As a therapist, I can attest that sometimes laughter is the best healing medicine. Typically, we tend to release pain through tears, but when we can channel our grief into laughter, we get relief amid all the sadness. Dearly Departed explores the journey of grief in the Turpin family, who lose their patriarch at the show's beginning. However, this play also understands the importance of laughter, lacing the exploration of loss with the need and desire for laughter, with a show that makes you laugh until you cry. Ahead of the arrival of this play at Pontiac IV Theatre, we spoke with the director of Dearly Departed, Emily Mick, and assistant director/cast member Sean Harbert! In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Mick and Harbert discuss what drew them to this show and how it has challenged them in their respective roles. What is it like to balance directorial duties with also being on stage? What is Mick's process for translating her vision for Dearly Departed to the stage? How does Harbert bring the character of Junior to life on stage? And how does Kenny Chesney's "She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy" factor into this all? You'll have to listen to this interview to get all those answers and learn more about what you can expect when attending Pontiac IV Theatre's Dearly Departed!

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What would you do if someone offered you a potion that grants you eternal life? What price would you pay to remain young and youthful from now until forever? For many, that opportunity would be priceless, but as we know, all magic comes with strings attached, as Madeline and Helen learn in the new Broadway musical, Death Becomes Her! Based on the 1992 cult classic film starring Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis, this zany story has found new life at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in NYC. With a talented cast and crew led by Broadway legends Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard, Death Becomes Her has taken the internet by storm with catchy songs and perhaps the gayest show on Broadway!

In this Box Seat Babes podcast episode, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko discuss the story and characters in this Tony Award-nominated musical. Have either of them seen the original film? What did they think about Madeline and Helen's frenemies' relationship? Whose performance struck them like a shove to Mads' head? There's so much to love and appreciate about this show, so listen to this part one discussion of Death Becomes Her and let us know your thoughts in the comments or on social media!

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It's never an easy decision to decide when and how to bring a baby into the world, especially when the world feels like it's falling apart around you. With the changing global landscape constantly in flux, there is never a perfect time to take the plunge and have a child. That pressure has to feel insurmountable at times, and is at the center of Tipping Point Theatre's latest production, Lungs, which arrives at the Northville theater this evening! Billed as a two-person show, Lungs is an intimate look at the dynamics between a couple as they discuss embarking on one of life's most extraordinary journeys. Ahead of its arrival, we sat down and spoke with the director of Lungs, Julia Glander, as well as the two stars of the show, Connor Allston and Kristin Shields!

In this exclusive Box Seat Babe interview, Julia Glander discusses why this show feels incredibly important given the state of the world and how it fits into the overarching theme of family, which has been the connective tissue from this season at Tipping Point. Allston and Shields also discuss what drew them to this project and the pressure that comes from a two-person show such as Lungs! In which aspects do these two characters reflect the actors? How has this show challenged all three parties? All these answers and more lie within this exciting interview showcasing the final show of Tipping Point's season!

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We've all heard the story of Harold Hill before, right? A charming, young con man who travels across America from one small town to another, creating unnecessary panic in hopes of stealing everyone's money. Classic Harold, giving false promises of bringing music to citizens through a marching band, and disappearing into the night with their hard-earned cash. However, as audiences discover in Meredith Wilson's musical, The Music Man, Harold is about to meet his match and perhaps have a change of heart. The Music Man is a gold standard Broadway show, bringing a classic feel to the stage with both its music and structure. Having found life in many adaptations and even a recent Broadway revival, the Birmingham Village Players are now bringing it locally here to Michigan, as the final show of their 102nd season! To celebrate the arrival of The Music Man, we sat down to talk with Harold Hill himself, or at least the man behind him, Adam Grey, and the delightful Kristen Dittus, who plays Marian in the musical!

In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Dittus and Grey discuss their rich history with Wilson's show, from previous performances to a deep appreciation for the music and story. Discover how these two have worked diligently to bring these characters to life and how they've developed the chemistry between these two iconic characters. What is their favorite song to perform in the show? What challenges does having such a large cast for this production of The Music Man pose? All those answers and more lie in store in this exciting interview!

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There's that saying that history repeats itself, which seems to be one of the only constants in life. Trends fade, only to return decades later, reminding us that everything in life is cyclical. Both the good and the bad find their way back as the tides of life change over and over, whether we like it or not. That's what makes shows such as Perfect Arrangement so crucial to the theatre landscape, highlighting past injustices and reminding people what can return if we bury our heads in the sand. Opening soon at Stagecrafters in Royal Oak, we spoke with director Leta Chrisman and cast member Lisa Hanes about their time with this production.

In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Leta Chrisman and Lisa Hanes discuss what drew them to this project and what it's like to tell a queer story such as this one. Why is this play so important to Chrisman, who championed a local production? Who is Hanes playing in the show, and how does she factor into the overall narrative? And just what exactly are they hoping audiences walk away from Perfect Arrangement with? Give this interview a listen to discover all that and more!

