Baring It All with Call Me Adam

After seeing Marc Summers' new Off-Broadway show, The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers, I am so honored to have been granted the opportunity to speak with him for My Entertainment Idols, a special series on my podcast Baring It All with Call Me Adam.

In this interview, Marc is Baring It All with Call Me Adam about:

• What he learned about himself from performing The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers
• How Marc allows himself to get messy without reverting back to old habits
• What is something Marc has done post cancer that he wouldn't have done prior to his diagnosis
• Who are some of Marc's Entertainment Idols
• We bring Double Dare into 2024
• So much more

I grew up watching Marc as the host of Nickelodeon's Double Dare, and have been a fan ever since. I always wanted to be on Double Dare & I finally got to live out that childhood dream, when I got to go up on stage at Marc's one man show, during the game show segment.

Wait until you hear the Behind-The-Curtain story I tell Marc during this interview about that moment in his show!

The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers plays at New World Stages in NYC through June 2, 2024.

• Joe Trentacosta, JT Public Relations
• Theme Song by Bobby Cronin
• Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell
• Edited by Adam Rothenberg

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

With one of the most diverse and eclectic careers in the entertainment industry, Marc is probably best known for putting Nickelodeon on the map as the host of Double Dare. He also hosted What Would You Do? as well as the first live special on Nickelodeon launching the Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando, Florida.

Marc has hosted two talk shows on Lifetime, History IQ on The History Channel, as well as Unwrapped, one of the longest-running shows on Food Network. He was the original host of Next Food Network Star when Guy Fieri won, and he has also covered many news stories while appearing as a regular on ABC’s Home Show.

Marc was the Executive Producer of both Dinner Impossible and Restaurant Impossible, as well as a shark special on Discovery. He is also a frequent guest on Guy’s Grocery Games and has been in several episodes of Diners, Drive-Ins, And Dives.

Marc has appeared on OPRAH three times, with Howard Stern twice, and in a classic episode of The Tonight Show with guest Burt Reynolds. Google it – It is all spontaneous!

So excited to begin Season 5 of my podcast, Baring It All with Call Me Adam!

This season I am spotlighting My Entertainment Idols.

I am thrilled to kick off this season with Singer, Songwriter & Actor Brentley Gore, who you know from NBC's '90s television series California Dreams.

Last year, I got to interview Brentley who played Matt Garrison on California Dreams, along with Jennie Kwan who played Samantha 'Sam' Woo when they came to NYC for the California Dreams Reunion Concert.

NOW, Brentley has released his newest solo album, At The Ready, and I am so proud to say I am a fan of it.

In this NEW interview, Brentley is Baring It All with Call Me Adam about:

• The meaning behind his new album, At The Ready
• His creative process for writing an album
• When he had to put on a brave face, but was really struggling inside
• How Brentley would portray Matt Garrison on California Dreams today
• Who are some of Brentley's Entertainment Idols
• So much more

At The Ready is available to stream on all digital music platforms.

• Scott Appel, Scott Appel Media
• Theme Song by Bobby Cronin
• Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell
• Edited by Adam Rothenberg

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Brentley Gore is a multi-talented performer and creative professional with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. He is best known for his role as Matt Garrison on the hit television show California Dreams, which aired in over 48 countries and established him as a teen star. In addition to his acting career, Brentley is a talented singer-songwriter and musician. He has released several albums as a solo artist, including Up Until Now, which includes a mix of songs recorded with his previous band King Straggler, as well as solo recordings. Many of the songs on the album were recorded with the late producer Don "Redcloud" Smith, who had credits on albums by artists such as Tom Petty, Keith Richards and the Rolling Stones. Brentley is also a gifted stage actor, winning the Ovation Award for his performance in the off-Broadway musical The Fantasticks.

In addition to his performing career, Brentley has also worked behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. He has served as a professor of performance and song craft at the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Brentley was also the founder of the Los Angeles Performing Arts Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the performing arts. In the fall of 2022, he had a starring role in the rock opera, Staring Into Nothing in Los Angeles.

What a great way to end the 4th Season of my podcast, Baring It All with Call Me Adam!

I have been fortunate to interview Del Shores (Sordid Lives Creator) multiple times throughout the years.

After working in the entertainment industry for more than three decades as a Director, Producer, and Writer, Del is finally making his NYC theatrical directorial debut with Jiggs Burgess' play Wounded.

I am so excited to catch up with Del because I always have great conversations with him.

In this NEW interview, Del is Baring It All with Call Me Adam about:

• Making his NYC theatrical directorial debut
• One thing he hasn't done because something or someone got in the way
• One path his life took that he would like to put on full display
• Working with Whoopi Goldberg & Caroline Rhea
• An update on the Sordid Lives Franchise
• So much more

Wounded, by Jiggs Burgess, is about a repressed nobody who thinks of himself as somebody. An addict. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? played out between hummingbirds. And a pussy eating dog. This is Wounded. Carrol could’ve been somebody, after all his book, The Crimson Valise, was made into a movie. Yet somehow Carrol’s unhealed past, and an aging mother, got in the way. On the other hand, Carrol’s classmate, Robert, was smart and driven. Went to one of the best private universities in the country on scholarship. But his damage led him down the path of addiction and eventually prison. In this darkest of comedies, the bleak paths our lives can lead us down are on full display. ***Warning: Recommended for adult audiences. Contains language of a sexual and violent nature.***

Wounded  plays at the Soho Playhouse as part of the International Fringe Encore Series from January 24-February 11, 2024.

Del Shores is the writer/director/producer of the films Sordid Lives, Blues for Willadean, Southern Baptist Sissies and A Very Sordid Wedding. He wrote and executive produced the MGM feature Daddy's Dyin'...Who's Got The Will? 

His plays Cheatin’, Daddy’s Dyin’ (Who’s Got The Will?), Daughters of the Lone Star State, Sordid Lives, Southern Baptist Sissies, The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife, Yellow, This Side of Crazy and A Very Sordid Wedding are all published by Concord/Samuel French.

In television, Del Shores wrote, directed, executive produced and created the LOGO series, Sordid Lives: The Series. He also wrote and executive produced Showtime's Queer As Folk for the last three seasons, wrote and produced for Dharma & Greg and Ned & Stacey. He has directed Academy Award winners Octavia Spencer and Whoopi Goldberg; Grammy Award winner Olivia Newton-John; Emmy winners/nominees Beau Bridges, Delta Burke, Leslie Jordan, Bonnie Bedelia, Bobbie Eakes, Patrika Darbo and Rue McClanahan; Spirit Award winner Dale Dickey; Screen Actors Guild Award-winner Beth Grant; as well as Caroline Rhea, Debby Holiday and David Steen.

• Brian Geldin, Brian Geldin PR
• Theme Song by Bobby Cronin
• Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell
• Edited by Adam Rothenberg

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Mentioned in this episode:

GME (Good Morning Entrepreneurs) Commerical

I want to tell you a personal behind the curtain story that I may not have fully shared here.

I am so excited to catch up with actress Marilu Henner, whom I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing in 2021.

When I heard she was returning to the New York stage, in Sandra Tsing Loh's Madwomen of the West, I wasted no time in trying to get a new interview. I am so grateful she agreed to talk with me a second time.

Marilu is known for starring in the classic TV sitcoms Taxi & Evening Shade as well as over 76 films (including 28 Hallmark movies), 7 Broadway shows, 5 Golden Globe nominations, and being the author of 10 New York Times Best Selling Books.

This time around, Marilu is Baring It All with Call Me Adam about:

• How she got involved with Madwomen of the West
• A time when her opinion was deemed outrageous
• The craziest thing she's done for at audition
• What she still wants to accomplish
• Putting her superhero memory to the test
• So much more

Madwomen of the West takes place at Jules' stunning Brentwood mansion, where hangry (she's sugar-cleansing). Marilyn is throwing a surprise birthday brunch for Claudia, who hates birthdays. Champagne corks pop — and tempers flare — when their long-estranged celebrity friend Zoey crashes the party, fresh from her TED Talks. Expect hilarity, outrageous opinions, and unexpected wisdom about what it means to be a woman (no matter what pronouns you use) in the 21st century.

Madwomen of the West plays at The Actor's Temple in NYC through January 1, 2024. 

**This audio version has been shortened from the original print format. Click here for the FULL interview**

Marilu Henner has the energy of a teenager, the wisdom of a sage, and the memory of a superhero. She has done it all: 76 films (including 28 Hallmark), 7 Broadway shows, 2 classic sitcoms (Taxi and Evening Shade), 5 Golden Globe nominations, and the New York Times Best Selling author of ten books on health, parenting, memory, and lifestyle improvement.

Marilu hosted and executive produced two talk shows (Marilu and Shape Up Your Life) and the nationally syndicated radio show, The Marilu Henner Show. She competed on Celebrity Apprentice (2008), Celebrity Apprentice All-Stars (2013), and Dancing with the Stars (2016).

Marilu is one of twelve people documented with Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory and was the subject of a five-part special on 60 Minutes and on 60 Minutes Australia and served as the consultant on the CBS series Unforgettable. Marilu has spoken before Congress eleven times (Alzheimer’s, dietary supplements, women’s cardiovascular disease, The Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, deadbeat parents), and she contributed to the 2005 and 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Marilu is a keynote speaker for professional organizations, universities, government agencies, interest groups, and corporations on topics including memory, diet and fitness, women’s health issues, cardiovascular disease, cancer survival, child rearing, lifestyle, entertainment, and business organization strategies.

Marilu can be seen in Disney’s Haunted Mansion, indy film Rock & Doris Try to Write a Movie, the Aurora Teagarden prequel, and she can be heard as the English dub in 16 Netflix International projects. She tours the country in Music & Memories with Marilu Henner!

• Candi Adams
• Theme Song by Bobby Cronin
• Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell
• Edited by Adam Rothenberg

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Mentioned in this episode:

GME (Good Morning Entrepreneurs) Commerical

I want to tell you a personal behind the curtain story that I may not have fully shared here.

Romeo is one of literature's most famous characters and now he is being embodied by Ben Jackson Walker who is making his Broadway debut in the new hit musical & Juliet.

After seeing the show a few weeks ago, I was so excited to have the opportunity to speak with him.

In this interview Ben is Baring It All with Call Me Adam about:

• Making his Broadway debut in & Juliet
• The challenges of performing on Broadway
• Stage Mishaps
• Second Chances
• How someone takes time off in a Broadway show
• So much more

About & Juliet:

Created by the Emmy-winning writer of Schitt's Creek, this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way.

Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including "Since U Been Gone‚" "Roar," "Baby One More Time," "Larger Than Life‚" "That’s The Way It Is,“ and "Can't Stop the Feeling!"—all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.

& Juliet plays at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in NYC (124 West 43rd Street)

Ben Jackson Walker is making his Broadway debut alongside this unbelievable cast and crew. TV/Film: Honor Society (Paramount+), Orange is the New Black, Evil. Theater: Connecticut Repertory Theater, Pittsburgh CLO, and workshops directed by Liesl Tommy and Michael Greif. He is a graduate of the musical theater program at the University of Michigan.

• Molly Barnett, Chelsea Nachman, Amanda Marie Miller, Grapevine PR
• Theme Song by Bobby Cronin
• Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell
• Edited by Adam Rothenberg

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Mentioned in this episode:

GME (Good Morning Entrepreneurs) Commerical

I want to tell you a personal behind the curtain story that I may not have fully shared here.

Ann Harada is a brilliant actress who knows how to get the laugh by using the inflection of both her speaking & singing voice. Ann's comedic timing is on point each and every time. She brings new depth to such familiar characters as Madame Thénardier in Les Misérables & sets the bar for the roles she creates such as Pile of Poo in Emojiland.

Now Ann is bringing her comedy chops to the recently released studio recording of Drew Larimore & J. Oconer Navarro's The New Peggy.

In this interview, Ann is Baring It All with Call Me Adam about:

• Why audiences will relate to The New Peggy
• A time when her world got turned upside down
• What it was like to work with the legendary Dolly Parton
• What she still hopes to accomplish 
• And so much more

According to press notes, Ann plays Peggy, "a very ordinary secretary who has been stuck at her desk for the past 25 years, pining after her very ordinary boss. Then a manila envelope arrives at work on a Monday morning to disastrous news that turns her world upside down."

I have a been a fan of Ann Harada's since seeing her in the Off-Broadway production of Avenue Q back in 2003. 

After Avenue Q, I enjoyed seeing her light up the Broadway stage in such shows as Les Misérables (2007 revival), Dolly Parton's 9 to 5, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella & Off-Broadway in Emojiland. 

The New Peggy is available in digital & streaming formats.

• Dan Fortune, Fortune Creative
• Theme Song by Bobby Cronin
• Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell
• Edited by Adam Rothenberg

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Mentioned in this episode:

GME (Good Morning Entrepreneurs) Commerical

I want to tell you a personal behind the curtain story that I may not have fully shared here.

Andrew Keenan-Bolger is an actor, author, director & producer who is known for his starring roles on Broadway in Disney's Newsies, Mary Poppins & Tuck Everlasting. After a little bit of time away, Andrew is back on the New York stage sinking his teeth into the Off-Broadway comedy, Dracula A Comedy Of Terrors.

In this interview, Andrew is Baring It All with Call Me Adam about:

• Auditioning for Dracula A Comedy Of Terrors
• Stage Mishaps
• What he still wants to take a bite out of in life
• Sucking blood
• Having his "Sandy" moment from the movie Grease
• So much more

Broadway: Jesse Tuck in Tuck Everlasting (Drama League Award nominee), Crutchie in Newsies (Outer Critics Circle nominee), Mary Poppins, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Carol. 1st Nat'l Tours: Spelling Bee, How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Off-Broadway: Seven Deadly Sins. TV: The Undoing, The Blacklist, The Other Two, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Nurse Jackie, Looking. Film: The Rewrite, Marci X, Upcoming: On Swift Horses, V13. Co-creator of the series Submissions Only. Co-author of the book series Jack & Louisa (Penguin Random House).

• Brett Oberman, Keith Sherman and Associates
• Theme Song by Bobby Cronin
• Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell
• Edited by Adam Rothenberg

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Mentioned in this episode:

GME (Good Morning Entrepreneurs) Commerical

I want to tell you a personal behind the curtain story that I may not have fully shared here.

Tony Award Winner Marissa Jaret Winokur, who won the coveted award for her starring turn in Broadway's Hairspray is Baring It All with Call Me Adam.

Marissa is coming back to NYC as a guest star in HRS Productions and Orgasmico Theatre's production of Michael Shaw's Exorcistic: The Rock Musical, an unauthorized parody of The Exorcist.

In this interview, Marissa is baring it all about:

• What made her want to be a guest star in the show
• Her Halloween Traditions
• Working with two-time Tony Award Winner Sutton Foster
• Hairspray Memories
• So much more

• Elizabeth Skollar and Izabelle Dessi, Skollar PR
• Theme Song by Bobby Cronin
• Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell
• Edited by Adam Rothenberg

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Mentioned in this episode:

GME (Good Morning Entrepreneurs) Commerical

I want to tell you a personal behind the curtain story that I may not have fully shared here.

Payson Lewis is an indie-pop singer/songwriter who is once again Baring It All with Call Me Adam. After conducting about half a dozen interviews with him, it's great to catch up with him on the heels of his new single "Blurrier" being released.

In this interview, Payson is baring it all about:

• Making Music
• His new single Blurrier
• His writing process
• Self-Care
• What he would tell is younger self
• Something he has not previously shared
• So Much More

"Not for ourselves alone, but for the whole world are we born." These words that inspired a young Paul McCartney, now live on as the motivation behind Payson and his music. Armed with overflowing positive energy and a live-for-the-moment mentality, Payson is bringing his brand of Indie-Pop spirit not for himself alone, but for the whole world to enjoy.

A Philly kid born and raised, Payson taught himself to sing and play piano by poring over his big brothers' CDs and learning by ear. Eventually, he moved west to continue his evolution as a musician and songwriter at USC and find his place as an artist in LA.

Payson's soaring vocals and natural knack for dynamic performance landed him instant success and led to a Top-4 finish on NBC's "The Sing-Off." Since then, he has used his diverse musical skill set in performances all over the world; lending his voice to symphony orchestras in Taiwan and Korea, starring in theatrical performances in Chicago and Las Vegas, and singing on multiple major motion picture soundtracks. He's even scored roles acting on TV shows including Jane the Virgin, The People vs. OJ Simpson, and How I Met Your Mother.

All the while Payson has been continuing to grow as a musician and artist. His first releases, a series of cover songs, generated an impressive buzz and thousands of subscribers through his YouTube channel. His covers of Taylor Swift's "Out of the Woods", Adele's "Hello," and a mashup of Zayn Malik's "Pillowtalk" and Rihanna's "Work" enjoyed viral success as well as a wide variety of press coverage including features from Perez Hilton.

Last year, he released his debut record, “Take Me Apart” to universal acclaim. The record has amassed over half a million streams on Spotify, and has been featured in nearly 100 different music publications and curated music blog posts, and inspired 3 music videos with their own following; racking up well over 100k views.

While Payson Lewis has enjoyed a jack of many trades career thus far, it's his music that gives him purpose. Drawing on the influences of his youth and in an attempt to inspire positivity, Payson continues to refine his band-centric indie-pop sound to deliver an energetic blend of throwback nostalgia and modern edge for the benefit of the world at large.

• Taylor Funari & Chase Greene, TREND PR
• Theme Song by Bobby Cronin
• Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell
• Edited by Adam Rothenberg

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Mentioned in this episode:

GME (Good Morning Entrepreneurs) Commerical

I want to tell you a personal behind the curtain story that I may not have fully shared here.

Toronto based Film, TV, and Theatre actor, George Krissa is Baring It All with Call Me Adam. He most recently starred in Hallmark's The Holiday Sitter alongside Jonathan Bennett, making history as the network's first ever LGBTQ+ lead romcom.

Now George is coming to New York City to make his cabaret debut at Chelsea Table & Stage on September 23, 2023.

In this interview, George is baring it all about:

• Creating his upcoming cabaret show
• Singing showtunes with Jonathan Bennett
• His love for potato chips
• Country Music
• Life on the Prairie
• So much more

George Krissa is a Toronto based film, TV, and theatre actor. Most recently starring as Jason Devito in Hallmarks The Holiday Sitter alongside Jonathan Bennett, making history as the network's first ever LGBTQ+ lead romcom.

​As a musician, theatre artist, and actor, George has had the pleasure of performing for audiences across Canada and in the United States. Notable credits also include starring as Rocky in The Stratford Festival's record breaking production of The Rocky Horror Show, Tommy Albright in The Shaw Festival's production of Brigadoon and was the recipient of The Musical Stage Co.'s Banks Prize award for theatre artists.

George has appeared on screen in Hallmark's Roadtrip Romance, Lifetime's Trapped with my Husband, CBC's Coroner and Murdoch Mysteries, and Breakthrough Ent.'s The Dwelling.

• Dan Fortune, Fortune Creative
• Theme Song by Bobby Cronin
• Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell
• Edited by Adam Rothenberg

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Mentioned in this episode:

GME (Good Morning Entrepreneurs) Commerical

I want to tell you a personal behind the curtain story that I may not have fully shared here.