Disney is known for its magic, and when it comes to its Broadway musicals, there's nothing quite like it. Over and over again, they've managed to capture their animated films perfectly on stage, perhaps none more so than The Lion King. This long-running musical has charmed families and theatergoers of all ages, bringing the Circle of Life to the stage in NYC and cities across North America. There's nothing like seeing the story we all know and love come to life before your eyes, which made for the perfect night out at the Detroit Opera House. But does the story hold up as a stage adaptation? That's exactly what we're exploring in this first episode of our The Lion King discussion!

In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the story and characters from this exciting Disney Broadway musical. From the sweeping tale of a rivaling family to the impact of legacy for all parties involved, there's much to discuss from The Lion King musical! Which characters did we relate to the most? Were there chances in the story that we didn't care for? Find out in this exciting episode!

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What do you get when you mix a small town from middle America with a charming con man? The Music Man, of course! Set in River City, Iowa, this classic Broadway musical follows Harold Hill, a smooth-talking fraud who convinces an entire town that their children urgently need a boys’ band, even though they really don't. His plan is simple: collect the money, skip town, and avoid questions like “what’s a trombone?” Packed with catchy songs, big dance numbers, and more enthusiasm than actual musical skill, The Music Man is a feel-good story about redemption, community spirit, and the fine art of talking your way out of trouble, until you don’t want to anymore. The national tour of this production is arriving at The Fox Theatre here in Detroit, and ahead of its arrival, we spoke with one of the cast members, Patrick Blashill!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Blashill discusses what it's like to step into a show such as this classic and how this production has pushed him as an actor! While Mayor Shin, who Blashill is playing in this production, tends to be a rather silly character, Blashill says he's bringing out a different side of the character's comedy through a more straight take! From favorite songs to some personal connections to Detroit, this actor has much to say in this exciting interview!

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Who are the Radium Girls? That's an excellent question, and perhaps one we should all be asking ourselves, as the story of these women is not only powerful but essential to know, as it has shaped how some of our world's industries are run. During the early 1900's, women working in factories came into contact with radium by licking the tips of their paintbrushes, as instructed by their bosses. What resulted was a plethora of health issues, including death, and mounting court cases as these women fought for protections and rights for all those in similar situations. International Academy East High School understands the importance of this incredible story of human perseverance, which is why they're bringing Radium Girls to their stage!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, we spoke with the student director of the show, Carlos Elias, and two cast members, Ishani Patil and Gugan Karthigeyan, about what audiences can expect! Elias speaks about what drew him to direct this story and how the challenges the characters have faced speak to him deeply. Patil and Karthigeyan talk about what drew them to this show and their process for bringing these characters to life!

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While I'm a lover of horror films, there are some tropes that have been played to death (no pun intended). A dark and stormy night, a demon summoned from a forgotten tome, having to run and open a door while the killer is behind you. However, above all...why must the dog always die in these films?!? Yes, I get it, they are a symbol of everything good and right in the world, so the impact hits like a ton of bricks, but I can't take another film where the best boy or girl meets their demise because of a spooky or unstoppable force! And apparently, I'm not alone in this, as Planet Ant's current production asks the same question in The Dog Doesn't Die. We had the pleasure of speaking with the writer and director of this play, Ariel Everitt, and with one of the cast members, Josh Prim, about the importance of a show like this!

In this exclusive BSB interview, Everitt and Prim discuss what it's like to bring a show such as The Dog Doesn't Die to the stage at Planet Ant's black box theater! Everitt discusses where the idea for this play came from and their process for developing the script and bringing their vision to life. Prim talks about what drew them to this project and how they've put their own spin on the character, Will!

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Turning a beloved cartoon into a Broadway spectacle may seem like an idea that should stay buried treasure at the bottom of the sea; however, The SpongeBob Musical somehow perfectly captures what makes the Nickelodeon series work, and gives audiences even more. Audiences are submerged...I mean, immersed in the brilliantly colorful work of Bikini Bottom, with a musical that highlights this universe's oddball humor, bright optimism, and chaotic charm. The result is a production that feels both familiar and completely unexpected, which is why it's the perfect show for The Stage at The Hillberry Gateway at Wayne State University! We recently spoke with director Eric Van Tielen and the main sponge himself, Brian Martin!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Van Tielen and Martin discuss what it's like to dive into the colorful world of SpongeBob SquarePants and just how these creatives are crafting something special for the entire family! Our director discusses the challenge of reusing and upcycling costumes and stagecraft, and where that conscious effort stems from. Martin discusses how he didn't grow up watching the cartoon, and what has gone into creating this iconic character for WSU's stage!

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When you think of the Broadway musical, Maybe Happy Ending, what immediately comes to mind? For some, it could possibly be the touching story of two helperbots finding love and companionship within each other as they journey to Jeju Island. However, if you're like me, one of the most striking aspects of Maybe Happy Ending is its incredible technological feats and impressive staging. The visuals are breathtaking, giving this musical such a distinct identity, as every piece of stagecraft feels thought out and deliberate. Paired with the sweeping ballads, there's much to discuss about the music and stagecraft from this Michael Arden-directed show!

In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko continue their conversation about Maybe Happy Ending with an exploration of the music and stagecraft of this Tony Award-winning musical! Which set piece stood out amongst the rest? Which part of the vast amount of technology used in this musical worked the best with the show? Is there a specific song that stood out the most to us or resonated with our souls? Maybe Happy Ending has a lot going on inside the show besides the story, so join these hosts as they break down all the incredible highs and possible lows in this exciting podcast!

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What do you get when you combine a Helperbot 3 and a Helperbot 5? A slow-burning romance and a thrilling adventure in the form of the Tony Award-winning musical Maybe Happy Ending! Set in a science-fiction world not that far removed from the reality we live in, this musical explores the humanity that exists in all of us. Even if we aren't actually humans...The story of Maybe Happy Ending is rich with narrative and characters, making it the perfect Broadway show to explore in our latest episode!

In this episode of The BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the story and characters of Maybe Happy Ending. This one-act musical takes audiences from a helperbot retirement village to Jeju Island and everywhere in between, offering so much to discuss within its narrative. With a focus on Claire and Oliver as they grow closer and gain a deeper understanding of each other, there's a rich history to explore in both characters. Which performance from the show really spoke to our hosts? What part of Maybe Happy Ending's story left them scratching their heads? Are there aspects of the Michael Arden-directed show that could be trimmed for a tighter and more easily digestible show? You'll find all these answers and more in the Maybe Happy Ending story and characters discussion here on the BSB Podcast!

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If you grew up in the early aughts, then there's a good chance you're familiar with the story of Legally Blonde. While Reese Witherspoon was already a movie star in her own right, this film shot her into the stratosphere, making her a household name and forever linking her with the color pink and plenty of sparkle. However, Legally Blonde took on another life when the fabulous magical arrived on the scene, forever changing the story of Elle Woods for the better! Pontiac Theatre IV understands the power of this show, as they've brought Legally Blonde the Musical to their stage, with director Achilles Slee at the helm! We recently spoke with Slee about their time on this production and why the glitter and glam are perfect for this local stage!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Slee discusses what ultimately drew them to direct this production and how important this show/film has been to their life. Much like me, Slee grew up on this film and didn't encounter the musical until they were older, but they discuss how it has impacted them for the better, which carries over into how they are directing this show!

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What's love, anyways, without a few Hallmark tropes thrown in, amirite? As someone who grew up on romantic comedies, the cheesier the romance, the better the investment. At least when it comes to films, that is. The Planet Ant Home Team is both paying homage to the genre while also pointing just a bit of fun at the pure ridiculousness of it with their current original comedy, How Romantique! We had the absolute pleasure of speaking to Mike McGettigan, who is both the director of this play and a cast member in it, and Andrew Reid, who is bringing his comedy chops to the stage!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Mike McGettigan and Andrew Reid discuss how this take on the romantic comedy genre came to be and what the process of developing it entails. McGettigan talks about his process for directing and how, with the Planet Ant Home Team, it truly is collaborative in every way. Every actor helps fine-tune the story and their specific character within it, shaping How Romantique in nearly every way. Both individuals talk about how their background with improv (as the Planet Ant home team is an improv troupe first and foremost), and how that specific brand of comedy has helped shape this play into the very best it can be!

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While I may have only been in fourth grade, the events of 9/11 will always be burned into my mind. That was a moment in American history that fundamentally changed the world, being one of the biggest tragedies of modern times. But out of the darkest of times can come beautiful things, such as the story of Gander, Newfoundland, which serves as the basis for Come From Away. Meadow Brook Theatre is bringing this inspiring story to its stage, and we spoke with two of the cast members, Tyrick Wiltez Jones and Jennifer Byrne, about this incredible production.

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Jones and Byrne discuss what it's like to join Come From Away and how their history with the events it's inspired by influences their performances. Both actors discuss their personal stories about 9/11, as well as the difficulties of reliving those events throughout this musical. Jones and Byrne discuss how this show has challenged them and how they push themselves to make Come From Away the best it can be!

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