Theater People

At long last, our interview with Rocky himself! Andy sits down with us to discuss his earlier work in 'Legally Blonde, and 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' before telling all about starring as the title character in the $17 million mega musical 'Rocky.' He shares stories about how the experience changed his life and career as well as his new project, Roundabout Theatre Company's 'On the Twentieth Century.'

The hilarious Tony nominee chats with us about the 3 years she spent playing Tracy Turnblad in the national tour of "Hairspray" , making her Broadway debut in "Priscilla: Queen of the Desert", winning the role of Norma Valverde in the (criminally short lived) "Hands on a Hardbody" and the Tony nod that came with it, and playing Madame Thenardier in "Les Mis" 8 times per week. This episode is packed with emotion, hilarity, and heart!

Our first ever live show was a smashing success! Two time Tony nominee Laura Osnes ('Cinderella' and 'Bonnie & Clyde) talks life after 'Cinderella,' the roles she auditioned for but didn't get to play, starring in the upcoming 'Carousel,' and we even get her to rap Lin-Manuel Miranda style. And Ellyn Marie Marsh performs a hilarious excerpt from her sold out 54 Below debut solo show 'Inappropriate.'

Here's our chance to share one of our favorite theater podcasts! Broadway actors Mo Brady ('The Adams Family') and Nikka Graff Lanzarone ('Women on the Verge...' and 'Chicago') talk with us about 'The Ensemblist' podcast and how they show Broadway from the inside out.

The beloved Broadway beltress shares stories of moving to NYC fresh out of high school and booking her fist Broadway gig. She also tells all about her incredible career, including being hand picked by the legendary director Joe Mantello to star Off-Broadway in "Dogfight," and, of course, taking on the role of Elphaba in the Broadway company of "Wicked."

The Tony winning star of "If/Then" invited us to her dressing room at the Richard Rodgers theater to talk about her journey with this smash hit rock musical and to look back on her legendary career. We talk about the show that made her a star -- Ahrens and Flaherty's "Once On This Island" -- and her Tony Award-winning turn as Celie in the Oprah Winfrey produced "The Color Purple." She talks about being a working single mom, shares stories from the rehearsal room, and talks about bonding with co-stars Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp, and Jenn Colella.

Today's guest, the great Mary Testa, has 13 Broadway credits, 2 Tony Award nominations, 26 off-Broadway credits, 2 Obie awards, and a Drama Desk award for her nearly four decades of outstanding work in the New York Theater. She talks to Theater People about her new album "Have Faith," which is her collaboration with Tony-winning orchestrator Michael Starobin ("Next to Normal," "Sunday in the Park with George"), and her work with the great composer/orchestrators William Finn, Aherns & Flaherty, and Michael John LaChiusa.

Alysha Umphress, who co-stars as Hildy to critical acclaim in the smash hit Broadway revival of 'On the Town,' tells all about her journey with the show; she shares how, after a slew of Broadway ensemble roles, making the bold decision to only audition for principal parts led to this career making opportunity for her; she tells great audition stories, and she reminisces about her days slinging drinks and hosting shows at the Laurie Beechman Theater.

The 'Side Show' star talks playing one half of the conjoined Hilton twins in the highly anticipated Broadway re-imagining of the show. She also talks about making her Broadway debut as young Edith Bouvier Beale in 'Grey Gardens,' getting notes from Sondheim during her run in 'A Little Night Music,' and she tells a hilarious story about working alongside the legendary Elaine Stritch.

This week we find out what happens when an 'unknown' actor is cast in a leading role for their first time on Broadway. First up, Margo Seibert, who was put through 9 auditions--9!!--before landing the coveted role of Adrian in last season's "Rocky." Then we talk to Amber Iman who takes us through her journey of being cast as the legendary Nina Simone in the short lived "Soul Doctor."