The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

Steven Sater makes a triumphant return to the podcast to catch up on a whirlwind few years that have taken him all over the world. In a wonderfully candid conversation, he opens up about the upcoming, highly anticipated Off-Broadway revival of Spring Awakening with Sea View, helmed by director Danya Taylor and choreographer Celia Robson Hall. Steven shares his deep passion for writing for young pe...

Originally aired Oct 1st, 2019: This 2-time Tony-nominated actor made his Broadway debut in Wicked as 2008 as Boq, and since then has gone on to roles in Assassins, Matilda the Musical, Big Fish, and School of Rock where he originated the role of Dewey Finn, earning him his first Tony nomination. His TV/Film credits include Royal Pains, The Good Fight, and Documentary Now! among many others, He no...

Matt Rodin joins the podcast for an invigorating conversation about stepping out of traditional boxes and forging an authentic, sustainable path in the entertainment industry. He shares the remarkable story of his wedding day, which pulling double duty included marrying his husband in Central Park just hours before delivering his high-stakes final callback for the national tour of Company. Matt op...

Alan sits down with Broadway producer Brian Anthony Moreland for a candid, high-energy conversation about the realities of commercial theatre. Brian shares the fascinating story of how he caught the theatre bug playing Santa Claus in the third grade , his formative years at a performing arts boarding school , and his early career as a non-union dancer dealing with the exhausting audition grind in...

Tess shares her journey of embracing authenticity and finding her unique voice across stage, television, and film. She opens up about how she found true artistic fulfillment by embracing the "kooky," quirky, and offbeat parts of herself rather than trying to constantly force her five-foot-nine frame into a traditional ingenue box. She breaks down the surreal whirlwind of her recent career mileston...

Melissa Barrera joins the show to discuss her long-awaited Broadway debut as Rose in the hit musical Titanique. She shares the determined journey that led her to the St. James Theatre, including the decision to fly herself to New York to audition in person rather than settling for a Zoom session. Melissa reflects on the unique "lightning in a bottle" energy of the Titanique company and the challen...

Michael Arden joins the show to discuss the monumental task of bringing The Lost Boys to Broadway and the technical alchemy required to turn a cult classic film into a soaring musical experience. He opens up about his "mad lib" approach to stagecraft, explaining how he utilizes traditional theatrical tools in unexpected ways—like tilting the entire orientation of a set to keep an audience off-bala...

Brandon Contreras is a New York City born and raised creative whose energy and versatility have made him a standout on stages ranging from the Golden Theatre to New World Stages. A graduate of Pace University, Brandon made his Broadway debut in the original company of Almost Famous and appeared in the first national tour of In the Heights. His diverse credits include playing Cal in the hit musical...

Ellenore Scott joins the show to discuss her historic season, where she has achieved the rare feat of having multiple productions running simultaneously on and off Broadway. She shares the incredible story of her son Ford’s birth, which took place less than twenty-four hours after she walked the red carpet for the opening night of Ragtime at Lincoln Center. Ellenore reveals the logistical gymnasti...

Zhailon Levingston joins the show to discuss his incredible trajectory from selling concessions in Broadway houses to becoming the youngest Black director in Broadway history with Chicken and Biscuits. He dives deep into the "cosmic synergy" of his career, explaining how a chance meeting at a concert led to a Broadway debut and how he managed to stage a production during a global pandemic by build...

Betty Buckley joins the show to discuss her deep connection to storytelling and the spiritual "calling" she first felt at eleven years old while watching the original Bob Fosse choreography in Pajama Game. She shares incredible stories from her early days in Texas, including her time as a teenage rodeo reporter and the persistent friction with her father regarding her pursuit of a career in show b...

Kevin Chamberlin sits down to discuss the serendipitous nature of a forty year career that has spanned from the Jersey Shore to the heights of Broadway and the global reach of the Disney Channel. He shares the story of his first big laugh as Smee in Peter Pan, an experience he describes as a drug that instantly solidified his career path. Kevin also dives into the "Uncle Fester contract," a unique...

