The BSB Podcast

Everyone has a story to tell, which is just one of the many reasons we should talk with family and friends, so that stories can live on. Memories hold so much power, as that is how people live on forever. While people may pass away, the impact they have on our lives and on the world in general never does. Liberation is a play that honors this, as the main character looks back on an integral moment in her mother's life, in an attempt to resolve her grief and perhaps better understand her mother's choices. This Broadway show from playwright Bess Wohl and director Whitney White is a love letter to Second-Wave feminism as well as the women who shaped that movement, and frankly our lives. Liberation is rich in detail, so we're still dissecting it, which makes it the perfect show to chat about on our most recent episode of The BSB Podcast! In this BSB Podcast episode, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko share their thoughts on what made Liberation such a special play. Beginning with a breakdown of the story, these two deep-dive into each character and how their motivations either enhance the narrative or undermine the show's emotional impact. While exploring a personal story in a larger world, what does Liberation attempt to say about both? Is it possible to find answers from someone who has since passed through those who knew her? Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

This is a real circle-of-life moment for me, as someone who has been a lover and critic of Broadway and theater in general for quite some time, finally getting to see The Lion King on stage for the first time! I know what you're thinking: how have I been to New York City so many times and have yet to see this classic Broadway musical before? I've been wondering that for years, but finally the time has come and I can't be more excited! We recently spoke with Nick LaMedica, who plays Zazu in the touring production, about his time in this musical, which is also a real circle-of-life moment for him! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, LaMedica discusses how he's gone from a young man seeing The Lion King on stage as one of his first musicals to now starring in a production and spreading that joy with other families! Nick LaMedica discusses the intricacies of bringing Zazu to life, as it takes special puppetry, and how there's nothing quite like being on stage amidst the Disney magic night after night! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

There are some conversations that society tends to deem too sensitive or difficult to have, yet they are also among the most important to talk about, one of which is mental health. As a psychologist, it took me years of training to learn how to talk to people about their mental health, but for so many families, it can be a conversation that feels easier to ignore. This is why shows such as Next to Normal are so important, as not only does it start the conversation, but it normalizes having mental health issues instead of burying them deep. The Players Guild of Dearborn is starting that conversation with its production of Next to Normal, and we spoke with the musical's director, Cayla Kolbusz, and actors Kyle Harwood and Mohamad Mohammad about what audiences can expect! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Kolbusz, Harwood, and Mohammad talk about what drew them to the project and what it's like to have this conversation about mental health! They discuss how they chose to highlight certain aspects of the show and how they contextualize their characters and songs in the musical! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

According to Occam's razor, the simplest answer is most often the correct one, a phrase often repeated by the world's greatest detective. However, it doesn't seem like the mystery at the center of Avon Player's Holmes and Watson is exactly simple; instead, it makes the audience question what is true and what is a lie. With three different people claiming to be Sherlock Holmes, Watson has to figure out who is really his best friend and who is lying. We recently spoke with two of the Holmeses, Will Johnson (Holmes #1) and Joseph G. Tobin (Holmes #2), about what it's like to be a part of this production! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Johnson and Tobin talk about what it's like to bring different versions of an iconic character, such as Sherlock Holmes, to life! These two actors discuss how they keep the mystery alive in the show, revealing bits and pieces throughout Holmes and Watson. There's significant psychological tension, which adds to the mystery, and Johnson and Tobin discuss how the technical aspects ratchet it up in this exciting interview! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

What does home signal to each of us? For some, it's a destination. A physical place where we return after a long day and rest our heads. A dwelling that allows us to recharge with those we love. However, for others, it could indicate a return to our roots. Perhaps long forgotten, but the magnetic pull of where we come from. There are so many layers to just that one word, and Inspired Acting Company in Walled Lake is ready to peel them back for audiences with their production of Samm-Art Williams Home. We recently spoke with the show's director, Bryana Hall, about what audiences might find when they step into this theatre for this production! In this exclusive BSB Insider Interview, Hall discusses what initially drew her to the project and why this feels like the perfect time to bring this story to the Inspired Acting Company! With a unique sound, quite literally, Hall explores the challenges of finding the play's voice and the incredible work the cast and crew are doing to achieve it. With so many layers to Samm-Art Williams' text, the director explores which pieces felt integral to the story and where the actors could have a bit of fun exploring the source material. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

I remember being in World History back in high school, and my teacher loved to repeat a single line after each topic: "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Now I know this is a variation of the famous line by Winston Churchill and wasn't something my teacher came up with; however, it has become ingrained in my head. This is one of the reasons that plays such as The Diary of Anne Frank are so important, to continue educating people about the pains of the past in hopes of a brighter future. We recently spoke with two of the cast members of Birmingham Village Players' production of The Diary of Anne Frank, Stella Fenton and Josephine O'Reilly, about what audiences can expect from this play! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Stella Fenton and Josephine O'Reilly discuss what drew them to this show and the weight of telling the story of the Frank family. Stepping into the shoes of a real individual comes with the pressure of doing them justice, especially when it comes to a story during the height of the Holocaust. These two actresses share how they are honoring Anne and Margot while also making these characters their own! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

We count our blessings every day to be able to do what we do and share our passion with theater (and entertainment in general) with all of our readers and listeners, as it has truly been such a highlight of our lives. However, every once in a while, we still have one of those pinch-me moments as we continue on this journey with BSB Insider, as it's hard to believe what has become from such simple beginnings. Take Robert Bannon's appearance on an episode of The BSB Podcast as one of those moments, because never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd be talking with this multi-faceted talent about his impressive career on stage and as a podcaster. From putting on shows of his own, recording an album that means so much to him, and now the face and voice of The Round Table, there's no stopping Bannon's dedication and talent when it comes to his passions. On this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko flip the script, or in this case perhaps the table, and discuss Bannon's incredible career from his early days at Juilliard to his reinvention that came in his 30's. He's starred as Roger in Rent, performed at 54 Below, and made his way into our neck of the woods here in Detroit, only to find continued success as one of the leading figures in the Broadway podcasting world. However, perhaps the biggest takeaway from this episode is that in the world of theatre and music, there's always room at the table with Robert Bannon. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

I remember reading S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders in school and being deeply moved by its core message. The importance of family, but not necessarily the family you were born into, but the friends who become part of your unit along the way. No matter the loss or the trials we go through, our family will be there for us, and together we can get through anything that happens. That strength remains in the musical adaptation of The Outsiders, and we had the pleasure of speaking with Nolan White, who plays PonyBoy in the North American touring production of this Tony Award-winning musical! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Nolan White talks about how he went from a student at the University of Michigan to securing the coveted spot in this incredible show. Taking on the role of PonyBoy isn't always easy, as The Outsiders is a complete emotional rollercoaster, but White talks about his process for stepping into and out of the show. Listen to find out the challenges of this show, but also how deeply rewarding it is to play someone as PonyBoy day after day! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

There's nothing quite like all that jazz, and Broadway has consistently brought the heat since 1996, when Chicago made it's trimpuhant return to New York City. Having found a home at the Ambassador Theatre, Chicago has brought down the house night after night, with one of the most classic Broadway shows that you can still find in the Big Apple. So what is it about this show that keeps bringing people in 30 years later? Perhaps part of that has to do with the timeless music and impressive dancing that continues to razzle and dazzle audiences, which is just a piece of the puzzle we'll be discussing today! In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the music and stagecraft of Broadway's Chicago. From songs we were familiar with to pieces that spoke to us on so many levels, there are so many musical aspects and performances to discuss. Also, Chicago has stripped away any big, flashy sets, placing the focus on those on stage and the talent they possess. In that regard, which performance struck us as top of the game, and which left us scratching our heads? Listen as we give our thoughts and final verdicts on this long-running Broadway show! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

Broadway's Chicago is truly all that jazz, and then some. Since its 1975 debut, this vaudeville-inspired musical has been winking at audiences while picking their pockets of sympathy, certainty, and any lingering faith in the justice system. In a show that turns murder into a media event and the courtroom into a cabaret, audiences are transported to a world as flashy as it is dark, reflective of the world we live in. So what makes Chicago a spectacle that continues to draw audiences in day after day, and year after year? That's certainly what we're hoping to get to the bottom of in our two-part Chicago musical discussion! So, where do we begin in this breakdown of Broadway's (currently) longest show? With the characters and story, of course! In this episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko explore the story of Chicago and its impact on Broadway. From characters such as Roxy Hart and Velma Kelly, to the incomparable Mama Morton, there are plenty of characters to discuss. Which performances steal the show, and which ones make us wish for a quick sentencing from the jury? Does the story pull us in as much as we thought it would, or did we walk away with a strong desire for something else? Listen to this fun episode to find out! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

What would you be willing to risk for the truth? What a powerful question to think about, and for many of us, the answer might be just about anything. The White Rose plunges audiences into the story of two students who dared to defy one of history’s most brutal regimes. Inspired by the real-life resistance movement in Nazi Germany, the drama focuses on those who confront fear and doubt, and the terrifying consequences of speaking out. Rather than depicting grand battles or sweeping revolutions, the play focuses on something quieter and vastly more powerful: the courage of ordinary individuals who refuse to remain silent. With the show opening tonight at the Livonia Community Theatre, we had the pleasure of speaking with the director of this production, Olivia Deane, along with two of the cast members, Steve Sedore and Catherine LaPointe! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Deane, Sedore, and LaPointe discuss what has drawn them to be a part of this production and why this story feels so important to tell today. With varying levels of familiarity with the story prior to being cast, all three of these individuals discuss their process for bringing the story and characters to life on stage! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!  

Are you ready for your next mission, agent? Should you choose to accept, we have the perfect assignment for you, one that, if done correctly, might just help us win the war! In your briefing, you'll find instructions to join in on our conversation about the music and stagecraft of this hilarious new Broadway musical, Operation Mincemeat! That's right, we're continuing our discussion of the Tony Award-winning musical, which went from a limited engagement to the show that keeps extending time and time again. In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the musicality of Operation Mincemeat and see how it stacks up comparatively to the other shows currently on Broadway. What classification would they place the songs and music in? Does it have an old Broadway feel, or is this more of a pop show, similar to Six or Hamilton? What about the staging stood out to these two theater critics, and did it add to the story or detract from it? These two also weigh in on who Operation Mincemeat is aimed at and give their final verdict on the show! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

I think it's safe to say that most people want to do good in this world. Growing up, my mother would always tell my siblings and me that one of our only goals in life was to "Do good, shut up, and go home," which ultimately meant we should aspire to do good for those around us and live a life we feel good about. Similar to a doctor's code of honor, she wanted us to do no harm and spread kindness, which is also a sentiment that St. Clare of Assisi shares with her religious mission. It's St. Clare's story that lies at the core of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company's Poor Clare, their current production in their new black box theatre. We spoke with the director of this production, Kez Settle, about what audiences can expect from this show! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Kez Settle discusses what drew her to wanting to direct this show and if she was familiar with the story before coming onto the project. She also explores how this project blends a historical narrative with a modern aesthetic, and how that changes the story to make it feel more universal. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

What's life without a little melodrama, amirite? Or I suppose I should be more specific...what is life without a little Southern melodrama in the form of a hilarious comedy? At least, that's what those over at Planet Ant are asking right now, as their production of As I Die and Wheeze! is currently playing in Ant Hall! While the cast and crew just celebrated their opening weekend, we had the pleasure of speaking with one of the playwrights of As I Die and Wheeze!, Maggie O'Reilly, and director Bryan Lark! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, O'Reilly and Lark discuss how this project has come to be at Planet Ant! O'Reilly explores her writing process with her writing partner and how they had the actors picked out before the show was even written. They discuss their collaborative writing approach, which mirrors Lark's approach to directing. The general idea is to make something wonderful and authentic by having everyone involved in the process help create it. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

There are shows that are purely for entertainment, and then there are some that leave us feeling unsettled, like a current moving beneath still water. Kayak is one of those plays that leaves audiences deeply moved and introspective about the world they live in and the people they surround themselves with. As its title suggests, the play becomes a vessel carrying its characters across emotional waters that are at once intimate and universal. We spoke to director Briana O'Neal and cast member Diane Hill of Theatre Nova's Kayak about how this production came to be and what audiences can expect. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Briana O'Neal and Diane Hill discuss what drew them to this product and how this production has been challenging. With most of the play consisting of monologues and Hill staying in one place, there's always the challenge of keeping the show moving and engaging, which both the director and the actress discuss. With a story that explores the intersection of our obligations to the world and environment with our personal lives and relationships, Kayak has plenty to digest and explore, all of which is discussed in this exciting interview! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

So many plays ask big questions about love, identity, or ambition. However, What the Constitution Means to Me asks something even bigger: What does a document written in 1787 actually mean for people living right now? Perhaps this is a question we should ask ourselves more often, but we think about it far too little. Heidi Schreck's work answers this question, though it may be far more personal—and complicated—than anyone expects. We spoke with two cast members from Meadow Brook Theatre's production of What the Constitution Means to Me, Dani Cochrane and Cheryl Turski, about the play's power and impact. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Cochrane and Turski discuss what drew them to this project and why What the Constitution Means to Me is so important to tell in this current landscape. These two actresses discuss how sharing the role in this Meadow Brook Theatre production has helped them both shape their performances, and how having someone else to bounce ideas off during character development is a rare gift. Cochrane and Turski discuss what it's like to step into another person's story and the weight of carrying Schreck's story in this show. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

If the world of politics is a circus, then The Outsider by Paul Slade Smith is the main stage in the big tent! This fast-paced comedy throws audiences into the chaotic world of campaigning, where image is everything, and honesty is almost a liability.  With razor-sharp dialogue and perfectly timed farce, The Outsider pokes fun at media frenzy, political posturing, and the absurd mechanics of elections. Yet beneath the laughter lies a surprisingly hopeful question: what if the most qualified leader is the one who never wanted the spotlight at all? With The Outsider arriving at Farmington Players, we spoke with one of the cast members, Tara Makar, about her time on this production! In this exclusive BSB Insider Interview, Makar talks about what it's like to step into the witty world of Paul Slade Smith's play, and how quickly (and easily) it feels like this production at Farmington Players has come together. While the show deals with politics, Makar argues it's more like VEEP or Parks and Rec than The West Wing. The humor is biting, though also hysterical, which is what drew this actress to the show. The actress discusses having political experience through friends and family, and how she draws on reality to enhance the show. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

I've never ridden a train before in my life, unless you count the one at the Detroit Zoo, which seems like something everyone should do at least once in their life. However, if the train ride is anything like that in Murder on the Orient Express, I might think twice before stepping into the stagecoach. Stagecrafters' is bringing Ken Ludwig's adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel to their Main Stage over in Royal Oak, MI, an experience that will be as mesmerizing as it is chilling! We recently spoke with Leta Chrisman, who is serving as conductor for this production, about what it took to bring Murder on the Orient Express to the stage and what audiences can expect from this show at Stagecrafters! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Chrisman talks about what drew her to this project (hint: she has a deep love for the novel, and a passion for reading!) and what it's like to take a story that so many people know and give audiences something new and unexpected. She discusses the challenges of bringing a train to Stagecrafter's main stage and how lighting and sound help create a full picture for this production. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

Who doesn't love the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber? As the composer of some of the greatest musicals to ever hit Broadway or the West End, Webber has cemented his place in theater history forevermore. Acclaimed Countertenor, Terry Barber, is bringing this composer's works, as well as a few other iconic Broadway shows, to The Brighton Center of the Performing Arts with his The Best of Broadway: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber & More! What is most definitely going to be a beautiful night, perfect for you and your Valentine, also happens to be a fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the Brighton High School (BHS) Student Tech Club. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, we spoke with Terry Barber about his personal journey into music and what it means to be a countertenor. As the creator of this program, he also discusses what goes into selecting the music and producing a show such as The Best of Broadway. Given the importance of community outreach to Barber, the countertenor discusses how he's giving back to the Brighton community and bringing high school choirs into his show. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!

Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction, and those stories typically make the best shows. Operation Mincemeat is a musical that burst onto Broadway last season after transferring from the West End, based on a true story about how the Allied powers turned the tide of World War II. The story is so wild that the only way to do it justice is to put it to music, which somehow works! We recently had the chance to catch the show on our annual NYC trip, and Operation Mincemeat definitely lived up to the hype! In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the story of Operation Mincemeat and why people are flocking in droves to see it. With a healthy dose of hilarity and just as much heart, there's plenty for audiences to connect with in both the story and characters. What aspects of Operation Micemeat's story spoke the most to us? Which character(s) did we feel ourselves drawn to more than the others? How does the show balance the comedic tones with the seriousness of an operation like this? Listen to this exciting episode to find out these answers and more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!