The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

Eden Espinosa’s performance as Tamara in “Lempicka” garnered her a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical…and she’s not guilty about it. She highlights both the triumphs and tribulations of her career – from being a part of Colby's Clubhouse and working at Disneyland when she was young to dealing with rejections and criticisms. Maybe best known for her role in “Wicked”, she shares how she got involved with the show (thanks to fellow Disney performer Stephanie J. Block) and why chose to be a standby over understudy. She delves into her recent role in the musical "Lempicka", how she auditioned for the part, and why ever since then, she made sure it was in her contract that if she had to be replaced, they’d have to pay her. She opens up about the challenges faced by the production, including dealing with its unexpected closing. She reflects on the importance of authentic representation, particularly in portraying queer characters, and the responsibility she feels to honor such roles. Eden shares a memorable interaction with an audience member during the show’s final performance, where she broke character to address a disruptive phone use incident. Despite the show’s sudden closing, Eden’s motivation to connect with others in any way, shape, or form is definitely not going anywhere.Eden Espinosa made her Broadway debut in 2003 in the original cast of “Wicked” as the Elphaba standby and Nessarose understudy. She also garnered critical acclaim playing Elphaba full-time in the sit-down productions in Los Angeles and San Francisco. She originated the lead role in the show “Brooklyn” in 2004, before going on to the closing company of “Rent” as Maureen in 2008. She graced the screen with roles in shows like “Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure”, and “Alice's Wonderland Bakery” for which she earned an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Queen of Hearts in 2022. She has two complete solo albums to her name, “Look Around” and “Revelation”, and most recently, her performance in the world premiere of “Lempicka” garnered her a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.Connect with Eden: Website: www.edenespinosa.com Instagram: @edenespinosa Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dorian Harewood's career journey is anything but ordinary, and he's got three wonderful women (and luck) to thank for it. And after over 45 years, he’s back on the Broadway stage as Older Noah in “The Notebook”. He shares what made him want to come back, owing it to his manager who pushed him to audition for the role. With almost 200 credits under his name, he looks back on what got him to performing – from starting as a singer and auditioning for a four-year scholarship as advised by his teacher to moving to New York at 22 and doing a musical with the legendary Bette Davis, who also became his acting mentor. He looks back on his first acting role, “Don’t Call Back”, and why even though the show opened and closed the same night, it led him to even better opportunities. Being in an industry inherent to rejection and hardship, he discusses the necessity of having hobbies outside of one's profession and pursuing one's passion to help navigate life's challenges. Aside from theater, he actually has more passions: bowling, pool, and blackjack and shares the importance of respecting passions other than theater, whatever they may be, in order to stay happy and healthy. Currently starring as Older Noah in Broadway’s “The Notebook”, he talks about the challenge of keeping performances fresh for the audience and the communal experience live theater offers. With so many accomplishments and lasting legacy to leave behind, Dorian isn’t done learning new things. He shares his philosophy of viewing every day as a "birthday" and a new beginning, expressing gratitude for life itself.Dorian Harwood made his Broadway acting debut in the 1971 production of “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”. His additional Broadway credits include “The Mighty Gents”, “Streamers”, and “Don't Call Back”. He pivoted to TV and film for almost the next 50 years, racking up a total of 187 credits on IMDb. His film credits include “Gothika”, “Levity”, “Pacific Heights”, and “Full Metal Jacket”. His TV credits include “7th Heaven”, “Criminal Minds”, “Twelve Angry Men”, and “The Roots: The Next Generations”. He's a voiceover artist for cartoons and video games and is now a Tony-nominated actor for his role as Older Noah in “The Notebook” on Broadway, which also happens to be his first time back on the Broadway stage since 1978.Connect with Dorian: Website: www.dorianharewood.com Instagram: @officialdorianharewood YouTube: officialdorianharewood Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If there’s one lesson to take away from Rick Elice’s life story, it’s to never say no to a free lunch. He shares anecdotes from his past, including childhood memories of seeing theatre productions that got him to pursue acting and getting fired for his first Broadway show as an actor. While he’s always loved theatre, Rick also looks back on the beginning of his advertising career, which happened at a musical’s opening night at the Public Theatre where he found himself standing next to Matthew Serino. With so many successful stints and an amazing career trajectory, he likens himself to a pinball, getting flipped from one project to the next. Having written the book for Broadway’s “The Addams Family”, he recalls the show’s timeline and why the national tour became