n' Roll (2006) and Leopoldstadt (2020). He wrote the screenplays for Brazil (1985), Empire of the Sun (1987), The Russia House (1990), Billy Bathgate (1991), Shakespeare in Love (1998), Enigma (2001), and Anna Karenina (2012), as well as the BBC/HBO limited series Parade's End (2013). He directed the film Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1990), adapting his own 1966 play as its screenplay, with Gary Oldman and Tim Roth as the leads.Stoppard received numerous awards and honours including an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Shakespeare In Love, three Laurence Olivier Awards, and five Tony Awards. In 2008, The Daily Telegraph ranked him number 11 in their list of the "100 most powerful people in British culture". It was announced in June 2019 that Stoppard had written a new play, Leopoldstadt, set in the Jewish community of early 20th-century Vienna. The play premiered in January 2020 at Wyndham's Theatre. The play went on to win the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play and later the 2023 Tony Award for Best Play.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 03:05 UTC on Sunday, 30 November 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Tom Stoppard 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 Bluesky at @wikioftheday.com.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Ruth.

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

In Episode 87, Brennan and Danny are bringing you all of their praises and hot takes about the long awaited film "Wicked: For Good"! Whether it be Cynthia's "No Good Deed", or the newly iconic chunky knit cardigan, this movie is on everyone's mind right now, so come share in the joy with us!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

I went back to one of my classic Broadway Drumming 101 conversations this week, and it reminded me why I started this series in the first place. Years ago I sat down with Rich Rosenzweig when he was holding the drum chair for the revival of ‘Company.' Now he's driving the bus for Ragtime at Lincoln Center, and revisiting this talk brought everything back. We got into the real work of subbing on Broadway, the pressure of matching the regular drummer's feel, and the quiet connection with the conductor that determines whether you get asked back.In the clip, Rich breaks down the truth every serious drummer needs to hear. Subbing isn't about chops or showing what you can do. It's about matching the show so well that the conductor can close their eyes and feel the same pulse, the same sound, the same flow they get from the regular drummer. They're not looking for surprises. They want stability. If you're not giving accuracy, presence, and attention to detail, they feel it immediately.Rich also talks about how conductors watch the monitor even when they say they don't. They're looking for someone who is locked in and communicating clearly. Plenty of great drummers have fallen short because they didn't prepare the book with real precision or didn't read the conductor the way the regular drummer does. Most people never hear that part of the job. Subbing is consistency, connection, and trust.Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.This conversation is one of my favorites, and I'm bringing it back. Subscribe to Broadway Drumming 101 so you're notified when the re-release goes live. If you're trying to get into Broadway or looking to sharpen your subbing skills, this episode will show you what the job really demands.This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Rich Rosenzweig has played more than a dozen Broadway shows and appeared on multiple cast recordings. He's been the drummer for the Kennedy Center Honors orchestra for more than a decade, toured nationally and internationally, and has been the regular drummer for City Center's Encores! series. He performs in progressive jazz ensembles, including his own East Down Septet, teaches privately, and has written several feature screenplays.More episodes like this are coming. Stay tuned.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 this episode of Half Hour, Jeff and Richie take a close look at the 2025 Broadway revival of Ragtime at Lincoln Center Theater's Vivian Beaumont Theater, with Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz, and Colin Donnell leading the cast. They compare Lear deBessonet's Broadway staging to the earlier New York City Center presentation, weighing the strength of the performances, the impact of a more pared-back production, and how the material lands with today's audiences. The conversation covers the score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, Terrence McNally's book, design choices that support or undercut the storytelling, and what this revival might mean for the upcoming Tony Awards. Jeff and Richie also discuss how Ragtime's mix of fictional and historical figures speaks to contemporary questions about race, class, immigration, and the American dream. Follow and connect with all things @HalfHourPodcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Share your thoughts on this Ragtime revival and your own experience at the Vivian Beaumont 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

very one of the guests in this episode have spent time in the national spotlight due to their accomplishments and accolades: Josh Hill: Winner of thousands of dollars and many consecutive games on the hit game show Jeopardy. Kevin Kresse: Chosen as the sculptor for a statue of Johnny Cash for display in Washington D.C. Mark Abernathy & Donnie Ferneau: Local restauranteurs featured on national food programs. Hoops Green: The process for becoming a Harlem Globetrotter. Wade Rathke: The director and establishing force behind the ACORN national activist organization. Ray Rodgers: What is it like to be in the corner of a world champion? Will Trice: Our local director for the Rep remembers the actors he's worked with and the Tony Awards he's won. Keith Jackson & Walt Coleman: A Super Bowl champion and the one of the most respected refs in the NFL.

