Had to Ask

Paolo Montalban (@itspaolomontalban) helped redefine what a Disney prince could look like, creating a generation's core memory as Prince Christopher in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella.

In this episode of Had to Ask, Paolo joins Melanie Sutrathada (@melaniesutra) for a thoughtful, funny, and inspiring conversation about the legacy of Cinderella, working alongside Whitney Houston and Brandy, navigating a decades-long career in entertainment, and the mindset that has helped him weather the highs and lows of the industry.

Together, they discuss representation, choosing projects with intention, the importance of making Broadway more sustainable for performers, and why every audition is a chance to trust that what's meant for you will find you.

Plus: ASMR, birthday potato parties, Jason Alexander's unforgettable "fart take" acting advice, JROTC, and an impressive collection of musical instruments.

Chapters:

• 02:00 — The birthday potato party where we first met
• 06:05 — A master of many instruments
• 09:47 — How Cinderella changed representation on screen
• 22:15 — Jason Alexander's hilarious "fart take" acting advice
• 26:55 — Broadway sustainability and protecting performers
• 37:17 — The "lost wallet" mindset for surviving auditions
• 42:02 — The three buckets that guide career decisions
• 46:15 — Returning to his iconic prince in Descendants

Follow Paolo Montalban and Had to Ask (@hadtoaskpod) for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Co-produced and edited by Joseph Loper.

Special thanks to Thompson Central Park New York for being the perfect space for this conversation with Had to Ask.

⭐️ Loved the episode? Leave a review and share it with someone who needs the reminder that not every opportunity is meant to be yours—and that the right one is still waiting to be found.

Robyn Hurder (⁠@robynhurder⁠) has spent decades building one of Broadway’s most impressive careers, not through overnight success, but through resilience, hard work, and an unwavering love for performing.

In this episode of Had to Ask, Robyn joins Melanie Sutrathada (⁠@melaniesutra⁠) for a candid, funny, and deeply honest conversation about her journey from a young dancer in Maine to becoming one of Broadway’s leading ladies.

Together, they discuss the reality of rejection, the unexpected pressure that comes with starring roles, manifestation and the Law of Attraction, injuries and identity, balancing motherhood with a demanding career, and why creating a full life outside of theatre has become more important than ever.

Plus: Bebe Neuwirth calling her "Marilyn," roller skating in Starlight Express, Renaissance Fairs, Medieval Times, professional wrestling, and the hobbies that keep her grounded.

Chapters:

• 01:45 — Becoming a triple threat and chasing Broadway dreams
• 03:02 — Full-circle moments with Bebe Neuwirth and meeting her idols
• 07:07 — The brutal Cats audition that taught her about rejection
• 16:20 — Manifestation, energy, and the Law of Attraction
• 30:08 — Smash, leading lady pressure, and redefining success
• 33:07 — Injuries, identity, and the mental toll of performing
• 44:28 — Motherhood, normal life, and finding joy beyond the industry
• 51:54 — Renaissance Fairs, Medieval Times, and embracing her eccentric hobbies
• 57:16 — What she's waiting for in this next chapter of her life

Follow Robyn Hurder (⁠@robynhurder⁠) and Had to Ask (⁠@hadtoaskpod⁠) for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Co-produced and edited by Joseph Loper.

Special thanks to Thompson Central Park New York for being the perfect space for this conversation with Had to Ask.

⭐️ Loved the episode? Leave a review and share it with someone who needs the reminder that success rarely happens overnight, rejection doesn't define you, and a meaningful life is always bigger than your career.

Jenn Colella (@jenncolella) has built a remarkable Broadway career by leading with kindness, courage, and an unwavering commitment to telling stories that change hearts and minds.

In this episode of Had to Ask, Jenn joins Melanie Sutrathada (@melaniesutra) for a thoughtful, funny, and deeply moving conversation about her journey from Urban Cowboy to Come From Away and Suffs.

Together, they discuss the responsibility of performing live, what it means to originate roles on Broadway, letting go of the need to be liked, motherhood, teaching, service, and why so much of life comes down to choosing fear or love.

Plus: the Naked Fight Call, internet love, dream roles, end-of-life doulas, and what it means to feel at the fulcrum of your power at 51.

Chapters:

• 03:26 — Why the “Prayer” scene in Come From Away means so much to her
• 06:34 — Dream roles and the joy of originating characters on Broadway
• 09:27 — The legendary “Naked Fight Call” story from Urban Cowboy
• 11:28 — Why performing still makes her nervous
• 14:07 — Motherhood and “happy”
• 15:52 — Letting go of being liked and embracing complexity
• 21:51 — Changing hearts and minds through storytelling
• 25:28 — Why she’d want to become an end-of-life doula
• 31:18 — Feeling at the “fulcrum of power” at age 51
• 40:13 — The legacy she hopes to leave her daughter

Follow Jenn Colella (@jenncolella) and Had to Ask (@hadtoaskpod) for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Co-produced and edited by Joseph Loper.

Special thanks to Thompson Central Park New York for being the perfect space for this conversation with Had to Ask.

⭐️ Loved the episode? Leave a review and share it with someone who needs the reminder that kindness is powerful, complicated women are worth celebrating, and choosing love is always worth it.

Maria Wirries (@maria_wirries) has built a remarkable Broadway career by trusting her instincts, embracing authenticity, and staying open to unexpected opportunities.

In this episode of Had to Ask, Maria joins Melanie Sutrathada for a thoughtful, funny, and personal conversation about her journey from Dear Evan Hansen to Old Friends and now starring as Star in The Lost Boys on Broadway.

Together, they discuss manifestation, learning to advocate for yourself, navigating the pressures women face around aging in the entertainment industry, and the importance of choosing projects that genuinely resonate rather than trying to fit a mold.

Plus: pig calling, giraffe weevils, low-rise jeans, plant pathology, and an unexpected Broadway booking story.

Chapters:

• 05:54 — How manifestation helped Maria find her way to Broadway
• 09:18 — Working with Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga in Old Friends
• 10:48 — From the BMI Writing Program to plant pathology
• 14:39 — The famous pig call that helped her book a role
• 22:31 — Choosing authenticity over trying to fit a mold
• 28:19 — Aging, reinvention, and being a woman in entertainment
• 44:15 — Learning to advocate for herself on Broadway
• 52:03 — Starring as Star in The Lost Boys on Broadway

Follow Maria Wirries (@maria_wirries) and Had to Ask (@hadtoaskpod) for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Co-produced and edited by Joseph Loper.

Special thanks to Thompson Central Park New York for being the perfect space for this conversation with Had to Ask.

⭐️ Loved the episode? Leave a review and share it with someone who needs the reminder that the best things often happen when you stop trying to fit a mold and start showing up as yourself.

Telly Leung (@tellyleung) is a Broadway leading man whose career spans more than two decades, with acclaimed performances in Aladdin, Allegiance, Rent, Godspell, Pacific Overtures, Flower Drum Song, and now Masquerade, the immersive reimagining of The Phantom of the Opera.

With Telly’s final performance in Masquerade coming up on June 12, we’re releasing this conversation as a special launch-week episode of Had to Ask. In it, Telly shares what it’s like to step into one of theatre’s most iconic roles, perform for just 60 audience members at a time, and share the role of the Phantom alongside five other actors.

In this conversation, Telly reflects on the performers who made him believe an Asian American actor could be a Broadway leading man, the responsibility that comes with leadership in the theatre, and why simply "showing up" can be a powerful act of representation.

He opens up about the insecurity that still follows him after 26 years in the business, the summer he deliberately chose to be the worst dancer in the room so he could grow, and the lesson that has guided him throughout his career: we don't grow unless we're uncomfortable.

We also discuss what makes a true leading man, how he landed Aladdin, why art remains one of the most powerful forms of resistance, and the advice he gives actors walking into a casting room for the very first time.

This is a conversation about courage, representation, leadership, and finding the confidence to take up space—even when you're not sure you belong there yet.

Chapters:

01:30 — The performers who made him believe he could be a leading man

02:35 — Why "showing up" matters

03:47 — The insecurity that never fully goes away

05:13 — Working a data entry job to fund dance training

09:07 — Why growth requires discomfort

10:14 — What being a leading man really means

12:51 — The surprising reason Disney cast him as Aladdin

27:09 — Why art matters in difficult times

28:56 — Inside Masquerade and immersive performance

34:53 — The brotherhood of six Phantoms

48:06 — How to convince a casting room you're right for the role

Follow Telly Leung (@tellyleung) and Had to Ask (@hadtoaskpod) for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Co-produced and edited by Joseph Loper.

Special thanks to Thompson Central Park New York for being the perfect space for this conversation with Had to Ask.

⭐️ Loved the episode? Leave a review and share it with an artist who needs the reminder that growth rarely happens inside your comfort zone.

Ann Harada (@iamannharada) has built one of the most respected careers in Broadway history.

From Avenue Q and Seussical to Schmigadoon! (run and have a forking good time with this show at the Nederlander ASAP!), Cinderella, Les Misérables, Into the Woods, and beyond, she has spent decades navigating an industry that is constantly changing while staying true to herself.

In this episode of Had to Ask, Ann reflects on the realities of building a long-term career in the arts, the show she still has a deep emotional connection to, and how the landscape for Asian American performers has evolved since she first arrived in New York.

She opens up about being told she was "too American" for certain roles, the career regret she still carries, and why reaching a place of contentment has been one of the greatest gifts of getting older.

Along the way, we also talk about Hallmark movies, poker, fresh flowers, and the unexpected lessons that come from spending a lifetime in the theatre.

This is a conversation about longevity, identity, community, and what happens when you stop trying to be who everyone else wants you to be.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Introduction01:28 — Opening Schmigadoon! and the magic of live theatre05:28 — Why Avenue Q still means so much to her09:20 — The people who helped build her career12:12 — Auditioning as an Asian American actress16:07 — Hallmark movies, baking, poker, and reading people22:52 — Reaching a point where she has "no Fs to give"31:57 — Her biggest career regret39:31 — Why art matters, especially during difficult times46:00 — Advice for the next generation of performers49:30 — Final thoughts

Follow Ann Harada (@iamannharada⁠) and Had to Ask (@hadtoaskpod) for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Co-produced and edited by Joseph Loper.

Special thanks to Thompson Central Park New York for being the perfect space for this conversation with Had to Ask.

⭐️ Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could use a reminder that there's more than one way to build a meaningful career.

Shannon Lewis (@realshanlew) is a veteran Broadway performer turned choreographer whose career spans more than 25 years on stage and screen. She made her Broadway debut in the original run of Crazy for You, later earning acclaim performing ‘I Gotcha’ in the original Broadway cast of Fosse. Shannon also went on to appear in beloved productions like Sweet Charity, A Chorus Line, and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Beyond Broadway, she’s brought her choreographic eye to television hits like Saturday Night Live and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Now, she makes her Broadway choreographer debut with Just In Time, the new Bobby Darin musical.

In this conversation, Shannon reflects on the resilience it takes to sustain a decades-long career, the lessons learned from the roles she didn’t book, and why she’s driven to be part of the whole creative conversation—not just the performance. She opens up about creating choreography that resonates from the front row to the back of the house, the wild realities of working on SNL, and what it means to keep saying “yes” to the right opportunities.

This is a story about artistry, endurance, and learning to trust the moments when doors open—even if they’re not the ones you first imagined.

Chapters:

• 03:46 — Did Shannon ever imagine she’d still be working on Broadway 25+ years later?
• 06:10 — The roles she didn’t book (and what they taught her)
• 10:07 — Wanting to be part of the whole creative conversation in musical theatre
• 15:01 — Building choreography for both the front row and the back in Just In Time
• 17:28 — The impossible, exhilarating process of working on SNL
• 19:00 — Collaborating with Jonathan Groff in Just In Time
• 23:30 — Learning when to say yes in this business
• 27:30 — Watching others have their “moment”
• 28:58 — The conversations that happen on the other side of the table
• 30:56 — Navigating relationships in the business
• 33:20 — Getting out of your own way
• 36:44 — What Shannon hopes her legacy will be

Follow Shannon Lewis (@realshanlew) and Had to Ask (@hadtoaskpod) for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Co-produced and edited by Joseph Loper. Special thanks to The Chatwal in NYC for being the home of Had to Ask for Season 1!

⭐️ Loved the episode? Leave a review and share it with an artist who wants insight into building a career that lasts.

John Cardoza (@johnfcardoza) joins me on Had to Ask for a vulnerable, moving, and deeply human conversation about love, grief, and resilience. From touring the country in Moulin Rouge! to creating the role of Young Noah in The Notebook on Broadway, John has built a career grounded not just in talent, but in choosing what feels right and meaningful.

We talk about the unexpected loss of his mother, how grief has shaped him as an artist, and why nothing will ever be more important than being there for family when they need him. John opens up about navigating fear, vulnerability as a muscle you have to keep flexing, and the resilience it takes to keep showing up in this industry.

Of course, it’s not all serious — John also shares his irrational fear of tall buildings (tough luck in NYC), his Broadway diva fighter of choice, and his admiration for Solea Pfeiffer. Plus: what it was like finishing The Notebook with Jordan Tyson after three years of building those roles together, crying in grocery stores, and how following the path that feels right led him all the way to Christian in Moulin Rouge! on Broadway.

This episode is about love, loss, and why the sacrifices have to be worth it. If you’ve ever chased a dream while trying to hold onto what matters most, you’ll feel seen in this one.

Chapters:

• 6:03 John’s love for touring with Moulin Rouge
• 11:39 What really scares him
• 21:07 What led John to Young Noah in The Notebook
• 25:45 Crying in the grocery store and seeing the beauty in the everyday
• 31:08 Following the path of things that feel right
• 33:30 How proud John is to still be on his feet
• 42:12 The Tour of Moulin Rouge! Versus Broadway
• 49:20 Other John would go back to Moulin Rouge
• 53:19 The joy John is choosing next.

Follow John Cardoza (@johnfcardoza) and Had to Ask (@hadtoaskpod) for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Co-produced and edited by Joseph Loper. Special thanks to The Chatwal in NYC for being the home of Had to Ask for season 1!

⭐️ Loved the episode? Leave a review and share it with someone who knows that following your heart is always worth it.

Tony Award winner Matt Doyle (@mattfdoyle) — who you may know from Company, Spring Awakening, The Book of Mormon, and more — joins me on Had to Ask for a candid, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation about the highs, lows, and everything in between of life in the theatre. From falling head over heels for Sondheim to dreaming of playing Romeo, Matt shares how perseverance—not perfection—has carried him through an industry that never really gets easier.

We dive into mental health, imposter syndrome, and the self-sabotage that comes with being an “insecure mess,” plus his deep admiration for Audra McDonald, Joy Woods, and Gavin Creel. Matt opens up about Conversations with Mother, why building a life outside the work matters, and the joy (and nerves) behind stepping into Jay Gatsby’s shoes in The Great Gatsby.

Also on the table? Our mutual agreement that we’d both be terrible in jail, the unlikely way he met Bonnie Milligan, and his voice talent crush. Whether you’re here for the Broadway stories, the Gatsby gossip, or just to feel a little less alone in chasing big dreams, this one’s got it all.

Chapters:
02:41 Gossip Girl — and whether he’d choose Blair or Serena08:17 The first time Matt met Gavin Creel10:36 High school backstage on Spring Awakening13:23 Thinking he was done after The Book of Mormon18:18 His friendship with Bonnie Milligan25:23 The Broadway revival he’d like to see28:23 Falling in love with musical theatre through Sondheim31:59 Imposter syndrome and winning a Tony37:24 The pressure to bring Broadway back with Company45:40 The chicken soup for the soul that was Conversations with Mother49:09 Opening The Great Gatsby in South Korea

Follow Matt Doyle (@mattfdoyle) and Had to Ask (@hadtoaskpod) for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Co-produced and edited by Joseph Loper. Special thanks to The Chatwal in NYC for being the home of Had to Ask for Season 1!

⭐️ Loved the episode? Leave a review and share it with a friend who loves big laughs and bigger dreams.

You might know Burke Swanson (@burke_swanson) as Young Hopper in Stranger Things: The First Shadow on Broadway — but his path to the Upside Down started long before the Demodogs.

After making his Broadway debut in The Rose Tattoo, Burke has quickly become a performer to watch, blending physicality, poetry, and heart into every role. In this episode of Had to Ask, he shares the surprising, thoughtful, and often hilarious journey that took him from Back to the Future to Hawkins, Indiana — in just ten days. We talk about how he built his version of Hopper (yes, it involved cowboy boots in the woods), what it means to be a performing artist rather than just an actor, and why over 65% of the Stranger Things audience is brand-new to Broadway.

This show isn’t just expanding the world of Hawkins — it’s creating lifelong theatergoers and reminding us that storytelling is a team effort.

Also in this episode: stage combat, our love for stunt performers, zombie apocalypse prep, experimental poetry, cats, and why I might never emotionally recover from Stranger Things: The First Shadow.

Chapters:

• 11:40 – The IP of Back to the Future and Stranger Things and how they connect with audiences
• 17:46 – A ten-day turnaround between two massive Broadway shows
• 22:19 – From watching Stranger Things in 2016 to starring in it on stage
• 28:37 – Giving yourself permission to celebrate success in this industry
• 36:32 – Why the Broadway show is irreparably tied to Stranger Things Season 5
• 41:36 – Why supporting the arts is always worth it
• 45:27 – Theater beyond Broadway, and art beyond New York

Follow Had to Ask ⁠@hadtoaskpod⁠ for more bold, unfiltered conversations — hosted by Melanie Sutrathada.

Produced by ⁠@melaniesutra⁠ and ⁠@joehloper⁠ at ⁠@thechatwalny⁠.

⭐️ Loved this episode? Share it with someone who loves Stranger Things, Back to the Future, or believes in the power of the arts.