Living the Dream with Rory O'Malley
Rory has talks with his friends in show business about staying grounded and happy while living the dream.
All Episodes
Preview of Heléne Yorke interview on Geffen Playhouse UNSCRIPTED
LIVING THE DREAM is taking a hiatus for now, but you can still listen to Rory interview theater artists on the GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE UNSCRIPTED podcast! Here is a preview of his talk with Heléne Yorke. Subscribe to UNSCRIPTED so you won't miss any of these great conversations!
Preview of Dulé Hill interview on Geffen Playhouse UNSCRIPTED
LIVING THE DREAM is taking a hiatus for now, but you can still listen to Rory interview theater artists on the GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE UNSCRIPTED podcast! Here is a preview of his talk with Dulé Hill. Subscribe to UNSCRIPTED so you won't miss any of these great conversations!
Preview of Megan Hilty interview on Geffen Playhouse UNSCRIPTED
LIVING THE DREAM is taking a hiatus for now, but you can still listen to Rory interview theater artists on the GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE UNSCRIPTED podcast! Here is a preview of his talk with Megan Hilty. Subscribe to UNSCRIPTED so you won't miss any of these great conversations!
Julia Murney - Episode #82
Julia Murney (WICKED, WILD PARTY) is here to talk about her time as the Wicked Witch, how growing up in NYC in a family of actors gave her a very different perspective and what it means to be a woman in this business.
Jacqui Polk - Episode #81
Jacqui Polk (HAIRSPRAY, SPELLING BEE) found early success in her career on Broadway but found that she wanted to expand her dream and went to business school. Jacqui talks about how she found the courage to forge a new path and try something new.
Jennifer Simard - Episode #80
Jennifer Simard (MEAN GIRLS, DISASTER) has made a name for herself on Broadway as one of the funniest musical comedians in the business since her early days in the company of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY.
Oak - Episode #79
Oak (HAMILTON, STATION 19) is best known for originating the roles of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in HAMILTON on Broadway. Oak talks about his unlikely path to Broadway and what it was like to be at the epicenter of the biggest hit on Broadway in a generation.
Josh Lamon - Episode #78
Josh Lamon (THE PROM, GROUNDHOG DAY) has a very unique path to Broadway. He didn’t like school so he left college early and wound up getting his equity card in a very “creative” way. Josh is one of the funniest actors on Broadway. Onstage and off.
Donna Lynne Champlin - Episode #77
Donna Lynne (CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, HOLLYWOOD ARMS) talks with Rory about the difference between singing on Broadway and singing on TV, raising a child while maintaining an acting career, and her time working on a new Broadway show with the legendary Carol Burnett.
Jared Gertner - Episode #76
Jared Gertner (MORMON, SPELLING BEE) is an Olivier nominee for his portrayal of Elder Cunningham in the West End production of THE BOOK OF MORMON. Jared has had the dream of being on Broadway since he was three and his parents took him to CATS.
George Salazar - Episode #75
George Salazar (BE MORE CHILL, GODSPELL) is one of the most grateful, lovely and charming folks to have been on living the dream. He just finished a run off Broadway in the phenomenon BE MORE CHILL which will open on Broadway in the spring.
Lesli Margherita - Episode #74
Lesli Margherita (MATILDA, ZORRO) is an Olivier Award winner who took Broadway by storm in her star making performance as Mrs. Wormwood in MATILDA. She is a triple threat and that includes being seen in recent TV dramas like HOMELAND and 7 SECONDS.
Carly Hughes - Episode #73
Carly Hughes (AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE, PIPPIN, CHICAGO) made her way from regional theater to understudying on Broadway to literally being the “Lead Player” in PIPPIN. Her extensive broadway credits led her to her current gig as a series regular on ABC’s AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE where she has learned a new language from working on a set.
Jason Michael Snow - Episode #72
Jason Michael Snow (THE BOOK OF MORMON, SOUTH PACIFIC) is an actor, composer, writer, and very funny human being. Jason has excelled in all of these areas because he learned early on that you have to make your own opportunities.
Kirsten Wyatt - Episode #71
Kirsten Wyatt (ANNIE, GREASE) refers to herself as “Blue Collar Broadway.” A veteran of many shows and an elected member of Actor’s Equity council, Kirsten is extremely active in the community and a positive leader.
Ilana Levine - Episode #70
Ilana Levine is the host of the podcast LITTLE KNOWN FACTS and has appeared on Broadway in YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, JAKE'S WOMEN, and THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO. Ilana and Rory talk about there mutual love of podcasting and why they do it.
