Broadway Gives Back

Our guest in this episode is a true activist. Laura Bell Bundy is also an actress, a recording artist, a singer/songwriter, a director, a producer, and a podcaster. Broadway fans will know her as Tina in Ruthless, Amber in Hairspray, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, where she was nominated for a Tony Award, and she played Glinda in Wicked. She started her own foundation called Women of Tomorrow, which works to raise the social consciousness by bringing awareness to women’s issues through art, education and community.  As part of the Broadway Gives Back podcast's Earth Month series, “United Nations Global Goals” we are talking about tackling the world’s “to do” list to make our planet a better place. I’m joined by my Earth Month co-host Tony Nominee, Anika Larsen. We decided to work together on this series and bring in guests to talk about the ways in which we all can make small changes for the greater good. Join us as Laura talks about Global Goal #5, Gender Equality. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episode and how you can donate and/or help: WomxnOfTomorrow.org/ GlobalGoals.org BroadwayGreen.com/ BPN.fm/SaveThePlanet Connect with Laura Bell Bundy: Website: laurabellbundy.com Instagram: @laurabellbundy Facebook: @laurabellbundy Twitter: @laurabellbundy Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our special guest today is Andrew Barth Feldman who won the 2018 National High School Musical Theatre Award, and went on to make his Broadway debut as the title character in the Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen as a junior in high school. Since then, he has starred in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical, and various other television shows and films, and he has won an Emmy Award for hosting the 2020 Roger Rees Awards. He works as a performer, writer, creator, and an advocate. This episode is part of our Earth Month series, called The United Nations Global Goals, where we talk about tackling the world’s “to do” list to make our planet a better place. I’m joined by my passionate co-host, Tony Nominee Anika Larsen. We decided to work together on this series during Earth Month and bring in guests to talk about the ways in which we all can make small changes for the greater good, with a focus on the Broadway community and theatre fans. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episode and how you can donate and/or help: EntertainmentCommunity.org/ GlobalGoals.org BroadwayGreen.com/ BPN.fm/SaveThePlanet Connect with Andrew: Website: andrewbfeldman.com Instagram: @andrewbfeldman_ Twitter: @andrewbfeldman YouTube: @andrewbarthfeldman6353 Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Best known for his role as Eric Beale on the CBS series NCIS: Los Angeles, Barrett Foa is an incredibly talented cross-over artist and actor who has performed in Hollywood and the theatre world. He made his Broadway debut in 2001 in the original cast of Mamma Mia, which launched his stage career. He then starred in shows like: Avenue Q, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Buyer and Cellar off-Broadway. Barrett is also the vice-chair of Every Day Action, an organization whose goal is to change the way Hollywood manages food waste. On the podcast, Barrett talks about ways in which we can help feed people with food insecurities. Today’s podcast is part of our Earth Month series, called United Nations Global Goals, where we talk about tackling the world’s “to do” list to make our planet a better place. I’m joined by my passionate Co-Host for this series, Anika Larsen, who was a guest on this podcast last year and introduced me to the Global Goals. Anika is a Tony Award Nominee and advocate for sustainability and the environment. We decided to work together on this series and bring in guests to talk about the ways in which we all can make small changes for the greater good.    Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episode and how you can donate and/or help: YourEveryDayAction.org/ GlobalGoals.org BroadwayGreen.com/ BPN.fm/SaveThePlanet Connect with Barrett: Instagram: @BarrettFoa Facebook: @BarrettFoa Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our special guest today is Telly Leung, who in addition to his incredible acting career, is an activist. He was born and raised in New York City so the world of theatre and art was always a part of his life. And on this podcast, Telly talks about the importance of sustainable cities, which includes the arts. Telly has been in so many Broadway shows including: Flower Drum Song, Pacific Overtures, Rent, Aladdin, Godspell, and of course, Allegiance. Telly also produces and directs shows and is a proud graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. He passionately believes in the power of “paying it forward” and works to help young performers and supports Arts Education programs.  This podcast is part of a new Earth Month series, called United Nations Global Goals where we talk about tackling the world’s “to do” list to make our planet a better place. I’m joined by my passionate Co-Host Anika Larsen, who was a guest on this podcast last year and introduced me to the Global Goals. Anika is a Tony Award Nominee and a passionate advocate for sustainability and the environment. We decided to work together on this series and bring in guests to talk about the ways in which we all can make small changes for the greater good.    Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episode and how you can donate and/or help: GlobalGoals.org BroadwayGreen.com/ BPN.fm/SaveThePlanet Connect with Telly: Website: TellyLeung.com/ Facebook: @TheTellyLeungPage Instagram: @TellyLeung Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for the launch of our Earth Month series as Jan welcomes Tony nominee, Anika Larsen, to be her co-host and brings in special Broadway guests to discuss the United Nations Global Goals for sustainable development. We will talk about tackling the World’s To Do List to make the planet a better place and look at ways in which Broadway shows, casts and crews, as well as fans, can make small changes for the greater good. We are focused on being helpful and hopeful, as opposed to helpless and hopeless, as we look at the climate crisis, food insecurities, human rights, poverty, education and more. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episode and how you can donate and/or help: GlobalGoals.org BroadwayGreen.com/ BPN.fm/SaveThePlanet Connect with Anika: Website: AnikaLarsen.biz Facebook: @Anika.Larsen.NYC Instagram: @GreenMomAF Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Earth Month! Broadway Gives Back has partnered with Anika Larsen and the Broadway Green Alliance to bring you The Broadway Vlog to Save The Planet - a month-long video and podcast series dedicated to helping Broadway go from feeling helpless to hopeful when it comes to the climate change revolution. You'll hear from guests like Telly Leung, Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, Sierra Boggess, Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Bell Bundy, and more on how Broadway is making the world a more sustainable place and what we all can do to make a difference. Visit BPN.fm/SaveThePlanet to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Currently rockin’ out as the mom in ALMOST FAMOUS THE MUSICAL on Broadway, Anika Larsen is a Drama Desk winner and Tony and Outer Critics Circle Award nominee for her role as Cynthia Weil in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. She recently released an album of lullabies for all ages called Sing You to Sleep and is on the board of NYC Children’s Theater. The mother of two “beautiful” boys, she joined the Broadway Green Alliance and is a passionate ambassador for the Global Goals for Sustainability so that she can tell her children she really tried to pass on to them a healthy planet. Join Anika as she takes us behind the scenes of Broadway's dedication to and her future hopes for climate change. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episodes and how you can donate and/or help: Broadway Green Alliance The Global Goals for Sustainability New York City Children’s Theater TerraCycle Stars in the House for Climate Change, benefiting Broadway Green Alliance Prizeo Sweepstakes: Win a VIP Broadway Experience, benefiting Broadway Green Alliance Connect with Anika: Website: AnikaLarsen.biz Facebook: @Anika.Larsen.NYC Instagram: @GreenMomAF Almost Famous The Musical Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen and co-produced & edited by Jim Lochner. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Social Media Manager for Broadway Gives Back: Olivia Cull. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Museum of Broadway is an immersive and interactive theatrical experience devoted to musicals, plays, and the people who create them. Featuring the work of dozens of designers, artists, and theater historians, this one-of-a-kind museum takes visitors on a journey along the timeline of Broadway, from its birth to present day, where the past, present, and future of Broadway come together like never before! In addition, a portion of each ticket sold to the Museum of Broadway will be donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Join co-founders Julie Boardman and Diane Nicoletti as they take you behind the scenes of this exciting new addition to the Broadway landscape and share the story of how they brought Broadway history to life. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episodes and how you can donate and/or help: Museum of Broadway Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Al Hirschfeld Foundation The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Charitybuzz Auction: Enjoy a Curated Exclusive Tour of the New Museum of Broadway & Receive a Gift Bag of Merchandise Connect with the Museum of Broadway: Facebook: @MuseumofBroadway Twitter: @MuseumofBroadway Instagram: @MuseumofBroadway Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen and co-produced & edited by Jim Lochner. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Social Media Manager for Broadway Gives Back: Olivia Cull. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actress and comedienne Julie Halston is one of the funniest women on Broadway and off. She has starred in TOOTSIE, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, ANYTHING GOES, HAIRSPRAY, and GYPSY. She has also appeared in the television reboots of SEX AND THE CITY and GOSSIP GIRL. Julie is also a staunch advocate for people living with pulmonary fibrosis, receiving the 2020 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award for her charitable work for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF). Halston is a Board member of the PFF and has dedicated herself to raising funds and awareness for PFF for more than a decade. Join Julie as she relates her very personal pulmonary fibrosis story and the joys of giving back. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episodes and how you can donate and/or help: Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Connect with Julie: Facebook: @JulieHalston Twitter: @JulieHalston Instagram: @ActressJulieHalston Rolling Calls, A New Audio Comedy Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen and co-produced & edited by Jim Lochner. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Social Media Manager for Broadway Gives Back: Olivia Cull. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From his current role in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS to his Tony Award-nominated performances in SOMETHING ROTTEN! and THE PRODUCERS, MRS. DOUBTFIRE, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, SPAMALOT, and many more, Brad Oscar is one of the funniest men on Broadway and off. For 20 years, Brad has also supported and now serves on the board of Only Make Believe, an amazing charity that brings theater into special needs schools and hospitals throughout New York City and Washington, DC. Join Brad as he discusses the healing power of the arts in the lives of critically ill and special needs children. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episodes and how you can donate and/or help: Only Make Believe Purchase tickets to Only Make Believe’s Back on Broadway gala on on Monday, November 14, hosted by John Oliver Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Entertainment Community Fund Connect with Brad: Twitter: @RealBradOscar Instagram: @BradOscar64 Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen and co-produced & edited by Jim Lochner. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Social Media Manager for Broadway Gives Back: Olivia Cull. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Soprano Sharon Azrieli has enjoyed international success with leading organizations such as the Canadian Opera Company, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, and the New Israel Opera, among others. Sharon created the Azrieli Music Prizes for the Azrieli Foundation in 2014 and is devoted to arts education and philanthropy. She is a director on the board of the Azrieli Foundation, and concurrently sits on the boards of several other philanthropic organizations including National Arts Centre of Canada, Orchestre Classique de Montréal (where she holds the title President Emeritus), McCord Museum, the Canadian Vocal Arts Institute, The Opera Cares Foundation, the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, Sharon Azrieli Foundation for the Arts as well as on the honorary board of Camp Tutti and Camp Kinneret Biluim. Join Sharon as she discusses the importance of arts education in her native Canada and beyond. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episodes and how you can donate and/or help: Azrieli Foundation El Sistema USA Connect with Sharon: Website: SharonAzrieli.com  Facebook: @sopranosharonazrieli Instagram: @sharonazrielisoprano YouTube: @Sharon Azrieli Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen and co-produced & edited by Jim Lochner. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Social Media Manager for Broadway Gives Back: Olivia Cull. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Ambroz is a national poverty and child welfare expert and advocate. After growing up homeless and then in foster care, he graduated from Vassar College and later from UCLA School of Law (J.D.), and was recognized by President Obama as an American Champion of Change. Join David as he shares his powerful story of growing up homeless on the streets of New York City and discusses the next steps in the fight against poverty. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episodes and how you can donate and/or help: Covenant House Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media Connect with David: Website: DavidAmbroz.com Twitter: @daveambroz Instagram: @hkdambroz A Place Called Home memoir Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen and co-produced & edited by Jim Lochner. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Social Media Manager for Broadway Gives Back: Olivia Cull. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From THE GOONIES to Emmy Award-winning actress and activist, Martha Plimpton has been a welcome face in film, television, and on stage for over 40 years. She’s a three-time Tony nominee, a Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle winner, and recently won an Independent Spirit Award for her most recent film, MASS. Her new show SPRUNG is currently streaming. In 2012, she co-founded A Is For, which amplifies art and artists that work to end the stigma against abortion. Join Martha as she discusses her hopes for Broadway and the important fight for reproductive rights for women. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episodes and how you can donate and/or help: A Is For Purchase tickets to A Is For’s Broadway Acts for Abortion benefit on Sunday, October 2 Planned Parenthood Red River Women’s Clinic Whole Woman’s Health The Pink House Fund Lilith Clinic The Brigid Alliance Connect with Martha: Facebook: @OfficialMarthaPlimpton Twitter: @VWOfficial Instagram: @MarthaPlimpton Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen and co-produced & edited by Jim Lochner. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Social Media Manager for Broadway Gives Back: Olivia Cull. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanessa Williams is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in the entertainment industry today. From her hit recording career to celebrated performances in film and television, Vanessa is equally at home on stage. She’s best known to Broadway fans for her memorable roles in KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, INTO THE WOODS, AFTER MIDNIGHT, and her recent performance in POTUS: OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE. Vanessa is also a strong advocate for equal rights, embracing and supporting such organizations as Black Theatre United, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, Special Olympics, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and several others. She was honored with the Human Rights Campaign Ally for Equality Award for her humanitarian contributions. Join Vanessa as she discusses the necessary strides for representation on Broadway, in front of and behind the curtain. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episodes and how you can donate and/or help: Black Theatre United Purchase tickets to the inaugural Black Theatre United Gala on Monday, October 3 Connect with Vanessa: Website: VanessaWilliams.com Facebook: @OfficialVanessaWilliams Twitter: @VWOfficial Instagram: @VanessaWilliamsOfficial (Vanessa Williams photo by Kate Best.) Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen and co-produced & edited by Jim Lochner. A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Social Media Manager for Broadway Gives Back: Olivia Cull. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hugh Jackman is the most down to earth superhero. A multiple award winner with Tonys, Emmys, a Grammy, and a Golden Globe, Hugh won a special Tony Award in 2012 recognizing his accomplishments as a performer and a humanitarian. Hugh and his wife, Deb Furness, support a number of important causes, and he has broken the fundraising record for Broadway Cares multiple times. Join everybody’s favorite music man as he discusses a lifetime of giving back. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episodes and how you can donate and/or help: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Effective Altruism Giving What We Can 80,000 Hours Global Citizen Connect with Hugh: Facebook: @HughJackman Twitter: @RealHughJackman Instagram: @TheHughJackman Connect with The Broadway Gives Back Podcast: Facebook: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Instagram: @broadwaygivesbackpodcast Twitter: @broadwaygives Hosted & Executive Produced by Jan Svendsen and co-produced & edited by Jim Lochner.  A proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network. Special thanks to Dori Berinstein, Alan Seales, and Kimberlee Garris from BPN; Julian Hills from The Bulldog Agency; and Eric Becker from Broderick Street Music. Social Media Manager for Broadway Gives Back: Olivia Cull. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices