The BSB Podcast

What exactly is Shucked the musical about? Simple...it's a show about corn! Well, perhaps that's too simple; however, the marketing for this Broadway musical has focused on the fact that it's a show about corn and has not disclosed much else. Part of the show's appeal was the mystery surrounding it, leaving many to wonder exactly what Shucked was about. So, naturally, when it was announced that the musical would go on a North American Tour, the excitement was electric among those eager to learn more about its secrets. Well, today, we're pulling back the curtain on the story and characters of Shucked in this latest podcast discussion! In this episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the characters and story within the touring production of Shucked! Journey with these two to Cobb County to discover just what's so special about this corn! What about the story felt unique, and which beats felt overdone? Which characters made the show worth the trip, and where could there be some changes? From the humor to the heart, there's a lot to unpack about Shucked the musical, as this is easily the most corny show to have ever graced Broadway! Give this episode a listen to discover the answers to all these questions and more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

It's time to grab your ultra clutch and get ready to make your hair as big as possible, as Hairspray is coming to Rose Above Theatre! For one weekend only, the cast and crew of Rose Above are looking to bring the fun-loving and free-wheeling musical to the Village Theatre at Cherry Hill! Hairspray delivers some incredibly important messages; however, it is packaged in one of the grooviest, most fun shows ever to grace Broadway. Director and actor Em Rose Miller, along with two other cast members, Krypton Adams and Ian Campbell, took some time out of their rehearsals to talk about their time on this production! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Miller discusses why it was the right time to bring Hairspray to the theater as their fourth main stage show! Cast members Adams and Campbell talk about what drew them to the show and how it's been to bring some of the nicest kids (and one of the sweetest moms for that matter) in town to life on stage! What messages from Hairspray really stand out to them, and which songs have proven to be the most difficult? Check out this interview to learn all these answers and more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

They say that laughter is the best medicine, and if so, we all need a healthy dose of it right now! Avon Players is looking to bring the hilarity to its audiences with a production of acclaimed playwright Alan Ayckbourn's stage show, A Small Family Business! The cast and crew are hard at work to bring this dark comedy to their stage, but actors Peter Buccilli, who plays the Rivetti Brothers, and Pamela Plewa, who plays Anita, sat down to talk with us about their time on A Small Family Business! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Peter Buccilli and Pamela Plewa discuss what drew them to auditioning for the comedy and how the process of developing their characters has been! Buccilli talks about juggling five distinct roles and the challenges (and fun) that come with them, while Plewa discusses what it's like to play a character like Anita, who is incredibly different from herself! Both actors also talk about how the stage design creates wonderful, magical moments, and how a very special cast member has joined the production!  Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

There's no better way to kick off a new year than with a musical, and so many local theaters are gearing up for an exciting second half of their current season! Birmingham Village Players is ready to hit the ground running in 2026 with another classic musical, Once Upon A Mattress. This 1959 musical is based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale The Princess and the Pea, though with a healthy dose of humor and a twist. With the show opening soon, we recently spoke with two of the cast members, Valenica Morgan and Noah Hanahan, about their time on this production! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Valenica Morgan and Noah Hanahan talk about what led them to Birmingham Village Players' Once Upon A Mattress and what it's like to bring their character Princess Winnifred and Prince Dauntless, respectively. What about Princess Winnifred makes her a good role model? What aspects of Once Upon A Mattress were the most challenging? What songs are Morgan and Hanahan's favorite to perform? There is so much to appreciate about this show, making it one of the best ways to begin a new year! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

Even in moments of sadness, it's important that we highlight the happiness that comes from the aftermath. For every storm, there is a rainbow, as the saying goes, meaning that even when something doesn't work out, we want to make sure we appreciate all the positives we can. So while the holiday season is over and we're firmly moving into 2026, we want to take a moment to look back at the incredible work that went into Grosse Pointe Theatre's production of White Christmas! While the production was unfortunately canceled, there was so much heart and soul infused into the musical, including the wonderful work Mary Magyari put into designing the costumes for this holiday staple. In this exclusive BSB podcast, Magyari discusses her process of taking her designs from drawings to reality. While paying homage to the film and Broadway show that came before, Magyari puts her own personal flair on many of the iconic costumes. Making or assembling over 200 costumes is no easy feat, and this costume designer chronicles her journey to making the season bright! Find out more about her process in his exciting interview! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

The World of Oz has exploded since L. Frank Baum's original novel, The Wizard of Oz, was published back in 1900, as the franchise continues to find new life across all forms of media. From a plethora of novels to quite a few films, from MGM's Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz to the more recent Broadway musical (and subsequent films from Universal), Wicked, there seems to be a never-ending journey through Oz for audiences and fans alike. With so many different Ozian entries, where does one begin? However, thanks to our special guest Tori Calamito, known as The Oz Vlog on social media, we're ready to set off down the Yellow Brick Road! On this episode of The BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko are joined by Calamito to learn more about her journey into content creation and where her love of The Wizard of Oz began. Covering the original MGM film and Baum's novels, and how the land of OZ has always been a LGBTQ+ friendly world, Tori Calamito shares her extensive knowledge and passion for this powerhouse franchise. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

Tina Turner is truly an icon in every meaning of the word. She paved a way in the music industry not only for herself, but for all women. She was the Queen of Rock and Roll, a title that she earned with both her music and her actions. She was a trailblazer whose life and legacy are now taking on a life of their own as a Broadway musical, TINA- The Tina Turner Musical. This show is rich with the wonderful music we've come to know and love, with some impressive stage magic that enriched the story of Tina Turner's life, all of which we break down in this TINA music and stagecraft discussion! In this episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko discuss how Turner's music fits into the show's overall narrative and what it was like to witness the stage magic firsthand. What musical performances impressed them the most? How did this touring production capture the look and feel of this Rock and Roll legend? What stood out about the sets and design from TINA- The Tina Turner Musical? Listen to this exciting episode of the BSB podcast to find out all these answers and more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

Where would the world of music be with the Queen of Rock and Roll? Tina Turner changed music forever with her iconic sound that spanned multiple decades, with a career that stood the test of time. There's no denying that Turner is simply the best, which is why creating a jukebox musical that features not only her music but also deep dives into her life is an absolute no-brainer. The Broadway show TINA- The Tina Turner Musical is currently touring North America and recently stopped in Detroit as a bonus show for Broadway in Detroit's 2025-2026 season. With a story that's rich in depth and characters that are as real as the people they're based on, there's so much to discuss about this icon's life and legacy. In this exciting episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the story and characters within TINA- The Tina Turner Musical! This show follows Tina from a very young age, as she struggles to find her identity amongst those around her, specifically her cruel mother and abusive husband. However, the show, at its core, is about the resilience of one woman and how, if Tina Turner can persevere, anyone can! Join these hosts as they talk about what stood out to them about the story and characters of TINA- The Tina Turner Musical! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

The holiday season is all about spending time with those we love and cherish. Family, friends, your grandma, who thinks you're perpetually a child, no matter how old you actually get? It's about holding them close, celebrating the passing of another year, and looking towards what's coming next. It's the idea of family that is at the core of The Ringwald's most recent production, the holiday-centered play Steel Poinsettias! Written by Vince Kelley, this parody sequel to Steel Magnolias brings our favorite beauty salon and its regulars into the modern day! We spoke to two of the cast members, Chase Bowman and Quinn Jacob, about what audiences can expect from this production! In this exclusive BSB interview, Bowman and Jacob discuss what it's like to play the new generation inhabiting the Steel Poinsettias' work and how they've developed their characters over the course of rehearsals. With roles written with them in mind, both actors talk about the immense privilege of bringing them to life at The Ringwald and how the show captures the essence of Christmas. What holiday traditions do these two actors have with their loved ones? Check out this exciting interview to find out! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

Reimagined stories are quite popular at the moment, as audiences love to revisit some of their favorite shows or movies through a new lens. Think of Wicked, a retelling of the classic Frank Baum novel (and the MGM film for that matter), The Wizard of Oz, from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West, which is currently thriving in the cinema. It's in that same vein that the Inspired Acting Company is bringing their holiday show to their stage, Scrooge in Rouge, a hilarious stage production of A Christmas Carol, where nothing seems to go quite right! We spoke with the show's director, Jeff Thomakos, about his time on the production and what audiences can expect from Scrooge in Rouge! In this exclusive BSB interview, Thomakos discusses what drew him to the project and how it has challenged him as a director! He explores how the show still channels the holiday spirit, while also placing a strong emphasis on the hijinks within the production! With only three actors on stage playing every character in the show, Thomakos discusses how the cast and crew are pulling everything off, and shares just how much fun everyone is having working on Scrooge in Rouge! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

We're only about halfway to Christmas, which means that there's still plenty of time to soak in more of that holiday cheer this season! With snow on the ground and bright lights twinkling both on our trees and trimming our homes, there's so much to love and appreciate about the most wonderful time of the year. So what better way to celebrate the holiday season than seeing a show with your loved ones! Farmington Players is bringing the Christmas spirit to you with their most recent production, A Very Farmington Christmas! We spoke with one of the cast members, Jason Wilhoite, on the day of the play's opening night about his time on this production! In this exclusive BSB interview, Jason Wilhoite talks about what it's like to be a part of A Very Farmington Christmas and the challenges of taking on a role that requires him to wear many hats! He discusses how the show captures the holiday feeling and balances the approach for those who absolutely love Hallmark movies, and those who want to watch anything but that! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

When you think of Alicia Keys, which songs from her discography come to mind? There are so many incredible pieces to choose from that it might feel like an impossible task to pick a favorite. Personally, as someone who visits New York City frequently, "Empire State of Mind" will always hold a special place in my heart, as it's synonymous with Times Square. Keys is prolific with the songs she's written and produced, which makes it only natural that her work would make it into a Broadway musical such as Hell's Kitchen. Between the semi-autobiographical story of her life and the use of her music, Hell's Kitchen embodies the artist in every way. In this episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko discuss the music and stagecraft of the North American touring production of Hell's Kitchen, which was recently at The Fisher Theatre as one of the Broadway in Detroit 2025-2026 season shows. Featuring songs such as "Girl on Fire," "Fallin'" and "No One," the music seamlessly weaves into the show's narrative. Which musical performance was the hosts' favorite? Did some of the actors stand out more than the rest? Was there anything remarkable about the staging or choreography? Give this episode a listen to see just what they thought of some of the technical aspects of this show! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

What exactly do you get when you blend William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth with some festive holiday cheer? Well, you get Mackers the Elf, of course! This dark comedy stage production is premiering at Planet Ant Theatre this weekend, with visions of holiday hijinks dancing in the cast and creatives' heads! While Christmas (and Mackers the Elf, for that matter) haven't arrived quite yet, we did have a chance to sit down with the writer and director of Planet Ant Theatre's production of the show, Daniel DeRey, about where this idea stemmed from and what audiences can expect from Mackers the Elf. In this exclusive BSB interview, DeRey talks about the humble beginnings of Mackers, stemming from a holiday tradition with his drama department in high school, and what his process was for getting the little elf from his mind to the page. With this production of Mackers, the Elf being DeRey's directorial debut, what is his process for bringing the story to the stage? And what holiday traditions does this playwright keep alive year after year? Find out all these answers and more in this exciting interview! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

If you like your theater hot, your choreography sizzling, and your plot seasoned with just enough emotional spice to make your eyes water, then pull up a chair, because this girl, and the touring production of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Hell’s Kitchen, is on fire! Inspired by Alicia Keys’ life growing up in the hustle and bustle of New York City, this musical isn’t just a show; it’s a spectacle that blends music that so many of us know with a story that will bring audiences to tears. Hell's Kitchen story and characters feel real, so you're easily transported back to a time when you swore you were misunderstood… and probably were. In this episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down all the narrative threads woven throughout this kaleidoscope-like tapestry of Hell's Kitchen. From young love to racial disparity to the struggle between protective parents and rebellious children, to perhaps the most poignant: legacy and the passing of the torch, there are so many rich stories this musical explores. Which of the storylines resonated the most with both of the hosts? What characters stood out to them as the most relatable or vibrant amongst all the rest? Listen in to this exciting episode to discover these answers and more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

There's something special about visiting New York City for the first time. Even after visiting NYC as much as I have, there's something intoxicating about the bright lights and hustle and bustle of the big city. So what if those immaculate vibes were to make their way to Detroit? That's just what Detroiters are getting, as the Tony Award-winning musical, Hell's Kitchen, is arriving at The Fisher Theatre! We recently spoke with one of the stars of the show, Roz White, about her role of Miss Liza Jane and what audiences can expect from this show! In this exclusive BSB interview, Roz White discusses what it's like to step into the world of Alicia Keys with this touring production of Hell's Kitchen! White talks about how they were busy with another show when asked to audition for the Broadway production of Hell's Kitchen, and how, when this opportunity came around, she couldn't take it fast enough! With an incredible musical career spanning 40 years, White talks about what led her to this moment and how some of her past teachers have influenced her current role as Miss. Liza Jane. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

What is the holiday season without classics such as A Christmas Carol? A haunting story about legacy and the power of kindness from the mind of Charles Dickens is one that people revisit every year, standing the test of time for a variety of reasons. However, have you ever wondered what it would be like to hear this chilling tale from the author himself? If so, then you're in luck, as Birmingham Village Players is excited to bring An Evening With Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol to their stage! We recently spoke with Joseph Vercellone and Edmond Guay about this unique fundraising experience! In this Exclusive BSB interview, director and writer Joseph Vercellone and cast member Edmond Guay talk about how this production has come to be. With An Evening With Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol being a one-man show, how will Guay give each character within the show a distinction? What was Vercellone's writing process with his son to make this show a reality? Listen in to learn more about this piece of experimental theatre and how you can support a fantastic local theater! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

The holiday season is steeped in tradition, with each person having a unique tradition their family follows to bring in good tidings and cheer. For some, it's watching a favorite Christmas film; for others, it's baking cookies with their grandmother, as they've done since they were young children, or cooking meals for and with their families. However, for those patrons of Meadow Brook Theatre, it's attending their annual production of A Christmas Carol! This adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel has brought the Christmas spirit, well spirits, to Rochester, Michigan, for 43 years, which is absolutely something to celebrate! For just over four decades, A Christmas Carol has come to life on MBT's stage, with audiences witnessing the story of Scrooge and the spirits who visit him. We spoke with the spirits of Meadow Brook Theatre's production, Mary Magyari (Ghost of Christmas Past), Tamara Della Anderson (Ghost of Christmas Present), and Sean Ryan (Ghost of Christmas Future). In this exclusive BSB interview, Magyari, Anderson, and Ryan discuss what it's like stepping into the world of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and how they develop their supernatural beings in this holiday show. All three have been in MBT's production of A Christmas Carol before, although not always in the same role. They talk about how their time this year has differed from their past and how they continue to shape their characters in different ways. All these actors also discuss some of their own Christmas traditions and how they keep the holiday alive with their families! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

Not even the Wizard can lie about the impact that Wicked has had, not just on the theater world, but on pop culture altogether. While the Broadway show has always been a powerhouse, something incredible happened when part 1 arrived in theaters last year. The entire world was taken by storm, with the world of Oz becoming a household topic of conversation once again. With a story so dynamic, John M. Chu and the creatives at Universal decided that Wicked couldn't be captured in one part, ultimately splitting it into two movies, with Wicked: For Good completing Elphaba and Glinda's story. However, was splitting the story of the Wicked Witch of the West a change for the better? In this episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down what audiences can expect from Wicked: For Good! Based on the second act of the stage musical, how does the film compare to what has come before? With additional storylines and original songs, does Universal's sequel find its own identity? Listen in as these two talk about what they loved and what didn't work for them in this For Good discussion! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

Are you already dreaming of a White Christmas? We know that Grosse Pointe Theatre has been, as they are currently in rehearsal for their upcoming production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas The Musical! This stage production of the 1954 Paramount Pictures film is perhaps the perfect way to ring in the holiday season, bringing the story that you know and love to life right in front of your eyes! While the cast and crew are hard at work in rehearsals, we recently spoke with the director of this Grosse Pointe Theatre production, Nick Marinello, and one of the actors in White Christmas, Zak Shugart, about their time with this show! In this exclusive BSB interview, Marinello and Shugart discuss what drew them to the show and why it feels like the right time to bring White Christmas back to GPT's stage. These two discuss how the stage production differs from the film and the challenges of bringing something as recognizable as White Christmas to life. From the music to the story, what speaks to both of them? Listen to this exciting interview to find out! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

For one night only, Mark Twain stepped onto the stage of The Fisher Theatre and regaled audiences with stories about his life and the state of the country, in what might be the most interesting piece of theater I have seen. While it may be Richard Thomas of The Waltons fame playing a character in this touring production of Mark Twain Tonight!, it feels like Twain himself has been resurrected and brought to Detroit, sharing a unique experience with all those in attendance. With Mark Twain Tonight! being somewhere between a stand-up comedy show and a TED Talk about early Southern American life, this revival of Hal Holbrook's original material is unlike anything you've seen before in your entire life. In this episode of the Box Seat Babes podcast, host Brian Kitson and guest Ryann Ferguson discussed the Broadway in Detroit stop of Mark Twain Tonight! and what it was like seeing a real piece of American history before their eyes. This wasn't just about seeing a show, but about stepping back in time to witness a moment in history we'll never get back. Did the host and guest prefer the comedic elements of the show, or the stories ripped straight from Twain's life and experiences? What about the mostly empty stage was most striking about this play? What were the general vibes between the audience and Richard Thomas on stage? Listen to this exciting BSB podcast to find out all this and more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!