Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley

Jason Fraley celebrates the 40th anniversary of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” which made its world premiere on the West End in London on this date in 1986 before setting the record as the longest-running show in Broadway history with nearly 14,000 performances. Jason spoke with lead actress Julia Udine backstage at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in 2016 -- in between her two stints playing Christine Daaé on Broadway, first from 2014-2016, then from 2021-2023. Stick around until the end for a bonus laugh with Gerard Butler, who played The Phantom of the Opera in the 2004 film version. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")

Jason Fraley interviews comedian Lewis Black, who cracks up the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore, Maryland this Saturday, Oct. 10. They spoke when Black previously performed at the Warner Theatre in Washington D.C. in 2018. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")

Jason Fraley interviews comedian Margaret Cho, who cracks up the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia this Saturday. She reflects on her career and current events, explaining how she would run her own country under a system she calls “The Choligarchy.” (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")

Jason Fraley celebrates the 5th anniversary of "Only Murders in the Building" airing its Season 1 episode "The Boy from 6B," which earned Nathan Lane an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series as murder suspect Teddy Dimas, swapping sign-language clues with deaf son Theo, played by James Caverly. You'll hear Lane's praise of Caverly when he visited Virginia's Signature Theatre in 2024, followed by Caverly via interpreter when he starred in “The Music Man” at Olney Theatre Center in Maryland in 2022. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")

Jason Fraley wishes a happy 10th birthday to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, which opened on this date in 2016. He spoke that week with two-time Oscar-winning sound mixer Russell Williams about donating the Academy Awards that he won for “Glory” and “Dances with Wolves," and why it was important to give back to the city he calls home. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") 

Jason Fraley interviews Colin Mochrie, who reunites with Brad Sherwood of “Whose Line is it Anyway” at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland on Oct. 4. They spoke when Colin visited the Kennedy Center in 2016, reflecting on his favorite improv games from "Scenes from a Hat" to "Greatest Hits" and dishing on co-stars Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles and Wayne Brady, as well as his favorite guest appearances from Robin Williams to Richard Simmons. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")

Jason Fraley interviews Demián Bichir about Angelina Jolie's new movie "Without Blood," which opens in movie theaters nationwide today. He praises co-star Salma Hayek and breaks down Angelina's directing techniques. He also chronicles his own journey from growing up in Mexico to becoming an Oscar nominee for “A Better Life.” (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Lol Tolhurst, founding drummer of The Cure, visits the Crossroads Music Festival at the Tally Ho Theater in Leesburg, Virginia this Saturday.He called in to reflect on his life and career, from growing up in England with his future bandmates to attending a life-changing concert by The Clash. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")

Jason Fraley salutes the Emmy dominance of “L.A. Law,” which celebrates its 40th anniversary tomorrow and remains one of only 5 shows to win the top prize 4 times. He spoke about the show's legacy with star Corbin Bernsen when he called in to promote his political rom-com “First Lady” in 2020. They also reflect on his hilarious role as ballplayer Roger Dorn in "Major League." (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")

Jason Fraley celebrates the 60th birthday of “Star Trek" by revisiting his chat with William Shatner when he visited the Washington Convention Center for Awesome Con in 2015, just months after the death of his co-star Leonard Nimoy a.k.a. Mr. Spock. They discuss the franchise from its humble beginnings to its explosion into a pop-culture phenomenon on film and television. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion")