Broadway Gives Back

Cody Renard Richard is an advocate, educator, producer, and professional stage manager with a career that spans Broadway, television, Cirque Du Soleil, and opera. On Broadway, he has stage managed 14 productions and was most recently the Production Stage Manager and Associate Director for FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME, a co-producer on THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN, and is now working on the tour of MOULIN R...

Heather Hitchens is the President & CEO of the American Theatre Wing. As CEO, she is charged with co-presenting and maintaining the Wing’s brand of excellence in the Tony Awards as well as the Wing’s other vital grant-making and professional development, educational, and media programs. Join Heather as she takes us backstage at the Wing, supporting artists and arts education. Learn more about abou...

Our guest this week—Naila McKenzie Ross—is spearheading change in the fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion. As Disney Theatrical Production’s Director of Inclusion Strategy, Business Affairs & Legal Counsel, a board member of the Black Theatre Coalition and Broadway Advocacy Coalition, and an active member of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee of The Broadway League, she helps to...

Tony Award nominee Rory O’Malley has appeared on Broadway in THE BOOK OF MORMON, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, and HAMILTON, and is a familiar face in films and on television. He also supports a number of really important causes, including the fight for gay marriage, arts education with his alma mater Carnegie Mellon University, and many more. Join Rory as he takes us backstage with...

Kellie Overbey, is—to quote her Twitter and Instagram bios—a “democrat, activist, feminist, actor, reader, writer, knitter,” and, perhaps most importantly, a “mouthy agitator.” Kellie has worked for over 30 years as a professional actress in theater, television, and film. She has performed in over 70 plays, has written several plays, and penned the screenplay for the 2012 film That’s What She Said...

Lois Robbins is an accomplished actress whose work spans theater, television, and film. She also hosts The LoDown, her highly successful Instagram Live program and podcast, where she explores voices inside and outside the entertainment industry. Join Lois as she shares "The LoDown" on her extensive philanthropic work and her dreams for a better world. Learn more about about the worthy causes discu...

From his Tony Award-winning role as everybody’s favorite genie in ALADDIN to rapping as J-Soul in FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME, Broadway has never had a friend like James Monroe Iglehart. He’s also appeared in HAMILTON, MEMPHIS, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, and CHICAGO, and stars in the fantastic new audio drama called TWITS on the Broadway Podcast Network. Join James as he freestyle raps...

We’re dancing our way into 2022 with two very special guests. Jerry Mitchell is a two-time Tony Award-winning choreographer for LA CAGE AUX FOLLES and KINKY BOOTS, both of which he also directed. His directing credits also include LEGALLY BLONDE, ON YOUR FEET!, and PRETTY WOMAN. Offstage, Jerry has made a significant impact as the creator of Broadway Bares, the annual comedy burlesque show that ha...

Best known for his roles as Bob Gaudio in the touring company and Clint Eastwood’s film version of JERSEY BOYS and as Blake Moran in the hit CBS television series MADAM SECRETARY, Erich Bergen made his Broadway debut in 2018 in the hit musical WAITRESS, and recently returned to the show for a limited run. During the pandemic, he started a side hustle creating online charity events. Join Erich as h...

Miracle on 22nd Street is an amazing holiday charity that connects families in need with real-life elves. Join founder Jim Glaub as he tells the fascinating backstory behind these “Dear Santa” letters and the joys of giving back. Learn more about about the worthy causes discussed in this episodes and how you can donate and/or help: Miracle on 22nd Street Black Theatre Coalition American Theatre Wi...

Norm Lewis is a talented singer, actor, and performer and possesses one of Broadway’s best baritones. For his performance as Porgy in the Broadway production of THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESS, he received Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations. Norm’s many other theater credits include SIDE SHOW, THE LITTLE MERMAID, LES MISÉRABLES, CHICAGO, MISS SAIGON, ONCE ON T...

This week’s episode shines a spotlight on The Stuttering Association for the Young, or SAY, a national nonprofit that empowers, educates, and supports young people who stutter and the world that surrounds them. SAY offers comprehensive and innovative programs that address the physical, social, and emotional impacts of stuttering by providing support, advocacy, and life-changing experiences for the...

Frank DiLella is one of Broadway’s most recognizable faces. As the Emmy Award winning host of ON STAGE, a weekly theater program on Spectrum News NY1, Frank has served as a correspondent on- and off-Broadway and around the world, and hosts his own podcast “Show and Tell with Frank DiLella” on iHeart Radio. A strong advocate for arts education, join Frank as he recounts some of his favorite backsta...

