Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb

#167 - Patrick Wilson, James Carpinello & Marcus Chait - Taking a Bite out of Broadway

Mon, 25 May 2026 07:01:00 -0000

Patrick Wilson, James Carpinello and Marcus Chait join Behind the Awards to discuss producing The Lost Boys for Broadway. This Family driven story lead by Shoshana Bean just happens to be surrounded by vampires. The trio takes their experience in performing in film adaptations turned broadway musical to really make this production fly. Additionally Patrick Wilson discusses how is experience starring in movies series such as The Conjuring and Insidious gave the team insight on how to bring horror to the stage.

To purchase tickets to Lost Boys - https://www.lostboysmusical.com/

Also in this episode - Laura Benanti and Tituss Burgess Will Host The Tony Awards:Act One

JAMES CARPINELLO (Producer). With over three decades as an actor working in film, television and on Broadway, James is proud to step into his most ambitious role to date as a lead producer of The Lost Boys. Broadway: original casts of Saturday Night Fever, Xanadu and Rock of Ages and most recently the critically acclaimed production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Westside Theatre. For my friends who are family and my family who are friends. Amy, Jackson and Ava, thank you for your unwavering support.

MARCUS CHAIT (Producer) is thrilled to see this 25-year dream become a reality. Producing director and founder of the Film & New Media division for the world’s largest independent publishing company where, over three years, he produced in excess of 4000 pieces of original content before the company was successfully acquired by Pearson/Penguin Books. Executive producer of the film Malevolent (sold to Netflix). Currently managing partner of 66mint. For my family.

PATRICK WILSON (Producer) is a critically acclaimed, award-winning actor whose career spans film, television and Broadway. A two-time Tony Award nominee, for The Full Monty and Oklahoma!, he was also nominated for Emmy and Golden Globe awards, for HBO’s “Angels in America” and Fargo, respectively. Widely recognized for his work in The Conjuring, Aquaman and Insidious franchises, he made his directorial debut in 2023 with Insidious: The Red Door. Co-founder of The Wilson Family Foundation. Love & massive thanks to my family.

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#166 - David Hornsby & Chris Hoch - The Lost Boys from Page to Stage

Mon, 25 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Tony Nominated Book Writers David Hornsby & Chris Hoch visited Behind the Awards to talk about the process of writing The Lost Boys musical. The discuss the must have movie moment such as Saxophone Man, Rob Lowe and The Video Store as well as the must have new moments theater goers will experience. They discuss creating a work for fans or the movie and newcomers alike.

Chris Hoch’s Broadway credits include Amazing Grace, Matilda, La Cage aux Folles, Shrek, Spamalot, Dracula and Beauty and the Beast. Off-Broadway credits include Far From Heaven (Playwrights Horizons), Die Mommie Die!, Play It Cool and Face the Music (Encores!). National tours include Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast. Regional credits include A Christmas Story (Paper Mill Playhouse); Dracula, Zhivago, Palm Beach and Private Fittings (La Jolla Playhouse); Far From Heaven (Williamstown Theatre Festival); Amazing Grace (Goodspeed Opera); Next To Normal (Hangar Theatre); Spamalot (The Muny); Candide (Prince Music Theatre) and Picasso at the Lapin Agile (City Theatre). Television credits include 30 Rock, Guiding Light, All My Children, One Life to Live, The Good Wife, Gossip Girl and Braindead. He received his BFA from Carnegie Mellon University.

David Hornsby is a writer, director, producer, and actor. Hornsby is currently making his Broadway debut, writing the book alongside Chris Hoch for the musical adaptation of The Lost Boys (Warner Bros.). The production has emerged as one of the season’s most nominated new musicals, earning 12 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical for Hornsby and Hoch. The Lost Boys has also received 11 Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, including Outstanding New Broadway Musical and Outstanding Book of a Musical, as well as four Drama League Award nominations, including Outstanding Production of a Musical. The production opened at the Palace Theatre on Broadway, marking Hornsby’s Broadway debut.

This summer releasing globally on Netflix on July 16, 2026 he will co-star in The Hawk, starring Will Ferrell, and can recently be seen in Amazon’s Scarpetta, starring Nicole Kidman. Hornsby was also a series regular on Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed comedy Mythic Quest. He serves as an executive producer and writer on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia for FX, where he also originated and continues to recur in the role of “Rickety Cricket” since Season Two, currently airing on FXX. Hornsby has created and starred in several original series, including CBS’s How to Be a Gentleman, FX’s animated series Unsupervised, and NBC’s Mission Control. His writing credits also include Netflix’s Big Mouth, and he has recurred on Universal/Netflix’s Good Girls.

Hornsby co-wrote the film The Layover, starring Kate Upton and directed by William H. Macy. His film acting credits include Pretty Bird opposite Paul Giamatti and Billy Crudup; Flags of Our Fathers directed by Clint Eastwood; and Alien vs. Predator: Requiem. On television, he has appeared in numerous series, including FOX’s New Girl, HBO’s Hello Ladies and Six Feet Under, FX’s Baskets, and Spike TV’s The Joe Schmo Show. As a voice actor, Hornsby has contributed to a wide range of animated projects, including Amazon’s Merry Little Batman (Annie Award–nominated), Cartoon Network’s Ben 10, Nickelodeon’s Fanboy & Chum Chum, and Welcome to the Wayne.

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#165 - 2026 Tony Special #3

Fri, 22 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Eila & Bruce bring you the third installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Featured Actress in a Musical, Book of a Musical, Scenic Design of a Play, Best Revival of a Play, and Sound Design of a Musical.

Shoshana Bean, Hannah Cruz, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, Nichelle Lewis, David Hornsby & Chris Hoch, Cinco Paul, Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli & Tye Blue, Jim Barne & Kit Buchan, Hildegard Bechtler, Takeshi Kata, Chloe Lamford, David Korins, David Rockwell, The Lost Boys, Chess, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, Schmigadoon!, Ragtime, Titaníque, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), Oedipus, Bug, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, Dog Day Afternoon, Fallen Angels, Becky Shaw, Every Brilliant Thing, Fallen Angels, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Also in this episode - Eila, Matt & Bruce give their Top 10 Shows of the 2026 Season!

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#164 - Nicholas Christopher - Chess Master

Wed, 20 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Tony Nominee Nicholas Christopher joins Behind the Awards to discuss his role as Anatoli, part of this seasons hottest love triangle along with Lea Michele and Aaron Tevin in the revival of the Chess. Nicholas also talks about playing both Pirelli and Sweeney Todd in the most recent revival co-starring Annaleigh Ashford. Nicholas also goes into his roles is Little Shop of Horrors, Miss Saigon, Jelly’s Last Jam and Hamilton.

Also in this episode - The 2026/2027 Broadway Season is already in full swing with the most recent announcement of Paranormal Activity along other pervious announcement of Wanted and Galileo starring Raul Esparza.

Born in Bermuda and raised in Boston, Nicholas starred as George Washington in the Broadway production of Hamilton, and most recently took over as Seymour in the off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors. Previously, Nicholas starred as Jelly Roll Morton in the 2024 Encores! production of Jelly’s Last Jam. In 2023, Nicholas starred in the acclaimed Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd as Pirelli, performing opposite Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford. During the run, he also played the title role of Sweeney Todd for multiple performances. Nicholas studied at the Juilliard School and The Boston Conservatory, where he cultivated his unique range as both an actor and a singer. Select theater and TV credits include Miss Saigon, David Bowie’s Lazarus, Hurt Village by Katori Hall, Rent, “All Rise” (CBS), “United States of Al” (CBS) and “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll” (FX).

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#163 - 2026 Tony Special #2

Fri, 15 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Eila & Bruce bring you the second installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Featured Actress in a Play, Lighting Design of a Musical, Costume Design of a Play, Best Original Score and Director of a Play.

Also in this episode - Fun Facts about the 2026 Tony Nominees!

Betsy Aidem, Marylouise Burke, Aya Cash, Laurie Metcalf, June Squibb, Kevin Adams, Jane Cox, Donald Holder, Adam Honoré, Adam Honoré & Donald Holder (Lighting Design) & 59 Studio (Projection Design), Jen Schriever & Michael Arden, Brenda Abbandandolo, Qween Jean, Jeff Mahshie, Emilio Sosa, Paul Tazewell, Caroline Shaw, Steve Bargonetti, The Rescues, Cinco Paul, Jim Barne and Kit Buchan, Nicholas Hytner, Robert Icke, Kenny Leon, Joe Mantello, Whitney White, Liberation, The Balusters, Giant, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, Marjorie Prime, Chess, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, Schmigadoon!, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Ragtime, The Lost Boys, Dog Day Afternoon, Fallen Angels, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), Giant, Oedipus

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#162 - Sam Tutty - From Evan Hansen to Two Strangers

Wed, 13 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Olivier Award winning and Tony Nominated Actor Sam Tutty joins Behind the Awards to chat about his award winning role in Dear Evan Hansen and this seasons breakout hit Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York. Sam shares the creation process from its early days to Boston and New York.

Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce discuss the increased ticket prices for some Broadway shows.

Sam Tutty is currently starring in Jim Barne and Kit Buchan’s musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). He is best known for his West End debut as Evan in Dear Evan Hansen. During his school years, he appeared in a number of productions including The Wizard of Oz. After compulsory schooling, Tutty trained at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, later making his off-West End debut as Daniel in Once on this Island. His performance at Southwark Playhouse was widely praised, and a career in the West End looked promising. Tutty was originally cast as the alternate Evan for Dear Evan Hansen, however he was later promoted to the titular character.

His first performance as Evan was on October 9, 2019, ahead of an official opening night on November, 19 2019. In a review for LondonTheatre.co.uk, Mark Shenton said: “Tutty is another discovery, who pulls off the rare trick of projecting adolescent angst and insecurity with paradoxically confident ease. With his strawberry blonde hair and slight physical bearing, he embodies a nerdy character… There's a truthfulness to his acting - and a robust singing voice - that makes him feel utterly authentic and intensely moving.” In 2020, Tutty won an Olivier for Best Actor in a Musical.

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#161 - 2026 Tony Special #1

Fri, 08 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Eila & Bruce bring you the first installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Best Choreography; Best Sound Design of a Play; Best Orchestrations; Featured Actor in a Play; and Featured Actor in a Musical.

Ali Louis Bourzgui, André De Shields, Bryce Pinkham, Ben Levi Ross, Layton Williams, Christopher Abbott, Danny Burstein, Brandon J. Dirden, Alden Ehrenreich, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Richard Thomas, Christopher Gattelli, Ellenore Scott, Ani Taj, Omari Wiles & Arturo Lyons, Lauren Yalango-Grant & Christopher Cree Grant, Justin Ellington, Tom Gibbons, Lee Kinney, Josh Schmidt, Mikaal Sulaiman, Doug Besterman & Mike Morris, Ethan Popp, Kyler England, Adrianne “AG” Gonzalez & Gabriel Mann, Lux Pyramid, Brian Usifer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Wilson, Trevor Holder & Doug Schadt, Schmigadoon!, Ragtime, Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, The Lost Boys, August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Oedipus, The Fear of 13, Bug, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), Chess, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, Marjorie Prime, Waiting for Godot, Becky Shaw, The Balusters, Titaníque

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#160 - Michael Cyril Creighton - Back on Stage in The Adding Machine

Wed, 06 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Actor Michael Cyril Creighton steps out of Arconia to head downtown to The New Groups new home at the Theater at St Clements to star in the new adaptation of The Adding Machine. Michael shares the stage with Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jennifer Tilly and Sarita Choudhury. This 100 year old play is surprisingly timely and Michael discusses what it’s like playing over a dozen characters. Michael also discusses working on streaming favorites Only Murders in the Building and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Michael Cyril Creighton is best known for playing Howard Morris on Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.” A SAG Award winner, his TV credits include "Dexter: New Blood,” “A League of Their Own,” “High Maintenance,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “30 Rock,” and the final season of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” His film work includes the Academy Award–winning Spotlight, American Fiction, The Post, and Game Night. Theatre highlights are Stage Kiss (Playwrights Horizons), The Amateurs (The Vineyard), and four world premieres with The Debate Society. He won a WGA Award for Jack in a Box. Next: Amazon MGM’s The Man with the Bag.

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#159 - Ana Gasteyer - Live From NY it’s Schmigadoon!

Mon, 04 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Emmy Winner Ana Gasteyer stops by Behind the Awards to chat about the newest hit on Broadway Schmigadoon! Ana shares how she approaches the role of Mildred Layton and being the villain on an Oz like fantasy world. Ana also talks about being a cast member on SNL, Auditioning and finally playing Elphaba on Broadway, her love of broadway and belting, as well as her upcoming projects.

Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce are getting ready for their 2026 Tony Award Special Episodes!

Ana Gasteyer is an Emmy award winning actress, comedian, singer, writer, and producer whose work spans Broadway, television, film, and music.

A beloved cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1996 to 2002, Ana created some of the show's most iconic characters — Bobbie Mohan-Culp, NPR's Delicious Dish, Martha Stewart — and recently brought them back to life as a standout presence in both SNL50: The Anniversary Special and SNL50: The Homecoming Concert.

On Broadway, Ana is currently starring in Schmigadoon!, opening Spring 2026. Her additional Broadway credits include Wicked (as Elphaba), Once Upon a Mattress, Rocky Horror, The Royal Family, and The Threepenny Opera. She originated the role of Debra in Kimberly Akimbo at Manhattan Theatre Club, and recently played Aunt Eller in the acclaimed concert production of Oklahoma! at Carnegie Hall. Further stage credits include Funny Girl, Passion at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, A New Brain at Encores! Off-Center, and Miss Hannigan in Annie at the Hollywood Bowl.

On television, Ana starred in the critically acclaimed NBC comedy American Auto and can be seen in Loot, The Goldbergs, Lady Dynamite, People of Earth, Suburgatory, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Good Wife, and Girls. She wrote and executive produced A Clüsterfünke Christmas for Comedy Central alongside Rachel Dratch, starred in two live Fox musicals (Grease Live! and A Christmas Story Live!), and wowed audiences on The Masked Singer as "Tree."

On film, Ana can be seen in Mean Girls, Happiest Season, Wine Country, What Women Want, The Women, Robot & Frank, and Doin' It, with the upcoming Never Change and You Deserve Each Other on the way.

Ana is also a celebrated jazz vocalist and songwriter. Every holiday season she delights fans nationwide with her cheeky Sugar & Booze holiday tour. The retro-inspired album reached the Billboard Jazz Top 5 and was called "an uproarious homage to Christmas albums of old" by Billboard. The music inspired an eight-episode Audible series featuring Maya Rudolph, Patti LuPone, and Rachel Dratch. Her first album, I'm Hip, was released in 2014, and her performances at New York's iconic Café Carlyle have earned praise from The New York Times, which hailed her "strong singing voice that can stir up a storm."

Ana honed her comedy chops at The Groundlings in Los Angeles before heading to Saturday Night Live and is a proud graduate of Northwestern University.

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#158 - Bess Wohl - Liberation

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Tony Nominated Playwright Bess Wohl joins Behind the Awards for a deep dive conversation on the creation of Liberation. Bess talks about creating a team of artists to help transport the audience back to the 70s and what a joy it was to watch Whitney White, David Zinn, Qween Jean, and Nikya Mathis create poetry.

Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce review Schmigadoon!

Bess Wohl is a playwright and filmmaker whose plays have been produced on and off Broadway, regionally and internationally. Wohl’s plays include Grand Horizons (Broadway, Tony Nomination), Camp Siegfried, Make Believe, Continuity, Small Mouth Sounds, American Hero, Touch(ed), In, Cats Talk Back, and the musical Pretty Filthy. Her plays have been recognized with a variety of awards and nominations, including the Drama Desk, Drama League, Lucille Lortel and Outer Critics Circle. She made her feature film debut with her film Baby Ruby, starring Noémie Merlant and Kit Harington, which she wrote and directed. The film premiered at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival and was released by Magnolia Pictures in 2023. She also is developing multiple television projects and wrote for the Apple TV+ series “Extrapolations.” Wohl is an associate artist with The Civilians, an alumna of Ars Nova’s Play Group, and the recipient of new play commissions from Manhattan Theatre Club, Lincoln Center and Williamstown Theatre Festival. Recently, she made her West End debut with a sold out run of Barcelona starring Lily Collins. She is a graduate of Harvard and the Yale School of Drama.

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#157 - Brandon Uranowitz - Ragtime Revisited

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:01:00 -0000

Tony Winner Brandon Uranowitz stops by Behind the Awards to deep dive the role of Tateh in the current broadway revival of Ragtime. Brandon also shares his experiences in Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt and Falsettos. Brandon reminisces about his chemistry test with Stephanie J Block and how he got his start as a child in the Toronto Cast of Ragtime pre-Broadway.

Also in this episode - Bruce & Eila Review The Rocky Horror Show starring Luke Evans.

Brandon Uranowitz LCT: Falsettos (Tony and Drama Desk nominations). Broadway: Leopoldstadt (Tony, Drama Desk, and OCC Awards), Burn This (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), The Band’s Visit, Prince of Broadway, An American in Paris (Tony nomination), Baby, It’s You! Encores!: Ragtime, Titanic, Road Show, Grand Hotel. Other theater: Becoming Eve (NYTW), Tick, Tick…Boom! (Kennedy Center, Helen Hayes nomination), Assassins (CSC), Torch Song Trilogy (Studio Theatre, Helen Hayes nomination). Film: Here Today, The Kitchen, Stage Fright. TV: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Fosse/Verdon,” “Dietland,” “Blue Bloods,” “Inside Amy Schumer,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” In 1997, Brandon played The Little Boy in the world premiere production of Ragtime in Toronto.

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#156 - Maria Christina-Oliveras - The Balusters

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Maria Christina-Oliveras joins us on the heels of the success of The Balusters. MC does a deep dive on the show and her role of Luz as well as the journey in unpacking the truth in the humor of David Lindsay-Abaire new American Play. MC reminisces about her time with McKinley Henderson in Between Riverside and Crazy. She also shares her passion for developing new works and being part of the workshop process in shows like Amelie and Here Lies Love. Look for her in her upcoming roles in the feature film The Florist and Mindy Kaling’s new series Not Suitable for Work.

Also in this episode - Amy Poux joins us to highlight her show Nona’s Supper Club playing for 6 Sunday’s starting April 26th. https://therestaurantplay.com/tickets

Maria-Christina Oliveras - Broadway: Between Riverside and Crazy, Amélie, Machinal, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; Persephone in the Broadway National Tour of Hadestown. Off-Broadway: Cymbeline (Drama Desk Award nomination); world premieres of Here Lies Love (The Public), A Woman Among Women, Pretty Filthy, Parable of the Sower (The Public), Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Music (St. Ann’s Warehouse/HBO Max). Regional: world premieres of Kiss My Aztec! (Berkeley Rep, La Jolla, Hartford Stage), Soft Power (Center Theater Group/Curran); Amélie (Center Theater Group/Berkeley Rep); El Huracán (Yale Rep), January Joiner (Long Wharf). Other credits include Romeo and Juliet (Public), Macbeth/As You Like It (HVSF), Zorba! (City Center/Encores), Williamstown, Baltimore Center Stage, Huntington, Denver Center. Dedicated to new work, Maria-Christina has developed countless plays and musicals with Lincoln Center, MTC, NYTW, Signature, O’Neill, Atlantic, New Dramatists (Charles Bowden Award), among others. Selected Film/TV: St. Vincent, Manhattan Nocturne, “Blue Bloods,” “NCIS: NOLA,” “The Blacklist,” “Law & Order: SVU.”

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#155 - Derek McLane - Designing Broadway

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Tony & Emmy Winning Designer Derek McLane drops by Behind the Awards to give the inside scoop on how he created such designs as Moulin Rouge, MJ, Death Becomes Her, Beautiful and most recently The Balusters. Derek also details different skills he learned from his mentors Ming Cho Lee and Robin Wagner. We also learned the inside secrets that make some of the magic in Death Becomes Her. Derek also talks about designing The Oscars, The Met Gala and Live musicals for television.

Also in this episode - Costumes & Cocktails honoring Oscar & Tony Winner Paul Tazewell.

Derek has designed over 350 productions on Broadway, off-Broadway, international and regional, and television. A few of his award winning designs include:

TONY AWARD Best Scenic Design/Musical 2021 MOULIN ROUGE!
DRAMA DESK AWARD 2020 MOULIN ROUGE!
ART DIRECTORS GUILD AWARD 2019 The 90th OSCARS
EMMY AWARD 2017 HAIRSPRAY LIVE!
TONY AWARD Best Scenic Design of a Play 2009 33 VARIATIONS
EMMY AWARD 2014 The 86th OSCARS
DRAMA DESK AWARD 2011 ANYTHING GOES
ART DIRECTORS GUILD AWARD 2014 + 2015 The 86th & 87th OSCARS
LUCILLE LORTEL AWARD 2007 THE VOYSEY INHERITANCE
DEREK'S UPCOMING & CURRENT SHOWS INCLUDE:
Broadway: THE BALUSTERS, MOULIN ROUGE!, MJ the MUSICAL, DEATH BECOMES HER + JUST IN TIME
Off-broadway: The Adding Machine
SELECTED CREDITS: BROADWAY: Death Becomes Her, Just In Time, MJ the Musical, Moulin Rouge!, Othello, Purlie Victorious, A Soldier’s Play, American Son, The Parisian Woman, Children of a Lesser God, The Price, Noises Off, Fully Committed, Beautiful, Gigi, China Doll, Anything Goes, The Heiress, Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Best Man, Follies, How to Succeed In Business Without Even Trying, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Million Dollar Quartet, Ragtime, 33 Variations The Pajama Game, I Am My Own Wife. OFF-BROADWAY: Here There Are Blueberries, Black No More, Merrily We Roll Along, The True, Jerry Spring the Opera, If I Forget, The Whirligig, Into The Woods, Love, Love, Love, Sweet Charity, Evening at the Talk House, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Buried Child, The Spoils, Sticks and Bones, The Last Five Years, A Lie of the Mind, Ruined, Hurlyburly. TELEVISION: He designed the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017 Academy Awards as well as the NBC LIVE! Musicals The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The WIZ & HAIRSPRAY. AWARDS: Winner of 1997 + 2004 OBIE Awards, 2004, 2005, 2007 Lortel Awards; 2009 + 2021 Tony Award, 2011 Drama Desk Award, 2015, 2016 Art Directors Guild Award, 2014 + 2017 Emmy Award.

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#154 - Behind the Awards Plays Tony Nominator! 2026 Edition

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Behind the Awards welcomes back their resident awards expert Matt Stashin to play Tony Nominator before the actual nominations are announced. What will make our lists; Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Titanique, Ragtime, or Chess? Could Christiani Pitts, Marla Mindelle, Brandon Uranowitz, Nicholas Christopher, Carrie Coon, Ayo Edebiri, Daniel Radcliffe, Ali Louis Bourzgui, Jim Parsons, June Squibb or Danny Burstein be there? Listen to find out!

Also in this episode - Pink named the 2026 Tony Awards Host!

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#153 - Barton Cowperthwaite - Gotta Dance

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Outsiders Original cast member Barton Cowperthwaite joins Behind the Awards to talk about his new show Gotta Dance now running at Stage 42. Barton shares what it was like to grow up as a High School Dance Major, Dance the American in Paris Ballet on Tour and put this current show together with the gate keepers of the original pieces such as Baayork Lee, Donna McKechnie, Christopher Wheeldon, Susan Stroman and so much more! Barton also tells us his experience working with The Outsiders from workshop to Broadway and how it evolved. On a very personal note Barton shares his cancer journey and being a survivor of a rare Brain Cancer.

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Also in this episode - Behind the Awards is gearing up for Tony Season!

Barton Cowperthwaite is a brain cancer survivor from Denver! Television: Oren Lenox in “Tiny Pretty Things” (Netflix), “Girls5Eva” (Peacock), “Fosse/Verdon” (FX), “Center Stage: OnPointe” (Lifetime). Broadway: The Outsiders (OBC Brill/Bob u/s), An American in Paris (first national tour, Jerry u/s). @bartonc

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#152 - Lorin Latarro - No Moving Chess Pieces

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Choreographer/Director Lorin Latarro joins Behind the Awards to discuss the creation of the Chess Revival starring Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher. Listen for the origin story of getting Aaron Tevit’s paints on and her favorite moment of the show which happens right before One Night in Bancock. Lorin also talks about her other bodies of work including Heart of Rock & Roll, Joy, Waitress and upcoming Idigo Girls Musical Starstuck as well as Begin Again coming to the Old Globe.

Also in this episode - Behind the Awards takes a field trip to Beaches Tech Day!

A multiple Drama Desk, Lortel, and Chita Rivera nominee, Lorin has choreographed on Broadway with Once Upon A Mattress, The Who’s Tommy, Heart Of Rock And Roll, Into The Woods, Waitress, Mrs. Doubtfire, Les Liaisons Dangereuses with Janet McTeer and Liev Schreiber, Waiting For Godot with Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart, and Merrily We Roll Along at The Roundabout. Other credits: La Traviata at The Metropolitan Opera, Chess at The Kennedy Center, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s 21 Chump Street for This American Life (Brooklyn Academy of Music), The Public Theater’s The Visitor, Twelfth Night and The Odyssey (Public Works, Delacorte Theater), Oliver, Fanny and God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater (City Center Encores!), and A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre). Directing credits include Joy at The Laura Pels Theater starring Betsy Wolfe. Candace Bushnell’s one-woman show, Is There Still Sex In The City at the Daryl Roth Theatre (an NY Times Critic’s Pick), Begin Again with music by Train, Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy: The Immersive Experience, Queen Of The Night which garnered a Drama Desk Award, The David Foster and Kat McPhee Show, #DATEME at The Westside Theatre, A Taste Of Things To Come at Chicago’s Nederlander Broadway, Swelling And Irritation by Jodi Picoult and Tim McDonald, Trails by Jeff Thompson, Christy Hall. Rodgers After Hammerstein – 92Y Lyrics and Lyricists, Beth Malone’s Three Part Harmony - Theatre Aspen. Ms. Latarro holds a BFA from The Juilliard School. She holds a secondary degree from NYU Tisch Film and Television Directing Fundamentals. Lorin has traveled to India and Africa multiple times to work with The Gates Foundation in family health and planning, and is the founder of ArtAmmmo.org Artists Against Gun Violence as seen in the NY Times, PBS, “Rachel Maddow,” BBC.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#151 - Ellenore Scott - Yes, We Think She Can Dance!

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Choreographer/Director Ellenore Scott take a moment out of her busy schedule to give us the scoop on her current show; Ragtime, Titanique and Little Shop of Horrors. Ellenore shares her journey from Alvin Alley to So You Think You Can Dance to working with Billy Crystal and mounting not only the Broadway Funny Girl but this summer heading to Japan to kick off the run.

Also in this episode - Tony’s are coming, what are the most recent eligibity rulings. Marjorie Prime cast all in Featured Category including June Squib. The hot race of Lead Actress in a play potentially featuring; Lesley Manville, Susannah Flood, Laurie Metcalf and more

Ellenore Scott is a BIPOC, New York based choreographer and director. Through her work, Ellenore values lifting diverse voices in her community while creating joyous spaces where artists thrive. Broadway: Titanique, Ragtime, Funny Girl, Mr. Saturday Night, Grey House. Off-Broadway: The Lonely Few, I Can Get It For You Wholesale, Little Shop of Horrors, Titanique (Lucille Lortel Nomination). Other choreography credits: Titanique(Australia, Paris, Canada and West End productions), Funny Girl (1st National Tour, Japan Summer 2026), So You Think You Can Dance? (Season 17), Single All the Way (Netflix). Scott’s work has also been seen at McCarter Theatre, The Bushwick Starr, The Old Globe, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Cherry Lane Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, A Contemporary Theatre of Connecticut, Cape Fear Regional Theatre and Seattle Repertory Theatre. TV Performances: Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Smash, The Blacklist, Glee!, and Finalist and All-Star on SYTYCD. Scott serves as the Vice President of the SDCF Board and is a proud member and Executive Board Member of SDC. Mother to Ford, Wife to playwright Trey Everett. 1 million on TikTok! @helloellenore

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#150 - Harrison Bryan - His Ride with Marcel on the Train

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Actor/Writer Harrison Bryan returns to Behind the Awards to discuss life as an Understudy for Ethan Slater in Marcel on the Train. This play follows a 20yr old Marcel Marceau and the untold story of how he saved children during World War 2. Now playing at CSC through March 22nd, 2026.

Also in this episode - Pie Day! Featuring Sweeney Todd & Waitress

Harrison Bryan is an award-winning multi-hyphenate: playwright, actor, librettist, producer, and puppeteer. A proud member of The Dramatists Guild of America and The Alliance of Jewish Theatre, and artist in residence at Windridge Farm, he is a two-time finalist at NYC’s Steven Sondheim “Write-A-Play Festival” and a Helen Hayes Award–nominated performing artist. Recipient of the 2019 New York Innovative Theatre Award, his work has been produced, read, or workshopped at venues including The Cherry Lane Theatre, MCC’s FreshPlay Festival, Broadway Comedy Club, BMI Advanced Writer’s Workshop, FringeNYC, The Flea, Round House Theatre, Caveat NYC, The Irish Rep, City Vineyard NYC, The Rude Mechanicals, Ugly Rhino, The Kraine, Open Hydrant, The Players Theatre, The Nuyorican, Dixon Place, People’s Improv Theatre, and Boston University, among others.

His musical A Hanukkah Carol, or GELT TRIP! The Musical received an honorary mention from the American Playwriting Foundation’s Relentless Award for Musical Theatre committee and won the Audience’s Choice Award at Open Jar Studio’s Broadway Shark Tank, premiering at Round House Theatre in 2024. His newest musical, BALLS: The Monster-Catchin' Musical Comédy, was featured in TimeOut NY, Variety, Forbes, Kickstarter’s “Projects We Love,” and Nintendo Life, debuting in NYC with a sold-out run at Caveat NYC and a panel at New York Comic Con. It won eight Broadway World Awards, including Best New Musical, Best Book, Best Score, and Best Production of a Musical.

Harrison’s plays include [WORLD WAR TBD], read Off-Broadway at The Cherry Lane Theatre’s Tuesday TONGUES series; STILL NOT, produced at FringeNYC and published in Indie Theatre Now’s 2016 collection; In Fair Corona, produced virtually by The Rude Mechanicals; Ophelia Later, a finalist at Red Bull Theatre’s New Short Play Festival; and Romeo’s Jules, which won Best of Week at The Players Theatre Short Play Festival.

A dedicated educator and practitioner, he has trained with clown master Christopher Bayes (Yale School of Drama), puppeteer Jim Kroupa (Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center), mixed-media innovator Jared Mezzocchi (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), and mentoring playwrights Lauren Gunderson, Lydia Diamond, and Kirsten Greenidge. He studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, New York Stage & Film, and Double-Edge Theatre Co. A Brooklyn native with a BFA from Boston University, Harrison served five years as Writer/Actor with FACES, Theatre Network for Teens, using playwriting and improv to promote tolerance, peace, and anti-bullying.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#149 - Latrice Royale - The New Queen of Soul

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000

Star of Stage, Screen and Drag Latrice Royale stops by Behind the Awards to dish on all things, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Little Shop of Horrors, Stop! That! Train! and more! Listen to hear how much reality is in reality TV and Latrice’s journey from Color Guard to Miss Congeniality to her own show coming to a stage near you!

Best known for her Chunky Yet Funky, Bold and Beautiful appearances on shows like “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “We’re Here,” Latrice Royale made her long awaited 54 Below debut on the heels of her star turn as Audrey II in Ogunquit Playhouse’s Little Shop of Horrors. Touring extensively with her autobiographical cabaret shows Here’s to Life and Life Goes On with her husband Christopher Hamblin at the piano, Miss Royale’s vocals will shine as she shares stories along with some of her favorite tunes such as “With Every Breath I Take” and her own special spin on Aretha Franklin’s “RESPECT.”

Latrice Royale captured the hearts of the world and earned the title of Miss Congeniality on Season 4 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” She then went on to appear in other incarnations of the franchise, including multiple guest appearances on the show, “RuPaul’s Drag U” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” Seasons 1 & 4, as well as representing “RuPaul’s Drag Race” on “Celebrity Family Feud.” Latrice also just completed her fourth residency at The Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas as part of the “RuPaul’s Drag Race: LIVE!” show, and just finished filming Season 2 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race: LIVE! UNTUCKED” for WOWPresentsPlus.

In January 2021, Latrice made history by becoming the first queen to appear in drag on the QVC network, while promoting Ruby Royale nuts by Squirrel Brand. Since that time she has seen two successful runs on London’s West End Stage in DeathDrop. In addition to her guest star role on the Netflix series “AJ & The Queen,” Miss Royale also served as a special consultant to the writers of that show, helping shape the script and her character of Faberge Leggs, which became a fan-favorite from the series.

The Large and in Charge Beautiful Queen has toured the world extensively, not only in group tours with her “RuPaul’s Drag Race” sisters, but her autobiographical one-queen-show Here’s to Life has seen sold out audiences in major cities all over the world, with an album of the same name available worldwide. Royale also toured over 30 cities in North America in 2023 with her debut solo tour Life Goes On, which she also self-produced through her company Latrice Royale, INC. / LRI Talent & Management.

Always eager to lend her voice to help her community, Latrice was especially proud to be a keynote speaker on the steps of the State Capitol Building of the State of Florida in Tallahassee, speaking out against anti-drag legislation as part of the Drag Queen March in 2023.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#148 - Andrew Keenan-Bolger - Steps into the Limelight: From Stage to Page

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Actor/Writer Andrew Keenan - Bolger takes us back in time to NYC in the 90s with his new Novel Limelight. Andrew brings back the real life characters from that time such as Rentheads, Clubkids who were navigating a changing city. Andrew also takes us back to where his career began with Disney’s Beauty & The Beast, The National Tour of Ragtime and of course fan favorite Newsies.

Get tickets for Andrew’s Book Event March 16th 2026 - https://donate2.app/sOGxUp

Buy Andrew’s Book - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/768589/limelight-by-andrew-keenan-bolger/

Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce discuss their recent late to the party binges. Difficult People starring Julie Klausner, Billy Eichner, Cole Escola, Andrea Martin and more. Pose starring Billy Porter, MJ Rodriguez, Indya Moore and more.

Andrew Keenan-Bolger is an actor, director, author and filmmaker. He starred as “Jesse Tuck” in Tuck Everlasting on Broadway (Drama League Award nominee). He created the role of "Crutchie" in the Original Broadway Cast of Newsies (Outer Critics Circle nominee) and in the record-breaking Newsies: The Broadway Musical film. Other Broadway: Mary Poppins, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol. 1st Nat'l Tours: Spelling Bee, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Mary Poppins, Ragtime. Theater: Titanique (Off-Broadway), Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors (Off-Broadway), Scarlett Dreams (Off-Broadway), Seven Deadly Sins (Off-Broadway, dir. Moisés Kaufman), Family Furniture at The Flea Theater (dir. Thomas Kail), Aladdin at The 5th Avenue Theater (dir. Casey Nicholaw), Ever After at Papermill Playhouse (dir. Kathleen Marshall), Film: “Billy Frazier” in The Rewrite starring Hugh Grant, To Dust, Marci X, Are You Joking? Upcoming: Rosie in On Swift Horses starring Jacob Elordi and Daisy Edgar-Jones, Hanish in V13 starring Alan Cumming. TV: The Undoing (HBO), The Blacklist (NBC), The Other Two (HBO), Three Rivers (2018 ABC Pilot, lead), The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon), Nurse Jackie (Showtime), Looking (HBO), Naked Brothers Band (Nickelodeon), One Life to Live. Podcast: Bobby in Marvel's Wolverine: The Long Night. B.F.A. from the University of Michigan. His work as a filmmaker has been profiled in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, The Associated Press and New York Magazine. Director of the award-winning short films Mikey’s Army, Sign and The Ceiling Fan. Along with collaborator, Kate Wetherhead, he is the co-creator the critically acclaimed webseries, Submissions Only and co-author of the children’s series Jack & Louisa (Penguin Random House). He is the author of the upcoming novel Limelight (Penguin Random House).

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#147 - Namir Smallwood - Bug

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Steppenwolf Ensemble Member Namir Smallwood stops by Behind the Awards to deep dive Peter Evan in Bug by Tracy Letts. Namir talks about working with Carrie Coon and David Cromer and taking the show from Chicago to NY. Catch Namir in Bug just extended through March 8th.

Also in this episode - Invited Dress Rehearsal of Every Brilliant Thing Starring Daniel Radcliffe

Namir Smallwood joined the Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble in 2017. Steppenwolf: You Will Get Sick, The Book of Grace, The Seagull, Bug, True West, BLKS, Monster, Man In Love, The Hot L Baltimore, Last Night and the Night Before. Broadway: Pass Over. Off-Broadway: Pipeline, Pass Over (Lincoln Center). Chicago: Primary Trust (Goodman); Charm (Northlight Theatre); The Grapes of Wrath (The Gift Theatre); East Texas Hot Links (Writers Theatre). Regional: Marin Theatre Company, Pillsbury House Theatre, Ten Thousand Things, Guthrie Theater. International: True West (Galway International Arts Festival). Television: “Chicago Fire,” “Betrayal,” “Elementary,” “American Rust” (Showtime/FreeVee); “Power Book IV: Force” (STARZ). Film: Rounding, About Time, Bailey’s Blues.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#146 - Live from the Kleban Awards

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Behind the Awards goes on location to bring you to The Kleban Awards! This live episode brings you interviews with Santino Fontana, Susan Stroman, Richard Maltby Jr, Maury Yeston, and John Weidman as well as performances by Talia Suskauer, Santino Fontana and more. Congratulations to the winners Phillip Christian Smith and Eric Price.

Also in this episode - Suffs PBS Airdate announced for May 8th starring Shaina Taub, Hannah Cruz, Jenn Colella and Nikki M. James to name a few.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#145 - Myles Frost - From MJ to Chez Joey

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Tony Winner Myles Frost visits Behind the Awards to chat about his upcoming leading role in Chez Joey Directed by Savion Glover & Tony Goldwyn. Myles also takes us back with a look at the experience of becoming Michael Jackson in MJ the Musical both on Broadway and The West End.

Get tickets for Chez Joey - https://tickets.arenastage.org/events/38123

Also in this episode.- The closing announcement of Moulin Rouge. Winner of 10 Tony Award in 2020 including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical for Aaron Tveit, Featured Actor in a Musical for Danny Burstein

Myles Frost is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actor, and music producer. In 2022, he became the youngest solo actor in history to win the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance as MJ in MJ the Musical. He was also nominated for a Grammy Award as principal vocalist on the MJ the Musical cast album. In 2024, Myles made his major motion picture debut in the role of Trayvon Martin in the biographical drama Origin. In 2025, he was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his revised role as MJ in MJ the Musical UK. Among his numerous accolades, Myles proudly received the 76th Annual Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut Performance, the 2022 Chita Rivera Award, and recognition as a nominee for the 2022 Drama League Award, 2022 Drama Desk Award, and 2022 Outer Critics Circle Award. He has been celebrated as part of Variety’s 2022 Power of Young Hollywood Impact Report, Ebony’s 2022 Power 100 List, The Root’s 2022 100 Most Influential Black Americans, the 2022 HBCU Top 30 Under 30, and the NAACP Theatre Spirit Award. At just 26, Myles continues to defy expectations as a self-trained artist, actor, and musician.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#144 - Christine Sherrill - Mamma Mia she’s a Dynamo!

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Christine Sherrill makes her Debut on Broadway as well as with us here at Behind the Awards. Christine dishes on what it’s like to go from Tour to Broadway, The moment she found out she was going to Broadway, and what Bucket List roles she has in mind. Christine talks about how this show is a fan favorite from Stage Door excitement to viral moments in the audience.
Also in this episode - Bug on Broadway starring Carrie Coon & Namir Smallwood.

Christine is making her Broadway Debut and last enjoyed the role of Donna during her residency with the Las Vegas company of MAMMA MIA! Other national credits include Kiss Me Kate (Kate); Next to Normal (Diana); Guys and Dolls (Adelaide); Sunset Boulevard (Norma Desmond) which earned her a Joseph Jefferson Award. Her work spans prestigious houses from the Goodman Theatre to DC Shakespeare. TV/Film/Video: “FBI Most Wanted,” “Prophet,” “Red Dead Redemption,” “Landline.”

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#143 - Jonathan Mousset - On the Rise!

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Actor Jonathan Mousset joins Behind the Awards to chat about his career. Jonathan talks about the experience that comes with creating new works through the 29 hour reading process. Jonathan talks about auditioning, touring the county in regional theaters and the importance of vocal health.

Also in this episode - Oscar Nomination takeaways. From Kate Hudson’s Nomination for Song Sung Blue to Frankenstein and Elle Fanning Noms. To snubs like Wicked and Ariana Grande.

Jonathan Mousset (he/his) Previously seen as "Frankie Valli" in Jersey Boys (Ogunquit PH, The Fulton, NSMT). Jonathan made his Off-Broadway debut with the Public Theater's Mobile Unit in a bilingual musical adaptation of "Much Ado About Nothing." He made his Carnegie Hall debut performing in Mozart: Her Story as the treacherous villain Schuster directed by Stephanie Klemons. Other notable credits include In the Heights (Usnavi, Dir/Choreo: Luis Salgado), tick, tick... BOOM! (Bucks CountyPH), R&H's Cinderella (Prince Topher, The Fulton), Newsies (Jack Kelly, Fireside Theatre), It Happened in Key West (The Fulton). Growing up as a child of Venezuelan immigrants, Jonathan has been singing and performing since the age of six. Graduate of Florida State University (BM in Music Theatre). His debut vocal record One Take: A Jazz Album is available to stream on all major music platforms. IG:@jonathangmoussetnyc

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#142 - Marc Shaiman - Never Mind the Happy

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Marc Shaiman - Never Mind the Happy

Tony, Emmy, Grammy Award winning Composer and Lyricist Marc Shaiman stops by Behind the Awards to give us a sneak peek into his Memoir Never Mind the Happy. Marc shares his path to success when a daydream turned into reality starring Bette Midler. Marc also recounts his time on SNL and meeting Billy Crystal and Martin Short, his many Movie credits including First Wives Club, When Harry Met Sally, Sister Act 2, and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut which lead to his Broadway dreams coming true with Hairspray along side Scott Wittman.

Get Marc’s Book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FP5L62X5?&linkCode=sl1&tag=marcshaiman-20&linkId=dfe4af2994d42b81f7823af7f8f74972&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Also in this episode - Rodney Hicks Play InhaleExhale Directed by Josh Rhodes and starring; Christopher J. Hanke, Crystal Lucas Perry, Michael James Scott, and Elizabeth Stanley gets a one-night-only reading at The Laurie Beechman Theatre February 23, 2026.

For Tickets: https://www.showclix.com/event/lbt25-inhale-exhale

Marc Shaiman is a renowned American composer, lyricist, arranger, and music producer known for his work across film, television, and theater. Shaiman began his career as a musical director and arranger for Bette Midler before expanding into film scoring. He gained prominence with his work on films such as When Harry Met Sally, The Addams Family, Sister Act, City Slickers, A Few Good Men, Sleepless in Seattle, The American President, and South Park, on television with SNL, and on his recordings with Harry Connick Jr. and Mariah Carey. Shaiman earned widespread acclaim for co-writing the Broadway musical Hairspray alongside his longtime co-lyricist Scott Wittman. The duo has also co-created the musicals Catch Me If You Can, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Some Like It Hot, and Smash. He has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and has won a Tony, two Emmys, and two Grammys. Marc Shaiman is celebrated for his versatile, emotionally resonant music and his ability to blend classic musical theater sensibilities with modern storytelling. Born and raised in New Jersey, he currently lives in New York with his husband, Lieutenant Commander (ret) Lou Mirabal.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#141 - Tonatiuh - Kiss of the Spiderwoman

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Life long theater kid Tonatiuh joins Behind the Awards to talk about one of the Movie Musicals of the year alongside Jennifer Lopez & Deigo Luna. Tonatiuh shares his journey from audition to shooting in record time to the premier. Tonatiuh recalls being put through his dancing paces with Sergio Trujillo and the friendship his gained under the direction of Bill Condon. As if that wasn’t enough Tonatiuh shares the advice and friendship Jennifer Lopez shared.

Also in this episode - What 2026 Theater Eila & Bruce are looking forward to: Titanique, Dog Day Afternoon starring Jon Bernthal & Ebon Moss-Bachrach & , The Lost Boys, Proof starring Don Cheadle, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone starring Taraji P. Henson and Directed by Debbie Allen.

Tonatiuh (no last name) is an accomplished actor, singer, and performer who can be seen in the lead role of Molina in Kiss of the Spider Woman, directed by Bill Condon and starring opposite Jennifer Lopez and Diego Luna. Produced by Artists Equity and Jennifer’s Nuyorican Productions, the film is based on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical adaptation of Manuel Puig’s critically acclaimed 1976 novel.

The film debuted at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it became one of the most talked-about premieres. Tonatiuh’s performance earned widespread acclaim, with Deadline calling him a “breakout discovery,” USA Today declaring him “enchanting” and a star on the rise, and ScreenDaily hailing him as a “revelation.” He landed the role after an extensive and highly competitive casting process.

Most recently, Tonatiuh was seen on stage as a part of at the prestigious Williamstown Theater Festival co-starring in Jeremy O’Harris’ “Spirit of the People.” and he is currently in production for Ryan Murphy's "American Love Story" for FX in which is he portrays Narciso Rodriguez. Tonatiuh also recently co-starred in the Netflix thriller Carry-On, a Netflix thriller produced by Amblin, alongside Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman.

On television, Tonatiuh starred as a series regular in ABC’s Promised Land alongside John Ortiz, Cecilia Suárez, and Bellamy Young, and appeared in Peacock’s Angelyne with Emmy Rossum and Martin Freeman. He also lends his voice as a recurring character in Nickelodeon’s The Loud House and has made guest appearances in Jane the Virgin, Chicago Med, Famous in Love, and Stargate: Origins.

On the film side, he starred in the SXSW-selected indie feature Drunk Bus and played a supporting lead in the indie dramedy Shoplifters of the World.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#140 - Christiani Pitts - Two Strangers Carry A Cake Across New York

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000

Broadway’s newest leading lady Christiani Pitts takes the cake in this new musical at the Longacre Theater opposite Sam Tutty. Christiani does a deep dive into her character Robin and dishes on the ingredients that went into baking the show that’s on everyone’s lips. Christiani also talks about making her Broadway Debut in the same theater in A Bronx Tale and starring in King Kong.

Also in this episode - Holland Taylor Emmy Win. Review of Marjorie Prime starring June Squibb, Cynthia Nixon, Danny Burstein, and Christopher Lowell.

Christiani Pitts returns to Broadway in Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). She is best known for her performance of Ann Darrow in the Broadway musical King Kong. Previously she appeared in the leading role Jane in the Broadway musical A Bronx Tale. Recently, she recurred on Starz's "Power Book III: Raising Kanan" and starred in the Netflix feature Resort To Love. Her other credits include: Dead Ringers, "Blue Bloods," "The Good Fight," "Evil," "Elementary." Christiani is repped by Buchwald Talent and Authentic Talent & Literary Management.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#139 - Carrie Preston - Elsbeth Returns!

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Emmy Winning Star of Elsbeth Carrie Preston returns to Behind the Awards to chat about Season 3 of the Award Nominated series. Carrie gives us the secret behind Elsbeth’s many bags and Easter Eggs to look out for. She also tells us about this seasons guest stars including, Lindsey Mendez and Laura Benanti. Also hear about her gender bending performance opposite Vanessa Redgrave 20 years ago at The Public.

Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce’s Favorite Performances of 2025; Kate Hudson in Song Sung Blue, The Cast of Broadway’s Liberation, Jasmine Amy Rogers in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Welcome to Derry, Jonathan Groff, and Carrie Preston in Elsbeth.

Carrie Preston continues to reprise her Emmy Award-winning role as the astute but unconventional attorney ‘Elsbeth Tascioni’ in the hit CBS series, ELSBETH. The beloved character was first introduced in the acclaimed series THE GOOD WIFE on the network and appeared in THE GOOD FIGHT on Paramount+. ELSBETH premiered to rave reviews with New York Times stating Carrie"reigns as the queen of quirk.”

Preston spent four seasons starring as Polly in the TNT series, CLAWS. Prior to that, she played Arlene Fowler for seven seasons on HBO’s TRUE BLOOD, while also recurring for five seasons on the Network’s PERSON OF INTEREST, playing the love interest to her real-life husband, Michael Emerson. Other major TV series include the co-leading role in the NBC sitcom CROWDED, ABC’s LGBTQ rights-driven miniseries WHEN WE RISE, and arcs opposite Hank Azaria in BROCKMIRE and Joshua Jackson in DR. DEATH. Her extensive list of guest star appearances includes ABC’s LOST and DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES.

Carrie made her feature film debut in Julia Robert’s blockbuster “My Best Friends’ Wedding” and other notable film roles include scene-stealing roles in “Duplicity,” “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” the Oscar-nominated “Transamerica” (as Felicity Huffman’s sister), “That Evening Sun” with Hal Holbrook, with Joe Cole in “One of These Days" and “To The Bone” with Keanu Reeves and Lily Collins. She played Kevin Bacon’s wife in two films: the Kyra Sedgwick-helmed “Space Oddity” and “THEY/THEM.” She received praise for her role opposite Paul Giamatti in Alexander Payne’s Oscar-winning film, “The Holdovers”.

Trained at Juilliard, Carrie made her Broadway debut playing Miranda to Patrick Stewart’s Prospero in "The Tempest" and later played Honey with Stewart and Mercedes Ruehl in “Who’s Afraid of Virgnia Woolf?” at The Guthrie Theater. Other stage work includes “Festen” with Jeremy Sisto and Julianna Margulies, “The Rivals,” “Antony and Cleopatra” with Vanessa Redgrave, and playing Mia Farrow’s daughter in James Lapine’s “Fran’s Bed.”

Carrie is also a sought-after director. Television credits include two episodes of THE GOOD FIGHT, two episodes of Showtime’s YOUR HONOR, and two episodes of CLAWS, in which she also starred. She also directed the Sundance Film Festival feature “That’s What She Said” starring the late Anne Heche, Marcia DeBonis, and Alia Shawkat.

Carrie lives in New York City with her husband Michael and their adopted dog, Chumley. In her free time, Carrie supports LGBTQIA+ rights and GLAAD, is an honorary board member for the new play development organization, The New Harmony Project, and is a supporter of Parkinson's Research while also working with the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#138 - Matilda Lawler - IT Welcome to Derry

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Child Star Matilda Lawler (IT, The Ferryman, The Gilded Age) joins Behind the Awards for a look into what it’s like being a child actor and starring opposite Bill Skarsgard as Stephen King’s iconic character Pennywise.

Also in this episode - Review of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at New World Stages.

Matilda Lawler, nominated for a Gotham Award and named to Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood Impact Report, can next be seen starring in the HBO limited series IT: WELCOME TO DERRY. She is best known for starring in HBO Max's STATION ELEVEN, the critically-acclaimed limited series based on the post-apocalyptic bestseller by Emily St. John Mandel. Matilda played the young version of ‘Kirsten’ (also played by Mackenzie Davis) opposite Himesh Patel and has received rave reviews for her performance.  She was also seen in the title role of ‘Flora’ in the Disney + feature film FLORA & ULYSSES based on the popular children’s novel by Kate Dicamillo. Matilda most recently was seen recurring in HBO Max’s hit drama THE GILDED AGE and in the independent feature EZRA directed by Tony Goldwyn opposite Robert De Niro, Bobby Canavale, and Rose Byrne, which premiered at TIFF. She starred in the Disney+ series THE SANTA CLAUSES opposite Tim Allen, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Kal Penn. Additional film and television credits include CBS’s hit show EVIL, and the thriller THE BLOCK ISLAND SOUND by the McManus Brothers. Matilda was recently seen starring as the lead of Berkeley Rep production THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH. She made her Broadway debut originating the role of ‘Honor Carney’ in Jez Butterworth’s THE FERRYMAN, which won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Play. Matilda’s performance received rave reviews and landed her on Theatermania’s ‘Best Broadway Debuts of 2018.’

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#137 - Shaince - 44’s Michelle Obama

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Recording Star & Actress Shanice visits Behind the Awards to talk about the satirical musical 44 in which she plays Michele Obama. Shanice also reminisces about her time on Kids Incorporated, Winning Star Search, her famous guest appearance on Family Matters, and being the first Black Actress in the role of Eponine in Les Miserables. Catch her upcoming Christmas Movie on BET+ A Soulful Christmas co-starring Kenny Lattimore.

Also in this episode - Upcoming New Musical Announcements for the Broadway Season; Beaches starring Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett, Titanique starring Marla Mindelle. John Cameron Mitchell and Simu Liu join Oh Mary! And Song Sung Blue starring Sean Allen Krill, Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson hits theaters Christmas Day!

Shanice is a singer, actress and producer, Shanice was the first African American to star as Eponine in Les Miserables on Broadway. Known for her international Grammy nominated song “I Love Your Smile,” and 5 octave range she has worked with Narada Walden, Babyface, David Foster, Josh Groban Kenny Loggins, Jon Secada and more.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#136 - Hannah Cruz - Chess/The Copenhagen Test

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Broadway Star Hannah Cruz drops into Behind the Awards to talk about her Blockbuster show Chess alongside side Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher. Hannah also scoops us on her upcoming Peacock Spy Series The Copenhagen Test starring Simu Liu. In addition to a deep dive of Svetlana in Chess Hannah also reminisces on her journey with Suffs from The Public to The Music Box.

Also in this episode - Don Cheadle & Gregory Peck's 1999 Golden Globe Tie. Shaina Taub’s Giving Mount Sinai Campaign to help others who are in need when it comes to reproductive health.

Hannah Cruz stars as Svetlana in Chess on Broadway. Cruz made her Broadway debut as Inez Milholland in Suffs in 2024 after starring in a different role, Ruza Wenclawska, for the musical's Off-Broadway world premiere in 2022. Additional Off-Broadway credits include the dance musical Only Gold and Jason Robert Brown's Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel, and Drama Desk Award-nominated musical The Connector.

Cruz has also performed in the national tours of Hamilton (IRNE Award for Best Actress), Legally Blonde, and Bullets Over Broadway, and she will star as Gussie in Richard Linklater's upcoming Merrily We Roll Along film opposite Paul Mescal, Ben Platt, and Beanie Feldstein.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#135 - Irene Sofia Lucio - Is Liberated!

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Actress Irene Sofia Lucio joins Behind the Awards to talk about playing Isidora in Bess Wohl’s Liberation. Irene discusses auditioning for the role backstage at Slave Play on The West End. She also shares how this play feels like a love letter to her mother and her unique perspective as a new mother. Irene of course uncovers what performing nude on a Broadway stage feels like and how it has impacted her on a deeper level.

Also in this episode - Jodie Comer’s Olivier win for Prima Facie. The Documentary If You Tell Anyone.

Irene Sofia Lucio is an actress, writer and producer. Lucio is known for her role as Patricia in the Broadway production of Slave Play, in which she also appeared off Broadway. She also appeared in Liberation's Off-Broadway world premiere, winning Drama Desk and New York Drama Critic's Circle Awards for Outstanding Ensemble alongside her fellow cast members.

Other stage credits included Wit on Broadway and Off-Broadway productions such as Love & Information at New York Theatre Workshop, King Liz at Second Stage Theater, and Romeo y Julieta at The Public Theater. She has appeared on TV shows like The Americans, Bartlett, Madam Secretary, Gossip Girl, and Casi Casi, and she co-created the web series BUTS, which won an NBCU Short Film Festival Award and earned an Imagen Award nomination.

She is in pre-production of an animated series and developing several TV shows. A member of the Actor’s Center, she graduated from Princeton University and the Yale School of Drama. She is originally from San Juan, PR.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#134 - Kevin Del Aguila - The Baker’s Wife, Hazbin Hotel & More!

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Tony Nominee Kevin Del Aguila in never to busy to return to Behind the Awards to give us the scoop on his latest projects. From his 20yr journey with The Baker’s Wife, to Dogman The Musical, Hazbin Hotel and Schmigadoon Kevin is always busy making audiences laugh. Catch Kevin in The Baker’s Wife alongside Ariana DeBose, Scott Bakula, Nathan Lee Graham, Judy Kuhn and more! JUST ANNOUNCED will play his final performance of The Baker’s Wife on December 7th to join the cast of Simon Rich’s All Out as a Standby.

Also in this episode - Jessica Tandy & Hume Cronin Lifetime Achievement Tony Award plus Two Strangers Review

KEVIN DEL AGUILA is an Emmy-winning writer, Tony-nominated actor, acclaimed director, playwright, and lyricist in New York City. He is a multi Emmy Award-winning writer of the PBS show PEG + CAT, lyricist of songs featured in the Disney animated movie STRANGE WORLD, and book-writer of the hit comedy ALTAR BOYZ (NY Outer Critics Circle Award, Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk noms) which made history as one of the longest running off-Broadway musicals of all time.

Broadway audiences will recognize him from the original casts of SOME LIKE IT HOT (Drama Desk Award and Tony nom for his performance as Osgood), FROZEN (as Oaken), and PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (as Smee), and children everywhere have heard his voice as a troll in Disney's blockbuster film FROZEN. He's appeared in LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST at The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park, GOD BLESS YOU MR. ROSEWATER for City Center Encores (featuring James Earl Jones), and in the off-Broadway revival of JACQUES BREL. Television guest appearances include LAW & ORDER: SVU, Hulu's DEADBEAT, and PEG + CAT.

Other writing works for the stage include his middle-aged superhero musical THE ASTONISHING RETURN OF THE PROTAGONISTS! (2013 NAMT Festival), musical adaptations of the DreamWorks film MADAGASCAR, the wildly popular book series DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, as well as Dav Pilkey's DOG MAN and CAT KID COMIC CLUB books.

Kevin has written for the HBO comedy special SKETCH PAD and for numerous children's television shows, including WAFFLES + MOCHI'S RESTAURANT for Netflix and the Obamas' Higher Ground Productions, and as Head Writer of BLUE'S CLUES & YOU for Nick Jr. and the CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG reboot for Amazon and PBS Kids (GLAAD Media Award Nomination).

Kevin is the recipient of the Heideman Award for his play THE GREEKEST OF TRAGEDIES (Actors Theatre of Louisville) and has earned several Lortel and Drama Desk Award nominations for his work on the off-Broadway productions of SKIPPYJON JONES, CLICK CLACK MOO, and WE THE PEOPLE. He has directed several productions of his own plays, including his comedy 6 STORY BUILDING (Best of 2002 NY Fringe Fest), NUMBER ONE: A POLLOCK PAINTING, and his adaptations of THE VELVETEEN RABBIT and SKIPPYJON JONES: SNOW WHAT off-Broadway. He directed the world premieres of FUNKED UP FAIRY TALES and SEE ROCK CITY at Barrington Stage, and has written and directed several events for the New York Philharmonic, including their famed YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERTS at Lincoln Center.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#133 - Jack Plotnick - Vape! The Grease Musical Parody

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Actor/Director Jack Plotnick joins Behind the Awards to chat about the upcoming run of the hilarious parody Vape the Musical. Fans of the movie Grease and John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John will love this modern telling the summer love of Danny & Sandy, a girl from down under. No stranger to camp and Broadway Jack Plotnick co-wrote (with Seth Rudetsky) and Directed Diaster! A New Musical.

Get tickets for Vape here:

https://vapethemusical.com/

Also in this episode - First Wives Club at the Oscars. Chess the Musical Review

JACK PLOTNICK co-wrote and directed the Broadway musical Disaster! (NYT Critics Pick!), and the Sony Pictures feature film Space Station 76. He executive produced/starred in the feature film (and cult hit!) Girls Will Be Girls, featured on Netflix. And produced, directed and acted on the Lifetime Television comedy series “Lovespring International”. As an actor he’s had regular and recurring roles on “Grace and Frankie”, ”Z Nation”, “The Mentalist”, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Reno 911”, “Action”, “Ellen” and ‘“Drawn Together”, plus appearances in films Meet the Fockers, Down With Love, Rubber, Wrong and Gods and Monsters.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#132 - Chilina Kennedy - Reunions, Kings and Wild About You

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Broadway Star Chilina Kennedy joins Behind the Awards to chat about her upcoming show Reunions at City Center Stage 2. Chilina joins Chip Zien, Courtney Reed, Joanna Glushak, and Bryan Fenkart in this musical directed by Gabriel Barre. Chilina also talks about working with and playing Carole King & Billie Jean King on stage, and gives us an update of Wild About You the musical she created.

Tickets for Reunions - https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2025-2026/reunions/

Also in this episode - Debbie Allen’s Oscar Win.

Chilina is best known for playing Carole King in the musical Beautiful on Broadway for over 1,200 performances. She also recently originated the Tony-award winning role of Dina on the First Broadway National Tour of The Band’s Visit (Toronto Critics Award). Chilina recently played Myrtle in The Great Gatsby on Broadway. Her first appearance on Broadway was in 2012 when she played Mary Magdalene in Des McAnuff’s Jesus Christ Superstar, which also had successful runs at the Stratford Festival of Canada and the La Jolla Playhouse. Other US credits include the world premiere of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, in which she originated the role of Phoebe at Hartford Stage and The Old Globe in San Diego (San Diego and Connecticut Outer Critics nominations), the world premiere of A Sign Of The Times as Cindy (DTC/NYC New World Stages), Binky in the Off-Broadway world premiere of This Ain’t No Disco (Dir. Darko Tresnjak/Chor. Camille A. Brown) and Sophie in the 1st US National Tour of Mamma Mia!. Selected Canadian credits include the title role in Ted Dykstra’s Evangeline (Charlottetown Festival and original recording), the title role in Ross Petty’s Pantomime The Little Mermaid (Toronto Critic’s Award), three seasons at the Stratford Festival (three Broadways World Awards), three seasons at the Shaw Festival, the World Premiere of The Lord of the Rings (Mirvish), Philia in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (Stratford/Toronto), Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest (Neptune) and the title role in Mary Poppins (Theatre Aquarius). Chilina is currently playing the role of Billie Jean King in a new play Billie Jean, currently in development, written by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Marc Bruni.

Chilina is also a singer/songwriter with a debut album “What You Find In A Bottle”, released in 2015. She has written a new musical called Wild About You with Eric Holmes (The Good Fight, Smash). Featuring music and lyrics by Chilina, and book by Eric, and musical arrangements by Daniel Edmonds, Wild About You was produced for two nights at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (Brian Spector/Keaka Productions). Chilina has also composed music featured in 'Til Then (Toronto) and is co-writing another new musical with Daniel Edmonds and Eric Holmes, which is currently in development, and produced by ArtLab. Chilina has worked with Burt Bacharach, guest-starred in concert with the TSO, Colm Wilkinson, and Jason Robert Brown. She also appeared on the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors as Carole King, singing with legends Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Janelle Monae, and Sara Bareilles. You can hear Chilina’s voice on CBC’s Celebrate The Seasons and Carols For A Cure. She is a graduate of Sheridan College and the Birmingham Conservatory for classical theatre in Stratford, Canada.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#131 - Rosanne Sorrentino - Behind the Red Dress

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Rosanne Sorrentino grew up with a job most girls would kill for. She was Annie in the 3rd National Tour as well as Pepper in the Movie along side Carol Burnett, Ann Reinking, Tim Curry, Bernadette Petters, and the late Albert Finney. Rosanne shares her journey from audience member to star, meeting the President and Trampoline Playdates with Sarah Jessica Parker.

Also in this episode - Emma Stone’s First Oscar Awards presenting with Ben Stiller. Review of Gruesome Playground Injuries starring Kara Young & Nicholas Braun at the Lucille Lortel Theater

Rosanne is a former child actress best known for playing the role of the bossy orphan, "Pepper," in the 1982 film of the musical Annie. She made her professional stage debut at the age of 11 in the third national tour of the broadway musical Annie playing the title role from 1Rosanne979-1981.

Rosanne has been doing stand up comedy on Long Island, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania for the past four years and has appeared in a few independent films including The Ruggiero’s and A Night With the Sheintops, which was featured in the Big Apple Film Festival.

This year, Rosanne is reunited with her Annie co-star, Toni Ann Gisondi, in the newly released film Called To Duty, which also features Arnold Schwarzenegger's son, Joseph Baena. Called to Duty is available On Demand, across multiple platforms, including Prime Video and Xfinity.

Recently retired after 30 years in education, Rosanne plans to continue performing and, of course, doing her favorite thing, meeting her fans.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#130 - David Staller - Pygmalion & George Bernard Shaw

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Director David Staller joins Behind the Awards to chat about his current Off Broadway production of Pygmalion now playing at Theater Row. Staller, a noted Shaw expert enlightens us about Shaws humble beginnings and how Pygmalion evolved into the wildly popular My Fair Lady.

