The Theater Enthusiast Podcast

This episode we are joined by artist Marianna Gailus!  Marianna was recently Andrew Scott's understudy in Vanya and made her Broadway debut in Patriots starring Michael Stuhlbarg.  She got her MFA at the Juilliard School and is a proud of Group 51.   We speak with Marianna about when she decided to pursue a career in acting, her time at Juilliard, working on Vanya and much more!

This episode we are joined by actor Caesar Samayoa!  Caesar is currently starring in the Broadway production of Just in Time and was in the original casts of Come From Away and How to Dance in Ohio! Other credits include Seared at Capital Repertory Theatre, Evita at American Repertory Theater and Love’s Labour’s Lost at Shakespeare in the Park! We talk with Caesar about when he realized he wanted...

This episode we are joined by actress Carrie St. Louis!  Carrie is best known for her roles on Broadway as Glinda in Wicked, Sherrie in Rock of Ages and Lauren in Kinky Boots. She also is known for starring as Rose in Titanique (which I highly recommend seeing before it closes in June) and Annette in Cruel Intentions. She recently has been lucky enough to work with Dolly Parton on the Dolly Parton...

This episode we are happy to welcome back Matt DeAngelis and talk about all things The Janice Jam!  Matt founded The Janice Jam to honor his mother, Janice, who he lost in 2022 to metastatic breast cancer, and the countless people affected by this disease, he, alongside a group of friends and Broadway industry colleagues, is culling another evening of Celebration, Remembrance, and Awareness, that...

This episode we are joined by awarding winning playwright, librettist and activist Catherine Filloux. Catherine's works have been performed nationally and internationally and her new play Third Person will be make its premier this fall at Culture Hub. Her other works include How to Eat and Orange, whatdies, Eyes of the Heart and Lemkin’s House.  We speak with Catherine about what got her into...

This episode we are joined by performer Sydney Jones!  Sydney is currently starring in Sunset Blvd on Broadway in the role of Dorothy/Ensemble where she also understudies the role of Betty and Young Norma.  She made her Broadway debut in A Beautiful Noise and performed in many regional productions such as The Karate Kid and Boop! the Musical! She’s also had 12 seasons with The Muny! We speak with...

Zeniba is an award winner writer, musical storyteller, performer and vocalist. She is currently working on the musical Take the Lead at Papermill Playhouse where is she co-wrote the music and lyrics. Zeniba is also a member of Maestra Music and will be performing at their AMPLIFY2025 gala on Monday, March 31st at Sony Hall! We speak with Zeniba about how one gets involved in creating a new musical...

This episode we are joined by performer Tiffany Mann!  Tiffany was last seen in City Center’s production of Urinetown. She’s been on Broadway in Waitress and Be More Chill, off-Broadway in Jerry Springer:the Opera (where she won a Lucille Lortel Award), Jelly’s Last Jam and Ragtime at City Center, on television in Rise, Orange is the New Black and New Amsterdam, the film You Go Girl! And much more...

This episode we are joined by artist Solea Pfeiffer!  Solea is currently starring as Satine in Moulin Rouge on Broadway, which she is great in- 10 out of 10 highly recommend!  Her other Broadway credits include Hadestown and Almost Famous, where she made her Broadway debut.  Her other credits include Gatsby at A.R.T., Evita and Songs For a New World at City Center, Hamlet with The Public Theater&a...

This episode we are joined by the delightful Jordan Tyson!  Jordan is currently starring as June in the Broadway revival of Gypsy with Audra McDonald and made her Broadway debut as Young Allie in The Notebook.  Her other theater credits include Lempicka at La Jolla Playhouse, Into the Woods at PCLO, Bulrusher at McCarter/Berkeley Rep and Streets of New York at Irish Repertory. We speak with Jordan...

This episode we are joined by actor Brandon Kalm!  Brandon was last seen in Swept Away and has also appeared on Broadway in Waitress and American Psycho. Other credits include The Tempest at Shakespeare in the Park and on tour with American Idiot. Brandon is a fellow Pace alum and also studied at the Esper Studio.  We talk with Brandon about his career, especially working as an understudy and swin...

This episode we are joined by Tony nominee and Drama Desk and Theatre World Award winning actor Tom Pecinka!  Tom made his Broadway debut in Stereophonic which he also was a part of at Playwrights Horizons.  He has numerous New York and Regional credits including Ghosts at Williamstown with Uma Thurman, which he also starred in the movie The Kill Room with.  We talk with Tom about making his stage...

This episode we are joined by actor, composer, writer, lyricist, diversity dramaturg and director Heath Saunder! Heath will be directing upcoming annual event I Put a Spell on Your ALiiVE at Webster Hall on Monday, October 21st benefiting the Ali Forney Center.  We talk to Heath about all things I Put a Spell on You ALiiVE, what it's like to direct an even like this, some fun things they have...

This episode we are joined by actor, singer and writer Julie Benko! Julie was last seen on Broadway originating the role of Ruth in Harmony and is known for her star turn as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl! Other Broadway credits include Fiddler on the Roof and Les Miserables. She’s also toured with Les Miserebale and the first national tour of Spring Awakening. She was also last seen in Theatre Raleigh...

This episode we are joined by actress Kerstin Anderson!  Kerstin Anderson made her Broadway debut in My Fair Lady as the understudy then alternate of Eliza Dolittle.  She also played the role of Maria in the Sound of Music national tour directed by Jack O'Brien.  She was last seen in Lincoln Center's concert of A Little Night Music and her other credits include Cult of Love at Berkeley R...

This episode we are so excited to welcome actor Andy Karl!  Andy is an Olivier winning and Tony nominated performer who just finished the Australian run of Groundhog Day where he also starred in the show in London and Broadway, and will next be seen off-Broadway in Teeth at New World Stages! His other credits include Rocky, Legally Blonde, 9 to 5, Pretty Woman, On the Twentieth Century, The Myster...

This episode we are joined by actor Ben Rappaport!  Ben has appeared on Broadway in Picnic, Fiddler on the Roof and most recently Goodnight, Oscar opposite Tony winner Sean Hayes! Ben has also been seen on TV in Younger, For the People, Ozark, The Good Wife, Inventing Anna, Mr Robot, and (my personal favorite) Outsourced. You can catch him next on the new NBC series Grosse Point Garden Society and...

This episode we are joined by actor Shereen Ahmed!  Shereen made her Broadway debut in My Fair Lady where she became the first woman of color to play the role of Eliza Doolittle on Broadway!  She later would tour with My Fair Lady across the country as Eliza.  She was most recently seen in Nine at The Kennedy Center and her other credits include A Man of No Importance at Class Stage Company, The L...

This episode we are joined by actor, writer, director and producer Noah Weisberg!  Noah is currently starring in Cellino v Barnes at The Asylum NYC!  His credits included the national tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as Willy Wonka, on Broadway in Legally Blonde, Enron and South Pacific.  You've seen him on TV in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, Super Pumped, Law & Order, Mode...

This episode we are joined by Lucille Lortel Award winning director, Annie Tippe!  Annie is known for her directing work with Dave Malloy's Octet, Ghost Quartet, Cowboy Bob, and most recently Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares and Dave Malloy's Three Houses (currently playing at Signature Theatre until June 16th!).  Annie has also directed short films such as Help Me Mary and Egg Timer .  We ta...

This episode we are joined by two time Obie Award winner, Brenda Wehle!  Brenda is currently starring in Mary Jane at MTC and has a long career not only in theater but tv and film as well.  We talk with Brenda about Mary Jane, her experience with the show and what she hopes the audience takes away from it.  We also talk to her about some of her career highlights, the importance of theater etiquett...

This episode we are joined by actress Michelle Ray!  Michelle is just got back from touring the country in the national tour of Book of Mormon and is making her director debut at 54 Below with the new musical Masked.  Michelle graduated from Pace University with a degree in Arts and Entertainment Business Management/ Directing.  We talk with Michelle about her career, survival jobs and how importa...

This episode we are joined by Isra Elsalihie!  Isra is an award winning Iraqi-Swedish actor and writer.  She also teaches acting at Second City in NYC!  We talk with her about her journey to coming to NY, the importance of knowing what you need for an Artist Visa, what got her into writing, her teaching style and much more!  We had a great time talking with Isra and can't wait to have her bac...

This episode we are joined by actor Matt DeAngelis!  Matt is known for his roles in Waitress, American Idiot, Once, Hair and most recently Swept Away.  We talk with Matt about his career but more importantly we speak with him about his upcoming gala The Janice Jam: Broadway for Breast Cancer.   THE JANICE JAM: BROADWAY FOR BREAST CANCER is an annual event from Matt who lost his mother, Janice, in...

This episode we are so happy to welcome back Gabra Zackman!  Gabra is an award winning audio book narrator, actor, director, author and teacher.  We talk with Gabra about the work of audio book narration, her classical theater training, and much more!