Eric Anderson & Jessica Rush - Episode #69
Eric Anderson (PRETTY WOMAN, WAITRESS, KINKY BOOTS) and Jessica Rush (JERSEY BOYS, GYPSY, SUMMER) are a hard-working Broadway couple who have to balance 8 shows a week with raising a kid.
Andy Karl - Episode #68
Andy Karl (ROCKY, GROUNDHOG DAY, PRETTY WOMAN) has been the leading man in a musical on Broadway in nearly every season for the last decade. He is known for his talent, dedication to the work, and great sense of humor.
Beth Crosby - Episode #67
Beth Crosby (Dr. Ken, Speechless, Life in Pieces) is an alum of The Groundlings, has appeared on many TV shows and in several national commercials. Beth and Rory share stories from their days waitng on tables together at a restaurant during their eary post college days in LA.
Kevin Spirtas - Episode #66
Kevin (DAYS OF OUR LIVES, AFTER FOREVER) has participated in every aspect of show business. From touring as a chorus boy to standing by for Hugh Jackman on Broadway.
Remembering Craig Zadan - Episode #65
Legendary producer Craig Zadan unexpectedly passed away this week, so we are replaying his recent episode in honor of his life and great career. We are lukcy to have heard so many great stories here on this podcast. He was passionate, kind and inspired us all.
Asmeret Ghebremichael - Episode #64
Asmeret (DREAMGIRLS, THE BOOK OF MORMON, LEGALLY BLONDE) is currently starring in DREAMGIRLS on the West End after performing on Broadway ensembles of numerous shows. She got her fierce work ethic and drive to succeed from her immigrant parents and her early days of dance competition in Pittsburgh.
Marc Tumminelli - Episode #63
Marc Tumminelli is the founder and director of www.broadwayworkshop.com, a school for high school and middle school performers who love Broadway. Marc started as an actor, but after years of working and a few really heart breaking experiences, he decided to start his own school in NYC.
Rickey Minor - Episode #62
Rickey Minor is one of the most successful musical directors in the business. His work on The Tonight Show, American Idol and world tours for Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, and Beyonce have solidified his spot as one of the biggest names in the music industry.
Rachel Bloom - Episode #61
Rachel Bloom (CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND) is a Golden Globe Award winning actress for playing Rebecca Bunch on her hit TV show. She talks Rory through how she went from musical theatre lover to sketch comedian to creating and starring in her own musical TV comedy series which is just starting to film it’s fourth and final season.
Bobby Steggert - Episode #60
Bobby Steggert (BIG FISH, RAGTIME, YANK) tells Rory why he decided to walk away from an incredibly successful acting career and pursue a masters degree in social work.
Susan Blackwell - Episode #59
Susan Blackwell ([title of show], SIDE BY SIDE BY SUSAN BLACKWELL) tells Rory the incredible story of how [title of show] started around a kitchen table, then went downtown and made it all the way to Broadway.
Mandy Gonzalez - Episode #58
Mandy Gonzalez (IN THE HEIGHTS, HAMILTON) talks with Rory from her dressing room in the Richard Rodgers Theatre where she currently brings down the house playing "Angelica" in HAMILTON. The same dressing room she had for IN THE HEIGHTS.
Andrew Rannells - Episode #57
Andrew Rannells (THE BOOK OF MORMON, GIRLS, FALSETTOS) is a two time Tony nominated actor and star of TV and film. Andrew shares his stories about rejection, jealousy and working in the Warner Brothers gift shop.
Craig Zadan - Episode #56
Producer Craig Zadan (CHICAGO, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LIVE) tells Rory what his definition of being a producer is and how he excelled as one on Broadway and in TV & film. Craig talks about the successes and challenges of producing live musicals for TV and of course...
Kate Flannery - Episode #55
The hilarious Kate Flannery (THE OFFICE) tells Rory how her early dream of playing the title role in ANNIE started it all. She grew up in Philly, the youngest in a large Irish family. Her aunt ended up buying her a plane ticket to Chicago to introduce her Second City and it changed her life.
Patti Murin - Episode #54
Patti Murin (FROZEN, LYSISTRATA JONES) talks with Rory about what if feels like to lead a big juggernaut blockbuster show. She is incredibly open about her struggles with anxiety and depression and has changed the way the Broadway community talks about dealing with mental illness.
Cheyenne Jackson - Episode #53
Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story, All Shook Up) talks about his career path from rural Washington state to Broadway and then Hollywood. Cheyenne gives his takes on how to deal with rejection, body image issues and what its like to be a leading man gay actor.
Christina Applegate - Episode #52
Tony nominee (SWEET CHARITY) and TV/Film star (ANCHORMAN, BAD MOMS, MARRIED WITH CHILDREN) Christina Applegate talks with Rory about her career that started when she was three years old. She's taken on every part of this business with confidence and humor.
Leslie Odom Jr. - Episode #51
Leslie (Tony Award Winner for HAMILTON) and Rory talk about their college years together at Carnegie Mellon University and his book "Failing Up." Leslie chats about his mentors, his philosophy on the business and how he maintains a healthy family life.
Siobhan Dillon - Episode #50
Siobhan talks to Rory about making her way from the London theatre scene to SUNSET BOULEVARD on Broadway opposite Glenn Close and eventually to Los Angeles. Siobhan has had a very unique experience during her career including reality tv shows, taking time off to study fashion, and a serious health scare.
Wesley Taylor - Episode #49
Wes Taylor (ROCK OF AGES, ADDAMS FAMILY, SMASH) talks about his early success right out of college and how it had its pros and cons. He immediately had a great role on Broadway but realized years later that the business doesn't usually operate that way.
Taran Killam - Episode #48
Taran (SNL, HAMILTON, KILLING GUNTHER) and Rory talk about their shared experience of playing King George III in HAMILTON on Broadway. Taran walks us through his years in Groundlings, through his audition for SNL and his experience on that iconic show.
Jimmy Pardo - Episode #47
Jimmy is the host of the very successful podcast NEVER NOT FUNNY and his new podcast PLAYING GAMES with JIMMY PARDO. Jimmy started as a stage actor but found his calling in standup comedy and began touring the country eventually ending up at The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien.
Nicole Parker - Episode #46
Nicole Parker (MADtv, WICKED, FAME BECOMES ME) talks with Rory about her path to success in the improv and sketch comedy world which landed her in the cast of MADtv and set her in stone in the eyes of the industry as a comedic actress, even though her first passion for performing came from musical theater.
Edi Patterson - Episode #45
Edi Patterson (VICE PRINCIPALS on HBO) talks with Rory about coming up in the comedy world through the Groundlings and how she became a master at improvisation and sketch. Edi and Rory worked together on the TV show PARTNERS with Kelsey Grammer and Martin Lawrence, and quickly became pals.
Amber Iman - Episode #44
Amber Iman (HAMILTON, SOUL DOCTOR, SHUFFLE ALONG) talks with Rory about growing up in the Atlanta theater scene with her actress mother.
#AskRory & Josh Gad replay - Episode #43
Rory answers listener's questions and replays his converation with his buddy Josh Gad. Josh is currently starring in the movie MARSHALL about Thurgood Marshall and will be seen later this year in THE ORIENT EXPRESS.
Jeff Greenberg - Episode #42
Jeff Greenberg is the Emmy Award winning casting director for MODERN FAMILY, CHEERS, FRASIER and many more groundbreaking hit TV series. He got his start in the business as a stage actor and made his way in casting through the LA theatre scene.
Barrett Foa - Episode #41
Barrett Foa (NCIS:LA, Avenue Q, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) was born and raised in NYC so his love for theater naturally led him to Broadway, but winding up on one of TV’s longest running TV shows was a little more of a surprise.
Mo Brady - Episode #40
Mo Brady (The Addams Family, Smash, The Ensemblist) talks with Rory about his move from Broadway ensemble to Video and Social Media Producer for a major charity, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Mo explains how he came to embrace a change in career and “hung up his tap shoes”.
Marilu Henner - Episode #39
Marilu Henner (Taxi, Evening Shade, Chicago on Broadway) talks to Rory about her amazing career and how she went from the first ever production of Grease to TV star, to Broadway star and then health & wellness book mogul.
Joseph Leo Bwarie - Episode #38
Joseph Leo Bwarie, who played Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys on Broadway and all over the country, reminisces with Rory about the old days while seated in the very theater where they met many years ago.
Solea Pfeiffer - Episode #37
Meet Hamiltour’s Eliza! The super talented Solea talks about booking this dream job just six weeks after graduating from college. Solea is an incredibly sweet and humble young woman who initially had a hard time believing it when they asked her to play Eliza, but has learned to embrace it and remember that she worked hard for it.
Rubén Carbajal - Episode #36
Rubèn Carbajal (Hamiltour's John Laurens/Philip Hamilton) is ecstatic to be back in his hometown of Los Angeles performing at the Pantages where he grew up seeing plays that inspired him to get into acting including In The Heights starring Lin Manuel Miranada.
Jordan Donica - Episode #35
Jordan Donica takes us on his journey from Indiana Hoosier to becoming the Hamilton tour's Jefferson/Lafayette. Last year he made his Broadway debut in The Phantom of the Opera (a show he was destined to be in) which is a reflection of his abundance of talent.
Raymond Baynard - Episode #34
Rory celebrates his homecoming to LA after a year and a half away with Hamilton and talks to fellow cast mate Raymond Baynard. Ray is a part of the ensemble and plays the infamous George Eaker in the Hamiltour! This isn't his first time on the road.
Danny Bernardy - Episode #33
Danny Bernardy has thrived as an actor in regional theaters across the country and as member of the One Year Lease Theater Company. Danny’s career has spanned from New York City to Greece and all the way to Moscow.
Lauren Kias - Episode #32
Lauren Kias is an extremely talented dancer and member of the Hamilton ensemble. She also happens to be Rory's scene partner in the pivotal moment when KG3 learns that John Adams will be replacing George Washington!
Isaiah Johnson - Episode #31
Isaiah (Hamilton, The Color Purple) plays George Washington on our tour and was a part of the show during its infancy stages when it was The Hamilton Mixtape. He comes a long way from Broadway (Anchorage, Alaska) and his route to get to where he is makes for quite the tale.
Seth Rudetsky - Episode #30
Seth Rudetsky (Siruis Xm Broadway, Disaster The Musical) and his husband James Wesley talk to Rory about their Concert for America this Saturday June 24th in San Francisco!
Raymond J. Lee - Episode #29
Rory talks about the previous night's Tony Awards and gushes over his friend Gavin Creel's win. Then Rory talks to Raymond J. Lee (Groundhog Day, Honeymoon in Vegas) about his experience on Broadway, being a family man, and how he juggles both.
Christine Lakin - Episode #28
Christine (Step By Step, Hollywood Darlings) and Rory go way back to the days when they were in Garry Marshall's Happy Days: The Musical at his Falcon Theatre in Burbank where they played siblings- Joanie and Richie.
Joshua Henry - Episode #27
Tony nominee Joshua Henry (Scottsboro Boys, Shuffle Along, In The Heights) has a resume that easily makes him a Broadway veteran, but #HamilTour's Aaron Burr is just getting started.
David Hull - Episode #26
David Hull ("White Josh" on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) walks us through his journey from theme park performer, to Broadway chorus boy, to TV series regular.
Afra Hines - Episode #25
Continuing his conversations with Hamilton cast members, Rory talks to ensemble member Afra Hines (In the Heights, Shuffle Along, Wicked) about how she went from studying at Alvin Ailey to the original cast of In the Heights.
#AskRory & Lyndsay Brill - Episode #24
"Living the Dream with Rory" listeners get their chance to ask Rory questions like "Who inspired you to become an actor?", "How do you get an agent?" and hard hitting ones like...
Michael Luwoye - Episode #23
Michael Luwoye plays the man himself... A. HAM! He started as the alternate on Broadway and now leads the tour currently in San Francisco. The story of how he got there is not your typical Broadway actor story.
Josh Gad - Episode #22
Josh Gad (The Book of Mormon, Frozen, Rory's college roommate) finally gets on the podcast after months of begging. He confesses to Rory that his iconic characters of Olaf and Elder Cunningham were both based on Rory.
Emmy Raver-Lampman - Episode #21
Emmy, who plays Angelica in the tour of Hamilton, tells us the story of how she became the only performer to open all three companies of Hamilton and went from an ensemble/understudy track to playing one of the coolest roles in the show.
Mathenee Treco - Episode #20
The hysterical Mathenee Treco (American Idol, Hamilton) starts off Rory's series of talking with the touring company of Hamilton.
Seth Gabel - Episode #19
Seth Gabel (Salem, Fringe, Nip/Tuck) and his wife Bryce Dallas Howard are in demand actors and their schedules have not always lined up. Seth tells Rory how they have managed that challenge well enough to raise two great kids, avoid excess publicity, and stay happy.
Rory's Mom - Episode #18
Rory somehow convinced his mother to sit down and talk about the agony and ecstasy of raising a child who dreams of being an actor. Gerry O'Malley talks us through the ups and downs of having an actor son and why her favorite job Rory ever had was at a financial firm.
Angela Lin - Episode #17
Angela Lin (Coram Boy, Chinglish, Top Girls) and Rory have known each other since freshman year of college when they were naive 18 year olds with a dream. Angela talks about her experience as an Asian actress and how she has been able to stay positive through the challenges that the business presents her through faith and community.
Alex Boniello - Episode #16
Alex Boniello fills Rory in on his journey from school athlete to Broadway performer in last seasons beloved revival of Spring Awakening. His story of why this had to be his Broadway debut is pretty spectacular.
Bret Shuford - Episode #15
Bret Shuford (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Paramour) tells Rory how he got from small town Texas to Broadway. Bret was one of the first people Rory met in NYC and has always been a great source of wisdom.
Joel Grey - Episode #14
Rory talks about his final performance in Hamilton on Broadway and passing the torch to Taran Killam before starting the tour. Then Joel Grey (Oscar, Tony, and Golden Globe Award Winner) chats with Rory about life in show biz. He's a Broadway legend.
Lauren Molina - Episode #13
Lauren is the multi talented Star of Broadway's Sweeney Todd, Rock of Ages and half of the band- The Skivvies! Lauren explains how she went from bus and truck tours, to Broadway, to forming her own rock band! Lauren is the definition of a "go getter." An artist who makes her own work.
Chris Leary - Episode #12
Rory talks about his wild nerves before doing his show at 54 Below last week and then speaks with his crazy and hilarious pal Chris Leary! Chris is a dresser at Hamilton who went to college to be an actor and then opened up his options after he moved to NYC and didn't find that the life of just auditioning and side jobs was enough for him.
Stephen Oremus - Episode #11
Rory tells how he and Josh Groban got into a friendly competition to collect the most money for Broadway Cares and how it escalated quickly when the owner of the Colts got involved!
Gerold Schroeder - Episode #10
Rory's husband makes fun of him for an entire episode! Gerold Schroeder joins us on LTD to talk about what it's like to be a "civilian" in a relationship with an actor.
Nikki James - Episode #9
Nikki James joins us on LTD! Nikki is a Tony Award winner for The Book of Mormon and was last seen on Broadway as Eponine in Les Miserables. Rory and Nikki are bonded for life over their experience in The Book of Mormon.
Andrew Briedis - Episode #8
This week Rory talks about the audience reaction during the first performance of Hamilton after the election and is joined by guest Andrew Briedis, the man behind the hilarious twitter handle "Annoying Actor Friend." Andrew has a unique journey and tells us why he feels #blessed to have gone from musical theatre actor to social media personality to writer.
Christopher Jackson - Episode #7
Here comes the General! Christopher Jackson talks to Rory during the final week of his Tony nominated performance as George Washington in Hamilton. Christopher (In The Heights, The Lion King) launching into TV stardom in the new hit CBS show Bull and is married with children.
Alex Wyse - Episode #6
The very funny Alex Wyse (Spring Awakening, Lysistrata Jones, Masters of Sex) talks to Rory about his beautiful experience in Spring Awakening from LA to Broadway. He didn't expect to be on Broadway when he was in high school.
Leslie Kritzer - Episode #5
Leslie Kritzer (Legally Blonde, Something Rotten, The Robber Bridegroom) is here! Rory and Leslie talk about currently having small amounts of stage time in their current Broadway shows and how they spend their backstage time.
Amy Linden - Episode #4
Rory tells the crazy tale of his Broadway show Nerds getting canceled only three weeks into rehearsal and then finding himself in Hamilton days later. It's been a wild year and Rory walks you through the ups and downs of it all.
Gavin Creel - Episode #3
Tony nominee and Olivier Award winner Gavin Creel (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hair, The Book of Mormon, Hello Dolly) talks with Rory about the challenges of working on long running shows, their fight for marriage equality, and the practice of being happy!
Jason Tam - Episode #2
Rory tells an embarrassing story that happened in front of Hamilton’s theater this week. Then the very zen Jason Tam (A Chorus Line, One Life to Live, If/Then) talks with Rory about finding other ways to be creative, NY vs. LA, and dealing with audition rejection.
Stephanie J. Block - Episode #1
Rory chats with his friend Tony nominee Stephanie J. Block (Wicked, 9 to 5, Falsettos) about being a woman in the industry, juggling her beautiful family with her amazing career and defining success for herself.
© Broadway Podcast Network, All Rights Reserved