On the Aisle with Tom Alvarez

In this engaging conversation with host Tom Alvarez, Judith B. Thomas reflects on a career shaped by mentorship, reinvention, and a deep commitment to building stronger communities. As president and CEO of the Indy Arts Council, Thomas shares how her experiences in public service, communications, and cultural leadership have prepared her to champion Indianapolis’s vibrant arts scene, support local...

In this engaging conversation with host Tom Alvarez, veteran actor, director, and producer Eddie Curry reflects on a remarkable career spanning more than three decades at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, where he has performed in 98 productions and directed 88. From his Southern Indiana roots and early love of performance to his evolution as a respected figure in Indianapolis theater, Curry share...

Zachary DePue reflects on his remarkable journey from a musical childhood in Ohio to the Philadelphia Orchestra, Time for Three, and his years as concertmaster in Indianapolis before finding a new home with the Naples Philharmonic. In a warm and candid conversation, he shares stories of making classical music more accessible, his deep connections to Indianapolis, and his life and work in Naples, o...

Jeff Bowen reflects on a lifelong journey through music, from childhood singing and piano lessons to performing, arranging for show choirs, creating original musicals, and leading sing-alongs. He and Tom Alvarez explore the power of live performance, the emotional connections music creates, and the importance of embracing new opportunities, technology, and creative challenges. Bowen also shares th...

In this engaging conversation, Eduardo Luna shares his journey from immigrating from Mexico as a teenager to becoming a passionate advocate, producer, and connector for Latino artists and cultural communities in Indiana. He reflects on how family, festivals, music, visual art, and his Mexican heritage shaped his appreciation for the arts, while discussing the importance of preserving cultural iden...

Host Tom Alvarez talks with Glen Kwok about how the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis fuels world-class artistry, community pride, and career launches for young soloists, powered by volunteers and donor support (including a gold medal prize up to $75,000). Kwok shares a crisp elevator pitch, practical advice for families to “push, but not past joy,” and a call to attend, give at vio...

In this captivating episode of On the Aisle, host Tom Alvarez sits down with maestro David Commanday to celebrate his appointment as Music Director of the Carmel Symphony Orchestra and explore his rich, multifaceted career across symphony, ballet, and opera. Commanday reflects passionately on the healing, connective power of shared live performance, the exceptional acoustical brilliance and pristi...

Tom Alvarez talks with Leyla Peeran, a global millennial whose multicultural upbringing, travels, and life experiences have shaped her passion for community, the arts, food, and meaningful connections. From growing up in Saudi Arabia with Indian roots to building a new chapter in Indianapolis, Leyla shares lessons on identity, resilience, embracing opportunity, and living authentically. It’s a liv...

In this engaging episode of At the Piano with New York-based Music Director John Fischer , Tom Alvarez reconnects with pianist, music director, vocalist, and educator John Fischer to explore his remarkable career in Broadway, cabaret, and live performance. Fischer shares stories of working with Broadway stars, meeting Stephen Sondheim, traveling the country with acclaimed performers, and discoveri...

Tom Alvarez reconnects with longtime broadcaster and arts advocate Susanne McAlister for a thoughtful conversation about media, community, the arts, and reinvention. Susanne reflects on her decades in television, her leadership with organizations including the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Newfields, and the importance of making the arts accessible to everyone. She also shares personal insig...

In this engaging conversation, host Tom Alvarez welcomes back acclaimed costume designer and theater artist Anthony James Sirk for a wide-ranging look at the experiences, inspirations, and creative journey that shaped his distinctive career. From growing up on a farm in Huntington, Indiana, discovering the arts through childhood drawing, theater, and fashion, to finding his calling in costume desi...

In this engaging episode, Host Tom Alvarez sits down with Chad Rabinovitz, the artistic director, producer, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and driving force behind Constellation Stage & Screen, for a wide-ranging conversation about building creative communities, taking artistic risks, and redefining what success looks like outside traditional entertainment hubs. Chad shares how he has woven together...

Host Tom Alvarez sits down with acclaimed playwright, actor, novelist, and cabaret performer Charles Busch for a candid conversation about the people, experiences, and creative passions that shaped his remarkable career. Busch reflects on his early years in New York and Chicago, the profound influence of his beloved Aunt Lil, finding his artistic voice through theater pioneer Charles Ludlam, and b...

Host Tom Alvarez reunites with Jeff Owen, Chief Operating Officer of Claude McNeal Productions, for a fascinating conversation that celebrates one of Indiana's most influential theater organizations. Together, they revisit the legacy of the American Cabaret Theatre, explore the unique art of cabaret, and discuss how Claude McNeal Productions has evolved into a statewide leader in arts education th...

In this illuminating conversation, host Tom Alvarez sits down with director Carlos Medina Maldonado to explore far more than a new stage production. They dive into the power of theater to celebrate Latino joy, the deeply personal journey of reclaiming cultural identity, the lasting influence of mentor Bryan Fonseca, and Carlos's vision for building a more inclusive and vibrant theater community in...

In this special two-part episode of On the Aisle, Tom Alvarez spotlights the nationally acclaimed Songbook Academy through conversations with Broadway legend Lea Salonga and Great American Songbook Foundation Director of Programs Renée La Schiazza. Salonga shares insights on storytelling through song, mentoring young performers, the enduring appeal of the Great American Songbook, and the importanc...

Tom Alvarez interviews Indianapolis musician and educator Jacob Smith , whose passion for Latin music grew from his background in jazz studies. Although he is not Latino, Smith became deeply involved in Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and salsa music through his education and professional experiences. He discusses how jazz and Latin music are closely connected, with shared influences and histories that oft...

In this engaging podcast episode, listeners are invited to explore the fascinating journey of Jeff, a multifaceted performer and entrepreneur who has navigated the worlds of show business and entrepreneurship. From his unique venture, Old World Gondoliers in Indianapolis, to his storied past with Broadway legends and Motown Records, Jeff shares insights on the importance of business acumen in the...

Matthew Kraemer joined host Tom Alvarez for a wide-ranging conversation about his work as music director of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, highlighting the orchestra’s innovative production of The Chevalier , a theatrical and musical tribute to composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Kraemer discussed the unique intimacy of chamber orchest...

In this heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation, host Tom Alvarez sits down with veteran broadcaster Ken Owen to reflect on a remarkable career in radio, television, and higher education. The episode opens with a moving tribute to beloved photojournalist Steve Sweitzer before exploring the power of storytelling, the lasting influence of the performing arts, and the role of journalism in shaping co...

From Video Production to Center Stage: The Inspiring Journey of Jacob Butler On this episode of On the Aisle with Tom Alvarez , actor, singer, videographer, and editor Jacob Butler shares his remarkable path from a shy, anxious teenager in Northern Kentucky to one of Central Indiana's most respected musical theater performers. Jacob reflects on the profound impact of losing his father at age 17, h...

In this episode of On the Aisle , host Tom Alvarez sits down with Indianapolis theater veteran Jill O’Malia for a warm, reflective conversation about her life on stage, her deep ties to the Indiana Repertory Theatre, and her journey through roles like Velma in Hairspray at the Tarkington. They talk about how Indy’s theater scene has evolved, the impact of venues like the Palladium and Center for t...

In this episode of On The Aisle, Tom Alvarez talks with Kenny Shepard and Carol Worcel about their hit “ESC Burlesque” show in Carmel—a modern, Vegas-style take on burlesque featuring trained musical theater performers. The show blends comedy, music, and dance while celebrating confidence and artistry across all ages. They also share stories from their careers in theater, choreography, and directi...

In this episode of On the Aisle , host Tom Alvarez speaks with Mexican Consul, Leticia Maki Teramoto Sakamoto about immigration, identity, and community. Sakamoto discusses the Mexican Consulate’s work supporting immigrants through legal, protection, and documentation services, while also addressing the fear many undocumented families currently face. Alvarez reflects on reconnecting with his Mexic...

On this episode of On the Aisle , host Tom Alvarez sits down with acclaimed composer, lyricist, and playwright Adam Gwon for an in-depth conversation about his Off-Broadway musical All the World’s a Stage and its upcoming cast album. Gwon shares how the show grew out of his reflections during the pandemic and explores themes of identity, mentorship, and the power of art to represent marginalized v...