Stages Podcast

Mandy Gonzalez is an actress and author. She is currently starring as Angelica in the Broadway hit "Hamilton". Mandy is best known for her portrayal of Nina Rosario in In "The Heights" She has also starred in "Lennon", "Dance Of The Vampires", "Aida" and  "Wicked.  In this episode, Mandy talks about first meeting Lin-Manuel Miranda in the Drama Book Shop basement, her journey with cancer and welln...

Andrew Rannells is a Tony-nominated actor known for his work on stage and screen. He has starred on Broadway in THE BOOK OF MORMON, HAMILTON, FALSETTOS, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, BOYS IN THE BAND, and more. He starred in HBO's "Girls," NBC's "The New Normal," Showtime's "Black Monday," Netflix's "The Prom," and Tina Fay's Girls5eva on Peacock. His many voice acting credits, including as Matthew M...

Hope Azeda is a leader in contemporary Rwandan theater. She is a writer, actor, director, and the founder and Artistic Director or Mashirika Creative & Performing Arts. Arthur Nkusi is the Founder and Creative Director of Arthur Nation. He is a radio host, comedian, and actor. In this episode, Hope and Arthur chat about how they envisioned their lives as entertainers from young ages, the first tim...

Megan Hilty brings holiday cheer wherever she goes. She played "Glinda" on Broadway in WICKED, worked with Dolly Parton in 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL and flexed her physical comedy muscles in NOISES OFF, for which she earned Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominations. She performs her concerts around the world and her voice is recognizable from animated series like CENTAURWORLD, TROLLSTOPIA, & AMERICAN...

Danny Burstein is an Award-winning actor of stage and screen. He won the Tony Award in 2020 for his performance as "Harold Zidler" in MOULIN ROUGE! on Broadway. He has also starred in recent revivals of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, FOLLIES, GOLDEN BOY, SOUTH PACIFIC and CABARET and originated roles in THE DROWSY CHAPERONE and more. He has also worked on the BBC sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous," HBO's "Boardwa...

Pamela Bob is a multi-hyphenate creator --- actress, producer, writer, make-up artist and photographer. She has been seen on Broadway in HAND TO GOD and A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER. She was recently featured by FORBES Magazine for her award winning new television series, Livin' On A Prairie. In this episode, Pamela looks back at the magical moments that led to her creating "Livin on a P...

You asked, we answered.  In our episode of giving thanks, Seren Cho, Fellow Stages Podcast team member, takes the host seat to ask Stephanie and Marylee what you want to know, including their answers to "The Five Questions." In Gratitude, we thank you for supporting us. Barry Manilow Patricia Ellsberg Anodea Judith Louise Hay Support the show: http://www.stagespodcast.net  

Joe Celli is a six time Emmy Award-winning Production Designer and Art Director, who has been recognized for his work on The Academy Awards, "So You Think You Can Dance," "American Idol," and TV Musicals including "Hairspray Live," "Grease Live," and "A Christmas Story."  In this episode, Joe talks about the unlikely call that shifted his focus from actor to art director, how he became the go-to m...

Anne Kauffman is an Award-winning theatrical director. She's earned multiple Obie Awards, Lortel Award and a Lily Award and is currently directing THE BEDWETTER, a new musical by Sarah Silverman, Joshua Harmon, and the late Adam Schlesinger, for the Atlantic Theater Company.  She has served as Artistic Director of New York City Center's Encores! Off-Center. She has worked across the country with S...

Jimmy Moses, also known as the Stage Door Meduim, has been a practicing Medium for ten years.  He built a career that combines two of his favorite things- theater and Mediumship- and has done readings for top Broadway stars on his podcast, including our very own Stephanie J. Block. In this episode, Jimmy talks about how he discovered his talent, what he loves most about helping others, and looks b...

Tamara Tunie is an actress, director & producer. She has starred in Law & Order:SVU, As the World Turns, Flight, The Devil's Advocate and on Broadway. She won a Tony Award for the production of Spring Awakening. In this episode, Tamara shares stories about growing up in Pittsburgh, the importance of a well-rounded education, and her vision of the afterlife. Tamara Tunie Harlem Stage Figure Skating...

Annaleigh Ashford is a TONY AWARD-WINNING actress. She stars as Paula Jones in "Impeachment: American Crime Story" on FX,            "B Positive" on CBS, "Masters of Sex" on Showtime. On Broadway she performed in YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, SUNDAY INTHE PARK WITH GEORGE, KINKY BOOTS, LEGALLY BLONDE, and WICKED. In this episode, Annaleigh talks about her childhood, balancing motherhood with the unp...

