The Ladies Who Lunch with Donna McKechnie

Latest Episodes:

#7 - Lori Tan Chinn, Mary Ann Lamb & Randie Levine-Miller Oct 15, 2024

Lori Tan Chinn is an American actress and comedian. She played a recurring character in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black and currently stars as Awkwafina's grandmother on Comedy Central's Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.

Mary Ann Lamb is a accomplished Broadway performer with an extensive career. While details about her acting training are unknown, her credits reveal a talented dancer and stage presence. She's graced the Broadway stage in at least eleven productions, including well-known shows like "Curtains" alongside David Hyde Pierce, "Contact," and "Fosse." Lamb's dancing talents also landed her roles in the film adaptations of "Chicago" and "Rock of Ages."

Randie Levine-Miller is an experienced Producer with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry. She is skilled in entertainment, comedy, musical theatre and acting. She is a strong media and communication professional who graduated from Music and Art; Professional Children's School; NY Institute of Technology.

Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales, music composed by Matthew Sklar.

Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

Every episode is recorded live at the legendary Sardi's restaurant, 234 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036. Thank you so very much to Max Klimavicius, Sean Ricketts, Beth Shafeman and the entire Sardi’s family for your tremendous kindness and delicious cuisine!

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#6 - Kerry Butler, Tonya Pinkins & Nell Benjamin Jun 12, 2020

Donna welcomes beloved actor Kerry Butler, acclaimed Tony-winning actor/activist Tonya Pinkins and maestro lyricist/book writer Nell Benjamin to Sardis. Over lunch, these super power women chat about the twists and turns in their careers, their lives and Broadway.

Tony-Nominee Kerry Butler was most recently seen on Broadway in "Beetlejuice". Other unforgettable roles include: “Mean Girls”, “Disaster!”, “Catch Me If You Can”, “Xanadu”, “Little Shop”, “Hairspray” and “Bat Boy”.

Tonya Pinkins, a Tony-winning actor and host of the Broadway Podcast Network Podcast “You Can’t Say That’, has been celebrated for her work in “Caroline, Or Change”, “Jelly’s Last Jam”, “Play On!”, “Radio Golf”, “Holler If Ya Hear Me” and “The Wild Party”.

Tony-Nominee and Olivier Award winner Nell Benjamin is a lyricist, writer and composer has been recognized for her work on “Mean Girls”, “Legally Blonde”, “The Explorers Club”, “Sarah Plain and Tall” and “Cam Jansen”.

Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales, music composed by Matthew Sklar.

Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

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#5 - Beth Leavel, Theresa Rebeck & Mary-Mitchell Campbell Apr 21, 2020

Donna welcomes comic genius Beth Leavel, brilliant playwright Theresa Rebeck and maestro music supervisor and philanthropist Mary-Mitchell Campbell to Sardis. These powerhouse women lunch while lost in riveting insider conversation about their careers and their lives.

Triple theatre Tony winner Beth Leavel was most recently seen on Broadway in "The Prom". Other unforgettable roles include: the title role in "The Drowsy Chaperone", Florence Greenberg in "Baby It's You", Mrs. June Adams in "Bandstand" and Emily in "Elf".

Renown playwright Theresa Rebeck's most recent work, "Seared Ends", played Off-Broadway in 2019. She has been celebrated for her Broadway plays "Bernhardt/Hamlet", "Dead Accounts", "Seminar" and "Mauritius".

Mary-Mitchell Campbell is unstoppable as a brilliant artist and formidable philanthropist for her organization ASTEP. Her Broadway work as Musical Director, Supervisor, Arranger... includes: "The Prom", "Mean Girls", "Finding Neverland", "The Addams Family" and the 2006 "Company".

Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales, music composed by Matthew Sklar.

Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

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#4 - Angie Schworer, Ann Harada & Pamela Hunt Feb 26, 2020

PROM star Angie Schworer, AVENUE Q star Ann Harada and Director Pamela Hunt are this episode's guests on “The Ladies Who Lunch”.

Legendary Chorus Girl Angie Schworer made her Broadway debut in WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, followed by high-kicking rolls in such shows as CRAZY FOR YOU, SUNSET BOULEVARD, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, THE PRODUCERS, SOMETHING ROTTEN! and most recently as Angie in THE PROM.

Beloved performer Ann Harada made her Broadway debut in M BUTTERFLY followed by performances in SEUSSICAL, AVENUE Q, LES MISERABLE, 9 To 5 and, most recently, Rodger & Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA.

Originally an actor and dancer, Pamela Hunt has directed and choreographed shows at Regional Theaters all across the U.S. and Europe.

Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales, music composed by Matthew Sklar.

Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

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#3 - Mercedes Ellington, Susan L. Schulman & Mary Testa Dec 26, 2019

Join host Tony-winner Donna McKechnie at Sardis for Episode #3 of “The Ladies Who Lunch”. Donna’s guests are three-time-Tony Award nominee Mary Testa, currently starring on Broadway as Aunt Eller in “Rodger & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!”, legendary publicist and author Susan L. Schulman….and Mercedes Ellington, dancer, choreographer, director and producer. Bon Appetite!

Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales, music composed by Matthew Sklar.

Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

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#2 - Fredi Walker-Browne, Marcia Milgrom Dodge & Cady Huffman Nov 25, 2019

Joanne Jefferson, in the original cast of RENT on Broadway, Fredi Walker-Browne is an actor, director, singer, producer and teacher. Fredi toured nationally with THE LION KING in the role of Rafiki. She is the founder and president of Big Spoon Productions.

Cady Huffman, Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics-winning star of THE PRODUCERS for her role as Ulla. She is also acclaimed for her unforgettable recurring role on CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM and as a judge on the Food Network’s “Kitchen Stadium”.

Tony-nominated Director and Choreographer of the RAGTIME revival, Marcia Milgrom Dodge is also a playwright and a teacher. Marcia has directed and choreographed Off-Broadway and Regional productions for over 30 years.

Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales, music composed by Matthew Sklar.

Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

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#1 - The Chorus Line Reunion! Kelly Bishop, Baayork Lee & Priscilla Lopez Nov 11, 2019

What a way to launch a podcast. Donna is joined by “Chorus Line” cast mates Priscilla Lopez, Baayork Lee and Kelly Bishop for an hour of magical storytelling about Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett and their own extraordinary lives and careers. These dear friends reunite to dish at Sardis for the first time in a very long time.

Triple threat, Tony winner Priscilla Lopez brought her own story at the High School of Performing Arts to life as Diana Morales. She also originated roles in “Anna in the Tropics”, “A Day in Hollywood/Night in the Ukraine” and “In The Heights” and is active in film and television.

“Chorus Line” star Baayork Lee, an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, director and author received a special Tony Award in 2017 for her work with the National Asian Artists Project. Baayork made her Broadway debut at age 5 as Princess Yink Yawolak in the original “King and I”.

Tony-winning actor/singer/dancer Kelly Bishop is known for enumerable iconic roles including Shelia in “A Chorus Line”, as Baby Houseman’s mother in “Dirty Dancing” and as matriarch Emily Gilmore in “The Gilmore Girls”.

Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales, music composed by Matthew Sklar.

Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

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Podcast Teaser Sep 26, 2019

Join host Donna McKechnie and “The Ladies Who Lunch” at Sardis for a scrumptious meal of rarified theatre storytelling. Candid conversation about career adventures, challenges and mishaps take you deep inside the making of legendary shows and careers. You’re not going to want to miss this.

Produced by Dori Berinstein and Alan Seales, music composed by Matthew Sklar.

Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices