BGR's Backstage Buzz

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.  

Get ready for the second episode of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast! This season, BGR Ambassador Steve Steketee joins Jennifer Pascua as co-host. In this Mamma Mia!-themed episode, we chat with Blake Price, a Grand Rapids native and Western Michigan University alum. He plays Father Alexandrios and is an ensemble member/understudy for Sam, Harry and Bill.

We also talk with Whitney Allred about Grand Rapids Giving Day and how YOU can get involved. 

Special thanks to our sponsors: Autocam Medical; Harvey Automotive; The Laug Group at Morgan Stanley; National Heritage Academies; PNC Bank, with extra gratitude to our Title Sponsor Fifth Third Bank and Season Sponsor Meijer.  

Welcome to our 2024-2025 Season! This year, Marketing Director Jennifer Pascua will be joined by Steve Steketee—our Podcast Producer, BGR Ambassador, Founder of ShutterWerks Media, and Executive Director of The Collaborative Lab.

This season, we're spotlighting Matt Kurzyniec, a talented ensemble cast member of the tour who also covers the roles of Beetlejuice, Adam, and Otho. Discover Matt's deep connection to The Mitten State and the unique ways he prepares for his role in the musical.

Plus, we’ll introduce you to Tim Pietryga, the VP of Advancement at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and a dedicated long-time board member. He’ll share his personal love for Broadway and update us on the exciting developments happening at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.

Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guest is J. Daughtry who plays Berry Gordy/Nick.

The Grammy-nominated, Stellar and Dove Award-winning graduate of Bethune Cookman University. He is a Theatrical, Gospel and R&B singer/actor on both stage and screen. From his humble beginnings in Bartow, Florida, his gifts have taken him all over the world. You can follow him at @j.daughtry

Show sponsors include- Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, Corewell Health, UFP Industries and Edify North.

New episodes come out ahead of Broadway Grand Rapids shows making their way to the DeVos Performance Hall stage.