Who Are You Now?

In middle school, Penny Feldman played everything from Ed Sullivan to the Modern Major General to the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (as Joseph, not the garment). She and I connected as fellow old souls. Penny and I reminisced and shared our affinity for cinematicstaircases. I also learned of her current profession in a niche corner of the world of gaming. Note: I omitted the “pitch” of the party game I’m creating because it's still in development. My apologies for withholding the premise, but I’m hoping to share soon. - Recorded on 10/11/25.

I worked with Lauren Manning Salomon when I assistant directed Li’l Abner and The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd at the JCC. Since that time, in addition to balancing career and family, Lauren continues to nurture her love of performing arts by writing and recording original Jewish music.  - Recorded on 10/11/25.

I met Nolan G. during the year I spent in Baltimore (2018-2019) -- a particularly challenging point in my life and career. That spring, I was spending part of my arduous job search serving as a long-term substitute teacher at Joppatowne High School. What I didn’t know at the time was that, like me, Nolan was experiencing his own low point that year. During our podcastvisit, Nolan and I recall that hellish semester and he fills me in on his post-Joppatowne journey. - Recorded on 10/8/25.

Though she was in my classes, Madison Hall didn’t officiallybecome a “theatre kid” until after I left Emery Weiner School. Still, she and I worked together long enough to stockpile some inside jokes and one rather odd lunchtime tradition. For this episode, Madison filled me in on her interesting and varied post-high school adventures.  - Recorded on 9/5/25.

As an eighth-grader, Gaston Azubel Goldstein had a brief but memorable role in our I. Weiner Middle School production of Good News which, I will admit, is in my top five favorite school shows I ever directed. Twenty-five years later, I was delighted to learn that Gaston’s humor, memory, and youthful outlook are still very much intact as he took me through his life and career from the JCC stage to having a daughter who’s a theatre kid. - Recorded on 8/30/25.

David Garb's performances in several summer teen JCC productions were greatly enhanced by his keen appreciation for old-school comedy. (He did a spot-on Groucho in A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine!) David and I discuss his performing days, including his featured role in what is arguably the most remarkable curtain call in my career. I appreciate David’s openness when sharing his post-high school journey to arrive at his current personal andprofessional status. - Recorded on 8/24/25.

My most prominent memory of working with Jamie Davis on middle and high-school productions was her singularly clear, unadorned singing voice, which proved perfect for musical theatre. I was grateful to visit with Jamie and discuss her growth as a performer and how she brings her warmth and humor into her current professional life. - Recorded on 8/23/25.

In addition to Zach Jankovic’s keen appreciation for classroomimprov, he also reinvented a classic musical theatre role and set the standard for how I’ve presented the role ever since. During our talk, I was thrilled to learn how Zach brought his love for film (particularly editing) into his professional life. Recorded on 8/23/25.

Between collaborating on productions at the JCC and working alongside his mother at the Jewish Herald Voice where he was a frequent visitor, Sidney Stoper and I had plenty of opportunity to connect over musical theatreback in the 80s. This week, Sid shares his theatrical journey and how his stage training serves him today. Recorded on 8/16/25.

When I first met Deric Rosenblatt, he was renowned as a boysoprano in Houston, Texas. Now, he’s a renowned singing teacher in New York, with an impressive (and in some cases, surprising) roster of students. Deric shared some great stories as he guided me through his professional and geographic journey. Recorded on 8/9/25.