Betsy Wolfe and Stark Sands are currently co-starring as the husband and wife duo Anne Hathaway and William Shakespeare in the hit Broadway show, “& Juliet”. The two speak about their relationship with Max Martin and his songs, the broad appeal of the show, and how they got involved with it. Betsy reflects on what makes the show special. Being the only parents in the show, Betsy and Stark share fondly what it's like to have their kids watch the show and recognize the songs they sing outside of the play. From waiting at the stage door and dreaming of performing on stage to seeing kids, famous actors, and artists like Will Ferrell, Katy Perry, and Chris Martin watch their show is a full circle moment for both Betsy and Stark. The two recall their humble beginnings, what got them into theatre and performing, and what it's like to act alongside people they just used to admire. Both grateful for all these full circle moments in their lives, Betsy and Stark reflect on the fame that comes with being on Broadway and why it's different from being TV and movie famous but in a good way, and the importance of making bold choices and stepping out of the box. Betsy Wolfe - Broadway: Waitress (Jenna); Falsettos (Cordelia); Bullets Over Broadway (Ellen); The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Rosa Bud); 110 in the Shade; Everyday Rapture. Other credits include The Last 5 Years (Second Stage); Merrily We Roll Along (NY City Center Encores!); How to Succeed... (Kennedy Center). Soloist for over 60 symphonies across the world. Film/TV: Estella Scrooge, First One In, “Instinct.” BFA, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Co-founded BroadwayEvolved, a training program for students. For Poppy, always. Instagram: @bwolfepack. TikTok: @betsywolfe. broadwayevolved.combetsywolfe.com Stark Sands - Broadway: To Kill a Mockingbird, Kinky Boots (Tony Award nomination, Grammy Award winner); American Idiot, Journey’s End (Tony Award nomination, Theatre World Award winner). Off-Broadway includes Twelfth Night (The Public Theater); The Tempest (Classic Stage Company, AEA Bayfield Award). Film includes The Post; Inside Llewyn Davis; Flags of Our Fathers; Die, Mommie, Die; Shall We Dance; 11:14. Television includes “Minority Report,” “Generation Kill,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Six Feet Under.” BFA: USC. Connect with Betsy and Stark: Instagram: @bwolfepack, @starkweather Website: www.betsywolfe.com BroadwayEvolved: http://betsywolfe.com/broadwayevolved Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Currently playing the role of Lance Du Bois in the hit Broadway show, "& Juliet", Paulo Szot is a Brazilian actor slash operatic baritone singer who opens up about his immigrant parents’ huge influence on his love of theatre and performing. Thanks to Paulo’s love for soccer, his lack of skills for the sport eventually led him to pursue performing instead. He recalls watching “A Chorus Line” which was also the moment he fell in love with the craft. This newfound calling led to Paulo’s (literal) journey to study in Poland and connect to his roots. He shares his 23-day travel by cargo ship, and his academic and professional life in Poland, including joining a song and dance company. While the pop music style of “& Juliet” isn’t exactly Paulo’s strong suit, his supportive colleagues and love for trying out and throwing himself into new experiences prevail. He reflects on why he honors his job by respecting everyone and learning from people, highlighting that perfection is wrong and that as humans, we always have to leave space for the unexpected. Paulo Szot is a Brazilian operatic baritone singer and actor who is known for his powerful and versatile voice, which has allowed him to excel in various genres, including opera, musical theater, and popular music. He’s performed everywhere, including with the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Philharmonic, and more. He won critical acclaim for his portrayal of Emile de Becque in the Broadway revival of "South Pacific," earning him a Tony Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Theatre World Award, and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He was also nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for the same role in his West End debut. Apart from “South Pacific”, he’s also appeared in the Broadway production of “Chicago”. Szot continues to impress audiences worldwide with his remarkable talent and charismatic stage presence in the hit Broadway show “& Juliet”. Connect with Paulo: Website: www.pauloszot.com Instagram: @pauloszot Facebook: @pauloszot Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luke Sheppard and Jenn Weber are two creative geniuses currently teaming up for the smash hit, "& Juliet", as the show’s director and choreographer, respectively. The two discuss the instant connection they had and where the concept for the show originated. While making "& Juliet" was originally a stretch for him, Luke recalls how it was also the most satisfying and fun he's ever had directing a show. The two recall how their journeys with "& Juliet" began, and how the workshops helped in getting the story and tone right. For Jenn the most exciting part is collaborating with the director and writer. The two take pride in the show’s