There's no better time to share the second part of Beth Grant's podcast episode than a few days before her birthday (9/18). From being fired to checking her ego to working with Patrick Swayze & Stockard Channing, Beth talks about lessons learned!

Beth Grant is a character actress who has been featured in many iconic films & TV shows: Donnie Darko, King of the Hill, Little Miss Sunshine, A Time To Kill, Speed, No Country For Old Men + over 200 more.

Beth will next be seen in Season 4 of Goliath on Amazon Prime, starring Billy Bob Thornton, which drops 9/24/21.

Beth will also be seen in Kit Williamson's new series Unconventional, playing Beau Bridges' girlfriend. This show is currently in production. Release date TBD.

Known as a Hollywood lucky charm, Beth Grant has co-starred in three Academy Award winning Best Pictures: THE ARTIST, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN & RAIN MAN. She has twice received the Screen Actors Guild Ensemble Award for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE & NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN & voiced Academy Award winning Best Animated Feature, RANGO.

Now on Amazon Prime, Beth co-stars with Charlie Plummer, Andy Garcia, Molly Parker & Walton Goggins in WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS. Beth also has a five episode arc on Amazon’s GOLIATH, starring Billy Bob Thornton, J.K. Simmon s & Bruce Dern.

Beth co-stars with Josh Leonard & Jess Weixler in FULLY REALIZED HUMANS, which premiered at Tribeca in April. Picked as a DGA film & director to watch, Beth co-stars with Sienna Miller & Diego Luna in Sundance favorite, Tara Miele’s WANDER DARKLY, now in theaters & VOD. Beth can also be seen in WILLY’S WONDERLAND, starring Nicolas Cage.

On Hulu, Beth is the “Cat Lady,” guardian angel to Kat Dennings; & regular “Beverly” on Mindy Kaling’s THE MINDY PROJECT. Beth plays opposite Neil Patrick Harris & Richard E. Grant, in A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS on Netflix; “Jack” on AMERICAN GODS by Bryan Fuller & Michael Green for STARZ. 

Beth received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation, LA Weekly Award, Backstage West Garland Award for Lead Actress in THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF A TRAILER TRASH HOUSEWIFE.

In 2011 Beth starred Off-Broadway in Tony George’s TRICKS THE DEVIL TAUGHT ME at The Minetta Lane Theater in NYC. Beth has won three L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, including Lead Actress for GRACE AND GLORIE at The Colony Theatre. Other theatre credits include world premieres by Maya Angelou, Romulus Linney, Horton Foote, & Mark V. Olsen.

Beth produced & starred in 2012’s BLUES FOR WILLADEAN, with Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer; written/directed by Del Shores – now on iTunes, Amazon & Walmart.com. Beth co-produced & starred in the ComiCon 2010 Best Comedy Award winner, HERPES BOY – on Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, X-Box & most VOD. Beth produced, After The Ball, a documentary about the cultural life of the elderly,

With over 200 credits to her name, Beth's movie & TV credits can be found on her IMDB page.

Beth has been married to fellow actor, Michael Chieffo, for almost 35 years. Their daughter, Mary Chieffo stars as Klingon Commander, "L'Rell" on the new STAR TREK: DISCOVERY.

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Theme Song by Bobby Cronin

Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell

Edited by Drew Kaufman

Outro Music Underscore by CueTique

Beth Grant is a character actress whose career spans 40 years between Film, TV & Theatre. With over 200 credits to her name, Beth's talent has been seen everywhere including The Mindy Project, The Golden Girls, Speed, A Time To Kill, Donnie Darko, Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Little Miss Sunshine, To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar & Del Shores' Sordid Lives.

Today I talk with Beth about her illustrious career as well as some Tricks The Devil Taught Me.

Catch Beth in Season 4 of Goliath on Amazon Prime, starring Billy Bob Thornton, which drops 9/24/21.

Beth will also be seen in Kit Williamson's new series Unconventional, playing Beau Bridges' girlfriend. This show is currently in production. Release date TBD.

Known as a Hollywood lucky charm, Beth Grant has co-starred in three Academy Award winning Best Pictures: THE ARTIST, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN & RAIN MAN. She has twice received the Screen Actors Guild Ensemble Award for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE & NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN & voiced Academy Award winning Best Animated Feature, RANGO.

Now on Amazon Prime, Beth co-stars with Charlie Plummer, Andy Garcia, Molly Parker & Walton Goggins in WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS. Beth also has a five episode arc on Amazon’s GOLIATH, starring Billy Bob Thornton, J.K. Simmon s & Bruce Dern.

Beth co-stars with Josh Leonard & Jess Weixler in FULLY REALIZED HUMANS, which premiered at Tribeca in April. Picked as a DGA film & director to watch, Beth co-stars with Sienna Miller & Diego Luna in Sundance favorite, Tara Miele’s WANDER DARKLY, now in theaters & VOD. Beth can also be seen in WILLY’S WONDERLAND, starring Nicolas Cage.

On Hulu, Beth is the “Cat Lady,” guardian angel to Kat Dennings; & regular “Beverly” on Mindy Kaling’s THE MINDY PROJECT. Beth plays opposite Neil Patrick Harris & Richard E. Grant, in A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS on Netflix; “Jack” on AMERICAN GODS by Bryan Fuller & Michael Green for STARZ. 

Beth received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation, LA Weekly Award, Backstage West Garland Award for Lead Actress in THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF A TRAILER TRASH HOUSEWIFE.

In 2011 Beth starred Off-Broadway in Tony George’s TRICKS THE DEVIL TAUGHT ME at The Minetta Lane Theater in NYC. Beth has won three L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Awards, including Lead Actress for GRACE AND GLORIE at The Colony Theatre. Other theatre credits include world premieres by Maya Angelou, Romulus Linney, Horton Foote, & Mark V. Olsen.

Beth produced & starred in 2012’s BLUES FOR WILLADEAN, with Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer; written/directed by Del Shores – now on iTunes, Amazon & Walmart.com. Beth co-produced & starred in the ComiCon 2010 Best Comedy Award winner, HERPES BOY – on Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, X-Box & most VOD. Beth produced, After The Ball, a documentary about the cultural life of the elderly,

With over 200 credits to her name, Beth's movie & TV credits can be found on her IMDB page.

Beth has been married to fellow actor, Michael Chieffo, for almost 35 years. Their daughter, Mary Chieffo stars as Klingon Commander, "L'Rell" on the new STAR TREK: DISCOVERY.

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Theme Song by Bobby Cronin

Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell

Edited by Drew Kaufman

Outro Music Underscore by CueTique

It's so great to welcome back Crystal Skillman and Bobby Cronin, co-writer and composer of the hit audio play/podcast King Kirby. Today, Crystal & Bobby are truly Baring It All with lessons learned, industry secrets including bullying and sexual harassment, plus much more!

Listen to Part 1 of our interview! We talked about Jack Kirby, Comics & the creative process of turning King Kirby from a stage play into a podcast/audio play.

King Kirby tells the story of Jack Kirby, who co-created some of Marvel's most famous comic books including Captain America, X-Men, and The Avengers.

Bobby Cronin is an award-winning composer/writer for theatre, short film, web, dance, and more. His projects include: Mary & Max [based on the claymation film] with bookwriter Crystal Skillman which had its World Premiere at Theatre Calgary in the fall of 2018 and its European Premiere at Austria's Theatre Linz in 2019. It won the 2018 MUT Critics Award in Germany, Pace New Musicals 2018, SigWorks Finalist 2018; ‘Til Death Do Us Part (World Premiere 2020, 2018-2020 SDSU New Works Award; 2017 SigWorks Finalist; 2016 Overtures Series directed by Kent Nicholson) with bookwriter Caroline Prugh; a handful of songs in Off-Bway's Camp Morning Wood; Till Soon, Anne with bookwriter/lyricist Christine Toy Johnson which had a residency at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center.

His latest commission PSYKIDZ is ready to be produced. Bobby's music won “Best Score of a Mockumentary” for the web series Thank You, Next & Best Music/Lyrics for Ten Reasons I Won’t Go Home With You in 2010’s MITF. He was commissioned to write a pop song for the 2013 winner of Italy’s televised singing competition Lo Canto.

Bobby created the Inspired Benefit Concert Series for animal rescue organizations across the U.S. & UK to raise funds & awareness for the 3 million adoptable pets euthanized in our country each year.

Crystal Skillman is an award winning writer who creates darkly funny, high-concept work with heart & edge. As a playwright she is a four-time NYT Critics’ Pick, as well as an award-winner as a bookwriter for the musical MARY AND MAX (with composer Bobby Cronin ) & her comic book credits include work for Marvel and “Adventure Time.” Watch the trailer of her NYTimes Critics’ Pick OPEN here.

A passionate believer in art and activism, Crystal is the author of the play RAIN AND ZOE SAVE THE WORLD, a coming of age story of two teenage climate activists, which has been optioned for a premiere next year (2022).

Upcoming work in television includes the animated series EAT FIGHTER (Based on her WebToon comic), the YA animated series COSMIC CRITTERS & the musical half hour comedy OVERNIGHT SUCCESS (Co-Conceiver Lauren Elder, Kampfire Films).

Crystal's new audio drama THE MAGICIAN'S MAGICIAN will launch this fall, 2021.

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Theme Song by Bobby Cronin

Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell

Edited by Drew Kaufman

Outro Music Underscore by CueTique

I am so excited to welcome Tonya Pinkins back to the show! She's an actress, director, producer, author, filmmaker & so much more! Today we are talking about lessons learned and Tonya has learned a lot in her life! Plus, we chat even more about her horror film Red Pill, which will have its NYC premiere this Friday, August 13, 2021 (YES, FRIDAY THE 13TH) at St. Nicholas Park in Harlem at 135th Street.

Listen to Part 1 of our interview! - We talked in depth about Tonya's horror film Red Pill & much more about Broadway, All My Children and Motherhood.

Tonya Pinkins is a multi-award-winning actress, author, & educator. She has won a Tony, Obie, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle & Lortel Award. She teaches privately & at The Atlantic Theater School’s NYU program. Tonya is the author of Get OVER YOURSELF: How to Drop The Drama and Claim The Life You Deserve (Hachette Books). Tonya works with The African American Policy Forum & actively supports #SayHerName & TheMovementForBlackLives among other causes & organizations. 

She is 2019-2022 Fulbright Specialist. Her short film, What Came After, which she produced, directed & adapted with Christopher Oscar Pena from his play, premiered at The New York Short Festival in 2016 & was an official selection in 2017 Sociopolitical Short Festival, Artemis Women in Action Film Festival, National Black Film Festival - Houston, Equality Film Festival, Blow-Up International Arthouse Festival - Chicago, Womyn in Media Newark, Women’s Only Entertainment Film Festival, Queens World Film festival, New Filmmakers New York Festival & WIM-Ns Women’s Film Festival. She directed Lighthouse Lili for RipFEST. Tonya has trained with esteemed directors such as Michael Satrazemis (Producing Director Fear of the Walking Dead), Charlotte Brandstrom (Madam Secretary), Melanie Mayron (Famous In Love), & Nick Copus (Gotham).

Tonya co-wrote, produced and directed Truth and Reconciliation of Womyn (The Tank, Deepak Home Base, The Commons, & The #HealMeToo Festival). Tonya's directing credits include: Till We Meet Again at the 14th Street Y, Paul Robeson: The Opera at Trilogy Opera Company, Bring It On at Black Spectrum Theater, Exit: An Illusion by Marita Bonner for American Bard Theater’s “Visionary Voices,” The Gospel According to Miss Roj from The Colored Museum for Project One Voice at The Kimble Theater, Vagina Monologues for V-Day at The World Health Ministry Conference in Mexico, The Klucking of Hens by Carol Lockwood at New Professional Theater, Lord’s Resistance by Camille Darby at the National Black Theater Festival in Winston Salem, & Dead People’s Things by Patricia Ione Lloyd at Red Circle Rising. Tonya co-directed Laryy Powell’s Easy To Love in the Fire This Time Festival & For Colored Boys by Jesse Alick in 48 Hours in Harlem. She has been developing Blaine Teamer’s #BoxSeats at NYTW and National Black Theater's Monday Night Reading series.

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Theme Song by Bobby Cronin

Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell

Edited by Drew Kaufman

Outro Music Underscore by CueTique

My spidey senses are tingling today because I am swinging into the world of Marvel Comics with my special guests Crystal Skillman & Bobby Cronin, whose fantastic podcast, King Kirby, is burning up the podwaves. 

I talk with Crystal & Bobby about their love of comics, how they adapted King Kirby (originally a play by Crystal & her husband Fred Van Lente) into a podcast & much more!

King Kirby is about Jack Kirby, the most famous cartoonist you never heard of, who co-created such mega hit comics as Captain America, The Avengers & X-Men.

Listen to Part 2 of our interview!

Bobby Cronin is an award-winning composer/writer for theatre, short film, web, dance, and more. His projects include: Mary & Max [based on the claymation film] with bookwriter Crystal Skillman which had its World Premiere at Theatre Calgary in the fall of 2018 and its European Premiere at Austria's Theatre Linz in 2019. It won the 2018 MUT Critics Award in Germany, Pace New Musicals 2018, SigWorks Finalist 2018; ‘Til Death Do Us Part (World Premiere 2020, 2018-2020 SDSU New Works Award; 2017 SigWorks Finalist; 2016 Overtures Series directed by Kent Nicholson) with bookwriter Caroline Prugh; a handful of songs in Off-Bway's Camp Morning Wood; Till Soon, Anne with bookwriter/lyricist Christine Toy Johnson which had a residency at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center.

His latest commission PSYKIDZ is ready to be produced. Bobby's music won “Best Score of a Mockumentary” for the web series Thank You, Next & Best Music/Lyrics for Ten Reasons I Won’t Go Home With You in 2010’s MITF. He was commissioned to write a pop song for the 2013 winner of Italy’s televised singing competition Lo Canto.

Bobby created the Inspired Benefit Concert Series for animal rescue organizations across the U.S. & UK to raise funds & awareness for the 3 million adoptable pets euthanized in our country each year.

Crystal Skillman is an award winning writer who creates darkly funny, high-concept work with heart & edge. As a playwright she is a four-time NYT Critics’ Pick, as well as an award-winner as a bookwriter for the musical MARY AND MAX (with composer Bobby Cronin ) & her comic book credits include work for Marvel and “Adventure Time.” Watch the trailer of her NYTimes Critics’ Pick OPEN here.

A passionate believer in art and activism, Crystal is the author of the play RAIN AND ZOE SAVE THE WORLD, a coming of age story of two teenage climate activists, which has been optioned for a premiere next year (2022).

Upcoming work in television includes the animated series EAT FIGHTER (Based on her WebToon comic), the YA animated series COSMIC CRITTERS & the musical half hour comedy OVERNIGHT SUCCESS (Co-Conceiver Lauren Elder, Kampfire Films).

Crystal's new audio drama THE MAGICIAN'S MAGICIAN will launch this fall, 2021.

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Theme Song by Bobby Cronin

Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell

Edited by Drew Kaufman

Outro Music Underscore by CueTique

2021 UPDATE: DAWN LANDES’ ROW is playing at Williamstown Theatre Festival through Sunday, August 15, 2021.

On this episode of Baring It All with Call Me Adam, I chat with singer/songwriter Dawn Landes about:

• Her original music
• Composing her first musical ROW
• Her Kentucky roots
• Rowing - the sport
• End with Dawn "Baring It All" about something she's never talked about before

Dawn is getting ready to release the music from her first musical, ROW (written by Daniel Goldstein) and inspired by Tori Murden McClure, the first women to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. ROW was supposed to have premiered during the Summer of 2020 at Williamstown Theatre Festival, but due to the global pandemic, it was postponed. However, Audible has picked up the show to record in the Fall of 2020. Dawn has five previous albums under her belt, including one in French. Her albums are: Meet Me At The River, Bluebird, Sweetheart Radio, Fireproof, and Mal Habillée (The French EP).

Row will be available on all music streaming platforms on Friday, October 2, 2021.

After you listen to our interview, check out Dawn's Ted Talk about ROW & Tori Murden McClure.

Dawn Landes is best-known for her precise songwriting and textured vocals that meld elements of indie rock, alt-country, and folk. Songs such as “Try to Make a Fire Burn Again,” “Bodyguard,” and “Straight Lines” have built her reputation as one of our best independent singer-songwriters, showcasing an ability to tell stories that makes her the perfect choice to write the songs for a musical like ROW.

The show’s songs not only resonate in these trying times, they also make up an album that is a remarkable production and a collection of moving, powerful songs that take us on a journey with an unstoppable woman. There’s the rousing show-stopper “Independent Spirit,” about conjuring all of our courage in the face of impossible odds, backed by a cooing chorus and lyrics that illuminate the long legacy of pioneers who refused to be quelled by daunting obstacles.

Dawn has managed to create a soundtrack that is simultaneously consistent and eclectic. A lamenting fiddle drives the dreamy waltz “Dear Heart” while the Jewish music tradition steers the prayerful “Avinu Malkeinu, Star of the Sea” and elements of Shakespeare’s King Lear inform the tempest-conjuring “Third Storm, King Lear.” “Second Storm, Hamlet” showcases Sonus Choir, a Nashville-based classical a capella choir, in a collaboration that Dawn says was a highlight of the project. There is also the showstopper “Row,” in which the spirits of Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, and Cher, (voiced by singers Carly Johnson, Sheryl Rouse and Kimmet Cantwell, respectively) act as sirens of encouragement to the show’s heroine.

Other guests include Will Oldham offering a moving reading of the tender love song “Second Time Around”; Brigid Kaelin providing soaring vocals on “Oh Amelia”, a duet with Dawn; Tyrone Cotton singing as Muhammad Ali on “What Would Odysseus Do?;” and Ben Sollee as Tori’s sweet middle school crush on “Ode to Eric Fee.”

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Theme Song by Bobby Cronin

Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell

Edited by Drew Kaufman

Outro Music Underscore by CueTique

With the announcement that Season 12 of Blue Bloods will be premiering on CBS on October 1, 2021, I thought this was the perfect time to welcome back recurring Blue Bloods actor Mark McKinnon (who plays Officer Miller).

In this episode we talk love, lessons learned, working with the legendary Sheryl Lee Ralph, acting lessons, marriage and much more!

Listen to Part 1 of our interview! We discussed Blue Bloods, BET Her's In The Waiting Room, McKinnon Acting Studio and much more

Mark McKinnon is an American actor from Waldorf, MD. In High School, sports were McKinnon's world. Despite being a talented, multi-sport athlete (Football, Basketball, Cross Country), McKinnon still found time to pursue the arts. He originally dreamed of becoming a professional football player. However, after landing the leading role in his high school play, he was inspired to become a professional actor. In fact, to pursue this dream, he turned down several football scholarships and attended the prestigious Howard University in Washington, DC to study Theatre Arts with a concentration in Acting.

After graduating from Howard University in 2009, Mark frequently traveled between Washington, DC and New York City to establish his professional acting career. Mark is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA. He can be seen in his recurring role on Blue Bloods (CBS) as "Officer Miller." He has booked co-star roles on several prime time network television shows such as The Blacklist (NBC), Gotham (FOX), and an FBI (CBS) created by Dick Wolf. He played opposite of sports commentator, Erin Andrews, in a national Degree Deodorant campaign. Mark is managed by Christopher D. Silveri, Founder of Center Stage Management and commercially represented by Paradigm Talent Agency.

In 2012, Mark began coaching actors by teaching them on-camera technique and business strategies to build a successful acting career. In 2015, McKinnon Acting Studio, LLC was officially established. This studio was created to offer affordable acting classes, private coaching, and consultation for beginning and experienced actors in the Washington, DC area. His coaching has helped actors get in the best possible position to get called in for auditions and book work. Some of the actors at his studio have booked co-star, guest star, and recurring roles on several different network shows, films and commercials. Throughout the year, his acting studio also hosts industry workshops where he would have special guest Casting Directors, Talent Agents, and Talent Managers from New York to teach on different topics.

Mark is married to Brittney Carter McKinnon, the founder and CEO of B. Carter Solutions. He is currently the director of the Drama Ministry at City of Praise Family Ministries in Landover, MD.

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Theme Song by Bobby Cronin

Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell

Edited by Drew Kaufman

Outro Music Underscore by CueTique

I am so excited to welcome back Adam Jacobs who originated the role of Aladdin on Broadway. Today, Adam & I are talking Lessons Learned, more backstage tales from Broadway & and a story involving a stolen car, his sister (Arielle Jacobs) & the Hawaiian Mafia.

Listen to Part 1 of our interview! We discussed Adam's theatrical endeavors, his docu-concert Behind-The-Curtain & his new film Last Call in the Dog House.

Last Call in the Dog House is finally getting released this Friday, July 16, 2021 on Stoneypoint Entertainment.

Originally from Half Moon Bay, CA, Adam Jacobs began his early performing career as a pianist studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. After playing for eight years (ages 5-13), he decided to forgo the concert pianist route and try something new. He found his artistic outlet through art classes and musical theater. After playing “Oliver” in Oliver! and “Curly” in Oklahoma! in 7th and 8th grade respectively, he auditioned for a role in the local community theater–Peninsula Center Stage’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Even though the show had been fully cast by the time of his audition, the creative team decided to foster his young talent and create a role of a “13th apostle” or “apostle wanna-be” just so he could be in the show.

One night after a high-school performance of Evita, a representative from the SF Opera who happened to see the show invited Adam to audition for the new upcoming documentary opera based on the life of Harvey Milk, the country’s first openly gay city council member who was assassinated along with the mayor of SF in 1978. As a result of this invited audition, he was cast as “Young Harvey.”

Adam’s big break came with the opportunity to play “Marius” in the national tour of Les Miserables. This job led to him being cast in the Broadway revival and his subsequent Broadway debut. Within the short 14 months that the show played the Broadhurst Theater, he had the benefit of working with many Broadway veterans including Lea Salonga, Judy Kuhn, Gary Beach, Daphne-Rubin Vega, Norm Lewis, Ann Harada, Aaron Lazar (seen in photo), among many others.

Since Les Miserables, he has journeyed from the islands of Mamma Mia! to the African pridelands of The Lion King. He’s gone from the tropics of Once On This Island to the Arabian deserts of Aladdin. His mixed ethnicity has allowed him to play varied roles, and he thanks his parents for their whole-hearted encouragement to pursue a life in the arts.

Adam, his wife Kelly, and their sons Jack and Alex now make their home in Chicago. After touring for two years with the first national tour of Disney’s Mary Poppins as a dance captain and swing, Kelly happily joined the Broadway company and stayed with it until its closing in 2013.

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Theme Song by Bobby Cronin

Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell

Edited by Drew Kaufman

Outro Music Underscore by CueTique

Debra Ann Byrd is back on Baring It All with Call Me Adam! Today we are discussing the lessons Debra Ann has learned about her life and career.

Debra's play, Becoming Othello: A Black Girl's Journey will perform LIVE, in-person outdoors at The Roman Garden Theatre, as part of Shakespeare and Company's 44th Season. July 16-25, 2021.

Listen to Part 1 of our interview! This is where we talked about Debra Ann's one-woman autobiographical play Becoming Othello: A Black Girl's Journey.

Becoming Othello: A Black Girl's Journey is a personal, poignant & powerful story of perseverance, tragedy, triumph—and ultimately unconditional love. Directed by Tina Packer, the show is a one-woman theatrical drama complete with lyrical language, soulful songs and the music that shaped the life of a resilient little girl growing up in Spanish Harlem.

Debra Ann is the Founding Artistic Director of the Harlem Shakespeare Festival and the founder of Take Wing and Soar Productions where she currently serves as Chief Executive and Producing Artistic Director. Debra Ann has guided the company's growth from its birth in 1999 into a viable support organization serving women, youth, classical artists of color and theater arts groups throughout New York. She is an award winning classically trained actress, scholar and producer who was recently named Writer-in-Residence at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Artist-in-Residence Fellow at the Folger Institute, A’Lelia Bundles Community Scholar Arts Fellow at Columbia University and Artist-in-Residence at Southwest Shakespeare Company, where she recently reprised the role of Othello, winning her the 2019 Broadway World Phoenix Award for Best Lead Actress.

Her classical roles for the stage include "Queen Elizabeth" in Richard III, "The Choragos" in Antigone, "Mrs. Malaprop" in The Rivals, "Volumnia" in Coriolanus, "Winter" in Love’s Labors Lost, "Hippolyta" in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, "Cleopatra" in Antony & Cleopatra, "Othello" in The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice, "Marc Antony" in the all-female production of Julius Caesar and "Lady Bracknell" in The Importance of Being Earnest; the latter, for which she received Best Lead Actress and Outstanding Actress in a Lead Role nominations from AUDELCO and the NY Innovative Theatre Awards.

As an actor, producer, arts manager, and business leader Debra Ann has received more than 20 awards and citations, was recently selected for inclusion in the 2012 Editions of Who’s Who In The World and Who’s Who of American Women; and is the recipient of the 2009 LPTW Lucille Lortel Award and the 2006 Josephine Abady Award for Excellence in “Producing works that foster diversity”. This award winning theater arts professional received a BFA Degree in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College.

Debra Ann received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College and completed advanced studies at Shakespeare & Company, The Public Theater’s Shakespeare Lab and The Broadway League’s Commercial Theatre Institute.

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Theme Song by Bobby Cronin

Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell

Edited by Drew Kaufman

Outro Music Underscore by CueTique

Today I welcome back Broadway Vocalist Sally Wilfert. In this episode Sally is Baring It All with Call Me Adam about her theatrical legacy, including her work with the legendary composer William Finn, singing at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST), lessons learned & so much more!

Listen to Part 1 of our interview! We paid tribute to Sally's best friend, Three-time Tony nominee Rebecca Luker

Be sure to catch Sally in her triumphant return to the concert stage this summer!

July 10, 2021: Broadway Under The Trees at Harmony in the Woods

July 18 & 20, 2021: How Did I End Up Here? at Feinstein's/54 Below

Sally Wilfert has appeared on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning production of Assassins, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and King David. She toured the country in the first national tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Off-Broadway, Sally’s credits include See Rock City, Make Me A Song: The Music of William Finn, The Mistress Cycle, and The Prince & The Pauper. At Carnegie Hall she has appeared in Cole Porter’s Jubilee, South Pacific in Concert (starring Reba McEntire), and Sondheim: A Tribute, (all for PBS). Performing with the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center and Tokyo, she was featured soloist, singing “Somewhere” for their performances of West Side Story Suite.

Sally has performed throughout the country, including shows at the La Jolla Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse, Baltimore Center Stage, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Barrington Stage, Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), Goodspeed Musicals, Northshore Music Theatre, Cap 21, Hartford Theatreworks.

She has appeared at The Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati in Mamma Mia, Chasing Rainbows, Damn Yankees, Kiss Me Kate, The Light in the Piazza, Footloose, When We Met, LMNOP (World Premiere), Little Miss Sunshine (World Premiere), Marry Me A Little, Elegies: A Song Cycle, Les Miserables, The Last Five Years, Amadeus, Into the Woods, & The Threepenny Opera.

Sally performed in concert in Rob Kapilow’s What Makes it Great, American Songbook’s Rebecca Luker, Sally Wilfert: It’s Time, William Finn’s Songs of Innocence and Experience, Broadway in South Africa, Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook, New York City Christmas in such venues as 54 Below & NJ Performing Arts Center, Jacob Javits Center, The Allen Room, The Zipper Theatre, Merkin Hall, Symphony Space, Joe’s Pub, & Birdland.

Her recording credits include One Voice: Natalie Weiss & Sally Wilfert, See Rock City, New York City Christmas, Make Me A Song, Assassins, King David, The Prince & the Pauper, and A Christmas Survival Guide.

Website: www.callmeadam.com

Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC

Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC

Theme Song by Bobby Cronin

Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell

Edited by Drew Kaufman

Outro Music Underscore by CueTique