Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb

Writer, Director, Actor Kevin Zak comes back to Behind the Awards to deep dive his upcoming Play A Kidman Carol starring Marla Mindelle & Josh Sharp.  Imagine Nicole Kidman guiding Cate Blanchett through awards season ala A Christmas Carole and there you have the hilarious brain child of Kevin Zak.  Kevin also talks about Ginger Twinses, Mommy Dearest, and more. For tickets - https://aki...

Anthony Michael Lopez joins Behind the Awards to chat about his stage and screen career.  Most known for his role of Bruce in Survival of the Thickest, Tony is also an accomplished stage Actor seen in last seasons Titus Andronicus with Patrick Page.  Tony gives us the low down on working with Page as well as Othello, Our Town, Camelot and The Gilded Age. Also in this episode - Three’s Co...

Illusions and Visual Effects Designer Chris Fisher stops by Behind the Awards fresh off the opening of Paranormal Activity to breakdown the magic he’s creating for the show.  Chris also does a deep dive into the illusions in Stranger Things that won him a 2025 Tony Award and his theater career in such shows as Wicked, Company, Harry Potter, and the upcoming Nanny McPhee the Musical.  Chr...

Broadway’s Brandon Contreras joins Behind the Awards to dish on his career thus far after recently taking over the role of Charles in Operation Mincemeat.  Brandon shares the thrill of staring in both Titanique Off Broadway and Titanic at New York City Center.  Brandon also talks about being in Almost Famous and working with Cameron Crowe, Drew Gehling and Anika Larsen.  Brandon sha...

Drag Race Alum and Choreographer Jay Jackson aka Laganja Estranja joins Behind the Awards to chat about her latest project, Choreographer of the Jawbreaker the Musical workshop.  The cult film has been turned into a musical by the films creator Darren Stein and lead by one of the original “Flawless Ones” Rebecca Gayheart. Laganja also tells us about her upcoming Fall 2027 project; Co-Choreogr...

Tony Nominee Elizabeth Stanley joins Behind the Awards to talk about her brand new thriller Disruption now playing at The Pershing Square Signature Center as well as the hit musical Jagged Little Pill.  Elizabeth shares what it was like to work with Alanis Morissette on such iconic music.  Disruption is playing through October 4th and you can catch Elizabeth alongside John David Washingt...

Behind the Awards is joined by Kristin Hopkins, Ashley Hufford and Alan Seales to select our Fantasy Broadway Lineup.  From Rising Star to Legacy Performer, from Director to Costume Designer we cover it all!  Listen along and make your selections! Did names like Idina Menzel, Bob Fosse, Caissie Levy or Debbie Allen make the lists? Listen to find out! Make sure to check out Eila's book, "...

Playwright and Actress Laura Lapidus alongside casemates Tedra Millan (Leopoldstadt) and Yuriy Sardarov (Chicago Fire)  join Behind the Awards to deep dive their new Off Broadway hit To Have and To Hold.  Inspired by Shakespeares The Taming of the Shrew this play brings Kate & Bianca into modern day.   Get your ticket here: https://www.tohaveplay.com/ Also in this episode - Remember...

The new Broadway season is here, and the awards race is already taking shape! On this fall preview episode of Behind the Awards, host Matt Koplik of The Broadway Breakdown joins the conversation to break down the most anticipated new shows, major stars, returning favorites, and early contenders to watch as the road to Broadway’s awards season begins. What could be the season’s bigge...

Matt Copley is a musician, theatrical producer, and TikTok creator behind Broadway Does Punk, a viral music project that transforms iconic Broadway songs into high-energy pop-punk and rock anthems. What began as a series of online videos has grown into an audience of more than 370,000 TikTok followers and over 16 million Spotify streams, with fans consistently asking one question: When c...

Writer/Show Runner Tom Fontana joins Behind the Awards to give us the breaking news on his latest venture: Tom Fontana Presents!  Some guests include Edie Falco, Mariska Hargitay and Julianna Margulies.  Tom also takes a trip down memory lane to discuss his hit shows St Elsewhere, OZ and Homicide: Life on the Street and working with the likes of Denzel Washington, Howie Mendel, Robin Wil...

Bradley Jaden joins Behind the Awards to chat about his 20 year run with Les Miserables and ending this tour at the iconic Radio City Music Hall.  Bradley shares his early start and friendship with Sir Cameron Mackintosh and what it’s like to be in the center of a Mackintosh surprise guest appearances which took the internet by storm.   Bradley also shares the lengths he went to be in St...

Actress Talia Suskauer joins Behind the Awards to discuss her new show A Walk on the Moon based on the hit film starring Diane Lane.  Talia is also known for playing Elphaba and gives us the low down on all things Wicked including a no fly show and how quickly she becomes green.  Talia also talks about starring in the National Tour of Parade and what it’s like to see the country on the r...

Director/Choreographer Breton Tyner-Bryan stops by Behind the Awards to discuss her film “Rhythm or Smooth”.  From Ballroom to Ballet this film touches not only these styles but the NYC Dance vibe.  We also cover our must see Dance Movies such as Center Stage, All That Jazz, West Side Story, Dirty Dancing and more so grab your popcorn! Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce visit Are You No...

Tony Award Winning Actress Maryann Plunkett stops by Behind the Awards to discuss her new play The Loved Ones now playing through August 2nd at The Irish Repertory Theater.  Maryann also takes us back down memory lane and shares some tales of her time with Sunday in the Park with George, Me & My Girl, and The Notebook.  Maryann also gives us a sneak peek into the upcoming Richard Nelson...

Label.less Creators Drew & Lea Lachey come back to Behind the Awards to update us on their hit show Label.less now running at The Duke on 42nd Street.  This show which is currently in its 8th year continues to evolve and touch audiences with their profound stories, music and choreography.  Drew shares how his experience in Rent on Broadway as well as their past in the POP world with 98 Degrees inf...

Actor Michael Chernus joins Behind the Awards to deep dive embodying the personal of Serial Killer John Wayne Gacy in Peacock’s Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy.  Fans of Michael’s work also will recognize him from the hit Apple TV show Severance as well as Orange is the New Black.  Michael touches on how is Theater roots helped him take on one True Crime’s most famous subjects. MICHAEL CHERNUS ...

Immediately after taking over the role of The Little Boy in Ragtime, Jackson Parker Gill stops by Behind the Awards to discuss life as a working kid actor.  Jackson shares what it’s like to be an understudy on Broadway, the audition process, his dream roles and what it was like to play Gavroche in the National Tour of Les Miserables. Also in this episode - Sherie Rene Scott Returns to Broadway in...

Actor/Writer Carlos Manuel Vesga joins us on the heels of Season 1 of Apple TV’s hit series Pluribus.  Carlos details working with Vince Gilligan and Rhea Seehorn as well as creating the character of Manousos. Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce chat about the 2026 Tony Awards hits and misses. Carlos-Manuel Vesga, is a Colombian theater, film, and television actor. He is recognized for his role in...

Eila & Bruce bring you the fifth and final installment of their 2026 Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Lead Actor of a Musical, Lead Actress of a Musical, Scenic Design of a Musical, Best Musical, and Best Play. Also in this episode - Eila, Bruce & Matt give their Top 10 Performances of the 2026 Seaso...

Actor Margaret Colin joins Behind the Awards to discuss her career in Veep, Gossip Girl, As the World Turns, Independence Day and more as well as her current role as Ruth in The Balusters now playing at The Samuel J Friedman Theater.  Margaret shares the thrill of being back on stage in a play that is timely, poignant and hilariously funny.   Also in this episode - Tony Excitement is buzzing.  Jus...

Eila & Bruce bring you the fourth installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Director of a Musical, Costume Design of a Musical, Lead Actress of a Play, Lead Actor of a Play, Lighting Design of a Play, and Revival of a Musical. Also in this episode - Eila, Bruce & Matt give their biggest s...

Tony Nominated Director Zhailon Levingston come back to BTA to deep all things Cats The Jellicle Ball.  Zhailon discusses everything to casting André De Shields, honoring the origins of Ball Room and Cats, and even gives us the scoop on what he’s doing next. Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce discuss reimagined Broadway Shows.  Like, Romeo & Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, and this seasons hit Ca...

Patrick Wilson, James Carpinello and Marcus Chait join Behind the Awards to discuss producing The Lost Boys for Broadway.  This Family driven story lead by Shoshana Bean just happens to be surrounded by vampires.  The trio takes their experience in performing in film adaptations turned broadway musical to really make this production fly.  Additionally Patrick Wilson discusses how is experience sta...

Tony Nominated Book Writers David Hornsby & Chris Hoch visited Behind the Awards to talk about the process of writing The Lost Boys musical.  The discuss the must have movie moment such as Saxophone Man, Rob Lowe and The Video Store as well as the must have new moments theater goers will experience.  They discuss creating a work for fans or the movie and newcomers alike. Chris Hoch’s Broadway cred...