Digital journalist and podcast host John Gonzalez goes behind the scenes of "Wicked," the award-winning musical presented by Broadway Grand Rapids May 15-June 2, 2024 at DeVos Performance Hall.

In this "By All Means" podcast, John talks to those who help build the massive stage at each tour stop. A 70-plus crew use 13 semi trucks to move from city to city. John also uncovers the name(s) of the Dragon that sits at the top of the stage.

John interviews Company Manger Steve Quinn, who also shares his story about falling in love with theater as a young child. And John talks to Stage Production Manager Evan Ensign, who gives more detail about how the show is put together with all the flying witches and monkeys in the show.

We also hear from Meghan Distel of Broadway Grand Rapids, who said some tickets are still available, but nearly sold out. Some 55,000 people will see the show during the course of the run. Special rush tickets are available for students and educators before each performance. 

For more details on all the shows, go to https://broadwaygrandrapids.com/Wicked-2.

See our Video of these interviews on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gBfE1UL-qmg?si=qx1ZAbaEXPIktaPm

As for the show, "Wicked" looks at what happened in the Land of Oz long before Dorothy arrived. It's the story of another young woman, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships...until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”

Learn more about the tour at https://wickedthemusical.com/.

In this "By All Means" podcast, veteran journalist and host John Gonzalez interviews Danny Burgos, who plays Santiago in the first National Tour of "Moulin Rouge," the 2001 Baz Luhrmann film turned into an award-winning musical. The multi-sensory show, as fans know, is a celebration of truth, beauty, freedom and — above all — love. The 2019 Broadway musical was nominated for 14 Tony awards and won 10, including best musical, choreography, direction and design. Today the tour has been updated with new songs, but still maintains all of the familiar classic songs.

Burgos, a native of Florida, talks about his personal journey from a nursing degree to stage, and why he loves this show so much. "I call ('Moulin Rouge') a feast for the senses," Burgos said in the interview. "There is always something to be looking at and listening to. Everyone on the stage is submerged in this world that is full of sensory overload. It's cool for the audiences." He said even those who may not be musical fans will know all the songs. "You don't have to be a musical theater afficianado to come and enjoy it. You have to come with an open mind, open heart and have a good night listeing to some great music (with) a fun story."

"Moulin Rouge! - The Musical" will play from April 2-14, 2024 at the Wharton Center in East Lansing. It returns to Michigan from Jan 21 - Feb 2 , 2025 at Broadway Grand Rapids.

John Gonzalez talks to Meghan Distel, President and CEO of Broadway Grand Rapids about the new season for 2024-2025 that was just announced.

Beetlejuice the Musical, Oct. 8-13, 2024

Mamma Mia, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, 2024

Moulin Rouge, Jan. 21-Feb. 2, 2025

Clue - A New Comedy, March 4-9, 2025

A Beautiful Noise-The Neil Diamond Musical, April 1-6, 2025

Pretty Woman The Musical, April 29-May 4, 2025

Hamilton, July 22, Aug.3, 2025



Plus, John and Meghan discuss "Les Miserables," which opened Tuesday and contines through March 10, 2024 at DeVos Performance Hall. It's part of the current season, which has three more shows: "To Kill a Mickingbird" (April 23-28), "Wicked" (May 15-June 2) and "MJ: The Musical" (July 9-14). Ticket information here.

More details on broadwaygrandrapids.com/.

By All Means Podcast with John Gonzalez

Have you ever talked to a person who just blows you away with charisma, a big smile and genuine enthusiasm? Michigan native and actor Madison Deadman of the Broadway tour "Mamma Mia!" was a recent guest of the "By All Means" podcast with John Gonzalez.

They talked just before the holidays, and John started the interview apologizing for being nearly 30 minutes late for the scheduled Zoom call. Madison is an ensemble member of the 2023-2024 Broadway tour, as well as an understudy for the character of Sophie, the daughter who asks all the questions about the men who might be her father, all to the music of ABBA. "She definitely stirs the pot," Madison said in the interview.

Madison talks about getting her start in theater while a child growing up in Howell. She even did figure skating in Ann Arbor because she loved the theatrics of skating. Later she attended the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

As for "Mamma Mia!," she said fans will love the show for its "joy, excitement, love," and "party!" You can see Madison on the current tour of "Mamma Mia!," which has shows Jan. 16-21, 2024 at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts in East Lansing.

Tickets at https://www.whartoncenter.com/events.

Learn more about the tour at https://mammamiathetour.com/.

Learn more about Madison at @mjdeadman and https://www.madisondeadman.com.

Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of “By All Means, Lead the Way,” a Podcast about actors, directors and those behind the scenes who lead us to great theater.

On today’s show, host John Gonzalez is joined by special co-host, Miss Justina Ouellette, who is the theatre director at West Catholic High School. She took her students to a backstage tour experience of "Cinderella" at the Barn Theatre in Augusta. John talks about his recent experience seeing "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" at the historic summer equity program near Kalamazoo.

Learn more about the Barn Theater at https://barntheatreschool.org/.

Learn about Justina Ouellette's theater program at https://www.grwestcatholic.org/arts/performing-arts.

Follow John Gonzalez on Twitter and Instagram at @MichiganGonzo

Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of “By All Means, Lead the Way,” a Podcast about actors, directors and those behind the scenes who lead us to great theater.

On today’s show, host John Gonzalez is joined by special co-host, Miss Justina Ouellette, who is the theatre director at West Catholic High School. She just wrapped up Fine Arts Camp for Middle School students, and another school year.

Justina and John talk to Ann Arbor native Nadina Hassan, who plays Regina George in the National Broadway tour of "Mean Girls." It just wrapped up in Detroit, but makes its way June 21-26, 2022, to DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids. It is part of the Broadway Grand Rapids season.

This is Nadina’s first major tour, and she is a great guest. We hope you enjoy the Podcast.

Learn more about Nadina Hassan at https://www.nadinahassan.com/

Learn more about the local show at https://broadwaygrandrapids.com/mean-girls

Read the story at https://www.wktvjournal.org/wearing-pink-mean-girls-take-charge-of-the-devos-stage/

Learn about Justina Ouellette's theater program at https://www.grwestcatholic.org/arts/performing-arts.

Follow John Gonzalez on Twitter and Instagram at @MichiganGonzo

John Gonzalez and guest co-host Justina Ouellette interview James T. Lane, who plays Paul Williams in the National Broadway tour of "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations." The show made its Michigan debut March 29-April 3 at DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids. It returns to Michigan on June 7 at the Wharton Center on the campus of Michigan State University and Aug. 9 to the Fischer Theatre in Detroit. Learn more about the tour at https://ainttooproudmusical.com/#tickets

In this interview, Paul Williams, a native of Philadelphia tells his own story of how he fell in love with dance and the theater. And why he loves this show so much. You will, too, he added. “For 2 ½ hours you will be entertained by some of the most extraordinary artists I have ever had the pleasure to work with in all of my 20-plus years of experience,” Lane said in the interview. “So come, be dazzled, be delighted; feel all of the emotions of the classic 5, and all of the Temptations. Come and see ‘Ain’t too Proud - Life of the Temptations.’ You will not want to miss this.”

On this Podcast, John Gonzalez interviews Donna Kidner Smith, who is organizing a storytelling event at 7 p.m. Feb. 24, 2022 at The Stray Cafe in Grand Rapids. The program is in cooperation with WKTV's "Voices."

More info: https://wktvvoices.org/voices-storytelling-at-the-stray/

On his inaugural theatre podcast, John Gonzalez talks to Meghan Distel of Broadway Grand Rapids about the return of "Hamilton" to Grand Rapids. They also discuss her new title as president and CEO, and what it's like to take over for Mike Lloyd, who recently retired. "Everyone knows they are big shoes to fill," she said. Mr. Lloyd is credited for bringing big Broadways tours such as "Hamilton" and "Les Misérables" to Grand Rapids.

As for the upcoming "Hamilton" run, performances are Feb. 8-22, 2022 at DeVos Performance Hall.

More info at https://broadwaygrandrapids.com/.