a much more successful version of the story then they had originally written. He talks about his latest work, “Water for Elephants”, and the show’s universal themes of belonging and loss. He reflects on his personal experiences, including grief over the loss of his partner that deeply influenced his approach to writing the musical – emphasizing the importance of storytelling as a way to connect with the audience and to provide comfort to those who feel marginalized or unheard. Ultimately, he talks about his motivations and inspirations in life, citing the beauty of the world and his sense of his own unimportance as the main ones.Rick Elice is a four time Tony Award nominated author, a playwright, an actor, a teacher, and an entrepreneur who has been involved in the Broadway scene in one form or another since 1979. In 1982, he became the creative director of Serino Coyne, Inc., one of the top theatrical marketing agencies in New York, and then became a creative consultant for the Walt Disney Studio from 1999 to 2008. His first Broadway credit as a book writer aka playwright was “Jersey Boys”, which opened in 2005, and led him to write the stories, the books for the Broadway shows of “The Addams Family”, “Peter and the Starcatcher”, “The Cher Show”, and now, “Water for Elephants”, which just nabbed him his fourth Tony nomination. Rick is also writing the books for “The Princess Bride” musical, and “Smash” musical, among others.Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liza lovers, this episode is for you! We had the incredible Bruce David Klein, director of the brand new documentary, "LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story," in the virtual studio dishing all about the film and the legendary Liza Minnelli herself. The first and only documentary Liza has personally approved and allowed herself to appear in, Klein pulls back the curtain on Liza's life and career, from her childhood under the spotlight with Judy Garland to her own meteoric rise and the challenges she's faced along the way. This is an exclusive look you won't want to miss! Tune in for behind-the-scenes secrets, never-before-heard stories, and all the reasons why we adore Liza Minnelli.See the world premiere of the documentary at the 2024 Tribeca film festival: https://tribecafilm.com/films/liza-a-truly-terrific-absolutely-true-story-2024Emmy-nominated filmmaker Bruce David Klein is a force behind some of your favorite documentaries and television shows. Founder of Atlas Media Corp., Klein has directed, written, and produced across various platforms. Whether it's exploring the eccentric world of rock legend Meat Loaf or diving into the high-stakes world of finance with "Icahn: The Restless Billionaire," Klein consistently brings captivating stories to life.Connect with Bruce Get tix to see the film IG: @atlasmediacorp Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Tony Award winner Maryann Plunkett, she will always be a shy person. But thanks to theatre she's learned how to enter a room and own it. Currently playing as Older Allie in the Broadway adaptation of "The Notebook," Maryann delves into her approach to embodying the character, the collaborative process with her co-stars and director, and the importance of observing her fellow actors to create a seamless portrayal of Allie across three different ages. With previous experiences on Broadway, she notes that her last starring role in a Broadway musical was in 1987. She reflects on her decision to return to musicals, and how she resonates with “The Notebook”, seeing her role as a way to honor her mother who lived with dementia and showcase the importance of entering the world of those affected rather than dismissing their experiences. Maryann gets more personal as she talks about her family, how she met her husband on an episode of a television show, and their first kiss… which was actually scripted and caught on film. Growing up shy, she opens up about overcoming her struggles through theatre, and “the power and strength in living one's life in a way that one can be proud of.”Maryan Plunkett is a celebrated actress and singer who has captivated audiences on both Broadway and the screen for decades. Her career began on the prestigious stages of New York, most notably with her Broadway debut as Sister Agnes in “Agnes of God”, but it was her portrayal of Sally Smith in “Me and My Girl” that truly launched her into the spotlight and earned her a coveted Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical in 1987. She has delivered powerful performances in plays, including but not limited to Arthur Miller's “The Crucible”, “Sunday in the Park with George”, replacing Bernadette Peters, “A Little Hotel on the Side”, “The Master Builder”, and “A Man for All Seasons”. She also spent 12 years doing Richard Nelson's “Rhinebeck Panorama”. Her TV and film credits include “Bull”, “Chicago Med”, “Little Women”, “Blue Valentine”, “Dr. Death”, and “Manifest”. She can now be seen as Older Allie in “The Notebook” on Broadway, which just nabbed her another Tony award nomination.Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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”, and how he and director Alex Timbers viewed the house as a character itself, which led to numerous model versions to perfect the design. For “Hamilton”, he recounts starting with imaginative sketches and how the final design emerged through collaboration and feedback. While it might not make sense to the audience at times, David underscores the importance of (unseen) detailed set elements, and how they play an important role in helping actors perform authentically. He reflects on coming up with set designs for different mediums and finding new techniques to make his visions come to life, highlighting the evolving role of technology in set design and using Dear Evan Hansen and “The Who’s Tommy” as examples. With countless visions realized, David reveals that ultimately, he gets his motivation from the desire to help others realize their own.David Korins is an internationally recognized award-winning creative director and designer responsible for creating 360-degree, fully immersive, holistic experiences for some of the biggest stars, brands, and events worldwide and in theatre and Broadway. He brought to life the environments for smash hits like “Hamilton”, “Dear Evan Hansen”, “Beetlejuice”, and “Mrs. Doubtfire”, among many others. He's worked as a creative director for Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Sia, and Andrea Bocelli to bring their musical visions to the stage. His film and TV experience includes series on HBO, CBS, Bravo, IFC, and PBS. He received the 2016 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special for “Grease: Live”. His scenic designs were seen last season in the play, “Just for Us”, and this season's “Here Lies Love” and “The Who’s Tommy”.Connect with David: Instagram: @davidkorins Twitter: @DavidKorins Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 struggles with perfectionism, and the internal battle to find validation in her work. Having played complex characters such as Eliza in “Hamilton”, and Robin in “The Connector”, she sheds light on the emotional depth required to portray them, the research process involved in preparing for these roles, and the personal connections she has forged with her characters. As someone who learned from her co-actors’ tough love, Hannah believes that for musical theatre, you don’t necessarily have to go to school to be the best. Currently making her Broadway debut as Inez Milholland in “SUFFS”, she shares how it differs from pre-Broadway, why silence is essential (and powerful) in a show, and the importance of providing the most truthful performance to the audience.Hannah Cruz was most recently seen in the off-Broadway production of “The Connector”. Her additional off-Broadway credits include “Only Gold” and “SUFFS”. On tour and regionally, she was seen in “Hamilton”, “Bullets Over Broadway”, “The Da Vinci Code”, and “Young Frankenstein”. She is now making her Broadway debut in the Broadway transfer of “SUFFS”, playing the incomparable Inez Milholland.Connect with Hannah: Instagram: @thisishannahcruz Twitter: @heyhannahcruz Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 see a Zoom musical because the whole magic for him was being present. Currently starring as Daryl Curtis in the Broadway production of “The Outsiders,” he shares insights into his character, Danya Taymor’s unique audition process, and the broader themes explored in the show. Growing up in a household of predominantly male family members, he reflects on the impact of his upbringing on his portrayal of Daryl, highlighting the character's struggle to communicate and be seen authentically. He reflects on the authenticity of human interactions in contrast to what he terms as "robotic pleasantries", and the importance of experiencing life and connecting with others to fuel artistic creativity.Brent Comer is an actor previously seen in the “Les Misérables” National Tour and in the La Jolla production of “The Outsiders”. He just made his Broadway debut as Daryl Curtis at the Broadway production of “The Outsiders,” which was also recently nominated for 12 Tony Awards.Connect with Brent:Instagram: @_brentcomer_Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 potential of artistic expression in healing personal struggles. We both shared our experiences as an outsider in various contexts, including high school and a Broadway production of "The Outsiders"'Connect with Jason:IG/TikTok: @jason.s.schmidtConnect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 adaptation with a fresh perspective and vision. He shares how the team encourages each other to contribute ideas beyond their traditional roles, emphasizing the collaborative nature of musical theater and describing the process as a relay race. Justin challenges stereotypes about musical theater, arguing that it's a misunderstood art form with deep cultural significance. He highlights the influence of musicals on popular music and culture – as proven when he was asked by Anna Wintour to do the music for the Met Gala to celebrate Broadway coming back. With long credits under his name, he still encourages people to prioritize personal well-being, maintain meaningful relationships, and pursue work that aligns with one's passions above anything else.Justin Levine is a theater book writer, lyricist, music supervisor, and orchestral arranger with Broadway credits that include “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”, “Moulin Rouge!”, and “Here Lies Love”. His additional credits include creating original music for Shakespeare in the Park’s “A Midsummer Night's Dream”, arranging vocals for Vevo x Lorde - Melodrama, music directing “Love's Labour's Lost”, music directing “The Robber Bridegroom” at the Roundabout Theatre, and music directing “Murder Ballad” at MTC and Union Square Theatre. He is now the co-book writer, co-lyricist, music supervisor, and orchestral arranger for Broadway’s “The Outsiders”.Connect with Justin:Instagram: @justinlevineConnect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices