Behind the Awards with Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb

Writer Rick Elice joins Behind the Awards days after Smash’s first preview.  Years in the making thanks to the Pandemic co-writer Bob Martin and the rest of the creative team, Marc Shaiman, Scott Whitman and Susan Stroman tackle the hit TV Show with Robyn Hurder and Brooks Ashmanskas leading this musical comedy.  Rick also takes us on a trip down memory lane sharing how he go into Broadway via Adv...

Stage and Screen Star Norm Lewis drops by to give us an early look into his upcoming show Ceremonies In Dark Old Men at St Clements Theater.  Norm also recounts his time with A Soldiers Play, Les Miserables and working with Billy Porter on Pose.  Link for tickets -https://www.thepeccadillo.com/ Also in this episode - Joe Morton Emmy Win.  Review of The Last 5 Years. Emmy, Tony, and SAG Award nomin...

Boom Box Icon Ione Skye stops by Behind the Awards to discuss her new book Say Everything and the movie that made famous Say Anything.  Ione is brutally honest as she discusses her life, career, famous father and romances with Jon Cusack, Keanu Reeves, Anthony Kiedis. Also in this episode - Tina Fey Emmy Win. Review of Lea & Drew Lachey’s Label-less. Ione Skye made her film debut opposite Keanu Re...

Carra Patterson dropped in to talk about Elsbeth and what it’s like to be on a network series in 2025.  Carra also revels what it was like originating a role in the August Wilson Play Jitney and being directed by George C Wolfe.  Listen as Carra talks about working with co-stars Carrie Preston & Wendell Pierce, plus her take on Self-Tape Auditions. Also in this episode - Martin Sheen 2001 Golden G...

Behind the Awards welcomes Constatine Maroulis to give us the back story about his new immersive show Avalona.  We do a deep dive on American Idol, Rock of Ages, Jekyll & Hyde and Jesus Christ Super Star. Also in this episode - Debbie Allen’s Emmy Award Win, Buena Vista Social Club Review. CONSTANTINE MAROULIS (he/him) was born in Brooklyn and raised in Jersey. Best known for his Tony Nominated st...

Broadway’s premier animal trainer Bill Berloni joins Behind the Awards to chat about his current dogs starring in Gypsy & Left on Tenth.  Bill also talks in depth about how he started his career with the original production of Annie.  Bill gives us the inside Scoop about working with Naomi Watts for the upcoming Feature Film The Friend. Also in this episode - Diahann Carroll’s 1972 Tony Award for...

Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph explores his new play Dakar 2000 at Manhattan Theater Club running through March 23rd.  Rajiv gives us the backstory on working with Robin Williams to bring Bengal Tiger at the Bagdahd Zoo to Broadway.  Rajiv talks about collaborating with esteemed Directors Moisés Kaufman on Bengal Tiger and Kenny Leon on critically acclaimed King James about Rajiv’s hometown...

Behind the Awards welcomes Kevin Csolak to chat about his scene stealing role as Tulsa in Gypsy.  Kevin also shares his experience working with Stephen Spielberg in latest West Side Story film.  Listen to hear how the Outsiders manifested Gypsy, and how he leaped into the first day of Mean Girls Rehearsal hours after performing with Justin Timberlake in the Super Bowl. Also in this episode - Cate...

Behind the Awards is joined by Jiffy Pop Culture’s Frank Liotti and our in house expert Matt Stashin to dish all things Oscar’s.  The hottest races include Conclave vs Anora, Demi Moore vs Cynthia Erivo, Timothée Chalamet vs Adrian Brody and much more! Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Insta...

Marjan Neshat joins Behind the Awards to deep dive into the Pulitzer Prize winning Play at the Roundabout Theater.  Marjan shares her pride and excitement of being part of a cast and creative team all making their Broadway Debut at the same time.  You can also catch Marjan Guest Starring on The Night Agent now streaming on Netflix. Also in the this episode - Olivia Coleman’s 2019 Oscar win for The...

Original Rent cast member Rodney Hicks joins Behind the Awards to recount the creation of the cult phenomenon Rent and his friendship with Jonathon Larson. Fun Fact the OBC still has an active group text. Rodney discusses for the first time ever 1968: An American Love Story, a project that he has been writing for the past 5 years.  Rodney shares how Susan Stroman made him a dancer, his battle with...

Behind the Awards was thrilled to participate in BroadwayCon 10 and have Producer Jack Noseworthy & Composer and Lyricist Benjamin Valez on their live panel to discuss the new musical Real Women Have Curves. Jack Noseworthy is the co-founder of Truworthy Productions along with Tony and Olivier Award-winning Director/Choreographer Sergio Trujillo. His producing career has been bolstered by 33 years...

