Token Theatre Friends

In this special episode, Jose talks to Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, the composers behind beloved musicals such as Ragtime, Once on This Island, and Anastasia. During the pause provoked by the pandemic, the duo went to their archives to put together a new album called Legacy: Two Song Cycles. 

The double album features previously unreleased demos split into two song cycles. The first is called 1859: A Farmer's Diary and features vocals by Jason Danieley and the great, late Marin Mazzie. The second, A Boy With a Camera, was inspired by photographs taken by Ahrens' father in the 1950s. It features vocals by Steven Pasquale and Sarah Uriarte Berry.

The duo talked about why some songs never make it to the final version of the musical, and talk about what it means to look back at 37 years of work together. The episode includes a special appearance by Juju Nieto, a Dramaturgy student at Carnegie Mellon University who had some questions for the legendary music makers.

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In this episode, Jose talks to Nicholas Rodriguez about his upcoming appearance in Sondheim Unplugged, at Feinstein's/54 Below (Dec. 26). As well as the lessons he's learned in 2020, how he's acquired new skills in order to perform online, and his realization that there exist two kinds of people in the world.

The star of Tarzan and One Life to Live, reflects on a year where he learned that it was OK to slow down. He also shared his experience doing the Whole30 and looking forward to Christmas tamales. The actor will next appear in Some Enchanted Evening at Paper Mill Playhouse.

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This week, Alicia and Jose talk to Chad Austin and Bianca Marroquín. As the artistic director of Abingdon Theatre Company, Austin conceived the #IWILL campaign, meant to remind theatre makers who can't be onstage right now, about the importance of hope. He recruited renowned artists, including Marroquín, to come up with reassuring messages that warm the heart and raise the spirit.

Marroquín was the first Mexican woman to play a Broadway lead, she has starred as Roxie Hart throughout the years in Chicago. She spoke about her love for the role and her admiration for Chita Rivera, who she played in Fosse/Verdon.

Plus Alicia and Jose review The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special starring drag superstars Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme, as well as the Hip Hop Nutcracker, streaming at Baltimore Center Stage.

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In this episode, Jose talks to Broadway icon Norm Lewis about his new Christmas show at Feinstein's/54 Below. Unlike years past, audience members can't gather at the famed nightclub to be serenaded by Lewis. So he's doing the next best thing by crafting an intimate evening filled with beloved holiday classics. As well as Lewis' own takes on what makes "a Christmas song." The show premieres on Dec. 17 and will be streamable from Dec. 18 - 31.

The star of Dessa Rose and Porgy and Bess, goes deep into his song selection process and explains his love for his band. He also reveals what's in his letter to Santa this year, and shares his heartfelt wishes for our world.

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In this episode, Alexi and Jose review The Wilma’s recent production of Heroes of the Fourth Turning. Which they compare to an episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Alexi even matches each Heroes character to a ROBH cast member. The two also discuss their love for Clarice Lispector when reviewing the digital world built for a production of Inside the Wild Heart.

The Friends also spoke with Tony-nominee Robert O’Hara and Sullivan Jones about their involvement in the latest audio production of A Streetcar Named Desire, as part of the Williamstown Theatre Festival with Audible. O’Hara directed the show and Jones starred as Mitch. Both have previously worked together on Slave Play, which received 12 Tony nominations earlier this year.

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In this episode Jose and Kelly review Ryan Murphy's adaptation of The Prom (now in select theaters, Dec. 11on Netflix) and discuss how the Hollywood cast fares compared to the Broadway company. Kelly also discusses digital quest Thickett and The Mad Ones Engine.

Jose talked to the multitalented Alexandra Silber about the cast recording of Einstein's Dreams and her novels. He also discussed the surprising romanticism of Google Earth with You Are Here creator Marike Splint, and did a segment in Spanish with Denisse Estefany Mendoza of ¡Niños Show Up!

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In this episode Jose and Juan Michael speak with Donja R. Love, the award-winning Afro-Queer playwright about why authentic representation is essential. In each of his plays, Love centers the lives of Black, Queer, and HIV positive lives. They show viewers what it means to love in a time of slavery (Sugar in Our Wounds), to hide in plain sight (Fireflies), to process one's grief (one-in-two), and to embrace vulnerability (soft).

During the discussion, Donja spills the tea on what motivates him, his love for Black people, and on how he handles anyone stuck in "the sunken place". He also speaks about helping others tap into their own creative voices through "Write it Out", a 10-week virtual playwriting program that he conceived specifically for artists living with HIV. Their work premieres on December 1st, World AIDS Day in a virtual presentation produced by National Queer Theatre. Donja is excited for everyone to see the brilliance that he helped nurture and encourages everyone to register for the free showing.

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On this episode Jose talks to Grace McLean, the composer and star of In the Green, a musical about medieval saint Hildegarde Von Bingen, a composer, exorcist. and doctor of the church who spent most of her childhood in a tower. The cast recording is out now, you can stream it wherever you get your music, or you can buy a CD version as well (those will be released later this year).

Grace spoke about the new subject she's been fascinated in during quarantine, shared insight on her writing, and what it was like to give voice to a woman who challenged societal and religious norms on what women were supposed to do. 

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In this episode, Jose talks to playwright Victor I. Cazares about their limited series Pinching Pennies with Penny Marshall: Death Rituals for Penny Marshall, in which the legendary filmmaker comes to life as a financial advisor sharing her wisdom with OnlyFans content creators via Zoom.

Cazares also talks about the pop culture that formed them, and how they have created a space for themselves in a field that suggests they are not Latinx or queer enough for the kinds of works being produced. Cazares speaks about form and how it relates to a medium, and discusses some of their favorite telenovelas.

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On this week's episode, it's Jose's turn to rant about the Tony Awards and the nominators' petty snub of The Lightning Thief. The Friends also talk about American Utopia, which is the filmed version of David Byrne's Broadway show of the same name. It's currently on HBO. The Friends surprised themselves by really enjoying the show even though they're not the biggest Byrne fan.

This week's guests are playwright Chisa Hutchinson (Proof of Love) and actor Aunjanue Ellis (When They See Us, Lovecraft Country). They talk about the film they made together, which is based on one of Hutchinson's plays: The Subject, about a white documentary filmmaker who makes a movie about Black teenagers. It raises questions about whether it's possible to be neutral in the face of oppression, and what it makes to be a witness.

Here are the links to the things discussed in this episode:

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