In this week's Episode, Danny is joining Brennan over on the main as they discuss all the various ways to make seeing New York theatre affordable. Art should be accessible to all, and while Broadway is a prestigious institution, there are still tons of ways to be able to see a lot of the shows in the city without breaking the bank! 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 Broadway musical "Tuck Everlasting". This lesser known gem of a show walks a fun line of family friendly theater with rather existential subject matter in a way that ends up being somehow charming?? Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

The Wiz (1978) was chosen by show supporter Maff, who's got a talent for picking bold, imaginative movies that really stand out from the pack. This time, he's gone for one of the most ambitious musical productions ever made. The Wiz was Universal's lavish reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, retold through the lens of African American culture and late-1970s New York style. Directed by Sidney Lumet — more famous for his gritty urban dramas like Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon — the film brought together an all-star cast including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor. With a staggering $24 million budget, it was one of the most expensive musicals of its era, aiming to blend Broadway magic with the spectacle of big-screen fantasy.The production was a monumental undertaking. Filming took place across New York City landmarks like the World Trade Center, the New York State Pavilion, and the Cyclone rollercoaster in Coney Island, all transformed into surreal fantasy settings. Legendary producer Quincy Jones oversaw the music, infusing the original Broadway score with disco, funk, and gospel influences. Despite its breathtaking ambition, The Wiz was plagued by production challenges, critical skepticism, and financial losses on release. However, in the years since, it has earned cult classic status — celebrated for its stunning visuals, imaginative choreography, and Michael Jackson's breakout film performance. It may not have conquered the box office, but The Wiz remains a vibrant, soulful experiment that dared to take Oz somewhere entirely new.If you enjoy the show, we have a Patreon, so become a supporter ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠.Referral links also help out the show if you were going to sign up:⁠⁠⁠NordVPN⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NordPass⁠⁠⁠Trailer Guy Plot SummaryShe wanted something more… but she never imagined this.When a storm sweeps a shy Harlem schoolteacher into a world unlike anything she's ever known, she must follow the road, face her fears, and find her way home — with the help of some unforgettable friends.Starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Richard Pryor — from the streets of New York to the land of Oz, it's a journey of music, magic, and pure 1970s soul.*The Wiz* — ease on down the road to where dreams, disco, and destiny collide.Fun FactsThe Wiz began as a Broadway musical in 1975, which won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical — long before the movie version was made.Motown Productions co-financed the film, marking one of the first major studio partnerships between Hollywood and a Black-owned entertainment company.Michael Jackson was only 19 years old when he starred as the Scarecrow — and the experience led to his lifelong creative partnership with Quincy Jones.The film's costume designer, Tony Walton, created over 300 costumes, many of which were made from recycled materials to give the movie's world a gritty, urban feel.Sidney Lumet's wife, Gail Jones, the daughter of Lena Horne, helped convince Lumet to take on the project despite his lack of musical experience.The movie's version of “Ease on Down the Road” became a chart-topping hit for Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, reaching #41 on the Billboard Hot 100.The yellow brick road was constructed from real vinyl flooring, giving it that glossy, otherworldly shine seen in the film.The production used over 650 dancers for the film's large-scale musical sequences — one of the biggest ensembles ever assembled for a musical at the time.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thevhsstrikesback@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/vhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In Episode 85, Brennan is joined by Broadway's Britney Coleman as they talk about the midwest to NYC transition, and the need to bring an authentic self into the industry! If we've learned anything by now, it's that every journey looks different and so does the journey to finding one's unique voice in this crazy world of theatre we choose to live in!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

durée : 01:28:50 - Rencontre avec les nouvelles coqueluches de Broadway et de Hollywood : Benj Pasek et Justin Paul (1ere partie) - par : Laurent Valière - En dix ans, le duo Benj Pasek et Justin Paul, auteurs-compositeurs rencontrés à la fac, est devenu incontournable : ils ont écrit les chansons de The Greatest Showman, les paroles de La La Land et emportés six Tony Awards pour Dear Evan Hansen, présenté pour la première fois en France. - réalisé par : Céline Parfenoff Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on a lesser known, Off-Broadway musical, "Lucky Stiff". This Ahrens and Flaherty musical is a farcical delight, with some good music, and hysterical hijinks. It deserves some time in the spotlight for a change, so go show it some love!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

