Living the Dream with Rory O'Malley

Latest Episodes:

Rubén Carbajal - Episode #36 Aug 23, 2017

Show notes

Rubèn Carbajal (Hamiltour's John Laurens/Philip Hamilton) is ecstatic to be back in his hometown of Los Angeles performing at the Pantages where he grew up seeing plays that inspired him to get into acting including In The Heights starring Lin Manuel Miranada. His story of getting into Hamilton involves an open call, Mandy Gonzalez, and a hilarious tricked played on him by his agents. Rory and Rubén talk about their Jesuit education, handling rejection, and the moment that Rory tries to make Rubén smile on stage every show.

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Jordan Donica - Episode #35 Aug 16, 2017

Show notes

Jordan Donica takes us on his journey from Indiana Hoosier to becoming the Hamilton tour's Jefferson/Lafayette. Last year he made his Broadway debut in The Phantom of the Opera (a show he was destined to be in) which is a reflection of his abundance of talent. From rap to opera, this guy can do it all. Jordan has an incredibly unique perspective on the business and a laser beam focus on what he wants. In the few years since her got out of college, Jordan has already made his mark in the business. He also explains why he doesn't use social media.

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Raymond Baynard - Episode #34 Aug 09, 2017

Show notes

Rory celebrates his homecoming to LA after a year and a half away with Hamilton and talks to fellow cast mate Raymond Baynard. Ray is a part of the ensemble and plays the infamous George Eaker in the Hamiltour! This isn't his first time on the road. Ray traveled with The Lion King for over three years so he knows all the secrets to make it through the ups and downs. Raymond has a very focused physical and spiritual practice that he is inspired to maintain by the strength and example of his mother. His story about her is one of the most beautiful to ever be told on "Living the Dream."

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Danny Bernardy - Episode #33 Aug 02, 2017

Show notes

Danny Bernardy has thrived as an actor in regional theaters across the country and as member of the One Year Lease Theater Company. Danny’s career has spanned from New York City to Greece and all the way to Moscow. Danny and Rory have been friends since their freshman year of college and have weathered the twists and turns of this business by sticking together. Danny tells us why he gave Rory the nickname “Grandma", about his first NYC apartment that was "wall free", and how his theater company has given him a creative home.

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Lauren Kias - Episode #32 Jul 26, 2017

Show notes

Lauren Kias is an extremely talented dancer and member of the Hamilton ensemble. She also happens to be Rory's scene partner in the pivotal moment when KG3 learns that John Adams will be replacing George Washington! Lauren comes from Indianapolis where she studied dance early on as a child and even began splitting her time in high school between regular classes and the prestigious Butler University Dance Department. Lauren spent 8 years in a dance company in Chicago and never expected to be in the musical theater world but she explains how she got to Hamilton and how her journey included a "boot camp". Lauren has a lot of gratitude and credits her success to her family, especially her mother who drove her to every dance class and her husband who was completely supportive when she got the tour of Hamilton even though it meant doing long distance. Rory and Lauren talk about how they plan on approaching the next phase of life as they contemplate raising kids while "living the dream"!

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Isaiah Johnson - Episode #31 Jul 11, 2017

Show notes

Isaiah (Hamilton, The Color Purple) plays George Washington on our tour and was a part of the show during its infancy stages when it was The Hamilton Mixtape. He comes a long way from Broadway (Anchorage, Alaska) and his route to get to where he is makes for quite the tale. Isaiah has a passionate stance on the role of the actor in society and a wonderful sense of humor. Rory and Isaiah also solve the mystery of the shaking stool. You'll have to listen to understand that one!

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Seth Rudetsky - Episode #30 Jun 20, 2017

Show notes

Seth Rudetsky (Siruis Xm Broadway, Disaster The Musical) and his husband James Wesley talk to Rory about their Concert for America this Saturday June 24th in San Francisco! They started producing these Broadway events all across the country to raise money and awareness for causes that will go neglected under our current government. Seth tells Rory how he went from playing piano in the pit of a Broadway show, to being a writer on the Rosie O'Donnell Show, to hosting his own show on Sirius Xm Broadway. He is an author, activist, and recently performed on Broadway in his show DISASTER last season which he also co-wrote. The man is non-stop and a perfect person to talk to about "living the dream."

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Raymond J. Lee - Episode #29 Jun 12, 2017

Show notes

Rory talks about the previous night's Tony Awards and gushes over his friend Gavin Creel's win. Then Rory talks to Raymond J. Lee (Groundhog Day, Honeymoon in Vegas) about his experience on Broadway, being a family man, and how he juggles both. He also tells the story of how the Groundhog Day cast overcame the set breaking and the star getting injured. Raymond and Rory have a lot in common including being gay married men and having been in a Broadway show that fell apart during rehearsals, something that will bond them forever. They talk about the challenges of being type cast and how far the industry has come in casting Asian American actors like Raymond.

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Christine Lakin - Episode #28 Jun 05, 2017

Show notes

Christine (Step By Step, Hollywood Darlings) and Rory go way back to the days when they were in Garry Marshall's Happy Days: The Musical at his Falcon Theatre in Burbank where they played siblings- Joanie and Richie. Christine was already a pro at the business even back then after her child star years playing "Al" in the TGIF hit Step By Step. Christine talks about making the decision to stay an actor in adulthood and how she makes that decision everyday. Now Christine is starring in a tv show called Hollywood Darlings playing a heightened versions of herself along with fellow child actor alums Jodie Sweetin and Beverly Mitchell. Christine has always been smart and remained proactive about creating work for herself. Her new role as wife and mother has proved to be her most rewarding part yet. Rory and Christine laugh about the old days including that time they yelled horrible things at Lindsay Lohan.

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Joshua Henry - Episode #27 May 22, 2017

Show notes

Tony nominee Joshua Henry (Scottsboro Boys, Shuffle Along, In The Heights) has a resume that easily makes him a Broadway veteran, but #HamilTour's Aaron Burr is just getting started. Josh gets choked up telling Rory about his Broadway debut in In the Heights and the new found sensation Hamilton has given him- security. Josh has gone through many highs and lows in this business including being cast as a lead for the first time in a Broadway show, leaving another gig to do it only for the new show to be canceled. Josh reveals his genius way to let people know they can enter his dressing room and Rory gives Josh a hard time for being good at absolutely everything, including ping pong.

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