Kelli Barrett and Jessica Vosk are powerhouses of stage and screen. Kelli most recently graced the Broadway stage in the acclaimed revival of PARADE and has starred in DR. ZHIVAGO, WICKED, and on TV in FX's "Fosse/Verdon". Jessica recently finished her beloved run in HELL'S KITCHEN, after BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, FINDING NEVERLAND, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and more. She also shares in the WICKED sisterhood, which carries into their storytelling of BEACHES.

In this episode, they discuss the special bond it takes to portray "C.C. Bloom" and "Birdie White" in the classic friendship tale, how they ground in the characters, and what the original film means to their childhoods and love of theater.

Beaches Tickets

Stages Podcast join the cast sign up

Schmigadoon tickets

Two-time Tony Award-winning director Michael Arden takes on his next big story by bringing the iconic vampire film, THE LOST BOYS, to the Broadway stage this Spring. He was recently awarded for his work on MAYBE HAPPY ENDING and PARADE, as well as recognized for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, Deaf West's SPRING AWAKENING, and many more.

In this episode, Michael discusses how he juggles working on multiple directing projects while visualizing each story, the importance of building a team of trusted collaborators, and if he'll ever go back to acting.

Schmigadoon tickets

The Lost Boys Tickets

Plant wave

Marc Shaiman is an Emmy, Tony, and Grammy Award-winning composer and lyricist for his decades of work on stage and screen, including beloved Broadway hits HAIRSPRAY, SOME LIKE IT HOT, SMASH and acclaimed films When Harry Met Sally, The First Wives Club, Sister Act, Beaches, Sleepless in Seattle, Hocus Pocus, and many more. In this episode, Marc shares stories from his memoir, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner, and discusses the power of believing in yourself, showing up, and saying "yes."

Order Marc's book

The Sweeney Sisters

View Stages Podcast on YouTube

Kelly Cervantes is an award-winning author, sharing her personal experiences with grief. Her debut book, Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When It's Time to Heal But You're Not Sure You Want To, is a USA Today best-seller. Her new memoir, The Luckiest: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Motherhood, and the Pursuit of Self, is available now. In this episode, Kelly discusses healing through remembering her loss, reshaping "everything happens for a reason" into making a reason, and finding gratitude in growing and evolving. Kelly's Book Cure Epilepsy.org Michael in Hamilton View epison on Stages on YOUTUBE

Happy Holidays to all our listeners!

Stephanie and Marylee are moving to YouTube! Starting in Season Six, Stages Podcast will release full episodes (and maybe even some past episodes!). You'll still be able to find us whereever you get your podcasts but now you can watch full episodes!

Please head over and subscribe to the channel and share with all your friends!

Thank you all for the support and joy that you bring to all of us at Stages Podcast. We look forward to another season!

Love,

Stephanie & Marylee

Follow us on YouTube

Renée Elise Goldsberry is a multi-hyphenate actress and singer, best known for originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in the groundbreaking Broadway musical HAMILTON, for which she won Tony® and Grammy® Awards and received an Emmy® nomination for the Disney+ filmed version.

She is also known for her work in RENT, THE COLOR PURPLE, THE LION KING, ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE, GIRLS-5EVA, and THE GOOD WIFE, and will return to Broadway in THE BALUSTERS in Spring 2026.

In this episode, Renée shares memories of sharing the stage with Stephanie in their early careers and exploring life, faith, family changes, and motherhood in her acclaimed documentary, Satisfied, which is now available digitally.

Watch Satisfied Documentary

Who I Really Am album

Tickets to Stephanie J. Block Holiday Concerts

Tickets to Schmigadoon on Broadway

Jeff Hiller is a recent Emmy Award winner for his heartwarming performance as "Joel Anderson" on HBO's Somebody, Somewhere. Jeff has graced both the stage and screen in shows like American Horror Story: NYC, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and 30 Rock, and recently on stage in New York City Center's Encores! production of Urinetown. His new memoir, Actress of a Certain Age, is a humorous collection of autobiographical essays about an aspiring actor climbing his way to Hollywood. In this episode, Jeff shares how empathy folds into his storytelling, working through imposter syndrome, and the challenges he faced when writing a book, as a performer.

Actress of a Certain Age

Jeff's Emmy Speech

Brooke Shields Documentary Pretty Baby

Dr. Martha Beck is a Harvard-trained sociologist, world-renowned coach on harvesting creativity and finding purpose, and New York Times best-selling author across her dozens of books, including The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self, Finding Your Own North Star, and her newest release, Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose.

In this episode, Dr. Beck shares how to practice patience in consciousness, the power in both compassionate self-talk and being a compassionate witness, and how creativity works as a tool for anxiety.

Dr. Martha Beck

Stages Podcast YouTube

Join the mailing list

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained neuroscientist and New York Times best-selling author, who began to develop her concept of "whole brain living" after experiencing a severe hemorrhage in the left hemisphere of her brain. She has written several books on her experience and learnings, including My Stroke of Insight and her latest work, Whole Brain Living: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life. Dr. Taylors Ted Talk was the first talk to go viral. In it she describes her stroke and the life lessons that it gifted.

In this episode, Dr. Jill shares how our brain creates a perception of reality, the ways to tap into all of its "characters," and why it's healthy to do weird things every day.

Ted Talk

Dr. Jill

The Master and The Emissary by Iain McGilchrist

Andrew Durand has received a Tony Award nomination for his standout performance in DEAD OUTLAW. He plays the title role of Elmer McCurdy in this brilliant, dark musical comedy about a mummified corpse. The show is nominated for 7 Tony Awards including Best New Musical.

Andrew's Broadway credits include HEAD OVER HEELS, SHUCKED, INK, WAR HORSE and SPRING AWAKENING. He performed in the West End in THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG and Off-Broadway in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, GIGANTIC, LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST, THE WILD BRIDE, & THE BURNT PART BOYS.

In this episode, Andrew talks about the meditative process he undertakes to stand perfectly still for 45 minutes during the show, his years working in England in experimental theater and how his instincts have led him to unique shows.

DEAD OUTLAW tickets

GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK Live

PBS KISS ME KATE

The Tony Awards