Everything Theater Podcast

Diaka Kaba Hill is the best "people person" you'll ever come across, which is why it makes sense that she is a cherished House Manager in the Capital Region. Diaka joins us to talk about the job of a house manager and how an audience's experience with a show starts from the moment they enter the theater lobby.

This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre's production of "Into the Breeches."

Performing on stage is one thing, but not many people think about the immense amount of work actors have to do off-stage in order to get their moment in the spotlight. Actor Marc Christopher chats with us about the business of acting, including Equity status, finding representation, auditions, and making a living as a professional actor.

The Capital Region in New York is a thriving theatre scene. It's why we host a podcast from here! And for the first time, the community is being celebrated with a weekend-long theatre festival in June 2025. The festival is kicking off with a "cast party" fundraising evening at Cohoes Music Hall with entertainment, food, wine, and thousands of dollars in raffle prizes. Patrick White chats with us about what is in store for CRFT (Capital Region Festival of Theatre). Join us on Oct 27th, 2024 at 7pm (doors open at 6pm) for the cast party! Tickets available at: https://playhousestagecompany.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FUO00000209zp2AA

This episode is sponsored by the CRFT Cast Party.

The Charles R. Wood Theater is working with Artist Anthony Richichi to turn his award winning children's book, "Colorworld", into a LIVE Stage Play! We chat with the author, Anthony Richichi, as well as Executive Director, Emily Murphy, and Facilities Director, Eric Potter, about the origins of the project and how they are adapting this new children's piece for the stage!

David Bunce, local actor/fight choreography/playwright joins us to talk about stage combat, the SAFD (Society of American Fight Directors), and his work on "Red Maple", his play that was produced at Capital Repertory Theatre and Curtain Call Theatre.

We're moving backstage to discuss wardrobe crew and production management with Elizabeth Streeter, a Capital Repertory Theatre Wardrobe Supervisor turned Associate Production Manager at Proctors. What does it take to run the show behind the curtain? A lot!

This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre and Albany Civic Theater's co-production of "Maggie May", running Sept 6 - 22 at Albany Civic Theater.

"Shear Madness" has been acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running non-musical play in American theater history. Our own Benita Zahn is reprising her role as Mrs. Shubert at the Majestic Theater, and we chat with her co-star Jeff Haffner about this one-of-a-kind interactive show that has become a staple of American Theater.

This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theater and Albany Civic Theater's co-production of "Maggie May."

Tina Turner, the "Queen of Rock n' Roll" made a massive impact on the world of music, and "TINA" celebrates this powerful woman through all her ups and downs. We chat with the two Tinas on the National Tour, Ari Groover and Zurin Villanueva, who alternate one of the most demanding roles in the history of theater (a 3 hour long show where they never leave the stage!)

It's summer and it's beautiful outside... and INSIDE, at Capital Repertory Theatre! From July 12 - August 18th, Carole King's amazing story is being told in the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical "Beautiful." Shannon Rafferty (playing Cynthia Weil) and David Girard (playing Donnie Kirshner) join us to talk about the show and Carole King's amazing contribution to the music industry. #BeautifulMusical https://attherep.org/event/beautiful-the-carole-king-musical/

Will Kempe's Players travel on their bus, "Robin Goodfellow," presenting productions of Shakespeare and other classic plays to audiences throughout the Capital Region. They believe in presenting the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries through original practices with minimal tech elements and plenty of audience engagement. We chat with Artistic Director, Sandra Boynton, Director of Development, Kristoph "Rags" DiMaria, and Director Shane Sczepankowski, about their approach to their shows and this summer season featuring "Pericles" and "Midsummer Madness." https://www.willkempesplayers.com/

"There's a rat in the theater!" No, you don't have a pest problem - it's just an old saying meaning there is a critic in the audience. Gail Burns from Berkshire on Stage joins us to talk about the job of the critic, what makes a successful review, and the state of arts journalism. https://berkshireonstage.blog/

Murder is afoot at The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show, playing nation wide! We chat with Jen Werner, an actor at the Albany branch of The Dinner Detective, about an interactive evening full of code names, hilarity, delicious food, fun clues, and of course... murder! Can you solve the crime by the time you finish dessert? https://www.thedinnerdetective.com/albany/ This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theater's production of "The Squirrels"

Carpe Diem Theater is in their 13th season of providing students in grades 2-10 a summer full of theater, education, and leadership training in Round Lake, NY. We chat with Executive Director, Alexandra van den Heever, and Artistic Director, Brady Walsh, about the program and the impact it has had on them and countless students. https://carpediemtheater.org/home

This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theater's production of "The Squirrels", running 6/21-6/30, 2024 at the Sand Lake Center for the Arts

It's Tony time! For the 4th year in a row, we are delighted to chat with Adam Deremer about all the shows on Broadway this season, and who might go home with a Tony. But for the first time ever, Adam feels like it could be anyone's year! Tune in to what is bound to be a night full of surprises on Tony Sunday, June 16th 2024.

Marybeth Clark has had quite the journey in the theater. Originally as an actor, turned Head of Education, turned Artistic Director, Marybeth has done it all! We chat with her about Charleston Stage Company in South Carolina, including their upcoming season and the 12-month artist-in-residence and teacher training program for young professional actors. https://charlestonstage.com/

Are you a dog person? Well, you're going to love "Dog People" - a new play by Leigh Strimbeck, produced by Great Barrington Public Theater, running May 31st - June 16th. Playwright Leigh Strimbeck and Director Judy Braha join us to talk about the process of producing a new play.

We're talking "SIX", the musical sensation featuring the 6 wives of Henry VIII. Cassie Silva plays Anne Boleyn (Henry's 2nd wife) on the 2nd National Tour, and fills us in on audience interaction, actor prep, her time playing 4 different Queens, and what it's like performing this 85-minute high-energy show throughout the nation.

NEXT ACT! New Play Summit, a joint venture between Capital Repertory Theatre and Proctors, is an annual showcase of new plays designed to shed light on new play development. The summit brings playwrights, directors, actors, and audience members together for a series of workshops and readings, where multiple new full-length plays are given readings. We speak with Cap Rep's Associate Artistic Director, Margaret Hall, about this year's programming.

Benita and Ellen chat about all the great upcoming shows in the area, and read off a list of the 20 top things only people in community theater understand.

WAM Theatre (Where Arts and Activism Meet) aims to produce theatrical events for everyone, with a focus on women theatre artists and/or stories of women and girls while donating a portion of proceeds from those theatrical events to organizations that work to benefit the lives of women and girls in our communities and worldwide. Genée Coreno has just taken over as Artistic Director (only the 2nd AD in the company's history). We chat to her about WAM's powerful work and what she envisions for the future. https://www.wamtheatre.com/

This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre's production of "In The Blood" by Pulitzer winner, Suzan-Lori Parks running March 15-24 at the Saint Rose Theatre.

Franklin Trapp, Producing Artistic Director of Forestburgh Playhouse, joins us to talk about the excitement and challenges of producing 7 mainstage shows in the summer on top of presenting cabarets, theater for young audiences programming, and a new play festival. https://www.fbplayhouse.org/

This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre's production of "In The Blood" by Pulitzer winner, Suzan-Lori Parks. Performances: March 15-24 at the Saint Rose Theatre

It's that time of year again when we take a break from theater to discuss our sister industry, film. Jackson Murphy (Lights Camera Jackson) is back to chat all things Oscars with us! Who will take home the golden statues, and what is the future of cinemas when people are so used to just streaming stuff at home?

James Barry, Co-Producing Artistic Director of Chester Theatre Company in Massachusetts, joins us to talk about their thrilling upcoming season, the joy of the audience talk-back, and theater tours to London and Dublin. https://chestertheatre.org/

In 2015, performers Leah Edwards and Dimitri Pittas made a trip to Charleston, South Carolina to escape the hustle and bustle of their careers. Wooed by its beauty and hospitality, the couple returned a month later to make it their home. In connecting with their community through discussion and performance, they realized that there was a strong local desire to learn more about and attend opera and musical theatre. Upon learning that Charleston is, in fact, the birthplace of opera in North America, Leah and Dimitri embraced the serendipity and embarked on the giant adventure that is opening and running Charleston’s first full-time opera company - Holy City Arts and Lyric Opera (HALO). https://holycityarts.org/

2024 is here! It's time for our annual review with Patrick White and Chris Foster. We chat about some of their favorite shows of the year, completing a successful season with their company Harbinger Theater, and what exciting things await in the new year. Can you believe this is our 5th end-of-year review with these guys?! How time flies!

Brandon Jones knows his music. He is an actor, singer, accompanist, voice teacher, and music director who is now traveling the world working on shows on cruise ships. We chat with him about all his experience and tips for a good singing audition.

This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theater's production of "Mrs. Packard."

Ellen and Benita chat about holiday shows, the move to no-intermission scripts, and upcoming productions we're looking forward to. This episode is sponsored by Harbinger's Production of "Mrs. Packard", playing at the Albany Barn Dec 7-16.

Jack Mastrianni is known in the Capital Region for his work with Playhouse Stage Company, Capital Rep, and more, but he has been traveling the country performing - from Broadway to California. He is currently in a revival of "The Fantasticks" that changes Lousia into Lewis. We chat with him about this new take on this classic show.

Leigh Strimbeck is a very accomplished actor, director, teacher, and writer. We sit down with her to discuss safe spaces in rehearsal, how to teach acting, and the future of the theater. http://leighstrimbeck.com/bio/ This episode is sponsored by iTheatreSaratoga's production of "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd", a new adaptation of Agatha Christie's classic novel, running Oct 27th - Nov 5th. https://www.itheatresaratoga.org/

Heelllooo! We're chatting with Bianca Rivera-Irions, who is the female ensemble swing and social media captain for the national tour of Mrs. Doubtfire. Hear about life on the road, mastering how to cover multiple tracks, fun skills to put on a resume, and the social media element of promoting a show.

Company is touring the nation, and starting right here in Schenectady at Proctors. We chat with Britney Coleman, who plays Bobbie, about the gender flip in this production, life on tour, and tackling Sondheim music. Company runs at Proctors from Oct 8th - Oct 14th 2023.

Heidi Schreck's groundbreaking play "What the Constitution Means to Me" is currently playing at Capital Repertory Theatre, starring the incredibly talented Kim Stauffer. Kim joins us to discuss the process of rehearsing and performing such a powerful play that affects the audience in so many varying ways.

The post-show blues. It’s a real thing. How do you cope after a show closes? Do you immediately look for your next project? Are you grateful for a break? What’s the end of a run look like for you? We read our listeners' comments on how they handle a show closing.

"We always want to do things that have not been done before." iTheatre Saratoga is rich with productions of new work, adaptations of old work, and staged readings from up and coming playwrights. Will Severin and Mary Jane Hansen join us to talk about exciting things happening in our own backyard. https://www.itheatresaratoga.org

Audience interaction/reactions can be crazy unpredictable! We asked our listeners : What are your funny/interesting stories involving audiences? Do you like audience interaction and breaking the fourth wall as an actor or audience member? Have you ever had any interesting or unexpected audience reactions? Ellen and Benita read our listeners' comments.

Barefoot Shakespeare Company provides free outdoor theater in Manhattan's Central Park to make Shakespeare accessible for everyone. Artistic Director, Emily Gallagher, joins us to talk about Barefoot Shakespeare, running a theater company, all things related to the bard, and "Shakespeare Unrehearsed," their super fun summer fundraiser show. https://barefootshakespeare.org/

RP McLaughlin, Interim Programs Director at the National New Play Network, discusses the essential collaboration between theaters the NNPN provides to develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays. We chat about the challenges and rewards of producing new work, the abundance of resources available through the New Play Exchange (for $10 a year!), and wonderful opportunities for theater companies. https://nnpn.org/ https://newplayexchange.org/

Maggie Mancinelli-Cahill, Producing Artistic Director at Capital Repertory Theatre, joins us to chat about the current production of "Honky Tonk Angels", a musical celebration of the female stars of country. She also discusses changes at the Rep, from their new performance space to adding understudies to the mix.

Liv Cummins is a playwright, director, actor, teacher, and singer/songwriter. Her work uses comedy to critique social and cultural ills and focuses on historical women characters, whose lives of adventure and passion arouse and inspire. We chat with Liv about her shows, including "Ladies, How Dare You!" which takes place during the1913 Women's Suffrage Parade in Washington, DC.

A Tony Awards with no writers?! Was it a mess, or a huge success? What were some of the surprises and highlights of the night? With non-binary winners, how should the Tony categories of "Best Actor/Actress" be re-imagined for future awards? What exciting shows are coming in the 2023-2024 season? Adam Deremer joins us to debrief about the 2023 Tony Awards.

It's that time of year again, and we are joined by our dear friend Adam Prado-Deremer to chat about the Tony Awards! It's a year where many categories seemingly could go a lot of different ways. We share our thoughts on our Tony picks!

There has been a lot in the news lately about schools/companies requesting script edits due to the personal issues with specific content in the script. Then there are changes in approach to older material (such as the recent revival of Oklahoma). How much change is too much to the original source material? Should shows be changed to accommodate audiences or explore new themes, or is that a bridge too far? Ellen and Benita discuss.

