Big Theatre Kid Energy

Karalynn Dunton ( Phineas and Ferb, The Runaways, instagram sketches ) joins to review MAMMA MIA! at Ahmanson Theatre. They discuss how they’ll never be able to sing like these UNBELIEVABLE talents on stage, Karalynn’s foray into writing, producing and performing sketch comedy, and why switching gender roles doesn’t make being a “predator” a good comedic choice. Go see Mamma Mia! at Ahmanson Theat...

Nik Walker (Shrek in Shrek the Musical, Masquerade, Hamilton, Chicago, too much Broadway shit to list) is BACK to talk all things SHREK at The Muny in St. Louis, MO. They chat about weather delays in outdoor theatre (opening night got rained OUT), being TERRIBLE at receiving compliments, how being a comedian requires endless generosity of self and talent. Check out all the things happening at The...

Kacie Rogers ( The Pitt, Two Time NAACP Award Winner ) joins to talk about ANGRY, RAUCOUS, AND SHAMELESSLY GORGEOUS at Geffen Playhouse. They talk working on The Pitt, the taboo nature of discussing the lack of fully fleshed out female characters in August Wilson plays, and why that “glassy skin” look is in. Like… why is it in? Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous runs at Geffen Playhouse thro...

Brian Rosenthal ( Tin Can Bros, Starkid, Make the Damn Show ) joins to talk about How to Have Sex Again at Odyssey Theatre, written by Louis Reyes McWilliams and produced by The Rebel and the Warrior in residence at Sanguine Theatre Company. They talk about how to produce indie theatre, the secrets of LA parking, and how bad ass the producing duo Rosalind Bevan and Hannah Beebe. Learn more about O...

Jonathan Faircloth Kirk ( Try Guys, Shoulda Books ) joins to talk about PRIMARY TRUST at Mark Taper Forum. They talk about how there are TOO MANY ADS in playbills, Jonathan’s work as a writer/director, and his enrichingly delicious podcast SHOULDA BOOKS, all about the books you SHOULDA read by now. Go see Primary Trust playing at Mark Taper Forum, playing through June 28th: https://www.centertheat...

Marissa Rivera ( Good Trouble, Lucifer, Try Guys ) joins to talk about HELL’S KITCHEN at Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Ryan picks Marissa’s brain about her incredible success as a commercial actor, the incredible voices and moves of this Hell’s Kitchen cast, and what it’s like for actors to become YouTubers . Go see Hell’s Kitchen at Hollywood Pantages Theatre, playing through June 21st: https://www...

Whitney Avalon (Princess Rap Battles, Phineas and Ferb, St. Denis Medical ) joins to talk about BRIGADOON at Pasadena Playhouse. They discuss the hard work that goes into producing your own work, the genius of this adaptation of a classic musical, and our connections to Jack McBrayer, Jefferson Mays, and Alfred Molina (all in attendance at opening night). Go see Brigadoon at Pasadena Playhouse, pl...

Brent Bailey (Hot Santa at Target, LBJ, The Lincoln Lawyer, Holiday Dating Guide ) joins to talk about a classic: Death of a Salesman at A Noise Within Theatre. They discuss the business of being a BUSY working actor, the relevance of Arthur Miller’s play, and why using your notes app as a calendar is the least efficient way to function in society. Check out A Noise Within Theatre: https://www.ano...

Jared Popkin (Poppa’s home the bitch is back) joins to talk about Reefer Madness at Wisteria Theater. They talk about the difference between performing as an actor vs. as a Try Guy, how baller the women who own and operate Wisteria Theater are, and all about the power of the almighty REEFER! Reefer Madness is playing at Wisteria Theater through May 17th: https://www.wisteriatheater.com/ SUBSCRIBE...

Manuel Oliver joins to talk about his show Guac at Kirk Douglas Theatre. They talk about the power theatre has to create real change as a form of activism, how to bring real authenticity to the stage, and how to turn something as traumatic as the Parkland High School Shooting that took the life of 17 students, including his son Joaquin “Guac” Oliver, into an art piece that can change the world. Gu...

Leah McKendrick (Bad Moms, M.F.A., Scrambled, Voicemails for Isabelle) joins to review Tina: The Tina Turner Musical at Hollywood Pantages Theatre. They talk about Leah’s past as a record label signed Pop Star and burlesque dancer, the INSANE talent of Darilyn Burtley who played Tina Turner, and Leah’s upcoming Netflix feature film Voicemails for Isabelle, starring Zoey Deutch, Nick Robinson, Harr...

Tommy Hobson ( The Fresh Beat Band, That Girl Lay Lay ) joins to review “Master Harold” …and the Boys at Geffen Playhouse. They talk growing up as child actors (ESPECIALLY Tommy, he was on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine for crying out loud!), the deeply moving real life story of South African legend John Kani (King T’Chaka in Black Panther, and lead of this play), and how powerful and important art is...

Ava Lalezarzadeh ( English on Broadway, Before Apple TV, The Morning Show Apple TV) joins to review English at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. They talk having to relearn their mother tongues (Farsi and Spanish respectively), Ava’s incredible short film In the Garden of Tulips, and what it’s like to be thrown into the deep end as a young actor. English is playing at The Wallis thr...

YB joins to review Kim’s Convenience at Ahmanson Theatre. They talk about YB’s first time EVER seeing theatre, being cast members of the TRY GUYS, and growing up children of immigrants, . Kim’s Convenience is playing at the Ahmanson Theatre through April 19th. https://www.centertheatregroup.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO AND FOLLOW BIG THEATRE KID ENERGY Instagram: @BigTheatreKidEnergy TikTok: @BigTheatreKidEn...

Daniel David Stewart ( Spring Awakening, Catch 22, Memory of a Killer) joins to review Richard III at A Noise Within Theatre. They talk the road to getting on Broadway, how relevant Shakespeare is to current events, and why some pillows are decorative and some pillows are for hugging. Check out the current productions at A Noise Within Theatre: https://www.anoisewithin.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO AND FOLLOW...

Hannah Pilkes ( Leanne, Hacks, Dropout, Comedy Bang! Bang!) joins to review Dragon Mama at Geffen Playhouse. They talk all things relationships and solo shows. Hannah is performing in her own: Skiing at the Elysian Theatre on 3/31, and directed her partner Greg Nussen’s show QFWFQ, which will be at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this season. Dragon Mama is playing at Geffen Playhouse through April...

Manon Mathews joins to review SIX at Hollywood Pantages Theatre. They talk VINE stardom (Bring it back!), self validation, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and which Spice Girl they are. Oh, and review the touring production of SIX the Musical. SIX is on tour! https://sixonbroadway.com/ustour/ SUBSCRIBE TO AND FOLLOW BIG THEATRE KID ENERGY Instagram: @BigTheatreKidEnergy TikTok: @BigTheatreKidEnergy You...

Ash Perez joins to review Here Lies Love at Mark Taper Forum. They talk Ash getting started at Buzzfeed, Filipino history and the dangers of following a cult of personality, and the difference between stage and film acting. Here Lies Love is playing at Mark Taper Forum through April 5th: https://www.eastwestplayers.org/inside SUBSCRIBE TO AND FOLLOW BIG THEATRE KID ENERGY Instagram: @BigTheatreKid...

Ryann Graham joins to review Foursome at IAMA Theatre. They talk TRY GUYS, hooking up with friends, and how unpacking luggage on vacation is the only sane way to live. Foursome is playing at IAMA Theatre through March 28th: https://www.iamatheatre.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO AND FOLLOW BIG THEATRE KID ENERGY Instagram: @BigTheatreKidEnergy TikTok: @BigTheatreKidEnergy Youtube: @BigTheatreKidEnergy Ryann: @g...

Erin Cholakian joins to review Amadeus at Pasadena Playhouse. They talk Heated Rivalry, forced perspective (about 1,000 times), and the GENIUS of Jefferson Mays and Darko Tresnjak. Amadeus is at Pasadena Playhouse through March 15th: https://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/ SUBSCRIBE TO AND FOLLOW BIG THEATRE KID ENERGY Instagram: @BigTheatreKidEnergy TikTok: @BigTheatreKidEnergy Youtube: @BigTheatreKid...

Ryan’s wife and long awaited guest Kelly Walker ( Stag & the Bull, Swamp Thing, Last Man Standing) joins to review Sylvia Sylvia Sylvia at Geffen Playhouse. They talk about having a partner in the industry, where to get the best Diet Coke, and the insanity that can be the creative process. Sylvia Sylvia Sylvia is playing at Geffen Playhouse through March 8th: https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/ S...

Anna Lore ( Final Destination: Bloodlines, Black Phone 2, Gotham Knights) joins to review Sweeney Todd at La Mirada Theatre. They talk drinking from straws, the genius of Jason Alexander (director of the show), and their shared fear of horror movies. Sweeney Todd is playing at La Mirada Theatre through February 22nd: https://lamiradatheatre.com/current_events/sweeney/ SUBSCRIBE TO AND FOLLOW BIG T...

Britt Rentschler joins to review Izzard: The Tragedy of Hamlet at the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre. They talk Suzy Eddie Izzard’s incredible standup: Dress to Kill, their shared love for the TV show Slings and Arrows, and never letting ANYBODY take the arts away from us. Izzard: The Tragedy of Hamlet is playing at the Montalbán Theatre through January 31st, and then continuing to tour the globe! http...

Ashley Clements joins to review Kid Gloves at Skylight Theatre. They talk Emmy Award winning Lizzie Bennet Diaries, how gorges Ithaca is, and yellow snow. Kid Gloves is playing at Skylight Theatre through February 15th: https://kidglovesmusical.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO AND FOLLOW BIG THEATRE KID ENERGY Instagram: @BigTheatreKidEnergy TikTok: @BigTheatreKidEnergy Youtube: @BigTheatreKidEnergy Ashley Cleme...

Jonny Manganello joins to review The Notebook the Musical at Hollywood Pantages Theatre. They talk theatre etiquette, Ingrid Michaelson music, and why Jon is so much more serious than Jonny. The Notebook is playing at the Pantages Theatre through January, 25th: https://www.broadwayinhollywood.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO AND FOLLOW BIG THEATRE KID ENERGY Instagram: @BigTheatreKidEnergy TikTok: @BigTheatreKid...