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Theater Tol was founded in 1998 by Lot Seuntjens, and this international company became known for its multidisciplinary performances, using images, drama, music, amd hardly any spoken text. And while they do perform all over the world, They don't use conventional theaters, instead preferring “unusual” locations: the site of an old factory, a park, a market square, a beach or the banks of a river. Whether its summer or winter, performances are held outdoors, sometimes tailor-made for a specific location or in collaboration with other artists and theater companies.

Two members of Theater Tol join the podcast: performer Hannah Snow and composer Benjamien Lycke. Together, we discuss what it’s like to tour internationally with massive gear, adapt to unpredictable weather, and perform in places as far-reaching as Colombia, Taiwan, and Spain.

We also talk about the realities of post-Covid touring, the frustrations of unreliable arts funding, and the magic that keeps them coming back to the sky—despite it all. Whether you're an artist, a theater lover, or just someone fascinated with what it takes to bring large-scale performance to life above a crowd, this episode offers a rare look behind the curtain (or rather, up in the clouds).

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Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe or donate. Thank you! 

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In the previous episode, Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes shared the winding paths that led them to co-lead Why Not Theatre, and how they’ve forged careers on their own terms. It was an incredibly honest and inspiring conversation—but there’s still more ground to cover.

That’s why I’m so glad to have them both back with me for the Final Five Questions. This is where we get a little more personal—digging into the lessons they’ve learned along the way, the changes they hope to see in this industry, and what continues to fuel their work as artists and storytellers.

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Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe or donate. Thank you!

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Toronto is home to the third-largest English-speaking theatre district in the world—and at the heart of its thriving independent scene is Why Not Theatre, co-led by Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes. In this episode, they share their winding and deeply personal journeys through an industry that often made them question whether there was a place for artists like them.

Ravi opens up about balancing the security of institutional roles with the pull of founding his own company, while Miriam talks about being cast in limited, unimaginative roles and eventually choosing to train abroad—despite losing all her funding. Both faced major turning points where leaving the business seemed like the only option.

But together, they’ve carved out a new kind of space—most recently with Mahabharata, a sweeping, two-part adaptation of the Sanskrit epic that blends ancient philosophy with modern theatrical storytelling. From Toronto to the Barbican to Lincoln Center, their work is reshaping what Canadian theatre can be. And our conversation is about risk, reinvention, and what happens when you stop waiting for permission and start creating the work you want to see in the world.

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Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe or donate. Thank you! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please subscribe or donate. Thank you! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Boop! The Musical earning three Tony nominations this year—including Best Choreography, Best Costume Design, and Best Leading Actress for Jasmine Amy Rogers—I’m joined by cast member Aubie Merrylees for a conversation that goes beyond the awards buzz. We talk about the fun and energy of Boop!, but also the moments that shaped his career long before this Broadway run.

From a season of missed opportunities that led him to grad school, to the high expectations and quick closure of KPOP, Aubie shares how he’s navigated the uncertainties of this business. We also talk about how last year’s strikes pushed both of us to pivot and rediscover different parts of our craft. It’s a candid look at the many turns a career can take—and the unexpected joys that come along the way.

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Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this podcast please ⁠subscribe⁠ or ⁠donate⁠. Thank you! 

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Every June, Broadway’s biggest night reminds us just how thrilling and transformative live theater can be. The Tony Awards don’t just celebrate excellence—they spotlight the stories, the voices, and the people who are shaping the stage and pushing it forward. Since 1947, the Tonys have been honoring some of Broadway’s best, and this year is no exception, with Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, and Maybe Happy Ending leading the pack at 10 nominations each.

But the Tonys also mark milestones that ripple far beyond the theater district. Just two years ago, J. Harrison Ghee, along with Alex Newell, became the first openly non-binary performers to win a Tony Award. It was a pivotal moment—not just for Ghee’s life and career—but for what the Tonys represent and who they recognize. So in this episode, you’ll hear about Ghee’s Tony journey and the milestone highs and lows along the way. Then you’ll get a glimpse behind the curtains on Kinky Boots and Some Like It Hot and how they have come to define Ghee’s talent and artistry.

We also talk about Only Make Believe and the wonderful work they do in bringing interactive theater to children in hospitals, schools, and care facilities. To learn more or donate to this worthy nonprofit, go to their website.

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This is a special presentation of The Spotlight Series, which highlights organization making a difference in the arts and beyond...

Stephanie Torns is a Broadway actress known for her standout roles in the Broadway hits like Wicked and Waitress. Over the past decade she has shown incredible dedication and stamina, bringing some of Broadway's favorite characters to life night after night. But Stephanie's impact goes way beyond just the stage.

Recently, she’s taken on a new role with EPIC Players, a theater company with a heart – they’re all about empowering neurodivergent performers. Stephanie's now on the board of directors, helping bridge the Broadway community with EPIC, and fostering some incredible collaborations. For her, it’s more than just a professional role – it’s a personal mission.

In this conversation, we dive into how Stephanie found her way to EPIC Players, why supporting the neurodivergent community is so close to her heart, and the joy she’s discovered in this inclusive space. Plus, we’ll chat about her time on Broadway, what it’s really like to play roles as intense as Elphaba, and how those experiences are shaping the work she's doing with EPIC.

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Donate to support EPIC’s paid employment initiatives and free programming.

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Back in 2022, I had the chance to talk with Anthony Rapp—which, for me, was both a thrill and a bit surreal. I’d been following him on Instagram for a while, and one day as I was leaving an audition here in New York I happened to walk right past him. I stopped for a second, unsure if I should say anything. But then I thought, "when am I ever going to run into him again? "So I introduced myself and mentioned that I had a podcast—and that I’d love to talk with him about his Broadway debut. Or more accurately, his almost Broadway debut in a musical called The Little Prince and the Aviator back in 1982.

Now, given how well-known he is—especially in the Broadway world—I figured he probably gets approached a lot. But he later told me that hardly anyone ever brings up The Little Prince. So we set up a time to talk, covering Rent, Star Trek: Discovery, and his other film and stage work. But a big part of our conversation centered on that short-lived 1982 musical that never actually opened on Broadway. I was so grateful to have him on the show… though I’ll admit, the audio wasn’t great at the time, and I didn’t have the tools to fix it. But now I do.

So just recently, on my theater history podcast Closing Night, I did a full deep dive into The Little Prince and the Aviator. That episode draws from two key sources: my conversation with Anthony—now with much-improved audio—and a fascinating memoir written by the show’s producer, Joseph Tandet. And I wanted to share it with you here, a story about a musical that aimed for the stars but never made it.

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Closing Night is a theater history podcast that dives into the stories of Broadway's famous and forgotten shows that closed too soon. And this season we uncover the mysteries of productions that never even made it to opening night. This is the second of two episodes about The Little Prince, where you'll hear firsthand from those involved, revealing just how unpredictable—and unforgiving—the path to Broadway can be.

Theme Music created by Blake Stadnik. Produced by Patrick Oliver Jones and WINMI Media with Dan Delgado as co-producer.

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