Theater People

Latest Episodes:

Allison Semmes (Episode 78) Aug 01, 2016

Show notes

Hello Theater People! So, the plan was for us to take two weeks off and have a little bit of a summer break. But then we did this great interview with this young actress named Allison Semmes. She was playing Dianna Ross in "Motown The Musical" on Broadway. The day before out interview, the show got it’s closing notice. It was limited engagement on Broadway anyway, but now the show was closing way earlier than expected. Mike and I had LOVED Allison in the show and we loved her even more in person, so we wanted to get this episode out while the show was still fresh on people’s minds. It’s a really short interview, which made for a really short episode, but I urge you to keep your eye on her, she clearly has a really bright future on Broadway. Just, to let you know why I sound a little insane in this episode--it was our first time recording in an actual recording studio. I am veeeeeeery particular about the sound of this podcast and I was just loving every second of being in that padded room. So just, you know, bear with me. Ok, ENJOY!

Emily Skinner & Alice Ripley (Episode 77) Jul 22, 2016

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SURPRISE EPISODE! Happy Friday, Theater People! We're so excited to bring you this mini bonus episode featuring Broadway powerhouses Emily Skinner and Alice Ripley! Alice and Emily first met in 1998 when they were cast as the conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton in the 1998 production of Side Show. Though they'd each go on to have separate thriving careers, they joined forces for the critically acclaimed albums Duets and Unsuspecting Hearts. Now they're back with a brand new album Unattached, from Broadway Records. It was such a thrill to get to interview them both at the same time! Enjoy!

Christopher Fitzgerald (Episode 76) Jul 20, 2016

Show notes

You guys, I just have to go ahead and admit it, I have a full on Broadway crush on today’s guest, THREE time Tony nominee, Christopher Fitzgerald. I know, I know, I know, it’s probably inappropriate to call a full grown man adorable, but I can’t help it, he’s so…..Adorable. Of course, he’s also insanely talented. If you’re one of the lucky ones who has gotten to see the new musical, "Waitress," you know what I’m talking about. In the role of Oogie, sure, he may not appear until about 50 minutes into the first act, but when he arrives, he completely steals the show. Chris began working professionally in New York in the late 90s. One of his first big gigs in town was the somewhat controversial Terrance McNally play "Corpus Christi." Actually, strike the word somewhat from that sentence, it was COMPLETELY controversial and I was so excited to get the chance to talk to him about it here. In addition to about ten thousand other credits, he, of course originated the role of Boq in the 2003 smash hit "Wicked," he earned his first Tony Award nomination in 2007 for originating the role of Igor in "Young Frankenstein," and he earned his second Tony nomination for originating the role of Og in the 2009 production of "Finian’s Rainbow." He earned his third Tony nomination, of course, for "Waitress." He was such a delight. I’m counting the seconds until we get to talk again. But not, like, in a creepy way.Enjoy!

James Monroe Iglehart (Episode 75) Jul 11, 2016

Show notes

You guys, I’m SO excited to share our interview with Tony winner James Monroe Igleheart with you today. This guy is so smart and warm and funny, I could have talked to him for hours. He made his Broadway debut in 2007 as a replacement in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and then went on to co-star as Bobby in 2009’s Tony Award winning best musical, "Memphis." In 2014 he landed the role of a lifetime as the Genie in the Broadway production of the Disney musical "Aladdin." He would, of course, go on to with the Tony Award for his work in that show. He is still hoofing it as the Genie 8 times a week at the New Amsterdam Theater, if you can get there to see him, you absolutely must. The sheer energy he brings to that performance is show stopping. He was so much fun to talk with! Enjoy!

Betsy Wolfe (Episode 74) Jun 27, 2016

Show notes

YOU GUYS!! The day has finally arrived! We are SO thrilled to share this hilarious and heart warming interview with Betsy Wolfe with all of you!Betsy made her Broadway debut in the 2007 production of "110 In The Shade" (which she got through an OPEN CALL! Open calls really work sometimes, you guys!). Her next Broadway gig was alongside our pal Lindsay Mendez backing up Sherie Rene Scott in one of my all time favorite shows, "Everyday Rapture" in 2010. In 2012 she starred as Rosa Bud in Roundabout Theater Company production of "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" before going on to win the coveted role of Cathy in the Second Stage production of Jason Robert Brown's "The Last Five" Years in 2013. She was last seen on Broadway in the 2014 production of "Bullets Over Broadway." Of course, she recently starred as Elsa in the lab production of the Broadway bound "Frozen." That all happened after this interview was recorded, so we don't get into that here....it just means that she'll hopefully come back to talk about it!She was such a great interview. Enjoy!