Michael Andreaus plays Otis Williams in the National Tour of "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations." Ellen and Benita chat with him about the show, the real lives of the men behind the Temptations, auditioning, and performing on the road.

The Park Theater Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Glens Falls community by providing a venue for quality and affordable entertainment and educational opportunities in the performing arts. We chat with executive director, Chris Ristau, about all the events at Park Theater, including their summer series, their regular season offerings, and the launch of their first education initiative, Music & Technology Program, through regional high schools. https://www.parktheatergf.com/

We last spoke to Bridge Street Theatre during the pandemic, and were excited to check in with them to hear about all the wonderful plays they have coming up this season! John Sowle and Steven Patterson join us to talk about all the upcoming events at Bridge Street.

Rebecca Weiss is a casting director with McCorkle Casting, Ltd. in NYC. She discusses the role of the casting director, the relationship between casting directors with actors and theater companies, and what to keep in mind when auditioning. https://www.mccorklecasting.com/ This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theater's production of "Dig" by Theresa Rebeck playing at Sand Lake Center for the Arts April 21st - April 30th 2023. Tickets are available at https://slca-ctp.org/circle-theatre-players-harbinger.../

Sets are essentially their own character on stage, and a strong design can elevate even the best production. Adam Coons has designed a great number of sets for community theaters in the Capital Region, and we chat with him about what goes into the design process and how to keep a set functional and safe. This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theater's production of "Dig" by Theresa Rebeck playing at Sand Lake Center for the Arts April 21st - April 30th 2023. Tickets are available at https://slca-ctp.org/circle-theatre-players-harbinger-theatre-present-dig/

What are some of the best props you've had onstage? How about prop malfunctions? Benita and Ellen chat about their experiences with props and the importance of not getting pulled out of the show because of a prop.

Kimberly Kilby and Katherine Ambrosio have teamed up to write a musical! We chat with them to discuss the process of writing a musical while getting a glimpse into their work-in-progress, "Care."

Broadway actress Happy McPartlin joins us to talk about her work with "Come From Away" and "Hands on a Hard Body," balancing acting with raising a family, and being ready to cover a performance track at a moment's notice.

Benita and Ellen attended the Proctors 2023-2024 Season Announcement Bash to find out what's coming to Proctors and Capital Rep next year! Listen to what's in store, and catch snippets of songs from the upcoming season.

We take our annual break from theater to discuss our sister industry, film. Jackson Murphy (Lights Camera Jackson) is back to chat all things #Oscars with us! Will some of our more theater-themed nominees, like Martin McDonagh, take home a win? Will the academy honor actors playing iconic roles like Elvis over fictional characters? We'll have to see. In the meantime, Jackson has his thoughts and predictions!

Are audiences getting ruder, or are audiences changing in a world full of technology and instant gratification? Benita and Ellen join psychotherapist Tom Templeton to share thoughts about audience engagement, cell phones, and eating in the theater. Do audiences need to learn a lesson in respect, or do we need to adapt?  

Edward Miskie is an actor, singer, composer, author, entrepreneur, producer, cancer survivor, and tall person. We chat with Edward about his published book "Cancer, Musical Theatre, and Other Chronic Illnesses," the impact his cancer journey had on his life as an artist, and his plans to turn his book into a TV series. https://www.edwardmiskie.com/ And for a copy of his book, you can find it online at several retailers, including Barnes&Noble - https://bit.ly/3Gkm1VD

Jessica Vosk landed her first Broadway role when she was 30 and has had a very busy 9 years, playing Elphaba in Wicked, Fruma Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof, and appearing in The Bridges of Madison County, and Finding Neverland. She is visiting the Capital Region on her solo tour, performing at UPH on Feb 18th. Jessica chats with us about her journey to Broadway, her notes on protecting your voice, and her advice to young performers.

It's 2023 and there is so much exciting theater happening locally and regionally! Owen Smith, Producing Artistic Director of Playhouse Stage Company, joins us to discuss the great shows coming up at his company, other theaters in the Capital Region, and Broadway!

2023 is upon us, but before we ring in the new year, our friends Patrick White and Chris Foster join us to look back on this fabulous year of theater. Chris and Patrick share some of the highlights from the over 200 plays they saw this year. We also discuss their new company, Harbinger Theater, who had a very successful first season this year!

From one-person shows to multicast performances, from psychological thrillers to heart-wrenching and inspiring personal stories, Audible Theater takes what you thought you knew about going to a play and turns it on its head. General manager, Jonathan Whitton, joins us to chat about all the wonderful work happening with Audible Theater, which you can listen to as an Audible subscriber. https://www.audible.com/ep/theater Jonathan also discusses "Beyond the Stage Door", a comprehensive and intensive program designed to educate and prepare undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds for careers in general, company and stage management in the theatre industry. https://www.beyondthestagedoor.org/

This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre's production of "The Agony and the Agony."

WAM Theatre (Where Arts and Activism Meet) strives to create change by providing opportunities for women and girls which lifts all of humanity. In 2019, they launched their elder ensemble - a performance group for women over the age of 65. Talya Kingston and Kaia Jackson join us to discuss the elder ensemble and other outreach opportunities at WAM.

This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre's production of "The Agony and the Agony" by Nicky Silver. Running 12/8-12/17, 2022 at the Yulman Theatre on the Union College Campus.

Ellen and Benita chat about shows that are opening, shows that are closing, and some holiday favorites to wrap up 2022.

Tremendously talented Helene Galek is an actor, casting director, and author based in NYC. She joins us to chat about her experience and versatility in the theater, and shares some thoughts about how to catch a casting director's eye!

The musical of "Pretty Woman" is on it's national tour and heading to Proctors in Schenectady! The incredibly talented Jessie Davidson, who plays the lead role, joins us for a chat about life on the road and adapting this classic movie to the stage.  www.proctors.org

This episode is sponsored by Albany Civic Theater.

Creative Action Unlimited develops new plays that guide creative change for individuals, organizations, and communities. After casting a group of actors, the company writes and performs pieces revolving around social issues such as racism, homelessness, suicide prevention, addiction, and child sex trafficking. Michael Kennedy joins us to discuss the incredibly important work Creative Action Unlimited shares with the community. https://creativeactionunlimited.com/

This episode is sponsored by the Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York and Albany Civic Theater.

In preparation for Halloween, we're sharing our listeners' theater ghost stories! Head to an empty theater, turn on the ghost light, and try not to get too scared listening to these chilling tales.

This episode is sponsored by Playhouse Stage Co.'s production of "Assassins".

Tamar Greene is currently lighting up Broadway playing George Washington in "Hamilton", and he has a very inspirational story about the drive and determination it took to get there. Tamar talks to us about the audition process, his advice for students, and his work with "Ham 4 Progress."

Are men in dresses on stage funny anymore? The New York Times posed this question recently, and it caught our interest. With “Mrs. Doubtfire”, “Tootsie”, and “Some Like It Hot” originally from a time where gender identity was not as openly discussed in society, do you think this comedic device has a place in modern theatre? Why or why not? With special backstage guest, Jeremy Buechner, Benita and Ellen read our listeners' comments.

This episode is sponsored by Master Class Performing Arts and Playhouse Stage Company.

Writer and Actor, Lydia Nightingale, knows her history. And her love for history often combines with her love of theatre as she performs historical plays and writes pieces focusing mainly on World War 2. Lydia talks with us about the different approach needed to write and perform historical characters.

This episode is sponsored by Master Class Performing Arts and Playhouse Stage Company

Master Class Performing Arts provides Broadway-quality performances for young performers who learn the ropes of the theatre while working with an impressive list of guest instructors. Artistic Director Andrew Higgs chats with us about the history of Master Class and their upcoming productions. http://www.masterclassperformingarts.com/ This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre's production of "Andy and the Orphans", playing at the Albany Barn until Oct 1st, 2022.

What's your warm-up routine when you get to the theatre? What are some of the best tongue-twisters and energy games? Ellen and Benita read our listeners comments and also discuss Broadway shows that are closing that you may want to catch in the little time they have left! The episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre's production of "Andy and the Orphans", running Sept 22nd - Oct 1st at the Albany Barn.

Anywhere there is a story to be told visually, Adirondack Studios is there! From theaters, to amusements parks, to grocery stores, Adirondack Studios has provided creative solutions for designers, artists, and producers across the entertainment industry. Each collaborative design is constructed through thoughtful storytelling to create the most effective visual impact. Tom Lloyd and Alison Hubbard join us to talk about this amazing resource that's right in our backyard! Check out Adirondack Studio's amazing work at https://www.adkstudios.com/

We're talking microphones! As a performer, do you like using microphones? What kind are best? As an audience member, what kind of shows/venues should use microphones? Are there situations when it was too hard to hear without microphones? Are shows sometimes over-amplified? Ellen and Benita read our listeners' comments and stories about working with microphones.

Benita and Ellen chat with Teddy Foster, Director at Universal Preservation Hall (UPH) about their upcoming summer schedule and discuss shows and auditions coming up in the Capital Region over the next couple of months.

Stacey Bridge, Associate Director of Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy, New York, joins us to talk about the wonderfully eclectic programming and the amazing acoustics at the historic Music Hall built in 1875. Check out their programming at: https://www.troymusichall.org/

It's Tony time! Adam Deremer joins us again to chat about the nominees for this year's Tony Awards, airing June 12th. We discuss our thoughts on the nominated shows and potential winners from productions like "A Strange Loop", "Six", "Paradise Square", "American Buffalo", "The Lehman Trilogy" and many more. Who do you think will take a Tony home?

Have you ever had to fill in for an actor last minute onstage? It can be a thrilling and terrifying experience all at the same time. Benita and Ellen read our listeners' incredible true stories of how they rose to the occasion since the "play must go on!"

The Lake George Dinner Theater is one of the nine remaining Equity Dinner Theaters in the country. Artistic Director, Jarel Davidow, joins us to talk about running a dinner theater that has a rich history (did you know the popular long-running show "Shear Madness" got its start at the Lake George Dinner Theater?!)

They say never work with babies or animals, but in some shows you have to! We asked our listeners to share their stories about working with animals and/or children on stage, and what unpredictable things happened as a result.

The new musical ¡Americano! tells the true story of Tony Valdovinos, a Dreamer who discovers he is an undocumented immigrant when he attempts to join the Marines. Jonathan Rosenberg, co-author of ¡Americano!, joins us to talk about the journey of bringing the show to New York with hopes of transferring to Broadway. ¡Americano! currently runs until June 19th, 2022 at New World Stages in NYC.

This episode is sponsored by Harbinger Theatre and their current production of "Destroying David" by Jason Odell Williams, with final performance dates of April 12th, 13th, 15th, and 16th, 2022 at the Opalka Gallery in Albany. 

Our esteemed guest and film critic, Jackson Murphy (Lights Camera Jackson), joins us to discuss the upcoming Oscars Awards on March 27th. Hear Jackson's predictions for the awards and our thoughts about the movies nominated this year that are based on stage productions or feature the stage, including West Side Story, Drive My Car, Macbeth, Tic Tic Boom, and Cyrano.

We're celebrating the people and productions that made a big impact in our lives! We asked our listeners - "What is the best production, actor, actress, director, playwright, costumer, set designer, lighting designer, stage manager, crew, and/or company you have seen locally, on Broadway, regionally, or internationally that had a big impact on your life and/or your art, and why?" We have many wonderful stories about inspirational Broadway moments, artists who have guided and molded actors, and the plethora of amazing artists in New York's Capital Region!

An actor from "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" was recently fired after an investigation into his misconduct towards a fellow actor. Keeping the theater a safe place for everyone involved is an incredibly important conversation. How should theater companies handle disclosures of inappropriate behavior? Who should cast/crew/production teams report to, and what steps should follow? Do you have any experience with this? How can we make the theater as safe as possible?

Ellen and Benita read our listeners' comments about this very important topic.

Swings have always been an integral part of musical theatre, but these insanely talented individuals have really been put to the test lately with all the last minute casting needs due to actors testing positive for Covid and missing performances. Richard Gatta joins us to talk about working as a swing in "The Music Man", which is currently running on Broadway with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster.

The incredibly talented Shafiq Hicks joins us to talk about playing Tom Collins in the national tour of Rent. Hear about performing on the road, singing with Aretha Franklin, and the legacy of Jonathan Larson's last show.

What is the best/worst thing you have eaten on stage and/or what is the best/worst food you have eaten before a show? Benita and Ellen read our listeners' hilarious (and sometimes disgusting) stories of food in the theater!

Laura Roth has spent years thriving as a performer with a very special talent - impersonation. From Judy Garland to Dolly Parton, she can transform her voice and physique to bring these powerhouses to life before your eyes. We talk to her about creating your own opportunities as a performer, and about a special upcoming performance to honor the essential workers at Glens Falls Hospital.

Chris Foster and Patrick White are back for our 3rd annual theater wrap up, where we discuss everything theater of the past year! Luckily we had more to chat about than in 2020!

Stephen Sondheim was a titan of musical theatre and left us with so many beautiful musicals before his death at the age of 91 in November 2021. His body of work continues to have such an impact on so many artists and has touched so many lives. In this special Sondheim tribute episode, we read our listeners' comments containing their favorite lyrics and stories about the power of Sondheim's words.