Michael Goddard is a founding agent of CGF Talent, a boutique talent agency in New York City. His clients are on Broadway in CAROLINE OR CHANGE, ALADDIN, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and on TV in "The Blacklist," "All Rise," "Only Murders in the Building" and the upcoming "WeCrashed" and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds." Before he was an agent, Michael was an actor for 16 years and performed on Broadway,...

Lynn and Stephen have been an acclaimed musical theater writing team for 40 years. They have won Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Awards, as well as Academy and Golden Globe nominations for their work on RAGTIME, ANASTASIA, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, SEUSSICAL and many other musicals. In this episode, this charming and humble duo talk about how they met, their process for creating, and the search...

In this episode, airing for 2020 Tony Award Sunday, Stephanie J. Block switches roles from Co-Host to Guest, to talk about her 2019 win for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as "Star" in THE CHER SHOW. Marylee Shares the hosting duties with special guest Sebastian Arcelus, breaking down the ins-and-outs of the Tony Awards season experience as a Nominee and Winner. Stephanie shares that...

Celebrated songwriter Scott Alan and Musical Supervisor and Director (DEAR EVEN HANSEN, WICKED) Ben Cohn join us to chat about their new album release, "Nothing More."  Each track sheds light on the unconditional relationship between parent and child and is performed by gay and trans dads. In this episode, Scott and Ben talk about their very different approach to life and work, the ways parenthood...

Dr. Kirsten Gilardi is the Executive Director & Chief Veterinary Officer of the Gorilla Doctors in Rwanda and the director of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at UC Davis. In this episode, Kirsten talks about her efforts in the oceans and the wild to save animals and the earth, her experiences in the "jungle operating room" in Rwanda, and the efforts taken to increase the mountain gorill...

Gavin Lee is a Drama Desk Award-winning actor, known for. his hilarious and heartwarming portrayal of "Squidward" in SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL and his charming "Bert" in MARY POPPINS.  In this episode, he talks about the teamwork that goes into making theater magic, meeting his wife Emily and spending the day with Dick Van Dyke. The Two Berts  Puttin' On The Ritz: Fred Astaire Bi...

Mindleaps is a not-for-profit organization of dance instructors, educators, social workers, and administrators, all dedicated to building a bridge for the most vulnerable children in the world to education and positive livelihoods through dance.  In this episode, we speak with the founder Rebecca Davis and her inspirational team about working with children in developing nations.  Mindleaps encoura...

Tiffany Little Canfield is an Emmy-nominated casting director for Telsey + Company.  Her projects include the upcoming "Dear Evan Hansen" film, FX'x Fosse/Vernon, "This Is Us", and "The Greatest Showman.  She talks about her love of getting to the heart of people's motivations and impulses.  She also recounts moving her family and career from New York City to Sacramento, CA, and shares lessons fro...

James Lapine - or "Uncle James James," as he's known to Stephanie's Daughter, Vivi - is a multi award-winning director, playwright and librettist.  In this episode, he discusses his new book Putting it Together and shares some of his "otherworldly" experiences while creating Sunday In The Park With George .  He also talks of his search for balance through yoga and his efforts to create a "human ex...

Sakina Jaffrey is an acclaimed actress known for her work on hit TV shows like House of Cards , Timeless, and Snowpiercer. In this episode, she shares stories of her childhood, early family upheaval, and the characters she created to help her cope.  This "small but mighty" woman shares how she struggled to embrace her calling but ended up right where the universe intended her to be. Snowpiercer Ch...

Keala (J.) Settle is a Tony-nominated actress and singer, most recently known for her acclaimed performance as "Lettie Lutz" and the Oscar-nominated song "This Is Me" from THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. In this episode, Keala shares experiences in life as an empath, healing from the stroke she endured just two days before performing for the first time on the Academy Awards, and the ongoing battle between "...

Jason Graae   has an extensive television, film, & theater career. This "journeyman" actor reminisces about his career on stage and shares his thoughts about the 'Power of Now' and Al-anon. He obsesses over his forthcoming colonoscopy, and Stephanie and Marylee laugh so hard that they cry.  Per Jason's request, Venmo payments can be sent to @Jason_Graae Al-anon The Power of Now Jason's Youtube  We...

LaChanze is an acclaimed actress, singer and dancer, winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical in 2006 for her role as "Celie" in THE COLOR PURPLE. In this episode, LaChanze talks about shaping her career and personal life with intention. She speaks about being one of the founding members of Black Theatre United, her strange taste in movies, and her new found on-screen...