Episódios
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Most of America knows this rock star as the runner-up to Season 3 of American Idol, but I know Diana DeGarmo as the hard-working, empathetic, ferociously generous actor, singer/songwriter, philanthropist with whom I had the honor to share the stage in a Columbus production of "Into the Woods." In this episode, Diana shares her stories of Idol, song-writing, being married to someone who is frustratingly good at everything (the NERVE), and of course, her time spent starring in the Broadway productions of "Hairspray," and "Hair," off-Broadway in "The Toxic Avenger," and most recently in an Atlanta-based production of "Little Shop of Horrors." I had the privilege of watching Diana stunningly lead our production of "Into the Woods," and in this sweet and lovely catch-up chat, she just reinforces why she is one of the kindest and most generous humans out there. Sit back and enjoy my conversation with a true Idol, in every sense of the word.
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Brian d'Arcy James and I first crossed paths when we shared the stage in Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman's glorious (and we thought Broadway Bound) Harmony nearly twenty years ago. Even then he'd already established himself as a bona fide Broadway and Off Broadway star (Titanic, Sweet Smell of Success, The Wild Party, Carousel) but his accomplishments since then in theatre, TV and Hollywood have catapulted him straight into the hearts of millions of musical theatre lovers. Most recently seen on Broadway in Days of Wine and Roses, Brian is doing the most extraordinary work of his career (and THAT is saying something) and so generously takes time to sit with me and share memories and stories from one of the most prolific careers out there. Please enjoy my chat with the nicest man in show business, Mr. Brian d'Arcy James!
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Beth Malone and I met only recently under the most bizarre of circumstances, and I immediately recognized a kindred spirit. You will likely recognize Beth from her TONY nominated turn in the exquisite Fun Home, and in our time chatting she shared so many extraordinary details of how the piece came together. Sharing stories of the business, not only existing but thriving as a queer artist, and diving a bit into our political responsibilities in this current landscape, Beth leads with grace, humor and deep insight. Sit back and enjoy the absolute light that is Beth Malone!
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Whether tap dancing on ceilings, delighting audiences as an ill-tempered anthropomorphic octopus, or robbing the citizens of French Revolutionary era Paris, Gavin Lee has been a mainstay on Broadway and the West End for decades. Creating the roles of Bert in both West End and Broadway productions of Mary Poppins, Squidward in the ever-produced Spongebob Squarepants and most recently seen (by me, anyway) in the stunning West End production of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, Gavin is a delight through and through. Neighbors for years during my time in Maplewood, NJ, Gavin and I stroll a bit down memory lane but many of the tales shared during the episode are new to me and I hope you'll be as ticked by them as I was! As Gavin is currently touring the globe in an all new stadium concert production of Les Miserables, we shall keep our collective fingers crossed, that we here on this side of the pond will be able to witness this man's extraordinary talents back in New York very very soon! Enjoy!
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I first met John when my father-in-law asked if I would spend some time coaching one of his
students for his upcoming CCM audition. Self-aware, incredibly gifted, and kind as can
be...John (who was already marvelous and needed absolutely no coaching from me) attended
CCM and in no time was charming the city and lighting up the theater scene through star turns
as Raoul in Broadway’s The Phantom of the Opera and creating the role of Hans of the
Southern Isles in Disney’s Frozen. Have a listen as we talk shop, camp, and what it feels like to
inspire others in a space where he once sought inspiration as a young actor. John was an
absolute joy to speak with....but see for yourself! -
For decades, Tom Viola has been the face of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, and thus, the
face of Broadway itself. The Executive Director of BC/EFA since 1998, Tom has been at the
forefront of our Industry’s war against the ravages of the AIDS epidemic, fighting on the front
lines against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Theatrical and political landscape, and helping
to raise over $300 million dollars for essential services for people living with HIV/AIDS,
struggling with COVID-19 or facing other critical illnesses. A special TONY Award winner for his
service to our community, Tom generously sat down with me to chat about all things gay and
theatrical! From his time as Colleen Dewhurst’s assistant to talking about those who inspire him
to keep doing the work he does so tirelessly, Tom is as magical and ebullient as the day I met
him, decades ago. I so hope you enjoy the chat as much as I did! -
From the moment we met, back in August of 1997, I knew that Patrick Wilson had that special
something which sets him apart from mere mortals. Gorgeous? Sure. Talented? Absolutely.
Funny? Too funny for our own good.....but there’s also that something special that makes a star.
