From Broadway to the Heartland: Don Farrell’s Journey of Art, Risk & Reinvention

In this wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation, host Tom Alvarez sits down with acclaimed performer, director, and producer Don Farrell to explore a career built on talent, fearlessness, and community.

Don traces his journey from growing up in the South to training at the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, then spending over a decade working professionally in New York City. Along the way, he learned a defining lesson: don’t wait for permission—create your own opportunities.

That philosophy led Don, alongside Judy Fitzgerald and Cindy Collins, to co-found Actors Theatre of Indiana, taking a leap of faith that helped shape Central Indiana into a nationally respected arts destination. Don reflects on the risks, mentors, setbacks, and belief systems that made ATI possible—and how visionary civic leadership in Carmel helped turn bold ideas into reality.

The conversation also dives into Don’s evolution as a performer and creative entrepreneur, including the launch of Crossroads Entertainment and his acclaimed docu-cabaret shows at Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael—intimate performances that blend music, storytelling, and history, especially celebrating icons of the Great American Songbook.

Beyond career milestones, Don opens up about:

The power of mentorship and collaboration

Why great art can thrive anywhere, not just New York or Chicago

How passion, humility, and authenticity fuel lasting success

The emotional reward of connecting with audiences one story at a time

He also shares touching reflections on fatherhood, performing with his daughter Lizzy, and how legacy—both personal and artistic—matters more than fame.

Big reveal: Don announces his return to Actors Theatre of Indiana, starring as Max opposite Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard—a full-circle moment that perfectly captures the theme of the episode.

Bottom line: This episode is a masterclass in reinvention, creative courage, and why the arts—when supported by community—can transform lives and cities alike.

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In this deep, wide-ranging conversation, host Tom Alverez sits down with acclaimed Indianapolis actor and arts leader Ryan Artzberger to explore a life shaped by theater, family, and community impact.

From the Midwest to Juilliard (and Back Again)

Ryan shares his journey from growing up in Cleveland to studying at Juilliard, encouraged by a tough-love professor who saw his raw talent. After graduating in the mid-90s, he chased work in New York—waiting tables, walking miles to jobs, soaking up the city’s creative energy—before finding long-term artistic roots in Indianapolis.

A Pillar of Indiana Repertory Theatre

Ryan reflects on nearly three decades with the Indiana Repertory Theatre, including 63 productions and 23 performances of A Christmas Carol. He talks about standout roles (especially John Proctor in The Crucible), working with renowned directors, and how IRT became his artistic home.

Acting Philosophy: Truth Over Tricks

Rather than forcing emotions, Ryan believes in surrendering to the moment—embracing the unexpected, letting chaos create authenticity, and trusting impulse. Whether on stage or on camera, his approach centers on honesty, listening, and humanity.

New York vs. Indianapolis

Though he once thought he’d “die in Brooklyn,” Ryan explains how Indianapolis became the home he never knew he wanted—offering balance, family life, and a vibrant (often underrated) talent pool.

Indy Shakes & Shakespeare for Everyone

Now Executive Artistic Director of Indy Shakes, Ryan discusses free Shakespeare in the Park at the Taggart Memorial Amphitheater in Riverside Park. He breaks down the $9M restoration project, the picnic-friendly, come-as-you-are vibe, and why Shakespeare was never meant to be elitist.

Equity, Access & Community Engagement

A major focus of the conversation is inclusion—expanding opportunities for artists of color, building partnerships with Latino and Riverside neighborhoods, creating internships and apprenticeships, and rethinking who theater is for. Ryan is passionate about making Shakespeare reflect the full community.

What’s Next: “ADO” at the Phoenix Theatre

Ryan previews “ADO” (Feb 12–March 1), a new commissioned play by Lavina Giovanni that reclaims Much Ado About Nothing—giving Hero voice, agency, and a story beyond her public shaming. Tickets start at $17.

Family, Fulfillment & Legacy

Ryan opens up about his wife Marina, their two grown children, and choosing meaningful work over chasing fame. His definition of success? Great work, strong community, and stories that matter.

Final Note

This episode is a thoughtful, passionate look at how theater can be a refuge, a mirror, and a bridge—and how one artist is helping make Indianapolis a more inclusive, world-class arts city.

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In this wide-ranging and entertaining conversation, host Tom Alvarez reconnects with acclaimed performer and impressionist Christina Bianco, joining from London to reflect on her international career, viral success, and life abroad.

Christina shares how a post-COVID pivot led her from New York to London, where she’s found creative freedom, steady work, and a lifestyle that blends city energy with village calm. She breaks down the differences between Broadway and the West End, explaining why the UK has become a hotspot for developing new musical theater—and why many American creatives are taking their work overseas.

The conversation dives deep into Christina’s rise as the “queen of musical impressions,” tracing her journey from Forbidden Broadway to viral YouTube fame, major symphony collaborations, and international television appearances. She discusses her creative process for impressions, emphasizing that mimicry must come from a place of love, not parody—and shares memorable reactions from stars like Kristin Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters, and Kathy Griffin.

Listeners are treated to a live a cappella impression medley, showcasing Christina’s uncanny ability to channel legends like Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, and more.

Christina also opens up about:

·        Life in London vs. New York

·        Her husband Bill’s career as a veterinary physiotherapist

·        The cultural differences between American and British audiences

·        Her upcoming role as June Carter Cash in The Ballad of Johnny & June, directed by Des McAnuff

·        Mentoring young performers and staying connected through social media

Warm, funny, and insightful, this episode is a masterclass in adaptability, artistry, and building a global career while staying grounded.

Perfect for fans of theater, Broadway, West End, vocal performance, and behind-the-scenes artist stories.

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In this episode, host Tom Alvarez sits down with Austin Campagna, Director of Sales & Marketing at Hotel Carmichael and Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael, for an inside look at one of Indiana’s most distinctive arts and hospitality destinations. Austin shares his journey from rural Indiana and Purdue’s top-ranked hospitality program to helping shape the brand, programming, and guest experience at the luxury Autograph Collection hotel.

The conversation dives into the vision behind Hotel Carmichael and Feinstein’s—from its deep connection to the Great American Songbook and Michael Feinstein’s hands-on influence, to the intimate, transportive cabaret experience that draws audiences from around the world. Austin also announces an exciting new Allied Solutions–sponsored performance series, bringing nationally recognized artists to Carmel, including Maggie Baugh, Morgan James, Casey Abrams & Hunter, and Will Hoge.

Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at how Feinstein’s balances national talent with beloved local favorites like Don Farrell, dueling pianos, and the ever-popular Drag Brunch, while continuously elevating food, cocktails, and service. The episode wraps with a passionate discussion about the power of cabaret, the accessibility of world-class entertainment in Central Indiana, and why Feinstein’s offers a “not a bad seat in the house” experience for newcomers and regulars alike.

An essential listen for arts lovers, cabaret fans, and anyone curious about how Carmel became a Midwest cultural hotspot.

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Watch Tom every other Thursday on Lifestyle Live on WISH-TV, and listen every week on the All- Indiana Podcast Network.

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In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore the stories, artistry, and leadership behind two of Central Indiana’s most influential performing arts forces: Central Indiana Dance Ensemble (CIDE) and the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT).

The episode opens with the origins of CIDE and its companion school, the Central Indiana Academy of Dance, founded over 25 years ago by former Sacramento Ballet dancer Suzanne DeLay. What began as a response to a major cultural gap—no youth concert ballet company and no local Nutcracker—quickly grew from fewer than 50 dancers into a thriving nonprofit organization. Today, CIDE supports more than 70 company dancers, over 135 Nutcracker performers, and a professional faculty made up entirely of former ballet dancers, emphasizing serious classical training, ensemble excellence, and artistic integrity.

Suzanne and her daughter Ashley Jacobs, now co-leading the organization, reflect on ballet as both art and athletic discipline—one that demands musicality, strength, precision, and emotional truth. They discuss evolving ballet culture, increased diversity and inclusion, breaking gender stereotypes, and how strong foundational training allows dancers to adapt across styles, companies, and careers. The conversation also touches on modern stagecraft, including video projection and choreography in productions like Frozen and contemporary Nutcracker stagings.

The episode then shifts to theater, tracing Richard’s remarkable journey at the Indiana Repertory Theatre—from arriving in Indianapolis in 1981 and landing a stage management role on A Christmas Carol, to a decades-lon g career as IRT’s resident dramaturg. Richard shares insights into dramaturgy, directing, arts journalism, and mentorship, reflecting on how encouragement, curiosity, and collaboration shaped his path. He discusses preserving tradition while embracing change, inclusive casting, workplace culture, and why theater remains a vital space for empathy, storytelling, and community connection.

Together, these stories reveal a shared truth across dance and theater: great arts organizations are built on vision, discipline, mentorship, and collaboration. Whether nurturing young dancers, preserving theatrical legacy, or adapting art for modern audiences, this episode celebrates the people who keep live performance meaningful—and alive.

Support your local arts. Attend performances. Volunteer. Donate. And keep the stories moving.

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Watch Tom every other Thursday on Lifestyle Live on WISH-TV, and listen every week on the All- Indiana Podcast Network.

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In this in-depth conversation, podcast host Tom Alvarez sits down with Los Angeles–based composer, conductor, and orchestrator Dan Redfeld to explore his wide-ranging career and his newest major project: Jo, a cinematic new musical based on Little Women. Redfeld shares how his lifelong passion for music began at an early age, shaped by classical training, film scores, and musical theater, and how those influences converge in Jo, a richly orchestrated, story-driven score with a strong feminist lens.

The discussion traces the musical’s long journey—from early workshops in the 1990s, through a COVID-era reinvention, to a full London cast recording and an upcoming one-night-only West End concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on January 25. Redfeld also reflects on his work in Broadway, opera, film music, and education, his creative process as a composer, and the enduring power of collaboration with musicians. The episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how a large-scale musical is built—and reborn—over decades, with eyes firmly set on a future full West End and Broadway production.

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In this wide-ranging podcast conversation, host Tom Alvarez sits down with Nancy Heck, Communications Director of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, and Davis Brooks, Concertmaster and Butler University professor, to explore the orchestra’s rich history, evolving role in the community, and its home at the Palladium.

They discuss the power of live music, the unique responsibilities of a concertmaster, the importance of arts-driven placemaking in Carmel’s transformation, and the symphony’s efforts to build sustainability, grow audiences, and secure an artistic director.

The conversation highlights how live symphonic music creates shared, human experiences that can’t be replicated digitally—and why the Carmel Symphony Orchestra is poised for an exciting future.

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In this episode of On the Aisle, host Tom Alvarez speaks with veteran lighting designer and production manager Laura Glover, celebrating her 35-year career with Dance Kaleidoscope and her wide-ranging impact on Indiana’s performing arts community. Glover reflects on her journey from early training in theater and lighting to formative collaborations with mentors like David Hochoy, her philosophy of collaboration and visual storytelling, and her deep love of lighting as an art inspired by nature, movement, and emotion. She discusses the importance of adaptability, mentorship, and continuing artistic growth, her work across dance, theater, and music, and her belief that the arts provide vital connection and refuge in today’s world.

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Host Tom Alvarez sits down with veteran performer Craig Meyer, best known for his acclaimed Elton John tribute show, in a lively podcast that begins with Meyer calling in from a cruise ship in the middle of the Atlantic. Meyer shares his journey from Southern California to Carmel, Indiana, where his passion for theater and music took shape, leading to a career spanning Broadway, TV, film, and international touring. Now based in Atlanta, he explains how his Elton John tribute evolved into an 18-year global success focused on theatrical storytelling rather than impersonation. The conversation also previews his upcoming New Year’s Eve return to Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael, reflects on lessons learned touring with Barry Manilow and Frankie Valli, and explores his latest project, the AskMoDo App, created to help musicians evaluate gig opportunities.

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In this conversation, we dive into the magic and evolution of the Indiana Repertory Theatre’s beloved A Christmas Carol, from its imaginative Tom Haas staging—where actors and minimal props bring Dickens’ world to life on a snowy, sloped stage—to the behind-the-scenes realities of trap doors, rehearsal challenges, and mountains of fake snow. Former director Richard shares the pressure and pride of guiding a production that everyone else in the room had performed for years, the subtle artistic updates made over time, and the influence of new directors like Cara Hihn, whose own childhood experiences at IRT helped shape her inclusive vision. The discussion expands into how theater has long championed representation, diversity, and authenticity in casting, the collaborative joy of working with artists, and the importance of leadership in setting a positive creative environment. We talk about the casting process in the age of Zoom, the resilience of the IRT during COVID—producing streamed productions while many theaters shut down—and the emotional return of audiences craving community. The conversation closes with reflections on the irreplaceable value of live performance, especially in the age of AI, and how theater continues to offer shared human experiences no technology can replicate.

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