For Tickets - https://bfany.org/theatre-row/shows/bernard-shaws-pygmalion/?_gl=1*mozafk*_gcl_au*MTk0NzcyOTQ0OC4xNzYyOTYwNjI4

Also in this episode - Reunions Starring Celina Kennedy & Chip Zien. Jodie Foster,Jennifer Lawrence and Meryl Streep at the Oscars.

David Staller is the founding artistic director of New York’s Gingold Theatrical Group, which produces the monthly juggernaut series, PROJECT SHAW, at Symphony Space, now in its 14th year. Created in 2006 to champion human rights and free speech using the work and humanitarian precepts of Shaw as its platform, GTG is the only organization to have produced performances of all of Shaw’s 65 plays, all directed by Staller. He has also directed full off-Broadway productions of HEARTBREAK HOUSE, MAN AND SUPERMAN, MAJOR BARBARA, YOU NEVER CAN TELL, and WIDOWERS’ HOUSES which were all filmed by the NY Library for Performing Arts archives at Lincoln Center. He oversees the annual Shaw New York Festival, which includes full productions, new play development workshops, seminars and symposiums, and educational programs. He has also produced and directed many plays and special events around the world and is frequently invited upon the international theatre and socio-political scene as a speaker about equal human rights and all things Shaw. He also teaches at SUNY Stony Brook and the Acting Shaw classes sponsored through GTG.

He has produced and directed many plays, concerts and special productions in New York and around the world, including (for the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences) the French National event at the Deauville Film Festival honoring the 50th anniversary of the D-Day Allied Invasion.

Through GTG, David has also helmed several educational programs, most notably at Baruch College and with inner-city teens at Lighthouse International. Currently, he is partnering with Prof. Andrew Flescher at SUNY Stony Brook teaching ‘Drama in English: George Bernard Shaw, Provocateur.’

He studied acting and directing with Stella Adler and Uta Hagen in New York, Lee Strasberg in Los Angeles, and at RADA in London. As a teenager, he was in the apprentice Joffrey Ballet Company in New York. He then joined the Rostropovich master ‘cello class at USC. While studying at USC, he became ‘script doctor’ for several film and television production companies. Coming back to New York, he returned to acting, appearing in three Broadway plays (EVITA, CABARET, and HELLO, DOLLY!), almost 50 off-Broadway plays, and many regional theatre productions. He was given a Drama League ‘distinguished performer’ citation for his performance in GASLIGHT at the Irish Repertory Theatre Company in New York. He has appeared in many television shows and commercials, particularly voice-overs. He has also had a successful career as a cabaret and concert headliner. He performed his one-man show, NOEL & COLE, at Carnegie Hall in 1993. During all of this, he continued writing and became a scriptwriter for Turner Entertainment. David is also a long-time member of The Actors Company Theatre in New York.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#129 - Laura Bell Bundy - Big Romy Energy!

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Tony Nominee Laura Bell Bundy joins behind the awards to chat about her newest role as Romy White in Romy & Michelle’s High School Reunion the Musical now playing at Stage 42. LBB gives us an in-depth look at re-creating iconic movie roles for the stage such as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde and Amber VonTussle in Hairspray. She also gets personal and discusses what it takes to balance her career and motherhood. LBB joins her Hairspray pals, Kerry Butler and Marissa Jaret Winokur on tour with their show Mamma I’m A Big Girl Now. Check the site below for dates near you - https://www.mamaimabiggirlnow.com/

Also in this episode - Director, Producer, Writer and Cultural Leader Roxanne Messina Captor talks about her work with Gavin Newsom and the California Arts Council. Plus she gives a teaser on two exciting upcoming projects.

Follow her projects at - https://roxannemessinacaptor.com/

Laura Bell Bundy is a Tony nominated Broadway actress and Billboard top 5 recording artist. Bundy made her debut at age 9 in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, since then she has originated the stage roles: Tina in Ruthless (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations), Amber in Broadway's Hairspray, most notably Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical (Tony nomination) and Sylvia in Broadway's The Cottage. She also played Glinda in Wicked on Broadway. Bundy has appeared in or starred in numerous films and over 100 episodes of television including roles on Call Me Kat, The New Fairly Odd Parents, Perfect Harmony, How I Met Your Mother/Father, Hart of Dixie, American Gods, Anger Management, Good Behavior, Scream Queens, Documentary Now, Dream Girls, Jumanji and upcoming film Miracle on 74th Street. Bundy has recorded multiple albums as a Universal Music Group & Big Machine Label artist which garnered her a CMT nomination, and a Billboard Top Five Album. She was a Sony Publishing song-writer from 2009 to 2014, and has toured the world doing concerts of her original music opening for Rascal Flats, Blake Shelton, Dwight Yoakam, and others. Her latest album Women of Tomorrow released by ONErpm. When Laura Bell is not performing, she lives on her farm/vineyard in New Jersey with her animals. Her most favorite job is being Huck's mom. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, & Tik Tok: @laurabellbundy

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#128 - Matt Jones - Once More Like Rain Man

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Matt Jones, star of Breaking Bad, Mom, Bob Hearts Abishola joins Behind the Awards to talk about his upcoming film Once More Like Rain Man. Listen to hear about the early days of Breaking Bad and his VoiceOver work with Nickelodeon and the video game Fantasy Fantasy.

For for about the film visit:

https://www.omlrmovie.com

https://oceanofentertainment.com/

Also in this episode - Bat Boy the Musical at NY City Center Encores

Matt Jones - Known for his portrayals of Brandon "Badger" Mayhew on the AMC crime drama series Breaking Bad, Baxter on the CBS sitcom Mom, and Ned Dorneget in NCIS. He stars as Douglas Wheeler on the CBS sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola, and is also known for his voice roles as Gunther Magnuson in Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil (2010–2012), Hector Flanagan in Sanjay and Craig (2013–2016), Nuber in F Is for Family (2018–2020), Pig in Pig Goat Banana Cricket (2015–2018), and Wedge in the video game Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020).

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#127 - Claire-Marie Hall - Operation Claire-Marie

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Claire-Marie Hall - Operation Claire-Marie

Claire-Marie Hall comes back to Behind the Awards solo this time to chat about her experience on the Operation Mincemeat train. From her teenage theater student start to starring in Les Miserables on The West End to Broadway Claire-Marie’s star rise has taken a path she least expected.

Also in this episode - Jack Nicholson & Robin Williams at The Critic Choice Awards. A Review of Liberation now playing on Broadway at The James Earl Jones.

Claire-Marie trained at Mountview Academy.

Further theatre credits include

Theatre: Jean Leslie in Operation Mincemeat (Southwark Playhouse & Riverside Studios), Cosette in Les Miserables (West End), U/S Dea in The Grinning Man (West End), Cynthia Houston/Mama Mega in Spies Are Forever – West End Concert (Tin Can Bros/Lambert Jackson), Gabriella Montez in High School Musical (Hammersmith Apollo & National Tour), Tuptim in The King & I (National Tour), Innkeeper’s Wife in The Wicker Husband (Watermill Theatre), The Colours (Soho Theatre), On Hostile Ground (Northampton Royal & Derngate), The Wonderful Storybook (Theatre Peckham), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Outdoor Tour, Scoot Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Frinton Summer Theatre), The Sorrows Of Satan (Tristan Bates Theatre), Between Empires (St James’ Theatre & Edinburgh Festival) and Aladdin (First Family Entertainment, Jordan Productions & Hackney Empire)

Film and TV: Just Up Your Street and Aladdin (BBC Wales)

Radio: When The Dog Dies and My Brilliant Divorce (BBC Radio 4)

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#126 - Jenny Anderson - Behind Her Candid Camera

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Jenny Anderson - Behind Her Candid Camera

Photographer Jenny Anderson stops by Behind the Awards to discuss her new book The In-Between: Intimate and Candid Moments of Broadway Stars. With a forward by Ariana DeBose this book is a must have for theater fans. Jenny also shares how a hobby turned into a career; from working at Broadway.com as photo editor to her own freelance work. Jenny photographed such stars as Glenn Close, Sara Bareilles, Gavin Creel, Myles Frost and so many more.

Also in this episode - The 89th Academy Awards. The Oscar mix up where Warren Beatty & Faye Dunaway announced La La Land as Best Picture instead of Moonlight.

Jenny Anderson is a Mississippi native and Ole Miss Alum who has lived and worked as a photographer in New York City for the last eighteen years. For six years, she served as the photo editor for Broadway.com and is currently a contributing photographer for ABC/Disney Television, and Getty Images. Her work covering the Broadway community-from rehearsals and show openings to editorial work and the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards with some of the stage's biggest stars-has been featured in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Town & Country, InStyle, People, and other global publications.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#125 - Elizabeth Marvel - From Hippy to President

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Stage, Screen and Film star Elizabeth Marvel joins Behind the Awards to discuss her brand new play And Then We Were No More at LaMaMa. From House of Cards to Homeland to Fargo Elizabeth is no stranger to roles with stature. Look for Elizabeth in the upcoming film The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shed.

Also in this episode - Paul McCrane’s 2011 Emmy win and his roles on Fame and ER.

ELIZABETH MARVEL Broadway: King Lear, Picnic, Top Girls (Drama League Award), Taking Sides, Edward Albee’s Seascape, An American Daughter, The Seagull, Other Desert Cities (Drama League nom). Off-Broadway: Five Models in Ruins, Sabbath’s Theater; Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Drama League, Lortel noms); Julius Caesar (Drama League nom); The Little Foxes (Drama League, Lortel nom); Obie awards for Hedda Gabler, A Streetcar Named Desire, Thérèse Raquin and Misalliance; Fifty Words (Drama Desk nom); Troilus and Cressida. Regional: American Rep., Stratford Theatre Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival. TV: “Presumed Innocent,” “Mrs. Davis”; ” Love & Death,” “The Dropout,” “Unbelievable,” “Homeland,” “House of Cards,” “Law Order: SVU.” Film: G20, The Color Purple, News of the World, The Meyerowitz Stories, The Land of Steady Habits, The Bourne Legacy, Lincoln, and the upcoming Untitled Steven Spielberg Film. Training: Juilliard.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#124 - Antwayn Hopper - The Hero You Want to Root For

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Star of TV’s Will Trent and Broadway’s A Strange Loop comes back to Behind the Awards to chat about his splash into TV and his dreams for the future.

Also in this episode - Kieran Culkin’s 2025 Oscar win for A Real Pain

Antwayn Hopper is a two-time Obie Award-winning actor, singer, and performer known for his work in stage, film, and television. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, Hopper was part of the original cast of the Tony Award-winning A Strange Loop (#6, Inwood Daddy) with NY Times' praising his powerful performance and was nominated for a 2024 Audelco Award for his portrayal of Macavity in CATS: The Jellicle Ball (PAC). In 2023, he was honored with the Edie Windsor LGBT Trailblazer Award. Other notable highlights: Memphis in Billy Porter's The Life at New York City Center, which earned a spot in The New York Times '23 Unforgettable Theater Moments of 2022'. In 2024, he was invited by Elvis Costello to perform in A Face In The Crowd at The Gramercy, receiving rave reviews from SPIN Magazine. Hopper's film credits include A Thousand and One (2023 Sundance Grand Jury Prize), with Teyana Taylor. On TV, he appeared as Woodson (recurring) Andre Holland's Asst. in THE KNICK (Cinemax). Last Season, Antwayn played Hakim Saran, the Season's Villain-for FBI(CBS). Currently, he stars as Rafael Wexford on WILL TRENT (ABC).

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#123 - T.R. Knight - The Thrill of Live Theater

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Behind the Awards welcomes back T.R. Knight to deep drive Victor Creel, the magic that goes into creating Stranger Things on Broadway and the struggles with being the father of a demon. T.R. also discusses his beloved roll of George O’Malley on Grey’s Anatomy.

Also in this episode - Lucille Ball at the 25th Emmy Awards & Wicked For Good Trailer.

T.R. Knight’s Broadway credits include A Life in the Theatre, It’s Only A Play, Noises Off and Tartuffe. Off-Broadway credits include The Merchant of Venice, Pocatello, Romeo and Juliet, and Scattergood, for which he received a Drama Desk nomination. Other theater credits include Parade at the Mark Taper and Amadeus at the Guthrie. His television credits include The Flight Attendant Genius: Picasso, Genius: Einstein, Stephen King’s 11.22.63, and The Comey Rule. He received an Emmy nomination for his work on Grey’s Anatomy. Film credits include 42 and Forge.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#122 - Dominique Kelley - A Fast & Furious Choreographer

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Choreographer Dominique Kelley chats with Behind the Awards about his hit Broadway Debut with Great Gatsby which is now playing around the world and is a viral sensation. Dominique discusses Dancing with Stars, working with Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Usher and Beyonce as well as being the youngest dancer at 15 on the tour of Bring in da Noise Bring in da Funk with George C Wolfe.

Also in this episode - Trammel Tillman’s 2025 Emmy win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Severance, plus Eila & Bruce chat about the 2025 Emmy Awards.

Dominique Kelley, originally from Bridgeport, CT, is a powerhouse choreographer in the world of musical theater, television, live performance, sports entertainment and beyond, boasting 30+ years of industry experience. An avid tap dancer and percussionist, Dominique tries to fuse rhythm patterns with classical movement to create a visual and aural experience in many contrasting genres of dance movement.'

"Black and Blue" was his first Broadway tour at age 13, and then “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk national tour at 15, and ever since he has had a love of performing, choreographing, and movement coaching. At the ripe old age of 16, he co-choreographed his first musical named “Wild Women Blues” in Germany starring the incomparable, Linda Hopkins. This two-time Henry Award and two-time Broadway World Award winner later choreographed the illustrious Oklahoma! (DCPA), the world premiere of “Rattlesnake Kate” (DCPA), “Indecent” (DCPA) , “Priscilla: Queen of the Desert”(ZACH), “Singin’ in The Rain”(ZACH), “Ain’t Misbehavin” (ERT) (Rubicon) and “Sophisticated Ladies”(ZACH).

Taking his love of musical theater and commercial dance, he has also created movement for movies such as Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog”, “Jump The Broom”, and “Gone With the Bullets”, China’s first ever 3D blockbuster film. He has also done movement coaching for such icons as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Holiday, Joaquin Phoenix, Serena Williams, Queen Latifah, Ne-Yo, Stephanie Mills, and Chris Martin.

“Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special”, “Dancing with the Stars”, “So You Think You Can Dance”, “Perry Mason”, “Come Dance with Me”, “Alter Ego”, “I Can See Your Voice”, “Flirty Dancing”, “The Masked Singer”, “American Music Awards” and “Bar Rescue” are a few of the television shows he has lent his artistic talents to.

No stranger to stage and live performance, he has collaborated with recording artists such as Beyonce’, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Usher, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, P!nk, Camila Cabello, Gwen Stefani, Taylor Swift, FKA Twigs, Miley Cyrus, Frank Ocean, Nelly, Cee Lo Green, B.o.B, and Flo Rida,. Not leaving out sports entertainment, he has choreographed for the NFL’s Pro Bowl Game for 16 years and has been one of the main choreographers for such sports teams as the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angles Chargers, Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, New York City Knicks, Boston Celtics, LA Clippers, and various cheer and dance teams around the country. Dominique’s goal and endeavor is to bring movement and dance artistry to every facet of the entertainment industry.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#121 - Donald Webber Jr. - From Teacher to Broadway Star

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Broadway & TV Star Donald Webber Jr. joins Behind the Awards on heels of closing Glengarry Glenross in which he starred with Bob Odenkirk, Kieran Culkin, Bill Burr and Michael McKean. This past season he also starred in Our Town and appeared on the Apple TV show Severance. He also tells us about how a random “what are you doing this weekend” from his friend Leslie Odom Jr led him to Berry Gordy’s house and Motown the Musical.

Also in this episode - Cristin Milioti’s 2025 Emmy win for Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie for The Penguin and a review of Punch.

DONALD WEBBER JR. Broadway: Our Town as ‘Simon Stimson’, Purlie Victorious, Hamilton, Motown: the Musical (OBC), and Holler If Ya Hear Me (OBC). TV/Film: “Severance” (2 Seasons on AppleTV+), “The Punisher” (Netflix), “The WIZ: Live!” (NBC), “Da Bronx U.S.A.” (Music in Media Nomination & Oscar ‘Best Song’ shortlist), “Killing Me Softly With His Song” (Music in Media Nomination). OTHER STAGE CREDITS: The Preacher’s Wife (Alliance Theatre), Children of Eden (Lincoln Center; Manhattan Concert Productions), the National Tour of Hamilton (‘Aaron Burr’), Jersey Boys, Born For This, Renascence, Whorl Inside A Loop, Bella: An American Tall Tale. University of Southern California, BFA Acting.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#120 - Kevin Zak & Jesse Robb - Ginger Twinsies: No Secret Handshake Required

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Writer/Director Kevin Zak and Tony Nominated Choreographer Jesse Robb stop by Behind the Awards to deep dive all the humor in the Off Broadway trending hit Ginger Twinsies. From The Parent Trap to Devil Wears Parada, to Stomp, to Wicked no-one is left unparodied in this hilarious show!

Also in this episode - Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short at the 2024 Emmy Awards and Time Square Proposed Casino.

Kevin Zak - Originally from Buffalo, Kevin has made his career in NYC working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and in television.

He is the writer and director of the Off-Broadway hit comedy GINGER TWINSIES, now playing at the Orpheum Theatre through October 25, 2025. He is also providing additional material for Rob Lake Magic with Special Guests The Muppets playing the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway beginning October 28th, 2025. (omg the Muppets!)

He’s been involved either as an actor or creative on such productions as Death Becomes Her, Waitress, Clinton the Musical (Lucille Lortel Nom.), and Silence! The Musical (Off-Bway and 2024 UK production). He is also writing the book for the musical adaptation of The NY Times best-selling memoir Running With Scissors, by Augusten Burroughs. Other projects include A Kidman Carol, A Gay Dementia on Australian Dames (writer/director) and Little Fucking Women (adapted from the Louisa May Alcott classic). Currently, Kevin is developing television pilots with Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Victor Quinaz, and Tim Federle.

Jesse Robb - Jesse is a Tony Award nominated and Chita Rivera Award winning choreographer and movement director based in New York City. An honors graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Jesse’s resume covers a wide variety of work including Broadway, Cirque Du Soleil, Disney, Cameron Macintosh, Mirvish Productions, Momix, Prime Video, RWS Entertainment Group, Opera Philadelphia and Turner Classic Movies.

On Broadway, Jesse is the co-choreographer (alongside Shana Carroll) for the new musical Water For Elephants. The production is directed by two time Tony Award nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo) and was nominated for 7 TONY Awards including BEST MUSICAL. Jesse and Shana received Tony Award, Drama Desk, and OCC nominations for their work as well as the Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Choreography. “Gorgeously Imaginative” - Jesse Green, The NY Times. The production launches its North American Tour in the Fall of 2025.

Currently, Jesse is the Movement Director for the North American touring, West End, Japanese, and South Korean companies of Les Miserables.

Jesse was the Associate Choreographer for the Tony-Nominated Revival of Miss Saigon and The Cher Show. For Saigon, he staged the performance on the Tony Awards Broadcast and remounted the show for the subsequent North American tour and Vienna company. Jesse was also a long time associate to the Tony winning legend Bob Avian.

Regionally, Jesse has worked at The Alliance Theater (Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Choreography), The MUNY, The Stratford Festival of Canada, Theatre Calgary, Ogunquit Playhouse, The 5th Avenue Theatre, The Ordway, The Cape Playhouse, and The Berkshire Theatre Festival among others.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#119 - Sean Allan Krill - Chess Master

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Grammy Winner Sean Allan Krill comes back to Behind the Awards to discuss his role in anticipated revival in Chess on Broadway. Sean also shares his upcoming movie Song Sung Blue starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, his Tony Bennet concert in Chicago Sept 15th & 16th as well last seasons hit Floyd Collins.

Get tickets for Sean's Concert here - https://www.marriotttheatre.com/show/the-best-is-yet-to-come-sean-allan-krill-sings-tony-bennett

Also in this episode - Gary Beach Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for The Producers in 2001.

Sean Allan Krill is an American actor who has appeared in film and television, on Broadway, off-Broadway, and at prestigious regional theaters across the country. He studied acting at Wayne State University, where he received the Lily Tomlin Scholarship for Theatre. Sean was nominated for a 2020 Tony Award for his role as Steve Healy in Jagged Little Pill, and the original cast recording of the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical was the recipient of the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Sean is also a Carbonell and Leon Rabin Award nominee, and a Joseph Jefferson and Craig Noel Award recipient.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#118 - Ted Lange - Footnote Historian

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Actor, Playwright, and Director Ted Lange steps off The Love Boat to chat with Behind the Awards about his play Lady Patriot starring former castmates Fred Grandy & Jill Whelan.

Also in this episode - Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Ann Hathaway’s Devil Wears Prada reunion at the 2024 SAG Awards.

TED LANGE (Playwright / Director) personifies the Renaissance Man Theatre Award received from the NAACP. A graduate of London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Lange’s career has gained worldwide recognition as a gifted actor of stage and screen, revered director, and prolific writer. Lange has penned twenty-seven plays including, his historical trilogy, George Washington’s Boy, The Journals of Osborne P. Anderson, and Lady Patriot. Other plays include Four Queens - No Trump, a comedy which played to rave reviews and won NAACP Best Play 1997, The Cause My Soul won the NAACP Best Play 2017, Lemon Meringue Façade, produced off Broadway in New York, Behind the Mask, Lange’s one-man show on the life of Paul Laurence Dunbar, which toured nationwide, and Born a Unicorn, a musical about Ira Aldridge. Lange garnered worldwide fame for his portrayal of Isaac from the Love Boat.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#117 - Douglas Carter Beane - Adjectives, Revivals and Finding Dorothy Parker

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Award winner Douglas Carter Beane stops by Behind the Awards to chat about his new Play Finding Dorothy Parker at The Laurie Beechman Theatre Featuring: Julie Halson, Ann Harada, Jackie Hoffman, and Anika Larsen Douglas also talks about Too Wong Foo…, The Nance, and upcoming revivals of Xanadu and The Little Dog Laughed.

Get tickets to Finding Dorothy Parker at https://www.thebeechman.com/

DOUGLAS CARTER BEANE’s (Compiled by / Director) credits include Lysistrata Jones, Sister Act, Xanadu (Tony Nom., Drama Desk Best Book, Outer Critics Circle Best Musical), and Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. Plays: The Little Dog Laughed (Tony Nom., Olivier Nom. GLAAD Media Best Play), As Bees In Honey Drown (Outer Critics Circle), Mr. & Mrs. Fitch, Music From a Sparkling Planet, The Country Club, Advice From a Caterpillar, The Cartells, Fairycakes and The Nance. Revues: White Lies, Mondo Drama. Screenplays: To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar; Advice From a Caterpillar. He is married to Lewis Flinn and is the proud father of Cooper and Gaby.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#116 - Gerianne Perez - She’s Got You Covered!

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Gerianne Perez might have the hardest job on Broadway, understudying 3 out of the 5 roles in Operation Mincemeat on Broadway. Gerianne tells us about the endurance needed to take on this show, after the marathon of performing in Six the Musical.

Also in this show Julianna Margulies 1995 Emmy win for ER.

Gerianne Perez is a powerhouse performer known for her soaring vocals, emotional depth, and commanding stage presence. A proud New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent, she has built a dynamic career spanning Broadway and several national tours.
She made her Broadway debut in the groundbreaking a cappella musical In Transit and went on to appear in Waitress, where her vocal strength and heartfelt performance left a lasting mark. Most recently, she is standing by for the tour de force role of Montagu in the U.S. premiere of the West End hit Operation Mincemeat, earning praise for her comedic brilliance and versatility in one of the most buzzed-about new musicals of the season.
Her national tour credits include Vocalosity, Waitress, and the original U.S. Boleyn Tour company of SIX, where she originated the role of Catherine of Aragon. Gerianne has also worked extensively in regional theatre, bringing warmth, wit, and vocal fire to both classic and contemporary roles.

An alumna of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Gerianne is also a passionate advocate for representation in the arts and a frequent collaborator on new works that spotlight bold, diverse voices. Whether leading a musical or championing new stories, she continues to be a vibrant force in american theatre.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#115 - Claybourne Elder & Celia Kennan-Bolger - The Gilded Age Season 3 Recap

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Gilded Age Stars Celia Keenan-Bolger (Mrs. Bruce) & Claybourne Elder (John Adams) stop by Behind the Awards to do a deep dive on Season 3. Behind The Scenes of John Adams death, Mrs. Bruce’s mystery husband, a mole in the Russell House, Oscar and John Adams Love story, unrequited love and so much more!

Also in this episode - Claybourne Elder’s upcoming studio album and his non-profit City of Stranger. https://www.cityofstrangers.org/

Celia Keenan-Bolger and the American Theater Wing’s Gavin Creel Fellowship. - Text GAVIN to 44321 to support The Gavin Creel Fellowships and Learn More

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#114 - PJ Adzima - Living his NYC Dream and will sleep later

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Book of Mormon star and Stage Time creator PJ Adzima joins Behind the Awards for a chat. Not only did PJ give us the low down on the Book of Mormon but he also discussed the evolution and current state of State Time. Stage Time is a hybrid of Vaudeville meet Johnny Carson meet Drag meets Magic and celebrates NYC nightlife as only the city that never sleeps can.

Also in this episode - Sean Hayes & Kristin Chenoweth at the 2010 Tony Awards. Ariana DeBoise set to kick off the 2025/2026 Classic Stage Company Season with a production of The Baker’s Wife.

PJ Adzima is a New York based actor and comedian currently playing Elder McKinley in The Book of Mormon on Broadway. He is the creator and host of STAGE TIME with PJ Adzima, the hit downtown variety show that unites the best of New York City nightlife.

Select credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon), Girls5Eva (Peacock), Madam Secretary (CBS), The Good Fight (Paramount+), FBI: Most Wanted (CBS), Girl Haunts Boy (Netflix), The Wake by John Patrick Shanley, The Tycoons! at RAVE Theater Festival (Winner: Outstanding Performance), Volleygirls and The Cobalteans at NYMF, The Bacchae at La Mama, and GUNS: A Cabaret under director Liz Swados. PJ is a Story Pirate and Co/Lab Supporting Artist and can be seen next in the upcoming theatrical release of The Kiss of the Spider Woman starring Jennifer Lopez.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#113 - Montego Glover - Montego’s Turn!

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Tony Nominee Montego Glover joins Behind the Awards to deep dive on her approach to Mama Rose in Gypsy. Montego also gives us the scoop on Memphis, Into the Woods and working with George C Wolfe and Audra McDonald. Catch Montego in Gypsy at The Majestic Theater.

Also in this episode - Christine Ebersole, John Tartaglia and Rod present the 2006 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

Montego Glover is an award-winning actress in theatre, film, and television. Born in Macon, Georgia and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Montego is a graduate of Florida State University with a BFA in Music Theatre. She made her Broadway debut in the original Broadway production of The Color Purple in the roles of Celie & Nettie.

She created the role of Felicia Farrell in the Broadway hit musical Memphis and received a Tony Award Nomination for Lead Actress in a Musical as well as a Drama League Nomination and won both the Outer Critics’ Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award for her performance. Montego won a second Drama Desk Award (Outstanding Ensemble) for her critically acclaimed run as Nina in the New York debut of The Royale at Lincoln Center Theater. And a special Outer Critics’ Circle Honor for the role of Ovetta in All The Natalie Portmans, a new play produced by MCC Theater making its New York debut.

She created the role of Annie Shepard in the new musical comedy It Shoulda Been You, starred in the most recent Broadway revival of Les Misérables as Fantine, and Angelica Schuyler in the Chicago Company of Hamilton.

Montego enjoyed a thrilling run as The Witch in the smash hit revival of Into The Woods on Broadway as well as its Selected Engagements across the US. Followed by a Sold Out evening of Gershwin at Carnegie Hall with the illustrious New York Pops entitled “Jazz, Love & Gershwin: A Century of Rhapsody In Blue”.

Currently, Montego is Alternating the role of Mama Rose with Audra McDonald in the award winning & critically acclaimed Broadway revival of Gypsy.

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#112 - Benjamin Pajak - Leading the Next Generation of Broadway

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Broadway and Film Star Benjamin Pajak joined Behind the Awards to chat about his experience starring in The Music Man alongside Hugh Jackman & Sutton Foster, playing Oliver at New York City Center. Next up for Benjamin are the films The Life of Chuck with Tom Hiddleston & Mark Hamill, Playdate starring Kevin James & Alan Ritchson, and Tiny Fugitives with Johnny Knoxville. Benjamin also shares what it’s like to do a workshop of a new musical (The Lost Boys). He also tells up about his first job in a Super Bowl Commercial which aired as his favorite team played.

Also in this episode - Review of Ginger Twinsies now playing at The Orpheum.

From an early age, Benjamin and his mom attended artistic productions throughout the tri-state area. Benjamin says that he loved the music, the costumes, the lights - all aspects of performing - from a very young age. He credits this early exposure to wanting to be a part of the arts, in whatever form possible.

Benjamin made his Broadway debut in The Music Man on Broadway, with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, for which he received The Theater World Award (2022).

He next played the iconic role of Oliver, in New York City Center’s Encores! production of Oliver!. Working with Broadway superstars such as Raúl Esparza and Lilli Cooper, Benjamin was able to take on his first lead in the Broadway community.

Benjamin can be heard on the official recording of Figaro, A New Musical, by Ashley Jana and Will Nunziata, which is currently in development for a West End opening. Benjamin loves creating new characters through his voiceover and podcast work, featured on Apple TV+ and Netflix. He can also be heard on the Original Cast Recording for The Music Man.

Benjamin is so grateful to have learned many valuable lessons from his inspirational and creative teachers, both in the classroom and in the professional world. They have helped foster a discipline and love for his craft that he hopes will direct him in whatever comes his way. Please enjoy learning more about Benjamin and following his journey through his site!

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#111 - Immediate Family - Live with Phylicia Rashad, Paul Oakley Stovall and the cast of Immediate Family

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Tony Winner Phylicia Rashad Directs the Pre Broadway run of Paul Oakley Stovall’s Immediate Family. This run will take place at the Blumenthal Arts Center from July 29th through August. Immediate Features Christina Sajous, Elijah Jones, Freddie Fulton, Britney Coleman, Andy Mientus, Kai Almeda Heath with Costumes by Colleen Morris-Glennon.

Get your tickets at - https://www.blumenthalarts.org/

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#110 - Douglas Lyons - Writing to Heal the Heart

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Playwright and Actor Douglas Lyons joins Behind the Awards to chat about his current off Broadway hit Beau and previous works such as Chicken and Biscuits, Table 17 and Parade with Michael Arden.

Also on this episode - Lilly Tomlin’s 1974 Emmy win for Outstanding Comedy & Variety Special.

Douglas Lyons is a 2X Emmy nominated multi-hyphenate artist. As a writer, he earned a GLAAD nomination for his Broadway playwriting debut, Chicken and Biscuits, which was the 2nd most produced play in America in 2022-23. His most recent play, Table 17, which premiered Off-Broadway at MCC Theater, was deemed a New York Times Critics’ Pick and won two 2024 Audelco Awards for Best Playwright and Outstanding Ensemble. Douglas served as a writer on both seasons of Apple TV's “Fraggle Rock.” His Broadway acting credits include The Book of Mormon, plus the Original Casts of Beautifuland the Tony Award winning Broadway revival of Parade. Tour credits include Rent, Dreamgirls and The Book of Mormon. As a composer-lyricist, his music and lyrics have been featured on Nickelodeon, BET Plus, Apple TV, CBS's Sunday Morning Show, Audible and more. His other written stage works include Don't Touch My Hair (IAMA Theatre Company), Polkadots (Off Broadway Alliance Winner Best Family Show, Atlantic Theater Company), Beau (Adirondack Theatre Festival), the world premiere of Five Points (Theater Latté Da) and more. He is currently developing television with Sky Dance and Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort. @DouglasSings IG: @Chocolatehipster

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#109 - J Savage - Smashing Broadway

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

J Savage joins Behind the Awards to chat about Smash from Audition to Closing, Understudying Buddy the Elf in Elf the Musical, and turbulence that was part of his Broadway Debut in Bad Cinderella.

Also in this episode - Harvey Fierstein’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Tony Award. Plus Joy the Musical.

