There are some roles and shows that are once-in-a-lifetime theatre experiences, and I think it's safe to say that Next to Normal falls squarely in that category. This musical explores some difficult topics, such as loss, grief, and mental illness, but provides some incredible roles and a stunning narrative that allows actors to showcase their talent. The Players Guild of Dearborn has brought Next to Normal to their stage, and we recently got to speak with Sydney Assalley-Williams, who plays Diana in this production!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Assalley-Williams discusses what it's like to step into a role such as Diana in this musical at the Players Guild of Dearborn. Next to Normal places Diana's mental health at the center of the musical, as she navigates her Bipolar Disorder. The highs and lows can be hard to capture, and this actress speaks about where she pulls from to bring authenticity to the role. From personal experiences to people in her life, Assalley-Williams has found inspiration in so many places in which to bring Diana to life.

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Everyone has a story to tell, which is just one of the many reasons we should talk with family and friends, so that stories can live on. Memories hold so much power, as that is how people live on forever. While people may pass away, the impact they have on our lives and on the world in general never does. Liberation is a play that honors this, as the main character looks back on an integral moment in her mother's life, in an attempt to resolve her grief and perhaps better understand her mother's choices. This Broadway show from playwright Bess Wohl and director Whitney White is a love letter to Second-Wave feminism as well as the women who shaped that movement, and frankly our lives. Liberation is rich in detail, so we're still dissecting it, which makes it the perfect show to chat about on our most recent episode of The BSB Podcast!

In this BSB Podcast episode, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko share their thoughts on what made Liberation such a special play. Beginning with a breakdown of the story, these two deep-dive into each character and how their motivations either enhance the narrative or undermine the show's emotional impact. While exploring a personal story in a larger world, what does Liberation attempt to say about both? Is it possible to find answers from someone who has since passed through those who knew her?

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This is a real circle-of-life moment for me, as someone who has been a lover and critic of Broadway and theater in general for quite some time, finally getting to see The Lion King on stage for the first time! I know what you're thinking: how have I been to New York City so many times and have yet to see this classic Broadway musical before? I've been wondering that for years, but finally the time has come and I can't be more excited! We recently spoke with Nick LaMedica, who plays Zazu in the touring production, about his time in this musical, which is also a real circle-of-life moment for him!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, LaMedica discusses how he's gone from a young man seeing The Lion King on stage as one of his first musicals to now starring in a production and spreading that joy with other families! Nick LaMedica discusses the intricacies of bringing Zazu to life, as it takes special puppetry, and how there's nothing quite like being on stage amidst the Disney magic night after night!

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There are some conversations that society tends to deem too sensitive or difficult to have, yet they are also among the most important to talk about, one of which is mental health. As a psychologist, it took me years of training to learn how to talk to people about their mental health, but for so many families, it can be a conversation that feels easier to ignore. This is why shows such as Next to Normal are so important, as not only does it start the conversation, but it normalizes having mental health issues instead of burying them deep. The Players Guild of Dearborn is starting that conversation with its production of Next to Normal, and we spoke with the musical's director, Cayla Kolbusz, and actors Kyle Harwood and Mohamad Mohammad about what audiences can expect!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Kolbusz, Harwood, and Mohammad talk about what drew them to the project and what it's like to have this conversation about mental health! They discuss how they chose to highlight certain aspects of the show and how they contextualize their characters and songs in the musical!

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According to Occam's razor, the simplest answer is most often the correct one, a phrase often repeated by the world's greatest detective. However, it doesn't seem like the mystery at the center of Avon Player's Holmes and Watson is exactly simple; instead, it makes the audience question what is true and what is a lie. With three different people claiming to be Sherlock Holmes, Watson has to figure out who is really his best friend and who is lying. We recently spoke with two of the Holmeses, Will Johnson (Holmes #1) and Joseph G. Tobin (Holmes #2), about what it's like to be a part of this production!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Johnson and Tobin talk about what it's like to bring different versions of an iconic character, such as Sherlock Holmes, to life! These two actors discuss how they keep the mystery alive in the show, revealing bits and pieces throughout Holmes and Watson. There's significant psychological tension, which adds to the mystery, and Johnson and Tobin discuss how the technical aspects ratchet it up in this exciting interview!

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What does home signal to each of us? For some, it's a destination. A physical place where we return after a long day and rest our heads. A dwelling that allows us to recharge with those we love. However, for others, it could indicate a return to our roots. Perhaps long forgotten, but the magnetic pull of where we come from. There are so many layers to just that one word, and Inspired Acting Company in Walled Lake is ready to peel them back for audiences with their production of Samm-Art Williams Home. We recently spoke with the show's director, Bryana Hall, about what audiences might find when they step into this theatre for this production!

In this exclusive BSB Insider Interview, Hall discusses what initially drew her to the project and why this feels like the perfect time to bring this story to the Inspired Acting Company! With a unique sound, quite literally, Hall explores the challenges of finding the play's voice and the incredible work the cast and crew are doing to achieve it. With so many layers to Samm-Art Williams' text, the director explores which pieces felt integral to the story and where the actors could have a bit of fun exploring the source material.

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I remember being in World History back in high school, and my teacher loved to repeat a single line after each topic: "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Now I know this is a variation of the famous line by Winston Churchill and wasn't something my teacher came up with; however, it has become ingrained in my head. This is one of the reasons that plays such as The Diary of Anne Frank are so important, to continue educating people about the pains of the past in hopes of a brighter future. We recently spoke with two of the cast members of Birmingham Village Players' production of The Diary of Anne Frank, Stella Fenton and Josephine O'Reilly, about what audiences can expect from this play!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Stella Fenton and Josephine O'Reilly discuss what drew them to this show and the weight of telling the story of the Frank family. Stepping into the shoes of a real individual comes with the pressure of doing them justice, especially when it comes to a story during the height of the Holocaust. These two actresses share how they are honoring Anne and Margot while also making these characters their own!

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We count our blessings every day to be able to do what we do and share our passion with theater (and entertainment in general) with all of our readers and listeners, as it has truly been such a highlight of our lives. However, every once in a while, we still have one of those pinch-me moments as we continue on this journey with BSB Insider, as it's hard to believe what has become from such simple beginnings. Take Robert Bannon's appearance on an episode of The BSB Podcast as one of those moments, because never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd be talking with this multi-faceted talent about his impressive career on stage and as a podcaster. From putting on shows of his own, recording an album that means so much to him, and now the face and voice of The Round Table, there's no stopping Bannon's dedication and talent when it comes to his passions.

On this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko flip the script, or in this case perhaps the table, and discuss Bannon's incredible career from his early days at Juilliard to his reinvention that came in his 30's. He's starred as Roger in Rent, performed at 54 Below, and made his way into our neck of the woods here in Detroit, only to find continued success as one of the leading figures in the Broadway podcasting world. However, perhaps the biggest takeaway from this episode is that in the world of theatre and music, there's always room at the table with Robert Bannon.

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I remember reading S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders in school and being deeply moved by its core message. The importance of family, but not necessarily the family you were born into, but the friends who become part of your unit along the way. No matter the loss or the trials we go through, our family will be there for us, and together we can get through anything that happens. That strength remains in the musical adaptation of The Outsiders, and we had the pleasure of speaking with Nolan White, who plays PonyBoy in the North American touring production of this Tony Award-winning musical!

In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Nolan White talks about how he went from a student at the University of Michigan to securing the coveted spot in this incredible show. Taking on the role of PonyBoy isn't always easy, as The Outsiders is a complete emotional rollercoaster, but White talks about his process for stepping into and out of the show. Listen to find out the challenges of this show, but also how deeply rewarding it is to play someone as PonyBoy day after day!

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There's nothing quite like all that jazz, and Broadway has consistently brought the heat since 1996, when Chicago made it's trimpuhant return to New York City. Having found a home at the Ambassador Theatre, Chicago has brought down the house night after night, with one of the most classic Broadway shows that you can still find in the Big Apple. So what is it about this show that keeps bringing people in 30 years later? Perhaps part of that has to do with the timeless music and impressive dancing that continues to razzle and dazzle audiences, which is just a piece of the puzzle we'll be discussing today!

In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the music and stagecraft of Broadway's Chicago. From songs we were familiar with to pieces that spoke to us on so many levels, there are so many musical aspects and performances to discuss. Also, Chicago has stripped away any big, flashy sets, placing the focus on those on stage and the talent they possess. In that regard, which performance struck us as top of the game, and which left us scratching our heads? Listen as we give our thoughts and final verdicts on this long-running Broadway show!

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