Titanique was a show that was on our radar for quite some time, although it took us until our last trip to New York City to catch it! The buzz for this show was astounding, with social media ablaze with positive reactions to the show. So when we decided to make our annual trek to NYC back in January, this Off-Broadway musical was at the top of our list, and we weren't disappointed in the slightest! Titanique is a gem of a show that speaks to a movie that so many of us know and hold dear to our hearts, which is why it appeals to so many people! While we touched on the story and characters in the first episode, in this chapter, we're going to discuss Titanique's Music and Stagecraft!

In this episode of the Box Seat Babes Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko share their thoughts on the music and stagecraft from this Off-Broadway production! From the incredible vocal performances to the hilarious humor that made everyone in the audience cry from laughter to the staging that brought the ship Titanic into the black box theater, there is so much to break down about this one-of-a-kind theatrical experience! Which type of humor made these hosts giggle the most? Which iconic Celine Dion song made they choke up? And which character stole the show? Check out this hysterical episode to find out all this and more!

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There's nothing quite like a summer blockbuster to kick off a season of fun and relaxation in the sun. For as long as I can remember, studios have fought over the summer movie of the year, attempting to take that spot and reign supreme for that year. From Marvel films to Barbie and Oppenheimer, cinema domination has been a staple of moviegoers for quite some time now. Rewind about 50 years, and Jaws was the first film to kick off the summer blockbuster trend, bringing people in to see the larger-than-life (and bigger-than-the-boat) shark and the terror it brought to Amity Island. With so many people still having Jaws fever, Tipping Point Theatre has decided to open its season with a play that takes audiences behind the scenes of the movie, in The Shark Is Broken! While the cast and crew have been hard at work bringing the Orca to the Northville stage, we sat down and spoke with the director of the show, Bill Simmons, about what drew him to directing this play at Tipping Point Theatre!

In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Bill Simmons talks about his fascination and journey with Jaws and what about The Shark is Broken script drew him in. With a narrative of three incredible actors woven into the drama of making a film, Simmons talks about how he wants to highlight the humanity of the story, while also exploring why films such as Jaws are so timeless and still relevant. The director also discusses how his directorial style has evolved over the years and how his approach to The Shark is Broken has shifted since the last show he directed at Tipping Point Theatre.

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Much like the desert heat, the temperature is rising over at Avon Players, as The Prince of Egypt The Musical arrives at the Rochester Hills theater! This musical adaptation of DreamWorks' animated film, which in turn is a retelling of a biblical story, follows the story of Moses and his brother Ramses, inseparable brothers who struggle to see eye-to-eye as they grow older. While the sun may be setting on opening weekend, there are still plenty of opportunities to catch the cast and crew in The Prince of Egypt, such as the incredibly talented Ryan Gigliotti and Tracy Murray, who play the Pharaoh Seti and his Queen Tuya, respectively.

In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Gigliotti and Murray discuss their roles as Seti and Tuya and how they factor into the narrative of The Prince of Egypt. Their excitement for the show is palpable, as both actors have big smiles on their faces as they discuss being one of the first theaters in Michigan to stage this Stephen Schwartz musical. Seti and Tuya are two sides of a royal coin, often in conflict between what is best for their family and what is best for Egypt. These actors talk about how they find balance in their characters and how they develop them from page to stage!

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William Shakespeare is considered one of the greatest writers in the English language, creating so many incredible works that we're still talking about today. Productions of shows, such as Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth, continue to find life and relevance on Broadway and the West End. Here, locally in Michigan, a production of Much Ado About Nothing has arrived at St. Dunstan Theatre, coming to life on their Greek Theatre! As the first fall production in the outside theater, Much Ado About Nothing is hopefully starting a new tradition at the institution, as up until now, they've only produced Spring/Summer productions in the Greek! We recently spoke with two of the cast members, Jenna Russell and Jonah Schulte, about their time on the production and what audiences can expect from this St. Dunstan show!

In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Russell and Schulte discuss what drew them to auditioning for Much Ado About Nothing and how the rehearsal process has been going so far! Russell has a deep love and appreciation for this play and the character of Beatrice, stemming from her high school education, while Schulte talks about how he develops his character without taking in any past productions of Much Ado. How does performing the show in an outdoor theater enhance the experience? Does doing so as we approach Autumn pose any challenges? Check out this interview to find out!

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If offered the chance, would you live forever? It's an interesting thought, because with unlimited time comes endless possibilities, but there's also a dark side to that question as well. Could you handle watching life continue around you, as you're frozen in a moment of time forever? The ideas within Tuck Everlasting are expansive, presented through the eyes of a young girl caught up in a world she doesn't belong in. Natalie Babbitt pondered these ideas 50 years ago, and readers are still contemplating them; however, over in Royal Oak, Michigan, we're seeing the story come to life in a whole new way. Stagecrafters is bringing the musical version of Tuck Everlasting to their stage, opening this weekend! While they've been hard at work, director Jennifer Ward and cast member Julia Cody took some time out of their busy schedules to come and chat with us about the production!

In this exclusive Box Seat Babe Interview, Ward and Cody discuss their journey with the material, with the director championing this project for almost two years, and how that has eventually led them to Stagecrafters! Cody talks about playing a spirit within the show and how the production has positioned the ensemble as an integral piece of the musical puzzle. With some heavy themes of life and time, both Ward and Cody talk about how the themes speak to them and, as a result, how those are translated onto the stage!

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Where would we be without the work of Celine Dion? As a performer, she has given us so many iconic songs, dare I say anthems, which will go on in our hearts for generations to come! And of course, she was also present on the Titanic on its maiden voyage, right? That's right, Titanique, the Off-Broadway musical, places the singer smack dab in the middle of a significant world event, inserting herself into James Cameron's film and between Jack and Rose! This hilarious show has so many narrative layers, providing audiences with so many storylines and tidbits to enjoy!

In this episode of the Box Seat Babes Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko share their thoughts on the narrative thread that spans Titanique. While this show is one part retelling of the classic film, Titanique weaves additional narratives that heighten the meta-ness of the show as well as the humor. How exactly was Celine Dion brought onto the ship and into the fold of the film Titanic? How much does the story change once the Queen of Power Ballads finds herself amongst the crew of the doomed ship? With a frenetic energy that has to be seen to fully comprehend, Titanique is theater at its finest and funniest, making it a must for all theater lovers, if and when they get the chance!

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With fall quickly approaching, Tipping Point Theater in Northville, Michigan, is preparing what is bound to be an exciting season of shows. Collecting five different plays connected by the feeling of nostalgia, Tipping Point is looking to explore the highs and lows of looking back on the past. From cozy feelings of holidays with family and friends, to the reality of living through unprecedented times, each show looks back while also reflecting on the present and future. As Tipping Point readies for its first performance, we sat down and spoke with the Artistic Director, Julia Glander, about what audiences can expect from season 18!

In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Glander talks about her process for choosing shows, answering what comes first, good scripts or a theme for the season. Through the lens of nostalgia, she also explores each individual show, highlighting what drew her to choose the script for season 18. From shows such as The Shark is Broken, which tells the story of what happened behind the scenes during the making of Jaws, to the love story between two comedians in Gene & Gilda, there are some incredible shows arriving at Tipping Point Theatre!

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The theater season here in Michigan is finally heating up, and we couldn't be more excited! Kicking off our personal season here at Box Seat Babes is The Prince of Egypt, the musical, arriving this weekend at Avon Players in Rochester Hills, Michigan! This stage production, based on the 1990s DreamWorks film, tells the story of Moses and Ramses, rival brothers trapped in a prophetic dance unlike any other. We recently spoke with two of the cast members, RJ Miller-Zelinko and Emily Brown, about their time on this production and what drew them to audition!

In this exclusive Box Seat Babe Interview, RJ Miller-Zelinko is sitting on the other side of the metaphorical desk, along with one of his costars from The Prince of Egypt, Emily Brown, to discuss the work they are doing on this exciting musical. Both Miller-Zelinko and Brown have a history with the material, beginning with the DreamWorks animated film in their childhood, which has led them to this moment here at Avon Players! Using the Pro-Shot of the West End production of the musical, Avon Players is creating theater magic through the use of their ensemble and the dedication to telling this story right. These cast members discuss how the theater is achieving the visual and musical notes, and why this show is so special for all involved!

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The latest theatrical season is upon us, with so many local community theaters here in the Metro Detroit area gearing up for their latest batch of musicals and plays. Birmingham Village Players is kicking off their 103rd season with a Tony Award-winning musical from 1965, Man of La Mancha! Based on Miguel de Cervantes' novel Don Quixote, this musical tells the story of the mad knight as he works to gather some important objects for an epic quest. We recently spoke with two of the stars, Jude Purcell and Jennifer Jones, about their time on this production!

In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Jude Purcell and Jennifer Jones talk about their history with the show. From a love that began with the music to starring in the show multiple times, each of these cast members has deep roots with Man of La Mancha. What is it like to revisit this show at a different point in the actors' lives? Do they connect differently with the musical now that they are older and wiser? Which themes and songs still speak to them after all this time? Both Purcell and Jones have a deep appreciation for Man of La Mancha, a passion that is bound to create magic on stage in Birmingham, Michigan!

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The Tony Award-winning musical, The Outsiders, continues to stay gold on Broadway, bringing the timeless story by author S.E. Hinton to the stage for a new generation. This timeless story still resonates with so many; however, the stage production enhances the narrative with incredible music and some impressive visual elements that are a feast for the audience's eyes! With a strong musical and visual identity, there's plenty to discuss in The Outsiders Music and Stagecraft podcast episode! In this episode of the Box Seat Babes podcast, co-hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko talk about the highlights from their performance of The Outsiders at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York City! The talent within this show is exceptional, with each actor delivering career-defining performances night after night. With so many stand-out moments and songs, which ones stood out to our hosts? Which number made Brian bawl like a baby without his favorite blankie and in desperate need of a nap? How did the choreography live up to the Tony Awards performance? From the costumes to the dancing, and the larger-than-life set pieces, so much went into bringing this show to life on stage, it's almost impossible to give The Outsiders its due in just one episode, but join us and explore what this show has to offer!

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