In Episode 84, Brennan is joined by Off-Broadway's Alex Stompoly as they chat about the life of a renaissance faire performer, the evolution of emerging into the industry as a queer artist, and the joys of performing with our dear old friends at The Twenty Sided Tavern! It's really amazing when just showing up to work puts you in spaces and with people you could've only dreamed about, and Alex is no stranger to that beautiful phenomenon!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Interview Date: May 4th, 2025Episode Summary:Australian dancer–choreographer–TV judge Joshua Horner traces his wildly diverse path: asthma kid → Australian Ballet soloist → West End lead in Movin' Out → Broadway's Billy Elliot → Disney creative in Los Angeles → Dancing With The Stars judge → reality-TV creator → and finally, a show-stopping pivot into real estate where he sells homes with full theatrical flair. Along the way he unpacks visas, networking that pays off a decade later, audition tactics, standing out without gimmicks, why technique still wins, and how to future-proof a dance career with bravery, focus, and business sense. The Q&A dives into agents in Australia, cruise-ship hustles, concert vs. commercial dance choices, and breaking into BroadwayShownotes:(0:00) — Roll call, cameras on, global intros(0:59) — Guest intro: multi-market career highlights(3:21) — Asthma leads Josh into dance(6:12) — Australian Ballet School, company contract(6:37) — Dirty Dancing understudy; Twyla Tharp notice(7:59) — London West End lead, green card plan(8:59) — Broadway debut, Billy Elliot & Tony Awards(18:05) — Disney dream: 10-year networking seed blooms(23:32) — DWTS judge role; weekly LA–Australia commute(26:03) — Reality TV pilot; shifting industry landscape(28:14 )— Breakup with dance, pivot to real estate(30:26)— Viral listings: showgirls, humor, entertainment(34:48) — Q&A: agents, cruise ships, hustling tips(45:20) — Career crossroads: commercial vs. contemporary dance(59:14) — Final advice: technique, smarts, braveryBiography:Ladies and gentlemen, meet Josh Horner – the former dance floor dynamo, Disneyland's creative wizard, and the unforgettable judge on Dancing With The Stars! Now back in his hometown, Josh is lighting up real estate with The Horner Agency and his iconic gnome sidekick. Forget record-breaking sales—it's his viral videos that have buyers and vendors lining up, all because the JOY is real with this guy! With a knack for connecting and a flair for fun, every deal with Josh is a showstopper. Get ready to experience real estate like never before!Connect on Social Media:Website - ⁠thehorneragency.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joshuajhorner/

In this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on Broadway's spooky classic, "The Addams Family Musical"! With a truly all star cast, this adaptation of everyone's favorite creepy, cooky family is a treasure trove of bops for all voice types, and an overall good time! *snap snap*Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

In Episode 83, Brennan is joined by NYC-based artist, Meghan Fitton, as they talk about entering NY without a musical theatre degree, and how to find your own power when the world you're in is uncontrollable!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

In this episode, I sit down with drummer Tom Jorgensen. He's been playing drums on the Beetlejuice national tour for the last three years. Tom talks about what makes the Beetlejuice drum book one of the most physically demanding on the road and how Shannon Ford's original approach set the tone for everything that followed.We dig into:* The sheer physical challenge of playing Beetlejuice eight times a week and how Tom reworked his setup and grip to survive it.* The philosophy he learned from jazz legend Michael Carvin — “It's not about what you're playing, it's about what you're doing” — and how that mindset keeps every performance fresh.* His time touring with Postmodern Jukebox, cutting his teeth on cruise ships, and what those experiences taught him about endurance, posture, and musical adaptability.* Lessons from working with Rich Mercurio and Nadia DiGiallonardo on Waitress, and the moment that turned a sub gig into his first big break.* The balance between consistency and creativity on tour — how to avoid burnout, stay healthy, and keep the show locked in night after night.* Why gratitude and discipline are non-negotiable for musicians who want longevity on the road.Tom's story is a reminder that Broadway drumming isn't just about chops — it's about mindset, focus, and knowing how to serve the show every night.For more: https://www.tomjorgensensound.comListen now wherever you get your podcasts.Subscribe at BroadwayDrumming101.com and pre-order my new book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career at BroadwayBoundBook.com.Mentioned in this episode:* Beetlejuice National Tour* Shannon Ford* Michael Carvin* Rich Mercurio* Nadia DiGiallonardo* Postmodern Jukebox* Waitress First National TourClayton 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 this week's mini-sode, we are shining the spotlight on Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Avenue Q"! Not only did it win the Tony Award for Best Musical, but this edgy puppet-based musical beat out Wicked! It's a classic and a hit, and all the character actors out there gotta know it!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is David Adjmi. From childhood, our money stories shape the way we see the world—sometimes with clarity, and sometimes with confusion. For playwright David, growing up in a family and a neighborhood where money was about hustle, performance, and status left him questioning what financial security and self-worth really meant. David Adjmi's plays have been produced at theatres around the world such as Lincoln Center, RSC, Steppenwolf, and Soho Rep--where he was the Mellon Foundation playwright-in-residence for three years. Stereophonic (music by Will Butler of Arcade Fire) is running on London's West End after a successful run on Broadway, where it became the most Tony-nominated play in history. Stereophonic received the 2024 Drama Desk Award, New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama League, and Tony Awards for Best Play. The Stumble was recently excerpted in The Paris Review, and his two-part play The Blind King is currently in development with The Public. Adjmi's controversial hit 3C was selected as one of the top ten plays of the year by the New York Post, Time Out and the Advocate. Elective Affinities premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Company and received a sold-out U.S. premiere at Soho Rep starring Zoe Caldwell (Top 10 of the year in Time Out, The New Yorker.) Other plays include Stunning, The Evildoers, and Marie Antoinette. He was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Whiting Writers' Award, the Kesselring Prize for Drama, and the Steinberg Playwright Award, among others.  He holds commissions from The Public, Playwrights Horizons, Yale Rep, Berkeley Rep, and the Royal Court (UK). His critically acclaimed memoir Lot Six was published by HarperCollins in 2020, and his collected plays are published by TCG.

Coming Soon: The Tom Jorgensen Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast EpisodeThere's a line that's stuck with Tom Jorgensen ever since he first heard it from jazz legend Michael Carvin:“It's not about what you're playing — it's about what you're doing.”It sounds simple. But as Tom explains in the upcoming episode of the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast, that one sentence completely changed how he approaches music, performance, and storytelling on stage.For those who don't know Tom: he's the drummer on the North American tour of Beetlejuice The Musical, which returned to Broadway in a limited 13-week engagement at the Palace Theatre beginning October 8, 2025 and running through January 3, 2026. In this episode, Tom opens up about how Carvin's philosophy guided him through every stage of his career. From late nights on cruise ships to the bright lights of Broadway. He shares how mentors like Rich Mercurio and Nadia DiGiallonardo helped him realize that playing music isn't just about perfect notes or flawless grooves, it's about listening, intention, and being part of the story.This episode goes beyond chops and technique. It's about presence, purpose, and what it truly means to serve the music.If you've ever found yourself going through the motions—counting bars, chasing perfection, or just trying to “get through” a gig—this conversation will hit home. It's a reminder that every note, no matter how small, can help tell the story.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 Episode 82, Brennan is joined by Broadway's Andrew Arrington as they talk about learning to love theatre and find those spaces that keep that love going. And as always, this platform remains an Audra McDonald fan account!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

Front Row Classics welcomes author Laurence Mason to celebrate the art of both Alfred Hitchcock and a great drink. Maslon recently wrote "Hitchcocktails: Lethal Libations inspired by the Master of Suspense". The books pairs Hitchcock's legendary films with a cocktail appropriate for the occasion. Larry mixes both film history and mixology in an attractive package for both films fans and drink enthusiasts alike. "Hitchcocktails: Lethal Libations inspired by the Master of Suspense" is available now from Weldon Owen wherever books are sold. Laurence Maslon is an arts professor at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, as well as associate chair of the Graduate Acting Program. His most recent book is an updated companion volume to the PBS series Broadway: The American Musical. He is also the host and producer of the weekly radio series, Broadway to Main Street (winner of the 2019 ASCAP Foundation/Deems Taylor Award for Radio Broadcast) on the NPR station WLIW-FM. He edited the two-volume set American Musicals (1927-1969) for Library of America, as well as their Kaufman & Co., Broadway comedies by George S. Kaufman. Other books include the companion book to Come From Away, Broadway to Main Street: How Show Music Enchanted America (Oxford), The Sound of Music Companion, and the South Pacific Companion. He is the writer and coproducer of the PBS American Masters documentary, Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me, and wrote American Masters documentary Richard Rodgers: The Sweetest Sounds. He served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards from 2007 to 2010. He has written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker, Opera News, Stagebill, and American Theatre. Mr. Maslon, otherwise a nice guy, mixes a mean drink.  

Amazingly, this year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Broadway musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. In 2005, after an incredibly short development period, opened first off-Broadway at Second Stage Theater, and quickly moved to Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway. It was nominated for six Tony Awards and won two, including “Best Book of a Musical,” and the show would go on to run for 1,136 performances and be produced around the world. In celebration of that anniversary, two new productions will open this fall. Off-Broadway at New World Stages, performances are scheduled to begin on November 27, and next week, on October 21, Spelling Bee will open at Theater Under the Stars in Houston, Texas, where it is directed and choreographed by my guest today, TUTS's Artistic Director, Dan Knechtges. Not coincidentally, Knechtges made his Broadway debut as the choreographer of the original production, and as you will hear, he was actively involved in every stage of that musical's development from its very first incarnation working closely with composer/lyricist William Finn, and director, James Lapine. Knechtges' other Broadway credits includes the choreography of Sondheim On Sondheim, the revival of 110 in the Shade, and Xanadu, for which he received a Tony Award nomination, and the direction and choreography of the musical Lysistrata Jones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 81, Brennan is joined by NYC-based performer Allison Lian, as they examine the differences between self care and self sabotage, and question the ways actors should actually be shoeing up for themselves! What is meant for you will not pass you by, but that does not mean you should just sit around and wait for it to happen!Support the showHost/ Production/ Editing: Brennan StefanikMusic: Dylan KaufmanGraphic Design: Jordan Vongsithi@batobroadway on Instagram, Threads, and TikTokPatreon.com/batobroadway

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast — Episode: Larry LelliLarry Lelli has done just about everything a Broadway drummer can do. From marching snare in Wisconsin to playing The Producers on Broadway, his story is about hard work, timing, and versatility. In this conversation, Larry talks about his early days growing up in the Midwest, his years in drum corps, the Nashville country scene, and how he built a lasting career in New York City's theater world.Larry's been behind the drum kit for shows like The Producers, Jekyll and Hyde, Les Misérables, Wicked, and The Full Monty. He's also a respected educator and clinician whose experience bridges jazz, pop, and orchestral playing.This episode breaks down how he made the jump from the road to Broadway, what it takes to earn a chair, and why learning from others is one of the smartest moves a drummer can make.Key Moments and Topics Covered00:03 – Early Years in the MidwestLarry talks about growing up in Chicago, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. He shares how he started on trombone before switching to drums and getting his first kit — a red Slingerland jazz set from the 1960s.00:05 – Marching Band and Drum CorpsHe describes how marching band led him to drum corps, playing snare with the Blue Stars. Those years shaped his reading, discipline, and love of ensemble playing.00:09 – The High School Metal BandLarry formed a heavy-metal band called Fallen Angel, later Perfect Stranger, influenced by Motley Crüe, Poison, and Ozzy Osbourne. That mix of rock energy and groove became part of his foundation.00:10 – Discovering Studio LegendsHe recalls studying the session greats — Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro, Hal Blaine, and JR Robinson — and how copying their records taught him to listen, absorb, and reproduce other players' feel. That skill later helped him sub successfully on Broadway.00:13 – Choosing Music Over a “Backup Plan”Despite warnings from family about the risks of a music career, Larry stayed focused. A mentor told him, “If it's the thing you must do, then you have to do it.” That advice stuck.00:16 – University of Wisconsin–Eau ClaireHe studied jazz performance, percussion, and conducting, earning a Bachelor of Music degree. He credits conductor Robert Baca and professor Ron Keiser for turning Eau Claire into a respected jazz program.00:19 – Nashville YearsLarry moved to Nashville in the early 90s and toured with the country-comedy duo Pinkerton Bowden and later with country balladeer Doug Stone. He shares what life on the road was really like and why he eventually grew tired of touring.00:24 – The Call of New YorkAfter meeting jazz players on a cruise, he decided to explore Broadway. They told him his versatility would fit New York's theater scene. His first exposure to a pit was watching Ray Marchica play Damn Yankees — a life-changing moment.00:28 – Starting Over in NYCHe saved $10,000, moved to the city, and started sitting in on shows. Early on, he learned that “no one cares what you've done anywhere else — they only care what you've done in New York.” That lesson shaped how he built credibility.00:33 – Miss Saigon: The BreakthroughMichael Hinton gave Larry a shot at subbing the massive percussion book for Miss Saigon. The score had originally been written for three percussionists. Larry practiced daily for a month and nailed his first show — instantly building a reputation as someone who could handle the hardest gig in town.00:37 – From Subbing to a ChairLarry began subbing at Beauty and the Beast, Les Misérables, and other productions, eventually holding nine different sub books at once. His first full Broadway chair came with Jekyll and Hyde.00:42 – Landing The ProducersWhen Jekyll and Hyde closed, a referral led to an audition with legendary conductor Paul Gemignani for a new show. Although that production closed quickly, the connection opened doors. A few years later, Larry joined The Producers, which became a long-running hit.00:46 – Lessons on LongevityLarry emphasizes professionalism: showing up prepared, treating every sub date like an audition, and understanding that reliability and attitude matter as much as chops. Every gig, even the short-lived ones, builds your reputation.00:48 – Teaching and Passing It OnHe now teaches drummers how to approach theater work with discipline and respect for the craft — reading, listening, blending, and adapting.Key Takeaways* Learning by listening prepares you for the realities of Broadway.* Every show, even a short run, can lead to future work.* Versatility is a drummer's greatest asset — orchestral, rock, jazz, and pop all show up in modern theater books.* Reputation is everything. People hire musicians who make their lives easier.* Keep the joy. The best drummers never lose that excitement they had as kids hitting their first kit.Connect with Larry LelliWebsite: larrylelli.comInstagram: @larrylelliAbout Broadway Drumming 101Broadway Drumming 101 is the leading platform for drummers and musicians working in theater. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full interviews and clips, or join the membership at BroadwayDrumming101.com for behind-the-scenes videos, real-world training, and exclusive articles.Learn more about our upcoming book Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career at BroadwayBoundBook.com.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 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

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.I'm excited to share that a new Broadway Drumming 101 podcast episode with Larry Lelli will be re-released soon. I originally sat down with Larry back on December 16, 2021, and since then, his career has kept growing in remarkable ways.Larry isn't just a veteran Broadway drummer—he's now also a Broadway producer. He's gone on to co-produce Water for Elephants (opened March 21, 2024), Gutenberg! The Musical! (opened October 12, 2023), and most recently Waiting for Godot (opened September 28, 2025).Before stepping into producing, Larry built a career most musicians dream of. He's played drums and conducted for over 40 Broadway shows, including The Producers, Assassins, How To Succeed In Business, and Million Dollar Quartet. His list of collaborations is just as impressive—Melissa Etheridge, Josh Groban, Audra McDonald, Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Nick Jonas, Vanessa Williams, Jerry Lee Lewis, and even the New York Philharmonic.Larry is also a clinician with Yamaha Drums and Sabian Cymbals, and you can currently catch him performing in the Tony Award-winning hit Come From Away.In our conversation, we dug into:* Growing up in the Midwest playing in baton and drum corps* Touring with country star Doug Stone after moving to Nashville* How a jazz cruise changed his life and led him to New York City* Why subbing for Michael Hinton on Miss Saigon was his big break* Learning from legends like Paul Gemignani* How he approaches learning an entire Broadway showLarry's story is a masterclass in building a long, versatile career in music—and now he's added producing to his list of achievements.Stay tuned for the re-release of this edited Broadway Drumming 101 episode. It's one you won't want to miss.https://www.larrylelli.comClayton Craddock is 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, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, along with extensive subbing on shows like Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour. He 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 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

This is the second part of this Encore Episode from 2021 featuring a conversation with Irene Sankoff & David Hein — the dynamic writing team and married couple that created the international smash hit musical Come From Away which recently topped American Theatre magazine's list of the most produced plays in America in 2025/26. On the previous episode Irene and David related how they got hooked on musicals, and how they went from their first show based on a true story — My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding — to deciding to create a musical based on the real life events that happened in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland in the days following 9/11. They also described what it was like to attend the 10th Anniversary of the events in Gander and then begin to transform the stories they heard there into a musical during an early workshop production at The Canadian Music Theatre Project at Sheridan College. We also explored the classic Broadway shows that influenced and inspired the writing of their book, music, and lyrics for Come From Away. If you missed part one you may want to go back and catch up on that episode before you listen to this one. Today we look at the extensive development process that CFA went through on its journey to Broadway — including a workshop in Seattle, a series of productions at the La Jolla Playhouse, The Seattle Rep, Ford's Theater in DC. and the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, as well as a thrilling concert presentation in Gander where it all began.  Back in 2015, I served as the Executive Producer and Artistic Director of The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle and, as such, I had the great pleasure of co-producing that original Seattle workshop of Come From Away. This was the first time that the show's Tony award winning director Christopher Ashley and choreographer, Kelly Devine began to work on the show — and it was great fun to recall that exciting experience with Irene and David. Come From Away is the fifth musical to originate in Canada and eventually open on Broadway.  The first was 1974's Rockabye Hamlet with book, music and lyrics by Cliff Jones. This rock musical adaptation of Shakespeare was originally titled Kronborg 1582 and was well received, first as a radio series on the CBC, and then at the Charlottetown Theatre Festival and on tour in Canada, before being retitled and opening on Broadway with Gower Champion as the director. It became a legendary flop and closed after 7 performances. Next, in 1980 came the intimate and engaging Billy Bishop Goes To War written by John McLachlan Gray the show featured one actor to playing18 different roles to tell the story of real life Canadian fighter pilot Billy Bishop during the first World War. This show nearly doubled the run of Rockabye Hamlet closing after 12 performances. However, over the next ten years Billy Bishop Goes To War received scores of productions at theaters all across North America.  The Story Of My Life, with music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and book by Brian Hill, opened on Broadway in 2009. Unfortunately, it had an even shorter run than either of the previous two Canadian shows. However, one year earlier, a group of Canadian writers finally scored a significant hit with The Drowsy Chaperone – book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar, and music and lyrics by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison. This delightful show opened on Broadway in 2008, received Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score, and ran for 674 performances.   There have been a few other Canadian writers that found success on Broadway – Galt McDermott being the most famous of them – but that was with shows that originated in the US. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Dratch joins Ophira Eisenberg to talk about raising her 13-year-old son Eli, reflecting on how his confident, social personality contrasts with her own bookish teen years. She recalls once assuming she wouldn't have children, only to be surprised when a channeler predicted she'd meet someone and have one child—a prophecy that eerily came true when she met Eli's father months later and became pregnant at 44. Rachel discusses the challenges of managing screen time, joking about how her hierarchy of goals slid from “read a book” to “at least watch TV instead of TikTok shorts.” She shares how Eli's friendships overlap with the kids of fellow SNL alums Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and Emily Spivey, and how he joined her as her date to the Tony Awards when she was nominated for POTUS. The conversation also covers her son's passion for basketball, her abandoned dream of playing cello for him, and Halloween costumes she still brags about years later—including a homemade Doritos bag. A recurring theme is Rachel's mix of skepticism and bemusement around the supernatural, from crystals in her pocket to Eli's deep pronouncement that “time isn't real.” The episode ends with her warning against trampoline parks, after two of Eli's birthday parties ended with ER visits.

The musical adaptation of "Real Women Have Curves" was praised by the Tony Awards and across the country for its timeliness as it leaned heavily on one major topic: immigration. Still, the show closed after just two months on Broadway. In this episode, host Maria Hinojosa speaks with two of the lead actresses —Florencia Cuenca and Tatianna Córdoba— about what it takes to keep up with the pace on Broadway, the realities of performing while ICE attacks Latinos, and our relationship with our bodies. Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S., centering Latino stories and hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. Follow the show to get every episode. Follow us on TikTok and YouTube. Subscribe to our newsletter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.