Backstage Pass

In this special episode of Backstage Pass, we present the Director's Roundtable from New York Theatre Barn’s A Seat at the Table Series.

For one night only, 5 award-winning Broadway directors will unite to discuss their unique experiences working in a rapidly evolving industry and offer insights into the creative process of incubating new works. New York Theatre Barn's roundtable offered audience members the opportunity to submit questions, making their voices an integral part of the conversation. New York Theatre Barn believes that there is a place for all of us at the table of the American Theatre.

The directors include Tony Award-winner Walter Bobbie (Chicago, Bright Star), five-time Tony nominee Camille A. Brown (Gypsy, for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf), Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (Ragtime, Seussical), JoAnn M. Hunter (School of Rock, Harmony), and Victoria Collado (Latin History for Morons). New York Theatre Barn’s Héctor Flores Jr. moderated the conversation.

Connect with Walter Bobbie:

Instagram: @walterbobbie18

Connect with Camille A Brown:

Website: https://www.camilleabrown.org/

Instagram: @camilleabrown

Connect with Marcia Milgrom Dodge:

Website: https://marciamilgromdodge.com/

Instagram: @marciamilgromdodge

Connect with Joann M. Hunter:

Website: http://www.joannmhunter.com/

Instagram: @joann_m_hunter

Connect with Victoria Collado:

Website: https://www.victoriacollado.com/

Instagram: @itsvickylin

Connect with Héctor Flores Jr:

Instagram: @hectorfloresjr35

Connect with New York Theatre Barn:

Twitter: @nytheatrebarn

Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn 

Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn

nytheatrebarn.org 

Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs

Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we continue our conversation with Emielyn Das and Harrison Lewis about their new musical: Seven Steps Around the Fire.

Seven Steps Around the Fire follows a young Indian-American woman who must interpret visions of her past seven lifetimes as her queer relationship is threatened by the cultural expectation of arranged marriage. When she unearths secrets surrounding her mother’s own identity, she must make the impossible choice between her family and breaking free from the endless karmic cycle holding her down. Featuring a contemporary folk/pop score fused with the sounds of Indian Classical Music, Seven Steps Around the Fire explores Hinduism through the lens of sexuality, asking the timeless question: what will we sacrifice in the name of love?

This episode features demo recordings of the songs “The Pathway to Brahma-Nirvana” performed by the Company of Seven Steps Around the Fire as well as “Throw Me a Marigold” performed by Sabrina Shah and  Ruchir Khazanchi.

Connect with Seven Steps Around the Fire:

Instagram: @sevenstepsmusical

Connect with Emielyn Das:

Instagram: @emielynd

Connect with Harrison Lewis:

Instagram: @harrisonmlewis

Website: http://harrisonmlewis.com/

Connect with New York Theatre Barn:

Twitter: @nytheatrebarn

Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn 

Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn

nytheatrebarn.org 

Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs

Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features a conversation with Emielyn Das and Harrison Lewis about their new musical: Seven Steps Around the Fire.

Seven Steps Around the Fire follows a young Indian-American woman who must interpret visions of her past seven lifetimes as her queer relationship is threatened by the cultural expectation of arranged marriage. When she unearths secrets surrounding her mother’s own identity, she must make the impossible choice between her family and breaking free from the endless karmic cycle holding her down. Featuring a contemporary folk/pop score fused with the sounds of Indian Classical Music, Seven Steps Around the Fire explores Hinduism through the lens of sexuality, asking the timeless question: what will we sacrifice in the name of love?

This episode features demo recordings of the songs “Round and Round Again” performed by Emielyn Das, Swetha Vissapragada, Anu Mysore, and Devika Bhaise as well as “Kingdom in the Sky” performed by Sierra Lancaster, Kenzie Elizabet, and Meetu Chilana.

Connect with Seven Steps Around the Fire:

Instagram: @sevenstepsmusical

Connect with Emielyn Das:

Instagram: @emielynd

Connect with Harrison Lewis:

Instagram: @harrisonmlewis

Website: http://harrisonmlewis.com/

Connect with New York Theatre Barn:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we continue our conversation with Douglas Lyons about Beau the Musical.

When Young Nashville musician Ace Baker discovers that his long-lost rockstar grandfather is still alive, his world shifts forever. Now confronted with buried memories, family secrets, and strained relationships, Ace must find his way and rediscover his voice. A coming-of-age like no other – Beau the Musical blends an immersive pop-country score with a story of love, family, and redemption. 

This episode features recordings of the songs "Disappear" performed by Charity Dawson and Oliva Griffin, and “Runnin” performed by Matt Rodin. Photo credit by Valerie Terranova.

Connect with Douglas Lyons:

Instagram: @chocolatehipster

Website: https://www.douglaslyons.net/

Connect with New York Theatre Barn:

Twitter: @nytheatrebarn

Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn 

Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn

nytheatrebarn.org 

Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs

Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features a conversation with Douglas Lyons about Beau the Musical, a new musical which recently had two off-Broadway runs in New York City.

When Young Nashville musician Ace Baker discovers that his long-lost rockstar grandfather is still alive, his world shifts forever. Now confronted with buried memories, family secrets, and strained relationships, Ace must find his way and rediscover his voice. A coming-of-age like no other – Beau the Musical blends an immersive pop-country score with a story of love, family, and redemption. 

This episode features recordings of the songs “Pop Pop Beau” performed by John Krause, and “Crush” performed by Aisha Jackson.

Connect with Douglas Lyons:

Instagram: @chocolatehipster

Website: https://www.douglaslyons.net/

Connect with New York Theatre Barn:

Twitter: @nytheatrebarn

Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn 

Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn

nytheatrebarn.org 

Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs

Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Part 2 of our Season 3 premiere. In this episode we continue our conversation that features Jason Schafer, Arthur Lafrentz Bacon, and Jeff Calhoun discussing their new show, Trick! The Musical.

Based on the 1999 queer cult classic film, Trick! The Musical follows Gabriel, a shy musical theatre songwriter, and Mark, a go-go dancer, who try to find a place to hook up in Manhattan, only for the romantic endeavor to be hilariously interrupted by friends and bad luck.

In this episode, you’ll hear the songs “Dance Floor” performed by Arthur Lafrentz Bacon, as well as “Lemme Walk You to the Train”, performed by Aavyn Lee and Will-Franklin Eller.

Production photo by Sydney Lee.

Connect with Trick! The Musical:

Website: https://trickthemusical.com/

Connect with Jeff Calhoun:

Instagram: @thejeffcalhoun

Connect with Arthur Lafrentz Bacon:

Instagram: @shedlove87

Website: https://www.arthurlafrentzbacon.com/

Connect with New York Theatre Barn:

Twitter: @nytheatrebarn

Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn 

Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn

nytheatrebarn.org 

Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Backstage Pass Season 3! We’re premiering our third season with a special conversation that features Jason Schafer, Arthur Lafrentz Bacon, and Jeff Calhoun discussing their new show, Trick! The Musical. Check out Episode 2 in two weeks for the second part of our conversation.

Based on the 1999 queer cult classic film, Trick! The Musical follows Gabriel, a shy musical theatre songwriter, and Mark, a go-go dancer, who try to find a place to hook up in Manhattan, only for the romantic endeavor to be hilariously interrupted by friends and bad luck.

In this episode, you’ll hear the songs "I Got a Place” performed by Charlie Franklin, Brooke Sterling, and Joanna Parson as well as “Original Song by Gabe” performed by Leah Keelen, Aavyn Lee, and Will-Franklin Eller.

Connect with Trick! The Musical:

Website: https://trickthemusical.com/

Connect with Jeff Calhoun:

Instagram: @thejeffcalhoun

Connect with Arthur Lafrentz Bacon:

Instagram: @shedlove87

Website: https://www.arthurlafrentzbacon.com/

Connect with New York Theatre Barn:

Support us: https://newyorktheatrebarn.givingfuel.com/nytb2025

Twitter: @nytheatrebarn

Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn 

Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn

nytheatrebarn.org 

Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs

Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we continue our conversation with Eva Margolies and Douglas J. Cohen about their musical: Unzipped.

Set in the Bay Area in the late 1970s, UNZIPPED explores a culture of sexual liberation and the development of modern sex therapy practices through the lens of a marriage in crisis.

This episode features the songs “Unzipped” performed by Kirsten Scott, Chandler Sinks, Pablo Torres and Adam Grupper, as well as “Healers” performed by Kirsten Scott, EJ Zimmerman, and Talia Belluci. 

Connect with Douglas J. Cohen:

Website: https://douglasjcohen.com/

Instagram: @douglasjcohen

Connect with Eva Margolies:

Website: https://soundcloud.com/happyevamusic

Connect with New York Theatre Barn:

Twitter: @nytheatrebarn

Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn 

Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn

nytheatrebarn.org 

Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs

Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features a conversation with Douglas J. Cohen and Eva Margolies about their musical: UNZIPPED.

Set in the Bay Area in the late 1970s, UNZIPPED explores a culture of sexual liberation and the development of modern sex therapy practices through the lens of a marriage in crisis.

This episode features the songs, “Oh”, performed by Kirsten Scott and Matthew Scott, as well as “Plan B” performed by Kirsten Scott. 

Connect with Douglas J. Cohen:

Website: https://douglasjcohen.com/

Instagram: @douglasjcohen

Connect with Eva Margolies:

Website: https://soundcloud.com/happyevamusic

Connect with New York Theatre Barn:

Twitter: @nytheatrebarn

Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn 

Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn

nytheatrebarn.org 

Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs

Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Part 2 of our special coverage of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre's 37th Annual Festival of New Musicals.

Each year, the NAMT festival shares 45 minute preview performances of 8 new musicals in development. Part 2 of our NAMT coverage features conversations with the writers of 4 of the 8 shows in this year’s festival: The King of Harlem by John-Michael Lyles and David Gomez, Roja by Jaime Lozano and Tommy Newman, Wakeman by Jenn Grinels, and Alice Bliss by Karen Hartman, Jenny Giering, and Adam Gwon.

We also share demo recordings of a song from each of these musicals so you can get a taste of the sound of each show.

From The King of Harlem you’ll hear “Federico” performed by John-Michael Lyles on vocals and guitar. 

From Roja you’ll hear, “I Will See You Again (Te Veré Otra Vez)” with music and lyrics by Jaime Lozano and Tommy Newman, featuring Mayelah Barrera. This recording is from the album “Jaime Lozano & The Familia: Songs by an Immigrant Vol. 3” released by Concord Theatricals Recordings. 

From Wakemen, you’ll hear “The Trio Song” performed by Jenn Grinels, Ari Notartomaso, and Beverly Anderson. 

And from Alice Bliss, you’ll hear “Prologue/One More” performed by Jenny Giering.

One of the most exciting parts of NAMT is that it serves as a hub for musical theatre writers and producers. 

While we were there, we also ran into and interviewed S. Todd Townsend and Kim Kibly, two of three writers of the musical Big Quarterly. Big Quarterly was a NAMT Recommended Musical. While it was not among the eight musicals selected for the festival, the panelists who reviewed the NAMT submissions were so struck by the work that they published a list of shows they feel should be shared with the musical theatre community. Big Quarterly was on that list.

Big Quarterly was developed at Berklee NYC in the Writing and Production for Musical Theatre program, and we also interviewed Dan Marshall, an associate professor who helped develop the show.

After that interview, you’ll hear the song “Opening” from Big Quarterly.

And finally, we ran into friends of the pod Harrison Bryan and Brandon Zellman, co-creators of Balls: The Monster Catchin’ Musical.

After their interview, we’ve included an excerpt of the song “What the World Should Be”, that features the show’s villain, Warlordturtle, performed by Harrison Bryan.

If you haven’t already, check out Part 1 to hear interviews with the other NAMT writers, as well as more bonus content from musical theatre creators who were present at the festival.

Connect with NAMT:

Website: https://namt.org/

Instagram: @namt_org

Connect with New York Theatre Barn:

Twitter: @nytheatrebarn

Instagram: @newyorktheatrebarn 

Facebook.com/nytheatrebarn

nytheatrebarn.org 

Pauls’s personal instagram: @paulsmacs

Teresa’s personal instagram: @terijoyeaux

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices