Token Theatre Friends

In this episode, Jose speaks to filmmaker David Alvarado about American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez, his documentary on the founder of El Teatro Campesino and the Chicano artist behind Zoot Suit and La Bamba. The film, which won the U.S. Documentary Audience Award at Sundance and is narrated by Edward James Olmos, premieres Tuesday, October 6 on PBS as part of American Masters and VOCES. Alvarado looks back on watching La Bamba over and over as a kid, and how Valdez's journey from farmworker theatre to Hollywood showed him a path he could follow as a Latino artist. They also talk about Valdez's use of theatre as a tool for social activism and why that legacy still matters today.

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In this episode, Andrew talks to director and performer Maria Friedman about the filmed-for-cinema release of Merrily We Roll Along, which closed on Broadway in 2024. Friedman, whose journey with Merrily We Roll Along dates back to the early 90s, when she played Mary, directed revivals of the show in London and on Broadway. Maria talks to us about her approach to directing the filmed version of the show, and tells us what she hopes audiences take away from the show's approach to empathy and forgiveness. 

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In this episode, Jose sits down with Swedish actress Leila Jung, who’s taking on the iconic role of Roxie Hart in Chicago after starring in The Girl from the North Country.

They talk about what it’s like to go from Bob Dylan to Kander and Ebb, performing back-to-back musicals set in the Depression era, and how Swedish audiences connect with the language of musical theatre. Leila reflects on the shows that first made her fall in love with the stage, the craft behind keeping a musical alive, and what it means to find truth inside the sparkle.

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In every episode, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. You can find the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher (look for the all-red logo). The video series* is available on YouTube. The TTF theme song is by Sean Mason (with vocals by Angela Ramos). The video animation is by Brad Ogden, with logos by Jason Simon.

In this episode, Andrew talks about his summer of theatre by looking at six shows he saw over May/June and the trends that tie them together. From revivals (Appropriate, Uncle Vanya) new plays (Sally and Tom), new musicals (The Great Gatsby) and long-running musicals (Hadestown, Six), Andrew praises the ensemble powers of live theatre and the joys of great blocking with a reminder of the power that bodies in motion have when they move on the stage.

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In this episode, Jose talks to actor/singer/educator Diana Pou about her role in Alván Colón Lespier's The Desire of the Astronaut, a poetic sci-fi play premiering at Pregones/PRTT next month. Pou talks about the way scripts and characters, including Astronaut, arrive exactly when they should, how she's putting her classical music training to use, and shares exciting news about other upcoming projects. 

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In this episode, Andrew and Graceson talk about the film adaptations of two Broadway musicals, which once were films, which once were books. The Color Purple directed by Blitz Bazawule and Mean Girls directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. The friends discuss the changes that were made from the stage versions to the films, the reluctance of studios to commit to selling movie musicals, and how Purple epitomizes the meaning of "ensemble film."

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In this episode, Jose speaks to Julián Fontalvo the multitalented writer and performer of The Imitator, in which he takes audience members on a personal journey where he imitates the voices of over 70 artists. Fontalvo talks about his love for popular music and how songs become part of our lives, as well as exploring the power of music to take us back in time. Fontalvo is performing The Imitator in English at the United Solo Festival in April.

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In this episode, Jose is joined by fellow Swifties (and BIPOC Critics Lab alumni) Maria Paz Alegre and Octavia Washington, to discuss Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. The blockbuster concert film, which has grossed over $250 million worldwide, is out on demand and for rental on December 13th (Happy birthday, TayTay!) In addition to being what Jose describes as the greatest experience he's ever had at a movie theater, Maria Paz and Octavia comment on Swift's insightful writing, and how much theatre can learn from Swift. 

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In this episode, Jose talks to actor Aria Shahghasemi about his starring role in Romeo and Juliet at The Curtain in New Jersey. The actor known for his work on various seasons of The Originals and Legacies, speaks about why he wanted to return to the stage, as well as how his inner "Shakespeare dork" informs his performance as Romeo.

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In this episode, Jose talks to the duo behind Repair, a play making its premiere via streaming at StudioWorks. Writers Michael Marrero and Julio Trinidad (who also stars in the play) talk about the process of writing together, creating a unique NY story, and the joy of bringing theater to people's homes.

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