J Savage, also known as Jonathan, is an NYC based artist and outdoorsman most recently seen in SMASH on Broadway, just down the street from the Marquis theatre where he recently was in the ensemble and was first cover for Buddy in the Broadway revival of Elf: The Musical

Also a singer/songwriter, Jonathan took his pandemic experience and wrote his critically acclaimed one man show, Farewell to the West. Three months into quarantine, he bought a one way ticket West, got a camper van and moved to Yellowstone National Park to teach preschool to the rangers' kids. He fell in love with a true mountain man who taught him how to climb, ski, ride horses and live a full mountain life. With 11 original songs he dives deep into the emotional and physical tug-of-war of his two major yet conflicting passions: the outdoors and musical theatre. The show was see at both Feinstein’s/54 Below and The Green Room 42 last year.

After a year and a half away in the mountains, Jonathan moved back to New York City in August of 2021 on his 25th birthday. It was that day be promised himself that if he would come back to pursue his dreams, then he was going to do two things this year: his first solo backpack trip and book Broadway. A year later both those dreams came true. Within the same week, he did his first solo backpack in Yosemite and auditioned for Bad Cinderella on Broadway.

After making his Broadway debut in 2022, J spent most of 2023 in what he likes to call his New World Stages Residency, performing in both A Sign of the Times and Empire: The Musical (Ethan O'Dowd).

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#108 - Rupert Holmes - Escape with Pirates

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Tony Award Winning Writer/Composer stops by Behind the Awards to discuss adapting Pirates into the Jazz age as as his other hits such as The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Curtains….Don’t forget the Pina Colada Song.

Also in this episode - Catherine Zeta Jone’s 2010 Tony win for A Little Night Music and Chess Revival finds a home at The Imperial Theater. Plus new music and workshop from the Broadway bound Wanted featuring Solea Pfeiffer, Liisi LaFontaine, and Will Swenson.

Rupert Holmes is a 2023 New York Times bestselling author and was the first individual to singly win Tony awards for book, music, and lyrics, this for The Mystery of Edwin Drood, which also won the Tony for Best Musical. The Drama Desk awarded him the identical honors plus Best Orchestration. He is a recipient of the Bergeret Living Legend award from The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, ASCAP’s George M. Cohan Award, and an honorary doctorate from The Manhattan School of Music. Additional Broadway & LORT include: Say Goodnight Gracie (Tony Nomination, Best Play); Curtains (Drama Desk award, Best Book, Tony nominations Best Book, Best Add’l Lyrics); Accomplice (Edgar Award, Mystery Writers of America); Roundabout Theatre’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2013 Tony nomination, Best Revival), the current All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg; The Nutty Professor (libretto by Holmes, music by Marvin Hamlisch), and The Picture of Dorian Gray (music and libretto by Holmes, The British Museum). He created and wrote all four seasons of the acclaimed AMC period dramedy Remember WENN; contributed songs to the Golden Globe-winning score of A Star is Born; wrote, arranged and conducted platinum recordings by Barbra Streisand as well as his own Billboard top ten hits. He dedicates his work on Pirates to his brother Richard, a fixture of The Met and NYGASP, who as a boy steeped him in the entire Gilbert and Sullivan canon.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#107 - Lea & Drew Lachey - Breaking Boundaries

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Husband/Wife creative team Lea & Drew Lachey visit Behind the Awards to discuss their Original Theatrical Experience Label-less which recently enjoyed an Off-Broadway run at Theater Row. Drew brings his 98 Degrees & Broadway (Rent & Spamalot) experience to this one of a kind show coupled with the storytelling of Lea’s choreography.

Also in this episode - 2010 Tony Awards with Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane.

Drew Lachey - Drew Lachey's an accomplished singer, dancer and actor. Drew first rose to prominence as a member of the Motown pop group 98 Degrees. The group recorded four successful albums and sold more than nine million records worldwide. Drew made his Broadway debut playing the role of Mark Cohen in Rent. His latest Broadway credits include the role of Patsy in Monty Python’s Spamalot and Corny Collins in Hairspray with the PCLO. Drew became a household name when he took home the infamous mirror ball trophy on Dancing with the Stars (season-two champion, season-five co-host) and later took his dancing talents on the road with 3 North American tours of Dancing with the Stars and was asked to come back and be apart of the All-Star season. Drew also hosted the primetime ABC show Dance War with Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, The Miss USA Pageant, HGTV's $250,000 Challenge and America Sings for GMC. After a decade break 98 Degrees is back together and recently toured with NKOTB and Boyz II Men on the "Package Tour", "My2K Tour" and the "98 Degrees at Christmas" tours in the fall of 2017 and 2018. Drew also starred in UPTV's "Guess Who's Coming to Christmas" and A&E's "Lachey's Bar". Drew also consults with the Cincinnati Film Commission on films being produced around Cincinnati.

Lea Lachey was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH and began working professionally at 11 on the "King and I" National Tour. After being awarded a full dance scholarship to Marymount Manhattan College in NYC she went on to work with the world renowned Radio City Music Hall Rockettes as a dancer and assistant choreographer. Whether it is doing “Singing in the Rain” with the Santa Barbara CLO, the Disney NYC World Premiere of Hercules or the Missy Elliott video for “I Can’t Stand the Rain” Lea has always taken pride in being a versatile dancer and expects the same from her students. Lea's choreography credits include 98 Degrees (Today Show, Good Morning America, Mtv, VH1, Miss Teen USA, NFL ProBowl and NBA All-star game). Her live stage credits include the Nickelodeon ‘All That” Tour, 98 Degrees “Heat It Up” Tour, 98 Degrees “Revelation” World Tour and Creative Director for Jessica Simpson’s “Reality” Tour. Lea is currently Co-Director of the School for Creative and Performing Arts Musical Theater program and co artistic director of Lachey Productions which is bridging the gap between student and professional performer. Her work was showcased in the Exhale Dance Tribe shows "Love Letters" and "Rapture" at the Aronoff which included Lachey Arts performers. Lea's choreography was on display this past summer on the US national My2K tour as well as in 2013 with 98 Degrees as part of the NKOTB, 98 Degrees, Boyz II Men "Package Tour". Over the last several years, Lea has had the honor of working as choreographer and dance consultant on multiple films. "Carol" staring Academy Award winning actress Cate Blanchett and Kyle Chandler, "Miles Ahead" starring Golden Globe winning actor Don Cheadle and Emayatzy Corinealdi and A Christmas Melody directed by and starring Grammy winner Mariah Carey and Lacey Chabert. You can also catch her as a guest DJ on Q102.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#106 - David Rothenberg - Manhattan Mayhem

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 07:01:00 -0000

Broadway Publisist, Activist and Radio Host David Rothenberg joined behind the awards to discuss his legendary life, career and his new book Manhattan Mayhem. David dishes about working with Bette Davis, Lauren Becall, Linda Lavin, Stephen Sondheim and his one time encounter with Joan Crawford. David has also been a witness to history and tells us about what I was like being part of the Attica riots and starting the Fortune Society with $32.

Also in this episode - Stuart Zagnit & Harrison Bryan join us to give the low down on BALLS: The Monster-Catchin' Musical Comédy

Promo Code BATTLE at https://www.ballsmusical.com/

Follow their socials for more!

@ballsmusical
@stuzagnit
@hahaharrisonbryan

@caveatnyc

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#105 - Antwayn Hopper & Zeniba Now - Theater Friends

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Off the heels of their duet at Maestrea Amplify 2025 Antwayn Hopper & Zeniba Now come to Behind the Awards to talk about working together on The Loophole at The Public Theater as well as their upcoming projects. Antwayn can be seen on ABC’s Will Trent Season Three and Zeniba’s show Take the Lead which she did Music & Lyrics for had its World Premier at The Paper Mill Playhouse. Also a recording artist Zeniba’s music can be found on Spotify.

Also in this episode - Francis Jue’s 2025 Tony Win for Yellow Face plus Eila’s trip the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival to see The Matchmaker.

Zeniba Now is a Richard Rodgers, Jonathan Larson, Vivace, and Thom Thomas Award-winning writer, recording artist, comedian, actress, and educator, named a 2024 Woman to Watch on Broadway. She co-wrote and starred in Beloved, filmed live at The Public Theater for #BARS (created by Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal) and later featured on PBS’s The Great American Read. She also co-wrote and starred in The Loophole in The Public Theater’s Public Studio; the show later headlined The Passing the Mic Intergenerational Hip Hop Festival, whose former headliners include Janelle Monáe. Her co-written musical Take the Lead premieres at Paper Mill Playhouse in spring 2025, directed by Tony Award-winner Christopher Gattelli. Zeniba co-wrote the audio collection Human Resources, which played Woolly Mammoth and St. Louis Rep. She is currently co-writing music and lyrics for a new musical with Tony Award-winner Tom Kitt for Disney Theatrical Productions. As a recording artist, Zeniba spans genres—from the meditative debut EP Wholly Chill to zany bops like “Stay on the Line,” produced by Teddy Roxpin, which holds the highest possible honor: two babies laughed for the first time while listening to it! Recently, she contributed vocals and voice acting to a new project in development with Disney Animation.

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#104 - Joe Rosko - Built for the Stage

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Founder and Fitness Coach to the theater community Joe Rosko joins Behind the Awards to chat about his journey with Fitness and Performing. Joe shares Fitness tips and also give some of his favorite performance in the most recent seasons.

Also in this episode - Celia Keenan-Bolger’s 2025 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award and her start of the Gavin Creel Fellowship with the help of Sara Bareilles, Catherine Brunell and in partnership with The American Theater Wing.

https://americantheatrewing.org/program/the-gavin-creel-fellowships/

Joe Rosko began his professional career as a trainer and actor at the exact same time in 2007. Since then, it has been his mission to build a bridge between the worlds of fitness and theatre. Rosko believed that actors were truly professional athletes but didn’t feel as though the theatre community was equipped with the proper resources to train like said athletes. This realization led to the creation of “Built for the Stage.” Over the years, BFTS has had clients represented in over fifty Broadway shows, as well as stages on the West End in London, Australia, and other countries around the world. Rosko prides himself in having the unique abilities to continue a performer’s fitness progress while in the midst of being in or out of a show. All professional athletes train a certain way while in season or out of season, and with actors it’s no different. Actors are athletes, and thus, they should train like one. @builtforthestage

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#103 - Lena Hall - Wants to do it all…and she does!

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Tony Winner Lena Hall joins Behind the Awards to chat about her new series on Apple TV Your Friends and Neighbors. Lena shares her experience working with Jon Hamm and playing his sister. Lena tells us her Tony nomination/win story for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Your Friends and Neighbors is now streaming as well Lena’s Your Friends and Neighbors EP.

Also on this episode - Kecia Lewis's 2024 Tony Win for Hell's Kitchen. NY City Center Encores announces its 2025-2026 Season; Bat Boy The Musical, Directed by Tony Winner Alex Timbers; High Spirits, Directed by Jessica Stone; The Wild Party, Directed by Lili-Anne Brown; and La Cage Aux Folles starring Emmy, Grammy and Tony Winner Billy Porter, Directed by Robert O’Hara.

Lena plays “Ali Cooper” the younger sister of “Coop” played by Jon Hamm. We come to find out she is a singer / songwriter who has had some mental health issues regarding a past relationship and is trying to start over again both in life and in music. Lena’s character gets to perform throughout the episodes, performing original material that Lena wrote, as well as covers of Radiohead, The Thompson Twins and more. She will be releasing an EP and album of her music from the show. Add in the Tony Award winning / Grammy nominated rock and roll voice and fans new and old are very excited. Previously, Lena starred on AMC’s Snowpiercer for 4 seasons opposite Jennifer Connolly after winning the Tony Award for co-starring in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway opposite Neil Patrick Harris. She originated the role of Nicola in the Broadway musical Kinky Boots Her other Broadway credits include Cats, 42nd Street, Dracula, the Musical and Tarzan, the Musical. Hall has also starred in Off-Broadway productions such as Radiant Baby, Bedbugs!!!, Rooms: A Rock Romance, The Toxic Avenger, Prometheus Bound, Chix6, Little Shop of Horrors, and the 2017 original play How to Transcend a Happy Marriage.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#102 - Wendi McLendon-Covey - Is Playing Doctor

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

The hilarious Wendi McLendon-Covey joins Behind the Awards to give us a prescription for laughter with her series St. Denis Medical. Wendi shares what it’s like to work with such veterans as David Alan Grier, George Segal and Allison Tolman. From Bridesmaids to Reno 911 to The Goldbergs Wendi proves time and time again that she is a master of comedy. Season 1 is currently streaming on Peacock.

Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce recap the 2025 Tony Awards with their expert Matt Stashin. From Cynthia Erivo hosting, to wins for Cole Escola, Nicole Scherzinger and Celia Keenan-Bolger to the fashion of the night with looks from Jonathan Groff, Jasmin Amy Rogers, Audra McDonald and Julianne Hough Behind the Awards has you covered!

Actor, comedian and producer Wendi McLendon-Covey has been captivating audiences throughout her career. She recently concluded an impressive 10-season run starring on ABC's "The Goldbergs," a milestone marked by two Critic's Choice nominations. Notably, at the time of its conclusion, "The Goldbergs" stood as the longest-running network comedy currently on-air. Wendi has now transitioned on to her next series endeavor: "St. Denis Medical", a new workplace comedy on NBC and Peacock which has just earned a Critic's Choice nomination.

Wendi is a veteran of over 40 movies, including studio films such as "Bridesmaids," "What Men Want, and "Blended," as well as indie/festival films such as "Hello, My Name is Doris," "Blush," and "Paint."

She has emerged in recent years as a rising star in the animation field. She voices Disney's "Big City Greens" the series and the film "Big City Greens: The Movie Spacecation". She also voiced 'Gale' in Disney Pixar's Oscar-nominated film "Elemental" and 'Chief Patsy Stamos' on "Grimsburg" on FOX, Other animation credits include "Bob's Burgers," "M.O.D.O.K.," and "Solar Opposites."

True comedy fans will recognize Wendi from her role as 'Deputy Clementine Johnson' in the cult classic "Reno 911," a mockumentary about law enforcement. Her other television work includes appearances on "Modern Family," "Rules of Engagement," "The Office," and Netflix's "Unstable." Wendi also hosted HGTV's TV special "Frozen in Design," streaming on MAX.
Wendi got her start at the world-famous Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles, where she excelled at both improv and sketch comedy. Wendi is deeply dedicated to making a positive impact through her philanthropic efforts. As a longtime supporter of the Long Beach Women's Shelter, PETA and Foster Nation, she consistently advocates for these meaningful causes.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#101 - Carrie Preston - Stealing Scenes and Solving Crimes

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 07:01:00 -0000

Emmy Winner Carrie Preston joins Behind the Awards to chat about her career and starring in the CBS hit Elsbeth which was just renewed for a 3rd Season. Carrie takes us into Elsbeth’s world including her fashion, quirks and creating a Columbo for a new generation. Carrie also discusses the evolution of the character from The Good Wife to The Good Fight to now.

Also in this episode - S. Epatha Merkerson Emmy Win for Lackawanna Blues

and Julianna Margulies, “The Rivals,” “Antony and Cleopatra” with Vanessa Redgrave, and playing Mia Farrow’s daughter in James Lapine’s “Fran’s Bed.”

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#100 - Robert Horn - Getting Shucked in London

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Tony winner Robert Horn takes a rehearsal break to share all he has going on across the pond. From Shucked to Disney’s Hercules Robert is taking London by storm. Robert takes us back to the start of his career as a TV writer on Designing Women and Living Single, which opened the door for his Broadway dreams.

Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce celebrate their 100th episode! Plus Pen Pals starring Nancy McKeon coming back to NY and will be running at DR2 Theater August 15, 2025, through November 23, 2025.

Two-time Tony® Award nominee and Tony Winner, Two-time Drama Desk nominee and Drama Desk winner, two time Outer Critics Circle Award winner, and NY Drama Critics' Circle award winner.

Theatre: Shucked, Tootsie, 13, Hercules, Lone Star Love, Dame Edna and Moonshine The Musical.

He has written, created, or executive produced such iconic TV series as Designing Women, High Society, Living Single and Partners; had overall production deals at Warner Bros., Sony and ABC studios; wrote events as Bette Midler's Divine Intervention Tour and the BBC's RuPaul's Christmas Ball. Films include the mega Disney franchise Teen Beach Movie, Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure, Disney's Wildlife, Good Advice and the Netflix film 13: The Musical, named one of Variety's top ten movies of 2022.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#99 - Kip Williams - The Wizardry of Dorian Gray

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Tony Nominee Writer/Director joins Behind the Awards to discuss the creation of The Picture of Dorian Gray alongside Sarah Snook. Kip shares how his vision married technology and art to create Oscar Wilde’s novel for this generation.

Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce discuss the announcement of Darren Criss and Renee Else Goldsberry as the hosts of The Tony Awards streaming on PlutoTV at 6:40pmEST, Sunday June 8th. As well as Montego Glover taking over the role of Rose for 8 performances in Gypsy from Monday June 30th - Sunday July 6th while Audra McDonald is on vacation.

Kip Williams is a multi-award winning writer and director of theatre, opera and screen, who has revolutionised the stage with his ‘cine-theatre’ productions. His hugely critically acclaimed gothic trilogy of The Picture of Dorian Gray, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, and Dracula has been seen to date by a global audience of over 350,000 people and has brought him international acclaim, with The Economist calling his work “the future of theatre” and The New Yorker hailing Williams “an Australian megatalent exploring the cutting edge of video onstage”. Following its sold-out run in the West End in early 2024, Williams’ adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray opened on Broadway at The Music Box in March 2025 to huge acclaim, with Sarah Snook reprising her Olivier Award winning performance. The production was nominated for six Tony Awards, including Williams who is nominated for the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play, along with nominations for Outstaning Director of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards and Outstanding Direction of a Play at the Drama League Awards.
Williams’ professional career began with Sydney Theatre Company (STC), Australia’s largest theatre company, when in 2012 he was appointed STC’s Directing Associate by then Artistic Directors Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton. He was subsequently made Resident Director from 2013-2016, and in November 2016, Williams was appointed Sydney Theatre Company’s seventh Artistic Director & Co-CEO, a role in which he served for eight years. His appointment, at the age of 30, made him the youngest Artistic Director in the company’s history. During his celebrated tenure, Williams transformed the company’s production of new writing, with over two thirds of the 101 shows he programmed written by Australian writers, whilst also achieving gender parity for writers and directors across all seasons for the first time in the company’s history.
In addition to STC, Williams has directed for many of Australia’s leading theatre companies and festivals, including Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC), Malthouse Theatre, Adelaide Festival, Perth Festival, and Melbourne’s RISING Festival, as well as internationally for Auckland Arts Festival, Princeton Summer Theatre, Michael Cassel Group, Kindred Partners, Theatre Royal Haymarket in the West End, and The Music Box on Broadway. Williams’ will direct his adaptation of Dracula at the Noel Coward Theatre in the West End, starring screen and stage virtuoso Cynthia Erivo playing all 23 roles.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#98 - 2025 Tony Bonus #5

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Eila & Bruce bring you the fifth and final installment of their 2025 Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Best Musical, Best Play, Scenic Design of a Musical, Lead Actor of a Musical, Lead Actress of a Musical.

Audra McDonald, Megan Hilty, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Simard, Darren Criss, Andrew Durand, Tom Francis, Jonathan Groff, James Monroe Iglehart, Jeremy Jordan, Rachel Hauck, Dane Laffrey, George Reeve, Derek McLane, Buena Vista Social Club, Dead Outlaw, Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, Operation Mincemeat, English, The Hills of California, John Proctor is the Villain, Oh, Mary!, Purpose, Swept Away, Just in Time, Sunset Boulevard, A Wonderful World, Floyd, Collins, Gypsy, Boop! The Musical

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#97 - Ben Stanton - Lighting Up Broadway

Fri, 30 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

5 time Tony Nominee Ben Stanton stops by Behind the Awards to share his process on lighting such shows as Maybe Happy Ending, The Notebook and Spring Awakening. Ben goes into detail about the innovative tech that went into Maybe Happy Ending and his collaboration with the video design.

Also in this episode - 2026 Broadway Season announcements are in full swing. Revivals of Ragtime, Chess and Mamma Mia lead the way.

Ben is a lighting designer for theater, concerts, dance, installations, and events. He is a four-time Tony Award nominee as well as an Obie, Lortel, IRNE, and Ovation Award winner. Ben is currently represented on Broadway by Maybe Happy Ending at the Belasco Theater. Recent Broadway credits include The Notebook (the Schoenfeld Theater) Mary Jane (starring Rachel McAdams), Days of Wine and Roses (Starring Kelli O'Hara & Brian Darcy James), Goodnight, Oscar (starring Sean Hayes); The Collaboration (Starring Paul Bettany & Jeremy Pope); Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (Featuring Jefferson Mays); The Rose Tattoo (starring Marisa Tomei); Derren Brown: Secret (James Earl Jones Theater); Regina Spektor: Live On Broadway (Lunt-Fontanne Theater); Ayad Akhtar’s Junk (Lincoln Center); Six Degrees of Separation (starring Allison Janney, Corey Hawkins, and John Benjamin Hickey); Deaf West Theater’s Spring Awakening (Lena Horne Theater); Fully Committed (starring Jesse Tyler Ferguson); and Fun Home (Broadway, Off-Broadway, 1st National Tour, London).

Ben has designed concerts and tours for recording artists including Beirut, Ben Platt, Iron and Wine, The National, Regina Spektor, Sufjan Stevens, and St. Vincent, and has collaborated on several large-scale concert/theater hybrid performances including Road Trip featuring Bang On A Can All-Stars (BAM Opera House / Ford Theater, LA), Reconfiguration – An Evening with Other Lives (BAM Opera House), Planetarium featuring Bryce Dessner, Nico Mulhy, & Sufjan Stevens (BAM Opera House / Disney Concert Hall, LA / Sydney Opera House), and Black Mountain Songs featuring Bryce Dessner, Richard Reed Parry, & the Brooklyn Youth Chorus (BAM Harvey Theater / Barbican, London).

Ben serves as an Assistant Professor at Brooklyn College where he teaches lighting design and programming, and he’s the founder and principal designer at Stanton Collaborative, a full-service design firm specializing in concerts, events, and art installations. Ben graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with degrees in theater and jazz performance. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner, the projection designer Lucy Mackinnon, and their two children.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#96 - Caesar Samayoa - Takes Us Back to the Copa

Wed, 28 May 2025 07:01:00 -0000

Just in Time’s Caesar Samayao visited Behind the Awards to discuss his multiple roles in the show including the legendary Don Kurshnier. Caesar recounts his time creating his track in Come From Away, The Pee Wee Herman Show and How to Dance to Ohio.

Also in this episode - Real Women Have Curves Tony Nominee Benjamin Velez comes back to Behind the Awards to share what the process has been like since BroadwayCon when they were just getting into the theater to rehearse and put the show together to where we are now.

Caesar Samayoa most recently starred as Dr. Emilio Amigo in How to Dance in Ohio on Broadway. Original Broadway Companies include Come from Away (Kevin J./Ali), Sister Act (Pablo), The Pee Wee Herman Show, Hot Feet. Off-Broadway/Regional: Evita (Perón - A.R.T./STC), Los Otros (Carlos - A.R.T./New York), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Don Armado - The Delacorte Theater), Bernstein’s Mass (Carnegie Hall), Seared (Harry - Capital Rep). Other: Yale Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, Goodspeed Musicals, Tectonic Theater Project, Seattle Rep. Film/TV: Come from Away (Apple TV+), “FBI” (CBS), “Ray Donovan” (Showtime), “The Blacklist” (NBC). Awards: 2022 HOLA José Ferrer Tespis Award, 2024 Harold Prince Award (Third St Gala). CaesarSamayoa.com @CaesarSamayoa

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#95 - Emily Bergl - Just in Time

Wed, 28 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Emily Bergl takes a break from Just in Time: The Bobby Darin Musical to break down the two characters she originates in the show. Emily gives us the low down of working with Jonathan Groff as well as working on such TV Series as; The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Shameless, Desperate Housewives and Gilmore Girls.

Also in this episode - Tony Nominated Just in Time Orchestrators Andrew Resnick & Michael Thurber join Behind the Awards to discuss creating the environment that is a Jonathan Groff/Bobby Darin Concert at the Copa.

Emily Bergl is a unique actress among her peers, known for her ability to transform from role to role. With versatility across genres, she has had a flourishing career in television, film and theater. As a young actress understudying on Broadway, Emily was chosen from a nationwide casting call to play the lead in The Rage: Carrie 2, her very first job on camera. Wary of being typecast as a scream queen, she returned to the theater to play Juliet opposite Neil Patrick Harris, then starred in The Lion in Winter on Broadway opposite Laurence Fishburne and Stockard Channing. Emily’s roles on television are so transformative, she is often unrecognizable from one character to the next: Alex Borstein’s ditzy, resourceful sister in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” a hardnosed investigator on “Mindhunter,” and a gun-toting, trailer park Chicago mother in “Shameless.” On “Desperate Housewives,” she shocked audiences as the suicidal housewife Beth Young. Other regular television roles include “You,” “Dirty John,” “The Knick,” “American Crime,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Scandal,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Southland,” “Men in Trees,” and “Gilmore Girls.” True to her original roots, Emily has combined a thriving television career with equally diverse roles in the theater. She recently starred on Broadway opposite Sean Hayes in Good Night, Oscar, for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Other Broadway appearances include The Ferryman, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof opposite Scarlett Johansson, and A Touch of the Poet opposite Gabriel Byrne. Off-Broadway she has starred in Shakespeare in the Park, and has originated roles in new works by Gina Gionfriddo, Christopher Shinn, and Wendy Wasserstein. She has played iconic parts in classic dramas from Molière to Thornton Wilder at Lincoln Center, the Roundabout Theatre Company, and the Williamstown Theatre Festival, among others. Perhaps the most unique aspect of Emily’s career is that she has reinvented herself as a cabaret singer. She has played the premier nightclubs across the country from Cafe Carlyle to Yoshi’s and made the last album to be recorded in the Oak Room, “Emily Bergl: Live at the Algonquin.” She can also be seen in the upcoming film The History of Sound, starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#94 - 2025 Tony Bonus #4

Mon, 26 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Eila & Bruce bring you the fourth installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Director of a Musical, Costume Design of a Musical, Lead Actress of a Play, Lead Actor of a Play, Lighting Design of a Play, and Revival of a Musical.

Laura Donnelly, Mia Farrow, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Sadie Sink, Sarah Snook, George Clooney, Cole Escola, Jon Michael Hill, Daniel Day Kim, Harry Lennix, Louis McCartney, Saheem Ali, Michael Arden, David Cromer, Christopher Gattelli, Jamie Lloyd, Dede Ayite, Gregg Barnes, Clint Ramos, Paul Tazewell, Catherine Zuber, David Bengali, Heather Gilbert, Natasha Chivers, Jon Clark, Natasha Katz, Hannah Wasileski, Nick Schlieper, Floyd Collins, Gypsy, Pirates! The Penzance Musical, Sunset Boulevard, The Hills of California, The Roomate, Purpose, John Proctor is the Villain, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Good Night and Good Luck, Oh, Mary!, Yellow Face, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Buena Vista Social Club, Maybe Happy Ending, Dead Outlaw, Death Becomes Her, Boop! The Musical, Just in Time

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#93 - Burke Swanson - Playing Detective at The Marquis

Fri, 23 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Burke Swanson visited Behind the Awards to give us the low down on his show Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Burke shares his first hand experience in the creation of the magical theater experience and what it is like to step into the shoes of James Hopper Jr.

Also in this episode - Tony Nominated Sound Designer Dan Moses Schreier gives Behind the Awards a glimpse into what it takes to create the environment that is Floyd Collins at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center.

Burke made his Broadway debut, immediately following his graduation from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), when he originated the role of “Jack” in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s revival of Tennessee Williams’ The Rose Tattoo, which opened in October 2019. He most recently wrapped up the First National Tour of Back to the Future: The Musical where he starred as “George McFly”. He is now returning to Broadway as James Hopper Jr in Stranger Things: The First Shadow.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#92 - Joy Woods - Let Her Entertain You!

Wed, 21 May 2025 07:01:00 -0000

Tony Nominee Joy Woods stops by Behind the Awards to talk about playing Louise in Gypsy alongside Audra McDonald. Danny Burstein, and her Notebook co-star Jordan Tyson. Joy shares her way into the title role through Director George C Wolfe’s stories during rehearsal and her meteoric rise from Little Shop to Six to being a Tony Nominee.

Also in this episode - Millie Shapiro and Keri Rene Fuller from Last Bimbo of the Apocalypse now running at The New Group join us to give listeners a looking into the show and their characters.

Joy Woods originated the role of Middle Allie in The Notebook on Broadway as well as at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and received The Joseph Jefferson Award for Performer in a Supporting Role – Musical for her performance. Previously, Woods made her Broadway debut as Catherine Parr in Six: The Musical. In 2023, Woods starred as Martha Mills in the Off-Broadway revival of I Can Get it For You Wholesale. The production won the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Revival of a Musical. Woods made her Off-Broadway debut in 2019, originating the role of Chiffon in the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors. She then returned to the show in 2023 as Audrey. Woods resides in New York and graduated from the AMDA College of the Performing Arts.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#91 - Jasmine Amy Rogers - Bringing Betty Boop to Life

Wed, 21 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Tony Nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers joins behind the Awards to give a deep dive into Boop The Musical where she is making her Broadway Debut. Jasmine also shares the process of working with Jerry Mitchell on the workshop and then into the out of town as well as working with David Foster.

Also in this episode - Octavia Spencer’s 2012 Oscar win for The Help

Jasmine, in her acclaimed Broadway debut, has earned nominations for the Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, Drama League Awards, and Chita Rivera Awards — and winning a Theatre World Award. She originated the role of Betty Boop in the pre-Broadway Chicago run. Additional credits include Anita in Jelly’s Last Jam (Pasadena Playhouse), Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls (National Tour), Melody Green in The Wanderer (Paper Mill Playhouse), and Francis in Becoming Nancy (Alliance Theatre). A Jimmy Awards finalist, she studied musical theater at the Manhattan School of Music.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#90 - 2025 Tony Bonus #3

Mon, 19 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Natalie Venetia Belcon, Julia Knitel, Gracie Lawrence, Justina Machado, Joy Woods, Will Aronson, Hue Park, David Cumming Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, Zoe Roberts, Itamar Moses, Marco Pennette, Marco Ramirez, David Bergman, Marg Horwell, Miriam Buether, 59 Productions, Marsha Ginsberg, Rob Howell, Scott Pask, Jonathan Deans, Adam Fisher, Peter Hylenski, Dan Moses Schreier, Buena Vista Social Club, Dead Outlaw, Just in Time, Real Women Have Curves, Gypsy, Maybe Happy Ending, Operation Mincemeat, Death Becomes Her, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, English, The Hills of California, Good Night and Good Luck, Sunset Boulevard, Floyd Collins, Eureka Day, Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Romeo & Juliet, Yellow Face

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#89 - Marco Pennette - Has Always Been Broadway Bound!

Fri, 16 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Death Becomes Her Writer Marco Pennette joins Behind the Awards to chat about making his Broadway Debut in this musical comedy. From his TV work on such shows as Ugly Betty, Caroline in the City, and Kate & Allie to being Hal Prince’s intern Marco has stories for days including the touching relationship he had with Linda Lavin. Death Becomes Her stated 8 years ago with the help of his friend Kristin Chenoweth.

Also in this episode - Isabelle Sanford’s Emmy Win and a review of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#88 - Francis Jue - A Serious Comedy

Wed, 14 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

2 time Lortel Winner Francis Jue dropped by Behind the Awards to chat about his role in Yellow Face and working with David Henry Wong. Francis shares his 20 year journey with the piece as well as storing in the tour of M Butterfly and The King and I at The MUNY. Catch Yellow Face on PBS May 16th 2025.

Also in this episode - Lady Gaga’s 2019 Oscar win for Best Song Shallow from A Star is Born. Review of Pirates! A Penzance Musical.

Francis Jue earned Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards for the NYC debut of Yellow Face at the Public Theater. Broadway: Pacific Overtures, Thoroughly Modern Millie, M. Butterfly. Recent theatre credits include Cambodian Rock Band (Lortel Award), Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, Once Upon a Mattress, Babbitt, Good Enemy, Soft Power (Outer Critics Circle Award), Wild Goose Dreams (Obie Award). Film/TV includes Our Son, White Noise, Joyful Noise, Madam Secretary, New Amsterdam, Law & Order: SVU, Hightown.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#87 - 2025 Tony Bonus #2

Mon, 12 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Tala Ashe, Jessica Hect, Marjan Neshat, Fina Strazza, Kara Young, Jack Knowles, Tyler Micoleau, Ben Stanton, Rudy Horne Sun, Scott Zielinski, Justin Townsend, Brenda, Abbandandolo, Marg Horwell, Rob Howell, Holly Pierson, Brigitte Reiffenstuel, Erik Della Penna, David Yazbeck, Noel Carey, Julia Mattison, Will Aronson, Hue Park, David Cumming, Natasha Hodgson, Zoe Roberts, Joy Huerta, Benjamin Valez, Knud Adams, Sam Mendes, Sam Pinkleton, Danya Taymor, Kip Williams, English, Eureka Day, John Proctor is the Villain, Purpose, Sunset Boulevard, Buena Vista Social Club, Maybe Happy Ending, Floyd Collins, Death Becomes Her, Good Night and Good Luck, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Hills of California, Oh Mary!, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Dead Outlaw, Operation Mincemeat, Real Women Have Curves.

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#86 - Operation Mincemeat - Takes Over Broadway!

Fri, 09 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

The cast of Operation Mincemeat joins Behind the Awards to do a deep dive of the musical from inception to Broadway. David Cumming, Claire-Marie Hall, Natasha Hodgson, Jak Malone, and Zoe Roberts give us the behind the scenes secrets of the show. Staring at The Fringe to Oliver Award winning run on the West End this show gives the audience a history lesson of World War II in the most physical comedy way possible.

Also in this episode - Harriet Harris 2002 Tony Win for Thoroughly Modern Millie and a review of Just in Time starring Jonathan Groff.

The year is 1943 and right now we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse.

Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II.

Bursting at the seams with the kind of chaos you couldn’t invent, the question is: how did a dead body, a fake love letter, and - of all people - Ian Fleming come together to wrong-foot Hitler?

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#85 - Natalie Venetia Belcon - Concurs Candela

Wed, 07 May 2025 07:01:00 -0000

Natalie Venetia Belcon brings her Lortel Winning performance of Omara to the Schoenfeld Theater. Buena Vista Social Club has the 2025 Broadway season a flurry and Behind the Awards gets the scoop for the star. Natalie Venetia Belcon also is known for creating the role of Gary Coleman in the Tony Winning Avenue Q.

Also in this episode- Andrea Martin’s 1993 Tony win for My Favorite Year and Real Women Have Curves show stopping preview experience.

Natalie Venetia Belcon won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical for portraying the legendary Omara Portuondo in the one of a kind Buena Vista Social Club and to have been nominated for a Drama Desk Award. Broadway: Matilda (Mrs. Phelps), Avenue Q (original cast as Gary Coleman), Rent (Joanne). Off-Broadway: Ahrens and Flaherty’s The Glorious Ones at Lincoln Center. National Tour: Wicked (Madame Morrible). Regional: Ahrens and Flaherty’s new musical, Knoxville (adapted by Frank Galati) at AsoloRepertory Theatre, Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Belcon has had recurring and guest starring roles on a number of TV shows and featured roles in a few films. PBS Great Performances: Play On!

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#84 - Camille A Brown - Choreographer/Dancer/Dancing Queen

Wed, 07 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Tony Nominated Director/Choreographer Camille A Brown stops by Behind the Awards to discuss Gypsy, Hells Kitchen, For Colored Girls and her journey to Broadway.

Also in this episode - Bebe Neuwirth 1997 Tony win for her portrayal of Velma Kelly in Chicago and a review of Purpose

Four Time Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown, currently nominated for her choreography in Hells Kitchen on Broadway, is a prolific Black female choreographer who in 2022, made her Broadway directorial debut for the Broadway revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, making her the first Black woman to direct and choreograph a Broadway play since Katherine Dunham in 1955. The production received seven Tony Award nominations including Best Direction of a Play and Best Choreography for Brown. The New York Times proclaimed the production “triumphant.” The same season, at The Metropolitan Opera, Camille became the first Black artist to direct a mainstage production, co-directing alongside James Robinson on Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones (2021), which she also choreographed. Fire was triumphantly brought back to the MET again this 2024 spring season. Camille also choreographed Porgy & Bess in 2020 and Terence Blanchard’s Champion, which premiered April 2023, both at The MET Opera. Camille made her Broadway choreography debut with the critically acclaimed revival of Once on This Island, followed by Choir Boy for MTC. She continues to be the artistic director and choreographer for her own company, Camille A Brown and Dancers and this summer will premiere a new piece, the highly anticipated “I AM” at Jacobs Pillow. Most recently, Brown won the Chita Rivera Award for outstanding choreography and earned a Drama Desk nomination and her fourth Tony Award nomination for her choreography of the Broadway hit, Hell’s Kitchen, the new Alicia Keys musical which has garnered 13 Tony Award nominations.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#83 - 2025 Tony Bonus #1

Mon, 05 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Glenn Davis, Gabriel Ebert, Francis Jue, Bob Odenkirk, Conrad Ricamore, Brooks Ashmanskas, Jeb Brown, Danny Burstein, Jak Malone, Taylor Trench, Joshua Bergasse, Camille A Brown, Patrica Delgado, Justin Peck, Christopher Gattelli, Jerry Mitchell, Will Aronson, Bruce Coughlin, David Cullen, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Marco Paguia, Andrew Resnick, Michael Thurber, Paul Arditti, Palmer Heffernan, Daniel Kluger, Nick Powell, Clemence Williams, Smash, Gypsy, Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, Boop! The Musical, Maybe Happy Ending, Floyd Collins, Sunset Boulevard, Just in Time, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, John Proctor is the Villain, Good Night and Good Luck, The Hills of California, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Purpose, Yellow Face, Glengarry Glen Ross, Oh Mary!, Dead Outlaw, Operation Mincemeat

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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#82 - Fabian Aloise - Is Ready for His Close Up!

Fri, 02 May 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Sunset Blvd Choreographer Fabian Aloise joins us from backstage at Drury Lane Theater where he is currently working on Much Ado About Nothing with Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell to give us the low down on putting the show on its feet. Fabian breaks down the shows viral TikTok stroll through Shubert Alley. Fabian gives us the close up on working with Nicole Scherziger and collaboration with Director Jamie Lloyd.

Also in this episode - Julie White 2007 Tony win for The Little Dog Laughed and a review of Floyd Collins.

Fabian Aloise - Two-time Olivier nominee for Sunset Blvd. (West End) and Evita (Regents Park). Previous: In Dreams (UK and Toronto), The SpongeBob Musical (London, U.K. and Ireland tour), Cabaret (Paris Lido2), Bring It On (London, U.K. tour), Our House (U.K. tour), Madagascar (UK/global), Wicked (Hamburg). Also London: The View Upstairs, The Rink, Working. Co-director/ choreographer: Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder (West End).

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠.

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#81 - Julia Knitel - Broadway Sleuth

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Dead Outlaw star Julia Knitel gives Behind the Awards a deep dive into all things Dead Outlaw, plus her experience playing Louise in Gypsy with Beth Level and Carol King in Beautiful.

Also in this episode - Katie Finneran 2010 Tony win for Promises Promises and a review of Good Night and Good Luck

Julie Knitel - Broadway: Beautiful, Bye Bye Birdie. Tour: Beautiful (Carole King), Come From Away (Janice). Off-Broadway: Dead Outlaw (OCC nom), A Letter to Harvey Milk (Lortel nom), Panic of ‘29. Regional: Carole King in Beautiful at Asolo Rep, Cape Playhouse (Gertrude Lawrence Award), & Theatre Aspen (Henry nom). Louise in Gypsy at The Muny (St. Louis Theatre Circle nom), Martha in The Constant Wife(Denver Center), Ulla in The Producers (Casa Mañana), Nora in Brighton Beach Memoirs (Portland Stage). TV/film: “The Other Two,” Miles.

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠.

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#80 - Behind the Awards Plays Tony Nominator!

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Behind the Awards welcomes back their resident awards expert Matt Stashin to play Tony Nominator before the actual nominations are announced.

Also in this episode - The World Premier of Cheap Seats from the Theatrical Experience Label-Less created by Lea & Drew Lachey and performed by Diana Hutchinson. This single can be found anywhere you download music with the full Album available May 1st!

Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠.

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#79 - Zhailon Levingston - Living the Life He Dreamed.com

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Director and Creator Zhailon Levingston joins Behind the Awards to share his vision for the upcoming Wonderful Town at New York City Center Encores. Zhailon also talks about Cats: The Jellicle Ball and the future of the show and his collaboration with Playwright Douglas Lyons.

Link to Wonderful Town Tickets - https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2024-2025/wonderful-town/

Also in this episode - Christine Ebersole 2007 Tony Win for Grey Gardens. Review of Stranger Things on Broadway.

Zhailon Levingston is a Louisiana-raised storyteller, director, and activist. He is a Board Member for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, which he co-created, and teaches the Theatre of Change course at Columbia University.

He is a Music Mentor Fellow and has done work with Idina Menzel’s A Broader Way Foundation. His directing credits include: Neptune (Dixon Place, Brooklyn Museum), The Years That Went Wrong (Lark, MCC), The Exonerated (Columbia Law School), Chariot Part 2 (Soho Rep., for The Movement Theatre Company), Mother of Pearl (LaGuardia Performing Arts Center). He is the associate director of Primer for a Failed Superpower with Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, and Runaways at The Public Theater with Sam Pinkleton. Most recently, he directed Chicken & Biscuits which premiered on Broadway in 2021 and Patience which premiered at Second Stage UPTOWN Summer of 2022. Zhailon is also the former resident director at Tina: The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway and the associate director of Hadestown in South Korea.

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#78 - Tala Ashe - Legend of Tomorrow

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Tala Ashe unpacks her Lortel Nominated performance as Elham in Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize winning Play English at The Roundabout Theater. Tala also compares this to her work on Legends of Tomorrow and Smash.

Also in this episode - Heather Headley's 2000 Tony win for Best Actress in a Musical for Disney's Aida plus Dead Outlaw Review.

Tala Ashe received a Best Actress Drama Desk Award nomination for her performance in English, Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama at the Atlantic Theater Company and will reprise her role for the Broadway transfer in 2025. For five years, Tala was a series regular on DC'S Legends of Tomorrow playing “Zari Tomaz,” the first Muslim-American superhero on television. Her other TV work includes the upcoming Girls on the Bus for HBO Max, recurring stints on Smash and American Odyssey both for NBC, as well as a host of guest starring roles. Tala has worked at numerous Off-Broadway and regional theaters including: The Atlantic Theater, The Public Theater, Playwrights Horizons, LCT3, The Old Globe, and OSF.

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#77 - Beth Leavel - Our New Old Friend

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Tony Winner Beth Leavel pays a visit to Behind the Awards to chat all things Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends. Beth talks about working with Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga and what to expect at the Samuel J Friedman theater. Beth also talk about working on The Prom. Drowsy Chaperone and Gypsy. She also gives an answer to the burning question do you go the Yankee game or see Angela Lansbury in Mame when you visit NYC at age 11.

Also in this episode Angela Lansbury Tony win for Blithe Spirit and a review of Boop!

Beth Leavel is a Tony Award-winning stage and screen actor, who was last seen on Broadway as The Baroness in Lempicka.

For her performance as the title character in The Drowsy Chaperone, she received Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and LA Drama Critics Awards. She also received Tony, New York Outer Critics Circle and other nominations for her roles as Dee Dee Allen in The Prom and Florence Greenberg in Baby, It’s You.

On Broadway, Beth also originated the roles of June Adams in Bandstand, Emily in Elf, Mrs. Bixby in The Civil War and Tess in Crazy For You. Other Broadway credits include Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Dorothy Brock in the revival of 42nd Street, Ellie in Hal Prince’s Show Boat, and Anytime Annie (her Broadway debut) in 42nd Street.

Other New York credits include starring as Lucille in the New York City Center Encores! production of No, No, Nanette, as well as the off-Broadway productions of Lone Star Love and Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays.

Regionally, Beth has performed some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre – from Mama Rose in Gypsy at The Muny and Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly at Cape Playhouse and The Muny, to Sally Adams in Call Me Madam at the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, the Witch in Into the Woods at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and Miss Hannigan in Annie at the Paper Mill Playhouse.

She also starred as Miranda Priestly in the Chicago premiere of the new musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada, directed by Anna Shapiro and featuring music by Sir Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub and a book by Kate Wetherhead.

Beth has dazzled and delighted sold-out audiences with her cabaret act, which she has taken from 54 Below in New York City to other venues across the United States.

You might also recognize Beth from numerous commercials and TV shows/films, including Ghosts of Christmas Always, The Bite, Walking Dead: World Beyond and the final episode of ER.

She holds an MFA and an honorary PhD from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.

Of all the roles she has played, on stage and off, Beth is most proud of being T.J. and Sam’s mom. She is helplessly in love with her husband, Adam Heller, and grateful to their cat, Malcolm, for keeping her sane over the past few crazy years!

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#76 - Charles Kirsch & Brad Oscar - Coco at 54 Below

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Teenage Producer/Director Charles Kirsch & Tony Nominee Brad Oscar stop by to talk about their upcoming concert version of the musical Coco. We also discuss Brad’s current run as the Wizard in Wicked and Apple TV Hit turned musical Schmigadoon.

Also in this episode - Nora Ephron presents Meryl Streep with a Lifetime Achievement Award and a review of John Proctor is the Villain

54 SINGS COCO BY ALAN JAY LERNER AND ANDRÉ PREVIN

APRIL 14, 2025

This performance will also be livestreamed. For tickets and more information, click here.

A 4-time Oscar winning star in her first Broadway role. The man who wrote My Fair Lady and Gigi. The choreographer of A Chorus Line. All of these legends came together to create the 1969 Broadway musical Coco, which tells the story of the iconic fashion designer Coco Chanel. An all-star cast of beloved Broadway divas will give the score a rare New York hearing in this one-time-only concert at 54 Below. So get out your favorite dresses from “Orbach’s, Bloomingdale’s, Best, and Saks” and let “The Money Ring Out Like Freedom” as you buy tickets to an evening that’s sure to be anything but a “Fiasco.” The evening will be produced and directed by Charles Kirsch, the host of the podcast Backstage Babble, and musically directed by Michael Lavine.

Featuring:

Tony Award® nominee Christine Andreas (My Fair Lady)

Steven Brinberg (Funny Girl)

Paula Leggett Chase (Tootsie)

Britney Coleman (Company)

Tony Award® nominee Josie De Guzman (Guys and Dolls)

Ali Ewoldt (The Phantom of the Opera)

Sara Gettelfinger (Water for Elephants)

Adam Grupper (My Fair Lady)

Ben Jones

Jay Aubrey Jones (Cats)

Tony Award® nominee Isabel Keating (The Boy From Oz)

Neal Mayer (Les Misérables)

Tony Award® nominee Brad Oscar (The Producers)

Jean Preece (Coco)

Tony Award® nominee AJ Shively (Bright Star)

Tony Award® nominee Jane Summerhays (Me and My Girl)

Lenny Wolpe (Bullets Over Broadway)

Penny Worth (Chicago)

and more stars to be announced!

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#75 - Rick Elice - Writes Another Broadway Smash!

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Writer Rick Elice joins Behind the Awards days after Smash’s first preview. Years in the making thanks to the Pandemic co-writer Bob Martin and the rest of the creative team, Marc Shaiman, Scott Whitman and Susan Stroman tackle the hit TV Show with Robyn Hurder and Brooks Ashmanskas leading this musical comedy. Rick also takes us on a trip down memory lane sharing how he go into Broadway via Advertising for such shows as Cats and A Chorus Line. We were so lucky that Rick shared this story of meeting his husband Roger Rees which lead to their 35 year relationship.

Also in this episode - Nelson Aspen talks about his new book Kindred Spirits and his life long obsession with the Titanic.

Rick Elice is a four-time Tony Award nominee. His work can currently be seen on Broadway in Water for Elephants, for which he was a 2024 Tony Award nominee for Best Book of a Musical. Jersey Boys, Rick’s first Broadway credit, co-authored with Marshall Brickman, won the Tony Award, the Grammy Award and the Olivier Award for Best Musical, and entered the record books as the twelfth longest-running show in Broadway history. With Marshall Brickman and Andrew Lippa, he wrote The Addams Family, starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. For the past eight years, The Addams Family has topped the list of the most-licensed musicals in North America. Rick’s first play, Peter and the Starcatcher, won five 2012 Tony Awards. For the past seven years, the play has been among the top ten most-produced plays in North America. Also for Broadway, Rick wrote the two-time Tony-winning The Cher Show, directed by Jason Moore. In addition to Smash, Rick is teaming with Tony Award-winner Bob Martin on The Princess Bride. In the pipeline: Silver Linings Playbook, a musical adaptation of the popular film, directed by Jessica Stone; The Marvels, a musical adaptation of the popular novel, directed by Rebecca Taichman; Harold and the Purple Crayon, an adult adaptation of the iconic children’s book with music and lyrics by indie pop band AJR, directed by Maria Friedman; and, with 2021 Ed Kleban Award-winner Benjamin Scheuer, Treasure, an original musical about the rivalry between Charles Darwin and Peter Roget, love, death, madness, and the creation of Roget’s Thesaurus. From 1982-1999, Rick was Creative Director at Serino Coyne Inc, the prominent theatrical advertising agency, where he created and produced ad campaigns for more than 300 Broadway shows, from A Chorus Line to The Lion King. From 1999-2009, Rick served as first-ever creative consultant for The Walt Disney Studio. Charter Member, American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, Mass. Trustee, The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors’ Fund). BA, Cornell University. MFA, Yale School of Drama. Teaching Fellow, Harvard University, 1980-81. Rick’s book, Finding Roger, An Improbably Theatrical Love Story, a tribute to his late husband, Roger Rees, is published by Kingswell.

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#74 - Norm Lewis - Is Having a Full Circle Moment!

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Stage and Screen Star Norm Lewis drops by to give us an early look into his upcoming show Ceremonies In Dark Old Men at St Clements Theater. Norm also recounts his time with A Soldiers Play, Les Miserables and working with Billy Porter on Pose.

Link for tickets -https://www.thepeccadillo.com/

Also in this episode - Joe Morton Emmy Win. Review of The Last 5 Years.

Emmy, Tony, and SAG Award nominee, NORM LEWIS (Russell Parker) was recently seen onstage starring in the national tour of the Tony Award-winning production of A Soldier's Play and in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End Concert of Love Never Dies. He starred in Spike Lee's critically acclaimed, "Da 5 Bloods," and in the groundbreaking FX series, Pose. Additionally, Mr. Lewis can be seen starring opposite Hilary Swank in the feature "The Good Mother," Amazon Prime's newest series, Swarm, and Hulu's, Up Here. He was also seen as 'Caiaphas' in the award-winning NBC television special, “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert!,” alongside John Legend, Sara Bareilles, and Alice Cooper. Mr. Lewis returned to Broadway in the Fall of 2021, starring in Chicken and Biscuits at the Circle In The Square Theatre. He previously appeared in the Broadway revival of Once on This Island and as Sweeney Todd in the Off-Broadway production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Barrow Street Theatre, receiving the AUDELCO Award for his performance. In May of 2014, he made history as The Phantom of the Opera’s first African American Phantom on Broadway. He has been seen on PBS in the Live From Lincoln Center productions of Showboat with Vanessa Williams, Norm Lewis: Who Am I?, New Year’s Eve: A Gershwin Celebration with Diane Reeves, as well as American Voices with Renée Fleming and the PBS Specials First You Dream – The Music of Kander & Ebb and Ella Wishes You A Swingin' Christmas. He can be seen recurring in the VH1 series, Daytime Divas, also alongside Vanessa Williams. His additional television credits include Women of The Movement, Law & Order, Dr. Death, Mrs. America, Better Things, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Bull, Chicago Med, Gotham, The Blacklist, and Blue Bloods, as well as in his recurring role as Senator Edison Davis on the hit drama Scandal. Mr. Lewis is a proud, founding member of Black Theatre United, an organization which stands together to help protect Black people, Black talent and Black lives of all shapes and orientations in theatre and communities across the country. He received Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle award nominations for his performance as Porgy in the Broadway production of The Gershwins’ Porgy & Bess. Other Broadway credits include Sondheim on Sondheim, The Little Mermaid, Les Misérables, Chicago, Amour, The Wild Party, Side Show, Miss Saigon, and The Who’s Tommy. In London’s West End he has appeared as Javert in Les Misérables and Les Misérables: The 25th Anniversary Concert, which aired on PBS. Off-Broadway Mr. Lewis has performed in Dessa Rose (Drama Desk nomination, AUDELCO Award), Shakespeare in the Park’s The Tempest, The Two Gentlemen of Verona (Drama League nomination), Captains Courageous, and A New Brain. His regional credits include Porgy in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess (A.R.T.), Ragtime, Dreamgirls (with Jennifer Holliday), First You Dream, Sweeney Todd, and The Fantasticks. His additional film credits include Christmas In Tune (starring opposite Reba McEntire), Magnum Opus, Winter’s Tale, Sex and the City 2, Confidences, and Preaching to the Choir. Norm's albums "The Norm Lewis Christmas Album" & "This is The Life" can be found on Amazon.com as well as cdbaby.com.

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#73 - Ione Skye - Say Everything

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Boom Box Icon Ione Skye stops by Behind the Awards to discuss her new book Say Everything and the movie that made famous Say Anything. Ione is brutally honest as she discusses her life, career, famous father and romances with Jon Cusack, Keanu Reeves, Anthony Kiedis.

Also in this episode - Tina Fey Emmy Win. Review of Lea & Drew Lachey’s Label-less.

Ione Skye made her film debut opposite Keanu Reeves in River’s Edge, followed by her iconic role as Diane Court in Say Anything. Skye has appeared in other notable film and television projects including Zodiac, Wayne’s World, Fever Pitch, Arrested Development, Camping, Good Girls, Beef, and much more. In addition to acting, Skye is a painter who has exhibited and sold her work for twenty-five years. She is the author of the children’s book, My Yiddish Vacation, and cohost of the weekly podcast Weirder Together. Ione is the mother of two daughters and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, and collaborator, the musician Ben Lee.

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#72 - Carra Patterson - Arresting in Elsbeth

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Carra Patterson dropped in to talk about Elsbeth and what it’s like to be on a network series in 2025. Carra also revels what it was like originating a role in the August Wilson Play Jitney and being directed by George C Wolfe. Listen as Carra talks about working with co-stars Carrie Preston & Wendell Pierce, plus her take on Self-Tape Auditions.

Also in this episode - Martin Sheen 2001 Golden Globe win for West Wing and Operation Mincemeat Review.

Carra Patterson was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. She graduated from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. She made her big screen debut appearing in an supporting role in the 2010 romantic comedy-drama film, Why Did I Get Married Too?.

In 2012 she made her Broadway debut in Manhattan Theatre Club production of Wit starring Cynthia Nixon. She later performed in off-Broadway productions of Luck of the Irish, Significant Other and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark. In 2017 she starred in August Wilson's play Jitney.

Patterson appeared in the biographical drama film Straight Outta Compton directed by F. Gary Gray. On television, she made guest appearances on The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, Elementary and Instinct. She played Josephine Baker in an episode of HBO series, Lovecraft Country. Patterson starred in the Disney+ action comedy series, Turner & Hooch. In 2023, Patterson played civil rights leader Coretta Scott King in the biographical drama film, Rustin directed by George C. Wolfe. Later in 2023 she was cast opposite Carrie Preston in the CBS comedy-drama series, Elsbeth.

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#71 - Constantine Maroulis - Rocking Broadway

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Behind the Awards welcomes Constatine Maroulis to give us the back story about his new immersive show Avalona. We do a deep dive on American Idol, Rock of Ages, Jekyll & Hyde and Jesus Christ Super Star.

Also in this episode - Debbie Allen’s Emmy Award Win, Buena Vista Social Club Review.

CONSTANTINE MAROULIS (he/him) was born in Brooklyn and raised in Jersey. Best known for his Tony Nominated star turn in Rock of Ages on Broadway and as a finalist during the heyday of American Idol with superstar Carrie Underwood. Constantine is a 2x Tony Nominee, 3x Drama League Nominee for Distinguished Performance and is a past recipient of the Broadway.comStar of The Year. Credits include: Frank Wildhorn’s Jekyll & Hyde, The Wedding Singer, Spring Awakening, RENT, Jacques Brel, Jesus Christ Superstar, Postmodern Jukebox, Rocktopia, Williamstown, Eaglemania, Foreigners Journey, Rock and Roll Man and many more. He’s toured extensively with his original music. Recent singles include: Daydream and Comeback. More to come! Training: Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

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#70 - Bill Berloni - Barks! Bows! Broadway!

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Broadway’s premier animal trainer Bill Berloni joins Behind the Awards to chat about his current dogs starring in Gypsy & Left on Tenth. Bill also talks in depth about how he started his career with the original production of Annie. Bill gives us the inside Scoop about working with Naomi Watts for the upcoming Feature Film The Friend.

Also in this episode - Diahann Carroll’s 1972 Tony Award for Lead Actress in a Musical for No Strings. A review of Vape! A Musical Parody

Bill Berloni of William Berloni Theatrical Animals, who serves as the Head Animal Trainer for the Broadway productions “Left on Tenth” starring Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher and “Gypsy” starring Audra McDonald. He currently has 4 dogs on Broadway!!

Bill has 27 Broadway Show Credits to his name from Annie (1977) to The Ferryman (2018).

Bill has over 35 Film credits to his name including THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, ANNIE, CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR, and DISENCHANTED.

Bill Berloni was a 20-year-old apprentice at the Goodspeed Opera House when a producer offered him his big break: a chance to act professionally and gain his Equity Card. In return, all Bill had to do was find and train a dog to play Sandy in the original production of Annie.

Bill found his dog at a local animal shelter – beginning his career-long commitment to using rescued animals. Through a combination of persistence, patience and trial-and-error, he developed his revolutionary humane training techniques – learning how to teach actor and animal alike to create a successful performance. Annie became a huge hit and Sandy became “the longest running dog on Broadway,” never missing a performance in more than seven years.

Since then, Bill and his handlers have provided animals of all species and sizes, found in shelters, humane societies or rescue leagues, for Broadway, off-Broadway, national tours, regional theatres, special events, the New York City Ballet, motion pictures, television and commercials. When their careers are over, the animals return to Bill’s Connecticut farm.

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#69 - Rajiv Jospeh - A Thriller of World Premiere at Manhattan Theater Club

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 07:00:00 -0000

Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph explores his new play Dakar 2000 at Manhattan Theater Club running through March 23rd. Rajiv gives us the backstory on working with Robin Williams to bring Bengal Tiger at the Bagdahd Zoo to Broadway. Rajiv talks about collaborating with esteemed Directors Moisés Kaufman on Bengal Tiger and Kenny Leon on critically acclaimed King James about Rajiv’s hometown of Cleveland and the LeBron James lead Cavaliers.

Also in this episode - Tyne Daly Tony win for Gypsy. Review of Avalona - A Musical Legend

Rajiv Joseph (Broadway: Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo; Off-Broadway: King James at MTC) and Manhattan Theatre Club’s world premiere of his genre-bending new play Dakar 2000.The production begins performances on February 4, 2025; opening night is February 27, 2025.

Since his stage debut nearly 20 years ago, Rajiv’s work has consistently defied traditional classification. Known for weaving together elements of fantasy, surrealism, history, and thriller, Joseph’s off-kilter plays have earned him a Pulitzer Prize nomination (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo), two Obie Awards (Describe the Night, Guards at the Taj), a Lortel Award, and recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts for Outstanding New American Play. A prolific writer for the screen as well as the stage, Joseph’s film and television credits include “Welcome to Chippendales” (Hulu), “Little America” (Apple TV+), “Dear Edward” (Apple TV+), and the feature film Draft Day (starring Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner).

Loosely inspired by Rajiv’s time in the Peace Corps in Senegal on the brink of Y2K,, Dakar 2000 is a serpentine amalgam of espionage, memory play, and romance. The play follows the relationship between Boubs (Abubakr Ali), a young Peace Corps volunteer, and Dina (Mia Barron), an enigmatic State Department operative, as they negotiate what could be the start of a computer-based apocalypse. A pressure-cooker of a two-hander, the boundary between fact and fiction all but disappears as Dina draws Boubs deeper and deeper into the darker side of public service.

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#68 - Kevin Csolak - Tulsa’s a Triple Threat

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Behind the Awards welcomes Kevin Csolak to chat about his scene stealing role as Tulsa in Gypsy. Kevin also shares his experience working with Stephen Spielberg in latest West Side Story film. Listen to hear how the Outsiders manifested Gypsy, and how he leaped into the first day of Mean Girls Rehearsal hours after performing with Justin Timberlake in the Super Bowl.

Also in this episode - Cate Blanchett Best Actress win for Blue Jasmine. Our best moments from the 2025 Oscars including Mikey Madison’s win over Demi Moore, Paul Tazewell’s historic win for Wicked and Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo’s Wicked opening number.

Kevin's artistic journey began in his mother's New Jersey dance studio, leading him to significant roles on Broadway, in major films like Steven Spielberg's West Side Story, and on acclaimed television series such as HBO's Boardwalk Empire. His diverse experiences and dedication to his craft make him a compelling subject for features that explore the intersection of talent, perseverance, and success in the performing arts.

Kevin Csolak starred as Diesel in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. He originated the role of A-Rab in Ivo van Hove’s West Side Story on Broadway, performed in original Broadway casts of Mean Girls and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Recently starred in the Tony Award-winning The Outsiders. World Premieres: Mean Girls, The Prom, PAC’s Watch Night (The Wolf), Cirque du Soleil’s Wintuk (Jamie). Screen credits include Boardwalk Empire, Law & Order, NCIS, Jessica Jones, The Mick, along with a memorable season-long arc on TNT’s Animal Kingdom as Young Pope. Other notable work: Justin Timberlake’s Super Bowl, Hayley Kiyoko, and DojaCat.

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#67 - 2025 Oscar Predications Special

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Behind the Awards is joined by Jiffy Pop Culture’s Frank Liotti and our in house expert Matt Stashin to dish all things Oscar’s. The hottest races include Conclave vs Anora, Demi Moore vs Cynthia Erivo, Timothée Chalamet vs Adrian Brody and much more!

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#66 - Marjan Neshat - English Teacher and Muse

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Marjan Neshat joins Behind the Awards to deep dive into the Pulitzer Prize winning Play at the Roundabout Theater. Marjan shares her pride and excitement of being part of a cast and creative team all making their Broadway Debut at the same time. You can also catch Marjan Guest Starring on The Night Agent now streaming on Netflix.

Also in the this episode - Olivia Coleman’s 2019 Oscar win for The Favourite. SAG Awards Winners including, Conclave, Demi Moore, Timothee Chalamet, Only Murders In the Building, and Martin Short.

Marjan Neshat recently starred in the one-woman thriller Sandra by David Cale at the Vineyard Theater. She led the cast of Sanaz Toossi’s new play Wish You Were Here at Playwrights Horizons, and also starred in Ms. Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play English at the Atlantic Theater, for which she won an Obie Award. She originated the role of “Afiya” in the Pulitzer Prize Finalist play Selling Kabul by Sylvia Khoury at Playwrights Horizons and Williamstown Theater Festival. Other theater includes the Shakespeare in the Park production of Julius Caesar (NYSF), and The Seagull (with Alan Cumming and Dianne Wiest). Marjan’s feature film work includes leading roles in the multi-award-winning film Rockaway as well as in the indie features Almost in Love, Cry Funny Happy and Happy For You. She has played supporting roles in many films, including Robocop, Sex and the City 2, Alfie, and Love-40. Marjan’s TV work includes a recurring role on season 2 of the upcoming hit series The Night Agent (Netflix), New Amsterdam, For Life, Bull, Elementary, Quantico, Law & Order: SVU, and Fringe among others. She is a 2022 recipient of the Sam Norkin Drama Desk Award for her portrayals in Selling Kabul and English in the same season.

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#65 - Rodney Hicks - With Love and Gratitude

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Original Rent cast member Rodney Hicks joins Behind the Awards to recount the creation of the cult phenomenon Rent and his friendship with Jonathon Larson. Fun Fact the OBC still has an active group text. Rodney discusses for the first time ever 1968: An American Love Story, a project that he has been writing for the past 5 years. Rodney shares how Susan Stroman made him a dancer, his battle with Spasmodic Dysphonia and upcoming feature film.

Also in this episode - Julianne Moore 2015 Best Actress win for Still Alice. Review of Idina Menzel’s return to Broadway in Redwood.

Rodney Hicks is a meditator, playwright, and TV/Film/Stage actor. Plays: 1968 an American Love Story (musical); inhale-EXHALE; Just Press Save; FLAME BROILED. or the ugly play(2019 Local Theatre Company premiere/Boulder, CO); Ms. Pearl’s. Broadway actor credits: Come From Away, The Scottsboro Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar, RENT. Film: Mighty Oak (Apple TV, Amazon), Rent: Live on Broadway, The Sleepover (Disney+) TV: Leverage, Grimm, Hope & Faith, Student Affairs (Pilot), Law & Order: CI; NYPD Blue, FOREVER (Netflix series, May 2025)

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#64 - Live from BroadwayCon 2025 - Real Women Have Curves The Musical Early Access

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Behind the Awards was thrilled to participate in BroadwayCon 10 and have Producer Jack Noseworthy & Composer and Lyricist Benjamin Valez on their live panel to discuss the new musical Real Women Have Curves.

Jack Noseworthy is the co-founder of Truworthy Productions along with Tony and Olivier Award-winning Director/Choreographer Sergio Trujillo. His producing career has been bolstered by 33 years as a stage and screen actor. Jack was honored to make his Broadway debut in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, which was followed by Cats, A Chorus Line, Sweet Smell of Success, and the original Toronto company of the international hit, Come From Away.

Benjamin Velez is a composer/lyricist born and raised in Miami, FL. A winner of the Fred Ebb Award, Jonathan Larson Grant, Stephen Schwartz Award, and the Kleban Award, his original musicals include BORDERLINE, which opened the 2019 O'Neill MT Conference. Other credits include KISS MY AZTEC, written with John Leguizamo (Berkeley Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, Hartford Stage), a Public Works musical of THE TEMPEST (The Delacorte Theater), and REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES (ART, and in April, Broadway!).

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#63 - Jen Ponton & Deborah Unger - Maiden, Mother, Crone

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Theater has the power to challenge, connect, and inspire—and that’s exactly what Maiden Mother Crone: A Duet of Solo Plays delivers. This groundbreaking production, featuring Sugarcoated by Jen Ponton and The Longer My Mother is Dead, the More I Like Her by Deborah Unger, invites audiences to explore universal themes of identity, resilience, and transformation through two uniquely personal perspectives.

In Sugarcoated, acclaimed actor and writer Jen Ponton (AMC’s Dietland) delivers a searing, humorous exploration of the polished facade society expects from women. This performance strips away the "sugar" to reveal the raw truths of trauma, survival, and unapologetic self-discovery.

In The Longer My Mother is Dead, the More I Like Her, Deborah Unger crafts a witty and poignant narrative of her lifelong, and even posthumous, relationship with her mother. The result is an honest and bittersweet meditation on love, understanding, and reconciliation.

Also in this episode - Kathy Bates Emmy win for Supporting Actress in American Horror Story: Coven.

Jen Ponton (she/her) Last seen off-Broadway in Halley Feiffer’s How To Make Friends and then Kill Them (Rattlestick, 2013), Jen has spent the past decade building a vibrant career in film and television. Highlights include Dietland, 30 Rock, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Orange is the New Black, Law & Order: SVU, and Blue Bloods, among many others. Jen also starred in Ash Christian’s Love on the Run, alongside Frances Fisher, Annaleigh Ashford, and Steve Howey. She has since appeared in Rebecca Miller’s She Came to Me and Todd Solondz’s Wiener-Dog, opposite Greta Gerwig and Kieran Culkin.

Deborah Unger’s (she/her) artistic journey has been as dynamic as it is enduring. She began her career with dreams of musical comedy stardom, crafting and performing cabaret shows in the vibrant Village scene. From there, she transitioned to film and television, debuting in Ragtime and continuing with roles in 911: Lone Star, FBI: Most Wanted, and her personal favorite, Olga, the Penguin’s Russian maid in Gotham. Her film credits include acclaimed projects such as Motherless Brooklyn, Eighth Grade, and the Oscar-winning Birdman.

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#62 - Francisco Costa - The Beauty of Sunset Blvd

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

CFDA Award Winning Designer Francisco Costa joins Behind the Awards to review Sunset Blvd. Francisco also shares the launch of his new beauty line Coast Brazil.

Also in this episode Meryl Streeps 2004 Emmy Win for Angels in America, a busy Behind the Awards weekend of BroadwayCon 10 Panel discussing Real Women Have Curves and Nancy McKeon in the Off Broadway Play Pen Pals.

Francisco Costa, the 13-year-long former creative director of womenswear for Calvin Klein. After his departure from the brand in 2016, Costa, an avid environmentalist, returned to his home country of Brazil where he discovered local healing rituals and an untapped wealth of curative native ingredients in the Amazon rainforest.

Francisco assumed the role of Women’s Creative Director of Calvin Klein Collection after working directly with Calvin Klein and with other top design houses such as Gucci, Balmain Couture, and Oscar de la Renta. Mr. Costa’s first collection for the house debuted for Spring 2004.

Mr. Costa’s work is critically acclaimed, and he has received numerous awards. In 2006 and again in 2008, the Council of Fashion Designers of America named him the Womenswear Designer of the Year.

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#61 - Alison Arngrim - Confessions of a Prairie Bitch

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Alison Arngrim joins Behind the Awards to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Little House on the Prairie. Alison shares how she was cast as Nellie Oleson. What it was like to work with Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert. Did you know Alison played Eve Plumbs daughter on Fantasy Island? Alison also talks about guest starring on The Love Boat, what it’s like being a child start and her one woman show - Confessions of a Prairie Bitch.

Also on this show - Joan Rivers 1990 Emmy Win for Best Talk Show Host. Review of Off Broadway Play Still starring Melissa Gilbert & Mark Moses.

Alison Arngrim began as a prominent child TV actress who was best known for her role as "bad girl" Nellie Oleson on "Little House on the Prairie" (NBC, 1974-1983). Born into a show business family (her father was a talent manager, while her mother worked as a prominent voice over actress), Arngrim began acting at a very young age.

She landed her most lasting role on the hit family drama, "Little House on the Prairie." Arngrim played the part of bratty Nellie Oleson for eight years on the show, and became a household name during the show's 1970s heyday.

In addition to guest spots on shows like "Fantasy Island" and "The Love Boat", she also starred in the made-for-TV movie "I Married Wyatt Earp,”

"The Last Place on Earth", "Le deal" and "Make the Yuletide Gay" (2009).

Arngrim focuses her attention on her various charitable activities, most notably raising awareness of AIDS prevention. In 2011, she published a memoir about her life and her most famous role, Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned To Love Being Hated.

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#60 - J. Harrison Ghee - Brings Black Queer Joy to the World

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Tony Winner J. Harrison Ghee joined Behind the Awards to reminisce on their Some Like it Hot Tony nomination and win and how the subject of identity has evolved since then. J also takes us on a journey to create Lady Chablis for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Plus going from Swing to Dance Captain to Lola in Kinky Boots.

Also in this episode - A review of Wonderful World.

J. Harrison Ghee -Tony and Grammy Award winner, made history as the first non-binary actor to win in a leading individual performance category for creating the role as “Daphne/Jerry” in Some Like it Hot, which also garnered them Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards. Also on Broadway, Ghee starred as “Lola” Kinky Boots, created the role of “Andre Mayhem” in Mrs. Doubtfire, and co-starred opposite Harry Connick, Jr. as “Johnny Hooker” in The Sting. On television, Ghee was selected to play the title role in “Robyn’s Story” on the hit FOX anthology series Accused (dir. Billy Porter), starred as “Kwame” in Netflix’s Raising Dion, and guest starred on HBO’s High Maintenance. A Fayetteville, North Carolina native, Ghee moved to New York City to study at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and began their professional career working at Tokyo Disney, on cruise ships and national tours. They live by the mantra, “You have to free yourself to see yourself,” with the hope of inspiring people to dream big and to chase those dreams. An outspoken advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community, Ghee has been involved with many organizations, including Broadway Cares, GLAAD, and God’s Love We Deliver, among others. They hope to create roles and conversations that reach beyond what was and into a realm of infinite possibilities.

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#59 - McKinley Belcher III - Is Not Homesick on Stage

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

McKinley Belcher III pays Behind the Awards a visit before taking his final bow in A Guide for the Homesick. He also discuses his Netflix series Eric co-starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Death of a Salesman and how he detoured into a career of acting.

Also in this episode - Jean Smart’s 2025 Golden Globe win for Hacks. A review of Pulitzer Prize winning Play English by Sanaz Toossi at The Roundabout Theater.

Broadway: Happy Loman in Death of a Salesman and Private Louis Henson in A Soldier’s Play at Roundabout Theatre Company. Off-Broadway: The Light (MCC), for which he was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award, The Royale (Lincoln Center- Drama Desk Award), and Romeo & Juliet (Classic Stage Company). Film: Alan Brown’s next indie Other People’s Bodies, Eraser:Reborn (Max), Marriage Story (Netflix), The Art of Racing in the Rain (Fox 2000), Trial By Fire, Mapplethorpe, and auteur John Sayles’s indie Go For Sisters. TV: Netflix’s upcoming limited series Zero Day, opposite Robert De Niro and Jesse Plemons, Netflix’s recent limited series Eric opposite Benedict Cumberbatch, Ozark, and it’s manga-anime adaptation One Piece, David Simon’s Show Me a Hero and We Own This City (HBO), The Good Lord Bird (Showtime), The Passage (Fox), Mercy Street (PBS), Found (NBC), Power (Starz), among others. McKinley is a proud graduate of Belmont University (BA) and USC School of Dramatic Arts (MFA).

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#58 - 2025 Tony Awards - Is it ever too early to talk about the Tony’s???

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Behind the Awards looks at what could be nominated for the 2025 Tony Awards. Big in the conversation are Gypsy, Sunset Blvd, Death Becomes Her, Oh Mary!, Our Town, Good Night and Good Luck, Glengarry Glen Ross, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

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#57 - Teeth - A Bloody Good Time

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Anna K Jacobs, Alyse Alan Louis and Jared Loftin visit with Behind the Awards to do a Teeth Deep Dive. They share everything from the original concept album to the expanded slash zone.

Also in the episode - Steven Spielberg’s 1999 Oscar win for Best Director for Saving Private Ryan. Plus the 2nd Tony Committee Eligibility Rulings. Show included in the meeting were: Sunset Blvd.; A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical; Maybe Happy Ending; Tammy Faye; Elf; Swept Away; Death Becomes Her; Cult of Love; Eureka Day; Gypsy; and All In.

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#56 - Delta Blue - First Look at A New Musical

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Writer/Producer Matt Williams & Writer Trey Ellis join Behind the Awards to give a first look at their new Musical Delta Blue. Matt and Trey talk about developing the show and their collaboration with Masi Asare, Jimmy Vivino, and Tamara Tunie. Delta Blue invites listeners for a very special night of songs on Tuesday January 21st at The Green Room 42 performed by notable Broadway stars including Producer Tamara Tunie. Get tickets at deltabluemusical.com

Delta Blue, a sweeping new American musical currently in development, follows one man’s journey as he wrestles his troubled past and struggles to save everything dear to him. Set in 1944, the story takes us on a compelling trek from the raw, soulful melodies of the Mississippi Delta to the electrifying rhythms of Memphis’ Beale Street and the smoky nightclubs of Chicago.

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#55 - Ken Urban - Doctors Without Borders at the DR2

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Playwright Ken Urban visits to discuss his play A Guide for the Homesick starring McKinley Belcher III & Uly Schlesinger. Ken gives us the lowdown on the process of getting a play produced in NY as well his role throughout the production. Ken shares the importance of collaborators when putting up a play and this play was lucky enough to have Coleman Domingo in 2017 in Boston which lead to the collaboration with the current director Shira Milikowsky at the DR2.

Also in this episode: Demi Moore’s Golden Globe win for The Substance. SAG Nominations.

Ken Urban is an award-winning playwright whose work for the stage and screen engages the pressing political issues of our time, while avoiding simple didacticism and the false comfort of cynicism. His plays tackle a wide variety of subjects ranging from the rise of anti-gay violence in Uganda to the tragedy of a gay divorce in Boston. Yet, all his writing shares a deep sense of radical empathy and intellectual rigor.

Ken’s plays include A Guide for the Homesick, The Remains, Sense of an Ending, The Correspondent, A Future Perfect, The Awake, and The Happy Sad. You can read more about these plays and learn how to purchase the scripts here.

His plays have been produced Off-Broadway at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 59E59 Theatres, the Amoralists and the Summer Play Festival at the Public Theater. In London, his work was staged at Trafalgar Studios in the West End and on the fringe at Theatre503. Regionally, his work has been seen at the Huntington Theatre Company, Studio Theatre, SpeakEasy Stage Company, First Floor Theater, and the Mill at Stage Left.

Awards include the EST/Alfred P. Sloan Science & Technology Project Commission, Weissberger Playwriting Award, New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, the Independent Reviewers of New England’s Award for Best New Script, Huntington Theater Playwriting Fellowship, Headlands Artist Residency, Djerassi Artist Residency, Dramatist Guild Fellowship, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts Fellowship, and the Fay Chandler Faculty Creativity Seed Grant from the MIT Center for Art, Science & Technology (CAST). He is a resident playwright at New Dramatists, an affiliated writer at the Playwrights’ Center, and three-time MacDowell Fellow.

He leads the band Occurrence with vocalists Cat Hollyer and Johnny Hager. Their new double album SLOW VIOLENCE was released in April 2023.

Ken is the Senior Lecturer and Director of Dramatic Writing in the Music and Theater Arts program at MIT. (Yes, MIT has a theater program.) He has also taught writing at Harvard University, Princeton University, Tufts University, Davidson College and Rutgers University.

Ken went to Bucknell University to study Chemical Engineering and left with a degree in English and a playwriting habit. He earned a Ph.D in Literatures in English from Rutgers University and has written extensively about Sarah Kane and 1990s British Theater. He has published scholarly articles on British and American theater in journals like MODERN DRAMA, THEATER (YALE), PAJ and CONTEMPORARY THEATRE REVIEW, and for publishers like Methuen and Blackwell. He doesn’t do much of that anymore. Life is weird like that.

He is represented by Luke Virkstis at WME.

He lives in New York City with his partner Johnny.

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#54 - Left on Tenth - Cast Party

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

The entire cast of Left on Tenth; Julianna Margulies, Peter Gallagher, Kate MacCluggage, and Peter Francis James join us for a deep dive into the show. How a chance in counter on the corner of 10th Street between Delia Ephron and Juliana lead to her playing the author.

Based on Delia Ephron’s bestselling memoir, this warm and witty new play is directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman.

When she least expects it, Delia, beloved novelist and screenwriter of “You’ve Got Mail,” reconnects with a man from her past and falls into her own romantic comedy. What starts with an unlikely spark blossoms into a love story that seems to defy all odds in the face of life’s challenges. Left on Tenth tells the messy, beautiful true story of a woman “navigating the miraculous life stream of the Beshert” and discovering how to embrace the unpredictable and open her heart again.

Also in this episode - Julie Bowen Emmy Award for Modern Family. Review of Wicked

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#53 - Richard Kind - Is All In!

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0000

Richard Kind stops by to discuss the Ensemble Piece All In co-starring John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, and Renee Elise Goldsberry. Fans know Richard from TVs Mad About You, Only Murders in The Building, Spin City and Curb your Enthusiasm.

Also in this episode - Sharon Stone’s Best Actress Golden Globe for Casino. Review of Swept Away.

Richard Kind, a Drama Desk Award winner and Tony nominee for the Broadway hit The Big Knife, is an accomplished stage, screen and television actor who continues to redefine the term character actor. Kind is starring as Sam Meyers in the Amazon Original Series Red Oaks (2014). He appeared in the 2013 Best Picture Academy Award-winning Argo (2012). Additional film credits include The Visitor (2007) and The Station Agent (2003), among many others, as well as voicing characters in A Bug's Life (1998) and Cars (2006). In television, besides his infamous roles on Spin City (1996) and Mad About You (1992), Kind starred in the acclaimed HBO series Luck (2011), has guest starred on many shows, and has had recurring roles on Luck (2011)and Gotham (2014). On stage, Kind has starred in the smash hit Broadway musical The Producers, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Candide, and Bounce, among others. Kind started his career in Chicago with the Practical Theatre Company, founded by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Brad Hill and Gary Kroeger.

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#52 - A Year in Review - Things that made us go hmmm 2024

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Eila & Bruce go through their top moments of 2024 including: The Outsiders, Wicked, Taylor Swift, Sunset Blvd and more! Plus don’t miss what they are excited about for 2025!

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#51 - Grey Henson - Everyone’s Buddy

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Grey Henson visited to discuss his starring role as Buddy in Elf the Musical on Broadway. Grey talks about working with his co-start Sean Astin who is making his Broadway Debut. Grey also recalls where he was when he received his Tony Nomination for Mean Girls. We learn how his career started in Book of Mormon and how he almost didn’t do Shucked on Broadway.

Also in this episode - Hugh Laurie Gold Globe win for House. Review of A Guide the Homesick and TV Sitcom Actors…how old are they?

Grey Henson is currently starring as Buddy the Elf in Broadway’s limited engagement of Elf The Musical. He made his Broadway debut as Elder McKinley in Broadway’s The Book of Mormon, a role that he performed on the first national tour. He starred as Storyteller 2 in the 2022 Broadway musical of Shucked, which received a Tony Award Nomination for Best New Musical and received Tony and Drama Award nominations for his performance as Damian in the original Broadway cast of Mean Girls. He recently made his Kennedy Center debut in Tick Tick Boom. On television, Grey recurred as Tate in Netflix’s Girls5Eva and on ABC’s Suburgatory. Additionally, he can be seen in Sony Pictures A Journal for Jordan directed by Denzel Washington. He is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University.

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#50 - T.R. Knight - Something Strange is Coming

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Award winning actor TR Knight stopped by on the heels of the casting announcement of Stranger Things on Broadway. TR also discusses The Merchant of Venice, Grey’s Anatomy and his passion of all things Jim Henson and getting to work with the Muppets on Sesame Street.

Also on this episode - Julie Bowen Emmy Win for Modern Family, a review of Gypsy starring Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein, Joy Woods, and Jordan Tyson.

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#49 - Gracie McGraw - Rocking out with Babe

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Gracie McGraw joined Behind the Awards to discuss making her Off-Broadway debut in Babe. She talks about working with costars Marisa Tomei and Arliss Howard. Gracie discusses her unique point of view for the play as someone who grew up in the music industry (her parents are Faith Hill and Tim McGraw), and how that informed her performance.

Also in this episode…Norbert Leo Butz’s Tony win for Catch Me If You Can and The New Group and their 30th anniversary season

Gracie McGraw, a New York based performer/actress, can most recently been seen recurring on the hit OWN series, “If Loving You is Wrong,” created and written by Tyler Perry. She recently made her New York solo Cabaret debut to sold out audiences at the Fashion District’s newest venue, Chelsea Table & Stage.

A Nashville native, Gracie began her performance career at an early age, performing lead/principal roles at notable regional theatre companies. After relocating to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Television & Film, she felt the pull to get back to her roots, and pursue Theatre in New York City.

Gracie has been deemed a “singing sensation” and “showstopper” by outlets such as Hello! Magazine, CNN, Billboard, and People after she performed with the acclaimed New York Concert series, “Broadway Sings.”

Gracie currently resides in New York with her dog “son,” Baz.

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#48 - Lea DeLaria - Brunch is Gay

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Emmy Winner Lea DeLaria gives us the scoop on her residency at 54 Below. In this Monthly cabaret style show Lea brings her love of Broadway, Comedy and Current events to her audience in a way only the star of POTUS, Orange is the New Black and On the Town can. Lea also discusses her upcoming movie Tow co-staring Rose Byrne and Ariana DeBose. Plus you can find her current film Holy Irresistible on Amazon Prime now.

Also in this episode Review of Death Becomes Her staring Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard. Hugh Grant Golden Globe win for Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Lea was the first openly gay comic on television in America, and is an accomplished Jazz performer who has performed in concert venues all over the world. She is best known as ‘Big Boo’ from Orange is the New Black (3 SAG Awards). Lea can currently be seen in the indie feature film Potato Dreams of America, and in the Indigo Girls jukebox feature film, Glitter & Doom. Lea recently starred in the Off-Broadway Revival of Tennessee Williams' play, The Night of the Iguana, directed by Emily Mann. TV credits include Girls5Eva, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, East New York,The Blacklist, Physical, Reprisal, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Shameless, and Broad City. Film credits include Cars 3, Support The Girls, and First Wives Club. Broadway credits, POTUS Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive (Bernadette), The Rocky Horror Show (Eddie/Dr. Scott) and On The Town (Hildy), Obie and Theatre World Awards. @realleadelaria www.leadelaria.com

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#47 - Cady McClain - 3 Time Emmy Winner Steps into Orson’s Shadow

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Cady McClain joins us to discuss Orson’s Shadow now playing at Theater for the New City. Cady also takes us through her starring roles on All My Children, Days of Our Lives, As the World Turns and The Young & The Restless as well as her work in movies and television with Peter O’Toole, Bernadette Peters, Ted Danson and more.

Also in this episode Lauren Bacall’s 1981 Tony Win for Woman of the Year. The cast announcement for Schmigadoon! At The Kennedy Center starring: Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice) as Josh Skinner, Sara Chase (The Great Gatsby) as Melissa Gimble, Kevin Del Aguila (Some Like It Hot) as Reverend Layton, McKenzie Kurtz (Wicked) as Betsy McDonough, Isabelle McCalla (Water for Elephants) as Emma Tate, Javier Muñoz (Hamilton) as Doc Lopez, Brad Oscar (Something Rotten!) as Mayor Menlove, Emily Skinner (Suffs) as Mildred Layton, and Ryan Vasquez (The Notebook) as Danny Bailey and Ann Harada will reprise her performance as Florence Menlove.

Cady McClain is a history making three-time Emmy© Award winning actress, two-time Emmy nominated director, and an accomplished producer and writer who has worked for over 40 years in film, television, and theater.

A Los Angeles Native, McClain spent 25 years living in New York City to pursue acting training and work in theatre. She is the first woman to have won three Emmys for three different characters on three different television shows and networks: "All My Children" (Best Juvenile, 1991), "As the World Turns" (Best Supporting Actress, 2004), and Days of Our Lives (Best Guest Performer, 2021). Additionally, she has earned eight Emmy nominations for her work in daytime.

Other television credits include two episodes of "Law and Order: SVU" (with Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni), "Cheers" (with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson), and "St. Elsewhere" (with Christina Pickles).

Off-Broadway credits include The Red Address by David Ives at Second Stage (w/ Kevin Anderson, dir. Pam Berlin), Much Ado About Nothing at Lincoln Center Theater (dir. Deloss Brown), A Comedy of Errors at Hudson Theater Guild (w/ Erik Jensen), and Quiet on the Set at Westbeth Theater Center (w/ Matt Servitto). Her Off-Off Broadway work includes Self-Offense at Cucuracha Theater and Inventions of Farewell at HERE Theater (dir. Estep Nagy). Regionally, McClain has appeared in Shirley Valentine at Cape May Stage, Barefoot in the Park at Westbury and Valley Forge Music Fairs, and productions with Axial Theatre, such as What the Constitution Means to Me (dir. Nate Flower) and Deer by Aaron Mark (w/ Alfredo Narciso, dir. William Roudebush).

Her film credits include Alma Mater (w/ Will Lyman) and Home Movie (dir. Adrian Pasdar).

Currently, McClain serves as the Artistic Director of Axial Theatre and is in her third year in the role. She also teaches scene study at Michael Howard Studios. More information can be found at cadymcclain.com.

Cady McClain returns to the stage portraying Joan Plowright as Theater for the New City (Executive Director, Crystal Field) (155 First Ave. at E. 10th St.) presents a remount of Orson's Shadow by Austin Pendleton, directed by Mr. Pendleton and David Schweizer, as of November 8 through December 1. Axial Theatre, Oberon Theatre Ensemble, and Strindberg Rep collaborate with Fortify.space and Michael Howard Studios to bring back the highly acclaimed production from March, 2024.

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#46 - Nick Adams brings Superhero Energy to Drag! The Musical

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Nick Adams stops by to chat all things Drag The Musical. Sharing what it’s like to work with NKOTB Joey McIntyre, getting tips from the stars of RuPauls Drag Race, and creating the character with Alaska from the shows first incarnation. Nick also takes on a trip down memory lane of past shows Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, La Cage aux Folles, and Chicago and also starring the movie Fire Island on Hulu.

Also in this episode Chris Colfer’s 2011 Gold Globe win. The first Tony Committee Meeting of the season including the following shows: Home, Oh Mary!, Job, Once Upon a Mattress, The Roommate, The Hiss of California, McNeal, Yellow Face, Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Left on Tenth, Romeo & Juliet.

Nick Adams is a Broadway, film and television actor. He currently stars as Alexis Gillmore in the smash off-Broadway hit Drag The Musical. He recently starred as Cooper in the Emmy® nominated feature film Fire Island for which he received a Gotham Award. The film also won a GLAAD Award, Dorian Award, and garnered Hollywood Critics Association and People’s Choice Award nominations among others. Notably, Adams originated the role of Adam/Felicia in the Tony-winning Broadway musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which earned him an honor from the American Theater Hall of Fame, two Broadway Audience Choice Awards, and an Astaire Award nomination for Best Dancer on Broadway. He received national critical acclaim for his portrayal of Whizzer in the North American tour of Lincoln Center Theater’s Broadway revival of Falsettos, directed by James Lapine. Adams was the final actor to star as Fiyero in the first national touring production of Wicked. He originated the role of Alexis Gilmore in the Queerty and Broadway World Award-winning world premiere of Drag: The Musical in Hollywood, California, and can be heard on the studio cast album. Other Broadway credits include A Chorus Line, Guys and Dolls, Chicago, La Cage Aux Folles and The Pirate Queen. TV/Film highlights include FBI Most Wanted (ABC), The Holiday Exchange (Peacock/Amazon), Dallas Drake on The Other Two (Max), Sex and the City 2, An Englishman in New York, Still Waiting In The Wings, As the World Turns, Guiding Light, Go-Go Boy Interrupted, and It Could Be Worse (Hulu). Concerts: NY Pops (Carnegie Hall), Boston Pops, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, Erie Philharmonic, The National Arts Center Orchestra of Canada. Nick holds a BFA from the prestigious Boston Conservatory of Music. @thenickadams

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#45 - Daryl Roth - A career in theater was Beshert

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Tony Winning Producer and Theater Owner Daryl Roth answers the age old questions what does a Producer to? What was it like to bring her friend Delia Ephron’s memoire Left on tenth to Broadway starring Juliana Margulies & Peter Gallagher? Daryl also discusses Kinky Boots, Titanique, Closer Than Ever, Clybourne Park, and the upcoming Picture of Dorian Gray and Sondhiem’s Old Friends. Daryl shares her love of dogs both in her life and on her stage.

Also in this episode Kate Winslet’s greatest hits including 2009 Golden Globe Win for Revolutionary Road, The Holiday, Titanic and Finding Neverland. Jack Black in School of Rock, Jumanji and Dead Man Walking. Plus the upcoming Broadway Revival of Glen Gary Glen Ross staring Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk, Bill Burr, and Michael McKean.

Daryl Roth is a 13 time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and leading innovator in the American theatre, with a career spanning over three decades. Credited with some of the most thought-provoking productions in New York City and throughout the world, Ms. Roth has brought to the stage the works of many of our greatest dramatists, including Edward Albee, Paula Vogel, and Nilo Cruz; has helped shepherd the careers of new playwrights; and is the force behind the Tony and Olivier Award winning Best Musical Kinky Boots (Broadway, U.S. Tour, London, Toronto, Australia, Korea, Japan).

Ms. Roth is honored to hold the singular distinction of producing 7 Pulitzer Prize-winning plays: Anna in the Tropics; August: Osage County (2008 Tony Award); Clybourne Park (2012 Tony Award); How I Learned to Drive; Proof (2001 Tony Award); Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women; and Wit. She champions stories that connect to the wider world through the stories they tell, and is particularly drawn to themes that include issues of gender and identity, family dynamics, stories with strong women at the core, and those that reflect her Jewish heritage. Among the more than 130 shows she has produced both on and Off Broadway include Larry Kramer’s seminal play about the AIDS crisis, The Normal Heart (2011 Tony Award); Paula Vogel’s award-winning play Indecent; Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron’s international hit play Love, Loss, and What I Wore; and Gloria: A Life, a play about the iconic Gloria Steinem.. Other prominent productions include Absolute Brightness; Angels in America; Between the Lines; Buyer & Cellar; Company; Curtains; Funny Girl; Edward Albee’s The Goat or Who is Sylvia; Into the Woods; It Shoulda Been You; The Kite Runner; Life of Pi; The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; War Horse; and The Year of Magical Thinking.

Ms. Roth was at the forefront of creating philanthropic partnerships that reflect and respond to themes from her productions; inspiring audiences, and supporting and raising awareness for organizations. Some examples include W;t (New York Hospital); Love, Loss, and What I Wore (Dress for Success); The Normal Heart (Human Rights Campaign, Friends in Deed, amfAR, and The Actors Fund); Kinky Boots (True Colors Fund); and Life of Pi (World Wildlife Fund).

The Daryl Roth Theatre, the landmark Off-Broadway venue on Union Square, opened its unique main theatre space in 1996. It is currently home to the hit musical Titanique.

Dedicated to supporting a number of non-profit organizations, Ms. Roth is a Trustee of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Lincoln Center Theatre. Honors include The New Dramatists Outstanding Career Achievement Award; New York Living Landmarks Award; and the Lucille Lortel Lifetime Achievement Award. She is proud to have been inducted into the 2017 Theatre Hall of Fame and be named to Crain’s 2019 “50 Most Powerful Women in New York.”

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#44 - Tommy Dorfman - 13 Reasons why you should see Romeo & Juliet

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0000

Tommy Dorfman Star of Romeo & Juliet talks about what it’s like to work on the show of the season from one of the oldest playwright. Tommy discusses playing the duel role of The Nurse & Tibolt, the role of gender in this version directed by Sam Gold and the bond between Rachel Zegler’s Juliet and Tommy’s Nurse. We also discuss her hit series 13 Reasons Why, upcoming movie I wish you all the best written, directed and produced by Tommy and her upcoming memoir Maybe this will save me.

Also in this episode: Julie Andrews Oscar win for Mary Poppins, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade performance line up of Hell’s Kitchen, Death Becomes Her, The Outsiders.

Tommy Dorfman is an accomplished actress, writer, director, and producer whose work spans film, television, and theater. Best known for her breakout role in the hit Netflix series 13 REASONS WHY, Dorfman has since gone on to build a dynamic career, while consistently shining a light on her experiences as a trans woman in Hollywood.

Most recently, Dorfman made her Broadway debut in Sam Gold’s adaptation of ROMEO + JULIET, starring alongside Kit Conner and Rachel Zegler. Opening on October 24 for a 20-week run, this production marks Dorfman’s return to the New York stage and her first acting role since publicly coming out as transgender. In this fresh take on the classic, Dorfman takes on dual roles as the “Nurse” and “Tybalt.”

Recently, Dorfman directed her first feature film, I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST, starring Corey Fogelmanis, Alexandra Daddario, Cole Sprouse, and Lena Dunham. The highly anticipated debut feature premiered at SXSW in March 2024 to rave reviews.

Up next, Dorfman’s memoir Maybe This Will Save Me will be published by HarperCollins in May 2025.

Through her queer lifestyle platform CURRAN and production company DOWN THE LINE, Dorfman’s work focuses on telling stories that highlight distinct and diverse LGBTQ+ experiences. She has worked closely with GLAAD and the Ali Forney Center as well as spearheaded fashion campaigns focused on bringing queer talent front and center with companies like Coach, Valentino, and Calvin Klein.

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#43 - Noah Pyzik - Acting, Producing and Napping on his Dressing Room Floor

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Behind the Awards goes backstage at Our Town to talk with actor Noah Pyzik. He talks about working with director Kenny Leon in this and Purlie Victorious. Noah explains what it’s like being a cast member and also an understudy. Noah also talks about his career as a producer and growing up as a theatre kid in Michigan.

Also in this episode we discuss seeing Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler in Romeo & Juliet and Whoopi Goldberg’s Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Ghost.

Noah Pyzik is an actor, producer, writer, and historian. He’s performed on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning production of Purlie Victorious and Our Town, and in New York at The Public Theater, Lincoln Center, La MaMa, Playwrights Downtown, The York Theatre, A.R.T./NY, National Queer Theatre, Theatre Row, The Tank, Teatro Latea, Snapple Theatre Center, Faison Firehouse, and Brooklyn Art Haus. He is the recipient of a New York Innovative Theatre Award, an Off-Broadway Alliance Award nomination, and various film festival honors. His upcoming producing credits include Off-Broadway’s Baldwin et Lucien, Botticelli in the Fire, The Zionists, and Foucault in Warsaw. @noahpyzik on Instagram

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#42 - Lorraine Toussaint - is geeking out and so are we that Season 5 of The Equalizer begins this week

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Lorraine Toussaint kicks off Season 5 of The Equalizer this week on CBS alongside her TV Niece Queen Latifah and drops by to chat about her 40 year career of Stage, Film and TV including Any Day Now Co-starring Annie Potts, Orange is the New Black, plus she talks about how Juilliard gave her the training needed to create her own language for Into the Bandlands, and of course her return to the stage after 18 years in Hamlet at the Delacourt as part of Shakespeare in the Park Directed by Kenny Leon.

Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce take a field trip to the invited dress rehearsal of Maybe Happy Ending starring Darren Criss & Helen J Shen, Shirley MacLaine Oscar win for Terms of Endearment.

Lorraine Toussaint began her career in theatre, before supporting performances in films such as Breaking In (1989), Hudson Hawk (1991), and Dangerous Minds (1995). As lead actress, she is best known for her role as Rene Jackson in the critically acclaimed Lifetime television drama series Any Day Now, from 1998 to 2002, and her recurring role as defense attorney Shambala Green in the NBC legal drama Law & Order. She later appeared as a regular cast member in the NBC police procedural Crossing Jordan (2002–03) and the TNT crime drama Saving Grace (2007–10).

Toussaint received critical acclaim and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her performance in the 2012 drama film Middle of Nowhere, written and directed by Ava DuVernay. In 2014, she played the role of Yvonne "Vee" Parker, the main antagonist in the second season of the Netflix comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black, for which she received critical acclaim and a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She also played the role of Amelia Boynton Robinson in the 2014 historical drama film Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay. Toussaint later co-starred in the ABC fantasy-drama series Forever (2014–15), the Fox comedy-drama Rosewood (2015–17), the AMC drama Into the Badlands (2018–19), NBC drama The Village (2019) and CBS crime drama The Equalizer (2021–present).

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#41 - James Monroe Iglehart - Blows his own horn in A Wonderful World

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

James Monroe Iglehart chats with us about starring as Louie Armstrong as well as Co-Directing A Wonderful World. James shares stories of originating the role of The Genie in Aladdin, being part of Memphis and Hamilton. Not only has James had a wonderful stage career but he shares his prolific experience as a Voice Actor.

Also in this episode Scarlett Johansson’s 2010 Tony Win for A View from the Bridge. Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher in Left on Tenth.

Won for his Tony Award-winning performance as the Genie in the original Broadway production of Aladdin. Iglehart assumed the roles of the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the Broadway cast of Hamilton in April 2017. He recreated the role of King Arthur in the 2023 Broadway revival of Spamalot and played Louis Armstrong in the Broadway company of A Wonderful World. He can be heard as super producer Steve Jones in As The Curtain Rises, Broadway's first original podcast soap opera. More recently, Iglehart joined the cast of the animated webseries Helluva Boss, as both the Demon Lord of Lust Asmodeus/Ozzie and hellhound bodyguard Vortex, and Hazbin Hotel, as Zestial, as well having written for Marvel Comics, primarily one-shots featuring Spider-Man.

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#40 - Ephraim Sykes - From Motown to Our Town

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 03:19:00 -0000

Ephraim Sykes stops by to discuss creating a George for this generation with Kenny Leon. He tells us all about the field trip on the first day of rehearsal to New Hampshire and how his career has been as series of pinch me moments from being in the original cast of Hamilton to playing Seaweed Stubbs in Hairspray Live and being a Temptation in Ain’t Too Proud. Ephraim shares how getting a scholarship to Alvin Alley changed his career path and what it was like to audition for and tap with Savion Glover to gain the lead role in Pal Joey for NYC Center Center’s Encores.

Also in this episode Richard Gere’s 2003 Golden Globe win for Chicago. Eila & Bruce recount their trip to Our Town now in previews at the Barrymore Theater. Bruce also shares his experience at the Ogunquit Playhouse seeing The World Premier of My Best Friend’s Wedding The Musical Directed and Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall and Lead by Krystal Joy Brown, Tony Winner Matt Doyle, Telly Leung, Lianah Sta. Ana, Morgan Bryant and Zoe Jensen.

Ephraim Sykes made his Broadway debut in 2009, joining the cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. He then earned a spot later that year in the Broadway premiere of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Memphis. Sykes made his Off-Broadway debut originating the role of Benny in the 2011 revival of Rent at New World Stages and later that year, he returned to Broadway as part of the original cast of Disney’s Newsies. He followed this turn up as an original cast member of the 2013 Broadway premiere of Motown The Musical.

In January 2015, Sykes returned off Broadway to The Public Theater, originating the role of George Eacker in the musical juggernaut Hamilton. After receiving wide acclaim, the production transferred to Broadway from July 2015, eventually winning the 2016 Tony Award for Best Musical. Sykes remained with the production until September 2016.

His big break as a leading man came after being cast as David Ruffin in Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations. Following tryouts in Berkeley, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Toronto, the Broadway premiere opened at the Imperial Theatre in March 2019. Sykes earned his first Tony Award nomination for his efforts, followed by a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album in 2020.

On screen, Sykes is known for playing Seaweed J. Stubbs in NBC’s Hairspray Live! in 2016. He has also appeared in 30 Rock on NBC in 2011, Leave It on the Floor (2011), NBC’s Broadway-centric musical series Smash (2013), as Marvin in Vinyl on HBO (2016), Marvel’s Luke Cage on Netflix (2016), Amazon’s Crisis in Six Scenes (2016), and the movie Detroit (2017).

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#39 - Claybourne Elder - Is good Company!

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Claybourne Edler takes a break from filing The Guilded Age with many Broadway friends to discuss Company, his charity City of Strangers, his current concert series and his love of Patti LuPone.

Also in this episode: Nikki M James winning Tony moment for The Book of Mormon. Eila & Bruce's visit to The Public to see Good Bones written by past guest James Ijames, Pulitzer Prize Winner author of Fat Ham.

Claybourne Edler received rave reviews and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Leading Actor in A Play for originating the role of "Ollie Olson" in One Arm directed by Moisés Kaufman. He was nominated for a 2015 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical for Allegro at Classic Stage. He originated the roles of "Buck Barrow" in Bonnie & Clyde, "Hollis Bessemer" in Stephen Sondheim's Road Show and "Michael Victor" in Venice.

He played the Soldier/Alex and understudied Jake Gyllenhaal in the Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park with George, which opened in February 2017. He also played the role in the concert performances in October 2016 at New York City Center.

Elder can be heard on the cast recordings of Bonnie & Clyde, Road Show, Venice and Sunday in the Park with George.

Elder guest-starred as Pete O'Malley in the second season of The CW's The Carrie Diaries.

Regionally, Elder played George in Sunday in the Park with George at the Signature Theatre, Arlington, Virginia, in 2014.

On Broadway, Elder played the role of Andy in the 2021 revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical Company.

Elder played Gaston in the 2023 production of Beauty and the Beast at The Muny

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#38 - Kevin Del Aguila - When Marc Shaiman texts...you answer!

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Fresh off the heels of is run in Little Shop of Horrors, Emmy Winner and Tony Nominee Kevin Del Aguila pops by to give us the skinny on David Henry Hwang’s play Yellow Face at the Roundabout Theater. Kevin also talks about his time creating his character in Some Like it Hot, as well as his work as a writer with shows like Altar Boyz and Dog Man the Musical.

Also in this episode - Marcia Gay Harden’s Tony win for God of Carnage. Danny Burstein’s casting in Gypsy.

KEVIN DEL AGUILA is an Emmy-winning writer, Tony-nominated actor, acclaimed director, playwright, and lyricist in New York City.

He is a multi Emmy Award-winning writer of the PBS show PEG + CAT, lyricist of songs featured in the Disney animated movie STRANGE WORLD, and book-writer of the hit comedy ALTAR BOYZ (NY Outer Critics Circle Award, Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk noms) which made history as one of the longest running off-Broadway musicals of all time.

He has directed several productions of his own plays, including his comedy

6 STORY BUILDING (Best of 2002 NY Fringe Fest), NUMBER ONE: A POLLOCK PAINTING, and his adaptations of THE VELVETEEN RABBIT and SKIPPYJON JONES: SNOW WHAT off-Broadway. He directed the world premieres of FUNKED UP FAIRY TALES and SEE ROCK CITY at Barrington Stage, and has written and directed several events for the New York Philharmonic, including their famed YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERTS at Lincoln Center.

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#37 - Uzo Aduba - The Road is Good

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Break out star of Orange is the New Black Uzo Aduba joins us for an in-depth look at her new book The Road is Good. The Emmy Winner also shares starting off in theater, roles she didn’t get and the road that led her to Orange is the New Black. Uzo recounts her time with Clydes, Godspell, The Wiz Live and so much more.

Also in this episode - Rue McClanahhan, Yellow Face at the Roundabout Theater featuring our upcoming guest Kevin DelAgula and The Broadway Flea Market.

Uzo Aduba gained wide recognition for her role as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019), for which she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2014, an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2015, and two SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series in 2014 and 2015. She is one of only two actors to win an Emmy Award in both the comedy and drama categories for the same role.

In 2020, Aduba played Shirley Chisholm in the Hulu miniseries Mrs. America, for which she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries. Aduba has appeared in films including American Pastoral (2016), My Little Pony: The Movie (2017), Candy Jar (2018), Miss Virginia (2019), and Lightyear (2022). In 2021, she starred in Lynn Nottage's play Clyde's on Broadway for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play.

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#36 - Eric Roberts - is a man in motion from Runaway Train to Dancing with the Stars

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Eric Roberts and his wife Eliza join us to discuss his new book Runaway train and being a new cast member of Dancing with the Stars. The brutally honest Oscar Nominee goes into the Broadway run of Burn This, working with Bob Fosse in Star 80. He also gives us a glimpse of into growing with a difficult father and his lifelong friendship with Martin Luther King Jr’s family.

Also in this episode, Cher’s Oscar win and The Hills of California.

In a career spanning 50 years, Roberts has amassed more than 700 credits and appeared in blockbusters, independent films, television series, animation, short films, student films, and music videos. As of 2024, he is one of the most prolific English-speaking screen actors of all time.

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#35 - Joe Mantegna - The Godfather and Madonna and Criminal Minds OH MY!

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Tony Winner Joe Mantegna talks all things Criminal Minds, Madonna, David Mamet, and being part of The Godfather. From Stage to Screen to TV Joe recounts his 55 year career as an Actor/Director/Writer.

Also in this episode, Andre DeShields Tony win for Hadestown. Eila & Bruce stop by Our Town rehearsal and give you a glimpse of what’s to come.

Joe Mantegna has starred in the CBS television series Criminal Minds since 2007 as FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi. He has voiced the recurring role of mob boss Fat Tony on the animated series The Simpsons, beginning with the 1991 episode "Bart the Murderer", as well as The Simpsons Movie (2007).

Mantegna began his career on stage in 1969 in the Chicago production of the musical Hair. He earned a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play and a Joseph Jefferson Award for portraying Richard Roma in the first American productions of David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize–winning play Glengarry Glen Ross, the first of many collaborations with Mamet. His long-standing association with Mamet includes the premieres of A Life in the Theatre, The Disappearance of the Jews and Speed-the-Plow on Broadway. Mantegna also directed a highly lauded production of Mamet's Lakeboat, which enjoyed a successful theatrical run in Los Angeles. He later directed the film version of Lakeboat. In addition to theatrical appearances directed by Mamet, Mantegna appeared in Mamet's films House of Games (1987), Things Change (1988), Homicide (1991), and Redbelt (2008).

In film and on television, Mantegna is best known for his roles in box office hits such as Three Amigos (1986), The Godfather Part III (1990), Forget Paris (1995), and Up Close and Personal (1996). He starred in the television series First Monday (2002) and Joan of Arcadia (2003–2005). He has earned Emmy Award nominations for his roles in three different miniseries: The Last Don (1997), The Rat Pack (1998), and The Starter Wife (2007). He has also served as executive producer for various movies and television movies, including Corduroy (1984), Hoods (1998), and Lakeboat (2000), which he also directed. Additionally, he played Robert B. Parker's fictional detective Spenser in three made-for-TV movies between 1999 and 2001, and has narrated a number of audiobook readings of the Spenser novels.

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#34 - Emmy Award Predictions - and the Emmy goes to…

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Eila & Bruce and are joined by Robert Bannon of BPN’s The Roundtable to dish and predict this years Emmy’s. From The Bear to Abbot Elementary to The Guilded Age and everything in between. Jennifer Aniston, Matt Bomer, Carol Burnett or Selena Gomez…who will go home with a trophy. Watch the Emmy’s Sunday September 15th and see which of us predicts the best!

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#33 - Carol Burnett - She’s such a legend they named an award for her

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Current Emmy Nominee Carol Burnett does a deep dive on Palm Royale, The Carol Burnett show, Annie and so much more. This legend also shared her excitement for Sutton Foster’s Once Upon a Mattress currently running on Broadway and her quest to have theater named for icon Hal Prince.

Also on this episode Martin Short’s 1999 Tony Win for Little Me. Broadway Boxed Up Founder Anant Das.

Carol Burnett is an American comedian, actress, and singer. Her comedy-variety show The Carol Burnett Show, which originally aired on CBS, was one of the first to be hosted by a woman.[1][2] She has performed on Broadway, on television, and in film of varying genres, including dramatic and comedic roles. She has received numerous accolades, including seven Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, and seven Golden Globe Awards. Burnett was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2013, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2015.

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#32 - Deirdre O'Connell - From Tony winner to Penguin’s Mother

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Coming off heels of an Off Broadway run in Pre-Existing Condition Tony winner Deirdre O’Connell stops by to chat about her new MAX Series The Penguin Starring Colin Farrell. She takes us back on the journey to create Dana H. And the woman the play is based on.

Also in this episode - Judith Lights Isabelle Stevenson Award Speech at the Tony Awards. Closing of The Notebook and the many lives of Catwoman past, present and future.

O'Connell began her career at Stage One, an experimental theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts. She made her Broadway debut in the 1986 revival of The Front Page, and was nominated for the 1991 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in the off-Broadway production Love and Anger. She is the recipient of two Drama-Logue Awards and a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for her stage work in Los Angeles.

O'Connell made her screen debut in Tin Men. Additional film credits include State of Grace, Straight Talk, Leaving Normal, Fearless, City of Angels, Hearts in Atlantis, Imaginary Heroes, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Wendy and Lucy, What Happens in Vegas, Secondhand Lions, and Synecdoche, New York.

She was a regular on L.A. Doctors and has made numerous guest appearances on series such as Kate & Allie, Chicago Hope, The Practice, Six Feet Under, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Nurse Jackie. From 1994 to 2010, O'Connell appeared on six episodes of Law & Order, four of them as Dr. Valerie Knight, Anita Van Buren's oncologist in Season 20.

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#31 - Adrian Martinez - Is guy in every movie you’ve ever seen…and worked with every actor you’ve every heard of

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Adrian Martinez talks about working with Jerry Seinfeld in Unfrosted, Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez in Only Murders in the Building, and Nicole Kidman in the Interpreter. Adrian shares his love being a stage actor and directorial debut in the award winning iGilbert.

Also in this episode Christine Lahti’s bathroom break/Golden Globe win. Eila and Bruce reminisce about popular TV Theme songs and how they don’t have a place in Emmy history.

Adrian Martinez is an actor, director, writer, and producer, with over 120 film and TV credits, including his directorial debut, “iGilbert,” based on his original screenplay. iGilbert was purchased by Gravitas Ventures and is now available on all major streamers in the US and Canada. iGilbert has been accepted and archived as part of the Academy of motion pictures arts and sciences core collection and recently won best feature and the audience award at the London film festival, Dominican film fest, and several best actor nominations and wins including the prestigious Imagen awards as well as many other international awards.

Adrian is filming “The Amateur,” opposite Oscar winner Rami Malek for Disney and is in the new season of “Only Murders in the Building,” working opposite Selena Gomez and Steve Martin.

His other recent work includes “Renfield,” side kicking with Nicolas Cage, and Awkwafina, and directed by Chris McKay for Universal, and the soon to be released “Unfrosted,” Jerry Seinfeld’s directorial debut for Netflix.

Adrian can also soon be seen in ’Sugar,’ for Apple tv+ in a recurring role opposite Colin Ferrell, and Ben Stiller’s ‘Severance,’ for Apple TV+

Adrian’s hysterical performance in Warner Bros “Focus,” opposite Margot Robbie and Will Smith is presently running on Max.

Adrian’s work as a series regular in “Stumptown” opposite Cobie Smulders (How I met your mother) is now available on Amazon prime video. Adrian can also be seen on season 1 of CBS all access’ ‘No Activity’ produced by Will Ferrell and Funny or die. This is Adrian’s follow up to a Series Regular role in NBC’s ‘The Blacklist: Redemption’ on NBC. Adrian’s career began as a high school track star on NBC’s “Unsolved Mysteries”. Some in casting have called Adrian, “the sidekick to the stars,” as evidenced by his sidekick work in “The Guilty,” opposite Jake Gyllenhaal for Netflix, Amy Schumer’s sidekick in ‘I feel Pretty,’ now on all digital platforms, Ben Stiller’s sidekick in his Fox remake of “Walter Mitty,” Will Ferrell’s sidekick in Lionsgate’s “Casa de mi Padre,” and a lot of dogs in Disney+ “Lady and the Tramp” remake, to name a few.

Mr. Martinez’s TV work also includes over seventy guest spots.

Adrian is writing and developing film and TV projects through his production company, Paloma Pictures Inc., and is in pre-production for his untitled comedy for a major streamer.

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#30 - James Ijames - Shows off his Good Bones at the Public Theater

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Pulitzer Prize Winner James Ijames gives us the scoop on Fat Ham and his upcoming show Good Bones at the Public Theater.

Also in this episode Henry Winkler’s Emmy win for Barry. Eugene & Dan Levy announcement as 2024 Emmy Hosts and possible 2025 Oscar Hosts.

James James is a Pulitzer Prize winning and Tony Award nominated playwright, a director and educator.

James’ plays have been produced by Flashpoint Theater Company, Orbiter 3, Theatre Horizon, Wilma Theatre, Theatre Exile, Azuka Theatre (Philadelphia, PA), The National Black Theatre, JACK, The Public Theater (NYC), Hudson Valley Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Definition Theatre, Timeline Theater (Chicago IL) Shotgun Players (Berkeley, CA) and have received development with PlayPenn New Play Conference, The Lark, Playwright's Horizon, Clubbed Thumb, Villanova Theater, Wilma Theater, Azuka Theatre and Victory Garden.

James is the 2011 F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Artist recipient, and two Barrymore Awards for Outstanding Direction of a Play for The Brothers Size with Simpatico Theatre Company and Gem of the Ocean with Arden Theatre. James is a 2015 Pew Fellow for Playwriting, the 2015 winner of the Terrance McNally New Play Award for WHITE, the 2015 Kesselring Honorable Mention Prize winner for ....Miz Martha, a 2017 recipient of the Whiting Award, a 2019 Kesselring Prize for Kill Move Paradise, a 2020 and 2022 Steinberg Prize, the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Drama recipient and a 2023 Tony nominee for Best Play for Fat Ham

James was a founding member of Orbiter 3, Philadelphia’s first playwright producing collective.

He received a B.A. in Drama from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA and a M.F.A. in Acting from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. James an Associate Professor of Theatre at Villanova University. He resides in South Philadelphia.

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#29 - Santino Fontana - How many people does it does to take to dress Santino Fontana for the Tony’s?

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Santino Fontana takes us behind the scenes of what it took to get Carol Burnett to introduce the Hal Prince Award at this year’s Drama Desk Awards. Santino describes what it’s like to be in the center of a Tootsie tornado and his secret Frozen identity.

Also in this episode Sheryl Lee Ralph’s Emmy win for Abbott Elementary, Phylicia Rashad, and Summer Binging.

Santino Fontana is an American actor and singer. He began his career in 2006 playing Hamlet at the Guthrie Theater and soon gained wide acclaim for his leading performances on and Off-Broadway. He has received a Tony Award, two Drama Desk Awards, an Outer Critics Circle Award, Lucille Lortel Award, Obie Award, and Clarence Derwent Award. In 2019, Fontana won the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his lead performance as Michael Dorsey in the stage adaptation of Tootsie.

Fontana is known for his dynamic versatility. In 2016 he appeared opposite Jennifer Lopez in NBC's Shades of Blue. He was awarded the 2010 Drama Desk Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his work in Brighton Beach Memoirs. David Rooney of Variety wrote, "Fontana brings such strength of character to Stanley that his threatened departure sparks sobs in the audience.” Fontana won a Lucille Lortel, Obie, and Outer Critics Circle Award for his work in the 2011 Off-Broadway production of Sons of the Prophet. Charles Isherwood of The New York Times raved, "The sensitive performance of Santino Fontana, one of the most promising young actors to emerge in the New York theater in recent years is the play's trembling emotional heart. In addition to his stage and TV work, Fontana voiced Prince Hans in Disney's 2013 animated film Frozen.

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#28 - Will Nunziata - Where there’s a will there’s a way

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Off the heels of a successful Off Broadway run White Rose Director/Award winner Will Nunziata talks about what it takes to get his new show Figaro to London’s Palladium Theater. Will shares how the Pandemic lead to an explosion of creativity, as well as what it’s like being in the business with his twin brother Anthony and the parental expectations that go along with that.

Eila & Bruce also discuss Patti LuPone’s Tony win for Gypsy and working with Arthur Laurents. Also in the Episode Eila and Bruce chat about a handful shows that surprisingly did win Best Musical including Dreamgirls, Into the Woods and Wicked.

Will Nunziata is a NYC-based award-winning director, writer, and creator of theatre, concerts, television, and film. Film: The Old Guitarist (Writer, Director). Awards: London Movie Awards (Best Short Film, Best Director), New York Movie Awards (Best First Time Director of a Short), Paris Film Awards (Best First Time Director of a Short). Screenplay: Lillith (Winner of Best Original Screenplay, 2023 Hollywood Blood Horror Festival). Theatre: Figaro: A New Musical (Director, Co-Book Writer - West End 2024), White Rose: The Musical (Director - Off-Broadway). NYC: Miss Peggy Lee (Director, Book Writer, Co-Conceiver) starring Tony Award winner Cady Huffman. Award: Broadway World Best Director. Our Guy Cy: The Songs of Cy Coleman starring Tony Award winners Randy Graff, Cady Huffman, Judy Kaye, and Lillias White (Director, Conceiver). Over Here! starring Tony Award winner Debbie Gravitte (Director, Adapter). Upcoming: An Entirely Ordinary Town: A New Musical (Director), Faygele: A New Play (Director), By the End of Tonight (Director), Little Black Book: A New Musical (Co-Conceiver). Will is a proud graduate of Boston College and a member of the Stage Directors & Choreographers Union. For more, please visit www.WillNunziata.com and @willnunzofficial on Instagram.

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#27 - Christine Ebersole - A Staunch Tony Winner

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Christine Ebersole talks all things Grey Gardens, Bob Hearts Abishola, Tootsie & SNL. This Broadway legend is as much fun as she is tenacious, and impressed us how she took her career into her own hands and became a Producer. Join Behind the Awards for Christine’s stories of her 50 year career.

Eila & Bruce also chat about Jonathan Groff’s Tony win for Merrily We Roll Along, Being the Tony Awards, and listener picks for Frank N Further Dream Casting in Rocky Horror.

Christine Ebersole recognized with a string of honors that includes two Tony Awards, she has appeared in twenty Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, as well as gracing television series and specials, films, concerts, recordings and opera.

It was for her “dual role of a lifetime” as Edith Beale and Little Edie Beale in Grey Gardens that Ebersole won her second Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, as well as virtually every available Off-Broadway honor. Other memorable New York roles include her Tony-winning turn as Dorothy Brock in the hit revival of 42nd Street, her Tony-nominated portrayal of Elizabeth Arden opposite Patti LuPone in War Paint, her Tony- and Outer Critics Circle-nominated appearance in Dinner at Eight, her Obie-winning and Drama Desk-nominated appearance in Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads, her performance as Guinevere alongside Richard Harris and Richard Burton in Camelot, and her leading roles in Oklahoma, On the Twentieth Century, Steel Magnolias, The Best Man and the revival of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit. In 2018 she made her operatic debut under James Conlon’s leadership as the Old Lady in Francesca Zambello’s production of Candide at L.A. Opera.

Recently starring as Lucille Dolittle, a role based on Lucille Ball, in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Oscar-nominated Licorice Pizza, Ebersole has appeared in numerous feature films. Previous film credits include The Wolf of Wall Street, Amadeus, Black Sheep, Dead Again, Folks!, Ghost Dad, My Girl 2, Richie Rich, Tootsie, True Crime and The Big Wedding, which features her account of her original song “Gently Down The Stream.” Since launching her TV career alongside Eddie Murphy as a regular cast member of Saturday Night Live, Ebersole has also accrued a long list of television credits. Currently starring in Chuck Lorre’s hit CBS sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola, she recently portrayed Estelle Schneider in the award-winning Netflix series The Kominsky Method, and has appeared on American Horror Story, Blue Bloods, Madam Secretary, Murphy Brown, Pose, Search Party, The Colbert Report, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Will & Grace and Gypsy, in which she played Tessie Tura to Bette Midler’s Mama Rose.

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#26 - Adrienne C. Moore - Award Winning Actress Sentenced to 7 Seasons on Orange is the New Black

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Adrienne C Moore drops by to discuss Orange is the New Black, Theater and the moment she made it as a New York Actress.

Eila & Bruce also discuss Lin Manuel Miranda’s Tony win for Best Book of Musical for Hamilton. Emmy Nomination standouts Carol Burnett and Aja Naomi King as well as Cher’s first appearance on Will & Grace opposite Sean Hayes.

Adrienne C. Moore is an accomplished television, film, voice over and theater artist. She is best known for her seven seasons starring as 'Black Cindy' on the ground-breaking hit Netflix series Orange is the New Black. Her work on the series earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination (Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series) as well as the Vanguard Award at Essence Magazine's Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon. She and the cast share three SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Additional TV credits include Law and Order: SVU, Homeland, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and 30 Rock. Films include New Line’s Shaft sequel, The Lennon Report and the recent indie Modern Persuasion.

Most recent animation work includes voicing ‘Etta Candy’ in DC’s animated feature Wonder Woman: Bloodlines and the upcoming Netflix interactive choose-your-own-adventure special We Lost our Human. Additional animated projects include Curious George and Doug Unplugged. It was also her distinct honor to be chosen by Ann Druyan for the audiobook narration of Carl Sagan’s The Varieties of Scientific Experience. She has completed numerous voice campaigns for brands such as Vaseline, General Mills, and Jergens.

Often calling it her 'gym,' Adrienne is just at home on a stage as she is on camera. She most recently starred in The Public Theater’s critically acclaimed and award-winning revival of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow Is Enuf. She worked with Phyllida Lloyd on Shakespeare in the Park's The Taming of the Shrew and introduced the world to the timid ‘Keera’ in Kirsten Greenidge's Milk Like Sugar (LaJolla Playhouse & Playwrights Horizons), earning award nominations along the way. Other productions include Dot (Actor’s Theatre of Louisville), Ethel Sings (Dir. Will Pomerantz) and Suzan Lori-Parks' 365 Plays/365 Days (The Public Theatre.)

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Adrienne was raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her B.A. in Psychology, History and Religion from Northwestern University and an MFA from The New School University. She is most proud of and passionate about her advocacy work with rescue animals and enjoys volunteering with the 52nd Street Project in New York.

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#25 - Miriam Silverman - The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window Now Reads Tony Winner Miriam Silverman.

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Miriam Silverman chats about Mary Jane, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window and more. Miriam gives us the scoop on upcoming project and what it was like to work with Anne Kauffman and Rachel Brosnahan.

Eila and Bruce also discuss Hannah Waddingham’s Emmy win for Ted Lasso as well as their most recent TV Obsession Claim to Fame.

Miriam Silverman won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her critically-acclaimed performance as "Mavis" in the Broadway production of THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN'S WINDOW, opposite Oscar Isaac and Rachel Brosnahan, as well as winning the 2023 Drama Desk Award for the same role at BAM. Other Broadway / Theater includes: JUNK ( Broadway Debut), ANATOMY OF A SUICIDE (Atlantic Theater Company), world premiere of Ethan Coen's A PLAY IS A POEM (Mark Taper Forum), the recent world premiere of Find Me Here (Clubbed Thumb) & more. TV / Film: BREAKING with John Boyega and Connie Britton, DEAD RINGERS (Amazon) opposite Rachel Weisz, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL (Amazon), FLEISHMAN IS IN TROUBLE (Hulu),THE BLACKLIST (NBC), and BLUE BLOODS (CBS). Upcoming feature MOTHERLAND, opposite Holland Taylor, Netflix’s THE NIGHT AGENT, and the new Apple TV series YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

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#24 - Anna K Jacobs - sinks her Teeth into The Big Apple

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Anna K Jacobs takes a cult movie to the stage with Strange Loop’s Michael R Jackson. Campy, horror musical about Vagina dentata had such a successful run at Playwrights Horizons that it is moving to an open ended run at New World Stages. Anna gives us the scoop on all things teeth, partnering with Michael R Jackson and what projects are coming up next.

Eila & Bruce also chat about Teeth’s upcoming album release. Their visit to Empire the Musical and Denzel Washington’s Oscar for Training Day.

Anna K. Jacobs is a Jonathan Larson and Billie Burke Ziegfeld Award-winning composer, lyricist, and book writer. She likes to disarm her audiences by telling stories that ask questions without serving up the answers, and by marrying them with music and language that’s as surprising and delightful as, well, life.

Anna’s projects are diverse, in part due to the many different collaborations she has enjoyed over the years. Her stage musicals include POP! (Yale Rep, Pittsburgh City Theatre, Studio Theatre; book/lyrics by Maggie-Kate Coleman), Teeth (NAMT, O’Neill; co-book/lyrics by Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winner Michael R. Jackson), Anytown (George Street Playhouse; book by Jim Jack), Harmony, Kansas (Diversionary Theatre; book/lyrics by Bill Nelson), Echo (Musical Theatre Factory), and Stella and the Moon Man (Sydney Theatre Company/Theatre of Image; play by Richard Tulloch, co-composed by Adrian Kelly). She contributed music and lyrics to the multi-composer works, Witnesses (California Center for the Arts, Escondido; book by Robert Freedman) and Letters to the President (Cooper Union). She also penned the screenplay for The Real Gemma Jordan (University of Nebraska-Lincoln; music/lyrics by Rob Rokicki, directed by Alexander Jeffery & Alisa Belflower), which she is now adapting into a stage musical, and music and lyrics for the movie musical Kaya: Taste of Paradise (NY Film Academy; screenplay by Jerome A. Parker, directed by Paul Warner).

Currently, Anna and her playwright-collaborator, Anna Ziegler, are working on A House Without Windows, a new musical about the life and disappearance of child prodigy author, Barbara Newhall Follett, and commissioned by Barbara Whitman Productions and Grove Entertainment. She is also writing the book for a new musical adaptation for Disney Cruise Line Entertainment.

In addition to the Larson and Ziegfeld awards, Anna is a recipient of the Eric Salzman Award for New Music Theater Composition. She has had the honor of being a former Sundance Fellow and Dramatists Guild Fellow, and has been an Artist in Residence at Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, Goodspeed Musicals, Ars Nova, New Dramatists, Musical Theatre Factory, and Barrington Stage Company. A classically trained composer, her choral works have been commissioned and performed throughout the world by choirs including the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, the National Lutheran Choir, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir, the Nightingale-Bamford School, the Hotchkiss School, the Sydneian Bach Choir, and Coro Innominata.

As an educator, Anna is passionate about helping the next generation of songwriters to develop their voices and craft. She is the founding Artistic Director of the New York Youth Symphony’s Musical Theater Songwriting Program, and has served on the faculties of the Institute for American Musical Theatre, Temple University, Mannes School of Music, and the Dramatists Guild Institute. From 2013-18, she facilitated the NYMF Songwriting Workshop.

Originally from Sydney, Australia, Anna has called Brooklyn home since 2006.

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#23 - Sean Allan Krill - has one hand in his pocket and the other one is holding a Grammy

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Grammy Winner Sean Alan Krill went Behind the Awards to discuss working with Alanis Morissette in Jagged Little Pill. Sean tells us how he went from play Sam in the tour to his Broadway Debut in Mamma Mia opposite Carolee Carmello. He also goes into what it was like to be in Parade during a turbulent political climate.

Eila & Bruce share their experience attending the final performance of Here There Are Blueberries at the New York Theater Workshop. They also discuss Nathan Lane’s Tony win in 1996 for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Listen to episode to hear who Nathan calls the best Pseudolus ever.

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#22 - Yeardley Smith: How a skit on The Tracey Ullman show turned into a 37 Year career as Lisa Simpson

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Emmy Winner Yeardley Smith began her career on Broadway as Cynthia Nixon’s understudy in The Real Thing directed by Mike Nichols. She is best know for the voice of Lisa Simpson on the Simpsons, and has also appeared in Herman’s Head, Family Guy, The Big Bang Theory and Mad Men. Yardley is the co-host of popular True Crime Podcast Small Town Dicks with Paul Holes, and Dan & Dave.

Eila and Bruce also share their behind the scenes look at new musical Empire directed by Tony Winner Cody Huffman playing at New World Stages from July 1st - September 22nd. They also discuss Ke Huy Quan’s Oscar win.for Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Yeardley Smith is an Emmy Award® winning actress, producer, novelist and playwright who has appeared on television, film and Broadway. She has been the voice of Lisa Simpson on Fox’s hit television show The Simpsons since 1987. She has also appeared in numerous films including All Square (in post production), New Year’s Eve, Miles, Offer and Compromise, As Good As It Gets, Stephen King’s Maximum Overdrive, City Slickers, and The Legend of Billie Jean. Favorite television appearances include The Mindy Project, The Big Bang Theory, Mom, Fresh Off the Boat, Hot In Cleveland, Mad Men, the sitcom classic Murphy Brown, 5 years as Greg’s crabby secretary ‘Marlene’ on Dharma and Greg, and 3 years as ‘Louise Fitzer’ one of the Fox network’s earliest sitcoms, Herman’s Head. She wrote and performed her one-woman show, “MORE” off-Broadway in 2004, and in Los Angeles in 2005. She published her first novel, I Lorelei, through HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2009. She owned her own women’s luxury shoe line called Marchez Vous for 5 years beginning in 2010. And in 2015, she co-founded the development company, Paperclip Ltd., with Ben Cornwell, for the purpose of developing stories at their earliest stages across all mediums.

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#21 - Daisy Eagan: The 11 Year Old Tony Winner

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

11yr old Tony Winner takes us from The Secret Garden to the The Strange and Unexplained

Daisy Eagan shares the unique experience of being the youngest female winner in Tony history. She recounted working with Mandy Patinkin, Rebecca Luker and John Cameron Mitchell who was writing Hedwig & The Angy Inch at the same time. Daisy was shocked to learn of her impact on Broadway star Sutton Foster, and had no idea that Neil Patrick Harris watched her perform from the wings. Now a podcaster herself, Daisy is the host of the popular Strange and Unexplained as well as Dear Daisy.

Also in this episode - Marissa Jaret Winokur 2003 Tony Award win for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for Hairspray. Eila & Bruce discuss Jenifer Lewis & Marc Shaiman and give their thoughts on The Notebook.

Throughout a multi-decade career, Tony award-winner, Daisy Eagan, has dazzled audiences from the stage to television and film, and award-winning writing, and several podcasts.

At age eleven, Eagan became the youngest female to win a Tony Award for Best Performance by A Featured Actress for playing Mary Lennox in “The Secret Garden,” for which Eagan also received Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations.

Eagan also appeared on Broadway in “Les Miserables” and “James Joyce's The Dead,” as well as countless off-broadway and regional plays and musicals, including two stints at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019 (30 Minute Musicals and Steve Yockey’s “Sleeping Giant.”). Favorite productions include world premieres of Christopher Shinn’s “On the Mountain” (South Coast Rep), Annie Weisman’s “Be Aggressive”(La Jolla Playhouse), and Barbara Dana’s “War in Paramus” (HB Studios), as well as Lachuisa’s “Wild Party”(The Blank Theater Company) for which Eagan won an L.A. Weekly award.

Eagan has appeared in several films including “Losing Isaiah,” “Ripe,” and “Tony and Tina’s Wedding.”

On television, most recently, Eagan had a recurring role as one of the first non-binary characters on Network television, in Freeform’s “Good Trouble.” Before that, Eagan starred in HBO’s “Girls” playing a version of Lena Dunham’s character opposite Adam Driver. Additional television credits include HULU’s “The Path,” CBS’ “The Mentalist,” “Without a Trace,” “Ghost Whisperer,” “The Unit” and “Numb3rs.”

Eagan is also an award-winning writer with a loyal and growing audience, and a fierce fighter and activist for women's and LGBTQIA2+ rights. She is a rousing voice in political arenas and continues to fight for change throughout her literary career. She has penned op-eds for publications including HuffPost and Playbill.com, and had a column for USA Today Network’s The Journal News. Eagan is currently adapting her award-winning short screenplay, “Tony and Annette” into a full-length feature by popular demand.

Most recently, Eagan has switched focus to podcasting, with three successful podcasts, “Strange and Unexplained with Daisy Eagan” (named one of Rolling Stone’s top 20 podcasts of 2021), available wherever you listen to podcasts, as well as “Dear Daisy: A podcast about secrets,” and “STFU Nick Lachey” A Love is Blind recap podcast with co-host Broadway sensation Ellyn Marsh, both available either exclusively or early and ad-free on Grab Bag Collab an egalitarian podcasting network on Patreon which Eagan co-founded in 2023 with Pulitzer Prize winner Amber Hunt and Pulitzer and Emmy award winner Amanda Rossmann. Grab Bag strives to provide a platform for voices that may struggle finding a home at big name networks. The network is profit-sharing, and all creators retain ownership of their content.

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#20 - Tony Awards 2024 Recap

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Our day at the Tony’s from rehearsal to show…and awards recap.

Eila & Bruce share what it was like to be at the Tony awards rehearsal as well as the big show. Listen to hear the who, what, where and wow of the biggest day for Broadway. Plus, who predicted the winners best from our deep dive episodes.

Also in this episode, Eila & Bruce share one of their favorite speeches of the night. Kecia Lewis winning Featured Actress in a Musical for Hell’s Kitchen.

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#19 - Rick & Jeff Kuperman: Rumble in the Rain with The Kuperman Brothers

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Jeff & Rick Kuperman give us a deep dive on the process of creating the choreography for The Outsiders. They discuss their unique collaborative relationship as brothers and how that helped form the framework for The Outsiders, a show about brothers.

Eila and Bruce also discuss Jennifer Aniston SAG award for Outstanding Actress for her work on the morning show and how our Friend got her SAG card doing a Bob’s Big Boy commercial.

Rick Kuperman & Jeff Kuperman (CHOREOGRAPHY). Upcoming: co-directing & choreographing an immersive show with Emursive of Sleep No More. Recent choreo: Alice by Heart (MCC; Lortel, Chita Rivera, and Callaway Awards), Cyrano (Goodspeed/The New Group), Alien/Nation (Williamstown), Phish at MSG, The Count of Monte Cristo (St. Petersburg, Russia), Peter Pan (Beijing, China), The Light Princess (ART/New Victory). Film: Verona, Dicks: The Musical (A24), Silent Retreat (Miramax). TV: “Living with Yourself” (Netflix). As directors: Roll! (Ars Nova), Dispossessed (HERE), Smile (FringeNYC). Education: B.A.s, Harvard & Princeton. kupermanbrothers.com

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#18 - Celia Keenan-Bolger: Takes on a Mother of a Role

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Celia discusses working with Jessica Lang and Jim Parsons and having a role created for her in Paula Vogel’s Mother Play. Celia takes us on a journey of her career including The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bell, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Gilded Age. Celia shares what she was doing the morning nominations came out and how she balances being a working actor and motherhood.

Eila and Bruce also discuss Sarah Jessica Parker’s Golden Globe win for Sex and the City and a career that has spanned 50yrs beginning with Annie on Broadway

CELIA KEENAN-BOLGER. Broadway: To Kill a Mockingbird, Glass Menagerie, The Cherry Orchard, Peter and The Starcatcher, Les Misérables, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off-Broadway: Parallelogram, The Oldest Boy, Merrily We Roll Along, A Small Fire, Bachelorette. Select Film/TV: “The Gilded Age,” “Bull,” “Louie,” “The Good Wife,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Good Behavior,” “Elementary,” Diane, The Visit, Breakable You. Tony Award, Outer Critics Circle, three Drama Desk Award wins. Member of The Actors Center. NYCLU Michael Friedman Freedom Award recipient. UMichigan graduate. Training to be an end-of-life doula.

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#17 - Tony Awards 2024 Analysis #6

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Rumors have it that Stereophonic will bring home the Tony

Feature Friday! Eila & Bruce bring you the sixth installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories. Best Musical, Best Play, Scenic Design of a Musical, Lead Actress of a Musical, Lead Actor of a Musical.

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Mary Jane, Mother Play, Prayer for the French Republic, Stereophonic, Hells Kitchen, Illinoise, The Outsiders, Suffs, Water for Elephants, Brody Grant, Jonathan Groff, Merrily We Roll Along, Dorian Harewood, The Notebook, Brian d’Arcy, Days of Wine and Roses, Eddie Redmayne, Cabaret, Eden Espinosa, Lempicka, Maleah Joi Moon, Maryann Plunket, Kelli O’Hara, Gayle Rankin, Back to the Future, Here Lies Love.

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#16 - Kenny Leon: A Victorious Revival

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Kenny Leon and his victorious revival!

Director Kenny Leon opens up about the hit revival of Ossie Davis’s Purlie Victorious starring Leslie Odom Jr and Kara Young. Kenny gives us the scoop on his busy upcoming season including Home at the Roundabout Theater, Our Town lead by Jim Parsons & Katie Holmes, and Othello with Denzel Washington & Jake Gyllenhaal. Kenny gives listeners a glimpse into his cinematic directing process for the stage and how he turned the play American Son starring Kerry Washington into a movie for Netflix in 4 days.

Eila and Bruce also discuss Audra McDonald’s Best Featured Actress Tony win for Raisin in the Sun and the Breaking News of her Mama Rose in Gypsy at the newly renovated Majestic Theater.

Kenny Leon is a Tony Award-winning Broadway and television director. His Broadway credits include the Tupac musical Holler If You Hear Me, A Raisin in the Sun starring Denzel Washington (Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival of a Play), The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett, Stick Fly, August Wilson’s Fences (which garnered ten Tony nominations and won three Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play), Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf. He also directed Smart People for Second Stage. Leon's recent television work includes "Hairspray Live!", and "The Wiz Live!" on NBC. He is the recipient of the 2016 Mr. Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in Directing and the 2010 Award for Excellence in Directing from the Drama League. Mr. Leon serves on the board of New York's Public Theater and is Artistic Director of Atlanta's Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company.

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#15 - Tony Awards 2024 Analysis #5

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Jessica Lang is the “Mother” to beat this Tony season?

Feature Friday! Eila & Bruce bring you the fifth installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories. Director of a Musical, Costume Design of a Musical, Lead Actress of a Play, Lead Actor of a Play

Maria Friedman, Merrily We Roll Along, Michael Greif,, Leigh Silverman, Suffs, Jessica Stone, Water for Elephants, Danya Taymor, The Outsiders, Hells Kitchen, The Great Gatsby, Cabaret, William Jackson Harper, Uncle Vanya, Leslie Odom Jr, Purlie Victorious, Liev Schreiber, Doubt, Jeremy Strong, An Enemy of the People, Michael Stuhlbarg, Patriots, Betsy Aidem, Prayer for the French Republic, Jessica Lang, Mother Play, Rachel McAdams, Mary Jane, Sarah Paulson, Appropriate, Amy Ryan

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#14 - John Tartaglia: How Sesame Street Turned into a Tony

Thu, 30 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Take a sharp left at Avenue Q and that’s how you get to Sesame Street!

John Tartaglia’s journey from a 16 year old puppeteer on Sesame Street to originating the first ever puppet sex scene on Broadway. John talks about the new season of Fraggle Rock on Apple TV and his full circle experience with Jim Henson.

Also in this episode - Jackee Harry’s historic Emmy win in 1987 when she became the first Black Actress to win Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for 227.

Eila & Bruce discuss seeing Lempicka during previews and its new ending debut.

At the age of 16, John Tartaglia began his professional career as a puppeteer for Sesame Street. He earned a Tony award nomination for his Broadway debut in the dual roles of Princeton and Rod in Avenue Q". Other Broadway roles include Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and originating Pinocchio and the Magic Mirror in Shrek the Musical. John went on to create, executive produce and star in his own preschool series Johnny and the Sprites, for Disney Junior, nominated for 8 Emmy awards, including a nomination for “Outstanding Performance in a Children’s Series” followed by creating the acclaimed Off-Broadway and international touring musical "ImaginOcean" that was re-imagined for television on PBS Kids called "Jim Henson's Splash and Bubbles” (Creator, Co-Executive Producer and starring as "Splash"). John also stars as Kip the Wallaby on Jim Henson's Word Party and as Hank in Julie’s Greenroom(starring Dame Julie Andrews) both on NETFLIX.

John’s theatrical directing credits include both Stephen Schwartz's The Secret Silk and Jim Henson's Inspired Silliness for Princess Cruises, Kinky Boots(3d Theatricals), Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Maltz Jupiter Theater), Claudio Quest(NY Musical Theatre Festival- Winning 6 awards including "Best in Fest” and Best Director), Shrek The Halls(Dreamworks Theatricals), Because of Winn Dixie (Arkansas Rep and Goodspeed Operahouse development) and Jim Henson’s Musical World (Carnegie Hall).

Most recently, he finished filming the second season of the EMMY winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock where he performs Gobo Fraggle, Architect Doozer, Gunge, Barry Blueberry and Sprocket the Dog as well as serving as an executive producer, writer and puppet captain.

John has worked many summer seasons at the country's award- winning oldest outdoor theater, the St Louis MUNY, directing such shows as Shrek the Musical, The Wizard of Oz, Tarzan, Annie, Matilda, Mary Poppins and most recently Disney's Beauty and the Beast. the national tours of Jim Henson’s Dinosaur Train Live and Jim Henson’s Sid the Science Kid Live! as well as several shows for Sesame Place, PA. ‍

John can be heard every Sunday on Sirius XM On Broadway on his show “Sunday Funday with John Tartaglia.”

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#13 - Tony Awards 2024 Analysis #4

Mon, 27 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Is it “Appropriate” for Lila Neugebauer to win the Tony?

Feature Friday! Eila & Bruce bring you the fourth installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories. Director of a Play, Sound Design of a Musical, Lighting Design of a Play, Revival of a Musical.

Cabaret, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Merrily We Roll Along, The Who’s Tommy, Here Lies Love, Hells Kitchen, The Outsiders, An Enemy of the People, Prayer for the French Republic, Stereophonic, Appropriate, Grey House, Daniel Aukin, Anne Kauffman, Mary Jane, Kenny Leon Purlie Victorious, Lila Neugebauer, Whitney White Jaja’s African Hair Braiding

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#12 - Shana Carroll & Jesse Robb: Joining the W4E Circus

Wed, 22 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Water for Elephants swings into Tony season!

Shana Carroll and Jesse Robb discuss combining dance and circus choreography to thrill Broadway audiences. We learn how learn how Grant Guston jumps from a train, Isabelle McCalla flies from a trapeze and performers give life to horses and elephants that steal our hearts. Listen to find out how this show operates differently than any other show on Broadway.

Eila & Bruce also discuss Eddie Redmayne’s Oliver win for Best Actor in a Musical for Cabaret. Not to be missed is their coverage of the Drama League Awards including Sarah Paulson once in a career win.

SHANA CARROLL (Circus Designer & Co-Choreographer).Co-founding artistic director of The 7 Fingers, where she created over a dozen shows including Traces, Sequence 8, Cuisine & Confessions, Passengers. Other directing: Cirque du Soleil’s Crystal; circus component of Queen of the Night; Cirque du Soleil performance on 84th Academy Awards. Other circus design/choreography: Paramour (Broadway); Cirque du Soleil’s Iris; Sochi Olympics Opening Ceremony.

JESSE ROBB (Co-Choreographer) has worked at The Alliance Theatre, The Stratford Festival of Canada, Theatre Calgary, Ogun[1]quit Playhouse, Opera Philadelphia, Cirque du Soleil and MOMIX, among others. He is the movement director for the Cameron Mackintosh production of Les Misérables (U.S. national and South Korea) and was the associate choreographer for Miss Saigon (Broadway, U.S. tour, Vienna). Thanks and love to MF, PP, KZ, Les and Roberta Robb.

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#11 - Tony Awards 2024 Analysis #3

Mon, 20 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Will Lindsay Mendez Merrily Roll Along to her second Tony win?

Magnificent Monday! Eila & Bruce bring you the third installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories. Featured Actress in a Musical, Book of a Musical, Scenic Design of a Play, Best Revival of a Play.

Shoshana Bean, Amber Iman, Nikki M James, Leslie Rodroguez Kritzer, Kecia Lewis, Lindsay Mendez, Bebe Neuwirth, Hells Kitchen, Lempicka, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Merrily We Roll Along, Cabaret, Suffs, The Notebook, Water for Elephants, The Outsiders, An Enemy of the People, Appropriate, Purlie Victorious, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Stereophonic

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#10 - Tom Kitt: Cooking in Hell's Kitchen (with Alicia Keys)

Wed, 15 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Tom Kitt’s got something cooking in Hell's Kitchen with Alicia Keys.

The Pulitzer Prize winning composer of Next to Normal discusses working with everyone from Alanis Morrissette (Jagged Little Pill), The Go Go’s (Head Over Heel), Green Day (American Idiot), and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Bigger). Tom shares the journey of Next to Normal from its infancy as a 10 minute musical class assignment with Brian Yorkey. Tom Kitt recounts working with an array of recording artists to bring Spong Bob Square Pants to Broadway and the thrill he had working with a James Lapine on Flying Over Sunset.

Also in this Episodes - Shemar Moore announces Susan Lucci’s iconic Daytime Emmy win for Best Actress after 19 nominations.

Eila & Bruce delve into an already packed 2024/2025 Broadway season which they are dubbing the Kenny Leon Season. Highlights include; Othello starring Denzel Washington & Jake Gyllenhall, Sunset Boulevard starring Nicole Scherzinger, and Elton John’s Tammy Faye.

Tom Kitt is a two-time Tony, two-time Emmy, Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award winner. As a musical theater composer, he has written the music for six Broadway shows: Next to Normal (Tony Award), If/Then (Tony Nomination), Flying Over Sunset (Tony Nomination), High Fidelity, Bring it On, The Musical, and Almost Famous. His work for the stage has also been seen Off Broadway at 2nd Stage (Next to Normal, Superhero), The Public Theater (The Visitor, Shakespeare in the Park) and he has worked at some of the most prestigious regional theaters including The Old Globe, Arena Stage, Berkeley Rep, The Signature Theater, and ART. In addition, Tom’s Broadway credits as an orchestrator include: Next to Normal (Tony Award), The SpongeBob Musical (Tony Nomination), Jagged Little Pill (Tony Nomination), Almost Famous, Head Over Heels, Everyday Rapture, and American Idiot.

Tom has also been active in the world of film and TV. As one of the vocal arrangers working on the Pitch Perfect films, Tom most notably helped create the classic “Riff-off.” Tom also served as music supervisor/arranger/orchestrator for Grease Live and contributed songs for Royal Pains and Penny Dreadful. He also provided music supervision for the NBC series, Rise and has written numerous songs for Sesame Street. And he is known for his two original opening numbers for The Tony Awards, Live in 2019, written with David Javerbaum for James Corden, and the Emmy Award winning, Bigger in 2013, written with Lin-Manuel Miranda for Neil Patrick Harris. Tom is also proud that his musical adaptation of Freaky Friday, co-written with Bridget Carpenter and Brian Yorkey was turned into an original movie musical for Disney Channel. Most recently, Tom served as a Supervising Music Producer on the new Bobby Lopez/Kristen Anderson-Lopez/Steven Levenson/Thomas Kail musical television series, Up Here.

As a recording artist/producer, Tom has worked on numerous original cast recordings, winning a Grammy award for his work on Jagged Little Pill. In 2019, he was signed to a recording contract with Sony Masterworks, and his debut album, Reflect featured a number of brilliant Broadway artists with whom Tom collaborated to create a song cycle touching on the challenges brought on by the pandemic. One of Tom’s compositions, She Has Hope was co-written with Danny Burstein and his late wife, the brilliant and gifted artist, Rebecca Luker. Featuring Brian D’Arcy James on vocals, a video of She Has Hope was filmed in 2021 in collaboration with Project ALS to bring more awareness and support to finding a cure. Reflect was also chosen by the Library of Congress to be featured in an exhibit showcasing art created during the pandemic.

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#9 - Tony Awards 2024 Analysis #2

Mon, 13 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Is there a clear winner this Tony Season…Doubt it?

Magnificent Monday! Eila & Bruce bring you the second installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories. Featured Actress in a Play, Lighting Design of a Musical, Costume Design of a Play and Best Original Score..

Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Juliana Canfield, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Sarah Pidgeon, Kara Young, Appropriate, Stereophonic, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Purlie Victorious, An Enemy of the People, Illinoise, Cabaret, Hells Kitchen, The Outsiders, Water for Elephants, Days of Wine and Roses, Here Lies Love, Suffs, The Mother Play, Doubt, David Byrne, Fat Boy Slim

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#8 - John Lloyd Young: A Jersey Boy With a Great Falsetto

Wed, 08 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

How do you get Clint Eastwood’s attention…Ask a Jersey Boy with a great falsetto

John Lloyd Young told us how to succeed in show business. From seeing Big River as a kid- produced by Dodger Theatricals and directed by Des McAnuff to interning with the production firm and later making his Broadway debut in Jersey Boys helmed by the same director and producers. John Lloyd Young shared what it took to land the role of Frankie Valli in the file version, directed by Clint Eastwood.

What does Barbara Cook, Ertha Kitt and John Lloyd Young have common? The Cafe Carlyle where John Lloyd will be appearing May 14th-18th. John Lloyd Young tells us that he returns to The Cafe Carlyle every year because its a piece of New York City history that is frozen in time.

Also in this episode - Sally Fields Oscar win for Best Actress in a Motion Picture for Places in the Hear in 1985.

Bruce & Eila discuss JT Rogers’ new play Corruption at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.

Film, stage and concert artist, John Lloyd Young, is a Tony and Grammy winner, multi-Platinum recording artist and Presidential Appointee. As the original “Frankie Valli” in Broadway’s Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Jersey Boys, Young garnered unprecedented accolades from the New York and national media, going on to become the only American actor to date to win all four major Broadway Leading Actor in a Musical honors for a Broadway debut: the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Award. Young starred in Jersey Boys on London’s West End, and was hand-picked by director Clint Eastwood to reprise his role in the Warner Bros. film adaptation, becoming one of only a select-few actors in entertainment history to take his Tony-winning role to the big screen.

Over the years, Young has sung selections from Jersey Boys several times at the White House, in the halls of Congress, and to Kennedys, Clintons, Bushes, Obamas, Bidens, Trumps, Pences, the Prime Minister and First Lady, Shinzo and Akie Abe, of Japan and the President and First Lady of Finland, Sauli Niinistö and Jenni Haukio.

As a concert artist, Young has taken his expertly-curated repertoire of classic pop and R&B to filled-to-capacity rooms, thrilling his audiences with a “disciplined one-in-a-million high tenor shading into falsetto that he can direct through the stratosphere” (The New York Times). He has played The White House, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Hollywood Bowl, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the U.S. Embassy in Finland, Mar-a-Lago, Clint Eastwood’s Tehama Country Club, New York’s Café Carlyle, Feinstein’s in NY and San Francisco, Radio City Music Hall, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and New Year’s Eve in Times Square.

Appointed to the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities by Barack Obama, Young was sworn in at the Supreme Court of the United States by Justice Elena Kagan. As a member of the Committee, Young represented the United States on the first U.S. Cultural Mission to the Republic of Cuba, along with fellow Committee members Kal Penn and Alfre Woodard, guest artists Usher, Smokey Robinson, Dave Matthews, violinist Joshua Bell, playwright John Guare, U.S. arts officials, including the Chairs of the NEA and the Smithsonian Institution, and members of Congress.

A resident of Los Angeles, Young was educated at Brown University and in Spain at the University of Salamanca. He knows fluent Spanish, conversational and written Mandarin, and sings in several languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, Hebrew and Italian. Trained by world championship title holders and Chinese Shaolin monks, Young holds a brown-belt in Shaolin Temple-style kung fu, and is a student and practitioner of Chinese Chan Buddhism.

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#7 - Tony Awards 2024 Analysis #1

Mon, 06 May 2024 16:26:00 -0000

Will Harry Potter cast a spell on Tony voters?

Magnificent Monday! Eila & Bruce bring you the first installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories. Featured Actor in a Play, Featured Actor in a Musical, Sound Design of a Play, Choreography and Orchestrations.

Daniel Radcliff, Roger Bart, Brandon Victor Dixon, Steven Skybell, Joshua Boonem Sky Lakota-Lynch, Jim Parsons, Corey Stoll, Will Brill, Eli Gelb, Tom Pecinka, Hells Kitchen, Here Lies Love, The Outsiders, Illinoise, Water for Elephants, Merrily We Roll Along, Back to the Future, Cabaret, Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, Mary Jane, Grey House, Appropriate, Stereophonic, The Mother Play

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#6 - Chip Zien: The Origin of 'The Witch Next Door'

Wed, 01 May 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Who’s The Witch next door…The Baker gives us the scoop on who he thinks it might be.

In this special live episode from The Museum of Broadway, Chip Zien talks about 50 years on Broadway and his Sardi’s caricature as well as Harmony, Into The Woods, Falsettos, Stephen Sondheim and a film her won’t name with Katharine Hepburn.

Also in this episode - Amber Riley wins Best Actress in a Musical at the 2023 Olivier Awards. Eila & Bruce discuss the Drama League and Outer Critic Circle Award Nominations.

Chip Zien most recently starred as Rabbi in Manilow/Sussman’s HARMONY earning some of the best reviews of his career. He created the role of the Baker in Sondheim/Lapine’s beloved INTO THE WOODS and Mendel in every iteration of William Finn/Lapine’s seminal productions of FALSETTOS. Also: Les Miz (Thenardier), CAROLINE OR CHANGE (Stopnick), GRAND HOTEL (Kringelein), Roundabout’s THE BIG KNIFE and THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE, THE COUNTRY GIRL, etc. Off-Bway: Drama Desk nominations for HARMONY, ISN’T IT ROMANTIC, A NEW BRAIN and many others.

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#5 - Tony Awards Nominations 2024 (Reactions and Snubs!)

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 14:31:00 -0000

It’s nomination day!! Eila and Bruce dissect the 2024 Tony Award nominations. Everything from who they’re happy about, who was snubbed!

Back to the Future. Cabaret. Days of Wine and Roses. The Great Gatsby. Gutenberg. Harmony. Heart of Rock and Roll. Hell’s Kitchen. Here Lies Love. How to Dance in Ohio. Illinoise. Lempicka. Merrily We Roll Along. Spamalot. The Notebook. Once Upin a One More Time. The Outsiders. Suffs. Water for Elephants. The Who’s Tommy. The Wiz. Appropriate. The Cottage. Doubt. An Enemy of the People. Grey House. I Need That. Jaja’s African Hair Braiding. Mary Jane. Mother Play. Patriots. Prayer for the French Republic. Purlie Victorious. The Shark is Broken. Stereophonic. Uncle Vanya.

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#4 - Duncan Sheik: Are You Barely Breathing or Has Your Spring Awakened?

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

Spring Awakening and American Psycho composer and rock star Duncan Sheik recounts how it feels to win two Tony Awards in one night. Ducan give us the scoop on all things Spring Awakening including some advise from Liev Schreiber and the healing effect of the reunion concert. Duncan describes what it’s like to embody American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman while composing the score and future projects.

Also in this episode - John Travola introduces the world to Adele Dazeem…Idina Menzel as we all know her. Eila & Bruce play Casting Director and Dream Cast Jesus Christ Superstar.

Duncan Sheik is an American singer-songwriter, composer and actor. Sheik is known for his 1996 debut single "Barely Breathing", which earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. He has composed music for motion pictures and Broadway musicals, winning the 2007 Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations for his work on the musical Spring Awakening.

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#3 - Wilson Jermaine Heredia: It Was His Lucky Day Today on Avenue A

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:02:00 -0000

A pair of high heels and jumping over Jesse L. Martin’s head helped win Wilson Jermaine Heredia the Tony for playing Angel in Rent. His journey with the show started Off-Broadway and led him to eventually starring in the film version. He gives Behind the Awards a deep dive into the creation of this iconic show. Who would have thought this Tony winner would have to be convinced to even audition for this show?!

We also discuss a medical emergency at a performance of The Outsiders, as well as the show's chances of getting a Tony nomination for Best Musical.

Also included is a throwback to Elaine’s Stritch’s Emmy win in 2004 for Elaine Stritch at Liberty.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Wilson J Heredia was always surrounded by music. His mother was a seamstress and his father was a super. But they were both very musical. He studied medicine, and thought about advertising, but he realized he had to express himself, so he got into acting. He worked at a railway station in NY before he auditioned for the musical, RENT. He said he needed the $300 a week. Unbeknownst to him, his stint with the hit-musical would bring him popularity as a singer, dancer and actor, fans from all over the world and both the 1996 Tony award and Drama Desk award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He has appeared in several films, including his portrayal of Cha-Cha, the drag queen, in 1999's Flawless, where he worked opposite former Rent castmate Daphne Rubin-Vega. The film also stars Robert De Niro and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Heredia also appeared in the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode “Nocturne".

Along with five other principal members of the original Broadway cast, Heredia appeared in the film release of Rent, directed by Chris Columbus.

On January 9, 2006, he presented an a\ward at the Critics' Choice Awards with Rosario Dawson, Taye Diggs, and Tracie Thoms, his costars from the Rent motion picture. He appeared along with Dawson and Thoms on the 2007 film Descent, playing the character of Diego. Heredia has also guest starred on Medium and Without a Trace, and in 2009 he filmed a pilot called Three Chris’s. He made his return to Broadway in La Cage aux Folles on February 15, 2011, in the role of Jacob (replacing Robin de Jesús). He starred alongside Harvey Fierstein (who won a Tony Award for writing the Book of the musical) as Albin/Zaza and Broadway veteran Christopher Sieber as Georges. As of 2013, Heredia lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. He starred in San Francisco Playhouse's production of Camelot, as Sir Lancelot, and Berkeley Playhouse's production of A Little Princess as Pasko. He made an appearance in the 2021 film Tick, Tick ...BOOM!, which was based on the musical of the same name by Rent creator Jonathan Larson. In 2022, Heredia was cast as the lead in Syracuse Stage's world premiere of the musical How to Dance in Ohio, based on the award winning documentary of the same name by Alexandra Shiva.

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#2 - Robyn Hurder: SMASH'ing Blue Jeans and Corsets

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:01:00 -0000

From Blue Jeans to corsets to Smash…and is there really a Cassie curse. Robyn Hurder opens her heart and gives us the scoop on career highs such as sharing the stage Donna McKechnie to recreate The Music and the Mirror from A Chorus Line, being nominated for a Tony, and the dancer’s dream of winning the Chita Rivera Award. Robyn discusses the joy and demands of stepping into the role of Velma in Chicago and a very special full circle moment with Bebe Neuwirth.

Eila and Bruce also discuss Billy Porter’s Tony win for Kinky Boots as well as a probing discussion on this years Tony Award race. There’s nominations and Tony Award predictions galore…

Robyn Hurder created the roles of Marcia in A Beautiful Noise and Nini in Moulin Rouge on Broadway,. She was nominated for the 2020 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Moulin Rouge. She has performed in the Broadway shows Nice Work If You Can Get It. Grease, The Wedding Singer and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. She has taken part in a number of regional productions and encore stages and the national tours of A Chorus Line, Spamalot and Starlight Express.

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#1 - Meet Your Hosts, Eila and Bruce!

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 07:00:00 -0000

What’s your diner order? Ours is a full dish of awards! Hosts Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb bring you behind the scene stories with guests who have won; Tony Awards, Oscars, Emmys, Grammy Awards, Golden Globes, SAG Awards and more. Listen to this first episode to learn how they met and why we're even here today!

Eila Mell is the author of Designing Broadway, as well as the official guide to the hit television series Project Runway, titled Project Runway: The Show That Changed Fashion. She has been featured in the New York Times, Marie Claire, Glamour, and CBS’s The Insider, as well as in the documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s. Her latest book, The Tony Awards: A Celebration of Excellence, drops on April 16, 2024. Bruce Gotlieb is a NY based realtor and actor who has never met an awards show he didn’t like.

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