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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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In our last episode, George Heslin shared some incredible stories about founding the Origin Theatre Company and his work as an Irish actor coming to New York. But as always, there’s more to discover. And these Final Five Questions are where we really get to know George, from personal lessons and thoughts on the future to offering some advice for those just starting out. We also debate one of my favorite topics to rant about: the good and bad of self-tapes (mostly bad, of course).

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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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George Heslin came to New York in the mid-‘90s, but it wasn’t quite his idea to come here. So when he landed in the city he didn’t exactly hit the ground running. Instead, he spent four years as a struggling actor trying to find his footing, but mostly feeling lost and lonely. But with the help of a legendary acting teacher, out of that struggle came something remarkable.

In 2002, George founded the Origin Theatre Company—literally with a credit card and a dream—and spent almost 20 years bringing bold international voices to the New York stage. And now he’s continuing that work in a new way as the Executive Director of the New York Irish Center.

In this episode, we talk about that journey—how someone who came here reluctantly ended up becoming a champion for Irish and European artists in America. And how his story is really just one chapter in the long rich legacy of Irish theater finding new life across the ocean.

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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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Bret Shuford has spent his career balancing two passions—performing on Broadway and helping others achieve their creative goals. From The Little Mermaid to Paramour, he built a successful stage career while also becoming a sought-after coach for actors and artists. But finding that balance wasn’t always easy. In this rewind episode from 2019, Bret shares how he navigated the highs and lows of the industry, the importance of authenticity in his work, and why he’s passionate about guiding others toward success.

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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 last episode with Moshe Lobel, we covered so much ground, from why he left his Hasidic roots and pursued a career as an actor to his latest film project that forced him to confront his past and reconcile who he is with who he was. But one of the most enlightening parts of every conversation is when guests answer the Final Five Questions. It’s where we hear about personal lessons, hopes for the industry, and those moments that truly define an artist’s career.

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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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 Leaving behind everything he once knew, Moshe Lobel walked away from his Chasidic faith and roots to pursue a life in theater and film—an unthinkable choice for most in his community. A native Yiddish speaker from Brooklyn, he made his New York stage debut as the lead in Awake and Sing! with New Yiddish Rep before joining the award-winning Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish, directed by Joel Grey. His career has since expanded into film and television, including HBO’s High Maintenance, Netflix’s Unorthodox, and the one-shot Ukrainian drama SHTTL. As a filmmaker, he’s crafted original works featuring Emmy-nominated talent, proving that sometimes the biggest risks lead to the most unexpected and fulfilling journeys.

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 our previous conversation with the talented Akiko Aizawa, we delved into her journey from a modern dancer to a dedicated actress facing challenges in New York City. But there's always more to uncover, and that's where the Final Five Questions come in. This is when Akiko opens up even further to share personal lessons learned, her hopes for the theater industry, and those intimate moments that define her artistic passion. Join us as we explore what success and making it truly mean to her, relive memorable performances, and discuss how meditation plays a role in her life as she navigates the ups and downs of a creative career. Get ready for an inspiring and heartfelt continuation of Akiko's journey.

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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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When I worked at Tokyo DisneySea, I fell in love with Japan—the culture, the food, the people. But working there was a whole different experience. The structure, the discipline, the expectations—it took time to adjust. As much as I admired it, adapting wasn’t always easy.

Akiko Aizawa knows that challenge firsthand, but from the other side. Originally from Akita, Japan, she built a career in modern dance before transitioning to theater and eventually moving to New York. But that transition wasn’t exactly smooth. She left behind a prestigious theater company, underwent a dramatic personal transformation, and took a leap of faith—only to have her first New York production canceled before it even began. She shares her journey of reinvention, resilience, and risk and how it has shaped her artistic life.

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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