The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

Four time Tony Awards nominee David Korins lets us into his world as he talks about his creative process and the intricacies of set design. He shares insights into his work's detailed and often granular nature, emphasizing the importance of even the smallest elements in creating a believable world for actors and audiences alike. He discusses set design for complex productions like “Beetlejuice”, a...

Thanks to her competitiveness in sports and being a “terrible loser”, Hannah Cruz found her way into performing and theatre. She shares insights into her journey, including going viral on YouTube and getting asked to audition for “Legally Blonde”, and eventually moving to New York. She opens up about the pressures of performing, including the constant self-doubt and anxiety she experiences, her st...

Brent Comer caught the theater bug by accident in high school when he signed up for musical theatre class instead of a news casting class – and he hasn’t stopped performing since. While it was cut short for a bit during the pandemic, his passion for performing did not waver. He opens up about his struggles as an actor during the lockdown, learning how to do self-tapes, and why it hurt his heart to...

Jason Schmidt and Alan Seales discussed their experiences in music and acting, including the challenges of pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. Schmidt shared his personal approach to writing music, drawing from his own experiences and emotions, while I emphasized the importance of authenticity and perseverance in the face of hardships. Both speakers highlighted the transformative pote...

A multifaceted talent known for his work as a book writer, composer, and lyricist, Justin Levine delves deep into the creative process behind his works, particularly "The Outsiders" musical adaptation. He draws parallels between his work on that production and his involvement with "Moulin Rouge." He also discusses the balance of honoring the original source material while also infusing the adaptat...

For Brody Grant, his bug for performing all started with his love for Star Wars. He shares insights into his journey from being a shy kid and relating to the original "The Outsiders" book to receiving a Tony nomination for his role as Ponyboy (it’s just destiny!). He reflects on the significance of the book and how it resonated with both him and his mom, one of the most important people in his lif...

Emma Pittman’s been “live, laugh, love-ing” dance ever since she was two years old–at least until she discovered in high school that it’s best partnered with acting. She looks back on her “The Search for Roxie” experience, winning and not being able to tell it to anyone right away, and the show getting postponed because of the pandemic. She shares her journey with the production of “The Outsiders”...

Rick and Jeff Kuperman talk about their roles as choreographers for the Broadway production of "The Outsiders," diving deep into various aspects of the show's creation, from choreography and staging to its technical elements like sound and lighting. The two share how their collaboration with Danya Taymor began, their non-traditional theatre practices, and the story behind “The Outsiders” choreogra...

Welcome to the first of many episodes for 'The Outsiders' takeover here on the podcast! Tony Award Nominee(!) Danya Taymor didn’t know that she was going to stick with theater until she was towards the end of her college career. She’s enjoyed being a director (or the captain of the ship, as they say) since then. She recalls doing plays in Duke and why it was a gift that allowed her to try and fail...

Full list of 2024 nominees here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/theater/tony-awards-nominations.html Find more of The Theatre Podcast at http://bpn.fm/ttp Best Musical - Hell's Kitchen - Illinoise - The Outsiders - Suffs - Water for Elephants Best Play - Jaja's African Hair Braiding, Author: Jocelyn Bioh - Mary Jane, Author: Amy Herzog - Mother Play, Author: Paula Vogel - Prayer for the French...

Jayne Atkinson believes she has this kind of magic superpower of getting what she wants if she puts her attention to it, and she’s got a long list of credits to prove just that. She looks back on her childhood and having an English sensibility (and sense of humor) even though she grew up in America. She credits her high school drama teacher as the one who gave her the foundation of her work, and t...

A lot has changed since Izzy McCalla first appeared in episode 38 back in 2019 and she’s more than happy to share the latest news in her journey – from her early roles to now playing Marlena in "Water for Elephants." She reflects on how each role built her confidence and prepared her for new challenges, her tendency to gravitate towards ensemble pieces, and her ability to go back and forth between...

Andrew Samonsky believes that Jerry Garcia’s death (yes that Jerry Garcia) may have instigated his performance career in some way. From being a “deadhead” to becoming a Broadway actor, Andrew opens up about his years of following the Grateful Dead and dealing with drug problems that led him to go to rehab. Lost and feeling helpless, he decided to pray to help find his path. He soon received a lett...

