Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb

Behind the Awards welcomes back T.R. Knight to deep drive Victor Creel, the magic that goes into creating Stranger Things on Broadway and the struggles with being the father of a demon.  T.R. also discusses his beloved roll of George O’Malley on Grey’s Anatomy. Also in this episode - Lucille Ball at the 25th Emmy Awards & Wicked For Good Trailer. T.R. Knight’s Broadway credits include A Life in the Theatre, It’s Only A Play, Noises Off and Tartuffe. Off-Broadway credits include The Merchant of Venice, Pocatello, Romeo and Juliet, and Scattergood, for which he received a Drama Desk nomination. Other theater credits include Parade at the Mark Taper and Amadeus at the Guthrie. His television credits include The Flight Attendant Genius: Picasso, Genius: Einstein, Stephen King’s 11.22.63, and The Comey Rule. He received an Emmy nomination for his work on Grey’s Anatomy. Film credits include 42 and Forge. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choreographer Dominique Kelley chats with Behind the Awards about his hit Broadway Debut with Great Gatsby which is now playing around the world and is a viral sensation.  Dominique discusses Dancing with Stars, working with Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Usher and Beyonce as well as being the youngest dancer at 15 on the tour of Bring in da Noise Bring in da Funk with George C Wolfe. Also in this episode - Trammel Tillman’s 2025 Emmy win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Severance, plus Eila & Bruce chat about the 2025 Emmy Awards. Dominique Kelley, originally from Bridgeport, CT, is a powerhouse choreographer in the world of musical theater, television, live performance, sports entertainment and beyond, boasting 30+ years of industry experience. An avid tap dancer and percussionist, Dominique tries to fuse rhythm patterns with classical movement to create a visual and aural experience in many contrasting genres of dance movement.' "Black and Blue" was his first Broadway tour at age 13, and then “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk national tour at 15, and ever since he has had a love of performing, choreographing, and movement coaching. At the ripe old age of 16, he co-choreographed his first musical named “Wild Women Blues” in Germany starring the incomparable, Linda Hopkins.  This two-time Henry Award and two-time Broadway World Award winner later choreographed  the illustrious Oklahoma! (DCPA), the world premiere of “Rattlesnake Kate” (DCPA), “Indecent” (DCPA) , “Priscilla: Queen of the Desert”(ZACH), “Singin’ in The Rain”(ZACH), “Ain’t Misbehavin” (ERT) (Rubicon) and “Sophisticated Ladies”(ZACH).  Taking his love of musical theater and commercial dance, he has also created movement for movies such as Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog”, “Jump The Broom”, and “Gone With the Bullets”, China’s first ever 3D blockbuster film. He has also done movement coaching for such icons as Meryl Streep, Jennifer Holiday, Joaquin Phoenix, Serena Williams, Queen Latifah, Ne-Yo, Stephanie Mills, and Chris Martin.  “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special”, “Dancing with the Stars”, “So You Think You Can Dance”, “Perry Mason”, “Come Dance with Me”, “Alter Ego”, “I Can See Your Voice”, “Flirty Dancing”, “The Masked Singer”, “American Music Awards” and “Bar Rescue” are a few of the television shows he has lent his artistic talents to.   No stranger to stage and live performance, he has collaborated with recording artists such as Beyonce’, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Usher, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, P!nk, Camila Cabello, Gwen Stefani, Taylor Swift, FKA Twigs, Miley Cyrus, Frank Ocean, Nelly, Cee Lo Green, B.o.B, and Flo Rida,. Not leaving out sports entertainment, he has choreographed for the NFL’s Pro Bowl Game for 16 years and has been one of the main choreographers for such sports teams as the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angles Chargers, Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, New York City Knicks, Boston Celtics, LA Clippers, and various cheer and dance teams around the country. Dominique’s goal and endeavor is to bring movement and dance artistry to every facet of the entertainment industry.  Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway & TV Star Donald Webber Jr. joins Behind the Awards on heels of closing Glengarry Glenross in which he starred with Bob Odenkirk, Kieran Culkin, Bill Burr and Michael McKean.  This past season he also starred in Our Town and appeared on the Apple TV show Severance.  He also tells us about how a random “what are you doing this weekend” from his friend Leslie Odom Jr led him to Berry Gordy’s house and Motown the Musical. Also in this episode - Cristin Milioti’s 2025 Emmy win for Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie for The Penguin and a review of Punch. DONALD WEBBER JR. Broadway: Our Town as ‘Simon Stimson’, Purlie Victorious, Hamilton, Motown: the Musical (OBC), and Holler If Ya Hear Me (OBC). TV/Film: “Severance” (2 Seasons on AppleTV+), “The Punisher” (Netflix), “The WIZ: Live!” (NBC), “Da Bronx U.S.A.” (Music in Media Nomination & Oscar ‘Best Song’ shortlist), “Killing Me Softly With His Song” (Music in Media Nomination). OTHER STAGE CREDITS: The Preacher’s Wife (Alliance Theatre), Children of Eden (Lincoln Center; Manhattan Concert Productions), the National Tour of Hamilton (‘Aaron Burr’), Jersey Boys, Born For This, Renascence, Whorl Inside A Loop, Bella: An American Tall Tale. University of Southern California, BFA Acting. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer/Director Kevin Zak and Tony Nominated Choreographer Jesse Robb stop by Behind the Awards to deep dive all the humor in the Off Broadway trending hit Ginger Twinsies.  From The Parent Trap to Devil Wears Parada, to Stomp, to Wicked no-one is left unparodied in this hilarious show! Also in this episode - Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short at the 2024 Emmy Awards and Time Square Proposed Casino. Kevin Zak - Originally from Buffalo, Kevin has made his career in NYC working on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and in television.  He is the writer and director of the Off-Broadway hit comedy GINGER TWINSIES, now playing at the Orpheum Theatre through October 25, 2025. He is also providing additional material for Rob Lake Magic with Special Guests The Muppets playing the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway beginning October 28th, 2025. (omg the Muppets!) He’s been involved either as an actor or creative on such productions as Death Becomes Her, Waitress, Clinton the Musical (Lucille Lortel Nom.), and Silence! The Musical (Off-Bway and 2024 UK production).  He is also writing the book for the musical adaptation of The NY Times best-selling memoir Running With Scissors, by Augusten Burroughs. Other projects include A Kidman Carol, A Gay Dementia on Australian Dames (writer/director) and Little Fucking Women (adapted from the Louisa May Alcott classic). Currently, Kevin is developing television pilots with Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannells, Victor Quinaz, and Tim Federle.   Jesse Robb - Jesse is a Tony Award nominated and Chita Rivera Award winning choreographer and movement director based in New York City. An honors graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts,  Jesse’s resume covers a wide variety of work including Broadway, Cirque Du Soleil, Disney, Cameron Macintosh, Mirvish Productions, Momix, Prime Video, RWS Entertainment Group, Opera Philadelphia and Turner Classic Movies.  On Broadway, Jesse is the co-choreographer (alongside Shana Carroll) for the new musical Water For Elephants. The production is directed by two time Tony Award nominee Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo) and was nominated for 7 TONY Awards including BEST MUSICAL.  Jesse and Shana received Tony Award, Drama Desk, and OCC nominations for their work as well as the Chita Rivera Award for Outstanding Choreography.  “Gorgeously Imaginative” - Jesse Green, The NY Times. The production launches its North American Tour in the Fall of 2025. Currently, Jesse is the Movement Director for the North American touring, West End, Japanese, and South Korean companies of Les Miserables. Jesse was the Associate Choreographer for the Tony-Nominated Revival of Miss Saigon and The Cher Show.  For Saigon, he staged the performance on the Tony Awards Broadcast and remounted the show for the subsequent North American tour and Vienna company. Jesse was also a long time associate to the Tony winning legend Bob Avian.  Regionally, Jesse has worked at The Alliance Theater (Suzi Bass Award for Outstanding Choreography), The MUNY, The Stratford Festival of Canada, Theatre Calgary, Ogunquit Playhouse, The 5th Avenue Theatre, The Ordway, The Cape Playhouse, and The Berkshire Theatre Festival among others. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grammy Winner Sean Allan Krill comes back to Behind the Awards to discuss his role in anticipated revival in Chess on Broadway.  Sean also shares his upcoming movie Song Sung Blue starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, his Tony Bennet concert in Chicago Sept 15th & 16th as well  last seasons hit Floyd Collins. Get tickets for Sean's Concert here - https://www.marriotttheatre.com/show/the-best-is-yet-to-come-sean-allan-krill-sings-tony-bennett Also in this episode - Gary Beach Tony for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for The Producers in 2001. Sean Allan Krill is an American actor who has appeared in film and television, on Broadway, off-Broadway, and at prestigious regional theaters across the country. He studied acting at Wayne State University, where he received the Lily Tomlin Scholarship for Theatre. Sean was nominated for a 2020 Tony Award for his role as Steve Healy in Jagged Little Pill, and the original cast recording of the critically-acclaimed Broadway musical was the recipient of the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Sean is also a Carbonell and Leon Rabin Award nominee, and a Joseph Jefferson and Craig Noel Award recipient. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor, Playwright, and Director Ted Lange steps off The Love Boat to chat with Behind the Awards about his play Lady Patriot starring former castmates Fred Grandy & Jill Whelan. Also in this episode - Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and Ann Hathaway’s Devil Wears Prada reunion at the 2024 SAG Awards. TED LANGE (Playwright / Director) personifies the Renaissance Man Theatre Award received from the NAACP. A graduate of London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Lange’s career has gained worldwide recognition as a gifted actor of stage and screen, revered director, and prolific writer. Lange has penned twenty-seven plays including, his historical trilogy, George Washington’s Boy, The Journals of Osborne P. Anderson, and Lady Patriot.  Other plays include Four Queens - No Trump, a comedy which played to rave reviews and won NAACP Best Play 1997, The Cause My Soul won the NAACP Best Play 2017, Lemon Meringue Façade, produced off Broadway in New York, Behind the Mask, Lange’s one-man show on the life of Paul Laurence Dunbar, which toured nationwide, and Born a Unicorn, a musical about Ira Aldridge. Lange garnered worldwide fame for his portrayal of Isaac from the Love Boat. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award winner Douglas Carter Beane stops by Behind the Awards to chat about his new Play Finding Dorothy Parker at The Laurie Beechman Theatre Featuring: Julie Halson, Ann Harada, Jackie Hoffman, and Anika Larsen  Douglas also talks about Too Wong Foo…, The Nance, and upcoming revivals of Xanadu and The Little Dog Laughed. Get tickets to Finding Dorothy Parker at https://www.thebeechman.com/ DOUGLAS CARTER BEANE’s (Compiled by / Director) credits include Lysistrata Jones, Sister Act, Xanadu (Tony Nom., Drama Desk Best Book, Outer Critics Circle Best Musical), and Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella. Plays: The Little Dog Laughed (Tony Nom., Olivier Nom. GLAAD Media Best Play), As Bees In Honey Drown (Outer Critics Circle), Mr. & Mrs. Fitch, Music From a Sparkling Planet, The Country Club, Advice From a Caterpillar, The Cartells, Fairycakes and The Nance. Revues: White Lies, Mondo Drama. Screenplays: To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar; Advice From a Caterpillar. He is married to Lewis Flinn and is the proud father of Cooper and Gaby. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gerianne Perez might have the hardest job on Broadway, understudying 3 out of the 5 roles in Operation Mincemeat on Broadway.  Gerianne tells us about the endurance needed to take on this show, after the marathon of performing in Six the Musical.   