Britton Smith is a founding member and the President of the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, the Tony Award-winning organization that unites artists, experts, students, and community leaders to use storytelling and artistry to combat systemic racism. He has also appeared as an actor on Broadway in BE MORE CHILL, AFTER MIDNIGHT, and SHUFFLE ALONG, as well as a number of Off-Broadway shows. In addition,...

For Broadway fans, Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s mom. But she’s also a Board Member of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the American Theater Wing. As a psychologist and psychoanalyst, her career has focused on providing services to underserved communities in Upper Manhattan and The Bronx, and she was appointed to the New York...

Todd Wagner is founder and CEO of Charity Network, a company that harnesses the power of celebrity, technology, and media to raise awareness and funds for causes around the world. In 1995 he introduced streaming media to the world when he launched Broadcast.com with business partner Mark Cuban and later sold the company to Yahoo! for $5.7 billion. As CEO of 2929 Entertainment, he pioneered the pra...

Marissa Jaret Winokur is one of “the nicest kids in town.” Best known for her Tony Award-winning role as “Tracy Turnblad” in the hit Broadway musical HAIRSPRAY, Marissa has also starred in film and TV, where she also became the first winner of CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER. In addition to being an award winning artist, she’s a cancer survivor, a wife, a mom, and a philanthropist. Join Marissa as she talks...

Bianca Marroquín made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in the hit revival of CHICAGO and has returned to that show during Broadway’s reopening as Velma Kelly. From a successful stage career in Mexico City to IN THE HEIGHTS and THE PAJAMA GAME on Broadway, playing Chita Rivera in FX’s FOSSE/VERDON, and a starring role in the Apple TV series ACAPULCO this fall, Bianca is also the Ambassador for Viva...

Best known for her amazing Broadway debut as Gloria Estefan in ON YOUR FEET, Ana Villafañe currently stars as the legendary Roxie Hart, one half of the killer diller team in the hit revival of CHICAGO. She also lends her voice and her talents to a number of important causes, including supporting individuals with arthritis and homeless children. Join Ana as she discusses overcoming juvenile arthrit...

Luis Salgado got his Broadway debut as a performer and Assistant Choreographer on IN THE HEIGHTS and has since gone on to perform in many shows, including WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, ROCKY, and ON YOUR FEET. As a director, choreographer, performer, and teacher, Luis is passionately dedicated to his Latin roots. His company, Salgado Productions, is committed to telling original stori...

Nick Wyman is a familiar face on Broadway, in film, television, and over 100 commercials. He was recently acclaimed for his work opposite Bryan Cranston in NETWORK, his 16th Broadway show. Other credits include the original cast of LES MISERABLES, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, MY FAIR LADY, and the original cast of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. For 25 years, Nick served on the governi...

That’s a rap! As part of the three-day Curtain Up! celebration of Broadway’s reopening this past weekend, Broadway Gives Back host Jan Svendsen joined FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME cast members Kaila Mullady, Anthony Veneziale, Tarik Davis, and James Monroe Iglehart to discuss the hit Broadway show returning to the Booth Theater in October. Connect with Freestyle Love Supreme: Website: FreestyleLoveSupre...

Best known for his Tony Award-winning role as “Dad” in the hit musical BILLY ELLIOT, Gregory Jbara has also starred in DAMN YANKEES, VICTOR/VICTORIA, DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, CHICAGO, and many more. A familiar face in film and on television as well, he’s currently filming his 12th season in his role as “Garrett Moore” on the hit CBS police drama BLUE BLOODS. A passionate advocate for a number of c...

For over 20 years, Project ALS has been on the frontlines in the fight against ALS, identifying and funding scientific and medical research that will lead to the first effective treatments and a cure. To date, Project ALS has raised over $120 million.  Join three of Project ALS’ biggest supporters—founder Valerie Estess, Broadway icon and 7-time Tony Award nominee Danny Burstein (and a nominee aga...

Cady Huffman is best known for her bodacious, Tony-winning role as Ulla in the hit musical THE PRODUCERS. She’s an actress, singer, dancer, producer, and director, and a familiar face in film and on television. She’s also a passionate advocate for a number of causes, including arts education, AIDS awareness, breast cancer research, women’s heart health, and animal rights. Join Cady as she discusse...