The Theater Enthusiast Podcast

This episode we are joined by actor, writer and teaching artist David McElwee. David is currently starring as Chris Bean in The Play That Goes Wrong playing at New World Stages. Some of his credits include Venus in Fur, Philadelphia, Here I Come (Irish Rep), How to Transcend a Happy Marriage (LCT), The Wayside Motor Inn (Drama Desk-Best Ensemble at Signature Theatre) and All My Sons.

We talk with David about what got him into performing, working on The Play That Goes Wrong, how doing the Play That Goes Wrong is very different than what he normally leans towards, and much more!

Make sure to see David and the rest of the amazing cast in The Play That Goes Wrong! Truly a fun night at the theater! 

This episode we are joined by actor Emma Kikue! Emma is currently starring in the New York premier of Disruption at Pershing Square Signature Center from now until October 4th. Some of her stage credits include G-d Said This, Mother of Exiles, brainsmash and the audio play Song of the Northwoods. She’s been in TV shows such as Love Life, The Sinner, Blue Bloods and Elementary. 

We talk with Emma about what got her into performing, why she loves working on new works, working on Disruption and much more!

Make sure to see Emma and the rest of the amazing cast in Disruption! 

This episode we are joined by New York based actor and theater artist, Kendal Hartse! Her Broadway credits include Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Cinderella and On a Clear Day… She was also in the 1st national tour of The Band’s Visit and has toured with Cabaret and Cats. Other credits include Annie, Once, Hedwig and Arcadia. 

Kendal is the co-founder and artist in residence of Harlow Radical, a new interdisciplinary performance group. Their new show Cowboy, which is created by and starring Kendal, is playing at Royal Family Performing Arts Space from August 22nd-24th. For tickets visit the link in Kendal and Harlow Radical social media bios!

We talk with Kendal about what got her into performing, the creation of Harlow Radical and Cowboy, the life of a dancer and much more!

This episode we are joined by performer Kennedy Caughell! Kennedy is currently playing Jersey on the national tour of Hell's Kitchen and her debut solo album, Just the Beginning is out now wherever you get your music (make sure to download her album)! Her Broadway credits include Paradise Square, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 and Beautiful. Other credits include Waitress, Wicked, Frozen, 9 to 5 and American Idiot. This fall she is be returning to New York to star in Midnight a new musical by Todrick Hall!

We talk with Kennedy about what got her into performing, an actor's life on tour, working on her new album and much more!

This episode we are joined by multi-hyphenate actress-singer-writer-teacher Grace McLean! Grace has appeared on Broadway in Suffs, Bad Cinderella and Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. She also has many off-Broadway credits that include Alice By Heart and her own show In the Green that was commissioned by Lincoln Center Theater. 

Starting today(!) through August 30th, you can see her at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival performing in Penelope which she is a co-book writer on along with Alex Bechtel (who also wrote the music and lyrics) and Eve Steinmetz. You can also listen to Penelope: Live at Joe’s Pub where you stream your music! 

Also, Grace’s debut full length album My Lovely Enemy is out now and can be listened to anywhere you stream your music!

We talk with Grace about how she got involved in working on Penelope, finding creative outlets and much more!

This episode we are joined by performer Matthew Curiano! Matthew is currently starring in Masquerade and was last seen off-Broadway in This is Not a Drill at the York Theatre. His regional and tour credits include Nine, Ragtime, Camelot, Something Rotten Les Miserables and Annie. 

Matt is also the co-creator of The Homo Sapien Experience, with The Theater Enthusiast Podcast alum Brandon Contreras, which an a Telly Awarding winning Queer sketch comedy platform that shares stories of the human experience with the emphasis on "Homo."

We speak with Matt about what got him into performing, working on Masquerade and his journey with the show, co-creating The Homo Sapien Experience, and much more!

This episode we are joined by performers Posi Morakinyo and Shaun Escoffery! Posi and Shaun are currently starring as Simba and Mufasa in The Lion King UK. Shaun has been with the production of The Lion King in the UK for the last 18 years and Posi making his return to the West End in the show. 

If you’re in London, make sure to see Posi and Shaun in the Lion King!

This episode we are joined by performer Max Chernin! Max is known for his roles in Parade which he performed in on Broadway and on the national tour, Bright Star and Sunday in the Park with George. Other credits include Brooklynite, Passing Through, Elf and Fiddler on the Roof.  Max is currently starring in the new off-Broadway musical A Walk on the Moon playing now until August 22nd.

We talk with Max about what got him into performing, tour the country with Parade, working on A Walk on the Moon and much more!

This episode we are joined by Lea and Drew Lachey! Lea is a performer and choreographer and Drew is an award-winning stage and screen star also known for being a part of the group 98 Degrees. He also appeared on Broadway in RENT and SPAMalot! They are the creators and co-directors of the off-Broadway show Label•less. Not only did they create and co-director, Lea choreographed, and Drew wrote/co-wrote original music for the show!

Label•less features a wildly talented cast of young adults sharing real-life experiences and taking
audiences on an emotional journey packed with soaring vocals and electric dancing.

Label•less is playing at The Duke on 42nd Street from now until August 29th. For tickets, visit labellessmusical.com/tickets.

We speak with Lea and Drew about the creation of Label•less, Drew's journey to working on Broadway, their non-profit Lachey Arts, what led theater experience led Drew to 98 Degrees and much more!

This episode we are joined by Tony nominated performer Norm Lewis! Norm is known for his roles in Porgy and Bess, Les Miserables and The Phantom of Opera. Many of his other theater credits include The Who’s Tommy, Miss Saigon, Sweeney Todd, Once on This Island, The Little Mermaid, Monte Cristo and Chicken & Biscuits. And let’s not also forget Norm was on Scandal! 

Norm is making his return to 54 Below from June 14th to June 20th for his show Broadway and Beyond! To get your tickets, visit 54below.org.

We talk with Norm about how he got his start, his many different roles he's played over the years, working on Scandal, his upcoming concert and 54 Below and much more! Also, Norm did give us some exclusives during our conversation...!