NOW WE'RE TALKING with Drew Gasparini

Alex Brightman is a two time Tony nominee known for his work on Broadway in shows such as School of Rock and Beetlejuice. Andrew Kober has been starring in Broadway shows for over a decade in shows such as Hair, Les Miserables, Beautiful and MORE. F. Michael Haynie is a stage favorite known for their work in Dogfight, Wicked, and currently stars as Olaf in the national tour of Frozen. And I, well… I’m Drew and I hang with these lovable shitheads all the time as they are my best pals and frequent collaborators. Once upon a time someone called our foursome “The (M)orons” and it stuck. It’s ALWAYS a joy spending some time with them. So join us, and MEET THE MORONS! Brighty, Gaspo, Klobby, and F. Tune in. RATE AND SUBSCRIBE! Just f***ing do it. Subscribe to the damn podcast. Your friends are doing it. Your mom and dad are doing it. Don’t be the person NOT doing it. Get your sexy little finger out and smash SUBSCRIBE!!!! xoxo Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the best way to get Lin-Manuel to give you all his money? Fergie L. Philippe breaks down the best method for me. For that reason alone you should be tuning into our conversation. But if that’s not enough for you, we get into some real conversations about the Muppets, Fergie’s love for performing and puppetry, embarrassing sports injuries, what his daily routine is as a star of the blockbuster Broadway hit “Hamilton” and we play a game of MOST IMPOSSIBLE QUESTIONS! Tune in. RATE AND SUBSCRIBE! Just f***ing do it. Subscribe to the damn podcast. Your friends are doing it. Your mom and dad are doing it. Don’t be the person NOT doing it. Get your sexy little finger out and smash SUBSCRIBE!!!! xoxo Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate Baldwin is not only a Broadway Icon, she’s a terrific hang, a super mom, and all in all a mega bad ass. We alllll know Kate from her Tony Nominated work in shows such as Finnian’s Rainbow, Hello Dolly, but I bet you’d never guess where she met her husband, actor Graham Rowat! Of COURSE we love Kate’s work as an incredible singer heard on such Original cast albums such as Big Fish and Superhero, but did you know that Kate Baldwin might actually make the best breakfast sandwich you’ll ever have in your life?! We take time to discuss Sondheim (RIP), our time working on the Karate Kid together, parenthood, food, food, food, and food. Tune in. RATE AND SUBSCRIBE! Just f***ing do it. Subscribe to the damn podcast. Your friends are doing it. Your mom and dad are doing it. Don’t be the person NOT doing it. Get your sexy little finger out smash SUBSCRIBE!!!! xoxo Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Doyle is a Broadway treasure. Is there anything worse than seeing the friends you grew up with not age at all, meanwhile you feel like you’ve aged 4 times faster than most humans?? That’s how I feel when I saw Matt on the other end of this interview. I’ve known him since we were 12 and shortly after our adolescents he became a Broadway staple starring in shows such as Spring Awakening, War Horse, Book of Mormon, and so much more. He’s about to make his return to Broadway in the highly anticipated revival of COMPANY! On this episode we play “Who would you Squid Game first?” - we play a rousing game of FMK, and we talk about the very wrong casting choices we were stuck with as teenagers. Ladies and gentleman, theys and thems, it’s my pal and yours, Mr. Matt Doyle is on the podcast!!!! Tune in. RATE AND SUBSCRIBE! Just f***ing do it. Subscribe to the damn podcast. Your friends are doing it. Your mom and dad are doing it. Don’t be the person NOT doing it. Get your sexy little finger out smash SUBSCRIBE!!!! xoxo Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What lullabies did we listen to as kids? Do we remember how WEIRD the children’s stories we were read as kids were? Does Tony nominee indeed have a dog fighting ring in her basement? Will I ever finally get Jonathan Groff to pay attention to the nonsensical beef I’m trying to start with him? WHO KNOWS! But we talk about all of this and more on this week’s episode featuring guests Caitlin Kinnunen and performer/writer Ryan Bauer-Walsh. From our discussion about their upcoming project THE RAINBOW LULLABY to our heated exchange about whether we’d rather have fingers as nipples or nipples as fingers, it was a laugh a minute with these two. Tune in. RATE AND SUBSCRIBE! Just f***ing do it. I mean, it’s fine if you don’t, but like… just do it. For me. For me and my family. And YOUR family. HELL! We could all use the rate and subscribe! SMASH IT, Y’ALL!!! xoxo Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week we spoke to a student of mine. This week we are talking to a mentor of mine! An amazing man with a storied life and career in both the arts and corporate America. He’s an entrepreneur and a business owner. He is the reason I am here writing musicals today because it was his support and believe in me that kept me in NYC… and now look at me! I’m hot shit! And it’s all thanks to today’s guest. My mentor. My teacher. My friend. Louis Sacco! Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is a little different than our typical lineup of household names from show biz. She is a 16 year old actor, singer, and writer who is just getting her start in the industry. She’s not a household name YET, but mark my words, she *will* be. Her name is Elisa Martini and I’ve had the great privilege and honor of being her coach, teacher, and mentor over the last couple years. The reason I had her on the podcast was because there is something remarkable about her drive and passion toward all things “the arts.” I think it is important for young people and vets of the business alike to hear the goal setting, hard-working ambition of this young up and comer. It's INSPIRING! Listen up world, and get ready for a star on the rise!  Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ann Harada is a Broadway legend! We ALL know Ann as the original Christmas Eve in Avenue Q on Broadway and the West End, but did you know that this nifty New Yorker is actually from Hawaii!? We know that Ann was recently seen in the new hit on Apple+ series “Schmigadoon” but did you know that Ann got a real life scary diagnosis during the pandemic?? Ann is one of the most persevering artists in the business, and she time out of her vacation to talk to my dumb ass! It was a joy to catch, and it will be an even bigger joy to LISTEN! So buckle up, because now we’re talking with the one and only Ann Harada! Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have a seat and listen the hell up. Meghan Picerno swung by the podcast and we got DEEP! We talk about our worst reviews, we talk about the return of Broadway, but not only that! We discuss which cartoons gave us our sexual awakening, and we toss a big middle finger to the powers that be in Texas for their cockamamie laws against women! Meghan is the real deal. A great hang, an absolute bad ass, and someone I had the great privilege of speaking with! She has gone from performing as an opera singer all over the world, to becoming an Andrew Lloyd Weber favorite, playing Christine in Love Never Dies, and currently in Phantom of the Opera which makes it’s return to Broadway on October 22nd! Follow Meghan on Instagram @meghanpicerno Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are not worthy! The Queen is in the building. Queen Lesli that is. Lesli Margherita is one of the funniest and most kick ass people in the business. Of course many of you know her from her Olivier award winning performance as Inez in Zorro the Musical on the West End, but did you know that she covered LA and London well before she even made her Broadway debut! We all fell in LOVE with Lesli when she starred as Mrs. Wormwood in the hit Broadway musical Matilda, but did you know that this bi-coastal bad ass thinks me, Drew Gasparini, could be a musical theatre sex symbol?!?! (Calendar to be released soon!) She’s gone everything from the West End to Broadway to off-Broadway to the screen, she’s even shared scenes with her crush from N*Sync, JC Chasez, and lots more. Get ready for laughs and a great time, because NOW we’re talking with the iconic Lesli Margherita! Follow Lesli on instagram and twitter @QueenLesli || Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sit your ass right down and LISTEN! Broadway’s secret weapon is here! It’s Raymond J Lee! We all know Ray from his work on stage in such shows at Mamma Mia, Soft Power, and Groundhog Day, but did you know Ray was supposed to be a doctor! I’m sure you all know Ray from his amazing work in shows like Aladdin or song cycles like We Aren’t Kids Anymore (written by yours truly), but did you know his parents LIED TO HIM about being accepted into Columbia! Ray has a fascinating life, and he’s been able to prove so many people wrong, break down walls, and become one of Broadway’s most unique and gifted talents. This was a joy to get to sit and shoot the shit with the man, the myth, the legend, Mr. Raymond J Lee!!! Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Nominee Lilli Cooper returns! And this time she’s joined by Tony Nominee Ethan Slater! Both starred in Spongebob Squarepants on Broadway, but did you know that these two went to college together! Lilli and Ethan not only perform together, but collaborate together as well! Along with Nick Blaemire, Ethan wrote the new concept album “Edge of the World” and Lilli joined the talented team to lend her voice to the album. We talk about everything from breakfast cereal, to the biggest lies we’ve all told, to their new album, to Lilli’s pregnancy. Oh yeah, we also reinstate my beef with beloved Broadway actor Jonathan Groff. Jonathan if you’re listening, please come on the pod so we can have it out once and for all (you charming, beautiful man!) Join Ethan, Lilli, and I for nothing but laughs and good times on this episode of NOW WE’RE TALKING with me, Drew Gasparini. Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jumping f***ing jesus! Natalie Weiss is in the house! Natalie and I talk about everything from eating spaghetti in bed, sending food back at a restaurant, and what it takes to be a bad ass entrepreneur while also being an artist! We all know Natalie from her stage work in shows like Les Miz, and Everyday Rapture on Broadway, but did you know that this viral sensation has no strategy when it comes to building her empire?! We all know her from her highly popular online series BREAKING DOWN THE RIFFS, but I bet you’d never guess that Natalie has an entourage of friends in their young 20’s!? We all love Natalie and her amazing concert performances, but I bet you’d never guess that Natalie Weiss suffered severely from thin brows in middle school! Well, we discuss all over this and more, including her approach to being a business woman in the arts and an influence on younger people. Tune in, and turn it up! NOW we’re talking with Natalie Weiss! You can find Natalie on twitter, instagram, and tiktok: @TheNatalieWeiss. Follow our host Drew Gasparini on twitter and instagram: @drewgasparini and tiktok @thedrewgasparini Follow our podcast on twitter @NWT_Pod or Instagram @nwtpodcast. SUPPORT THIS PODCAST on Patreon: www.patreon.com/nwtpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are back!!! Season Two, bitches! Here we go! We are starting season two with someone I have been a fan of since I was in 5th grade! The iconic Adam Pascal! We all know Adam for his Tony nominated performance as Roger in the original cast of RENT, and the fact that he reprised that roll in the blockbuster movie adaptation, but did you know that Adam Pascal made a guest appearance on the cult webseries "Submissions Only" singing a song called "We Should F*** Other People". We loved Adam in the movie School of Rock, and of course we know him for originating the roll of Radames in the Broadway smash AIDA, but did you know that Aida didn't even get a nomination for Best Musical??? Did you know that Adam Pascal could eat a bagel with tuna every day of his life and be totally happy doing so??? I bet you didn't know that he never even intended to become a musical theatre performer before landing the roll of Roger in Rent, or that he has a very special upcoming streamed concert event called ADAM PASCAL SO FAR... start August 17th, 2021! Well we discuss all of this and a whole lot more on this episode of Now We're Talking! Make sure to follow Adam on his socials @adampascal for more details, and as always follow me and this podcast on twitter and instagram @drewgasparini or @NWT_Pod. AND NOW YOU CAN BE A PATRON OF OUR SHOW ON PATREON: www.Patreon.com/NWTPodcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you do one thing all summer, make sure it is listening to this episode. Today's guest is NOT in show business. Most people do NOT know who he is. But this is without a doubt the hardest I've laughed recording any one of the twenty five episodes of this season. Ladies and gentleman, endure the lunacy of my big brother. This episode is a series of stories of our childhood. From hysterical bathroom moments, to life-changing sleep away camp embarrassments, this episode has the goods from two brothers who are also best friends. Tune in and turn it the hell up, NOW WE'RE TALKING with my life-long bestie. Danny Gasparini. Follow Drew Gasparini: Twitter @DrewGasparini Instagram @DrewGasparini TikTok @theDrewGasparini For more info on this podcast, visit bpn.fm/NWT A Proud Member of Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Barth Feldman is an absolute gentleman! This was one of my favorite conversations of 2021 so far, and I’m honored the man himself sat down with me to talk about everything and anything. Of course we know that this Jimmy Award winner went on to make a splash as the title role in Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen, but did you know that he has always dreamed of opening a Tiki Bar and restaurant in his apartment! We are thrilled to see his success span toward TV as Antoine in the Disney Plus series, High School Musical: The Series: The Musical, but did you know that he has theorized that Les Mis’s Javert is likely a “Lincoln Project” republican! Mark my words, this young man is the next generation’s Tom Hanks. He’s so charming, likable and talented that he’s going to be a household name in no time, and I’m excited to see that happen. We talk about his rise to stardom, his family background, his love for theme restaurants, and we even play a game of “Silly Questions” and “Most Impossible Questions”. Tune in and turn it up, because now we’re talking with Mr. Andrew Barth Feldman! You can keep tabs on Andrew's upcoming life moments by following him on his socials @andrewbfeldman. Follow Drew Gasparini: Twitter @DrewGasparini Instagram @DrewGasparini TikTok @theDrewGasparini For more info on this podcast, visit bpn.fm/NWT A Proud Member of Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway and TV star Troy Iwata and I have known each other since I met him as a young new talented and tricked him into paying too much money for a masterclass I was teaching. WHAT A SUCKER! I’m thrilled I know Troy and I’m thrilled he was able to come by the podcast for some fun! Troy has graced the Broadway stage as a swing in the cult phenomenon “Be More Chill,” but we all know that! I bet you didn’t know Troy worked at Target and was a master at bagging groceries! Troy became a fan-favorite as Langston on the hit Netflix series “Dash & Lily” but I bet you’d never guess which well-known composer he disappointed by not crying in front of him. I bet you don’t know Troy’s first memory, or which super power he’d like to possess one day, and I bet you didn’t know that he is once of the funniest dudes on the planet. I loved talking with him and YOU’LL all love listening! So tune in for my conversation with Troy Iwata, rate, give it a comment, and for the love of peat, don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE! Find Troy on twitter and instagram @MrTroyIwata Follow Drew Gasparini: Twitter @DrewGasparini Instagram @DrewGasparini TikTok @theDrewGasparini For more info on this podcast, visit bpn.fm/NWT A Proud Member of Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma Hunton is a class act. She currently plays Davia Moss on GOOD TROUBLE, now in its third season. But you know that! I bet you didn’t know that she once had access to LORD OF THE RINGS porn parody! Before her work in TV we all knew Emma from her career on stage as Elphaba in Wicked and Ilsa in Spring Awakening on Broadway, but did you know that if it came down to it, she’d kick Tomi Loren’s small minded ass!? I bet you know of her work on tour as Natalie in Next to Normal or from her performance in The Mad Ones, but I bet none of y’all knew that Emma and I actually dated over eleven years ago! In fact one of my most popular songs is written about her! Learn about that and all things Emma in this week’s episode! We talk about Emma’s non-stop career in show business since the age of 6, we talk about her hate for mansplainers. We talk about why I insist on continuing to try to start unnecessary beef with Broadway’s beloved Jonathan Groff. From household chores, to hangover cures, we discuss it all! What a joy it was to sit with my good friend Emma Hunton. Tune in, and subscribe! Find Emma Hunton on twitter instagram and TikTok @EmmaHunton, and don’t miss her on season 3 of FreeForm’s GOOD TROUBLE! Follow Drew Gasparini: Twitter @DrewGasparini Instagram @DrewGasparini TikTok @theDrewGasparini For more info on this podcast, visit bpn.fm/NWT A Proud Member of Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My heart filled up like a pinata when I sat down for this chat. Alex Wyse is a good friend, and sure, we love him for his theatre performances in shows such as off-Broadway's "Triassic Parq" and Broadway shows such as "Lysistrata Jones" and Deaf West's revival of "Spring Awakening" but I bet you'd never guess that his grandmother was responsible for some of today's most popular advertising slogans? We are all hip to the fact that Alex and Wes Taylor co-created and star in the ground-breaking, Emmy nominated comedy called "The Indoor Boys" but did you know that Andrew Kober was the Mr. Bumble to his Oliver back in Ohio??? How hilarious is that?!?! Not only is he an amazing writer, actor, and Tony nominated producer, he is a tremendous musician and singer and you can even here Alex sing my song "Right Here" from my album I COULD USE A DRINK! One thing I know for sure is that Alex is a multi-hyphenate bad ass who never stops! So tune in and turn it the hell up, Alex Wyse is in the house! Keep up with everything he has going on by following him on Twitter @alexwyse and Instagram @alexjwyse HEY, while you’re at it, don't be afraid to RATE AND SUBSCRIBE! Follow Drew Gasparini: Twitter @DrewGasparini Instagram @DrewGasparini TikTok @theDrewGasparini For more info on this podcast, visit bpn.fm/NWT A Proud Member of Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We should all be angry at Antonio Cipriano. He’s handsome, successful, young, and has great hair. So let’s just get pissed at the guy! It was a wonderful time having Antonio on to chat about his Sicilian roots, his amazing work in the Tony nominated Jagged Little Pill, his upcoming projects, his dream of being drafted for the major leagues, and we even play a riveting game of F*** MARRY KILL. His answers might surprise you! Tune in! Just a couple Italians talking theatre. Follow Antonio on his socials @AntonioCip_ HEY, while you’re at it, don’t be a dick, do the right thing… RATE AND SUBSCRIBE!  Follow Drew Gasparini: Twitter @DrewGasparini Instagram @DrewGasparini TikTok @theDrewGasparini For more info on this podcast, visit bpn.fm/NWT A Proud Member of Broadway Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices