Absent Friends: A Theatre Podcast by JD Manarang & Samuel Loetscher

Like a virgin, hey! Hosting a guest for the very first time! In this episode, I sat down with Benjamin Shaevitz, a "spritely young actor and drag artist" who appeared recently in the Slow Burn Theatre Co's production of "Mary Poppins." We discuss balancing regular work with nightlife, the power of owning one's femininity and the state of being a drag performer in South Florida. As a tap dancer, singer, actor, we also track Benjamin's journey in both theater and performing as the high concept drag character Suzie Toot.

Showbiz, baby! Sam and I discuss our triple theater weekend with "Next to Normal" with "Tosca" and "Gypsy." Sadly, Sam's mic cut out for the first half of the recording but he comes back in around 5:00 minutes. Note: There is a lot of discussion around mental illness, suicide and some heavy topics that we kinda make light of because it's a way to like, cope. If the show isn't total maudlin, neither is this podcast. Find the light in the darkness, etc, etc.

Follow JD: @wtlgo_mag & https://wtlgomag.com

Follow Sam: @Samloet & https://floridazodiac.substack.com/

This play has everything. Victorian era costumes. Vogue beats. Neon colored projection mapping. Torvald??? Gablestage's A Doll's House Pt. 2 is an enigmatic production of Lucas Hnath's play that revisits Nora's story after the iconic scene where she closes the door, leaving her husband and family behind. Sam and I chat about the original Ibsen play and what the Scott Rudin produced show meant in 2018. Follow JD at @wtlgo_mag and Sam at @samloet.

*Ari voice* Yuh. Sam and I have been away for a minute seeing theatre separately, everything from "Honeymoon in Vegas" to an immersive "Beauty and the Beast." But we got back together to see the second national tour of "Wicked," one of my all time favorite shows. In this episode we discuss everything from fabulous old gals in LaDuca Louboutins, Ari becoming a witch, and the idea of wickedness in our modern world.

Rolling on the river right into 2023, in this episode Sam and I review the raucous bio-musical "Tina" at the Broward Center. With incredible songs, incredible costume changes, this was truly one of the best times we have ever had at the theater. We even get into Tina Turner's larger pop culture impact beyond the stage in TV and film. 

New year, new name, new episodes! For the debut of the new name Sam and I sit down to discuss a local production of "Cabaret" in Miami. Discussing everything from the divas of stage and screen that have played Sally Bowles, German accents, and the show's statements on fascism, this episode is a riveting look at one of our all time favorite shows.

In this season finale, we're wrapping up 2022 (a few weeks late but time is fake) with our favorite shows from our first full year back at the theater. Follow us:

JD- @wtlgo.mag & wtlgomag.com

Sam- @Sam.loet & samiami.substack.com

Cut loose! In this week’s double feature, Sam and I sit down to chat about the Slow Burn Theatre Co’s production of Footloose: the Musical at the Broward Center. Find our full reviews on wtlgomag.com & samiami.substack.com.

JD:

@wtlgo_mag

Sam:

@Samloet

You're early! I missed ya. Since we missed last week's release you're getting a double feature this week of our review of the tour version of Hadestown and the Slow Burn Theatre Co's Footloose.  

In Episode 3, Sam and I discuss the hit musical "Hamilton: An American Musical" and its place in society after the Obama era. Content Warning for the discussion of topics like racism, sexual assault and violence.