Theater has the power to challenge, connect, and inspire—and that’s exactly what Maiden Mother Crone: A Duet of Solo Plays delivers. This groundbreaking production, featuring Sugarcoated by Jen Ponton and The Longer My Mother is Dead, the More I Like Her by Deborah Unger, invites audiences to explore universal themes of identity, resilience, and transformation through two uniquely personal perspec...

CFDA Award Winning Designer Francisco Costa joins Behind the Awards to review Sunset Blvd.  Francisco also shares the launch of his new beauty line Coast Brazil.   Also in this episode Meryl Streeps 2004 Emmy Win for Angels in America, a busy Behind the Awards weekend of BroadwayCon 10 Panel discussing Real Women Have Curves and Nancy McKeon in the Off Broadway Play Pen Pals. Francisco Costa, the...

Alison Arngrim joins Behind the Awards to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Little House on the Prairie.  Alison shares how she was cast as Nellie Oleson.  What it was like to work with Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert.  Did you know Alison played Eve Plumbs daughter on Fantasy Island?  Alison also talks about guest starring on The Love Boat, what it’s like being a child start and her one woman...

Tony Winner J. Harrison Ghee joined Behind the Awards to reminisce on their Some Like it Hot Tony nomination and win and how the subject of identity has evolved since then.  J also takes us on a journey to create Lady Chablis for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.  Plus going from Swing to Dance Captain to Lola in Kinky Boots. Also in this episode - A review of Wonderful World. J. Harrison G...

McKinley Belcher III pays Behind the Awards a visit before taking his final bow in A Guide for the Homesick.  He also discuses his Netflix series Eric co-starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Death of a Salesman and how he detoured into a career of acting. Also in this episode - Jean Smart’s 2025 Golden Globe win for Hacks.  A review of Pulitzer Prize winning Play English by Sanaz Toossi at The Roundabou...

Behind the Awards looks at what could be nominated for the 2025 Tony Awards. Big in the conversation are Gypsy, Sunset Blvd, Death Becomes Her, Oh Mary!, Our Town, Good Night and Good Luck, Glengarry Glen Ross, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagr...

Anna K Jacobs, Alyse Alan Louis and Jared Loftin visit with Behind the Awards to do a Teeth Deep Dive.  They share everything from the original concept album to the expanded slash zone. Also in the episode - Steven Spielberg’s 1999 Oscar win for Best Director for Saving Private Ryan.  Plus the 2nd Tony Committee Eligibility Rulings.  Show included in the meeting were:  Sunset Blvd.; A Wonderful Wo...

Writer/Producer Matt Williams & Writer Trey Ellis join Behind the Awards to give a first look at their new Musical Delta Blue. Matt and Trey talk about developing the show and their collaboration with Masi Asare, Jimmy Vivino, and Tamara Tunie. Delta Blue invites listeners for a very special night of songs on Tuesday January 21st at The Green Room 42 performed by notable Broadway stars including P...

Playwright Ken Urban visits to discuss his play A Guide for the Homesick starring McKinley Belcher III & Uly Schlesinger.  Ken gives us the lowdown on the process of getting a play produced in NY as well his role throughout the production.  Ken shares the importance of collaborators when putting up a play and this play was lucky enough to have Coleman Domingo in 2017 in Boston which lead to the co...

The entire cast of Left on Tenth; Julianna Margulies, Peter Gallagher, Kate MacCluggage, and Peter Francis James join us for a deep dive into the show.  How a chance in counter on the corner of 10th Street between Delia Ephron and Juliana lead to her playing the author.  Based on Delia Ephron’s bestselling memoir, this warm and witty new play is directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroma...

Richard Kind stops by to discuss the Ensemble Piece All In co-starring John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, and Renee Elise Goldsberry. Fans know Richard from TVs Mad About You, Only Murders in The Building, Spin City and Curb your Enthusiasm. Also in this episode - Sharon Stone’s Best Actress Golden Globe for Casino. Review of Swept Away. Richard Kind, a Drama Desk Award winner and Tony nominee for the Br...

Eila & Bruce go through their top moments of 2024 including: The Outsiders, Wicked, Taylor Swift, Sunset Blvd and more! Plus don’t miss what they are excited about for 2025! Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce Learn more ab...

Grey Henson visited to discuss his starring role as Buddy in Elf the Musical on Broadway. Grey talks about working with his co-start Sean Astin who is making his Broadway Debut. Grey also recalls where he was when he received his Tony Nomination for Mean Girls. We learn how his career started in Book of Mormon and how he almost didn’t do Shucked on Broadway. Also in this episode - Hugh Laurie Gold...