BGR's Backstage Buzz

Winner of 6 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, Maybe Happy Ending tells the deeply human story of a chance encounter that sparks connection, adventure, and maybe even love.

In this episode, Steve Steketee and Jennifer Pascua chat with Steven Huynh and Claire Kwon who play Oliver and Claire in this totally original new musical adventure that explores what it means to be human. Even if they’re not.

Our community partner for this show is Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Foundation and founder Ace Marasigan shares why it's important to feature performing arts within the festival that will celebrate its 10th anniversary in June 2027.  

Thank you to our title sponsor, Fifth Third Bank and season sponsors Meijer and Pine Rest.

Thank you to our show sponsors: AHC Hospitality, Barnes and Thornburg, LLC, MillerKnoll Foundation, The Laug Group at Morgan Stanley, MSUFCU

Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, The Notebook tells the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart.

In this episode, Steve Steketee and Jennifer Pascua chat with Samantha Rios, Dance Captain and Swing and understudy as the Younger Allie. This University of Michigan grad shares why so many talented Broadway stars say their training in Ann Arbor made an impact on their success. 

We also connect with Jennifer Feuerstein- DiVita from AARP Michigan about how what they do impacts more than just senior citizens. 

And we highlight the wonderful work that the Alzheimer Association- Greater Michigan Chapter during a conversation with Margaret Howard. 

Thank you to our title sponsor, Fifth Third Bank and season sponsors Meijer and Pine Rest.

Thank you to our show sponsors: AARP Michigan; BISSELL, Inc.; Independent Bank; Miller Johnson; and Trinity Health. 

Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen launches our 26-27 Broadway Grand Rapids season. 

Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire – searching for freedom, passion and her place in the world. How she finds them is a New York City coming-of-age story you've never felt before – Hell's Kitchen, a new musical from 16-time Grammy® Award winner Alicia Keys, whose new songs and greatest hits about growing up in NY inspire a story made for Broadway. Rebellious and stifled by an overprotective single mother, Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano. Set to the rhythm of the 90s, Hell's Kitchen is a love story between a mother and daughter. It's about finding yourself, your purpose, and the community that lifts you. 

In this episode, Steve Steketee and Jennifer Pascua chat with JonAvery Worrell who plays Ali's love interest Knuck. Here what he says about the show, the chemistry with Ali and what he checks out first whenever he's in a new city! 

Also, we highlight the Girls Choral Academy with Executive Director Lisa Knight as they are our community partner for this show and are celebrating its 30th anniversary this year! 

Thank you to our season sponsor, Meijer and our title sponsors, Fifth Third Bank and Pine Rest.

Thank you to our show sponsors Lacks Enterprises, Inc.; PNC Bank; Warner, Norcross + Judd.

Based on the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Tony Award®-winning new musical THE GREAT GATSBY is the final show in BGR's 25-26 season that is an unforgettable journey of love, wealth and tragedy that brings the Roaring Twenties to life on stage. 

In this episode, Steve Steketee and Jennifer Pascua chat with University of Michigan grad Will Branner who plays Tom Buchanan. Hear what he has to say about the show and how all of his Broadway roles tend to have one similarity. 

For information, visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com 

Thank you to our season sponsor, Meijer and our title sponsor, Fifth Third Bank. 

Thank you to our show sponsors AHC Hospitality; AARP Michigan; Lacks Enterprises, Inc.; The Laug Group at Morgan Stanley; SHARPE Cars. 

The winner of the 2024 Tony Award® for Best Musical is THE OUTSIDERS. Adapted from S.E. HINTON’s seminal novel and FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA’s iconic film, this thrilling new musical features a book by ADAM RAPP with JUSTIN LEVINE, music and lyrics by JAMESTOWN REVIVAL (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) and JUSTIN LEVINE, music supervision, orchestration, and arrangements by JUSTIN LEVINE, choreography by RICK KUPERMAN & JEFF KUPERMAN, and direction by Tony Award® winner DANYA TAYMOR. 

THE OUTSIDERS navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, THE OUTSIDERS is a story of friendship, family, belonging…and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”

In this episode, Steve Steketee and Jennifer Pascua chat with Nolan White (Ponyboy Curtis) who just recently completed his first year in the University of Michigan's B.F.A. musical theater program.  They also welcome Christy Buck from the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan be nice. to talk about their prescence at the show during the run June 9- June 14. 

For information, visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com 

Thank you to our season sponsor, Meijer and our title sponsor, Fifth Third Bank. 

Thank you to our show sponsors AHC Hospitality; Barnes and Thornburg, LLP; Crowe; Harvey Automotive; Independent Bank; Lacks Enterprises, Inc.

Disney’s The Lion King is roaring into Grand Rapids and this is your insider look at one of Broadway’s most breathtaking productions.

For three unforgettable weeks, April 8 through April 26, 2026, the globally celebrated musical takes over DeVos Performance Hall, bringing the Pride Lands to life in a way you’ve never experienced before. 

In this episode, Steve Steketee and Jennifer Pascua chat with Danny Grumich (Pumbaa)  and Darlene Drew, a Flutist and a Grand Rapidian. Plus, we  play a game of Name This Tune with Thembelihle Cele (Nala) and Gilbert Domally (Simba). 

Meanwhile, we're excited to host a special Community Night ahead of the performance on Thursday, April 16.  We get a sneak peek at what activities John Ball Zoo, Grand Rapids Children's Museum and Playground GR intend to provide to our patrons

For information, visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com 

Thank you to our season sponsor, Meijer and our title sponsor, Fifth Third Bank. 

Show Sponsors: BISSELL, Inc., MillerKnoll Foundation, National Heritage Academies, and PNC Bank. 

 What if Juliet didn’t end it all for Romeo? In this episode, we dive into & Juliet, the hit musical that flips the script on one of the most famous love stories ever told. Created by the Emmy®-winning writer behind Schitt’s Creek, the show imagines what happens next if Juliet chooses her own ending instead of tragedy. 

In this episode, Steve Steketee  talks with Noah Marlow who plays François in the show. Jennifer Pascua gets Fabiola Carballo Quijada (Juliet) and Kathryn Allison (Angelique) to play along in an & Juliet Name this Tune game. 

Meanwhile, we also get to know what Arbor Circle is doing for LBGTQ youth and how you can engage with the orgranization at the show, thanks to Director of Community Engagement, Janelle Burden Hill 

& JULIET hits the stage at DeVos Performance Hall March 10-15

For information, visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com 

Thank you to our season sponsor, Meijer and our title sponsor, Fifth Third Bank. 

Show Sponsors- Fox Motors, Miller Johnson and Trinity Health. 

Listen in to the Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Broadway Grand Rapids President + CEO Meghan Distel + Bob Bucci, President of Marketing and Content at Broadway Across America, our presenting partner about the reveal of the 26-27 season lineup: 

• Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen
• The Notebook
• Maybe Happy Ending
• Disney's Beauty and the Beast
• Death Becomes Her
• Phantom of the Opera
• Six

Extra gratitude to our Title Sponsor Fifth Third Bank and Season Sponsor Meijer.  

KIMBERLY AKIMBO, winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is an original new musical about growing up and growing old in no particular order. Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure.

In this episode, Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee  takes time to hear from cast member Sarah Lynn Marion who is a Swing on her first National Tour. She's also a University of Michigan Grad who was a previous Jimmy Winner! Hear about her journey to the big stage and 

Meanwhile, we'll also celebrate some milestones with our community partner Make A Wish Michigan. Ellie Wilcox is the Senior Director of Impact Giving and shares some pretty special stories that (like the show) is full of hope, humor and heart.

Kimberly Akimbo plays at DeVos Performance Hall January 27-February 3. 

For information, visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com 

Thank you to our season sponsor, Meijer and our title sponsor, Fifth Third Bank. 

Show Sponsors- Corewell Health and The Waters Center 

The Book of Mormon is a Season Option and in this episode, Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee  takes time to hear from actor Kevin T. Mazur who is a Swing on the National Tour. He's also a Michigan native who graduated from MSU! (Go Green! Go White!) Learn about his journey and how he scores in our first-ever "Name This Tune" quiz. 

Meanwhile, we'll also get to know our Broadway Grand Rapids Ambassadors a little bit more. April Butler and Steve Steketee share their love for theatre and how it started right here in West Michigan. 

The Book of Mormon runs November 4-9, 2025 at DeVos Performance Hall. 

For information, visit BroadwayGrandRapids.com