Also in this show Julianna Margulies 1995 Emmy win for ER. Gerianne Perez is a powerhouse performer known for her soaring vocals, emotional depth, and commanding stage presence. A proud New Yorker of Puerto Rican descent, she has built a dynamic career spanning Broadway and several national tours. She made her Broadway debut in the groundbreaking a cappella musical In Transit and went on to appear in Waitress, where her vocal strength and heartfelt performance left a lasting mark. Most recently, she is standing by for the tour de force role of Montagu in the U.S. premiere of the West End hit Operation Mincemeat, earning praise for her comedic brilliance and versatility in one of the most buzzed-about new musicals of the season. Her national tour credits include Vocalosity, Waitress, and the original U.S. Boleyn Tour company of SIX, where she originated the role of Catherine of Aragon. Gerianne has also worked extensively in regional theatre, bringing warmth, wit, and vocal fire to both classic and contemporary roles. An alumna of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Gerianne is also a passionate advocate for representation in the arts and a frequent collaborator on new works that spotlight bold, diverse voices. Whether leading a musical or championing new stories, she continues to be a vibrant force in american theatre. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gilded Age Stars Celia Keenan-Bolger (Mrs. Bruce) & Claybourne Elder (John Adams) stop by Behind the Awards to do a deep dive on Season 3.  Behind The Scenes of John Adams death, Mrs. Bruce’s mystery husband, a mole in the Russell House, Oscar and John Adams Love story, unrequited love and so much more! Also in this episode - Claybourne Elder’s upcoming studio album and his non-profit City of Stranger.  https://www.cityofstrangers.org/ Celia Keenan-Bolger and the American Theater Wing’s Gavin Creel Fellowship. - Text GAVIN to 44321 to support The Gavin Creel Fellowships and Learn More Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book of Mormon star and Stage Time creator PJ Adzima joins Behind the Awards for a chat.  Not only did PJ give us the low down on the Book of Mormon but he also discussed the evolution and current state of State Time.  Stage Time is a hybrid of Vaudeville meet Johnny Carson meet Drag meets Magic and celebrates NYC nightlife as only the city that never sleeps can. Also in this episode -  Sean Hayes & Kristin Chenoweth at the 2010 Tony Awards.  Ariana DeBoise set to kick off the 2025/2026 Classic Stage Company Season with a production of The Baker’s Wife. PJ Adzima is a New York based actor and comedian currently playing Elder McKinley in The Book of Mormon on Broadway. He is the creator and host of STAGE TIME with PJ Adzima, the hit downtown variety show that unites the best of New York City nightlife.  Select credits include The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon), Girls5Eva (Peacock), Madam Secretary (CBS), The Good Fight (Paramount+), FBI: Most Wanted (CBS), Girl Haunts Boy (Netflix), The Wake by John Patrick Shanley, The Tycoons! at RAVE Theater Festival (Winner: Outstanding Performance), Volleygirls and The Cobalteans at NYMF, The Bacchae at La Mama, and GUNS: A Cabaret under director Liz Swados. PJ is a Story Pirate and Co/Lab Supporting Artist and can be seen next in the upcoming theatrical release of The Kiss of the Spider Woman starring Jennifer Lopez. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Nominee Montego Glover joins Behind the Awards to deep dive on her approach to Mama Rose in Gypsy.  Montego also gives us the scoop on Memphis, Into the Woods and working with George C Wolfe and Audra McDonald. Catch Montego in Gypsy at The Majestic Theater. Also in this episode - Christine Ebersole, John Tartaglia and Rod present the 2006 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Montego Glover is an award-winning actress in theatre, film, and television. Born in Macon, Georgia and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Montego is a graduate of Florida State University with a BFA in Music Theatre. She made her Broadway debut in the original Broadway production of The Color Purple in the roles of Celie & Nettie. She created the role of Felicia Farrell in the Broadway hit musical Memphis and received a Tony Award Nomination for Lead Actress in a Musical as well as a Drama League Nomination and won both the Outer Critics’ Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award for her performance. Montego won a second Drama Desk Award (Outstanding Ensemble) for her critically acclaimed run as Nina in the New York debut of The Royale at Lincoln Center Theater. And a special Outer Critics’ Circle Honor for the role of Ovetta in All The Natalie Portmans, a new play produced by MCC Theater making its New York debut.  She created the role of Annie Shepard in the new musical comedy It Shoulda Been You, starred in the most recent Broadway revival of Les Misérables as Fantine, and Angelica Schuyler in the Chicago Company of Hamilton.  