culture where there’s room for support and honesty for each other. While Jenn and Luke’s stories on how they got into theatre differ, the two share a common approach when it comes to pursuing their dreams: not taking no for an answer—a true testament that rejection doesn’t mean failure and that you don’t have to follow the traditional path that most people take to get to where you want to be. Luke Sheppard is a British theatre director known for his work in the West End and on Broadway. He studied at the University of Warwick before going on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Sheppard's directing credits include the West End productions of "In the Heights," "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾," and "The Comedy About a Bank Robbery." He also directed the Broadway production of "& Juliet," which opened in 2019. Sheppard has won several awards for his work, including the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival for "In the Heights" in 2016.  Jenn Weber is a choreographer and director who’s also a double Tony Award nominee for the 2022-2023 Broadway season with nominations for Best Choreography for her Broadway debuts of “& Juliet” and “KPOP”. She made her West End debut as the choreographer of “& Juliet” and collaborated with Disney+ as an Executive Producer and Choreographer for a new film version of “The Hip Hop Nutcracker”. Her Off-Broadway choreography credits include “KPOP”, “Teenage Dick”, “Cruel Intentions”, and “Stockholm”. Connect with Luke and Jenn: Instagram: @jenniferwebernyc Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Currently making his Broadway debut as Francois Du Bois in "& Juliet", Philippe Arroyo takes us through his personal journey. The actor shares what he does to recharge, including having alone time and reading plays at the famed Drama Bookshop. He looks back on why he got into theatre and growing as a person as he surrounds himself with different people, becoming more honest on stage—quite a parallel with Francois. While Philippe shares that he's exactly where he wanted to be today, he's aware that life can be incredibly unpredictable and uncontrollable at the same time, and that it's one of the beauties of it. He recalls getting replaced in the past, auditioning for Francois and getting the call that he got the role and his standout pinch-me moment which is seeing Lin-Manuel Miranda in the audience. As a kid, Philippe wanted to be a writer, and now that he’s starting to make a name as an actor, he plans to pursue writing as well. And with his talent and his need/want to always be better in what he does, there’s definitely no stopping Philippe. Philippe Arroyo is an actor and a Carnegie Mellon graduate whose past includes the first national tour of “Aladdin”, Joe Iconis’ “Punk Rock Girl”, and the first national tour of “Into the Woods” among others. He also made an appearance in the series “Evil” and “Uncoupled”. Philippe currently making his Broadway debut playing Francois DuBois in the runaway hit “& Juliet”. Connect with Philippe: Instagram: @philippearroyo TikTok: @philippearroyo Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Due to podcast episode character limits, the full nominee list cannot be added here. See the description of the video version of this episode for the full list! https://youtu.be/IyIWjOx_w4Y Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brittany Nicholas is currently back on Broadway playing the role of Viola, as a swing, the understudy for Angelique, and as the dance captain in the runaway hit “& Juliet”. Perhaps unbeknownst to many, her Broadway debut was actually "Billy Elliot", where she was universal swing (before that was ever a thing!). She shares the wild story of how it all happened, and how it was all a blur. She looks back on her childhood, dancing since she was four all the way through gymnastics training in high school. In fact, her love for dancing became the gateway for her to get into theatre after joining Destination Broadway. This discovery eventually inspired Brittany to audition for…literally everything, eventually becoming a swing for “Billy Elliot ” without knowing what a swing was yet. She also shares when her journey with “& Juliet” started, and how her “Matilda” journey played a part in it. Being in a show where she gets to sing songs she grew up with, it’s the most fun Brittany’s ever had. Having multiple responsibilities in the show, she reflects on how she looks at the big picture and makes sure she knows everything—a seemingly challenging task that Brittany makes look easy, all thanks to her talent and passion for making things happen. Brittany Nicholas is a multi-hyphenate artist who made her Broadway debut in “Billy Elliot”. She was part of the original cast of “Mean Girls” and has starred in the National Tours of “Billy Elliot” and “Matilda the Musical”. Her TV credits include Marvel's “Hawkeye”, and “America's Got Talent”. Brittany is also a teacher, gymnastics coach, competition adjudicator, and dance captain. She is now back on the Broadway stage in the runaway hit “& Juliet” as Viola, as a swing, the understudy for Angelique, and as the dance captain. Connect with Brittany: Website: www.brittanynicholas.com Instagram: @brittnnicholas Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Barth Feldman and Alex Boniello are a power duo who have most recently teamed up for "Foul Play", a new online murder mystery series that's reinventing how the internet works. The two share where and when their friendship began and why Andrew thinks the two of them are an unlikely pairing—one that works so well. The story behind Foul Play is an interesting one – listen in as they discuss how it all started, how much of it is improv, and how they accidentally found themselves developing an entirely new online technology for entertainment in the process. Alex and Andrew also share what it was like finding the right people for the project through vibe check alone, what makes "Foul Play" special, including not counting on any one person to be a star and allowing them to be exactly who they are and letting people do their thing, which isn't far from what motivates the two of them: doing what makes you happy and supporting other people. Andrew Barth Feldman is an American actor, singer, and songwriter. He rose to fame for his portrayal of the lead role in the Broadway musical "Dear Evan Hansen" at the age of 16, becoming the youngest actor to do so. Aside from his Broadway debut, Feldman has also appeared in several theater productions, including "Romeo and Juliet" at the Guthrie Theater and "The Phantom Tollbooth" at the Kennedy Center. He took a role in "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" and starred in "Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical", "A Tourist's Guide to Love" on Netflix as well as in the upcoming comedy film, "No Hard Feelings". He has also performed at various events and benefits, including the Tony Awards and "The Jimmy Awards," where he won the Best Actor award. Feldman is also a talented songwriter, having written original music for "It Could Be Worse: The Musical" and "Normativity," two off-Broadway productions. He is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and is passionate about using his platform to support various charitable causes. Alex Boniello is an American actor, singer, and musician who’s won Tony Awards for co-producing “Hades Town”. He is known for his work on Broadway and off-Broadway productions, as well as in film and television. Boniello made his Broadway debut in 2011 as the understudy for the role of Moritz Stiefel in the musical "Spring Awakening". He later played the role of the voice of the skateboarder in the Broadway musical "American Idiot". In 2018, he originated the role of Connor Murphy in the Broadway production of "Dear Evan Hansen". His other stage credits include “21 Chump Street: The Musical”, “Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical”, and “I Am Harvey Milk”. Aside from his work on stage, Boniello has also appeared in films such as "The Intern" and "Friendsgiving", and in television series such as "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt", “Ghosts” and "Jessica Jones". In addition to acting, Boniello is a musician and has released original music as a singer-songwriter. Alex will be seen in the upcoming follow-up to Disney's "Descendants" franchise. Andrew and Alex co-created and hosted Broadway Jackbox and Broadway Whodunit and recently, they have launched a new online murder mystery series called "Foul Play". Connect with Andrew and Alex: Watch Foul Play: foulplay.live Instagram: @alexboniello, @andrewbfeldman_, @foulplaymystery Twitter: @AlexBoniello, @andrewbfeldman TikTok: @andrewbfeldman_ Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wesley Taylor (one of this podcast's earliest guests!) is a multi-talented artist who's taking the entertainment industry by storm and has recently debuted as a writer AND director in his new movie, “Summoning Sylvia”. Wesley talks about creating "Summoning Sylvia" with his friend, Alex Wyse, how the idea for it started, the casting process, and making sure it's not just another typical gay movie. Working alongside Meryl Streep in the hit Hulu series "Only Murders in the Building" is a dream come true for Wesley. He shares the difference between working with actors with theatre experience versus people who've only done tv and films, and why he prefers to disassociate during set. Wesley reflects on his early days as a writer, learning to take himself seriously, and finding Alex which, to him, felt like finding his other half in terms of creativity. Having been in the industry for years, he shares some tips to keep getting interested and inspired, such as asking favors, strategically acquiring what you need to acquire, looking at auditions as an opportunity to show off, and getting motivated by laughter. Wesley Taylor is an actor who has won a Theatre World Award and Chita Rivera Award and was an Outer Critics Circle nominee. He made his Broadway debut in the original cast of “Rock of Ages” before starring opposite Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth in the original cast of Broadway's “The Addams Family”. He also originated the role of Sheldon J. Plankton in “Spongebob Squarepants” before it was filmed for Nickelodeon as “The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!”. Wesley’s additional tv and film credits include “The Good Wife”, “The Tomorrow People”, and “Smash”. He co-created and starred in three original digital series, including the latest Emmy-nominated “Indoor Boys” with Alex Wyse. He will also appear in the 3rd season of “Only Murders in the Building” with Alex. Recently, he and Alex made their feature film debut as writers and directors in “Summoning Sylvia”, a new movie out now for a limited theatrical release and now available to stream. Connect with Wesley: Instagram: @sirwestaytay, @summoningsylvia Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the fourth episode of a special 4-part takeover with cast & creatives from Hulu's new musical series UP HERE. Make sure to stream the entire 21 song UP HERE soundtrack everywhere you find your music. Andréa Burns is currently in the original musical comedy series, "Up Here" playing Rosie, a strong and supportive “Latin Jewish” mother. The actress lets us in on how she ended up in the show and talks about her childhood friendship with fellow actress, Katie Finneran. Being raised in movie musicals, she was always amazed at how you could use your singing voice to tell a story and describes musical theatre as one of the ultimate forms of expression. She speaks candidly about playing a homemade collection of Billy Porter's recordings in the delivery room as she was giving birth, the thrills of moving into New York to meet people and create something, and performing for the sake of performing, regardless of how a show is going to turn out. Andréa also talks about her latest role in "Up Here" and how she found familiarity with the character, Rosie. With the surge of musicals on tv and film, she reflects on its positive outcome, including reaching a wider, global audience to tell real human stories and make an emotional connection. Andréa Burns is an actress who’s won a Drama Desk Award for her creation of the role of Daniela in the Tony Award-winning musical "In The Heights". Her other Broadway credits include "On Your Feet", "The Rose Tattoo", "Beauty and the Beast", and "The Full Monty" among others. She was in the original cast of "Songs for a New World" opposite Billy Porter, and was selected by Stephen Sondheim to create the role of Celeste in his musical "Saturday Night". She can be heard on the soundtracks for the film versions of "In The Heights", "Tick, Tick... Boom!", and "Vivo". Andréa's tv and film credits include "The Electric Company", "Jessica Jones", "West Side Story", and "Blue Bloods". Currently, she can be seen as Rosie in the original musical comedy series, "Up Here", streaming on Hulu. Songs used in this episode: Can I Ever Know You Please Like Me Can I Ever Know You (Finale) Connect with Andréa: Website: http://www.andreaburns.com Instagram: @theandreaburns Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the third episode of a special 4-part takeover with cast & creatives from Hulu's new musical series UP HERE. Make sure to stream the entire 21 song UP HERE soundtrack everywhere you find your music. Director Tommy Kail and choreographer Sonya Tayeh have teamed up for the first time in Hulu’s new rom-com musical, “Up Here”. Not wanting to stick to just one medium, Sonya talks about being an expansive artist and following wherever her passion takes her. Tommy also shares his deal with Disney, putting a musical on mainstream TV and how Kirsten and Bobby's ability to make musical comedy resonated with him. While Sonya has done numerous projects and won awards already, the choreographer shares open up about dealing with imposter syndrome, calling it "big, old, scary monsters" and why she loves physicalizing them. Working as the director and choreographer for "Up Here", both Tommy and Sonya share how they operate, including collaborating with other creatives and shooting with at least two cameras at all times. Sonya reflects more on her love for collaborating, trying out all the options, starting a conversation and hearing what her collaborators have to say. Tommy, on the other hand, speaks about consciously surrounding himself with talented people that make him a better person. With Sonya and Tommy's love for collaborating, it's no surprise that the two found each other to create something beautiful. Sonya Tayeh is a TONY Award-winning choreographer and director. She has choreographed for renowned artists, including Madonna, Miley Cyrus and Florence and the Machine. She’s been nominated twice for Emmy Awards for her work on So You Think You Can Dance, and won the Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards for “Outstanding Choreography” for her work on David Henry Hwang’s dance-play “Kung Fu”, for which she also received a Drama Desk nomination. She made her Broadway debut as the choreographer for the hit show, “Moulin Rouge the Musical” and worked on the production of “Sing Street”. Sonya has recently joined the creative team for the upcoming production of "Gatsby" and “The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window” and is gearing up for the world premiere of “Is It Thursday Yet?”, a play that she directed, co-choreographed and co-conceived. Tommy Kail is a theatre director known for directing the Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musicals “In the Heights” and “Hamilton” for which he won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Direction of Musical. His other credits include “Lombardi”, “Magic/Bird”, “Randy Newman's Faust and The Wiz”, “Broke-ology”, “When I Come to Die”, “Family Furniture”, and “The Tutors” among others. Tommy was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor in 2018 and won a Special Tony Award in 2021 for “Freestyle Love Supreme”. Songs used in this episode: Can I Ever Know You Tiger Shark Can I Ever Know You (Finale) Connect with Tommy and Sonya: Website: www.sonyatayeh.com Instagram: @directorkail, @sonyatayeh Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the second episode of a special 4-part takeover with cast & creatives from Hulu's new musical series UP HERE. Make sure to stream the entire 21 song UP HERE soundtrack everywhere you find your music. Tony-award-winning playwright and screenwriter Steven Levenson is back to let us in on his current project with Hulu, “Up Here”. He recalls how it all started and why it was a terrifying moment for him at the time to turn it into a TV show, why they decided to find an additional executive producer for the show and their deliberate choice to set the show in 1999. Coming from theatre and having written for both movie musicals and TV musicals, Steven discusses the misconceptions and challenging aspects of TV and musicals, and why it is rarely undertaken. He also shares some of his learnings such as finding locations and having a solid plan during production to keep the ground running—a challenging but fun puzzle he likes to solve. While he can’t share the projects he’s currently working on, Steven is excited to get back to stage writing and continue to create something joyful and also have fun while doing so. Steven Levenson is a playwright and screenwriter who won a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for “Dear Evan Hansen”. He has written for “Masters of Sex”, “Fosse/Verdon”, “Dear Evan Hansen”, the movie and the musical, ”Tick, Tick... Boom!”. He has recently adapted Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez’ stage musical “Up Here” for the screen which is currently streaming on Hulu. Songs used in this episode: Can I Ever Know You Please Like Me Can I Ever Know You (Finale) Connect with Steven: Watch UP HERE Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the first episode of a special 4-part takeover with cast & creatives from Hulu's new musical series UP HERE. Make sure to stream the entire 21 song UP HERE soundtrack everywhere you find your music. Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez are living proof that two is better than one. They have now co-created a romantic musical comedy called “UP HERE”, streaming exclusively on Hulu. The talented and award-winning duo talk about their humble beginnings and how they crossed paths, all thanks to the BMI workshop. They share the underlying themes of “Up Here”, which includes reestablishing relationships as we go through changes in life that they deeply relate with as a couple. Having the luxury of working together, they look back on their previous projects such as “Coco” “Finding Nemo” and “Frozen”, and how sometimes their work is a reflection of their experiences and what they’re feeling and going through at the moment. Having never worked in television before, the two talk about what the process is like and why it’s been an eye-opening experience for them. Kirsten and Bobby also recall their time working together for WandaVision and why it’s the most fun they’ve ever had working on anything. Ultimately, the power duo’s success can be attributed to two things: the desire to keep getting better and to connect with people. Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez are two talented individuals who have collaborated and co-created music and lyrics for movies and television shows, including “Frozen 1” and “Frozen 2”, “Coco”, “Finding Nemo the Musical”, “Wonder Pets”, “Winnie the Pooh”, and “WandaVision”. Kristen is an Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning songwriter who helped create Broadway's first a capella musical, “In Transit” while Bobby is the world’s only official double EGOT winner who helped create “Avenue Q”, “Book of Mormon” for Broadway and has written for shows like “Phineas and Ferb”, “Scrubs”, and “The Simpsons”. For their latest project, Kristen and Bobby are co-creating a romantic musical comedy called “UP HEREUp Here”, now streaming on Hulu. Songs used in this episode: Can I Ever Know You Tiger Shark Can I Ever Know You (Finale) Connect with Kristen and Bobby: Twitter: @Lyrikris10  Instagram: @kristenampersandlopez TikTok: @k10lopez Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natasha Yvette Williams is currently originating the role of Sweet Sue in the brand new production of “Some Like It Hot” on Broadway. She gets real as she opens up about why she doesn’t consider herself a singer, admitting that she’s still a little insecure about her singing, but despite dealing with imposter syndrome, Natasha remains positive by constantly reminding herself that everything is a challenge, a lesson, and a blessing. She also shares where she used to get validation and why all the validation she needs now comes from her. Being a part of “Some Like It Hot”, she continues her goal to develop a great relationship with each and every other cast member and see how it unfolds on stage. Natasha recalls watching Lily Tomlin in “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe,” which sparked something in her to join the musical theatre, and why she wants to have the same impact on other people whenever she performs. Natasha Yvette Williams is an actress who has starred in Broadway shows, including “The Color Purple”, “A Night with Janice Joplin”, “Waitress”, “Chicago”, “Chicken and Biscuits”, and “Porgy and Bess”. Her national credits include “Waitress”, “Xanadu”, “The Drowsy Chaperone”, and “All Shook Up”. Natasha has also starred in several tv shows and movies such as “Harlem”, “I Take Thee Zoe”, and “Better Late Than Never” among others. You can also catch her in “Alice”, the Disney Plus’ “Better Late Than Never”, and the Netflix series “Partner Track”. She’s currently on stage originating the role of Sweet Sue in the latest production of “Some Like It Hot”. Connect with Natasha: Instagram: @natashayvettewilliams Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Fisher is currently starring in the upcoming production of "Sweeney Todd" on Broadway. Being drawn to art and performing from a young age, it's no surprise that he ended up in the industry. Apart from performing, the actor shares his love for gaming and what it's like to be a professional eSports athlete, including his day-to-day work in the gaming space. Jordan talks about what's different about this production of Sweeney this time and their take on the piece, which will look, feel and sound familiar but bigger and larger at the same time—the most realistic telling of the story, if you will. Jordan Fisher is an actor, singer, songwriter, producer, and gamer who has done numerous projects in the TV, movie, theatre, and gaming industry. He can be seen in Netflix’s "Work It" and "To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before" sequel, The CW’s "The Flash", and most recently, Netflix’s "Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between" and HBO’s "Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience". Apart from acting, he's an avid gamer and has commentated for the 2019 Fortnite World Cup. Jordan was also the first Black actor to portray the title character of Evan in "Dear Evan Hansen" and Mark in the Emmy-nominated "Rent: Live". He was also named a breakout star by MTV and People Magazine for Fox’s Emmy-winning broadcast "Grease Live!" and won ABC’s 25th season of Dancing with the Stars. He collaborated with Lin-Manuel Miranda wherein he performed a duet with him for Disney’s "Moana" soundtrack and joined the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical, "Hamilton". Jordan is part of the upcoming production of "Sweeney Todd" on Broadway on March 26, 2023, and you can also catch him streaming on Twitch. Connect with Jordan: Instagram: @jordanfisher, @jordanfishergaming Twitch: @jordanfisher Twitter: @jordanfisher YouTube: @@jordanfisher TikTok: @jordan_fisher Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the recent passing of Lucy Simon, playing the role of Lily Craven in "The Secret Garden" is both special and bittersweet for Sierra Boggess and the rest of the cast. Despite people telling her to switch to vocal performance, Sierra stayed as a musical theatre major so she can “graduate a triple threat.” She recalls how she got to do Phantom in Las Vegas which changed the trajectory of her career. She considers leaning into acting as the most important aspect no matter what you're doing and always considers her character's need at the moment to help her with how she's going to sing or dance. Being a part of "The Secret Garden" now playing at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, Sierra talks about the different messages of the show, her relationship with Lucy and how they’re honoring her, and the contrast between working with adults and kids. She also gets real about her beliefs, her relationship with fans, knowing what your truth is and why you shouldn't let anyone take your love of performing away. Sierra Boggess is an Olivier-nominated actress who made her Broadway debut in 2007, originating the role of Ariel in "The Little Mermaid" wherein she received Drama Desk and Drama League nominations. She's also best known for her re-inventing the coveted role of Christine Daae in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s "The Phantom of the Opera". In fact, Lord Webber himself went on record to say that she’s the best Christine. Her other stage credits include "It Shoulda Been You", "School of Rock", "Master Class", "Love, Loss, and What I Wore", and "Music in the Air". She also starred in London West End's "Les Miserables", and "Love Never Dies". Currently, Sierra is playing Lily Craven in "The Secret Garden" at Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre. Connect with Sierra: Website: www.sierraboggess.com Instagram: @officialsierraboggess Get tickets to The Secret Garden: http://ahmansontheatre.org Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marla Mindelle is currently making people laugh playing an over the top Celine Dion in the off-Broadway production of "Titanique". At an early age, she already knew that a career in musical theatre was all she ever wanted to do, thanks to her father (who was a musical theatre composer) and all the obscure musical theatre records she consumed. She chronicles her life from booking her