Stages Podcast

Tony Award-winning Director Sam Pinkleton brings his extraordinary vision to the Broadway revival of Richard O'Brien's  The Rocky Horror Show  at Studio 54. He is also known for his work on Cole Escola's  Oh, Mary!  on Broadway and in London's West End and Josh Sharp's Ta-Da!, and many more. As a choreographer, his work includes Stephen Sondheim's final musical Here We Are, Jeanine Tesori and Davi...

Tony Award nominee Christiani Pitts makes her Broadway return in the acclaimed. two-hander musical  Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). She is also known for her performance as "Ann Darrow" in King Kong and "Jane" in A Bronx Tale. In this episode, Christiani discusses how becoming a mom has developed and stregnthened her storytelling, the experience of doing her first two-hander show, an...

Anita Moorjani is a New York Times best selling author. Her book Dying To Be Me shares the story of her profound NDE (near death experience) and her spontaneous healing from end-stage lymphoma. In this episode Anita shares what she felt and saw in her NDE, how she lives a fearlessly authentic life since her recovery, and the things that she believes are most important to healing and living a full...

James Ortiz is an American puppet designer, puppeteer, and actor who won an Obie Award for puppet design for The Woodsman , and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Puppet Design for the 2022 Broadway revival of The Skin of Our Teeth . He also received a Drama Desk nomination for his creation of "Milky White" and other puppetry work in the 2023 Broadway Revival of Into the Woods.  Most recently, J...

Dr. Anna Yusim is an internationally-recognized, award-winning, Board-Certified, Stanford- and Yale-educated Psychiatrist & Executive Coach who helps influential people achieve greater impact, purpose, and joy in their life and work.  She is the best-selling author of  Fulfilled: How the Science of Spirituality Can Help You Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life . As a Clinical Assistant Professor a...

Cinco Paul is an Emmy Award-winning screenwriter, producer, and songwriter. He is widely recognized for his work on major animated hits like the DESPICABLE ME trilogy, THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS, THE LORAX, and HORTON HEARS A WHO. This season, he is producing his Apple TV musical comedy series SCHMIGADOON! on Broadway.  In this episode, Cinco talks about the creation of the Schmigadoon! television se...

Kelli Barrett and Jessica Vosk are powerhouses of stage and screen. Kelli most recently graced the Broadway stage in the acclaimed revival of PARADE and has starred in DR. ZHIVAGO, WICKED, and on TV in FX's "Fosse/Verdon". Jessica recently finished her beloved run in HELL'S KITCHEN, after BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, FINDING NEVERLAND, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and more. She also shares in the WICKED sis...

Two-time Tony Award-winning director Michael Arden takes on his next big story by bringing the iconic vampire film,  THE LOST BOYS, to the Broadway stage this Spring. He was recently awarded for his work on MAYBE HAPPY ENDING and PARADE, as well as recognized for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, Deaf West's  SPRING AWAKENING, and many more. In this episode, Michael discusses how he juggles working on multiple...

Marc Shaiman is an Emmy, Tony, and Grammy Award-winning composer and lyricist for his decades of work on stage and screen, including beloved Broadway hits  HAIRSPRAY, SOME LIKE IT HOT,   SMASH  and acclaimed films When Harry Met Sally, The First Wives Club, Sister Act, Beaches, Sleepless in Seattle, Hocus Pocu s, and many more. In this episode, Marc shares stories from his memoir, Never Mind the H...

Kelly Cervantes is an award-winning author, sharing her personal experiences with grief. Her debut book,  Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When It's Time to Heal But You're Not Sure You Want To, is a USA Today best-seller. Her new memoir,   The Luckiest: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Motherhood, and the Pursuit of Self, is available now. In this episode, Kelly discusses healing through remembering...

Happy Holidays to all our listeners!   Stephanie and Marylee are moving to YouTube!  Starting in Season Six, Stages Podcast will release full episodes (and maybe even some past episodes!). You'll still be able to find us whereever you get your podcasts but now you can watch full episodes! Please head over and subscribe to the channel and share with all your friends!  Thank you all for the support...

Renée Elise Goldsberry is a multi-hyphenate actress and singer, best known for originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in the groundbreaking Broadway musical  HAMILTON , for which she won Tony® and Grammy® Awards and received an Emmy® nomination for the Disney+ filmed version. She is also known for her work in RENT, THE COLOR PURPLE, THE LION KING,   ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE, GIRLS-5EVA, and TH...

Jeff Hiller is a recent Emmy Award winner for his heartwarming performance as "Joel Anderson" on HBO's Somebody, Somewhere. Jeff has graced both the stage and screen in shows like  American Horror Story: NYC ,  Crazy Ex-Girlfriend , and  30 Rock, and recently on stage in New York City Center's Encores! production of  Urinetown.  His new memoir, Actress of a Certain Age, is a humorous collection of...

Dr. Martha Beck is a Harvard-trained sociologist, world-renowned coach on harvesting creativity and finding purpose, and   New York Times   best-selling author across her dozens of books, including  The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self, Finding Your Own North Star,   and her newest release,   Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose.   In this epis...

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained neuroscientist and   New York Times   best-selling author, who began to develop her concept of "whole brain living" after experiencing a severe hemorrhage in the left hemisphere of her brain. She has written several books on her experience and learnings, including My Stroke of Insight and her latest work,  Whole Brain Living: The Anatomy of Choice and the...

Andrew Durand has received a Tony Award nomination for his standout performance in DEAD OUTLAW.  He plays the title role of Elmer McCurdy in this brilliant, dark musical comedy about a mummified corpse. The show is nominated for 7 Tony Awards including Best New Musical. Andrew's Broadway credits include HEAD OVER HEELS, SHUCKED, INK, WAR HORSE and SPRING AWAKENING. He performed in the West End in...

Jasmine Amy Rogers is an Outer Critics Circle Award Winner and Tony Award Nominee for her Broadway debut as "Betty Boop" in BOOP! The Musical, directed by Jerry Mitchell. She has also graced the stage across the country as "Anita" in JELLY'S LAST JAM at Pasadena Playhouse, in the National Tour of MEAN GIRLS, as "Melody Green" in THE WANDERER at Papermill Playhouse, and in the world premiere of BEC...

Adrienne Warren is currently starring as "Cathy Hiatt," opposite Nick Jonas, in the highly anticipated Broadway debut of THE LAST FIVE YEARS. She received a Tony Award for her performance as "Tina Turner" in TINA, THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, after originating the role in the West End. Her additional Broadway credits include SHUFFLE ALONG, BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL, THE WIZ, and DREAMGIRLS. She has als...

Jonathan Groff is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor, who is beloved on Broadway and beyond. He is known on stage for his acclaimed performances in MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, HAMILTON, and SPRING AWAKENING, as well as for his roles on TV and in film, including Glee , Looking and the Frozen franchise. Jonathan returns to Broadway as "Bobby Darin" in the new musical JUST IN TIME. In this episode, Jon...

Gabrielle Nevaeh will make her Broadway debut in the highly-anticipated STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW. She is an Emmy-nominated actress who has graced the small screen throughout her teen years, starring in many hit shows, including Nickelodeon's "The Girl Lay Lay" and the revival of the sketch comedy show "All That." Gabrielle is also a singer, producer and clothing designer focused on sustai...

Nathan Lee Graham has illuminated stage and screen for decades. On Broadway, he performed in THE WILD PARTY and PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT. He is known for his roles on screen in the Zoolander movies, Sweet Home Alabama, Hitch, Theater Camp, and currently in Hulu's Mid-Century Modern alongside Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and the late Linda Lavin. In this episode, Nathan shares how powerful women...

Lizzy McAlpine is set to make her Broadway debut, opposite Jeremy Jordan, in the Lincoln Center Theater production of FLOYD COLLINS. After releasing her critically acclaimed debut album, Give Me a Minute, in 2020, she went on to release two more albums, hit the Billboard 100 charts and go viral on TikTok with her song, "Ceilings." In this episode, Lizzy shares how trusting her instincts has guided...

Darren Criss is an Emmy Award-winning actor, songwriter, and beloved star of stage and screen. He gained a fan following as "Blaine Anderson" on Fox's  Glee,  and won an Emmy and Golden Globe for his portrayal of "Andrew Cunanan" in  The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story .  He started his career, as both an actor and writer, in the viral hit A VERY POTTER MUSICAL, before making...

Brent Comer is making his splash on the Broadway scene, starring as "Darrel Curtis" in the Tony Award-winning hit THE OUTSIDERS. Before Broadway, he was traveling across the country in the national tour of LES MISÉRABLES.  In this episode, Brent shares his love of movies, why he almost quit show business, and how he stays grounded amidst the show's dedicated fandom.   The Outsiders Tickets Stephan...

  Season Five of Stages Podcast starts with a question and answer episode. We're joined by a fantastic group of Thespians, all connected through their work with the Educational Theatre Foundation. ETF is the philanthropic arm of the Educational Theatre Association, and home to the International Thespian Society. In this episode, Cristiana, Marsae, Layla, Kenna, McKenzie & Lolly join Marylee and St...