On this week’s show, we talk with two time Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Tracie Bennett. Tracie is best known for her roles in the West End stage at Velma Von Tussle in “Hairspray,” Laura Henderson in “Mrs. Henderson Presents,” and Carlotta Campion in “Follies.” Tracie discusses playing Judy Garland, working with Stephen Sondheim, training to be a stunt woman, getting her start on the popular British Soap Opera, “Coronation Street,” and why the show must always go on. Rob, Jamie and Jennifer discuss what you can do to help in the Midterm Elections (VOTE) and what Halloween looks like backstage on Broadway.
This week Jess is joined by fan of all things Carrie the Musical Jess Cook who gives a more in depth look into the musical’s trials and tribulations throughout its existence, and also specifics as to the best and worst parts of each incarnation.
During the final week of Jonathan Munby’s production of King Lear at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London’s West End, we talk to King Lear company members Michael Matus, James Corrigan, Richard Clews, Anthony Howell, John Hastings, John Vernon, Scott Sparrow, James Millard, Caleb Roberts, Jake Mann, Johanne Murdock and Jessica Murrain
We are in the room with two of the coolest, most brilliant minds in theatre today: Carmel Dean (Spelling Bee! American Idiot! If/Then! Hands On a Hard Body!) and Dick Scanlan (Thoroughly Modern Millie! Everyday Rapture! Whorl Inside a Loop!) We are recording from upstairs in the Abrons Arts Center where Carmel has just opened her first show as composer – the exquisitely visceral “Renascence.” The show is impeccably directed by Dick Scanlan who also wrote the book, with lyrics taken from the poems of the famed and utterly respected party girl poet Edna St.Vincent Millay. This incredibly lush theatre piece has seamlessly taken Millay’s poems and crafted them into a gripping story set during the period in her early life when her most iconic poem, “Renascence,” made her a phenomenon. We talk about nurturing the artistic process, cultivating works of passion, favorite cut songs, BEA ARTHUR, vulnerability in sharing your gifts with the world, leaving a legacy, The Girl in 14G, and how things that don’t go well have the ability to change your life for the better. And so much more! It is a pleasure to share this conversation with you.