first show and her experience as an actress to moving to Los Angeles to become a television and film writer. For Marla, writing as a career is harder than acting, proven by her humble beginnings in L.A. where she also worked at a "ratchet" dinner theatre venue doing movie and musical parodies. Ironically, this is also where the idea for "Titanique" was born. She shares the musical's (long) journey to success, including getting Celine Dion's team's blessing and keeping the script fresh and up-to-date, and how timing and the team's goal of making each other and the audience genuinely cackle are a huge part of its success. Marla Mindelle is an actress, writer, and composer who made her Broadway debut in "South Pacific" and originated the role of Sister Mary Robert in "Sister Act" as well as the role of the evil stepsister Gabrielle in the 2013 revival of "Cinderella". She also played Kitty in the first national tour of “The Drowsy Chaperone” and the evil boss Olivia in the Emmy-nominated series "Special" on Netflix. Her other tv and film credits include “The Nomads”, “Life in Pieces”, and “The Devil’s B*tch”. As a writer and composer, she has had multiple writing projects sold and is in the works. Currently, she can be seen on stage playing Celine Dion in "Titanique" at the Daryl Roth Theatre, a musical she also co-wrote. Connect with Marla: Website: www.marlamindelle.com Instagram: @marlamindelle, @titaniquemusical Get tickets to Titanique Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Horn's life story is an incredible testament that you can use humor as a way of survival—well, that and a little bit of luck. From getting separated from his twin and sneaking out of an orphanage when he was a little over 13 to renting an apartment in New York that was possibly run by the mob and eventually moving to LA to pursue a career in writing, his life is anything but boring. Robert talks about how he got his first gig and how it was kismet, what a showrunner really does and why it's great training for theatre, and his myopic approach when it comes to writing jokes. He looks back on his life in New York City during the 70’s, which included working all sorts of jobs, including writing monologues for actors and working as a phone sex operator.  Robert has two productions currently on stage - the first is Disney’s “Hercules”, currently open at the Papermill Playhouse, the other is “Shucked”, which begins previews on March 8th. With his long list of works and achievements, Robert reminds us that we should never stop learning how to laugh at ourselves and follow our instincts.  Robert Horn is a Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and New York Drama Critics' Circle award-winning book writer. His career started in film and television where he worked as a writer on the CBS series "Designing Women" and as a writer and producer on the Fox series "Living Single". Following that, he created and Executive Produced the CBS series "High Society". He was also signed to an overall production deal with Warner Brothers Studios, where he developed, wrote, and executive-produced numerous network pilots and series. He also signed a script deal at Sony Studios and an overall pilot deal at ABC studios. Together with Bob Boyett, he created and wrote the FX series “Partners”. Robert's Broadway credits include "Dame Edna", "13 The Musical", "Back With A Vengeance", and "Tootsie" among others.  Connect with Robert: Instagram: @rhorn1 Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Everybody wants to be Beyoncé, but does everybody wanna put in the work?" is just one of Jelani's many foods for thought in this episode. He shares where his love for theatre started, being a jack-of-all-trades type of person growing up, making it into Broadway and what it's like meeting a new generation of artists today that aspire to have the same profession. Jelani recalls his "The Lion King" journey, from the first time he saw the show to having a full circle moment of playing the role of Simba for years. This experience was eye-opening for him... becoming an inspiration and making connections with people. He was a standby when he first got the job for "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations" and enjoyed being a swing because while it can be a lot of pressure sometimes, it also helps him explore and test his abilities. Jelani also shares his experience with accidents on stage and why the show must go on, Broadway as a sport, and that “no” doesn’t no, it just means not right now, so if you’re an aspiring actor, make sure to stay ready and always be prepared. Jelani Remy is an actor best known for his role as Simba in the Broadway, National Tour, and Vegas company of Disney's "The Lion King". He was also part of Disney's "High School Musical" and "High School Musical 2", "Parade", "Cabaret", Broadway's "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations" where he played the role of Eddie Kendricks, “The Apple Boys”, and the Off-Broadway production of "Smokey Joe's Cafe" among others. Jelani will be the guest in the upcoming Broadway Lecture Series at StageWorks at Studio 237 on March 11, 2023. Connect with Jelani: Instagram: @itsjelaniremy Check out the Broadway Lecture Series: broadwaylectureseries.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julie and Diane are both co-founders of The Museum of Broadway in Times Square which opened November, 2022. Julie Boardman and Diane Nicoletti have teamed up in 2022 to bring the best of the Broadway and experiential worlds in the form of The Museum of Broadway in Times Square. Julie and Diane have known each other for decades now and the two chronicle their journey from being in the same sorority to finally working together on many successful projects. Having worked on fan experiences, Diane explains what it's like building sets of popular tv shows and movies and the overall process of building a set. Julie, on the other hand, talks about an event staffing agency she started in 2009 to help Broadway performers, which then pushed her to pursue her dream of being on the producing end of Broadway. This shift was also the beginning of Diane and Julie's partnerships. With a similar mindset of creating something that doesn’t exist yet, it’s no surprise that the two would work together to create a museum dedicated to Broadway. Julie and Diane share how it all started, the challenges they came across along the way, and how they made it an immersive experience for the visitors. Following its success, the two share their standout, pinch-me moments, including a visit from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, and the overall positive reception from people—a true mark that they have created something impactful and lasting for the theatre community. Julie Boardman is a two-time Tony Award-winning producer who is currently a co-producer on the Broadway revival of "Funny Girl" and “A Doll’s House”. Her other Broadway credits include "An American in Paris", "Carousel", "Company", "Dames at Sea", "Head Over Heels", "Hughie", "Indecent", and "The Inheritance". Her tour credits include "An American in Paris", "Dreamgirls", and "Peter and the Starcatcher". Apart from being a Tony voter and member of The Broadway League, Julie is also on the Theatre Committee at New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and the Leadership Council for the Costume Industry Coalition among others. Her company, Boardman Productions, has worked with numerous leading brands including Nike, Maybelline, Vogue, Victoria’s Secret, Microsoft, Diet Coke, Samsung, Game of Thrones, and Disney’s The Lion King on their activations and fan experiences. Diane Nicoletti is a creative director, producer, and entrepreneur, who has produced some of the biggest events in fan experiences for two decades now, including the Game of Thrones Fan Experience, Gretzky's Retirement Gala, and brand activations at the Super Bowl, Comic-Con, CES, and SXSW. She's also the founder of the award-winning experiential marketing agency, Rubik Marketing, and has had the privilege of working on amazing properties like Game of Thrones, Deadpool, Frozen Hotel Transylvania, Dumbo, Shark Tank, The Muppets, How To Train Your Dragon, American Horror Story, Ghostbusters, among many others. Connect with Julie and Diane: Museum of Broadway: www.themuseumofbroadway.com Instagram: @museumofbroadway Julie’s Instagram: @msjulieboardman Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Infected by her mom's love for Broadway shows, Ilana was introduced to the world of theatre at an early age. After getting a haircut by one of the most handsome people she's ever seen when she was 18 years old, she ended up at his acting studio in New York and walked into a room of people performing a private moment exercise, which changed everything in her life from that moment on, including her college major. Chance after chance, and with the luck of being surrounded by other talented people, Ilana highlights the importance of having an artistic community where you can "fail beautifully over and over again." Apart from acting, Ilana also entered the podcast universe in 2016. According to her supportive friends, there’s something about her that makes it easy for people to open up about all sorts of things. Today, she hosts a couple of podcast shows, which to her have become a great avenue and a safe space for people to share stories, and complex issues. This, and her love for creating art with others, tie in neatly with what motivates her in life: connecting. Ilana Levine is an actress best known for her role as Lucy Van Pelt in the Broadway revival of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown". She also starred on Broadway's “Jake’s Women”, "Wrong Mountain" and "The Last Night of Ballyhoo" and performed at the Tony Awards. Ilana also appeared in many television shows and movies, including the infamous Seinfeld episode, "The Contest", "Law & Order", "Tanner '88", "Damages", "Tanner and Tanner", "Failure to Launch", "Friends with Kids", "The Nanny Diaries", and "Confessions of a Shopaholic" among others. In 2016, she started hosting the podcast show, “Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine”. Today, she also hosts the podcast shows, “And the Award Goes To... Hosted by Ilana Levine” and “How To Be More Chill”. Connect with Ilana: Listen to And the Award Goes To: bpn.fm/atagt Listen to How to Be More Chill: bpn.fm/howtobemorechill Instagram: @littleknownfactspodcast Twitter: @ilanalevine Website: littleknownfactspodcast.com Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices