BGR's Backstage Buzz

Winner of 6 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, Maybe Happy Ending tells the deeply human story of a chance encounter that sparks connection, adventure, and maybe even love. In this episode, Steve Steketee   and Jennifer Pascua chat with Steven Huynh and Claire Kwon   who play Oliver and Claire in this totally original new musical adventure that explores what it means to be human. Even if they’r...

Based on the best-selling novel that inspired the iconic film, The Notebook   tells the story of Allie and Noah, both from different worlds, who share a lifetime of love despite the forces that threaten to pull them apart. In this episode, Steve Steketee   and Jennifer Pascua chat with Samantha Rios, Dance Captain and Swing and understudy as the Younger Allie. This University of Michigan grad shar...

Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen launches our 26-27 Broadway Grand Rapids season.  Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire – searching for freedom, passion and her place in the world. How she finds them is a New York City coming-of-age story you've never felt before – Hell's Kitchen , a new musical from 16-time Grammy® Award winner Alicia Keys, whose new songs and greatest hits about...

Based on the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Tony Award®-winning new musical THE GREAT GATSBY is the final show in BGR's 25-26 season that is an unforgettable journey of love, wealth and tragedy that brings the Roaring Twenties to life on stage.  In this episode, Steve Steketee   and Jennifer Pascua chat with University of Michigan grad Will Branner who plays Tom Buchanan....

The winner of the 2024 Tony Award® for Best Musical is THE OUTSIDERS. Adapted from S.E. HINTON’s seminal novel and FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA’s iconic film, this thrilling new musical features a book by ADAM RAPP with JUSTIN LEVINE , music and lyrics by JAMESTOWN REVIVAL (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) and JUSTIN LEVINE , music supervision, orchestration, and arrangements by JUSTIN LEVINE , choreograp...

Disney’s The Lion King is roaring into Grand Rapids and this is your insider look at one of Broadway’s most breathtaking productions. For three unforgettable weeks, April 8 through April 26, 2026, the globally celebrated musical takes over DeVos Performance Hall, bringing the Pride Lands to life in a way you’ve never experienced before.  In this episode, Steve Steketee   and Jennifer Pascua chat w...

 What if Juliet didn’t end it all for Romeo? In this episode, we dive into & Juliet , the hit musical that flips the script on one of the most famous love stories ever told. Created by the Emmy®-winning writer behind Schitt’s Creek , the show imagines what happens next if Juliet chooses her own ending instead of tragedy.  In this episode, Steve Steketee   talks with Noah Marlow who plays Franç...

Listen in to the Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Broadway Grand Rapids President + CEO Meghan Distel + Bob Bucci, President of Marketing and Content at Broadway Across America, our presenting partner about the reveal of the 26-27 season lineup:  Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen The Notebook Maybe Happ...

KIMBERLY AKIMBO, winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical, is an original new musical about growing up and growing old in no particular order. Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure. In this episode, Jennifer Pascua and Steve S...

The Book of Mormon is a Season Option and in this episode, Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee   takes time to hear from actor Kevin T. Mazur who is a Swing on the National Tour. He's also a Michigan native who graduated from MSU! (Go Green! Go White!) Learn about his journey and how he scores in our first-ever "Name This Tune" quiz.  Meanwhile, we'll also get to know our Broadw...

Step right up—the circus is in town! In this episode, Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee   take you behind the curtain of Water for Elephants , the breathtaking musical opening Broadway Grand Rapids' 25–26 season. You’ll hear from actor Robert Tully (Mr. Jankowski), who brings real circus roots to the stage as a former Ringmaster for Ringling Bros. Plus, we shine the spotlight on Sierra Hatfi...

New BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast Episode! This one’s packed with Michigan pride and powerful stories!  Meet Paul Louis Lessard — Okemos native and current King George in the Hamilton national tour! From King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar’s 50th Anniversary Tour to 20+ regional theatre productions, Paul brings the royalty and the receipts. Trained at Interlochen Center for the Arts, Universi...

Episode 7 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Dominic Pagliaro who plays Philip Stucky.  They also chat with Cynthia Walker-Owens about Dream...Keep It Moving, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring, uplifting, and empowering youth through social-emotional education, mentorship, and li...