Twenty-seven years later, he’s all of those things as well as one of Broadway’s most sought
after leading men, a remarkable husband, father, film-maker and (casually) a bona fide movie
star. Theatre audiences know Patrick from leading the original company of The Full Monty, as
well as Broadway revivals of Oklahoma! and All My Sons, while moviegoers will recognize him
from a truly extraordinary resume; Insidious, The Conjuring, Angels in America, Aquaman and
so much more. Give a listen as Patrick and I chat about the unexpected course of a remarkable
career, raising kids, and the state of our industry...there might be a few anecdotes about a
certain practical joke played on your old pal, Thom...but you’ll have to tune in to learn more. Sit
back and enjoy my chat with the delightful Patrick Wilson. -
My guest today has a resume that one can only call ‘dizzying!’’ Broadway, Film, Red Carpets
and TV hosting; all squarely in the wheelhouse of Haley Podschun, who hasn’t stopped working
in decades! Familiar to Hairspray fans as Tammy in the film adaptation of the wildly popular
musical, Haley also appeared in the show on Broadway and on tour, as well as starring in
Broadway and/or touring productions of Wicked (Glinda), Hello Dolly, Something Rotten,
Chaplin, Anything Goes, Pal Joey and her Broadway debut at the age of 12 in The Sound of
Music! THE AGE OF TWELVE! Haley has worked in all the A-list regional theatres and was kind
enough to take some time to talk shop with me! Loved every moment of chatting with this gem,
and I hope you’ll give it a listen! -
I was forewarned that today's guest was nothing short of a delight, and the rumors are TRUE!
Grey Henson talks about his formative years as a little boy who loved (and excelled at) ballet in
Macon, GA and how those years of dance and working in youth and community theatre helped
him to be the award-winning stage actor he is today. Most recently seen as one of the
storytellers in Broadway’s Shucked, Grey has stolen hearts far and wide in star turns as Elder
McKinley in both Broadway and touring (Helen Hayes Award) productions of The Book of
Mormon, and in creating the role of Damien in the musical adaptation of Mean Girls, for which
he was nominated for a TONY award for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. Never too
gay to function, Grey is charming, whip-smart and hilarious as he speaks on family, school,
queer culture and this roller coaster of a business. I can’t wait to see more from this remarkable
artist, but till then, sit back and enjoy the delightful Grey Henson! -
Joining me today are the Lunts of Broadway - ok, if you don’t know that reference, please head
directly to google; Sandra Joseph and Ron Bohmer. Each of them a Broadway star in their own
right, they now spend much of their time inspiring others - particularly other creatives and young
artists - through teaching, keynote speaking and writing. Holding the world’s record as
Broadway’s longest running leading lady, (not to mention an award-winning author), Sandra
holds a place not only in Broadway history, but also in the hearts of all those fortunate enough to
work with and learn from her! And Ron is the Broadway leading man that we all dream of
loving...having led companies of The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Phantom of the Opera, Les
Miserables and Sunset Boulevard both in New York and on the road. Married for nearly 25
years, Ron and Sandra share their time, their humor and their extraordinary wisdom with all of
us in what I hope you’ll agree is an absolutely delightful conversation. We talk Broadway (duh),
self-care, imposter syndrome and finding your most authentic voice as a creative human, and I’ll
keep this chat close to my heart for years to come! Sit back and enjoy!! -
When I think of the worker bees of Broadway - those actors whose faces show up in production
after production and whose chameleon-like character skills allow them to seamlessly morph from
role to role and show to show...Gaelen Gilliland is at the top of an imposing list! With a resume
that spans the length of a CVS receipt, Gaelen has appeared in Wicked, Legally Blonde, 9-5,
Honeymoon in Vegas, Kinky Boots, and Spongebob Squarepants on Broadway, and taken the
road by storm in Seussical, The Addams Family, and most recently as the coolest mom ever in
Mean Girls, Gaelen was an absolute joy to chat with. Whether leading a company or raising her
family, Gaelen so clearly leads with grace, poise, and a stunningly tuned sense of humor, and I hope you love our conversation as much as I did! -
Robert Anthony Jones, or “Raj” as he’s known among his friends - has a comedic mind and
open heart which sets him apart from mere mortals. I’d known OF Raj for decades due to
mutual friends and finally had an opportunity to sit and laugh with him while he was in town
starring in “The Prom” at Columbus’ own Short North Stage. A veteran of off-Broadway
(“Bunnicula” by legendary playwright Charles Busch), Broadway (“Finding Neverland”) and
touring (“The Phantom of the Opera”), Raj is the embodiment of a life lived magnificently in the
theatre. Hilarious, kind as can be and a big ol’ pussycat when speaking of his gorgeous little
boy, Raj was an absolute gem of a guest and I hope you enjoyed the chat as much as we did! -
The Mark Fisher Fitness (or, MFF for those in the know) website leads with “Serious Fitness, Ridiculous Humans,” and the brand built upon that foundation is one of the most remarkable business ventures I have had the honor to witness. Mark is a dear old pal from his days as a working actor, during which time he began to train his friends as a side hustle. Over the past decade, Mark and his team of unicorns (IYKYK) have not only built an extraordinary fitness empire housed in midtown Manhattan but have also worked within the theatre community to affect positive change with a National impact. Rooted in service, Mark and his magnificent gym of artists, weirdos, and one-time outcasts; all of whom hold magic within them - have changed countless lives for the better. Theirs is a gym for those who hate gyms; a community of like-minded humans moving through space with the goal of functional movement and optimal health...all while laughing, singing along, and often opening countless doors of self-discovery along the way. Sit back and listen as Mark and I chat about his time as a working actor and how his community of magical beings works with an endless array of Theatre artists to have agency over their own health and well-being.
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Stephanie Amber - one half of the Columbus-based Indie Soul band “Honey & Blue” sits down and
talks shop! Her history with musical theatre is what inspires her and her partner as they continue
to build Honey & Blue’s sexy, soulful catalog of music; all while doing much of the hands-on
work of recording, editing, mixing, and filming themselves. Steph and I met a few years back
when I had the honor of directing her in a production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” and I have
found every SINGLE moment of sharing space with her to be inspiring. Sit back and enjoy, and
she’ll surely inspire you as well! -
Having only recently completed a star turn as Velma in the Broadway smash hit “Chicago,” I was
able to catch up with the magnificent Kimberly Marable just as she was catching her breath
from back to back runs in “Chicago,” and the National Tour of “Hadestown,” in which Columbus
audiences will recognize her as the Lady of the Underworld herself, Persephone. Kimberly and I
go back to sharing the stage in “The Lion King,” and in this episode I was able to talk not only
about her theatrical journey, but also her extraordinary philanthropic work with the Entertainment
Community Fund, on the Board of Trustees for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and as a
founding member of Broadway Serves. A native New Yorker, Kimberly has had an illustrious
career in the theatre, with Broadway credits including “Lion King,” “Sister Act,” and “Chicago,” as
well as touring the country in “Hadestown,” “Hairspray,” “Dreamgirls,” and “Book of Mormon.”
This was an opportunity for me to catch up with one of the finest human beings I have ever met,
and I hope you enjoy the chat as much as I did! -
When one considers the consummate interpreters of the work of Stephen Sondheim, it’s impossible not to hear the voice of Pamela Meyers singing about the streets of New York - meeting one another “at parties through the friends of friends who they never know,” or “walk(ing) together past the postered walls with the crude remarks.” ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE has become a part of Musical Theatre literature, and I had the most wonderful time sitting down with Pamela and chatting about all things theatre, Sondheim, and Broadway. Audiences will recognize Pamela not only from the original production of “Company,” but also revivals of “Into the Woods,” and “Sunday in the Park With George” and the original poor, sweet baby in “Snoopy!” I so enjoyed hearing Pamela’s stories and I hope you do too!
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You can see from the look on my face during the entirety of my time with Vashty Mompoint that I am simply in awe of her abundant talent, her ferocious intelligence and her unwavering poise. A Broadway and film actor, singer/songwriter, voiceover artist and director/choreographer, Vasthy is a true Renaissance Artist and my conversation with her runs the gamut of topics from being the child of Haitian immigrants to working with young artists today in every landscape of our industry. Her remarkable resume boasts eight...yes, EIGHT broadway shows; including SpongeBob Squarepants, Mary Poppins, Hot Feet, Soul Doctor, Rocky (I gush about that fight scene in the episode and I’m STILL gobsmacked thinking about it now, years after seeing the show!!! PEOPLE, they had an ENTIRE BOXING RING flown into the audience mid-show!!!), and The Prom (in a role she repeated on film, along with serving as Associate Choreographer). Vasthy joins me in the studio, as we were fortunate enough to have her in Columbus directing an acclaimed production of The Color Purple. I so hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did!
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I don’t often ‘fangirl,’ but it was just too difficult to not sit in absolute astonishment when hearing Phylicia Pearl Mpasi talk about her remarkable star turn as Young Celie in the new film adaptation of “The Color Purple.” I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Phylicia on the road and on Broadway in “The Lion King,” so I sat in the darkened movie theater knowing how talented she is....nevertheless, I sobbed through her performance, having had no idea how truly exceptional her performance would be...a mistake I won’t make again! Deeply moving and sweetly charming, Mpasi’s interpretation of Celie clearly displays the magic that she possesses - and it was a joy to hear about her journey from Elon University to the Broadway stage and now the big screen, and a true testament to the resolve it takes to do what we do. Sit back and enjoy!!
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Actor/Illustrator Justin “Squigs” Robertson joins me for a conversation that runs the gamut
from Robin Williams to Sondheim and of course - renowned theatrical illustrator Al Hirschfeld;
discussing the inspiration that leads him from stage to page...those moments in a theatrical
narrative which translates seamlessly into an illustration alive with dynamic movement, humor
and often pathos. With his theatrical illustrative work appearing in The New York Times, The
LA Times, Variety, in advertising campaigns for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids, Actors
Equity Association, the Theatre World Awards, and ten years of work for Broadway.com, Squigs
is arguably the leading theatrical caricaturist on the current landscape, and undeniably a pretty
fantastic guy. Enjoy! -
Having exploded onto the Broadway scene in 1997 with his TONY and DRAMA DESK nominated star turn in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Sills has gone on to capture the hearts of Broadway (Little Shop of Horrors, On The Twentieth Century, Living on Love), touring (The Secret Garden, Into the Woods, The Addams Family) and regional audiences alike. More recently, Doug can be seen as the sometimes French chef, Monsieur Baudin in Max’s The Gilded Age. Joining me today, Doug and I speak on all things Gilded Age, including being one of the earliest shows to return to production during the early days of COVID. As always, Doug’s charm, sense of humor, and extraordinary kindness shine through in this laugh-filled chat!
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