Ryan Vasquez looks back on his career journey, including living with French acrobats in a seven-bedroom house while doing a show, and eventually booking Hamilton. Playing as many characters as he has in Hamilton was to him just “paid therapy”. Having passed up competing offers to star in Water for Elephants and The Outsiders, he is now starring as Middle Noah in "The Notebook", Ryan opens up about...

Join us for an extraordinary deep dive inside the most transformative decade on Broadway through gripping behind-the-scenes accounts of shows such as Sunset Boulevard, Rent, Angels in America, Chicago, The Lion King, and The Producers - shows that changed the history of the American theater. Host Michael Riedel, author of the best-selling book Singular Sensation: The Triumph of Broadway, has creat...

You don't have as much time as you think you do, so you better be prepared. At least that’s how Joy Woods lives her life. She shares how she caught the acting bug, starting as a dancer but eventually fell in love with theatre and acting. She looks back on her time in “Little Shop of Horrors”, her audition process in “SIX The Musical” and the sisterhood among cast members. She moved around during t...

Cayleigh Capaldi may have the perfect pitch, but she’s not letting perfectionism get in the way of finding who she is as an individual and as a performer. She delves into her background, growing up surrounded by artists, and how it helped her embrace her talents. She also reflects on her role in “Titanique”, the challenges and joys of portraying Celine Dion, including incorporating her own style w...

John Tartaglia believes everything happens for a reason, and his career trajectory is a testament to this. He lets us into the world of puppetry and theatre as he shares his experiences, and how he got started in pursuing his “dual dream” of becoming a successful puppeteer and performing on Broadway. He talks about the influence of Jim Henson in his career, how devastated he was when Jim died, and...

Powerhouse actors Cecily Strong and Andrea Syglowski provide insights into their acting careers, and how they navigated life’s complexities throughout their journey. The two talk about the show they currently co-star in,“Brooklyn Laundry”, their admiration for playwright John Patrick Shanley, and the play’s portrayal of women. Cecily opens up about how she relates to the play’s themes, reflecting...

Schele Williams has never been afraid to immerse herself in the thing that she loves in order to achieve what she wants. She reflects on her journey, the motivations and support from her family, and the significance of storytelling in her life, which has led her to where she is today. She shares how she chooses which projects to work on, given her busy schedule, her creative process, and making su...

Ali became enamored by the idea of performing since he was a kid as a way to study the human condition. He looks back on his multicultural upbringing that blends American and Moroccan influences, and his journey into acting and performing, revealing his passion for storytelling. Despite growing up surrounded by artists, he opens up feeling alone at one point when his dad wasn’t fully on board with...

Exclusive interviews from inside the 'The Outsiders' rehearsal room on a special, invite-only press junket. Watch the behind the scenes video here: https://www.instagram.com/theatre_podcast/reel/C4mRRe6uoYG/ Hear from: Brody Grant (Ponyboy Curtis) Sky Lakota-Lynch (Johnny Cade) Joshua Boone (Dallas Winston) Brent Comer (Darrel Curtis) Jason Schmidt (Sodapop Curtis) Emma Pittman (Cherry Vallance) D...

Marc Summers believes that if he didn’t have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), he wouldn’t be where he is today. He looks back into the humble beginnings of his diverse career, his struggles with severe OCD, battles with cancer, and his resilience that ultimately defined his career journey. Marc highlights the unique aspects of “Double Dare”, how he landed the job, and his creative input in the...

A globally renowned actor known for his iconic roles in shows like "Quantum Leap", “Star Trek: Enterprise” and "NCIS: New Orleans," Scott Bakula looks back on his fruitful and diverse career, including his time as Dr. Sam Beckett (Becket?), and some interesting behind-the-scenes details including whether or not that final end screen of the series actually has a typo! With so many changes that occu...

A renowned choreographer, director, and educator, Camille A. Brown gives us a rundown of her artistic journey and the challenges and triumphs she faced in the world of dance and theatre. She looks back on her early experiences and influences, particularly her introduction to dance through her mother. From concert dance to musical theatre, she reveals how she got the courage to pursue her passion d...