The BSB Podcast

Where would the world of theatre be without the work of one William Shakespeare? A playwright whose prolific work changed the world in so many incredible ways. The impact he had on the English language is nothing short of exceptional, so much so that his work is still studied in high schools and universities as an essential part of the curriculum. The Detroit Mercy Theatre Company at the Universit...

The musical Chicago is the longest-running show currently still playing on Broadway, having captivated audiences for almost three decades. Telling the perhaps exaggerated real story of women imprisoned for crimes they may or may not have committed, Chicago has stood the test of time. While the show is rather ambitious, Pontiac Theatre IV is up for the challenge and ready to kick off its season wit...

It's about that time of year that we begin to reflect on what is most important in our lives. Something about the closing months of the calendar year makes people feel nostalgic for similar times and look towards those things that make us feel warm and fuzzy inside. For many, this is a time to gather with family and friends to celebrate another year around the sun together. Family and all its good...

If we choose to ignore history, we're doomed to repeat it. That's what has been ingrained in our heads from such a young age, and one of the most important reasons that history is taught in schools. The past serves as a reminder of the good and bad humans have gone through, and of what could happen if we allow similar patterns to recur. It's stories such as that of Anne Frank, a young Jewish girl...

Back to the Future is celebrating a monumental occasion with its 40-year anniversary is upon us. For four decades (since the original film premiered in theaters), this Robert Zemeckis trilogy has entertained audiences with the perfect blend of comedy and science fiction. With quite the cult following, it was only a matter of time before a new adaptation or reboot made its way to the public, bringi...

It's not every day that my passion for theater and my love of all things nerdy collide, but in those rare moments that they do, it's something special. When I began my journey covering Broadway for The Cosmic Circus, I started marrying the two, which was difficult when there weren't many shows that met at that junction. However, what began with reviews of Wicked and Beetlejuice has grown into an a...

Beauty and the Beast kicked off Broadway in Detroit's most recent season at The Fisher Theatre, with a musical that brought the film to life! As life-long lovers of this story and the film from our childhood, it was nothing short of magical to see it play out before our eyes. However, how did Beauty and the Beast's music and technical aspects live up to our expectations? In this episode of the Box...

The original Back to the Future film is celebrating its 40th anniversary, a monumental occasion for a movie! It can only feel that much more special knowing that Back to the Future the Musical is flying its DeLorean onto the stage of the Detroit Opera House! We recently spoke with Alyssa Carol, a cast member from the show, about what it's like to travel back in time and step into this iconic story...

There's nothing quite like re-experiencing a film from your childhood in an entirely different way, pushing us to engage with the material through a different lens. As someone who has been a hardcore fan of Disney's animated film Beauty and the Beast, getting the chance to witness this tale as old as time on stage at The Fisher Theatre for the first time ever was nothing short of magical. Broadway...

One of the favorite aspects of theater, and truly the entertainment world as a whole, is the exploration of stories that often get overlooked. As a gay man, I'm constantly looking for stories that are created for and by the LGBTQ+ community. Seeing characters representative of me and my experiences is something that so many of us crave, as representation of any kind is incredibly important. We rec...

Actor Richard Thomas has been a major part of American entertainment for many years, from Broadway to television and movies. Some may know him as John-Boy from the CBS drama series The Waltons; however, in recent years, he's brought Atticus Finch to life in the touring production of To Kill a Mockingbird. Receiving acclaim for so much of his work, Thomas is now bringing an important part of theate...

What makes a Broadway show a classic? How exactly does a musical or play stand the test of time compared to others? The Golden Age of Broadway is filled with so many shows that have stood the test of time, coming back in revivals and local productions to much fanfare. Nicely Theatre Group understands the importance of shows from this Golden Age, bringing to their stage Fiddler on the Roof in all i...

