The Show Biz Buzz Podcast

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical is coming to the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Stafford, running January 16 through March 1.

The production stars Toneisha Harris, who first wowed the nation on The Voice and has since become a familiar and celebrated presence on the Riverside stage, including a standout turn in Ghost the Musical. Now she returns to take on the iconic role of Donna Summer, calling it one of the most exciting and demanding roles of her career.

Patrick and Ted caught up with Harris to talk about her journey from national stages to local theaters, her time spent in the area, and what excites her most about bringing Donna Summer’s story and music to life.

Riverside tickets:   riversidedt.com

Patrick A'Hearn and Ted Schubel with an in-depth, candid conversation with Antwaun Gay, brother of music legend Marvin Gaye.

 In the 45-minute interview, Antwaun opens up about his spiritual journey, the setbacks and struggles that shaped him, and the personal battles he’s worked to overcome. He explains why he’s now committed to using his own story—the good, the painful, and the lessons learned—to reach people who feel overlooked or stuck.

 Antwaun also shares early details about his plans to tell his story more publicly in the coming year...perhaps with the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts!

Show Biz Buzz is officially back from hiatus.  Patrick and Ted are kicking off the reboot with a big episode. 

They’re joined by actor Chris Sanders for an inside look at next fall’s production of Sweeney Todd at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Stafford. Patrick and Chris dive into the show’s dark brilliance, its demanding music, and why this production promises to be one of Riverside’s most powerful.

It’s a sharp, engaging conversation that sets the tone for a new season of the podcast.  

riversidedt.com

We talked with Adrianne Hick and Andrew Foote as they concluded "Bridges of Madison County" at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Stafford, Virgnia. What makes their roles as Francesca and Robert unique is that in real life, they're married. We talk about balancing careers, marriage, and being on the road so frequently.

Being on stage and performing--show biz!--but how does actually work out in real life?

Jacquez Linder-Long (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.) and Nicole Vanessa Ortiz (Sarah) talk about how they've approached their roles in the Ragtime production. They say the show is more than a telling of history--it's showing race struggles in America. It's showing justice and how that means different things to different groups. They talk about how difficult scenes with inflamatory words are handled among cast members. Jacquaez says it's a show that needs to be seen. This is a podcast that needs to be listened to!

Riverside Center for the Performing Arts Music Director Carson Eubank can seamlessly move from behind a piano to a podium to the main stage. He talks about his excitement of taking notes on a piece of paper and bringing it into life and 3D. He also has a shout-out to JMU!

Jake David Smith and Juliette Redden are starring in "Escape to Margaritaville" at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts in Stafford, Virginia. What's it like to work together? Do they get jealous when they see the other kissing others in a show? We talk about the role of the audience and how theater today is the one place where everyone is focused on the same thing. No cell phones to be a distraction.

Patrick A'Hearn, the Producing Artistic Director at the Riverside Center for the Performing Arts talks about the process of writing and putting together a holiday show. The art of mixing traditional Christmas music with new songs and music that's now a Christmas theme. Also, away from home during the holidays for many of the performers.

Richmond native Kathy Halenda is currently on the Broadway national tour of "Tootsie." We caught up with her to talk about the demands of touring--it's not a 9-5 type lifestyle. What's it take to be successful on stage? Kathy Halenda says you have to see the world thru emotion and not logic.

Broadway musical and theatre performer Loni Ackerman joins us. Among her many credits is the title role in the Los Angeles production of Evita. She's witty and insightful--especially when she talks with us about skills many actors today lack.