Take A Bow

Join us for an extraordinary deep dive inside the most transformative decade on Broadway through gripping behind-the-scenes accounts of shows such as Sunset Boulevard, Rent, Angels in America, Chicago, The Lion King, and The Producers - shows that changed the history of the American theater. Host Michael Riedel, author of the best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway, has created a companion podcast featuring his never-before-heard, taped audio interviews with legendary artists from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Patti LuPone, and so many more. Michael presents the drama behind the decade’s mega-hits and shocking flops, bringing readers into high-stakes premieres, fraught rehearsals, tough contract negotiations, intense Tony Award battles, and more. From the bitter feuds to the surprising collaborations, all the intrigue of a revolutionary era in the Theater District is packed into Singular Sensation. Broadway has triumphs and disasters, but the show always goes on. Enjoy Singular Sensation: The Podcast everywhere you get your podcasts or use http://bpn.fm/singularsensation to listen and learn more, and be sure to get the book here: https://amzn.to/4cNdfO3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OUR WHITE WHALE GUEST! He's here! The only one person in the world who could be our guest for episode 200. Matthew Morrison. He has graced both the screen and stage for many years. He is an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Tony Award nominee (among many other award nominations and wins). You know him for playing the role of Mr. Will Schuester in Glee. I know him as "my dad" in Finding Neverland, as host, Eli Tokash, reunites with "Mr. Barrie." Here, it's safe, in this place, above the clouds, that is episode 200! Hear all about: Journey to becoming a performer/storyteller What took so long How he grew up in this industry The constant shifts Finding Neverland Mentorship roles Earning your stripes How he deals with the media Glee Directing while acting How directing shaped his new process as an actor Chicago in Japan + So much more! Curtain up, Matthew Morrison Connect with Matthew Morrison on Instagram: @matthewmorrison Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After her rise to stardom on social media, Amber Ardolino is proving she has the talent to lead a Broadway Company in A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical. After appearing in the ensembles of Hamilton and Head Over Heels, she understudied Satine in Moulin Rouge where she showed her first glimpse of her triple threat abilities. She then continued to originate roles in Back To The Future and Funny Girl. Now, she's taking her, well deserved, solo bow on Broadway eight times a week in A Beautiful Noise. This episode has it all from vocal tips, bts of her iconic TikTok videos, advice, inside perspective of the industry at all the levels of a performer, and so much more. Hear all about: Journey to becoming a performer/storyteller How she didn't listen to her teachers (thank god) who told her she wouldn't make it Making her Broadway Debut Hamilton Shoulder Bouncing from show to show The difference between originating and replacing a role A BEAUTIFUL NOISE A Beautiful Noise special bows The process of her "Show Announcement Videos" Red Flags Vocal Tips + So much more! Curtain up, Amber Ardolino Connect with Amber Ardolino on Instagram: @ambernicoleardolino Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After her Breakout performance on Broadway by originating the role of Katherine Howard in SIX: The Musical, Samantha Pauly comes to Take A Bow a day before she returns to Broadway at the Broadway Theater in the Great Gatsby. Sam chats with us right before heading to a call time for tech in her opening week of her first show in a brand new musical. This episode has it all from meaningful friendships, fandom, advice, knowledge, and so much more. Hear all about: Journey to becoming a performer/storyteller How theatre chose her Audition process of Gatsby How she heard she got the role (it was by accident) Returning to Broadway in Great Gatsby Pre-Broadway run at PaperMill Playhouse Journey to creating Jordan Baker How her songs have been cut, re-added, changed, etc. from the show. Sharing a stage with Jeremy Jordan and Evan Noblezada Falling in love with Noah J. Ricketts + So much more! (including a psa from our host about their school, PPAS) Curtain up, Sam Pauly Connect with Sam Pauly on Instagram: @sampauly Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hear all about: Journey to becoming a performer/storyteller Growing up auditioning Touring with Dear Evan Hansen Having their Broadway moment Adjusting to eight shows a week What working with Ben Platt, Jordan Fisher, etc. taught him Voice Over/Commercial acting TikTok Sephora Musical Advice for performers to gain exposure and allow social media to help you + So much more! Curtain up, Jared Goldsmith Connect with Jared Goldsmith on Instagram: @jaredbgoldsmith Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EMMY Award Winner and Broadway star, Mia Sinclair Jenness joins us to Take A Bow and bares all about her journey through growing up in the Entertainment industry. This episode has it all from education, memories, advice, and tons of laughs. From open call to the EMMYs, to reminiscing of growing up on Broadway. Hear all about: Journey to becoming a performer/storyteller Growing up on Broadway Normalcy of a Broadway Kid Sharing stories of her time growing up with Gaten Matarazzo and Joshua Colley Appropriate on Broadway Understudying Elle Fanning Grey House Les Miz Broadway Park Voice Over acting Meeting celebrities who watch her perform Matilda + So much more! (including a psa from our host about their school, PPAS) Curtain up, Mia Sinclair Jenness Connect with Mia Sinclair Jenness on Instagram: @miasinclairjenness Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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GRAMMY Award winner and Broadway star, Adrianna Hicks joins us to Take A Bow for her work in the entertainment industry. Adrianna has a wealth of knowledge from performing around the WORLD. From Germany to Austria, touring the United Stated to Broadway. She's done it all while performing in at least one of your favorite shows! Hear all about: Journey to becoming a performer/storyteller Why being an adventurer can help you as a performer Aladdin, Sister Act, Dirty Dancing, Legally Blonde and more! THE COLOR PURPLE Influences of other performers as a young actor What performing with Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Holliday, and Heather Headley taught her Going out on tour SIX Living out her Beyonce dreams on a Broadway Stage What changes were made from London to Broadway SOME LIKE IT HOT The GRAMMYs Becoming a GRAMMY winner + So much more! Curtain up, Adrianna Hicks Connect with Adrianna Hicks on Instagram: @missadriannahicks Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new STARS of Hadestown come to Take A Bow chatting all things HADESTOWN! This episode features the different perspectives of performers in different stage of their career with different relationships with the show. Hear all about how the show began with Ani, to Lola making her debut in this GIANT show fresh off of a hit tv show, to Jordan Fisher cherishing the moment in his life he gets to tell this story. Ani Di Franco How HADESTOWN was made Hadestown as a concept album Why she decided to make her Broadway debut Finding the balance of Persephone Lola Tung The Summer I Turned Pretty On set vs on Broadway Surprising people by showcasing her singing talents Learning from Jordan Fisher and previous Eurydice such as Solea Pfeiffer and Eva Noblezada Jordan Fisher Becoming a Broadway Veteran What he has learned from playing Orpheus How he approaches a role THE GASP How he relates to all of the characters he's played on Broadway Fan-girling over the MUSIC + So much more from each of them! Curtain up on Jordan Fisher, Lola Tung, and Ani DiFranco! Connect with Jordan Fisher on Instagram: @jordanfisher Connect with Lola Tung on Instagram: @lola.tung Connect with Ani DiFranco on Instagram: @anidifranco Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadway and Tv actor and writer, Nik Walker joins us to Take A Bow for his work in the entertainment industry. Nik is a true student of the art and takes you through his philosophies and ideologies of how to approach text as an actor. Hear all about: Journey to becoming a performer/storyteller What excites him most as an actor Why are stakes important How can being an actor, a writer, and a director all at the same time impact your work How taxing a role can be and how to take care of yourself Hamilton Hardest part of performing HAMILTON Spamalot Sharing a stage with your best friends (Alex Brightman, Christopher Fitzgerald, Ethan Slater, Leslie Kritzer, James Monroe Iglehart, etc.) How Motown influenced Broadway + So much more! Curtain up, Nik Walker Connect with Nik Walker on Instagram: @nikkywalks Bio: Nik Walker is a Boston native, theme park nerd and proud NYU Tisch alum (Adler, Classical and Stonestreet)- who’s been earning a living in the industry for a decade and counting. He’s been seen on Broadway as Aaron Burr in Hamilton, Otis Williams in Ain’t Too Proud, and as Sir Galahad in the revival of Spamalot; on screen in Blue Bloods, Law and Order SVU, and in the upcoming AppleTV+ film The Instigators, alongside his hometown hero Matt Damon. Cleaners, the animated series that he created and writes with partner Alex Brightman, is in development at Warner Bros. Animation, and his musical, Whiskeyland, is being developed with veteran producers Hunter Arnold and Tina Cocumelli at TBD Theatricals. He is the co-host of the arts/activism show The Chaos Twins, and his movie podcast, Little Justice, is streaming where ever podcasts are imbibed. In the free time between all of this, Nik can either be found writing plays at a coffee shop, teaching incredible NYU students, or annoying his talented wife, Sarah Joyce. Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mahi Alam is a rising star of the screen who you may know him from Disney +’s American Born Chinese and the new hit movie musical Mean Girls where he plays your favorite character, KEVIN G. Mahi has also appeared in many of your other favorite tv shows such as New Amsterdam, Strangers, and Hungry. Mahi also has an incredible singing voice that he showcases on Tiktok/Instragram. Maybe we'll see him on Broadway one day? Journey to the big screen Performing Arts School training Growing up together On Set stories American Born Chinese Mean Girls Movie Improvising for Tina Fey Studying music at NYU + So much more! Curtain up, Mahi Alam Connect with Mahi Alam on Instagram: @mahialam03 Connect with Sydney Lucas on Instagram: @sydneylucasnyc Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining us this week is another back bone of Broadway who is making his Broadway Debut in the OBC of HARMONY. He is carrying the show as he covers 8 different tracks, while also taking on a 9th role as the Social Media Captain. Journey to Broadway Touring the world with Bandstand How he became associated with Harmony A CRAZY audition story for his first audition with Harmony Backstage stories with Julie Benko, Sierra Boggess, and Chip Zien! Broadway newest role "Social Media Captain" (WHAT?!) How social media has impacted his career/can be a career on Broadway + So much more! Curtain up, Matthew Mucha Connect with Matthew Mucha on Instagram: @matthewmucha Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining us this week is a social media singing star who is currently making his Broadway Debut in the OBC of Kimberly Akimbo. Jim Hogan's journey through the industry is nothing sort of incredible and almost "new-age" like with the rising influence of social media. Journey to Broadway Touring the world with Waitress, Spring Awakening, and more. Going back to school to learn Creating T.3 group From singing in subway stations in Philly to performing on AGT, Broadway, and more Broadway Debut in Kimberly Akimbo Favorite backstage shenanigans TONY Award Night How social media has impacted his career Tips on using social media (tik tok, instagram, etc.) to share your talents with the world + So much more! Curtain up, Jim Hogan Connect with Jim Hogan on Instagram: @jimhogan220 Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting 2024 off right, with the most requested guest in Take A Bow history. The OG Peter Llewlyn Davies comes to Take A Bow. Journey to Broadway Mary Poppins Disney Magic Booking a Broadway show under the condition of getting voice lessons Finding Neverland Creating a show from paper. Telling Stories you care about Naomi on CW/ working with Ava DuVernay On set vs Theatre skillsets + So much more! Curtain up, Aidan Gemme Connect with Aidan Gemme on Instagram: @a.gemme Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eli shares his season review and which shows he's most excited about for the upcoming calendar year!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The future of Broadway in one episode? Yes, please! In this episode, hear all about Journey to directing Youth in the industry Rent Sunset Boulevard How directors get attached to a show An iconic meeting with Stephanie J. Block What exactly a director does? (Spoiler alert: EVERYTHING!) How to Dance in Ohio Making Broadway more accessible for all + So much more! Curtain up, Sammi Cannold Connect with Sammi Cannold on Instagram: @sammi.cannold Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, hear all about: Waitress Working the Creative Team compromised with Diane Paulus and Sara Bareilles leading the way Sara as a scene partner Filming Waitress live on Broadway Working as a young performer and "re-meeting" people you performed with on Broadway Peter Pan Live! Parade at New York City Center Girl from the North Country Establishing chemistry and navigating a scene with scene partners + So much more... Curtain up, Caitlin Houlahan Connect with Caitlin Houlahan on Instagram: @caithoula Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, hear all about: Elf A Christmas Story Performing for the holidays Matilda Magic Grueling schedule Being a kid on Broadway How performing with adults impacted us as human and actors Traveling back and forth to NY + So much more... Curtain up, Mitchell Sink Connect with Mitchell Sink on Instagram: @mitchellsink Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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In this episode, hear all about: Creating Wicked on Broadway Understudying Idina Menzel Performing as Elphaba Wicked 20th Anniversary Finding Neverland 2015 Thanksgiving (performing at the Macy's parade and White House) Mentors on Broadway Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Lunt-Fontaine Theater Chair of New York Film Academy Educating the next generation of performers + So much more... Curtain up, Kristy Cates Connect with Kristy Cates on Instagram: @kristy_cates Connect with Take A Bow on social: @takeabowpodcast Connect with host, Eli Tokash on social: @tokash_eli Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices