Beltline to Broadway

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Hear what Little Shop of Horrors' Audrey II Aaron Harrington has to say about the show, all those Seymours, and his North Carolina Roots.

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Playwright Jason Odell Williams joins the pod squad to discuss the intersection of theater, activism, and gun sense legislation. They discuss the impact of Williams' play Church and State, a thought-provoking drama that has become a vehicle for community conversations on gun violence. With reflections on past productions, audience reactions, and the evolving dialogue around gun reform, this episode highlights the vital role of storytelling in addressing urgent social issues.

Jason Odell Williams is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and novelist whose works blend humor, politics, and social commentary. His play Church and State has had over 60 productions nationwide, sparking critical discussions on gun violence and political accountability. Williams has also written for television and is known for his ability to craft compelling narratives that engage audiences on important issues. A passionate advocate for using theater as a platform for change, he continues to create work that resonNextates with contemporary audiences and challenges the status quo.

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Telly Leung joins the pod squad to discuss the deeply personal journey of his immigrant parents, their harrowing escape from communist China, and how their sacrifices shaped his artistic path. The conversation then delves into the power of storytelling and the ongoing fight for Asian American representation in theater.

Telly Leung is an American actor, singer, and songwriter. He is known for his work in musical theatre on Broadway and his role as Wes, a member of the Dalton Academy Warblers on the Fox comedy-drama series Glee. In 2011, he starred in the Broadway revival of Godspell at the Circle in the Square Theatre. Leung was named one of 12 Faces to Watch in 2012: Dance, Theater, Architecture, and Art by the Los Angeles Times.

Links

https://www.tellyleung.com/ (Telly Leung Website)

http://www.aapacnyc.org/ (Asian American Performers Action Coalition)

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Randy Redd joins the pod squad to share stories from his experiences working on Parade with the legendary Hal Prince, his serendipitous audition for Ring of Fire, and deep influence of Johnny Cash and Jason Robert Brown.

Randy Redd made his Broadway debut in PARADE at Lincoln Center directed by Harold Prince. Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include MAY WE ALL, Max Vernon's THE VIEW UPSTAIRS, ALLEGRO at Classic Stage Company directed by John Doyle, Alain Boublil’s MANHATTAN PARISIENNE directed by Graciela Daniele, and PUMP BOYS and DINETTES at City Center Encores. Other credits include MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, RING OF FIRE directed by Richard Maltby, Jr., Randy Newman’s FAUST, THE BURNT PART BOYS, Terrence McNally's SOME MEN, the American premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber's BY JEEVES directed by Alan Ayckbourn, David Greig's MIDSUMMER, LUCKY STIFF, ONE MAN BAND with James Lecesne, and SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN. Film and TV credits include https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1HQ5OP9E8c (“Beautiful Creatures”) and “The Last 5 Years” directed by Richard LaGravenese, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJjmpO8k9m0 (“After The Storm”) directed by Hilla Medalia, "Kinsey" directed by Bill Condon, “From Broadway With Love” (PBS), “All-American New Years” (FOX), "The Wright Verdicts", Good Morning America, the Today Show, the Tony Awards, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with Wynonna Judd, and Show Biz After Hours with Frank DiLella, a monthly variety show at Birdland. He has worked as an actor, writer, musician, and director at Manhattan Theater Club, Lincoln Center Theater, Classic Stage Company, Tectonic Theater, Atlantic Theater Company, Naked Angels, Second Stage, New York Musical Theater Festival, The Kennedy Center, Goodspeed, Geffen Playhouse, Primary Stages, York Theater, Emelin Theater, City Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park, New Stage Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO, Charlotte Repertory Theater, the Flat Rock Playhouse, the Coconut Grove Playhouse, Stamford Center For The Arts, the Arden Theater, New World Stages, the Cape Playhouse, the Actor's Playhouse, and more. Recordings: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/showfolk/id305047066 (SHOWFOLK) with Tony Award-winner Rachel Bay Jones, Robin Skye's https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/robin-skye/id383949971 (HOUSE OF LOVE), LUCKY STIFF, NEO, Jason Robert Brown's WEARING SOMEONE ELSE’S CLOTHES and the Original Cast Recordings of PARADE, RING OF FIRE, THE BURNT PART BOYS and THE VIEW UPSTAIRS. In concert: Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Symphony Space, Cooper Union, St. John the Divine, Feinstein’s, Ars Nova, Birdland and Joe's Pub.

http://www.randy-redd.com/ (Randy Redd's Website)

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In this episode, host Lauren Van Heemert speaks with two playwrights using theater as a tool for social change. David Blakely discusses his adaptation of Enemy of the People, which modernizes Henrik Ibsen’s classic play, tackling environmental and political corruption in Oklahoma. He reflects on the role of theater in exposing uncomfortable truths, his approach to writing non-binary characters, and the evolving landscape of representation on stage. Later, Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour shares insights into his globally acclaimed play White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, which strips away traditional theatrical elements to create a raw and interactive audience experience. He talks about growing up in Iran, writing under censorship, and how his work challenges passive spectatorship by making every audience member an active participant in the story.

David Blakely is an award-winning playwright whose works often explore political and social justice themes. His adaptation of Enemy of the People has been staged across the U.S., igniting important conversations about media suppression and environmental responsibility. Nassim Soleimanpour is an internationally recognized playwright best known for White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, a play designed to be performed without rehearsal, direction, or set. His works have been produced worldwide, including in Broadway and West End venues. With an experimental approach to storytelling, Soleimanpour continues to push the boundaries of theatrical form, making audiences think, engage, and react in real-time.

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David Loud joins the pod squad to share captivating stories from his career, including working with Stephen Sondheim on Merrily We Roll Along, collaborating with Kander and Ebb, and conducting iconic productions like Ragtime, Curtains, and The Scottsboro Boys. He reflects on the power of musical storytelling, the challenges of shaping a Broadway show, and how his Parkinson’s diagnosis reshaped his artistic journey.

David Loud is one of Broadway’s most respected music directors, arrangers, and performers. He made his Broadway debut as an actor in Merrily We Roll Along before transitioning to music direction, working on acclaimed shows such as Ragtime, She Loves Me, and Sondheim on Sondheim. His extensive career has included collaborations with industry greats like Harold Prince, Stephen Sondheim, and Kander and Ebb. Now a teacher at Manhattan School of Music, Loud continues to inspire the next generation of musical theater artists. His memoir, Facing the Music, offers a candid look at his journey, from Broadway’s golden years to his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease.

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Cindy Williams joined the pod squad to share stories from her early days in Hollywood, working with icons like Gene Kelly and Ron Howard, and how a chance meeting with Penny Marshall—and a blessing from Little Richard—led to Laverne & Shirley.

Cindy Williams is best known for her role as Shirley Feeney in the hit sitcom Laverne & Shirley, one of the most successful television shows of its time. She has also starred in films like American Graffiti and The Conversation, both recognized as cinematic classics. Over the years, Cindy performed across stage and screen, embracing her comedic roots while captivating audiences with her storytelling. Williams died in 2023, a year after this interview was recorded.

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