The BSB Podcast

 Stepping into the world of The Great Gatsby is entering a dream of lavish parties that never seem to end, at least that's how it seems on the surface. However, as you look a little deeper, it's a story of two worlds colliding: those born into money (old money) and those who made a name for themselves (new money). At the center is the mysterious figure of Jay Gatsby, the illusion of the American D...

It's not every day we get to speak with someone who not only wrote and directed a show but is also one of the stars, but that changed when Fletcher Michael signed on to Riverside to chat with us about their current production, Did You Charge Your Phone For the End of the World?. Presented by the Infinite Monkey Theater Company, Did You Charge Your Phone For the End of the World? made its premiere...

Having been to New York City quite a few times over the course of the past few years, we've seen quite a few Broadway shows, but there's a special place in our hearts for Suffs the Musical. The story spoke deeply to us, as the musical follows the life of Alice Paul and the other suffragists who fought for women's right to vote at a time when that was seen as radical. While it captures a moment in...

We've all had a celebrity crush before that defined our adolescence. For me, it was Zac Efron in his High School Musical era. I was a young boy who thought he was fooling everyone into thinking he was straight, and yet as I sat on my couch watching HSM for the first time, I was smitten. So in a way, we're all a little like Shelby in I'm Going to Marry You, Tobey Maguire, however, perhaps not to th...

Come From Away is a powerful musical that tells the true story of what happened in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, in the wake of one of the biggest American tragedies in recent years. When U.S. airspace was suddenly closed, 38 planes carrying nearly 7,000 passengers were diverted to this remote Canadian town, instantly doubling its population. What unfolds is a deeply human story about ki...

Come From Away explores the remarkable events that unfolded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. A moment when the entire world stood still, leaving thousands of airline passengers stranded in this remote Canadian community. Disconnected from the lives that they've known, what could have been a moment of fear and uncertainty inst...

If you live your life by the motto, Hakuna Matata, you're in the right place, as we're diving back into our conversation about the North American touring production of The Lion King! That's right, we're continuing to explore this incredible Disney musical on its most recent stop at The Detroit Opera House! While we discussed the story and characters in part one, we're looking towards everything el...

Disney is known for its magic, and when it comes to its Broadway musicals, there's nothing quite like it. Over and over again, they've managed to capture their animated films perfectly on stage, perhaps none more so than The Lion King. This long-running musical has charmed families and theatergoers of all ages, bringing the Circle of Life to the stage in NYC and cities across North America. There'...

What do you get when you mix a small town from middle America with a charming con man? The Music Man, of course! Set in River City, Iowa, this classic Broadway musical follows Harold Hill, a smooth-talking fraud who convinces an entire town that their children urgently need a boys’ band, even though they really don't. His plan is simple: collect the money, skip town, and avoid questions like “what...

Who are the Radium Girls? That's an excellent question, and perhaps one we should all be asking ourselves, as the story of these women is not only powerful but essential to know, as it has shaped how some of our world's industries are run. During the early 1900's, women working in factories came into contact with radium by licking the tips of their paintbrushes, as instructed by their bosses. What...

While I'm a lover of horror films, there are some tropes that have been played to death (no pun intended). A dark and stormy night, a demon summoned from a forgotten tome, having to run and open a door while the killer is behind you. However, above all...why must the dog always die in these films?!? Yes, I get it, they are a symbol of everything good and right in the world, so the impact hits like...

Turning a beloved cartoon into a Broadway spectacle may seem like an idea that should stay buried treasure at the bottom of the sea; however, The SpongeBob Musical somehow perfectly captures what makes the Nickelodeon series work, and gives audiences even more. Audiences are submerged...I mean, immersed in the brilliantly colorful work of Bikini Bottom, with a musical that highlights this universe...

When you think of the Broadway musical, Maybe Happy Ending, what immediately comes to mind? For some, it could possibly be the touching story of two helperbots finding love and companionship within each other as they journey to Jeju Island. However, if you're like me, one of the most striking aspects of Maybe Happy Ending is its incredible technological feats and impressive staging. The visuals ar...

What do you get when you combine a Helperbot 3 and a Helperbot 5? A slow-burning romance and a thrilling adventure in the form of the Tony Award-winning musical Maybe Happy Ending! Set in a science-fiction world not that far removed from the reality we live in, this musical explores the humanity that exists in all of us. Even if we aren't actually humans...The story of Maybe Happy Ending is rich w...

If you grew up in the early aughts, then there's a good chance you're familiar with the story of Legally Blonde. While Reese Witherspoon was already a movie star in her own right, this film shot her into the stratosphere, making her a household name and forever linking her with the color pink and plenty of sparkle. However, Legally Blonde took on another life when the fabulous magical arrived on t...

What's love, anyways, without a few Hallmark tropes thrown in, amirite? As someone who grew up on romantic comedies, the cheesier the romance, the better the investment. At least when it comes to films, that is. The Planet Ant Home Team is both paying homage to the genre while also pointing just a bit of fun at the pure ridiculousness of it with their current original comedy, How Romantique! We ha...

While I may have only been in fourth grade, the events of 9/11 will always be burned into my mind. That was a moment in American history that fundamentally changed the world, being one of the biggest tragedies of modern times. But out of the darkest of times can come beautiful things, such as the story of Gander, Newfoundland, which serves as the basis for Come From Away. Meadow Brook Theatre is b...

There are some roles and shows that are once-in-a-lifetime theatre experiences, and I think it's safe to say that Next to Normal falls squarely in that category. This musical explores some difficult topics, such as loss, grief, and mental illness, but provides some incredible roles and a stunning narrative that allows actors to showcase their talent. The Players Guild of Dearborn has brought Next...

Everyone has a story to tell, which is just one of the many reasons we should talk with family and friends, so that stories can live on. Memories hold so much power, as that is how people live on forever. While people may pass away, the impact they have on our lives and on the world in general never does. Liberation is a play that honors this, as the main character looks back on an integral moment...

This is a real circle-of-life moment for me, as someone who has been a lover and critic of Broadway and theater in general for quite some time, finally getting to see The Lion King on stage for the first time! I know what you're thinking: how have I been to New York City so many times and have yet to see this classic Broadway musical before? I've been wondering that for years, but finally the time...

There are some conversations that society tends to deem too sensitive or difficult to have, yet they are also among the most important to talk about, one of which is mental health. As a psychologist, it took me years of training to learn how to talk to people about their mental health, but for so many families, it can be a conversation that feels easier to ignore. This is why shows such as Next to...

According to Occam's razor, the simplest answer is most often the correct one, a phrase often repeated by the world's greatest detective. However, it doesn't seem like the mystery at the center of Avon Player's Holmes and Watson is exactly simple; instead, it makes the audience question what is true and what is a lie. With three different people claiming to be Sherlock Holmes, Watson has to figure...

What does home signal to each of us? For some, it's a destination. A physical place where we return after a long day and rest our heads. A dwelling that allows us to recharge with those we love. However, for others, it could indicate a return to our roots. Perhaps long forgotten, but the magnetic pull of where we come from. There are so many layers to just that one word, and Inspired Acting Compan...

I remember being in World History back in high school, and my teacher loved to repeat a single line after each topic: "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Now I know this is a variation of the famous line by Winston Churchill and wasn't something my teacher came up with; however, it has become ingrained in my head. This is one of the reasons that plays such as The Diary...

We count our blessings every day to be able to do what we do and share our passion with theater (and entertainment in general) with all of our readers and listeners, as it has truly been such a highlight of our lives. However, every once in a while, we still have one of those pinch-me moments as we continue on this journey with BSB Insider, as it's hard to believe what has become from such simple...