Theater People

This Week: A Two-Parter! First Up, the FABULOUS Alexandra Silber share stories from her amazing career on Broadway (2015's "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Master Class") and The West End ("The Woman in White" and Fiddler on the Roof"). And she shares how her own life story prepared her to write the new novel "After Anatevka" which follows the character Hodel after the events of "Fiddler on the Roof." In the second part of the show, Tony winner Reed Birney talks "1984," the terrifying and thrilling new play based on George Orwell's best-selling novel.

We're OBSESSED with Julia Murney! In the early days of her career, Julia made a name for herself working downtown in some of off-Broadway's hottest theaters. Her biggest break early on came in 2000 when she was cast in the leading role of Queenie in Andrew Lippa's "The Wild Party." She made her Broadway debut in 2005 in "Lennon" and is probably best known for taking over the role of Elphaba in 2007 in the Broadway production of "Wicked." Her TV, commercial, and film roles are too many to name, but she will forever live in my heart for her work on "Sex and the City." We talk about all of it! Enjoy!

Today's episode is in two parts, you guys! Up first is our dear friend Laura Osnes, making her FOURTH appearance on the podcast). Laura recently invited us to her perfectly appointed dressing room at the Jacobs Theater where she is starring as Julia Trojan in "Banstand." We talk about how it's been for her to see the show through from it's very first reading all the way to Broadway. In the Second half of the episode, we chat with "The Play That Goes Wrong's" Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer--co-writers and actors in the show. The pair share the show's Broadway Backstory and how it developed from a one-act being performed in a 60-seat theater above a put to the Olivier Award winning hit and Broadway favorite.

The handsome, charming, and talented Derek Klena invited us to his dressing room at the Broadhurst theater to chat about starring in "Anastasia." He also shared the AMAZING story of his road to professional acting, and his work in "Carrie: The Musical," "Wicked," and "Dogfight." Enjoy!

It's no secret that I'm OBSESSED with "Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812"--I truly think it is one of the most powerful and affecting pieces of theater I've ever experienced. The first time I saw the show, I knew we had to have Brittain Ashford, who plays Sonya, on the podcast ASAP. Brittain has been with the show from the earliest readings and has played Sonya in all of the show's incarnations. In the episode we find out where she came from, how she met the show's creator Dave Malloy, and how it is to be making her Broadway debut in such an unusual and magnificent work.

It's a 2017 Tony Extravaganza! In this two-part episode, we have two of this year's most loved nominees! Up first, two-time Tony winner Andy Blankenbuehler ("In the Heights" "Hamilton) talks this year's "Bandstand" which he directed and choreographed. He is nominated for his choreography. In the second part of the show, we chat with Johanna Day about her work and Tony nomination for her work in this year's Pulitzer Prize winning "Sweat." I LOVED chatting with these two! Enjoy!

YOU GUYS! The "Come From Away" obsession continues! For today’s episode, I had the great honor of sitting down for a chat with the Irene Sankoff and David Hein who conceived the show and wrote the music, book, and lyrics. I could barely contain myself. The show, of course, is nominated for 7 Tony Awards this year including Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score for Irene and David. It's also nominated for the all important Best New Musical. It was so exciting to get to chat with them about how the show came to be and it’s journey from their living room to Broadway. I loved them SO much! Enjoy!

I still can't breathe, you guys! Words cannot explain the pure exhilaration of sitting across the table from the one and only Betty Buckley and the concentration it took trying to sound smart while asking her questions! This Tony-winning Broadway legend certainly needs no introduction, but for the uninitiated, Betty made her Broadway debut in 1969 in 1776--a role she won on her VERY FIRST DAY IN NEW YORK and for which she earned her first Tony nomination. Among many other credits, she originated the role of Grizabella in "Cats," the role for which she won her Tony, she also originated the title role in "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" as wells as in "Song and Dance," "Carrie" (!!!!!!!!!), and "Triumph of Love." She also won raves for playing Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard" in both the West End and on Broadway. You can get her new album "Story Songs" on iTunes or wherever else you get your music. I'm obsessed with her. Enjor!

Full Disclosure, you guys, I’m OBSESSED with "Come From Away" And I’m equally obsessed with today’s guest, Caesar Samayoa. Caesar plays multiple roles in the show including Kevin, who is one half of a gay couple in which both men are named Kevin, and Ali, a Muslim chef, both of whom are stranded in Gandor, Newfoundland on September 11th 2001 during the true events that make up the plot of "Come From Away". Caesar’s performances in the show are spellbinding and I was thrilled to get to ask him all the questions about it. Caesar made his new York city debut in 1998’s long running off-Broadway production of "R & J". He made his Broadway debut in 2006 in "Hot Feet." He was also seen in on Broadway in "The Pee Wee Herman Show" and "Sister Act" before landing his roles in "Come From Away." I love this guy! Enjoy!

This was, without a doubt, one of the most fun and interesting interviews I've ever done, you guys. Gabriel Ebert talks being cast as Mr. Wormwood in "Matilda" at the age of 24--winning a Tony Award for the role at age 25--and a new and BRILLIANT play called "Gently Down the Stream" which is currently playing off-Broadway at the Public Theater.