Broadway's Chicago is truly all that jazz, and then some. Since its 1975 debut, this vaudeville-inspired musical has been winking at audiences while picking their pockets of sympathy, certainty, and any lingering faith in the justice system. In a show that turns murder into a media event and the courtroom into a cabaret, audiences are transported to a world as flashy as it is dark, reflective of the world we live in. So what makes Chicago a spectacle that continues to draw audiences in day after day, and year after year? That's certainly what we're hoping to get to the bottom of in our two-part Chicago musical discussion! So, where do we begin in this breakdown of Broadway's (currently) longest show? With the characters and story, of course!

In this episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko explore the story of Chicago and its impact on Broadway. From characters such as Roxy Hart and Velma Kelly, to the incomparable Mama Morton, there are plenty of characters to discuss. Which performances steal the show, and which ones make us wish for a quick sentencing from the jury? Does the story pull us in as much as we thought it would, or did we walk away with a strong desire for something else? Listen to this fun episode to find out!

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What would you be willing to risk for the truth? What a powerful question to think about, and for many of us, the answer might be just about anything. The White Rose plunges audiences into the story of two students who dared to defy one of history’s most brutal regimes. Inspired by the real-life resistance movement in Nazi Germany, the drama focuses on those who confront fear and doubt, and the terrifying consequences of speaking out. Rather than depicting grand battles or sweeping revolutions, the play focuses on something quieter and vastly more powerful: the courage of ordinary individuals who refuse to remain silent. With the show opening tonight at the Livonia Community Theatre, we had the pleasure of speaking with the director of this production, Olivia Deane, along with two of the cast members, Steve Sedore and Catherine LaPointe!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Deane, Sedore, and LaPointe discuss what has drawn them to be a part of this production and why this story feels so important to tell today. With varying levels of familiarity with the story prior to being cast, all three of these individuals discuss their process for bringing the story and characters to life on stage!

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Are you ready for your next mission, agent? Should you choose to accept, we have the perfect assignment for you, one that, if done correctly, might just help us win the war! In your briefing, you'll find instructions to join in on our conversation about the music and stagecraft of this hilarious new Broadway musical, Operation Mincemeat! That's right, we're continuing our discussion of the Tony Award-winning musical, which went from a limited engagement to the show that keeps extending time and time again.

In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the musicality of Operation Mincemeat and see how it stacks up comparatively to the other shows currently on Broadway. What classification would they place the songs and music in? Does it have an old Broadway feel, or is this more of a pop show, similar to Six or Hamilton? What about the staging stood out to these two theater critics, and did it add to the story or detract from it? These two also weigh in on who Operation Mincemeat is aimed at and give their final verdict on the show!

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I think it's safe to say that most people want to do good in this world. Growing up, my mother would always tell my siblings and me that one of our only goals in life was to "Do good, shut up, and go home," which ultimately meant we should aspire to do good for those around us and live a life we feel good about. Similar to a doctor's code of honor, she wanted us to do no harm and spread kindness, which is also a sentiment that St. Clare of Assisi shares with her religious mission. It's St. Clare's story that lies at the core of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company's Poor Clare, their current production in their new black box theatre. We spoke with the director of this production, Kez Settle, about what audiences can expect from this show! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Kez Settle discusses what drew her to wanting to direct this show and if she was familiar with the story before coming onto the project. She also explores how this project blends a historical narrative with a modern aesthetic, and how that changes the story to make it feel more universal.

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What's life without a little melodrama, amirite? Or I suppose I should be more specific...what is life without a little Southern melodrama in the form of a hilarious comedy? At least, that's what those over at Planet Ant are asking right now, as their production of As I Die and Wheeze! is currently playing in Ant Hall! While the cast and crew just celebrated their opening weekend, we had the pleasure of speaking with one of the playwrights of As I Die and Wheeze!, Maggie O'Reilly, and director Bryan Lark!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, O'Reilly and Lark discuss how this project has come to be at Planet Ant! O'Reilly explores her writing process with her writing partner and how they had the actors picked out before the show was even written. They discuss their collaborative writing approach, which mirrors Lark's approach to directing. The general idea is to make something wonderful and authentic by having everyone involved in the process help create it.

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There are shows that are purely for entertainment, and then there are some that leave us feeling unsettled, like a current moving beneath still water. Kayak is one of those plays that leaves audiences deeply moved and introspective about the world they live in and the people they surround themselves with. As its title suggests, the play becomes a vessel carrying its characters across emotional waters that are at once intimate and universal. We spoke to director Briana O'Neal and cast member Diane Hill of Theatre Nova's Kayak about how this production came to be and what audiences can expect.

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Briana O'Neal and Diane Hill discuss what drew them to this product and how this production has been challenging. With most of the play consisting of monologues and Hill staying in one place, there's always the challenge of keeping the show moving and engaging, which both the director and the actress discuss. With a story that explores the intersection of our obligations to the world and environment with our personal lives and relationships, Kayak has plenty to digest and explore, all of which is discussed in this exciting interview!

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So many plays ask big questions about love, identity, or ambition. However, What the Constitution Means to Me asks something even bigger: What does a document written in 1787 actually mean for people living right now? Perhaps this is a question we should ask ourselves more often, but we think about it far too little. Heidi Schreck's work answers this question, though it may be far more personal—and complicated—than anyone expects. We spoke with two cast members from Meadow Brook Theatre's production of What the Constitution Means to Me, Dani Cochrane and Cheryl Turski, about the play's power and impact.

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Cochrane and Turski discuss what drew them to this project and why What the Constitution Means to Me is so important to tell in this current landscape. These two actresses discuss how sharing the role in this Meadow Brook Theatre production has helped them both shape their performances, and how having someone else to bounce ideas off during character development is a rare gift. Cochrane and Turski discuss what it's like to step into another person's story and the weight of carrying Schreck's story in this show.

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If the world of politics is a circus, then The Outsider by Paul Slade Smith is the main stage in the big tent! This fast-paced comedy throws audiences into the chaotic world of campaigning, where image is everything, and honesty is almost a liability.  With razor-sharp dialogue and perfectly timed farce, The Outsider pokes fun at media frenzy, political posturing, and the absurd mechanics of elections. Yet beneath the laughter lies a surprisingly hopeful question: what if the most qualified leader is the one who never wanted the spotlight at all? With The Outsider arriving at Farmington Players, we spoke with one of the cast members, Tara Makar, about her time on this production!

In this exclusive BSB Insider Interview, Makar talks about what it's like to step into the witty world of Paul Slade Smith's play, and how quickly (and easily) it feels like this production at Farmington Players has come together. While the show deals with politics, Makar argues it's more like VEEP or Parks and Rec than The West Wing. The humor is biting, though also hysterical, which is what drew this actress to the show. The actress discusses having political experience through friends and family, and how she draws on reality to enhance the show.

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I've never ridden a train before in my life, unless you count the one at the Detroit Zoo, which seems like something everyone should do at least once in their life. However, if the train ride is anything like that in Murder on the Orient Express, I might think twice before stepping into the stagecoach. Stagecrafters' is bringing Ken Ludwig's adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel to their Main Stage over in Royal Oak, MI, an experience that will be as mesmerizing as it is chilling! We recently spoke with Leta Chrisman, who is serving as conductor for this production, about what it took to bring Murder on the Orient Express to the stage and what audiences can expect from this show at Stagecrafters!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Chrisman talks about what drew her to this project (hint: she has a deep love for the novel, and a passion for reading!) and what it's like to take a story that so many people know and give audiences something new and unexpected. She discusses the challenges of bringing a train to Stagecrafter's main stage and how lighting and sound help create a full picture for this production.

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Who doesn't love the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber? As the composer of some of the greatest musicals to ever hit Broadway or the West End, Webber has cemented his place in theater history forevermore. Acclaimed Countertenor, Terry Barber, is bringing this composer's works, as well as a few other iconic Broadway shows, to The Brighton Center of the Performing Arts with his The Best of Broadway: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber & More! What is most definitely going to be a beautiful night, perfect for you and your Valentine, also happens to be a fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the Brighton High School (BHS) Student Tech Club.

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, we spoke with Terry Barber about his personal journey into music and what it means to be a countertenor. As the creator of this program, he also discusses what goes into selecting the music and producing a show such as The Best of Broadway. Given the importance of community outreach to Barber, the countertenor discusses how he's giving back to the Brighton community and bringing high school choirs into his show.

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