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There's that saying that history repeats itself, which seems to be one of the only constants in life. Trends fade, only to return decades later, reminding us that everything in life is cyclical. Both the good and the bad find their way back as the tides of life change over and over, whether we like it or not. That's what makes shows such as Perfect Arrangement so crucial to the theatre landscape, highlighting past injustices and reminding people what can return if we bury our heads in the sand. Opening soon at Stagecrafters in Royal Oak, we spoke with director Leta Chrisman and cast member Lisa Hanes about their time with this production.

In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Leta Chrisman and Lisa Hanes discuss what drew them to this project and what it's like to tell a queer story such as this one. Why is this play so important to Chrisman, who championed a local production? Who is Hanes playing in the show, and how does she factor into the overall narrative? And just what exactly are they hoping audiences walk away from Perfect Arrangement with? Give this interview a listen to discover all that and more!

Find the video of this podcast on YouTube

For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes

Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or check out our Linktree!

We've all heard the story of Harold Hill before, right? A charming, young con man who travels across America from one small town to another, creating unnecessary panic in hopes of stealing everyone's money. Classic Harold, giving false promises of bringing music to citizens through a marching band, and disappearing into the night with their hard-earned cash. However, as audiences discover in Meredith Wilson's musical, The Music Man, Harold is about to meet his match and perhaps have a change of heart. The Music Man is a gold standard Broadway show, bringing a classic feel to the stage with both its music and structure. Having found life in many adaptations and even a recent Broadway revival, the Birmingham Village Players are now bringing it locally here to Michigan, as the final show of their 102nd season! To celebrate the arrival of The Music Man, we sat down to talk with Harold Hill himself, or at least the man behind him, Adam Grey, and the delightful Kristen Dittus, who plays Marian in the musical!

In this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview, Dittus and Grey discuss their rich history with Wilson's show, from previous performances to a deep appreciation for the music and story. Discover how these two have worked diligently to bring these characters to life and how they've developed the chemistry between these two iconic characters. What is their favorite song to perform in the show? What challenges does having such a large cast for this production of The Music Man pose? All those answers and more lie in store in this exciting interview!

Find the video of this podcast on YouTube

For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes

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Audra McDonald is a Broadway Legend in every sense of the title, from her incredible acting to even more impressive singing. So when we heard that she was starring in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's Gypsy, we knew that we had to see it in person on our next trip to New York City. This classic musical based on the story of real life burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee debuted back in 1959 and has continued to stun audiences with each revival. This time, the creatvies behind Gypsy are looking to put a new spin on the decades old show, exploring typics that make for a more dynamic experience for all involved!

In this episode of the Box Seat Babes podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko continue their discussion of Broadway's Gypsy, with a focus on the songs and dance numbers, staging, and lighting. What from this production wowed them? Which performance blew them away? Is Audra McDonald in the running for a Tony Award for Rose's Turn? There's so much to appreciate from this latest Sondheim revival, and The Box Seat Babes do their best to give the listeners the highlights from this production! You can catch Gypsy at the the Majestic Theatre in New York City, currently running through August, so get your tickets now and witness Broadway royalty give a fresh talk on this classic musical!

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There's something timeless about the works of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin, collectively known as The Rat Pack. All stars in their own right, these men, amongst others, shared the silver screen and the stages of Vegas together. Even though they reached their height almost three-quarters of a century ago, their films and music are still enjoyed by so many, reaching immortality through their lasting legacy, a legacy that is at the center of Meadow Brook Theatre's latest production, The Rat Pack Lounge!

Ahead of its premiere at the long-running Rochester, Michigan, playhouse, we spoke with the playwrights of The Rat Pack Lounge, James Hindman and Ray Roderick! In this exclusive interview, Hindman and Roderick discuss how they developed this show, from concept to song choice, how they get into the mindset of these musical legends when writing the scenes, and what themes from the show mean the most to them. Listeners also get a glimpse into the role audiences play early in the development of a show, such as The Rat Pack Lounge, and how testing the show is integral to getting everything just right! Thank you so much for listening to this exclusive Box Seat Babes interview. Enjoy!

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Hello! Do you have a minute to talk about our lord and savior, The Book of Mormon? No, not the actual book, but the wildly successful Broadway musical that has been a staple in the New York theatre scene since 2011! The Book of Mormon continues to delight audiences of all walks of life, with a satirical look at the power of religion and the community that stems from it. The national touring production recently stopped at The Fisher Theatre as the penultimate show of the 2024-2025 Broadway in Detroit season, bringing down the house with roarious laughter.

In this second episode of our The Book of Mormon discussion, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko move on from the story and characters to talk about their highlights from the music and technical side of the show. With songs that pay homage to Broadway shows of decades past, each wit

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h a distinct sound, which ones stood out to them? How did they feel the staging and costumes helped to deliver the story? There's so much to break down, all of which you can find in this most recent Box Seat Babes podcast episode! You can catch this musical comedy when it stops in a city near you! Stay tuned for part two, where we discuss the musical and technical side of the show!