Theater People

Beth Malone, Beth Malone, BETH MALONE! We were SO excited to get the chance to sit down with the Tony nominated Fun Home star! Her turn as the grown up Alison--a performance in which she never leaves the stage--is at once intense and vulnerable, sarcastic and so completely honest. In a word, it's unforgettable. And her stories will blow your mind. From making her Broadway debut in 'Ring of Fire,' to rooming with Cherry Jones at the Sundance Theater Lab, to being mistaken for a techie backstage at the Tonys, Beth is about to blow your mind. Enjoy!

We don't usually play favorites here at the Theater People Podcast, but for us, Renee's turn at Angelica Schuyler in the mega-hit "Hamilton" is the performance of the season. And her performance of the song "Satisfied" is one of the most genuinely riveting pieces of storytelling to hit the stage in years. For this episode, we talk about how she won the role, the experience of starring in one of the most popular and groundbreaking shows in recent memory, and how she balances her work and family life.

Norm Lewis is a dream, you guys. With a career spanning two and a half decades (and counting!) on and off Broadway, in the West End, and on the international concert circuit, Norm is one of the most sought after and celebrated actors of our time. And oh my Lord, is he handsome. His career highlights include "The Who's Tommy," "Side Show," "The Wild Party, " "Les Miserables," "The Little Mermaid," and "The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess" (Tony nomination), and we talk about all of them!

If you've been paying attention to the Broadway press over the last few days, you know that the incredibly popular--and incredibly anonymous--social media personality Annoying Actor Friend has identified himself. World, meet Andrew Briedis. Wonder why he did it, what he got out of it, and why he picked now to reveal himself? Take a listen and find out!

WE LOVE ELIZABETH STANLEY! Currently headlining the national tour of "The Bridges of Madison County," Elizabeth was most recently seen on Broadway as Claire in last season's Tony nominated "On The Town." We first discovered Elizabeth in the 2006 John Doyle production of "Company," in which she played April (as well as the oboe, alto saxophone, and tuba). She went on to star in the short-lived but much-loved Broadway production of John Waters's "Cry Baby." She followed that performance up as Dyanne in the 2010 production of "Million Dollar Quartet." We have to say, though, it was her turn as Gussie in the 2012 Encores production of "Merrily We Roll Along" alongside Celia Keenan-Bolger, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Betsy Wolfe, and Colin Donnell that cemented her standing as one of today's greatest theater stars. Enjoy! Oh, and check out www.bridgesmusical.com to find out when the tour of "Bridges" will be in a city near you!

One of our favorite guests comes back! Can you believe Annaleigh was the third ever guest of the Theater People Podcast? Since we last spoke, this hilarious spitfire has gotten married, won a TONY AWARD, earned rave reviews for her work on the hit Showtime series "Masters of Sex," and has released a Live album called "Lost in the Stars." She's currently starring alongside Matthew Broderick and Julie White in the Broadway revival of "Sylvia." She's hilarious and lovely, it was terrific to have the opportunity to catch up with her.

The youngest female Tony Award winner is back! For this episode we catch up with Daisy who has just relocated from LA to NYC where she is living the theater auditioner life for the first time in nearly 12 years. She shares stories we didn't get the first time--including working with Christopher Walken on the Broadway production of James Joyce's The Dead. She also tells all about her upcoming show 'Daisy and Jordan: Rejected Bond Girls' which premieres Sunday, November 15 at 54 Below.

For our 50th episode (!!!) we present the absolutely darling Kate Baldwin. Kate is currently starring in the brand new ABSOLUTELY AMAZING musical "Songbird" which is now playing at 59 East 59th Street Theater. The show features a blue grass / honky tonk / country / rock and roll score by Lauren Pritchard, and it has to be heard to be believed. We can't say it enough, get your tickets.Kate is perhaps best know for her work in "Finian's Rainbow" (Tony nomination), "Big Fish," and the off-Broadway production of Michael John Lachuisa's "Giant." She was such a pleasure to chat with. Enjoy!

Tony winner Lena Hall shares hilarious and inspiring stories from her 10-plus years as a working actor and musician in New York City. She talks making her Broadway debut in "Cats" at 19 years old, working alongside the great Jerry Mitchell in "Kinky Boots," and tell all about how she landed the career changing--and Tony winning--role of Yitzhak in last year's "Hedwig and the Angry Inch."