After the COVID-19 pandemic and in the current technological age, isolation and loneliness are widespread. While we may have people in our lives, due to the pace of life, we may only connect on social media or through text message. So what do we do when the loneliness gets to be too much and we can't keep doing it? Well, if you're Tracy Jones, you throw a party! In the Rosedale Community Players'...

We've all experienced the desire for validation from others at some point in our lives, as feeling accepted by others is a universal truth we all share. While true validation should come from within, many people seek it from outward sources, as a band-aid for someone we can't seem to find ourselves. It's this human experience that lies at the heart of the upcoming production from St. Dunstan's The...

The leaves on the trees are changing from green to brilliant red, yellow, and orange, and days are getting shorter, which can only mean one thing...That Meadow Brook Theatre's season is upon us! That's right, the professional theatre in Rochester Hills is readying its stage for its season opener, Catch Me If You Can! This three-act play continues Meadow Brook's tradition of kicking off its season...

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I can understand the importance of a found family, especially as we grow older. Those that we choose are just as important as the family we're born into, and in many ways more so. Common experiences, both positive and negative, unite us, strengthening our resolve in the face of adversity. However, at times, I worry about what that will look like as I enter midd...

The spookiest season of the year might only just be beginning, but the Box Seat Babes are already geared up and ready to go for what October and Halloween have to bring! Sure, the season promises plenty of spooks, but we're looking forward to just as many treats, such as The Addams Family Musical! This hilarious show brings just as much heart as it does laughs, as it captures the zaniness of this...

There are some shows that are as important and life-changing as they are hilarious and entertaining, which seems to be the junction at which Clybourne Park lives. Using a healthy dose of humor, this poignant story explores the topics of racism and gentrification through the eyes of all parties involved. We spoke with actress Camille Jamerson and director Benjamin Burt about their time working on F...

Broadway in Detroit is officially kicking off their 2025-2026 season with a show that perfectly captures the feeling of nostalgia. Beauty and the Beast is one of those Disney films that have stood the test of time, defining many people's childhoods, including my own. The excitement of catching this story on stage is similar to Christmas morning in adolescence, allowing audiences to experience the...

They may be creepy and kooky, but they're also on tour! That's right, The Addams Family has decided to take their love for the macabre on the road, visiting cities across North America looking for other wacky family members to join their ranks! Wednesday Addams is welcoming someone new into the fold, as she's gobsmacked with love for the entirely normal Lucas. Hoping that her family can embrace th...

Everyone can use a good laugh right about now, and the Players Guild of Dearborn is bringing that in spades to audiences with their current production of The Cottage! Written by Sandy Rustin (playwright of Clue: Live on Stage! ), this play centers on the mixed-up love lives of six individuals, who converge at a love cottage in the British Countryside! With one final weekend of performances at this...

Family can be complicated, a sentiment that I'm sure many of us can understand. Siblings that we were once close to become distant as we grow older and our paths diverge. However, the hope is that when times get tough, as they so often do, the family can come back together and face whatever lies ahead. Family lies at the center of Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart, a play that follows three sister...

Titanique was a show that was on our radar for quite some time, although it took us until our last trip to New York City to catch it! The buzz for this show was astounding, with social media ablaze with positive reactions to the show. So when we decided to make our annual trek to NYC back in January, this Off-Broadway musical was at the top of our list, and we weren't disappointed in the slightest...

There's nothing quite like a summer blockbuster to kick off a season of fun and relaxation in the sun. For as long as I can remember, studios have fought over the summer movie of the year, attempting to take that spot and reign supreme for that year. From Marvel films to Barbie and Oppenheimer, cinema domination has been a staple of moviegoers for quite some time now. Rewind about 50 years, and Ja...

Much like the desert heat, the temperature is rising over at Avon Players, as The Prince of Egypt The Musical arrives at the Rochester Hills theater! This musical adaptation of DreamWorks' animated film, which in turn is a retelling of a biblical story, follows the story of Moses and his brother Ramses, inseparable brothers who struggle to see eye-to-eye as they grow older. While the sun may be se...