Cast Offs with Ben and Daniel

Latest Episodes:

Episode 19: Miss Richfield 1981 (Free To Be... You And Me) Jan 27, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to drag performer and national treasure Russ King (aka Miss Richfield 1981) about the 1972 album Free To Be... You And Me. They also discuss Varla Jean Merman, Divine, Jinkx Monsoon, Marlo Thomas, Alan Alda, Rehoboth Beach, Cherry Grove, The Triad, Vonda Kay Van Dyke, Virginia Christine, Pixie Aventura, and Hedda Lettuce. Miss Richfield talks about performance mishaps, working with an audience, and what it's like returning to Provincetown year after year. In addition to her hilarious and acclaimed shows, Miss Richfield is also known as the TV spokesperson for the travel company Orbitz.

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Episode 18: Varla Jean Merman (The Mad Show) Jan 20, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actor, singer, and drag legend Jeffery Roberson (aka Varla Jean Merman) about the 1966 cast recording of The Mad Show. They also discuss Coco Peru, Frank DeCaro, Heklina, Joanne Worley, Linda Lavin, The First Wives Club, Carol Burnett, Sandy Duncan, Barbra Streisand, Ann Reinking, Leslie Jordan, Marisol Montalvo, and Charles Busch. Varla talks about performing the role of Mary Sunshine in Chicago on Broadway, and shares stories about working in Provincetown with queens such as Jinkx Monsoon, Peaches Christ, Liza Lott, and BenDeLaCreme. In addition to her hilarious onstage performances, Varla is also known for her work in Richard Day's beloved 2003 comedy film Girls Will Be Girls.

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Episode 17: Linda Eder (My Name is Barbra) Jan 13, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to singer and actress Linda Eder about Barbra Streisand's 1965 album My Name is Barbra. They also discuss Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, Whitney Houston, Glenn Close, Frank Wildhorn, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sunset Boulevard, Eydie Gormé, Michael Bublé, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Annie Get Your Gun, Vikki Carr, Eileen Farrell, Betty Buckley and Hello, Dolly! Known for her powerhouse vocals that have drawn comparisons to Streisand, Linda has performed in concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall. She has also performed on Broadway, where she originated the role of Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde, for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award.

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Episode 16: Pixie Aventura (Whitney Houston's Greatest Hits) Jan 06, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to actor and drag star Cesar Villavicencio (aka Pixie Aventura) about Whitney Houston's Greatest Hits. They also discuss Freddie Mercury, Queen, Chita Rivera, Judy Garland, Bohemian Rhapsody, and RuPaul's Drag Race. Pixie talks about working with an audience, her process of creating unique and highly compelling material, and the importance of bringing about more Latinx representation in media. She also talks about being a "research queen" and shares some of her inspirations from music, television, and film. Pixie performs nightly to packed audiences at NYC clubs like Barracuda, Hardware, Therapy, and Playhouse.

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Episode 15: Faith Prince (Liza with a Z) Dec 30, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to Tony-winning Broadway star Faith Prince about Liza Minnelli's 1972 live album Liza with a Z. They also discuss Tina Landau, Fanny Brice, Funny Girl, Jule Styne, Judy Holliday, Mary Rodgers, Gwen Verdon, Fosse/Verdon, Scott Frankel, Comden and Green, and Marilyn Maye. Faith tells stories of how she landed lead roles in shows like Guys and Dolls, Bells Are Ringing, and The First Wives Club, and shares valuable advice on how to set yourself apart at auditions by bringing your intelligence into the room and onto the stage. She also talks about what it means to be your authentic self and the value of being present as a performer and in life. Faith's fabulous live albums Leap of Faith and Total Faith are available on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

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Episode 14: Carolee Carmello (Godspell) Dec 23, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to three-time Tony nominee Carolee Carmello about the soundtrack to the 1973 film adaptation of Godspell. They also discuss Julie Andrews, The Sound of Music, Lesley Ann Warren, Marni Nixon, West Side Story, Evita, Mary Testa, Oliver, Gypsy, Barbra Streisand, Barbara Cook, Comden and Green, Falsettos, Kiss Me Kate, Marin Mazzie, and Parade. They talk about Carolee's secret, closeted soprano past and the fact that she has never taken a voice lesson. Carolee is currently starring as America's coast-to-coast Dolly Levi in the national tour of Hello, Dolly!

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Episode 13: Kevin Adams (Jesus Christ Superstar) Dec 16, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to four-time Tony-winning lighting designer Kevin Adams about the soundtrack to the 1973 film Jesus Christ Superstar. They also discuss Hair, Barry Dennen, Barbra Streisand, Sandra Bernhard, Without You I'm Nothing, Jodie Foster, Madonna, Tommy, Rupert Everett, Michael Mayer, Spike Lee, Jennifer Holliday, Stephen Trask, and John Cameron Mitchell. Kevin shares stories from his career, from working as a gogo dancer, to working on music videos, to collaborating with legendary directors and performers at The Mark Taper Forum, The Public Theater, and on Broadway. Kevin's credits include Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Spring Awakening, Passing Strange, Next to Normal, The Cher Show, and SpongeBob SquarePants.

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Episode 12: Laura Benanti (Tori Amos's Little Earthquakes) Dec 09, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to Tony-winning Broadway star Laura Benanti about Tori Amos's 1992 album Little Earthquakes. They also discuss Patti LuPone, Arthur Laurents, Joni Mitchell, Elaine Stritch, Liza Minnelli, Marni Nixon, Lizzo, Brandi Carlile, and Julie Andrews. Laura talks about her starring roles in Broadway hits such as The Sound of Music, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Gypsy, She Loves Me, and My Fair Lady. She shares stories from her career, including her "up-the-octave" portrayal of Dolly Levi in high school. In addition to the theater, Laura has appeared on TV in Supergirl, Nashville, and The Sound of Music Live opposite Carrie Underwood. She is also a regular on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and has tickled viewers nationwide with her hilarious portrayal of Melania Trump.

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Episode 11: Scott Wittman (Sinatra at the Sands) Dec 02, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to Tony-winning lyricist and director Scott Wittman about Frank Sinatra's 1966 live album, Sinatra at the Sands. They also discuss Bette Midler, Patti LuPone, Sammy Davis Jr, Edie Beale, Christine Ebersole, Count Basie, Barbara Cook, Dusty Springfield, Ute Lemper, and Bridget Everett. Scott talks about playing "cocktail lounge" growing up, and how his love for live albums influenced his career in theater and cabaret. Scott has worked on a number of successful Broadway shows such as Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, as well as the TV show Smash and the movie Mary Poppins Returns.

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Episode 10: Natalie Douglas (Nina Simone's Forbidden Fruit) Nov 25, 2019

Show notes

In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to cabaret superstar Natalie Douglas about Nina Simone's 1961 album Forbidden Fruit. They also discuss The Eagles, "South Pacific," Mitzi Gaynor, Roberta Flack, Barbra Streisand, Karen Mason, Joe Williams, and Dolly Parton. Natalie shares stories about moving to New York and working at famous piano bars such as Brandy's and The Duplex. She now sings to audiences around the world and can be seen performing at her monthly residency at Birdland in New York City.

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