Alice Ripley (Episode 73) Jun 20, 2016

Show notes

Theater People! I'm STILL in a state of shock that the Tony winning powerhouse that is Alice Ripley agreed to sit down for an interview with me! I was SO nervous--I stammered like a fool and kept telling her what an honor it was. Ugh. ANYWAY, she was amazing! Such a delight and so so kind We met in her dressing room and talked ALL about :American Psycho". I'm completely OBSESSED with the show, so she was kind to indulge me!For the uninitiated, Alice made her Broadway debut in the 1993 production of "The Who's Tommy". She went on to star in "Les Miserables" and "Sunset Boulevard" before landing the star-making role of Violet Hilton in 1997's "Side Show." After performing roles in "James Joyce's the Dead" and "The Rocky Horror Show," she won her second role of a lifetime as Dianna in 2009's "Next To Normal"--a role for which she won a Tony Award. She was a delight. I'm obsessed. Enjoy the interview!

Jennifer Damiano (Episode 72) Jun 06, 2016

Show notes

You Guys! Jenn Damiano (she told me to call her Jenn, so.....) has to be one of the kindest, funniest, most humble humans I've ever met. Most recently Jenn starred in the fabulous, hilarious, legitimately scary, and gone-way-too-soon "American Psycho." She made her Broadway debut at the age of 15 in the groundbreaking and Tony winning "Spring Awakening." She earned a Tony nomination for her work in "Next To Normal" before being cast as Mary-Jane Watson in the Broadway mega-hit "Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark." She was SUCH a delight! Enjoy!

Krysta Rodriguez, Andy Mientus, & Alex Boniello: A "Spring Awakening" Reunion (Episode 71) May 23, 2016

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THEATER PEOPLE!!! We are SO excited to bring you this first-ever cast reunion episode! We are thrilled to welcome Krysta Rodriguez, Andy Mientus, and Alex Boniello to the podcast to discuss the Tony nominated Deaf West production of "Spring Awakening". We recorded this interview with the three of them the day after the Tony nominations were announced, so there was a lot of excitement in the room! We chatted about how they all came to be involved with the show, the excitement and challenges of working alongside deaf actors, and how it feels for their show to have been nominated for a Tony in a season full of stand out shows. So Fun! Enjoy!

Bright Star's Carmen Cusack (Episode 70) May 16, 2016

Show notes

It's no secret that 'Bright Star,' the new musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, is one of my favorites of the season. And there is no question that the show's leading lady, today's guest Carmen Cuasck, is delivering one of this season's most powerful performances in the role of Alice. In describing Carmen's performance, I use all the cliché words - astonishing, breathtaking, riveting. I remember SQUEEZING producer Mike’s arm every time she opened her mouth to sing. I knew nothing about her before seeing the show and I was instantly obsessed. She’s nominated for a Tony Award this year for her work and, without being controversial, I will have it be known that I’m really pulling for her. I was so excited to meet her and I’m delighted to share this conversation with you guys. Enjoy!

Laura Benanti And Her Mom Linda: A Special Mother's Day Episode May 08, 2016

Show notes

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!Remember last summer when The Heavens opened up and sent Tony winner and (now) five-time Tony nominee Laura Benanti to our show? Remember when I, sort of jokingly, said that she and her mom should come back for a special Mother's Day episode and Laura promised that they would? Well you guys, Ms. Benanti has made good on her promise and this week we are DELIGHTED to bring you our special Mother’s Day interview with Laura and her beautiful and hilarious mother Linda Benanti. We talk about 'She Loves Me' and Laura’s FIFTH Tony nomination, but mostly I just try to get Linda to tell me all of the embarrassing stories about Laura from her childhood. Getting to sit with this Broadway mega-star—who is truly one of the kindest and loveliest humans I’ve ever met—and her equally kind and lovely mother in her dressing room at Studio 54, which, by the way, is bigger than my apartment, was just the most amazing way to spend an afternoon. Oh! We shot some video of Linda and Laura talking about their most embarrassing moments on stage. We’ll have that up on our website this week. Enjoy! and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

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