DRAMA. with Connor & Dylan MacDowell

Dylan and Connor are joined by Ben Ahlers (The Gilded Age, Tender Napalm). The wait is over. The time? Is now. Is your alarm going off? It should be, because everyone’s favorite Clock Twink is on the pod! Ben Ahlers joins the twins ahead of his New York off-Broadway debut in Tender Napalm. Learn about the origins of this play by Philip Ridley, and what it’s like co-starring with Victoria Pedretti (Netflix’s You and The Haunting of Hill House). Ben takes us back to Iowa to discuss his theatrical roots, as well as Gavin Creel’s impact on him ahead of pursuing a life in the arts. We of course dig deep into The Gilded Age. Ben teases what’s in store for footman Jack Trotter in season 3, and reflects on “growing up” with Louisa Jacobson on television. Juicy behind-the-scenes tidbits galore, y’all. Next up, Ben stars as John Wilkes Booth in a new play by Mad Men’s Matthew Weiner. Other topics include Dogfight starring River Phoenix, Ragtime at NYCC, Maggie Rogers’ music, Joshua Henry’s onstage tears, and much, much more. Get ready to be obsessed (if you already aren’t).

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See Tender Napalm at Theaterlab from November 27—December 15!

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Photo of Ben Ahlers by Tina Turnbow

Dylan and Connor are joined by Ally Bonino (Suffs the Musical). With hot cocoa in hand and fall vibes in the air, we’re gonna keep marching, y’all! Thank goodness we’ve got Suffs’ very own Ally Bonino here to do it with us. But first (Julie Chen-Moonves voice), we’re talking about the new Real Housewives of New York. Do we trust them, like them, or believe them? Speaking of binge watching some TV, we find Ally’s during her yearly watch of Six Feet Under. We dive right in, as Ally tells the gorgeous story of discovering her love for the arts. Or should we say… being DISCOVERED by her elementary school teacher. It’s gaggy. Ally shares a few of her favorite professional highlights since then, including Myths and Hymns and working with Adam Guettel. Don’t worry, we go all in on Shaina Taub’s Suffs. How did Ally get involved and find Lucy Burns, the role she continues to grow and love eight times a week? “Lucy’s Song” is IT, divas. Other highlights include Connor gushing over Kelsea Ballerini, Dylan raving over Melissa McCarthy in Only Murders in the Building, and Ally’s spaghetti squash tirade. Get ready for Ally’s solo show “Flight” at Joe’s Pub this January. You won’t want to miss it, or Suffs, playing now through January 5.

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Dylan and Connor are joined by Caroline Bowman (Sunset Boulevard, Frozen the Musical). With one look and with one listen, you will certainly be OBSESSED with this week’s guest. Caroline, the queen herself, is clad in a green beanie, seated beside her darling doggie Kodak, and ready to mention it ALL with the twins. She spills on standing by for Nicole Scherzinger and Mandy Gonzalez in this season’s thrilling revival of Sunset Boulevard on Broadway. At the time of release, Connor and Caroline will have attended a screening of the film version of Wicked (Part 1 obvi), just in time for the musical’s 21st anniversary! Caroline divulges on her own Green Girl experience, climbing the challenging yet rewarding mountaintop of playing Elphaba. Caroline is also known for her incredible run as Queen Elsa in Disney’s Frozen musical. Over five years and over a thousand performances provide for some incredible stories and lessons for her to share. Stick around for tidbits about Caroline’s husband Austin Colby in The Great Gatsby, seeing her theatre sister Kara Lindsay in Once Upon a Mattress, a potential album with Ben Rauhala, and an absolutely gag worthy dose of DRAMA unlike anything you’ve ever heard - Caroline reveals that she’s been cast as Karen in SMASH on Broadway!

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Connor and Dylan are coming at you again with an all-new TWIN TALK! The fellas give you a little mix of all things theatre, pop culture, love, and life in this episode. Listen in for some discourse surrounding Drag Race Global All Stars and UK6, We Live in Time starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, and everything under the sun. Connor and Dylan take another moment to reflect on the passing of the extraordinary Gavin Creel, as well as the shocking loss of Liam Payne, which instantly inspires some One Direction reflections in this episode. Then, it’s Broadway recap time! The twins took in Oh, Mary!, Sunset Boulevard, Drag the Musical, Romeo + Juliet, The Hills of California, Our Town, and Once Upon a Mattress. They’re some gagging over Shakespeare’s legendary lines in R&J, as well as raves about the stars of this revival: Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler. They gag over friends of the pod James Scully, Tom Francis, Nick Adams, Jan Sport, and more in this jam-packed romp of an episode. Don’t forget to VOTE, and early vote if ya nasty.

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We’re remembering our friend of the pod and hero Gavin Creel, who passed away on September 30, 2024. Gavin meant the world to the Broadway community and beyond. We’re re-releasing this special episode from two years ago to honor his memory, and share Gavin’s stories, wisdom, and warmth with the world one last time.

Read below about our conversation, originally released October 19, 2022. We love and miss you, Gavin.

”Connor and Dylan are joined by Tony Award winner Gavin Creel (Into the Woods, Hello, Dolly!). Ah… that’s history. A dream come true, even. Gagged. Listen in as the boys discuss Jay Armstrong Johnson’s I Put A Spell On You: Alive, Gavin having the time of his life in Into the Woods on Broadway, the impact of BCEFA, working with the collaborator of his dreams: Sara Bareilles, Gavin’s original work: Walk on Through, first kisses, coming out stories, Gavin’s hair journeys, a 20 year look-back on Thoroughly Modern Millie, the joy of the revival of Hair, being a London Boy, living in your truth, creating honest art, working with Sutton Foster, winning a Tony Award for Hello, Dolly!, and MORE. Go see Gavin in I Put a Spell on You: Alive at Sony Hall on October 23 and in Into the Woods through January 8th. We. Love. GAVIN.”

Connor and Dylan are joined by James Scully (Oh, Mary!, Fire Island). Welcome to a brand new episode of DRAMA. The twins and James become fast friends, some might even say sisters, as James tunes in from his dressing room at the Lyceum Theatre. Basking in bisexual lighting, this Broadway star spills on his role as Mary’s Teacher in Oh, Mary! James gushes over the brilliance of Cole Escola, his character’s pants giving Fiyero's a run for its money, and the stars that have taken in this hysterical romp, including RuPaul, Julia Murney, and Rita Moreno. But first, it truly all began with James’ star turn as a Porcupine in a Christmas pageant. He takes us through his iconic list of Ring of Keys moments, ranging from cast albums to Emma Thompson to Stanley Tucci and beyond. James is a sweet and humble boy who gives flowers throughout, especially to his brilliant partner Julio Torres. We cover his time filming “You” with Penn Badgley, Fire Island with his Oh, Mary! co-star Conrad Ricamora, and the Broadway rumor mill. In this episode, the boys pay special tribute to their hero, Gavin Creel, reflecting on his beautiful impact on them and the world. We had such a blast kiki-ing and laughing with James when the three of us really needed it, and maybe you will too. Go see him shine in Oh, Mary!

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Dylan and Connor are joined by Helen J Shen (Maybe Happy Ending, The Lonely Few). The star of this season’s newest original Broadway musical, Maybe Happy Ending, kicks off spooky season with your favorite twins. On a cozy fall night after Helen’s rehearsals, they hear all about the innovative show. Does co-starring with Darren Criss mean he spills on-set secrets from Glee and American Crime Story? Find out all of that PLUS the origins of the musical, working with Michael Arden, and thoughts about moving into the haunted Belasco Theatre. Spooookyyyyyy. We also dive into Helen’s relationship with Andrew Barth Feldman (currently starring in Little Shop of Horrors). She spills on how they met and how their love blossomed during lockdown. They also share stories from the University of Michigan, performing in Teeth and The Lonely Few, and a little Rainbow Fish and Finding Nemo chatter. Stick around for recommendations on Andrew Rannells’ latest book, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and our excitement about Gypsy casting. Take a Tumblr into this episode and get stoked for Helen in Maybe Happy Ending!

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Connor and Dylan are joined by Taylor Trensch (Dear Evan Hansen, Hello, Dolly!). The twins are bouncing off the walls with excitement to have Taylor, a dream guest, on the podcast, having been in the audience for his professional debut performance in Spring Awakening over 15 years ago. Taylor Trensch is a star, y’all! He dishes on his extraordinary career, ranging from working alongside Gavin Creel in Hello, Dolly! to his recent two-hander experience with Cynthia Nixon. And just like that… we gagged! Connor dreamcasts Taylor in the titular role in Oh, Mary, while everyone eagerly anticipates Nicole Scherzinger’s arrival on Broadway. We go down memory lane to Tampa, where Taylor’s love of theatre began with (spoiler alert) Nancy’s tragic end in Oliver! These three gab about their favorite divas (Bernadette! Lillias! Dakin Matthews!), Taylor's onstage wigs, and working with dogs and rats in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. We gush over Cristin Milioti, dissect the Ryan Murphyverse, and giggle nonstop. Did Taylor (as Boq) perform a triple pirouette during “Dancing Through Life” in Wicked? That’s one mystery we’ll never know the answer to. Be sure to see this superstar in Safety Not Guaranteed at BAM through October 20.

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See Safety Not Guaranteed at BAM!

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Connor and Dylan are joined by Tony Award nominee Ephraim Sykes (Our Town, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations). It’s officially fall, y’all, and we’re chatting with Ephraim, one of the stars from the new Broadway production of Our Town, to kick off the season. But first: a conversation about NBC’s Smash, and its upcoming Broadway adaptation. Gagged! Ephraim reflects on his time dancing on Smash, his entire love of the arts beginning with his talent for dance, as well as his inspirations and influences. We cover all things Our Town - from the glorious cast, co-starring with Zoey Deutch, their trip to Peterborough, New Hampshire, and why the themes of the play are timeless. The twins get the scoop on Ephraim’s Hamilton experience from early workshops all the way to Broadway, the NYCC production of Pal Joey, and starring with Ariana Grande in Hairspray Live on NBC. Ephraim was an original Newsie, made his Broadway debut in The Little Mermaid, and was nominated for a Tony AND Grammy for Ain’t Too Proud. It wouldn’t be DRAMA without covering the culture, including Industry, The Perfect Couple, and the Kendrick Lamar/Drake beef. This chat is NOT to be missed.

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Dylan and Connor are joined by Tony Award-winner Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years, The Bridges of Madison County). We’re recording a pod about hope, OKAY?! Y’all… Jason. Robert. Brown. On DRAMA. The twins are absolutely gagged to be joined by one of their all-time favorite musical theatre songwriters. Jason is a busy, busy man. We’re joined by him ahead of his solo debut at Carnegie Hall while he’s also juggling an album drop of his 2019 Town Hall concert with Stephen Sondheim, the Parade National Tour casting process, The Last Five Years on BROADWAY’s pre-production, and writing three new projects. As if that wasn’t enough to discuss, the twins dive deep into JRB’s history to discuss his concerts at SubCulture, the early days of TL5Y in Chicago and off-Broadway, some untold stories about where and how he wrote Bridges alongside Marsha Norman, and TEA about “Being a Geek” from 13. Jason has worked with Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Shoshana Bean, Jonathan Bailey, Jeremy Jordan, Kristin Chenoweth, and more legends than we can even count. Stick around for stories about Parade, Songs For a New World, and Stephen Sondheim.

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See Jason at Carnegie Hall on October 25th!

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Support the podcast by subscribing to DRAMA+, which also includes bonus episodes, Instagram Close Friends content, and more!