The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

From growing up in a modest neighborhood known as "Cardboard Village" in Oak Park, Michigan, to becoming one of the most influential producers in Broadway history, Jeffrey Seller's story is one of resilience, creativity, and a deep love of musical theater. In this candid and insightful conversation, Jeffrey reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his journey—from the early days of Rent to laun...

Dive into a magical behind-the-scenes journey with the cast and creative team of The Little Mermaid, now running at Paper Mill Playhouse through June 29th! This special bonus episode takes you inside the rehearsal room and onstage with the artists who are reimagining the classic Disney tale with heart, humor, and fresh perspective. From the emotional depth of the parent-child relationship to the p...

What starts as a conversation about acting quickly turns into a heartwarming reunion between two North Carolina natives who had no idea they practically grew up next door. Molly Griggs opens up about her Southern roots, early theater experiences at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and how growing up in Fayetteville shaped her worldview both on and off stage. From MerleFest memories to reflections o...

Rob Madge grew up staging living room musicals with wigs, smoke machines, and the unwavering support of their parents and grandmother—but what started as childhood play eventually became the viral, heartfelt, and Olivier-nominated solo show My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?). In this episode, Rob shares how those home videos evolved into a theatrical sensation, and how a show born during lock...

Anthony Veneziale and Aneesa Folds return to the podcast with the same brilliance and warmth that made their first appearances unforgettable—this time teaming up to talk about their new boundary-breaking musical, Co-Founders, premiering at ACT in San Francisco. With its Bay Area hip hop roots, tech satire, and cutting-edge stage visuals powered by Unreal Engine, the show challenges both theatrical...

Just in time for Broadway’s biggest night, the 2025 Tony Awards, Survival Jobs hosts ⁠Jason A. Coombs⁠ and⁠ Samantha Tuozzolo⁠ drop a special bonus episode today featuring The Theatre Podcast host and Broadway insider Alan Seales. This fun, laid-back conversation is packed with 2025 Tony Award predictions, hot takes, and heartfelt reflections on this year’s standout nominees. Whether you’re a seas...

Julia Knitel grew up immersed in theater, with parents who ran a community company out of a church basement. From an early age, she was surrounded by costumes, sets, and the collaborative chaos that comes with putting on a show — and she was hooked. After booking her Broadway debut as a teen in Bye Bye Birdie, Julia continued to carve her own path through the industry, landing the lead in Beautifu...

Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez might come from very different musical worlds — Latin pop and musical theatre — but their collaboration on Real Women Have Curves proves just how powerful a cross-genre partnership can be. Meeting for the first time over Zoom in the middle of the pandemic, these two composers built trust, respect, and a Tony-nominated Broadway score entirely online before ever meeting...

After first joining the podcast back in episode 96, Taylor Trensch returns with a Tony nomination under his belt and a powerful performance in Floyd Collins that's leaving audiences breathless. We dive into the fascinating real-life story behind the show, his emotionally raw portrayal of journalist Skeets Miller, and how a tragic event from 100 years ago still mirrors today’s media culture. Taylor...

Kevin Csolak shares his journey from growing up in his mom’s New Jersey dance studio to starring as Tulsa in the Broadway revival of Gypsy. He opens up about performing alongside Audra McDonald and Danny Burstein, the artistic influence of the live orchestra, and how the cast is breathing new life into a classic. Kevin also reflects on what it means to approach each show with intention and curiosi...

Erika Henningsen opens up about the real ups and downs of a life in the spotlight, from early rejection to career-defining roles. Known for originating Cady Heron in Mean Girls on Broadway, Erika dives into the emotional rollercoaster of auditioning, the shift from seeking audience approval to prioritizing collaboration, and why working with people she admires—like Jonathan Groff and Alex Timbers...

Julia Lester brings heart, humor, and honesty to this deep-dive into her journey from a theatre-loving kid in LA to a Tony-nominated Broadway star. She talks about growing up surrounded by performers, how Into the Woods became a defining chapter in her career, and the surreal moment when Stephen Sondheim personally approved her audition tape. Julia also shares the backstage magic of working with l...

From recreating music videos on VHS as a kid to being cast by Clint Eastwood with no callback, Erich Bergen’s path in entertainment has always been uniquely his own. In this episode, he shares the early influences that sparked his creativity—like turning Brio trains into the New York subway system—and how his love of producing was hiding in plain sight even as he pursued a performance career. Eric...

From church choir in Eatonville, Florida, to becoming the first Black Phantom on Broadway, Norm Lewis opens up about his unique path to the stage. He shares how early dreams of a tennis career turned into a life in music and theatre, and the surprising way a cruise ship job launched it all. In this candid conversation, Norm reflects on near-misses, bold moves, and the audition advice that changed...

From opera student to comedy icon to Broadway belter, Ana Gasteyer’s career has been anything but ordinary. In this candid conversation, Ana opens up about her winding path through improv comedy, the creative chaos of Saturday Night Live, and why live performance continues to mean so much in a media-saturated world. She shares the real backstage realities of SNL’s 50th anniversary, the challenges...

Exclusive, behind-the-scenes interviews with cast and creatives from LCT's Floyd Collins musical. Recorded on March 11, 2025 in a rehearsal space at Lincoln Center Theatre. Interview order as follows: Ted Sperling Lizzy McAlpine Jeremy Jordan Sean Allen Krill Taylor Trensch Tina Landau Adam Guettel Jessica Molaskey Marc Kudisch Jason Gotay Get your tix to Floyd Collins here: https://www.lct.org/sh...

Whether he’s helping shape a brand-new show or breathing life into real people onstage, Caesar Samayoa brings authenticity and heart to every role. In this conversation, Caesar shares what it's like building Just in Time from the ground up—balancing daily rehearsals with nightly performances, and trusting in the collaborative energy of a veteran cast. He opens up about the emotional weight of port...

It’s safe to say you’ve never heard an episode quite like this one. Cassie Silva joins me for a conversation filled with raw honesty, surprising twists, and a lot of laughter. We dive into everything from her unexpected life-changing trip to London, where & Juliet reignited her passion for performing, to the deeply complicated and emotional aftermath of her time on MTV’s Legally Blonde: The Search...

What do you get when you mix Broadway royalty with sci-fi cloning, environmental theater, and a dash of boogie-woogie piano? A wildly entertaining conversation with the legendary Terrence Mann. From his earliest days growing up in a musical household to helping launch the North Carolina Theatre, Terry’s journey is packed with passion, persistence, and a whole lot of timing. He shares the story beh...

The cast and creative team behind Real Women Have Curves: The Musical gathered for an exclusive press day, and we were there to soak in the joy, passion, and powerful stories that define this new Broadway production. From bold choreography to songs that stick in your head long after the final note, this episode captures the spirit of a show that centers Latin culture, immigrant narratives, and sha...

Joanna Gleason’s career has been nothing short of legendary. Best known for her Tony Award-winning performance as the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, she’s graced Broadway in I Love My Wife, The Real Thing, Social Security, Nick & Nora, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Sons of the Prophet. Beyond the stage, her work spans film and television, with memorable roles in Boogie Nights, The Wedding Planner,...

Matt Doyle has built an impressive career on stage, from originating roles on Broadway to stepping into legendary ones. He reflects on his journey, from his early breakout in Spring Awakening to his Tony-winning turn as Jamie in Company. Along the way, he shares lessons learned from unexpected career pivots, the realities of show business, and how he navigates the highs and lows of performing eigh...

AnnMarie Milazzo is a musical storyteller with an incredible gift for shaping sound and emotion. Her concept album The Shape of Things, inspired by Joy the Musical, has completely captured my imagination, and in this conversation, we break down how it all came together. She opens up about her creative process, the organic way she approaches vocal arranging and songwriting, and why concept albums a...

From viral high notes to Broadway debuts, Kelsie Watts is making waves in the theatre world! You might remember her powerhouse vocals from The Voice, where she wowed audiences (and Kelly Clarkson) with her soaring range, but now she’s taking center stage in a whole new way—as Jane Seymour in Six on Broadway. In this episode, Kelsie shares how she built a career as an independent artist, the unexpe...

Prepare to question what’s real and what’s just your imagination with renowned mentalist and illusionist Vinny DePonto. Known for his groundbreaking Broadway show Mindplay, Vinny doesn’t just perform tricks—he crafts immersive experiences that blend psychology, memory, and storytelling, making every audience member part of the magic. In this episode, Vinny opens up about the journey from a childho...