The always fabulous and tremendously busy Lesli Margherita made time to catch up with us while rehearsing "Dames At Sea" during the day and performing in "Matilda" at night. What a gal! This is the first in a new series we're launching where we catch up with previous guests in mini episode form!

This week we're bringing you a special mini episode with a focus on the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway play "Hamlet in Bed," now playing at the Rattlestick Playwrights's Theater. The play is a two-hander starring Michael Laurence (who also wrote the play) and Annette O'Toole, and we have them both! Ticket information is available at www.rattlestick.org

Too funny, brilliant, and downright entertaining for 1 episode, Tony winner Laura Benanti is back for part 2. In this episode we discuss "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," her work on TV, including the hugely popular "Sound of Music Live," her working alongside the Radio City Rockettes in last years's "Spring Spectacular," her live album, and her upcoming book. Oh, and we also talk about that time in high school when she dressed up as Fosca form Stephen Sondheim's "Passion" and went trick or treating for Unicef.

Laura's interview was so funny, and honest, and inspiring, that we just couldn't stop asking her questions--so we had to make it a two-parter! You loved her in "The Sound of Music," "Swing" (Tony nomination), "Into The Woods," (Tony nomination), "Nine," Gypsy" (Tony WIN), "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown" (Tony nomination), NBC's "The Sound of Music Live!" And so many other things. In a word, she's AH-mazing.

Co-Directors Michael Mayer and Dick Scanlan tell all about their new hit play "Whorl Inside A Loop." Co-written by Scanlan and Sheire Rene Scott, the play is loosely based on Scanlan and Scott's experience working with prison inmates on writing and performing monologues about the circumstances that landed the inmates in jail. Currently playing at Second Stage Theater, the new work is a New York Times Critic's pick.

The 'Hand To God' Tony nominee shares stories from the 10-plus years it took her to become an overnight success. Having come to NYC to be a banker, she stumbled upon acting almost by chance. From commercials to Beyonce and Kevin Bacon, to guesting on over 15 network TV shows, to her star-making turn as Margery in 'Hand To God,' this woman has done it all, and she shares GREAT advice for actors!

Get ready to smile and laugh till it hurts. Tony nominee Montego Glover is about to deliver 43 minutes of pure fun times. She shares stories of making her Broadway debut in 'The Color Purple' (understudying LaChanze, no less), Originating the role of Felicia in 'Memphis', the role for which she received her first Tony nomination (the show took home the Tony for Best Original Musical), and her most recent turn as Annie in 'It Shoulda Been You.' She's amazing! Check her out!

Broadway Leading Lady! Groundbreaking Stand-Up Comic! Recording Artist! Television Star! Lea DeLaria does it all, and we talk about all of it!From her starring role as Big Boo on the Netflix mega-hit "Orange Is the New Black" to her latest album, "The House of David," to her critically acclaimed turns in the Broadway productions of "On the Town" and "The Rocky Horror Show," Lea shares some of the most hilarious and outrageous stories we've ever heard! Warning: This episode contains a LOT of swearing. Lea has hilarious and important things to say and she DOES NOT CENSOR HERSELF!

Two time Tony winner Michael Cerveris invited us to his dressing room at the Circle in the Square Theater to talk 'Fun Home,' 'Tommy,' Assassins,' and more! One of the Broadway's great leading men, Michael is funny, charming, and generous with the stories!

WE LOVE KERRY BUTLER! The 'Xanadu' star (and Tony nominee!!) Kerry Butler shares memories from her amazing career on and off-Broadway. From 'Bat Boy' to 'Hairspray' to 'Little Shop of Horrors,' to 'Catch Me if You Can,' Kerry has starred in all of your favorite musicals. Hear how she got the roles, her insight into the characters she brought to life, and her thoughts on her success.

Three time Tony nominee sits down with us to chat about "Hand To God," the Tony nominated play that everyone is talking about. This episode is a little different for Theater People and is a very special episode to us--take a listen and you'll understand why. And stick around after our interview with Marc for a brief chat we had with Krysta Rodriguez, Andy Mientus, and Alex Boniello about Deaf West Theater Company's production of "Spring Awakening" in which they all star.