Prairie Rainbow Review

Ramone Nelson is an actor coming to Houston with the National Tour of PARADE. Starting at the Hobby Center on July 15th, PARADE is a deep and dark musical, based on real historical events, and it follows the story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory superintendent in Atlanta, who is wrongly accused and convicted of murdering a young girl, and it takes place in 1913. It mines themes of prejudice and jus...

The Upstairs Lounge arson attack happened on June 24th in 1973. We wrap up our Pride month, remembering the horrible details and what this event said about where we were back then. We will take a short break over the 4th of July weekend, but be back after that to celebrate summer

Domenico Leona is part of THE PHOENIX GROUP, a new production company in HTown. They are putting on a production of PULLMAN, WA by acclaimed playwright Young Jean Lee at the MATCH August 14th through the 17th. Brett talks to him about the challenge of making art in Houston and how much fun this play is going to be.  Buy tickets for PULLMAN, WA:  https://matchouston.org/events/2025/pullman-wa

Lee describes this episode as "A lighthearted discussion about real estate from an amateur perspective."  But trust me, he has owned and lived in a TON of houses, and always made good investments. When it comes to buying property, he's the one to go to. So we talk about his takes on how to shop and look for property.  

Lee and Brett discuss how they navigate family and friends when they tell us we are "too woke."  Is there such a thing? Is it bad to be? And what do you do when family or friends decide that they really don't want to support your values? This is part of our Pride month discussion. 

Lee wanted to talk about his father for Father's Day, and Brett was willing to interview him about it. Gene Ingalls was an amazing guy! Father to eight kids, he held many jobs and played music in his spare time (?). This is a podcast exclusive, since these details were not in either of the books! Oh, and we were married in 2014 in Minnesota. Lee may say 2024 in this episode. Ignore any mental...

Every summer in Houston, the CATASTROPHIC THEATRE unleashes Tamarie Cooper and her best friend Kyle Sturdivant in a show that is a blend of sketch comedy, musical numbers, and chaos. Tamarie has sung about pooping in the ocean, Barbie doll orgies, and just about anything you can't imagine! Kyle has been by her side through the whole thing. Here is an unedited interview that you will only find...

Here we go again! Another Pride month, but this year it hits a little differently. Lee and Brett discuss their plans for this month, how they think Pride has evolved, and what they see as the biggest issues for Pride. They also recall their first Pride experiences and talk about how the world has evolved along with the event. HAPPY PRIDE, everyone! No matter who you are, be proud. 

OVERCOMPENSATING debuted on Amazon Prime Video's streaming channel on May 15th. It's a show from comedian and TikTok sensation Benito Skinner, and was produced by A24 and Jonah Hill. Lee and Brett talk about it without spoiling anything for you. It's a really fun show! You should watch it. And if you can get this to Benito or Mary Beth Barone, we will forever heart you!  We also thi...

This is Brett's interview with Derek Charles Livingston, who is directing LET HER RIP at Stages Houston. It runs through June 22nd, and marks the first show that Derek has chosen as artistic director. He is also directing the show, and has an incredible cast and crew assembled to take this one on.  Buy tickets here:  https://stageshouston.com/event/let-her-rip/#open_drawer

Brett Cullum gets to interview his husband, author R Lee Ingalls, about his writing, and particularly his second book, THE PRAIRIE HAS A RAINBOW . It is the story of Lee's life up to two weeks before they met! We dive into why Lee started writing books, and what he hopes to do and inspire out in the world. Get to know this author and how he is related to the famed Ingalls family, and particul...

Lee and Brett got into a discussion about being friends with exes, and how it seemed that LGBTQIA+ folks were better at it than our heterosexual friends. Lee was pretty convinced, but Brett had to do research. Guess what? It's true! So we talk about why this is and how it all works.  

Lee and Brett like to cruise, and they particularly enjoy the Carnival Cruise Line. It started off with friends and traveling groups, but as the years progressed, they both just felt more and more comfortable. Over time, people's attitudes seem to have shifted, and they feel more secure and accepted in going somewhere this way. To date, they have been on 25 Carnival trips as well as a handful...

Michael Alonzo is starring in the Theatre Under the Stars revival of IN THE HEIGHTS. This is the Lin-Manuel Miranda show he had before HAMILTON. Michael is a great guy with a gorgeous tenor voice. We talk about this show and his entire career. We talk about his part as THE PIRAGUA guy in this current show. 

The INGALLS have been cast! Well, at least our "core four." Lee and Brett talk about the actors playing Pa & Ma, Laura, and Mary. This is the Netflix reboot of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, and we're running with the information we know so far. 

Vincent Victoria is a playwright, filmmaker, director, actor, and a total fashion icon. He runs a theatrical company called VINCENT VICTORIA PRESENTS, and they put on plays aimed at recreating history with the Black community as a focus (most of the time). He has a particular love of divas like Diana Ross, Lena Horne, Eartha Kitt, and Hattie McDaniel. But he also branches out and does plays and fi...

In a very special episode, Brett and Lee end up on a couch with their bestie, Greg Decuire. Lee has known Greg for over forty years, and Brett has had two decades with this powerhouse of love and snide comments. We couldn't think of anyone better to discuss how much friends matter. Even if we did record this after a champagne brunch with bottomless mimosas! 

D. Jerome is a Broadway actor who is coming to Houston with the touring production of THE WIZ, which is celebrating 50 years since its Broadway debut. D. Jerome is an accomplished triple threat who was in the Broadway show about Michael Jackson, and has toured with HAMILTON. He's a hoot to talk to, and this is a great episode for fans of THE WIZ! 

Chicken talkin.... or rather about why we don't eat at one specific chicken place. You probably know what it is, and we just thought we'd let you know why we do that. We're not telling anyone else not to, but certainly if a company is actively working against our marriage... well, what would you do? For the record, Lee is about the KFC original recipe, and Brett is more spicy and Po...

Jenny Lee Stern is a Broadway actress who has spent fifteen years working with FORBIDDEN BROADWAY. It's a spoof show, like SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE for theater types. They are coming to Houston on a tour at the Hobby Center from April 24th through the 27th. Jenny and Brett talk about acting, Patti LuPone, and her juggling three kids and a wife while doing this gig.  More information here:  https:/...

Brett and Lee talk about a recent book club assignment and the movie based on the book. Is Conversion therapy still a thing? 

Brett's interview with Dixie and her creator Kris Andersson about selling Tupperware and paying homage to all the brilliant women like Brownie Wise who made their dreams come true with plastic bowls. We cover everything from the Kennedy Center to Oreo-flavored Coca-Cola!  For tickets:   https://stageshouston.com/event/dixies-tupperware-party/ Dixie's Tupperware page:   https://mytwpage.c...

Brett and Lee have very different tastes in music, but what is not different is the importance of music in their lives. For both of them, music has always been a great escape and a way to express themselves. In this episode we discuss some of our favorite artists and the songs of their lives—special note that this includes music they chose for their wedding. 

Brett interviews Wesley Whitson, who will be starring as Hamlet in 4th WALL's production of HAMLET, which runs at the Spring Street Studios from May 2nd through the 24th. Wesley is a Houston-born and-raised actor who went to school at HSPVA and the University of Houston. He performs at Michael's Outpost regularly as part of the BROAD'S WAY. 

Like everyone else we know in the world, Brett and Lee are talking about and reviewing MID-CENTURY MODERN . It's the show from WILL & GRACE creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan. Ryan Murphy produced it, and the show stars Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and Nathan Lee Graham. It's a nostalgic take on THE GOLDEN GIRLS , where they put three gay guys in a Palm Springs house with one of thei...