Diane Paulus joins the show for a deep dive into her remarkably storied career, starting with the serendipitous discovery of her father’s history as a director for the Army Entertainment Corps in post-war Tokyo. She shares how growing up at the doorstep of Lincoln Center and performing as a child at the New York City Ballet shaped her rhythmic, music-first approach to storytelling. Diane also pull...

Juan Carlos joins the show to share the incredible story of his journey from Miami to the Broadway stage. He opens up about the "athlete's mentality" he brings to his craft, a perspective shaped by his time as a high school carpenter and a college student working three jobs to make ends meet. Juan discusses the bold leap of faith he took by driving across the country to Los Angeles with no represe...

Alex Wyse joins the show for a deep dive into the relentless "compulsion to create" that has fueled his journey from the suburbs of Cleveland to the Broadway stage and the director's chair. He shares a hilarious story about the childhood soccer match where he opted to fake a faint rather than kick a ball, a clear sign that his true calling was always the theater. Alex speaks candidly about the "fa...

Maya Jade Frank joins the podcast to share the fascinating journey of a career that began with a serendipitous audition for her sister’s project and led her to the Broadway stages of Evita and Mary Poppins. She opens up about the unique experience of growing up on the road with the 25th Anniversary National Tour of Les Misérables, where she balanced three hours of daily schooling with visits to hi...

Stella Cole joins the podcast to discuss her unique journey from a musical-theatre-obsessed child in Springfield, Illinois, to a global jazz sensation. She opens up about the "old soul" label she has carried since infancy and how she navigated a high-pressure academic environment at Northwestern University while privately yearning for the music of Judy Garland and Doris Day. Stella shares the vuln...

Chloe Tucker Caine joins the show to discuss her fascinating transition from a national tour leading lady to a high stakes real estate powerhouse on Netflix's Owning Manhattan. She shares the vulnerable reality of arriving in New York expecting a parade only to find herself bartending and eventually running an "illegal" Airbnb business out of her Hell's Kitchen apartment. Chloe opens up about the...

Bess Wohl joins the podcast to discuss the journey of bringing her latest play, Liberation, to Broadway after a decade of development. She shares the "woo woo" details of her creative process, describing a vision of her characters waiting in a metaphorical doctor's office for her to finally tell their stories. Bess reflects on how the play, which travels between the 1970s Women’s Liberation Moveme...

Irene Sofia Lucio stops by to discuss the journey from being a shy kid in Puerto Rico who had to force herself to raise her hand to starring in some of the most provocative plays on Broadway. She opens up about the intersection of motherhood and art, explaining how becoming a parent shifted her relationship with her body and why creative teams led by mothers are simply more efficient. We also dig...

Wayne Brady opens up about the surprising reality that despite his career as an improvisational powerhouse, he considers himself a quiet recluse who never actually aspired to be funny. He breaks down how he approached comedy as a science rather than a natural personality trait and shares the deep work ethic instilled in him by his grandmother in Orlando. We also get a candid look at his "get in wh...

Christiani Pitts stops by to chat about her journey from playing a scene stealing cow in a church nativity play to leading Broadway blockbusters. She shares a hilarious story about how a miscommunication led to her performing stand up comedy at a nightclub at age eleven for an event associated with Dave Chappelle, and how her parents supported her dreams while navigating the tricky world of early...

Alan and Mike sit down to process a packed year of theater, trading hot takes and reviews on a massive slate of 2025 productions. From the cult popularity of Teeth and the star power of Audra McDonald in Gypsy to the technical marvel of Stranger Things: The First Shadow, they cover the shows that defined the last twelve months. They also dig into the unique experiences of immersive theater, the po...

Kate Baldwin has a way of looking at the industry that is both deeply grounded and incredibly refreshing. She opens up about her approach to playing Roxie Hart in Chicago, describing her version of the character as a "Bad Nellie Forbush" who is just trying to survive. She also shares the fantastic story of how wearing the "wrong" dress to her Hello, Dolly! audition ended up being the perfect choic...

Transitioning from competitive swimming to the stage requires a specific kind of discipline, but Sadie Dickerson has mastered the pivot. She opens up about the intense audition process for Just in Time, which spanned months and a cross country move to Los Angeles, only to receive the life changing offer while house sitting with some very old dogs. She also shares stories about her time working at...