Episode 6 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Chris  Marsh Clark who is in the ensemble A Beautiful noise and is the understudy for Neil Diamond. They also chat with Chas Schaner - A volunteer with the P arkinson's Foundation Great Lakes chapter . Extra gratitude to our Title Sponsor Fifth...

Episode 5 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Elisabeth Yancey who plays Yvette and is the understudy for Miss Scarlett.  They also chat with Wendy Wigger, President and CEO of Gilda's Club Grand Rapids about the 15th anniversary of LaughFest.   Extra gratitude to our Title Sponsor Fifth Th...

Episode 4 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Lois Ellise , a Michigan native representing &Juliet who performed at our 25-26 Season Reveal on February 24.  They also chat with with Broadway Grand Rapids President + CEO Meghan Distel + Bob Bucci, President of Marketing and Content at Broadwa...

Episode 3 of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast features co-hosts Jennifer Pascua and Steve Steketee in conversation with Nick Rashad Burroughs , who plays Toulouse-Lautrec in Moulin Rouge! The Musical They also chat with Hannah Berry from Lions and Rabbits about a Moulin Rouge -inspired mural created by one of their artists, which you can see right here in Grand Rapids...

Get ready for the second episode of Season 3 of Broadway Grand Rapids' Backstage Buzz Podcast ! This season, BGR Ambassador Steve Steketee joins Jennifer Pascua as co-host. In this Mamma Mia! -themed episode, we chat with Blake Price , a Grand Rapids native and Western Michigan University alum. He plays Father Alexandrios and is an ensemble member/understudy for Sam, Harry and Bill. We also t...

Welcome to our 2024-2025 Season! This year, Marketing Director Jennifer Pascua will be joined by Steve Steketee —our Podcast Producer, BGR Ambassador, Founder of ShutterWerks Media, and Executive Director of The Collaborative Lab. This season, we're spotlighting Matt Kurzyniec , a talented ensemble cast member of the tour who also covers the roles of Beetlejuice, Adam, and Otho. Discover Matt...

Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guest is J. Daughtry who plays Berry Gordy/Nick. The Grammy-nominated, Stellar and Dove Award-winning graduate of Bethune Cookman University. He is a Theatrical, Gospel and R&B singer/actor on both stage and screen. From his humble beginnings in Bartow, Florida, his gifts have taken him all over the world. You can follow him at @j.daug...

Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guest is Austen Danielle Bohmer who plays the bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, Glinda.  Austen shares shares why this role is so appealing and her most heartwarming fan interaction to date that happened in Grand Rapids. We also spend time with Andy Allen, Vice President of Advancement at AYA Youth Collective to learn more about...

Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guest is Maeve Moynihan plays Scout Finch. To Kill A Mockingbird is her first Broadway tour and she talks about her connection with her character and the themes of racial injustice and moral integrity. Miller Johnson is the exclusive sponsor of To Kill A Mockingbird. Title Sponsor is Fifth Third. Season Sponsor is Meijer.  New episodes com...

Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guests are Preston Truman Boyd ,  who plays Javert in Les Misérables. He shares his love of the show and what he likes to do when visiting each city stop on the tour. Also in this episode, we'll get to know Justin Raha , owner of Grande Finale in Spring Lake and a season subscriber. He shares why he wanted to partner with BGR's B...

Welcome to BGR's Backstage Buzz Podcast! Our featured guests are Bob Bucci, President of Marketing at Broadway Across America and Emily Croft from MAMMA MIA! Bob shares the 2024-2025 season lineup and explains the process of bringing the best of Broadway to West Michigan. Emily shares her personal connection about why MAMMA MIA is so special and for the first time the two will play the BGR Li...

Welcome to our 35th Anniversary Season!  Our featured guest is Adi Roy who plays Aladdin in Disney's Aladdin.   This is Adi's second role on Broadway and he shares why playing Aladdin is a full circle moment and talks about his journey to the stage.  Plus, we chat with Ellie Wilcox , Regional Managing Director of Make-A-Wish Michigan about partnering with Broadway Grand Rapids for this s...