Episodes
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Few musicals have captured the hearts of audiences quite like Disney's ALADDIN. But did you know the beloved stage adaptation of the classic animation almost never came to be? This podcast pulls back the curtain on the untold story of ALADDIN's journey from conception to Broadway triumph.
Join 11-time Emmy Award winning entertainment journalist for NY1 and NY1OnStage host Frank DiLella on an in-depth exploration that begins with the initial spark of a stage adaptation. We'll delve into the challenges faced during out-of-town tryouts, the unwavering determination to overcome them, and the celebration of reaching over a decade on Broadway – a remarkable feat in the world of musical theatre.
This captivating series features exclusive conversations with the original cast and creative team behind ALADDIN including Alan Menken, Casey Nicholaw, James Monroe Iglehart, Adam Jacobs, Courtney Reed, Sonya Balsara, Adi Roy and more as they recount their experiences with the show.
Whether you're a lifelong Disney fan, a theatre enthusiast, or simply captivated by the magic of storytelling, this series is a must-listen. Unveil the untold story of ALADDIN and discover the passion, resilience, and drive that created a Broadway sensation.
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Last month, Closing Night went live at 54 Below here in New York City, exploring the songs and stories of the Marquis Theatre with Broadway performers and singers—many of whom have performed in shows at the Marquis and some of them even joined us this past podcast season.
Patrick Oliver Jones / Diego Prieto - "I Am I, Don Quixote” (Man of La Mancha)
Jane Summerhays / Patrick Oliver Jones - "You Would If You Could" (Me and My Girl)
John Bolton - "The Good Old Days" (Damn Yankees)
Jonathan Shew - "What Do I Need With Love?" (Thoroughly Modern Millie)
Lisa Howard - "Get Out and Stay Out" (9 to 5)
Leah Horowitz - "All for Laura" (The Woman In White)
Diego Prieto - "I Really Like Him" (Man of La Mancha)
E. Clayton Cornelious - "Advice from a Caterpillar" (Wonderland)
John Bolton - "Someday Baby" (Paper Moon)
Nadina Hassan - “Gimme Gimme” (Thoroughly Modern Millie)
Bows - “There’s No Business Like Show Business” (Annie Get Your Gun)
And so I wanted to let you hear these stories and songs for yourself. You can also watch the concert on YouTube.
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Episodes manquant?
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The second season of Closing Night is set to premiere this June. But while we all eagerly await the curtain rising on our next act, here's a story about a show that famously closed on its opening night. There are actual plans to do a future season about Broadway productions that only lasted one performance. But now there's one show to take off the list of potential episodes, all because of the podcast being sharing today, a podcast that feels like a time machine, whisking us away to different eras, and immersing us in captivating stories of yesteryear.
It’s called History Daily, but it isn't your average history podcast. It's a real treasure trove of tales from the past, delivered straight to your ears every weekday. From monumental battles to the quirkiest fashion trends, from groundbreaking scientific discoveries to the drama of politics, sports, and even theater—History Daily covers it all.
Now, back in December, the host Lindsay Graham and his production team over at History Daily featured an episode from this podcast (remember the one all about Andrew Lloyd Webber's short-lived Broadway production of The Woman in White?). Lindsay talked about that production and shared the episode with his listeners. So now it's my turn to share one of their episodes.
Much like Closing Night, History Daily is more than just a recounting of dates and names—it's about the lives, the struggles, and the triumphs of those who came before us. And you're about to hear a tale so legendary in the world of theater that it's become synonymous with failure: a play called Moose Murders.
So let's journey back to February 22, 1983, as we unravel the mystery behind one of Broadway's biggest flops. It's a reminder that even the darkest nights in theater history have a story worth telling.
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Get ready for a night of Broadway magic as 54 Below Celebrates the Marquis Theatre on March 19th! The concert will feature performances by those who were there at the Marquis, like Tony Award nominee Kate Baldwin from Thoroughly Modern Millie, Tony Award winner Richard Maltby, Jr. from Nick & Nora, E. Clayton Cornelious from Wonderland, Leah Horowitz from The Woman in White, and Lisa Howard from 9 to 5 and Escape to Margaritaville.
Patrick Oliver Jones will be hosting as well as singing that night, which just happens to be his birthday, so you don't miss this exclusive one-night-only event on March 19th, where tickets start at just $35. Visit the website 54below.com to secure your seat for this fun-filled evening, whether in person or via livestream online!
**Use code MTHEATRE5 for $5 OFF Main Dining Room and Bar Rail cover charge.**
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Five years ago, the enchanting musical The Band's Visit closed on Broadway (April 7, 2019) after capturing hearts with its simplicity and profound storytelling. Composed by David Yazbek and written by Itamar Moses, it emerged as a masterpiece in the 2017-2018 season, transcending contemporary Broadway norms. At the 2018 Tony Awards, this gem earned 11 nominations and secured 10 wins, including Best Musical, triumphing over big blockbuster shows like SpongeBob Squarepants, Mean Girls, and Frozen, and running for 598 performances.
Amidst current Middle East tensions, The Band's Visit stands out as a show that explores human connection and shows how music can bridges the divides between us. So enjoy an encore presentation of my 2018 interview with Jeff Theiss, associate conductor of The Band's Visit. We delve into the musical's score, its unique storytelling, and how it transcends political divisions to focus on our shared human experiences, reminding us of our profound commonality.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer.
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In an enjoyable BroadwayCon encounter this past summer, I found myself in the heart of all things Broadway, rubbing shoulders with the stars and hosting live interviews for the Broadway Podcast Network. While my conversation with Jelani Alladin about Frozen and Hercules has already been shared in a previous episode of Why I’ll Never Make It, today we delve into my interview with the talented Broadway actress Sharon Catherine Brown.
I had the pleasure of working with her on a new musical last year, and in this bonus episode we chat about that a bit, but the primary focus is on her time with Jekyll & Hyde. We'll also explore her contributions to iconic musicals like Dreamgirls and Caroline, Or Change, gaining valuable advice for aspiring performers along the way.
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A production of WINMI Media. CN Theme music is by Blake Stadnik. Background music is by John Bartmann and Blue Dot Sessions is used under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
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One of the most enduring and iconic tales of the Christmas season comes from famed British writer Charles Dickens. His 1843 novel, A Christmas Carol, would become his most famous work, and the character of Scrooge is part of our lexicon now, being synonymous with someone who doesn’t enjoy the holidays.
With many so stage and screen adaptations of this story, it surprised me to find out that its first appearance on Broadway wasn’t until 1981—a musical by Michael Legrand and Sheldon Harnick. Famed British actor and Star Trek captain, Patrick Stewart, would bring a one-man version of the Dickens classic to Broadway four different times at four different theaters, with the last time being in 2001 at the Marquis Theater.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer.
Click here to find the transcript for this episode and a full list of links and resources used.
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Over the history of the Marquis Theatre, three musicals have closed during the month of December. Two of them we've already covered here on the podcast: Me and My Girl and Nick & Nora. The third one was The Drowsy Chaperone and is the focus of this bonus mini-episode. It starred Tony Award winner Sutton Foster was cast as Janet Van De Graff, Emmy-nominated TV star Georgia Engel was Mrs. Tottendale, British actor Edward Hibbert played Underling, and the inimitable Beth Leavel took on the title role of the Chaperone.
My goal was to keep this under 15 minutes, but the more I learned, the more I had to include. Plus, I finally had to figure out why it didn't win Best Musical. So please enjoy this "quick" look at one of the most successful musicals that has come and gone from the Marquis.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer.
Click here to find the transcript for this episode and a full list of links and resources used.
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Welcome to the final episode of Closing Night’s first season! We’ve covered eight different Broadway musicals at the Marquis Theatre that closed too soon, with our final show being Victor/Victoria, written and directed by Blake Edwards and starring his wife Julie Andrews. And in this interview episode we're featuring two members of that Broadway cast.
Darren Lee - We talk about his experiences working with legendary leading ladies like Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, and Raquel Welch, including the rehearsal process, behind-the-scenes dynamics, and the impact of star power on the overall show experience. He also discusses the challenges of being an Asian actor, yet the thrills he's had being a part of various Broadway productions.
Mark Hoebee - Our conversation revolves around the experiences and challenges of producing a theatrical show, including the intricacies of staging and directing, the impact of key personalities, and the dedication and resilience of the cast and crew. The conversation covers the creative process, the influence of notable individuals such as Julie Andrews, the dynamic nature of live performances, and the unwavering commitment of those involved in the production.
Follow Closing Night on Instagram and listen on your favorite podcast app.
Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Blake Stadnik composed the theme music, and Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer.
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Thirteen years after starring in Victor/Victoria across cinemas nationwide, Julie Andrews made a triumphant return to Broadway in this highly anticipated stage adaptation, directed by her husband Blake Edwards. Playing a female singer masquerading as a man pretending to be a woman, Andrews ended a 33-year hiatus with the show's opening at the Marquis Theatre.
In this emotional episode, experience Andrews' heartfelt opening night of joy as she was joined by a stellar cast of 32 performers. They included Broadway veterans like Tony Roberts, Rachel York, and Gregory Jbara The show featured both original film tunes and new compositions by Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse, with some help by Frank Wildhorn.
Despite setbacks, including changes to the creative team, the untimely death of a composer, critical reviews, and internal squabbles, Victor/Victoria signified a remarkable comeback for Julie Andrews. Join us as we delve into the journey from movie musical to Broadway spectacle, exploring the highs and lows that made Victor/Victoria a memorable chapter in Broadway history.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer, and a big thank you goes to E. Clay Cornelious for sharing his experiences with the short-lived Jekyll & Hyde revival and its cast and creatives.
Click here to find the transcript for this episode and a full list of links and resources used.
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To take you further behind the scenes of Wonderland, I’m sharing my conversation with E. Clayton Cornelious, who played the part of Caterpillar and is also a Broadway producer himself of such shows as Ain't Too Proud, Chicken and Biscuits, and New York, New York.
In the previous episode, we explored the musical world of Frank Wildhorn and two of his shows that graced the Marquis Theatre for only about a month each, and E. Clay was a big help in putting that episode together. Now, you’ll get our full interview, full of anecdotes and tidbits I couldn't fit into the mail episode. You'll learn about how he was ultimately cast in Wonderland and even more about what was going backstage during rehearsals and performances. And being a producer as well, E. Clay also provides extra insight into what it means for a show to close so quickly.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Blake Stadnik composed the theme music, and Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer.
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Ever since he burst onto the Broadway scene in the 1990s with Jekyll & Hyde, Frank Wildhorn has remained an intriguing figure in American Musical Theatre. (In fact, the title of this episode comes from a New York Times review of the 2013 J&H revival.) But Wildhorn’s journey is far from a conventional success story, nor was it a typical path to the Broadway stage. But among his seven Broadway musicals, three of them have appeared at the Marquis Theater: Victor/Victoria, Wonderland, and a 2013 revival production of Jekyll & Hyde.
Now, Victor/Victoria will actually get its own episode to close out the first season of this podcast, so this one is actually going to be a combo episode, covering the other two shows together. That’s because they both share a lot in common: Wonderland and Jekyll & Hyde were both written by Wildhorn, both were based on famous literary stories, both were universally panned, and both of them ran for less than a month. Here are the stories of how and why that happened.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer, and a big thank you goes to E. Clay Cornelious for sharing his experiences with the short-lived Jekyll & Hyde revival and its cast and creatives.
Click here to find the transcript for this episode and a full list of links and resources used.
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To take you further behind the scenes of this Broadway production, I’m sharing my conversation with Leah Horowitz, who was a swing in The Woman in White and an understudy for leading actress Maria Friedman.
In the previous episode, we explored this lesser known Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, and Leah was a big help in putting that episode together. Now, you’ll get our full interview, full of anecdotes and tidbits I couldn't fit into the mail episode. You'll learn about how she was cast in the show and even more about what was going backstage during rehearsals and performances. And as someone who’s performed in 5 different Broadway shows at the Marquis Theatre, Leah also provides extra insight into what it was like what working in this venue.
Follow Closing Night on Instagram and listen on your favorite podcast app.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Blake Stadnik composed the theme music, and Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer.
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When Bad Cinderella closed in June of this year, it signified the first time in 43 years that Broadway was without an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, and it became the second shortest run ever for one of his musicals on Broadway. Bad Cinderella also represented the second collaboration between Lloyd Webber and lyricist David Zippel. Their first show together was The Woman in White, which began in London in 2004 (starring Michael Crawford) and then opened at the Marquis Theatre the following year (starring Maria Friedman).
By the time Woman in White came to New York, it had been 10 years since Sunset Boulevard and it would be another 10 till School of Rock. During this interim, between 1997 and 2015, Lloyd Webber didn’t have an original musical or revival last more than 9 months on Broadway (including the Evita revival I previously did an episode on), so I guess you could say he was in a bit of a dry spell. Nonetheless, The Woman in White could’ve and probably should’ve done better, and in this episode we’ll explore some of the reasons it didn’t—and how a white rat ended up stealing the show.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer, and a big thank you goes to Leah Horowitz for sharing her experiences with this short-lived show and its talented cast.
Click here to find the transcript for this episode and a full list of links and resources used.
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In the previous episode you learned bumpy road to Broadway for Nick & Nora, one of Broadway's biggest flops. And in this bonus interview episode, you'll hear from Mark Hoebee, the swing and dance captain for the show who actually worked with the creatives as actors were fired and the show kept changing up until opening night. He gives behind the scenes insights into the rehearsal process and some of the challenges this show faced just getting onstage.
You can also get an extra conversation with the show's lyricist on Why I’ll Never Make It. As one of Nick & Nora's creators, Richard Maltby, Jr gives even more backstory to how this musical failed and couldn't overcome all its obstacles. You can find that episode here.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Blake Stadnik composed the theme music, and Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer.
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In 1991, Broadway witnessed one of its most spectacular falls from grace with Nick & Nora, a musical adaptation of the beloved The Thin Man novel and film series. With a dream team that included Arthur Laurents, the creative force behind classics like West Side Story and Gypsy, Charles Strouse, the prolific composer of Bye Bye Birdie and Annie, and Richard Maltby Jr., known for Ain't Misbehavin', this show had all the makings of a hit. The star-studded cast featured Barry Bostwick and Joanna Gleason, among others. However, despite the promise on paper, Nick & Nora faced an unprecedented series of delays, setbacks, and ultimately, a one-week run.
This episode sheds light on why the show faced so many challenges, from those who were there every step of the way. We explore the explosive clashes, financial woes, and behind-the-scenes drama that led to Nick & Nora's abrupt closure, serving as a cautionary tale that even Broadway's brightest stars can find themselves lost in the shadows.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer, and a big thank you goes to Richard Maltby, Jr and Mark Hoebee for their candor and openness in sharing their stories from this tumultuous musical.
Click here to find the transcript for this episode and a full list of links and resources used.
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Welcome back to Closing Night, a theater history podcast celebrating Broadway shows that closed too soon. In the previous episode we went back to the dark days of 9/11 as Broadway went dark and had to find its own way back as a nation grieved and was forever changed.
Back in 2021, which marked the 20th anniversary of those devastating 9/11 attacks, a live recording of the Broadway production of Come From Away was released. It featured many past and present members of the cast. But one of the original cast members, Rodney Hicks, was absent from the filming. And in this bonus episode I’m sharing a conversation I had with Rodney on my other podcast Why I’ll Never Make It. We discuss his long journey with the show, and how it came to a rather sudden end. Yet through it all, though, Rodney remained sure that even in the darkest of times, there is still some light to be found.
Rodney Hicks was featured in two episodes on Why I’ll Never Make It and they can be found on your favorite podcast app or on Youtube.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry, and Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer.
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The Marquis Theatre was having great success in 2001 with the revival of Annie Get Your Gun. It had opened in 1999 with Bernadette Peters and Tom Wopat and became just the second show in Marquis history to surpass 1000 performances. It closed with Crystal Bernard in the title role with Tom Wopat coming back as Frank Butler to close the show on September 1, 2001.
But ten days after Annie Get Your Gun closed, all of Broadway closed, New York City shut down, and an entire nation was brought to its knees in anguish, heartache, and disbelief. Everything stopped.
So far this season, Closing Night has been focused on individual shows at the Marquis Theatre and how and why they closed. But in this special episode, we’ll look at the whole Broadway community—the shows and actors and industry leaders—how they were affected by 9/11 and what it took to bring theater back to New York City.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer, and a big thank you goes to Playbill, the Guides Association of NYC, and the American September Project whose resources made this episode possible.
Click here for the transcript and full list of links and resources used in this episode.
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Throughout this season and in between the main episodes, you get to hear some of my interviews with artists, creatives, and industry experts. And in this bonus interview episode, two of the guests from the Evita episode share more stories and insights.
The first one is actress Christina DeCicco, who played Eva Peron twice a week in the 2012 Broadway revival of Evita. She talks about her audition process, what rehearsals were like, and how she went about portrayed this iconic leading lady. I even open up a bit about my own time on the national tour and some of the parallels we both had in our respective productions.
Next, is Sammi Cannold, a director and long-time fan of the musical itself. She was actually in Argentina when we had this conversation, and she’ll be sharing what she’s learned about this larger-than-life woman, who even decades later is still very much a part of the fabric of Argentina life and culture. This research has informed each of the three productions she's directed of Evita. The latest one was at American Reperatory Theater in Summer of 2023, which the Boston Globe called "Exceptional! A new generation’s take on Evita."
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Blake Stadnik composed the theme music, and Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer.
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In April of 2012, the very first revival of Evita came to Broadway, having done the same in London six years earlier. And in both productions, the title role featured a relatively unknown actress to Western audiences: Elena Roger. She followed a select few chosen to take on one of the most difficult female roles in musical theater. First, there was Julie Covington, then Elaine Paige, Patti LuPone, and Madonna. Among this group of women, Madonna was the only one to have already been a celebrity when she took on the role. As for the other ladies, it was Evita that introduced them to the world and turned them into stars. Such is the power of this musical, with book and lyrics by Tim Rice and the iconic score by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Whether it’s the 2006 West End revival or its subsequent transfer to Broadway in 2012, neither version even lasted a year, a far cry from their respective original productions. So how did this revival differ from those previous productions? And why couldn’t it recapture the fame and longevity of the original? In this episode, we’ll explore the history of this high-flying adored musical and the factors that led to its Broadway revival. We’ll also highlight some challenges this production faced and the impact Evita continues to have on audiences today.
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Closing Night is a production of WINMI Media with Patrick Oliver Jones as host and executive producer. Dan Delgado is the editor and co-producer, not only for this podcast but also for his own movie podcast called The Industry. Blake Stadnik composed the theme music, and Maria Clara Ribeiro is co-producer. Much appreciation goes to Hal Luftig, Christina DeCicco, and Sammi Cannold for their insights as well as the voice talents of our very own Dan Delgado.
Click here for the transcript and full list of links and resources used in this episode.
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