Montego enjoyed a thrilling run as The Witch in the smash hit revival of Into The Woods on Broadway as well as its Selected Engagements across the US. Followed by a Sold Out evening of Gershwin at Carnegie Hall with the illustrious New York Pops entitled “Jazz, Love & Gershwin: A Century of Rhapsody In Blue”. Currently, Montego is Alternating the role of Mama Rose with Audra McDonald in the award winning & critically acclaimed Broadway revival of Gypsy. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway and Film Star Benjamin Pajak joined Behind the Awards to chat about his experience starring in The Music Man alongside Hugh Jackman & Sutton Foster, playing Oliver at New York City Center.  Next up for Benjamin are the films The Life of Chuck with Tom Hiddleston & Mark Hamill, Playdate starring Kevin James & Alan Ritchson, and Tiny Fugitives with Johnny Knoxville. Benjamin also shares what it’s like to do a workshop of a new musical (The Lost Boys).  He also tells up about his first job in a Super Bowl Commercial which aired as his favorite team played. Also in this episode - Review of Ginger Twinsies now playing at The Orpheum. From an early age, Benjamin and his mom attended artistic productions throughout the tri-state area. Benjamin says that he loved the music, the costumes, the lights - all aspects of performing - from a very young age. He credits this early exposure to wanting to be a part of the arts, in whatever form possible.  Benjamin made his Broadway debut in The Music Man on Broadway, with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, for which he received The Theater World Award (2022). He next played the iconic role of Oliver, in New York City Center’s Encores! production of Oliver!. Working with Broadway superstars such as Raúl Esparza and Lilli Cooper, Benjamin was able to take on his first lead in the Broadway community. Benjamin can be heard on the official recording of Figaro, A New Musical, by Ashley Jana and Will Nunziata, which is currently in development for a West End opening. Benjamin loves creating new characters through his voiceover and podcast work, featured on Apple TV+ and Netflix. He can also be heard on the Original Cast Recording for The Music Man. Benjamin is so grateful to have learned many valuable lessons from his inspirational and creative teachers, both in the classroom and in the professional world. They have helped foster a discipline and love for his craft that he hopes will direct him in whatever comes his way. Please enjoy learning more about Benjamin and following his journey through his site!  Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Winner Phylicia Rashad Directs the Pre Broadway run of Paul Oakley Stovall’s Immediate Family.  This run will take place at the Blumenthal Arts Center from July 29th through August.  Immediate Features Christina Sajous, Elijah Jones, Freddie Fulton, Britney Coleman, Andy Mientus, Kai Almeda Heath with Costumes by Colleen Morris-Glennon. Get your tickets at - https://www.blumenthalarts.org/ Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Playwright and Actor Douglas  Lyons joins Behind the Awards to chat about his current off Broadway hit Beau and previous works such as Chicken and Biscuits, Table 17 and Parade with Michael Arden.   Also on this episode - Lilly Tomlin’s 1974 Emmy win for Outstanding Comedy & Variety Special. Douglas Lyons is a 2X Emmy nominated multi-hyphenate artist. As a writer, he earned a GLAAD nomination for his Broadway playwriting debut, Chicken and Biscuits, which was the 2nd most produced play in America in 2022-23. His most recent play, Table 17, which premiered Off-Broadway at MCC Theater, was deemed a New York Times Critics’ Pick and won two 2024 Audelco Awards for Best Playwright and Outstanding Ensemble. Douglas served as a writer on both seasons of Apple TV's  “Fraggle Rock.” His Broadway acting credits include The Book of Mormon, plus the Original Casts of Beautifuland the Tony Award winning Broadway revival of Parade. Tour credits include Rent, Dreamgirls and The Book of Mormon. As a composer-lyricist, his music and lyrics have been featured on Nickelodeon, BET Plus, Apple TV, CBS's Sunday Morning Show, Audible and more. His other written stage works include Don't Touch My Hair (IAMA Theatre Company), Polkadots (Off Broadway Alliance Winner Best Family Show, Atlantic Theater Company), Beau (Adirondack Theatre Festival), the world premiere of Five Points (Theater Latté Da) and more. He is currently developing television with Sky Dance and Ryan Reynolds' Maximum Effort. @DouglasSings IG: @Chocolatehipster Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

J Savage joins Behind the Awards to chat about Smash from Audition to Closing, Understudying Buddy the Elf in Elf the Musical, and turbulence that was part of his Broadway Debut in Bad Cinderella. Also in this episode - Harvey Fierstein’s 2025 Lifetime Achievement Tony Award.  Plus Joy the Musical. J Savage, also known as Jonathan, is an NYC based artist and outdoorsman most recently seen in SMASH on Broadway, just down the street from the Marquis theatre where he recently was in the ensemble and was first cover for Buddy in the Broadway revival of Elf: The Musical   Also a singer/songwriter, Jonathan took his pandemic experience and wrote his critically acclaimed one man show, Farewell to the West. Three months into quarantine, he bought a one way ticket West, got a camper van and moved to Yellowstone National Park to teach preschool to the rangers' kids. He fell in love with a true mountain man who taught him how to climb, ski, ride horses and live a full mountain life. With 11 original songs he dives deep into the emotional and physical tug-of-war of his two major yet conflicting passions: the outdoors and musical theatre. The show was see at both Feinstein’s/54 Below and The Green Room 42 last year.    After a year and a half away in the mountains, Jonathan moved back to New York City in August of 2021 on his 25th birthday. It was that day be promised himself that if he would come back to pursue his dreams, then he was going to do two things this year: his first solo backpack trip and book Broadway. A year later both those dreams came true. Within the same week, he did his first solo backpack in Yosemite and auditioned for Bad Cinderella on Broadway.  After making his Broadway debut in 2022, J spent most of 2023 in what he likes to call his New World Stages Residency, performing in both A Sign of the Times and Empire: The Musical (Ethan O'Dowd).  Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Award Winning Writer/Composer stops by Behind the Awards to discuss adapting Pirates into the Jazz age as as his other hits such as The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Curtains….Don’t forget the Pina Colada Song. Also in this episode - Catherine Zeta Jone’s 2010 Tony win for A Little Night Music and Chess Revival finds a home at The Imperial Theater.  Plus new music and workshop from the Broadway bound Wanted featuring Solea Pfeiffer, Liisi LaFontaine, and Will Swenson. Rupert Holmes is a 2023 New York Times bestselling author and was the first individual to singly win Tony awards for book, music, and lyrics, this for The Mystery of Edwin Drood, which also won the Tony for Best Musical. The Drama Desk awarded him the identical honors plus Best Orchestration. He is a recipient of the Bergeret Living Legend award from The New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, ASCAP’s George M. Cohan Award, and an honorary doctorate from The Manhattan School of Music. Additional Broadway & LORT include: Say Goodnight Gracie (Tony Nomination, Best Play); Curtains (Drama Desk award, Best Book, Tony nominations Best Book, Best Add’l Lyrics); Accomplice (Edgar Award, Mystery Writers of America); Roundabout Theatre’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2013 Tony nomination, Best Revival), the current All Things Equal: The Life and Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg; The Nutty Professor (libretto by Holmes, music by Marvin Hamlisch), and The Picture of Dorian Gray (music and libretto by Holmes, The British Museum). He created and wrote all four seasons of the acclaimed AMC period dramedy Remember WENN; contributed songs to the Golden Globe-winning score of A Star is Born; wrote, arranged and conducted platinum recordings by Barbra Streisand as well as his own Billboard top ten hits. He dedicates his work on Pirates to his brother Richard, a fixture of The Met and NYGASP, who as a boy steeped him in the entire Gilbert and Sullivan canon. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Husband/Wife creative team Lea & Drew Lachey visit Behind the Awards to discuss their Original Theatrical Experience Label-less which recently enjoyed an Off-Broadway run at Theater Row.  Drew brings his 98 Degrees & Broadway (Rent & Spamalot) experience to this one of a kind show coupled with the storytelling of Lea’s choreography.    Also in this episode - 2010 Tony Awards with Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane.  Drew Lachey - Drew Lachey's an accomplished singer, dancer and actor.  Drew first rose to prominence as a member of the Motown pop group 98 Degrees. The group recorded four successful albums and sold more than nine million records worldwide.  Drew made his Broadway debut playing the role of Mark Cohen in Rent.  His latest Broadway credits include the role of Patsy in Monty Python’s Spamalot and Corny Collins in Hairspray with the PCLO.  Drew became a household name when he took home the infamous mirror ball trophy on Dancing with the Stars (season-two champion, season-five co-host) and later took his dancing talents on the road with 3 North American tours of Dancing with the Stars and was asked to come back and be apart of the All-Star season. Drew also hosted the primetime ABC show Dance War with Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli, The Miss USA Pageant, HGTV's $250,000 Challenge and America Sings for GMC. After a decade break 98 Degrees is back together and recently toured with NKOTB and Boyz II Men on the "Package Tour", "My2K Tour" and the "98 Degrees at Christmas" tours in the fall of 2017 and 2018.  Drew also starred in UPTV's "Guess Who's Coming to Christmas" and A&E's "Lachey's Bar".  Drew also consults with the Cincinnati Film Commission on films being produced around Cincinnati. Lea Lachey was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH and began working professionally at 11 on the "King and I" National Tour. After being awarded a full dance scholarship to Marymount Manhattan College in NYC she went on to work with the world renowned Radio City Music Hall Rockettes as a dancer and assistant choreographer. Whether it is doing “Singing in the Rain” with the Santa Barbara CLO, the Disney NYC World Premiere of Hercules or the Missy Elliott video for “I Can’t Stand the Rain” Lea has always taken pride in being a versatile dancer and expects the same from her students. Lea's choreography credits include 98 Degrees (Today Show, Good Morning America, Mtv, VH1, Miss Teen USA, NFL ProBowl and NBA All-star game).  Her live stage credits include the Nickelodeon ‘All That” Tour, 98 Degrees “Heat It Up” Tour, 98 Degrees “Revelation” World Tour and Creative Director for Jessica Simpson’s “Reality” Tour.  Lea is currently Co-Director of the School for Creative and Performing Arts Musical Theater program and co artistic director of Lachey Productions which is bridging the gap between student and professional performer. Her work was showcased in the Exhale Dance Tribe shows "Love Letters" and "Rapture" at the Aronoff which included Lachey Arts performers.  Lea's choreography was on display this past summer on the US national My2K tour as well as in 2013 with 98 Degrees as part of the NKOTB, 98 Degrees, Boyz II Men "Package Tour". Over the last several years, Lea has had the honor of working as choreographer and dance consultant on multiple films.  "Carol" staring Academy Award winning actress Cate Blanchett and Kyle Chandler, "Miles Ahead" starring Golden Globe winning actor Don Cheadle and Emayatzy Corinealdi and A Christmas Melody directed by and starring Grammy winner Mariah Carey and Lacey Chabert. You can also catch her as a guest DJ on Q102. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway Publisist, Activist and Radio Host David Rothenberg joined behind the awards to discuss his legendary life, career and his new book Manhattan Mayhem.  David dishes about working with Bette Davis, Lauren Becall, Linda Lavin, Stephen Sondheim and his one time encounter with Joan Crawford.  David has also been a witness to history and tells us about what I was like being part of the Attica riots and starting the Fortune Society with $32. Also in this episode - Stuart Zagnit & Harrison Bryan join us to give the low down on BALLS: The Monster-Catchin' Musical Comédy Promo Code BATTLE at  https://www.ballsmusical.com/ Follow their socials for more! @ballsmusical@stuzagnit@hahaharrisonbryan @caveatnyc Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Off the heels of their duet at Maestrea Amplify 2025 Antwayn Hopper & Zeniba Now come to Behind the Awards to talk about working together on The Loophole at The Public Theater as well as their upcoming projects.  Antwayn can be seen on ABC’s Will Trent Season Three and Zeniba’s show Take the Lead which she did Music & Lyrics for had its World Premier at The Paper Mill Playhouse.  Also a recording artist Zeniba’s music can be found on Spotify. Also in this episode - Francis Jue’s 2025 Tony Win for Yellow Face plus Eila’s trip the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival to see The Matchmaker.  Antwayn Hopper is a two-time Obie Award-winning actor, singer, and performer known for his work in stage, film, and television. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, Hopper was part of the original cast of the Tony Award-winning A Strange Loop (#6, Inwood Daddy) with NY Times' praising his powerful performance and was nominated for a 2024 Audelco Award for his portrayal of Macavity in CATS: The Jellicle Ball (PAC). In 2023, he was honored with the Edie Windsor LGBT Trailblazer Award. Other notable highlights: Memphis in Billy Porter's The Life at New York City Center, which earned a spot in The New York Times '23 Unforgettable Theater Moments of 2022'. In 2024, he was invited by Elvis Costello to perform in A Face In The Crowd at The Gramercy, receiving rave reviews from SPIN Magazine. Hopper's film credits include A Thousand and One (2023 Sundance Grand Jury Prize), with Teyana Taylor. On TV, he appeared as Woodson (recurring) Andre Holland's Asst. in THE KNICK (Cinemax). Last Season, Antwayn played Hakim Saran, the Season's Villain-for FBI(CBS). Currently, he stars as Rafael Wexford on WILL TRENT (ABC). Zeniba Now is a Richard Rodgers, Jonathan Larson, Vivace, and Thom Thomas Award-winning writer, recording artist, comedian, actress, and educator, named a 2024 Woman to Watch on Broadway. She co-wrote and starred in Beloved, filmed live at The Public Theater for #BARS (created by Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal) and later featured on PBS’s The Great American Read. She also co-wrote and starred in The Loophole in The Public Theater’s Public Studio; the show later headlined The Passing the Mic Intergenerational Hip Hop Festival, whose former headliners include Janelle Monáe. Her co-written musical Take the Lead premieres at Paper Mill Playhouse in spring 2025, directed by Tony Award-winner Christopher Gattelli. Zeniba co-wrote the audio collection Human Resources, which played Woolly Mammoth and St. Louis Rep. She is currently co-writing music and lyrics for a new musical with Tony Award-winner Tom Kitt for Disney Theatrical Productions. As a recording artist, Zeniba spans genres—from the meditative debut EP Wholly Chill to zany bops like “Stay on the Line,” produced by Teddy Roxpin, which holds the highest possible honor: two babies laughed for the first time while listening to it! Recently, she contributed vocals and voice acting to a new project in development with Disney Animation. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Founder and Fitness Coach to the theater community Joe Rosko joins Behind the Awards to chat about his journey with Fitness and Performing.  Joe shares Fitness tips and also give some of his favorite performance in the most recent seasons. Also in this episode - Celia Keenan-Bolger’s 2025 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award and her start of the Gavin Creel Fellowship with the help of Sara Bareilles, Catherine Brunell and in partnership with The American Theater Wing.   https://americantheatrewing.org/program/the-gavin-creel-fellowships/ Joe Rosko began his professional career as a trainer and actor at the exact same time in 2007. Since then, it has been his mission to build a bridge between the worlds of fitness and theatre. Rosko believed that actors were truly professional athletes but didn’t feel as though the theatre community was equipped with the proper resources to train like said athletes. This realization led to the creation of “Built for the Stage.” Over the years, BFTS has had clients represented in over fifty Broadway shows, as well as stages on the West End in London, Australia, and other countries around the world. Rosko prides himself in having the unique abilities to continue a performer’s fitness progress while in the midst of being in or out of a show. All professional athletes train a certain way while in season or out of season, and with actors it’s no different. Actors are athletes, and thus, they should train like one. @builtforthestage Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behind_the_awards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Eila ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eilamell⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Bruce ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices