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 

Step right up—the circus is in town! In this episode, Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee take you behind the curtain of Water for Elephants, the breathtaking musical opening Broadway Grand Rapids' 25–26 season.

You’ll hear from actor Robert Tully (Mr. Jankowski), who brings real circus roots to the stage as a former Ringmaster for Ringling Bros. Plus, we shine the spotlight on Sierra Hatfield, founder of the Grand Rapids Circus Project, whose work blends artistry and equity in powerful ways.

Along the way:

• A Broadway lightning round of “This or That”
• Learn about our interactive Love Under the Big Top community art wall
• Hear some love letters and stories submitted by BGR Ambassadors

Don’t miss this lively mix of Broadway, community, and circus magic—plus an exclusive ticket offer for our listeners! $20 off Mezzanine seats and $10 off Balcony seats for all evening performances! Just head to BroadwayGrandRapids.com, click on Water for Elephants, and use code 25CIRCUS.

New BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast Episode! This one’s packed with Michigan pride and powerful stories! 

Meet Paul Louis Lessard — Okemos native and current King George in the Hamilton national tour! From King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar’s 50th Anniversary Tour to 20+ regional theatre productions, Paul brings the royalty and the receipts. Trained at Interlochen Center for the Arts, University of Michigan, and the London Dramatic Academy.

Hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee take you behind the scenes—on the road at City Built Brewing Company. CEO Edwin Collazo talks about the Puerto Rican connection to Hamilton and the inspiration behind their beer, Story of Tonight. Learn why supporting nonprofits like Broadway Grand Rapids matters.

BGR also spotlights community partner, Refugee Education Center CEO Meg Derrer shares how they're helping families rebuild in West Michigan—and how you can reflect on "Where your story begins."

Thank you to our show sponsors: BISSELL, Inc., Independent Bank, Miller Johnson, and MillerKnoll Foundation.

Title Sponsor: FifthThird and Season Sponsor: Meijer

Episode 7 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Dominic Pagliaro who plays Philip Stucky. 

They also chat with Cynthia Walker-Owens about Dream...Keep It Moving, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring, uplifting, and empowering youth through social-emotional education, mentorship, and life-changing experiences. 

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

Show sponsors include Barnes & Thornburg, BDO, Fox Motors, Lacks Enterprises, Inc. 

Episode 6 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Chris  Marsh Clark who is in the ensemble A Beautiful noise and is the understudy for Neil Diamond.

They also chat with Chas Schaner - A volunteer with the Parkinson's Foundation Great Lakes chapter.

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

Show sponsors include AARP Michigan, Crowe, Lacks Enterprises, Inc., Sharpe Cars, Trinity Health, Warner Norcross + Judd. 

Episode 5 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Elisabeth Yancey who plays Yvette and is the understudy for Miss Scarlett. 

They also chat with Wendy Wigger, President and CEO of Gilda's Club Grand Rapids about the 15th anniversary of LaughFest. 

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

Show sponsors include The Waters Center, Wolverine Worldwide, Corewell Health. 

Episode 4 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Lois Ellise, a Michigan native representing &Juliet who performed at our 25-26 Season Reveal on February 24. 

They also chat with with Broadway Grand Rapids President + CEO Meghan Distel + Bob Bucci, President of Marketing and Content at Broadway Across America, our presenting partner.  

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

Episode 3 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Nick Rashad Burroughs, who plays Toulouse-Lautrec in Moulin Rouge! The Musical

They also chat with Hannah Berry from Lions and Rabbits about a Moulin Rouge-inspired mural created by one of their artists, which you can see right here in Grand Rapids.

Special thanks to our sole show sponsor, AHC Hospitality, for supporting this episode! Extra gratitude to our Title Sponsor Fifth Third Bank and Season Sponsor Meijer.