Cast Offs with Ben and Daniel

Latest Episodes:

Episode 29: QuaranStreams (Showstoppers: The Best of Broadway) Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel discuss the 1982 concert Showstoppers: The Best of Broadway. The evening is hosted by Tom Bosley and features Broadway favorites such as Ethel Merman, Barry Bostwick, Susan Browning, Len Cariou, Nell Carter, Diahann Carroll, Carole Demas, David Haskell, Glynis Johns, Donna McKechnie, Robert Morse, Pamela Myers, Stephen Nathan, Jerry Orbach, Anthony Perkins, Debbie Reynolds, Alexis Smith, and Ray Walston.

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Episode 28: QuaranStreams (My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies) Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel discuss the 1998 Carnegie Hall concert, My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies. The concert was hosted by Julie Andrews and featured Broadway superstars such as Nell Carter, Lea DeLaria, Linda Eder, Jennifer Holliday, Anna Kendrick, Judy Kuhn, Priscilla Lopez, Dorothy Loudon, Rebecca Luker, Marin Mazzie, Andrea McArdle, Audra McDonald, Liza Minnelli, Debra Monk, Rosie O'Donnell, Faith Prince, and Karen Ziemba. It was directed by Scott Ellis and conducted by Paul Gemignani. Subscribe to Broken Records on YouTube and follow our QuaranStreams playlist.

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Episode 27: Charles Busch (Yentl) Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to Tony-nominated playwright and actor Charles Busch about the soundtrack to the 1983 film Yentl. They also discuss Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Linda Lavin, Julie Halston, Patrick Dennis, Mame, Michael Tanner, Tom Judson, Dick Gallagher, Lucie Arnaz, Lorna Luft, Michael Vollbracht, The Women, Carl Andress, Lynne Meadow, Tony Roberts, Paul Newman, Sasha Velour, Bianca Del Rio, Stephen Sondheim, and Michele Lee. Charles talks about his career in and out of drag, as well as the difference between downtown and mainstream theater. Charles is the author of a number of fabulous plays, many of which he starred in, including Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Psycho Beach Party, and his most recent, The Confession of Lily Dare. His 2000 hit play, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, ran on Broadway and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play.

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Episode 26: Michael Arden (Joni Mitchell's Blue) Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actor and director Michael Arden about Joni Mitchell's 1971 album, Blue. They also discuss Audra McDonald, Ricky Ian Gordon, Follies, Imelda Staunton, Alexandra Silber, Indigo Girls, Sara McLachlan, Shawn Colvin, The Phantom of the Opera, Gillian Lynne, Ben Folds, Maggie Rogers, Lestat, Robyn, and Jan Maxwell. Michael talks about discovering Joni and how her storytelling abilities influenced his own artistic career. Michael has appeared on Broadway in shows such as Big River and Bare, A Pop Opera. He also directed the hit revivals of Spring Awakening and Once On This Island.

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Episode 25: Nathan Lee Graham (Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music) Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actor and singer Nathan Lee Graham about Lena Horne's 1981 live album, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music. They also discuss André De Shields, Billy Porter, Mame, Robin de Jesús, Showboat, Angela Lansbury, Jesus Christ Superstar, Judy Garland, Jenifer Lewis, James Brown III, Hal Prince, Susan Stroman, and Eartha Kitt. Nathan talks about social activism through art and how performers like Lena and Eartha have influenced his career. Nathan has starred on Broadway in beloved shows such as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Michael John LaChiusa's The Wild Party. He's appeared in the hit films Zoolander, Sweet Home Alabama, and Hitch, and on TV shows such as The Comeback, Absolutely Fabulous, and Katy Keene.

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Episode 24: Alison Fraser (A New York Romance) Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to two-time Tony nominee Alison Fraser about her 1996 album, A New York Romance. They also discuss Rusty Magee, James Taylor, Benjamin Dreyer, Bill Finn, In Trousers, March of the Falsettos, The Music Man, Rebecca Luker, Oliver, Eydie Gormé, My Fair Lady, Harry Nilsson, John Cameron Mitchell, Stephen Trask, Bernadette Peters, Gigi, Mary Testa, Annie Golden, Daisy Eagan, Laura Nyro, Linda Rondstadt, Michael John LaChiusa, First Daughter Suite, Elvis Costello, Aaron Mark, Rammstein, Patty Darcy, and Lena Horne. Alison has appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including The Secret Garden and Romance/Romance, both of which earned her Tony nominations. She also appeared alongside Patti LuPone in the 2008 revival of Gypsy.

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Episode 23: Drew Droege (Sylvester's All I Need) Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actor and comedian Drew Droege about Sylvester's 1982 album All I Need. They also discuss Audra McDonald, Eddie Murphy, Sandra Bernhard, Diana Ross, Har Mar Superstar, Robyn, Chloë Sevigny, Annette Funicello, John Waters, Sinead O’Connor, Melissa McCarthy, RuPaul, Jane Fonda. Michael Patrick King, Latrice Royale, Dianne Wiest, Kathleen Turner, Glenn Close, Carol Burnett, The Comeback, and Donna Murphy. Drew is currently performing his play, Happy Birthday Doug, at SoHo Playhouse. His previous play, Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, is available to stream on BroadwayHD.

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Episode 22: Marilyn Maye (Step To The Rear) Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to cabaret superstar and musical theater actress Marilyn Maye about her 1967 album Step To The Rear. They also discuss Jerry Herman, Mame, Hello Dolly, Mel Tormé, Rosemary Clooney, Barbara Cook, Tommy Tune, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Billy Stritch, Tedd Firth, Provincetown, The Anchor Inn, Palm Springs, Feinstein's/54 Below, Birdland, and The Art House. Marilyn tells stories from her career as a singer and recording artist, and shares her expertise on how to build a show and sing to an audience. Marilyn has released seven albums and thirty-four singles, and performs all over the country to rooms full of adoring fans. Marilyn also holds the record for the most frequent singer on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, where she appeared a total of seventy-six times.

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Episode 21: Lena Hall (Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction) Feb 10, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to Tony-winning actress and singer Lena Hall about Guns N' Roses' 1987 debut album Appetite for Destruction. They also discuss Axl Rose, Cats, Billy Porter, Legally Blonde, Patti LuPone, Evita, Donna Summer, Tarzan, Kinky Boots, Jimi Hendrix, Rent, Janis Joplin, Damon Daunno, Jeff Buckley, David Bowie, and My Little Pony. Lena talks about her unique artistic journey, from growing up in the ballet world, to singing in the rock band The Deafening, to winning a Tony Award for her portrayal of Yitzhak in the acclaimed Broadway revival of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. In Hedwig, Lena performed alongside John Cameron Mitchell, Neil Patrick Harris, Michael C. Hall, and Darren Criss, before stepping into the title role herself for the National Tour.

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Episode 20: Judy Kuhn (Joni Mitchell's Blue) Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to four-time Tony nominee Judy Kuhn about Joni Mitchell's landmark 1971 album Blue. They also discuss Laura Nyro, Neil Young, Carole King, Bob Dylan, Mary Beth Piel, Betty Buckley, and Yul Brynner. Judy talks about her love for Joni Mitchell, what the album means to her, and how it inspired her career. She also talks about her vocal training and how she has healthily maintained her exquisite voice over the years. Judy has appeared in a number of beloved shows, including The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Les Misérables, Chess, She Loves Me, Sunset Boulevard, and Fun Home. She will also appear in Classic Stage Company's upcoming Off-Broadway revival of Assassins. Judy sang the title role in the 1995 Disney film Pocahontas, including the Academy Award-winning song Colors of the Wind.

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