Backstage Pass

In this episode we continue our conversation with Kevin Cloud and Lisa Kenner Grissom about their new musical: Vilna: A Resistance Story.

VILNA: A RESISTANCE STORY is an exciting new musical about Vitka Kempner, a 19-year-old Jewish girl who inspired the heroic Jewish resistance movement in the Vilna ghetto during the Holocaust. After the Nazis invade Poland, a fierce and fearless Vitka escapes to the free, bohemian city of Vilna, Lithuania where she meets a group of young artists—led by visionary poet Abba Kovner—and inspires them to form a resistance. But when the Nazis invade and confine Jews to the ghetto, Vitka and the group must find creative ways to fight back. With the Nazis bearing down, they make a daring escape to the forest where Vitka blows up a Nazi train—the first act of sabotage by a Jewish partisan in WWII—paving the way for their return to reclaim their beloved city. With a vibrant klezmer-influenced pop score, VILNA tells a forgotten and inspiring story that speaks to our times.

This episode features the songs “Never Say”, performed by Greg Lafollette, and also “Sewers” performed by Greg Lafollette.

Connect with Vilna: A Resistance Story:

Website: https://www.vilnamusical.com/

Instagram: @vilnamusical

Connect with Kevin Cloud:

Website: https://www.kevincloud.co/

Instagram: @kevincloudkc

Connect with Lisa Kenner Grissom:

Website: http://lisakennergrissom.com/

Instagram: @lisa_kenner_grissom_

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 Kevin Cloud and Lisa Kenner Grissom about their new musical: Vilna: A Resistance Story.

VILNA: A RESISTANCE STORY is an exciting new musical about Vitka Kempner, a 19-year-old Jewish girl who inspired the heroic Jewish resistance movement in the Vilna ghetto during the Holocaust. After the Nazis invade Poland, a fierce and fearless Vitka escapes to the free, bohemian city of Vilna, Lithuania where she meets a group of young artists—led by visionary poet Abba Kovner—and inspires them to form a resistance. But when the Nazis invade and confine Jews to the ghetto, Vitka and the group must find creative ways to fight back. With the Nazis bearing down, they make a daring escape to the forest where Vitka blows up a Nazi train—the first act of sabotage by a Jewish partisan in WWII—paving the way for their return to reclaim their beloved city. With a vibrant klezmer-influenced pop score, VILNA tells a forgotten and inspiring story that speaks to our times.

This episode features the songs “Vilna, My Vilna", performed by Samantha Massell, Greg Lafollette, and the Ensemble of Vilna: A Resistance Story, as well as “Sheep to the Slaughter” performed by Kyle Anderson and the Ensemble of Vilna: A Resistance Story.

Connect with Vilna: A Resistance Story:

Website: https://www.vilnamusical.com/

Instagram: @vilnamusical

Connect with Kevin Cloud:

Website: https://www.kevincloud.co/

Instagram: @kevincloudkc

Connect with Lisa Kenner Grissom:

Website: http://lisakennergrissom.com/

Instagram: @lisa_kenner_grissom_

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 Nico Juber, Joe Barros, Jade McLeod, Diana Huey, and Gabby Boera about the new musical Winner. Winner was written by Nico Juber and Joe Barros.

Inspired by the queer journeys and bi erasure of its writers, Winner tells a coming out and coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of a rigged election at a Southern California high school in 1999. The musical explores a female-identifying queer narrative and is one of the first to explore bisexuality.

The story centers around Autumn, a high-achieving senior vying for the position of student body president, and her secret girlfriend Stevie, who unexpectedly becomes her opponent in the election. The musical incorporates a time loop, where the day resets three times, and a different girl wins the race each time.

The plot unfolds as Autumn, desperate to win the election to secure a college scholarship, discovers that the new electronic voting system at school was manipulated. This revelation sets off a chain of events that forces Autumn to confront her identity and the consequences of hiding her relationship with Stevie. Autumn's decision to prioritize her relationship with Stevie and her truth over winning the election leads to a public coming out that ultimately breaks the time loop, redefining what it means for Autumn to win.

This episode features the songs “Let’s Start Again”, performed by Alex Wyse and Jade McLeod, and also “Wildefire” performed by the Concept EP Cast of Winner The Musical.

Connect with Joe Barros:

Website: https://www.joebarros.com/

Instagram: @bisforbarros

Connect with Nico Juber:

Website: https://www.nicojuber.com/

Instagram: @stuffnicolikes

Connect with Jade Mcleod:

Instagram: @jademcleod

Connect with Diana Huey:

Instagram: @dianahuey

Connect with Garry Boera:

Instagram: @gabby.boera

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 Nico Juber, Joe Barros, Jade McLeod and Gabby Boera about the new musical Winner. Winner was written by Nico Juber and Joe Barros.

Inspired by the queer journeys and bi erasure of its writers, Winner tells a coming out and coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of a rigged election at a Southern California high school in 1999. The musical explores a female-identifying queer narrative and is one of the first to explore bisexuality.

The story centers around Autumn, a high-achieving senior vying for the position of student body president, and her secret girlfriend Stevie, who unexpectedly becomes her opponent in the election. The musical incorporates a time loop, where the day resets three times, and a different girl wins the race each time.

The plot unfolds as Autumn, desperate to win the election to secure a college scholarship, discovers that the new electronic voting system at school was manipulated. This revelation sets off a chain of events that forces Autumn to confront her identity and the consequences of hiding her relationship with Stevie. Autumn's decision to prioritize her relationship with Stevie and her truth over winning the election leads to a public coming out that ultimately breaks the time loop, redefining what it means for Autumn to win.

This episode features the songs “Who Gets The Win?”, performed by Jade McLeod and also  “Eye On The Prize” performed by Taylor Iman Jones, Jade McLeod, Alex Wyse, Diana Huey, Jessie MacBeth, Alex Wyse, Luis Villabon, Kristopher Stanley Ward, Gabby Boera, Logan Leilani Blount, Federico Hradek, and Cay Ryan Murray.

Connect with Joe Barros:

Website: https://www.joebarros.com/

Instagram: @bisforbarros

Connect with Nico Juber:

Website: https://www.nicojuber.com/

Instagram: @stuffnicolikes

Connect with Jade Mcleod:

Instagram: @jademcleod

Connect with Garry Boera:

Instagram: @gabby.boera

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 Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer about the Broadway musical: Real Women Have Curves.

Ana García (Broadway newcomer Tatianna Córdoba) dreams of flying away. But when her family’s East Los Angeles garment business receives a make-or-break order for 200 dresses, Ana finds herself juggling her own ambitions, her mother Carmen’s (Tony Award nominee Justina Machado) expectations, and a community of women all trying to make it work against the odds. 

REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL features a Tony-nominated score by Grammy® Award–winning songwriter Joy Huerta (Jesse & Joy) and Benjamin Velez (Kiss My Aztec), a book by Lisa Loomer (Girl, Interrupted) with Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls), music supervision by Nadia DiGiallonardo (Waitress), and choreography and direction by Tony® winner Sergio Trujillo (Ain’t Too Proud). Based on the play by Josefina López that inspired the iconic hit HBO film, critics have lauded CURVES as “entertaining and empowering” (NY Daily News), and “a laugh-out-loud musical comedy with a massive dose of heart.” (The Washington Post).

This episode features the songs “Daydream” performed by Florencia Cuenca and “Adios Andrés” performed by Justina Machado and the Original Broadway Company of Real Women Have Curves.

Connect with Benjamin Velez:

Website: https://www.benjaminvelez.com/

Instagram: @benjaminvelezmusic

Connect with Lisa Loomer:

Instagram: @lisalromano

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 Benjamin Velez and Lisa Loomer about the Broadway musical: Real Women Have Curves.

Ana García (Broadway newcomer Tatianna Córdoba) dreams of flying away. But when her family’s East Los Angeles garment business receives a make-or-break order for 200 dresses, Ana finds herself juggling her own ambitions, her mother Carmen’s (Tony Award nominee Justina Machado) expectations, and a community of women all trying to make it work against the odds. 

REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL features a Tony-nominated score by Grammy® Award–winning songwriter Joy Huerta (Jesse & Joy) and Benjamin Velez (Kiss My Aztec), a book by Lisa Loomer (Girl, Interrupted) with Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls), music supervision by Nadia DiGiallonardo (Waitress), and choreography and direction by Tony® winner Sergio Trujillo (Ain’t Too Proud). Based on the play by Josefina López that inspired the iconic hit HBO film, critics have lauded CURVES as “entertaining and empowering” (NY Daily News), and “a laugh-out-loud musical comedy with a massive dose of heart.” (The Washington Post).

This episode features the songs “Make It Work” performed by Florencia Cuenca, Jennifer Sanchez, Carla Jimenez, Aline Mayagoitia, Sandra Valls and Shelby Acosta, “Jugglin” performed by the Original Broadway Cast of Real Women Have Curves, as well as “Flying Away” performed by Tatiana Cordoba.

Connect with Benjamin Velez:

Website: https://www.benjaminvelez.com/

Instagram: @benjaminvelezmusic

Connect with Lisa Loomer:

Instagram: @lisalromano

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 Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon about their new musical, The Bubble.

Adapted from the groundbreaking film by Eytan Fox and Gal Uchovsky, the musical follows Noam, an Israeli soldier and musician, and Ashraf, a closeted Palestinian, who meet at a border checkpoint and fall in love during the Second Intifada. Supported by their chosen family, the pair construct a utopian “bubble” in Tel Aviv, and risk their lives to be together when the bubble bursts. This explosive new musical pulses with energy, urgency, and unyielding hope for peace, capturing the struggle and resilience of love in a divided world.

This episode features the songs “Love, Love Tel Aviv” performed by Omer Shaish, Joél Pérez, Krystina Alabado, John Charles McLaughlin, and Kayley Ann Collins,  “Le'Olam (Until Forever)” performed by Omer Shaish and the Green Room 42 Ensemble, and also “Yalla Yalla” performed by Sahar Milani.

Connect with Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon:

Website: https://www.mcguireandsimon.com/

Instagrams:@janinemcguire and @arrilawtonsimon 

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 Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon about their musical: The Bubble.

Adapted from the groundbreaking film by Eytan Fox and Gal Uchovsky, the musical follows Noam, an Israeli soldier and musician, and Ashraf, a closeted Palestinian, who meet at a border checkpoint and fall in love during the Second Intifada. Supported by their chosen family, the pair construct a utopian “bubble” in Tel Aviv, and risk their lives to be together when the bubble bursts. This explosive new musical pulses with energy, urgency, and unyielding hope for peace, capturing the struggle and resilience of love in a divided world.

This episode features demo recordings of the songs “I Used To Hear Music” performed by Omer Shaish and “I Could Get Used To This” performed by Joél Pérez.

Connect with Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon:

Website: https://www.mcguireandsimon.com/

Instagrams:@janinemcguire @mcguireandsimon and @arrilawtonsimon

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 Charlie Romano and Harold Hodge Jr about their new musical, Call Me From The Grave.

Call Me From The Grave explores the life and myth of the legendary Blues guitar player, Robert Johnson. In Greenwood, Mississippi, a young sharecropper, Robert, dreams of becoming a Bluesman. When his loving girlfriend, Virginia, becomes pregnant, Robert puts his dreams on hold to build a life and a family with her. However, Robert’s life comes crashing down when Virginia dies of complications in childbirth and their newborn son is taken into the exclusive custody of her unapproving father. Feeling he has failed as a husband, father, and a musician,

Robert is at his lowest when he is approached by the Devil. Robert exchanges his soul for the music career he has always dreamt of, on the condition that he never returns home. As the years go by, Robert gains all the fame and renown that he is promised. However, after learning that the people he loves are in need back home, Robert must choose between his fame and his family.

This episode features demo recordings of the songs “Some Deals Can’t Be Undone” performed by Sara Speller, Julian Manresa, and the Yale College Original Cast Ensemble, and also “He Will Free You” performed by Daneille Yvonne James.

Connect with Charlie Romano:

Website: https://www.charlieromano.com/

Instagram: @charlieromanomusic

Connect with Harold Hodge Jr:

Instagram: @haroldemort

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 Charlie Romano and Harold Hodge Jr  about their new musical, Call Me From The Grave.

Call Me From The Grave explores the life and myth of the legendary Blues guitar player, Robert Johnson. In Greenwood, Mississippi, a young sharecropper, Robert, dreams of becoming a Bluesman. When his loving girlfriend, Virginia, becomes pregnant, Robert puts his dreams on hold to build a life and a family with her. However, Robert’s life comes crashing down when Virginia dies of complications in childbirth and their newborn son is taken into the exclusive custody of her unapproving father. Feeling he has failed as a husband, father, and a musician, Robert is at his lowest when he is approached by the Devil. Robert exchanges his soul for the music career he has always dreamt of, on the condition that he never returns home. As the years go by, Robert gains all the fame and renown that he is promised. However, after learning that the people he loves are in need back home, Robert must choose between his fame and his family.

This episode features demo recordings of the songs “A Soul Ain't Free” performed by Xavier Washington and Danielle Yvonne James and “Waiting For You” performed by Me'lena Laudig.

Connect with Charlie Romano:

Website: https://www.charlieromano.com/

Instagram: @charlieromanomusic

Connect with Harold Hodge Jr:

Instagram: @haroldemort

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