This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:01] Lesli Margherita: Oh, how I love the first day of rehearsal. The anticipation is just so delicious.

[0:08] Lesli Margherita: And speaking of delicious, the food on the first day says so much about what's to come.

[0:13] Lesli Margherita: I did a show once where all they gave us day one was a bottle of water.

[0:17] Lesli Margherita: Not even Poland Spring or Fiji. It was just some generic brand.

[0:21] Lesli Margherita: And it was one of those mini bottles, two sips and empty.

[0:24] Lesli Margherita: Well, no surprise we closed two days before opening night. I'm not bitter.

[0:28] Lesli Margherita: Let's just hope the producers Steve and Cheryl have arranged a lavish spread.

[0:32] Lesli Margherita: That's a lesson we learned the hard way on The African Queen, the musical.

[0:37] Lesli Margherita: It was a disaster. A boat musical with producers who can't even spring for a bottled water?

[0:43] Lesli Margherita: I don't think so. Let's see how Kay and Bobby are handling the pressures of a partnership.

[0:48] Lesli Margherita: Which do you think will implode first? The show or their marriage?

[0:52] Lesli Margherita: Oh, I'm bad.

[0:59] Lesli Margherita: Six weeks to go until Avatar opens.

[1:03] Lesli Margherita: Do you think this team can survive another month and a half?

[1:07] Lesli Margherita: It's not too late to bring me on board to inspire you all.

[1:11] Lesli Margherita: Hashtag Bobby baby. Hashtag call me. Hashtag I'm on Raya.

[1:18] Lesli Margherita: So Stavros is Jake, I mean Lake in Avatar, which is Avatar with an extra V.

[1:26] Lesli Margherita: And there is no blue at all in the show.

[1:30] Lesli Margherita: What are we calling Emma Olivia's character then? Are we still calling her Grace?

[1:33] Unknown speaker: Trace.

[1:34] Lesli Margherita: That's not a name. Rehearsal's starting in three hours. Are we actually still figuring this out?

[1:40] Unknown speaker: Trace. Tracy. It's a nickname.

[1:42] Unknown speaker: And Princess Natiri?

[1:43] Lesli Margherita: Just call her Your Highness.

[1:45] Unknown speaker: You really think we're going to get away with this?

[1:47] Lesli Margherita: No, not a chance.

[1:48] Lesli Margherita: This is career suicide. What are we doing, Kay?

[1:51] Unknown speaker: Yes, yes it is. And I have no idea. I'm thinking of changing my name to Mae.

[1:57] Unknown speaker: Funny, but not.

[1:59] Lesli Margherita: Tell me about it.

[2:00] Unknown speaker: I guess I could change my name to Robbie, but that's just another way of saying Bobby.

[2:04] Unknown speaker: So what good would that do?

[2:06] Lesli Margherita: Let's see. Fobby? Knobby? Hobby?

[2:10] Unknown speaker: Dobby. Dobby. That's a name. Harry Potter. Dobby. Remember?

[2:14] Lesli Margherita: Bobby. Bobby. I realize this is a tremendously stressful situation, Thomas is going to be here at any moment, and I want to shrink our creative team interaction time with him to a near nanosecond.

[2:24] Lesli Margherita: If that. Get it?

[2:26] Unknown speaker: About Thomas.

[2:29] Lesli Margherita: I don't understand what you ever saw in him.

[2:31] Unknown speaker: He's a pompous, patronizing, superficial, overbearing narcissist who can't write.

[2:38] Lesli Margherita: Correct.

[2:39] Unknown speaker: It's the writing part that really gets to me.

[2:42] Unknown speaker: Of all people. Shoot me through the heart, but at least do me to hell with someone who can write.

[2:47] Lesli Margherita: To me, I don't think I can work with him.

[2:49] Unknown speaker: Yeah, well, I can't either. His arrogance and his inadequacy makes my skin crawl.

[2:54] Unknown speaker: It's just, it's not a healthy dynamic for me.

[2:58] Lesli Margherita: What?

[2:59] Unknown speaker: I just, you know, I don't like having my buttons pushed.

[3:02] Lesli Margherita: Buttons?

[3:03] Unknown speaker: You know, the composer doesn't really have to work with a book writer, right?

[3:06] Unknown speaker: As long as the two of us are completely in sync, and we are, okay?

[3:10] Unknown speaker: We are always in sync, right?

[3:14] Lesli Margherita: So, I don't need to work with him. At all.

[3:17] Unknown speaker: Buttons?

[3:18] Lesli Margherita: I really appreciate your understanding.

[3:20] Unknown speaker: So, I'm just gonna head out, and you two can work together.

[3:26] Unknown speaker: And I'll be back, let's say, 4 p.m.?

[3:28] Lesli Margherita: What buttons? You have buttons?

[3:30] Unknown speaker: No, no, no, no. Not buttons. Just, you know.

[3:34] Lesli Margherita: No. No, I don't know, Bobby, but I want to know.

[3:37] Unknown speaker: Uh, okay. Well, they're, you know, they're just really, really teeny, small buttons.

[3:42] Lesli Margherita: Small buttons?

[3:43] Unknown speaker: Not even buttons. Not buttons. They're like, they're more like, they're more like tiny little snaps.

[3:47] Lesli Margherita: Snaps? What?

[3:48] Unknown speaker: Not even, no, not snaps. Not even snaps.

[3:50] Unknown speaker: Just annoying, teeny, tiny, teeny, jabby pins.

[3:54] Lesli Margherita: Pins? What?

[3:56] Unknown speaker: Are you telling me you're not over Thomas?

[3:58] Unknown speaker: No. No. I am completely over Thomas.

[4:03] Unknown speaker: Absolutely. One thousand percent over him.

[4:07] Unknown speaker: You know that, okay?

[4:09] Lesli Margherita: No. No, I don't know that, babe.

[4:12] Unknown speaker: Well, I am. Really. Totally over him. Been over him for years. Years.

[4:18] Unknown speaker: We're married, for heaven's sake. And that is not the issue at all. It's just that...

[4:23] Unknown speaker: Hey, um, well...

[4:25] Lesli Margherita: Well what, Bobby?

[4:27] Unknown speaker: He doesn't bring out the best me.

[4:30] Lesli Margherita: The best you?

[4:33] Unknown speaker: I love you. Completely. Okay?

[4:37] Lesli Margherita: I don't think so, Bobby.

[4:38] Unknown speaker: Kay, please.

[4:40] Unknown speaker: I'll get the door.

[4:45] Unknown speaker: Thomas! Hello! Perfect timing.

[4:49] Unknown speaker: Thank you, Kay. You know, a lot of people have asked me if I studied improv because of my timing.

[4:55] Unknown speaker: I'll never forget meeting Julia Louise Dreyfuss at a gala.

[4:59] Unknown speaker: If you made her laugh as much as I did, you'd never be able to forget it either.

[5:04] Unknown speaker: Such a compliment. She was convinced I was a professional comedian.

[5:09] Unknown speaker: I'm almost ga-fying.

[5:11] Unknown speaker: Thank you, Kay.

[5:12] Unknown speaker: Can we just get started?

[5:14] Unknown speaker: Hello? Squigs here.

[5:16] Steve Jones: It's Steve Jones, Squigs. Calling about... Avatar.

[5:20] Steve Jones: We need a Lights of Broadway Mega Avatar Pack.

[5:23] Unknown speaker: Okay. Sure, Steve. No problem.

[5:26] Unknown speaker: I'm so excited about the show.

[5:28] Steve Jones: Good, good. I want lots of sparkles. 3D. Throw in everything you got.

[5:34] Unknown speaker: Gotcha. On it. Sparkle. 3D. Lenticular. Maybe a sticker card?

[5:39] Unknown speaker: How about a Flying Banshee 3D card?

[5:43] Steve Jones: They swim.

[5:44] Unknown speaker: Who?

[5:45] Steve Jones: The Banshee.

[5:46] Unknown speaker: Swim? Oh. Hmm.

[5:48] Unknown speaker: And fly. But we're focusing on their swimming abilities.

[5:51] Unknown speaker: Um, okay.

[5:53] Steve Jones: And one of those 3D cards should be Stavros with a shirt, without a shirt, with a shirt, without a shirt.

[6:01] Unknown speaker: You got it.

[6:02] Steve Jones: Stavros? Well, I, uh...

[6:05] Steve Jones: I'm going to ask Andrew Barth Feldman to reach out and work with you on this.

[6:09] Unknown speaker: Andrew Barth Feldman? From Dear Evan Hansen?

[6:12] Steve Jones: Yeah, yeah. He's our science consultant.

[6:14] Unknown speaker: Science consultant?

[6:16] Steve Jones: Well, you know, we have a fantastic 3D Andrew Barth Feldman Dear Evan Hansen card.

[6:21] Unknown speaker: Oh, well, excellent. You know, throw that in.

[6:24] Steve Jones: How about a vibrant, lush, blue, bioluminescent Rainforest card?

[6:28] Unknown speaker: Ah, no, no, no, no, no, no can do. Yellow and black. No blue.

[6:32] Steve Jones: What?

[6:33] Unknown speaker: Pandora. Or I should say, our Pandora is yellow and black.

[6:38] Steve Jones: Oh, uh, well, any chance you have some production design sketches?

[6:43] Unknown speaker: Eager to do justice to the exciting David Coren's design and Paul Taswell costumes.

[6:48] Steve Jones: Paul isn't exactly on board yet. Working on it. Give me a few days.

[6:51] Unknown speaker: Of course. Sure. But don't previews begin in, like, six weeks?

[6:56] Steve Jones: Yeah, yeah, it'll be fine. He works fast.

[6:58] Unknown speaker: Good thing.

[6:59] Steve Jones: Ah, speaking of working fast, I need the packs by Monday.

[7:02] Unknown speaker: Steve, I could maybe, maybe make three weeks work, and then that's a mad rush.

[7:08] Steve Jones: Monday, Squigs, and make sure there's a super handsome Steve Jones card.

[7:12] Unknown speaker: Steve?

[7:13] Unknown speaker: All right, talk to you soon. Bye.

[7:14] Unknown speaker: Hello? Steve?

[7:15] Cheryl Philips: Oh, no.

[7:19] Cheryl Philips: Hey, Scott Farthing from Sony Masterworks Broadway.

[7:22] Cheryl Philips: Let's talk Avatar.

[7:24] Cheryl Philips: As you know, Sony Masterworks is the home for all epic theatrical recordings, and we have the entire Avatar cast album and single track rollout already figured out, including, and hold on to your Mountain Banshee, Pandora Blue Vinyl.

[7:40] Cheryl Philips: That will be the must-have collector's item of the year.

[7:43] Cheryl Philips: Now, come on, call me back. We've got to lock this in and get in the studio pronto so we can launch some tracks before opening night.

[7:49] Cheryl Philips: That's my best advice to you. Call me, Cheryl.

[7:53] Cheryl Philips: With six weeks to go until opening night, it's all about press.

[7:58] Cheryl Philips: Got to let the world know your spectacular show is out there.

[8:01] Cheryl Philips: Press legend Rick Miramontes is all over it.

[8:05] Cheryl Philips: Spectacle is his jam, which makes me think about Emma Olivia's blue sparkly Avatar schmackeries cookie.

[8:13] Cheryl Philips: Now that the design team is creating a yellow and black world, are they going to redo the cookie?

[8:19] Cheryl Philips: Everything has a ripple effect.

[8:21] Cheryl Philips: Bet they haven't thought of this pickle, I mean cookie.

[8:24] Cheryl Philips: Whoops.

[8:25] Cheryl Philips: A blue schmackeries cookie could throw everything into a tizzy.

[8:28] Cheryl Philips: But then again, those blue sparkly cookies could be a collector's item.

[8:33] Cheryl Philips: Hmm?

[8:34] Cheryl Philips: An interesting and rather sweet thought to ponder.

[8:40] Cheryl Philips: So nice of you to join us, Steve.

[8:42] Cheryl Philips: Rick and I have figured everything out.

[8:45] Steve Jones: Don't think so, Cheryl.

[8:48] Cheryl Philips: Okay, press, let's do this.

[8:50] Cheryl Philips: Hey, Steve, sorry I'm not there in person. I'm still downtown.

[8:54] Cheryl Philips: Sorry we have to do this over the phone.

[8:56] Rick Miramontes: What do you got for me, Rick?

[8:57] Rick Miramontes: Right, right.

[9:00] Rick Miramontes: Exciting news, people.

[9:00] Rick Miramontes: Colbert, Corden, Fallon, Kimmel, and Letterman all want Stavros.

[9:07] Steve Jones: Letterman?

[9:08] Rick Miramontes: Yeah, he's willing to come out of retirement if we give him a Stavros exclusive.

[9:13] Steve Jones: An exclusive?

[9:14] Rick Miramontes: We want Stavros everywhere.

[9:16] Steve Jones: Steve, Letterman coming out of retirement just for Stavros?

[9:20] Steve Jones: Are you kidding me?

[9:21] Rick Miramontes: The ultimate mic drop.

[9:23] Steve Jones: Okay, okay, gotcha.

[9:25] Steve Jones: Okay, that makes sense.

[9:26] Rick Miramontes: And I've got Stavros singing a medley at the Oscars, joining the team on The Voice, teaching Oprah our banshee boogie, and TikTok will launch a standalone Stavros channel three weeks before the opening night.

[9:40] Rick Miramontes: And I've got three words for you.

[9:43] Rick Miramontes: Cover time magazine.

[9:45] Steve Jones: Bravo, Rick.

[9:48] Rick Miramontes: And Emma Olivia? She's not a happy camper right now, to say the least.

[9:54] Rick Miramontes: New York One will do an interview, of course.

[9:57] Rick Miramontes: And Wendy Williams and Dr. Phil are considering.

[10:00] Rick Miramontes: And, of course, we have the Broadway press day this week.

[10:03] Steve Jones: That's it?

[10:04] Rick Miramontes: I mean, I'm calling in favors left and right, but I'm not getting much traction.

[10:09] Rick Miramontes: That incident at One Oak has everybody a bit hesitant, unfortunately.

[10:14] Steve Jones: She's a little fragile right now, Rick.

[10:17] Rick Miramontes: This whole out of the blue, pun intended, of course, Stavros thing has her on edge.

[10:24] Steve Jones: That's the ultimate understatement.

[10:25] Steve Jones: Rick, I'm counting on you to manage this.

[10:28] Rick Miramontes: To manage her.

[10:30] Rick Miramontes: Done. All over it, Steve.

[10:32] Rick Miramontes: Not to worry.

[10:33] Steve Jones: I'm going to worry about it until I don't have to, Rick.

[10:36] Steve Jones: So, Rick, make it happen.

[10:39] Steve Jones: Rehearsals start today for Avatar.

[10:44] Steve Jones: And I, for one, can't wait to see what Zoe Taylor does with this cast.

[10:48] Steve Jones: And what Stavros does for his core.

[10:52] Steve Jones: That's one six-pack I would keep all to myself.

[10:56] Steve Jones: Hashtag macho man.

[10:59] Steve Jones: Hashtag reclaiming the village people.

[11:03] Lesli Margherita: First day of school.

[11:10] Zoey Taylor: Okay, everyone. Welcome.

[11:14] Zoey Taylor: Welcome to the official first day of rehearsals for Avatar.

[11:23] Zoey Taylor: Let's all get in a circle.

[11:25] Zoey Taylor: Yes, that's right. Circle up. Circle up.

[11:27] Zoey Taylor: Excellent.

[11:30] Zoey Taylor: Nice work.

[11:32] Zoey Taylor: I hope you all have the chance to enjoy some of the scrumptious food provided by the producers.

[11:37] Zoey Taylor: What a lavish spread. Like, seriously, thank you.

[11:40] Zoey Taylor: And, wow, those pigs in a blanket, am I right?

[11:43] Zoey Taylor: They taste just like the ones at Sardi's.

[11:45] Unknown speaker: What? The rarest of all the whores de ovaries.

[11:49] Zoey Taylor: Piggies in a blanket.

[11:51] Zoey Taylor: Maybe this show is going to work out after all.

[11:54] Zoey Taylor: What's that? Hors d'oeuvres. Hors d'oeuvres.

[11:56] Zoey Taylor: I am so thrilled that today is finally here.

[12:00] Zoey Taylor: I love first day of rehearsals.

[12:05] Zoey Taylor: Avatar the musical, y'all.

[12:07] Zoey Taylor: We are going to light Broadway on fire.

[12:12] Unknown speaker: That's news I heard all day. A fire.

[12:14] Unknown speaker: We can collect the insurance.

[12:16] Zoey Taylor: And what an honor it is to collaborate on a show so epic, so transformative, so urgently important.

[12:27] Zoey Taylor: I mean, can you name another musical that takes on imperialism, racism, militarism, corporate greed, and human aggression against indigenous peoples?

[12:35] Unknown speaker: South Pacific?

[12:38] Zoey Taylor: Oh, I see you, Mr. B.

[12:40] Bobby Carnes: So someone knows his theater history. Uh-huh. But, did Rodgers and Hammerstein also tackle environmental protection and the destruction of the rainforest and mountaintops? I think not. But, that is not all. We are not simply plopping the movie on stage. No, no, no. We are bringing our own jaw-dropping vision to life. Before we take a 15-minute break to get everything set for Press Day, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the tireless work of our producers, Cheryl Phillips and Steve Jones, ladies and gentlemen, and our GM and stage management team. All they have done to get us here today. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I love you all. And, bringing us to life in such a breathtaking way, our genius designers, our lighting designer, Natasha Katz, production designer, David Correns, and costume designer, Paul Tazwell.

That's what I'm talking about. I can't believe you got Paul Tazwell to sign the agreement. He's all yours, Cheryl. Contractually. I'm not even allowed to say hello to him. Why didn't I think of that? And, what would we do without our press team from O&M? Rick Miramontes and company. Yes, indeed. Damien Bazidana and our digital team from Situation. Thank you so much. And, our marketing gurus from Sereno Coin. Our music team is led by the legendary Alex Lacrimore. And, of course, you all know our banshee wrangler, the one and only Bill Berloni. And, our beloved science consultant who keeps us on track no matter how far we may stray, Andrew Barth Feldman. And, last but most certainly not least, we would be nowhere if it was not for our extraordinary creative team.

On book, Thomas Navarro and our composer-lyricist team, the Dream Team. Bobby Carnes and Kay Fields. Yes, Kay, Bobby, where are you? Are you here? Thank you, Zoe. While we wait for our erstwhile songwriters, I'd love to take a moment to say a little something. You know, every first day reminds me of the potential for greatness. As my dear Hal once said to me, Thomas, Thomas, first days...

[15:21] Kay Fields: Feed that guy to a banshee. If only Cheryl and Steve let Kay and Bobby know about the pigs in a blanket. There's no way they'd be late to the first day of rehearsal. Where are they anyway? And, where are Emma, Olivia, and Stavros? What's wrong with these people? Haven't they ever heard of theater etiquette?

[15:45] Stavros: No. Rehearsal hasn't even started yet. Damn it, Stavros, I told you we should have taken the long way. But why do you want to be late to our first day? So everyone knows that the rules don't apply to the stars, obviously. Stop it. Can you imagine if we were starting out the whole process just like everyone else? We'd be trapped. Oh, speaking of, remind me when I can talk to Zoe about getting our schedules in advance so I know when I can stay home. I'm sure someone else can stand in for me while they're working out the choreo.

[16:15] Kay Fields: Oh, there's Kay. Hey, Kay! I got some news for her. Kay, Kay, Kay, Kay, Kay!

[16:20] Emma-Olivia: Emma, Olivia, I'm sorry. Bobby and I are in the middle of something.

[16:24] Stavros: What? Another fight? Oh, you're actually fighting. That new 42? God, that's so tragic. Oh, you're waiting for us to leave so you can keep fighting? That's the general idea. Boring! Come on, Stavvy. Let's go see what the first day spread looks like. Nice to see you, Kay. Bobby? Hey, I'm excited to sing these gorgeous songs you two have written. As if Cheryl or Steve care about what we've contributed. As if anyone does. They brought Thomason, of all people, to take over book writing duties. Well, guess what? Lyrics are also words.

[17:00] Kay Fields: Stop, please. This is ridiculous. I love you and only you. But obviously I don't push any buttons for you anymore. Not even your little buttons or snaps or whatever, if I ever did.

[17:10] Bobby Carnes: That isn't true. You are the ultimate button pusher in my life, Kay. I have no interest whatsoever in Thomas. I think he's a name-dropping hack. Finally, one thing we agree about. Goodbye, Bobby.

[17:25] Kay Fields: I overheard power couple Bobby and Kay fighting at New 42 because I was eavesdropping, and it got ugly. Not as ugly as the line for the ladies' room at intermission of Hamilton, but this was definitely a close second. So sad. But Kay, call me. Hashtag, you know you would. For those of you who don't know, that's not what the first day of rehearsal is supposed to feel like. And there are not supposed to be sardies like pigs in a blanket, either. I'm adding that to my rider. Obviously, that was not Steve's doing. Anywho, Steve and Cheryl's insane timeline has the whole team meeting the press day two. Rather ambitious, I'd say. This should be riveting. Popcorn is definitely in order.

[18:19] Cheryl Phillips: Cheryl, we're still missing Emma Olivia. Otherwise, everyone is here. The press is going to start arriving in ten minutes, so what do you want to do? Steve's about to speak to the company. Let's just stay the course. Do everything you can to find her.

[18:41] Steve Jones: OK, everyone, settle down, settle down. Day two. Let's get started. Thank you all for making it on time. Today is vital to the success of Avatar. Press day. Now, of course, the major outlets will all get separate interviews off site with our stars, Emma Olivia and Stavros. So don't expect to chat with the Times, Vogue, Vanity Fair or Entertainment Weekly. Today is for the outlets that will cover us no matter how badly we treat them or forget to invite them to events. In order to accommodate scheduling, Rick and I have grouped some of you together. Zoe, you and Andrew Barth Feldman will be giving interviews together. Emma Olivia.

[19:29] Stavros: She's stuck in traffic.

[19:31] Steve Jones: Seriously? And yet Stavros made it here on time.

[19:36] Stavros: Oh, I ran here after my workout.

[19:38] Steve Jones: Yes, you did, honey. OK, well, when Emma Olivia graces us with her presence, she's with you, Stavros. And I have K, Bobby and Thomas all together.

[19:49] Kay Fields: Do you think that's wise?

[19:51] Bobby Carnes: Oh, yeah. I mean, really, what we're doing is so separate from what Thomas is doing.

[19:55] Kay Fields: And that's the problem right there, isn't it? The three of you are together. That's final.

[20:01] Bobby Carnes: I'm sorry, but I absolutely...

[20:03] Kay Fields: Refuse to honor your contract. Happy to get our attorneys on the phone, K.

[20:09] Steve Jones: No, Steve. That's a little harsh. K will make it work.

[20:15] Kay Fields: I certainly don't mind being a threesome.

[20:19] Steve Jones: Excuse me. I have to take a call. Don't worry, Cheryl. It's my agent, not my attorney.

[20:25] Deborah Hannaford: Sorry, I just... Steve. Hi, Steve. I'm the casting director. Why am I here on press day?

[20:30] Steve Jones: Your guess is as good as mine, since I basically cast this whole thing myself.

[20:33] Deborah Hannaford: Oh, wow. That's... Well, that's very exciting. Okay. Does anyone have any questions?

[20:50] Steve Jones: Sorry. Wonderful. So glad we're all on the same page. Go get them. Variety's fabulous Gordon Cox wants to interview Avatar's casting director, Deborah Hannaford, for his podcast, Stagecraft.

[21:03] Deborah Hannaford: Well, isn't that lovely? Not something Deborah's used to doing, I'm afraid.

[21:07] Gordon Cox: Careful what you say, Deborah!

[21:10] Deborah Hannaford: Deborah, hi. It's Gordon Cox from Variety's Stagecraft podcast.

[21:14] Deborah Hannaford: Oh, hi. I have to say, I'm just very shocked that anyone wanted to talk to me. I thought when I switched from acting to casting, my interview days would be long gone.

[21:20] Gordon Cox: Oh, you were an actor. I didn't realize.

[21:26] Deborah Hannaford: Oh, a million years ago. But, well, I had this little problem. The worst stage fright you have ever seen. So, well, now I'm a casting director.

[21:35] Gordon Cox: Well, we love casting directors.

[21:37] Deborah Hannaford: That is not a common feeling.

[21:41] Gordon Cox: I can imagine. But surely Stavros at least loves you, right? I mean, you plucked him from obscurity. And word is, he's the next Fate.

[21:49] Deborah Hannaford: Oh, yeah, no. Honestly, I can't really take credit for that, to be perfectly honest.

[21:55] Gordon Cox: Emma Olivia...

[21:56] Deborah Hannaford: Oh, right. She's in the show, too. How did that happen?

[22:00] Gordon Cox: Oh, uh, well, she came with the show.

[22:02] Gordon Cox: Now, I know Emma Olivia was Steve Jones' first and only pick to play Trace...

[22:08] Deborah Hannaford: Okay, she was attached before I ever came on board.

[22:11] Gordon Cox: So, Steve Jones just casts whoever he wants?

[22:16] Deborah Hannaford: Oh, you have no idea.

[22:19] Deborah Hannaford: Um, he, well, at one point he ordered me to cast Denzel Washington.

[22:24] Gordon Cox: Who can't even sing. So...

[22:27] Deborah Hannaford: That must make your job more challenging.

[22:30] Deborah Hannaford: Well, at least stars like Denzel are polite. You know, it's more like the in-between people like Emma Olivia you have to lo-

[22:37] Gordon Cox: Okay, wow, sorry, sorry. Uh, let's just, maybe let's just leave that part out.

[22:42] Deborah Hannaford: Oh, no, that was on the record.

[22:44] Deborah Hannaford: Oh, I love press day!

[22:46] Gordon Cox: Next up, TheaterMania's managing director, David Gordon, attempts to wrangle Avatar's creative team, Kay, Bobby, and Thomas. Good luck with that, David.

[22:57] David Gordon: David, gosh, it's nice to see you. Bobby, Kay, and Thomas, so it's true.

[23:02] Bobby Carnes: What?

[23:03] David Gordon: That the three of you are actually making this work.

[23:05] Kay Fields: Hmm, define work.

[23:07] Bobby Carnes: We definitely are.

[23:09] David Gordon: So how are the book and score looking?

[23:11] Kay Fields: Honestly, once Stavros joined, everything clicked into place.

[23:14] Bobby Carnes: Yeah, he's just one of those singers that demands you to create something special for his voice.

[23:18] Kay Fields: And to be perfectly frank, the kind of actor you dream of performing the words you write.

[23:23] David Gordon: Now, he joined the cast late in the day for a lead, right? I know Emma Olivia was attached from the start.

[23:29] Bobby Carnes: Yes, yes, we've gotten to spend a lot of time with Emma Olivia. It's been eye-opening. A true star.

[23:35] Kay Fields: But you were saying the show didn't click for you guys until Stavros joined, so what was the show like with just Emma Olivia?

[23:42] Bobby Carnes: Oof, good question.

[23:44] Kay Fields: Great question.

[23:45] Bobby Carnes: It was fairly different, I'd say, not bad different, just...

[23:50] Kay Fields: Lacking focus.

[23:51] Bobby Carnes: You know, Stavros and I joined around the same time, so I can't really speak to what Avatar was like with just Emma Olivia. But I do have to say, working with these two is...

[24:03] Kay Fields: the most stimulating experience of my career.

[24:08] David Gordon: Oh, really? What does that mean exactly?

[24:11] Bobby Carnes: Well, I think it's all there on the page. If you read between the lines.

[24:16] Kay Fields: Oh, Thomas, give yourself more credit than that. You don't leave anything between the lines.

[24:21] Bobby Carnes: Okay.

[24:22] Kay Fields: No, no, no, no, it's true, David. I admit it. I like big, brash spectacle and characters who say what they mean. Maybe it's just a reaction to this industry, where people cloak what they're really thinking in air kisses and cocktail party invites.

[24:37] David Gordon: Nothing wrong with a good cocktail party.

[24:40] Bobby Carnes: Not at all. But if I invite you to a cocktail party, we'll have cocktails. Too many people in the theater invite you to a cocktail party, and what they really mean is pistols drawn at dawn.

[24:51] Kay Fields: Huh, that was almost subtle.

[24:53] Bobby Carnes: And your book was almost good.

[24:54] Kay Fields: Whoa, whoa, okay, okay, oh, wow, wow, you too. Sorry, do you need a minute?

[25:01] David Gordon: No, minute, no. No, David, do you think they're being serious? This is us, this is just us, ribbing, razzing, teasing.

[25:07] Kay Fields: Tormenting.

[25:08] Bobby Carnes: Persecuting.

[25:09] David Gordon: I think I have enough. Thank you.

[25:14] Steve Jones: And now, renowned drama critic Peter Marks is going to interview Avatar stars Emma Olivia and Stavros.

[25:20] Unknown speaker: But where is our cookie-loving diva?

[25:22] Unknown speaker: Oh, Emmy, where are you?

[25:26] Stavros: Stavros, it's truly a pleasure to chat with you.

[25:30] Unknown speaker: Is Emma Olivia on her way?

[25:32] Stavros: Hopefully she'll be here shortly.

[25:34] Unknown speaker: I know she'd hate to miss the chance to do a feature with you.

[25:37] Stavros: Oh, that's so kind.

[25:39] Unknown speaker: But I'm quite thrilled to chat with you solo, Stavros.

[25:43] Stavros: I have to say, I'm such a fan.

[25:45] Unknown speaker: Oh, really?

[25:45] Stavros: Of course.

[25:46] Unknown speaker: I've been dreaming of this for a long, long time.

[25:48] Stavros: Wow.

[25:49] Unknown speaker: I'm flattered.

[25:50] Stavros: Really?

[25:51] Unknown speaker: Of course, you and Emma Olivia are friends.

[25:54] Stavros: Friends, well, I have had the opportunity to interview Emma Olivia on several occasions.

[25:58] Stavros: Memorable experiences for sure.

[26:04] Unknown speaker: Stavros, I truly am interested in talking with you.

[26:09] Unknown speaker: To go from personal trainer to Broadway superstar without any theatrical experience whatsoever? Incredible.

[26:15] Stavros: How is all this attention affecting your relationship with Emma Olivia?

[26:20] Stavros: So the chance to spend all our time together as partners and as co-stars? I feel as if every nerve ending is standing on end.

[26:28] Unknown speaker: So none of that famous Emma Olivia temper?

[26:32] Stavros: Oh, no, she's got a temper. Every day is some new small defeat for her, and she takes it out on whomever is nearest. Since I live with her, it's usually me. But I'm secure enough in myself to know that she doesn't mean it. She's an artist.

[26:45] Unknown speaker: That's just par for the course. But you're an artist too, Stavros.

[26:49] Unknown speaker: I was at the backers audition. You're an incredible new talent. What a performance.

[26:56] Stavros: Thank you. But Emma Olivia is a different kind of artist. She survives on sheer instinct, but I've been training for years. Healthy body, healthy mind.

[27:04] Unknown speaker: But no vocal training whatsoever? I find that very hard to believe.

[27:10] Stavros: I know what I heard. Playbill.com isn't going to miss out on this special Avatar Press Day event, you can be sure. Social media director, Felicia Fitzpatrick, gets to chat with very cozy collaborators, director, choreographer, Zoe Taylor, and science consultant, Andrew Barth Feldman.

[27:29] Unknown speaker: I'm almost embarrassed to listen in.

[27:31] Felicia Fitzpatrick: So Andrew, science consultant, this is incredible. Last time we chatted, you were starring in Dear Evan Hansen. So how'd you get involved with Avatar?

[27:40] Andrew Barth Feldman: You know, I'm not even sure the Broadway disher tweeted about it. And then all of a sudden I'm working with Bobby and Kay and then Thomas and Zoe.

[27:48] Felicia Fitzpatrick: He's so humble, truly. Now, Andrew scored a master's degree from Yale in earth and planetary sciences while starring in Dear Evan Hansen. So he was the obvious choice for Avatar science consultant, naturally.

[28:07] Andrew Barth Feldman: I had some downtime between shows. And thank goodness for Andrew Barth Feldman because, I mean, he keeps us all honest.

[28:17] Felicia Fitzpatrick: I just think if you're going to adapt a movie, you need to pay homage to it.

[28:20] Andrew Barth Feldman: It's so exciting to imagine this film on stage.

[28:23] Felicia Fitzpatrick: Oh no, it's really so much more than that. Calling it an adaptation really minimizes what Zoe here has accomplished.

[28:31] Andrew Barth Feldman: You stop that, Andrew Barth Feldman.

[28:33] Felicia Fitzpatrick: No, truly, what Zoe has done is created an entirely new story and ethos for the biggest blockbuster of all time and to be in on the ground floor of her extraordinary vision is a once in a lifetime experience.

[28:44] Andrew Barth Feldman: Meanwhile, here I am every day, pinching myself that I'm working this closely with this dazzling young artist.

[28:52] Felicia Fitzpatrick: I was blown away by Andrew at the Jimmy Awards in a project that's full of surprises, mind you. I have to say, becoming closer with Andrew Barth Feldman has been at the top of the list of pleasant ones.

[29:08] Unknown speaker: Y'all are so cute together. When did you start dating?

[29:11] Andrew Barth Feldman: Oh, no, we're not.

[29:13] Felicia Fitzpatrick: No, no, no, we're not dating. That's ridiculous.

[29:16] Unknown speaker: Oops.

[29:17] Felicia Fitzpatrick: Okay, nevermind. So Zoe, you were talking about surprises. What has been something you struggled with on this project?

[29:24] Zoe Taylor: It's a huge undertaking. That it is, but honestly, I felt so supported by the entire creative team and certainly our producers, Steve and Cheryl. I will say, it's been an interesting experience, however, making the backstage stuff mesh with the production.

[29:42] Unknown speaker: What do you mean?

[29:43] Zoe Taylor: You know, just the little things you don't think about, but well, for example, Emma Olivia has it in her contract that she has a trampoline backstage for cardio and to help her get pumped up before the scenes. So you have to take that into consideration in terms of wing space and blocking.

[30:01] Zoe Taylor: If there's a trampoline taking up space during act one, scene one, then you have to keep that in mind when you're blocking the actors to get off stage during the scene change.

[30:11] Zoe Taylor: And what's so crazy is Emma Olivia has this whole trampoline but Stavros just takes his shirt off and does some pushups and he's good to go.

[30:17] Felicia Fitzpatrick: I have to say, in addition to Andrew Barth Feldman here, Stavros has been a true joy in getting to know him and his talent.

[30:25] Stavros: Oh gosh, there are just no words.

[30:30] Felicia Fitzpatrick: Well, speaking for myself, I cannot wait to see Avatar.

[30:33] Unknown speaker: Avatar.

[30:34] Felicia Fitzpatrick: Sorry?

[30:35] Unknown speaker: Av-a-tar.

[30:38] Felicia Fitzpatrick: Two Bs.

[30:39] Unknown speaker: Avatar.

[30:40] Felicia Fitzpatrick: Av-a-tar.

[30:41] Unknown speaker: Av-a-va-tar.

[30:43] Felicia Fitzpatrick: Av-a-tar.

[30:44] Unknown speaker: Okay, well, thanks again. We will have this up on playable.com by the end of the week.

[30:51] Felicia Fitzpatrick: Pretty crazy that you thought we were together, right?

[30:53] Unknown speaker: Oh, I don't know. Is it?

[30:57] Unknown speaker: Hot, hot, hot, hot. Can you smell the sizzling chemistry between those two? No need for a fog machine on this show.

[31:07] Unknown speaker: Will Zoe and Andrew Barth Feldman start dating? Will Bobby, Thomas, and Kay ever find a way to be agreeable for more than a minute? Will Steve and Cheryl—

[31:18] Unknown speaker: Ahem. Will Steve and Che—

[31:21] Unknown speaker: Hey, excuse me. Pardon me for one second, folks. We talked about this.

[31:27] Unknown speaker: Uh, I don't care. You can't just show up at the end of the episode and interrupt my closing narration.

[31:33] Unknown speaker: Oh, oh, oh my God, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize I can't do that.

[31:37] Unknown speaker: Yeah, well, it's fine. I just—

[31:40] Unknown speaker: Except I'm fully doing that. So anyway, I need you to fill me in. I missed the whole press day.

[31:44] Unknown speaker: I can't just recap the whole thing for you. That's not how this works.

[31:48] Unknown speaker: Just listen to the episode when it comes out.

[31:49] Unknown speaker: Ew, gross. Like I don't have better things to do. Just tell me what I missed. Do that thing where you tease what's coming up.

[31:56] Unknown speaker: What? Are you serious? Oh my God, just do it already.

[32:02] Unknown speaker: If you were an avatar, I would have you fired so fast.

[32:05] Unknown speaker: Okay, okay, okay, okay. Hey, hey, hey, okay. All right. Let me just, let me get back into it, okay? Get my voice back. Give me one second. Ahem, ahem, ahem, ahem.

[32:13] Unknown speaker: There it is. Will Steve and Cheryl ride Stavros to box office success? And will Emma Olivia be okay with the tone of the coverage after she misses the whole press day?

[32:25] Unknown speaker: Wait, what? Do you really want me to go there? Spill it, now.

[32:31] Unknown speaker: Backstage, a Stavros is born inside the sexy newcomer's casting.

[32:37] Unknown speaker: Theater mania. After staying earthbound with Emma Olivia, Avatar soars with new star Stavros.

[32:46] Unknown speaker: Broadway.com, the diva is paying. How Broadway newcomer Stavros rises above bad behavior.

[32:54] Unknown speaker: Playbill.com, E-O-K-O-ed by co-star Stavros.

[32:59] Unknown speaker: Whatever. Well, how about my fans on Twitter? What are they saying?

[33:04] Unknown speaker: You really want to hear?

[33:07] Unknown speaker: Just play it. I actually got invited to cover the press day for once. Thanks, Rick. And sounds like Emma Olivia's role is more of a walk-on. At least, that's the impression I got since she never showed up.

[33:25] Unknown speaker: Oh, I mean, as if I care what the theater outlets say. I mean, what about the, you know, the Vanity Fair profile that Stavros and I did together?

[33:38] Unknown speaker: Hmm. You mean the one that starts Stavros 36 and Emma Olivia 40?

[33:45] Unknown speaker: Ah! Well, that was a mistake. It specifically states in my contract, bookend the episode with clever narration, provide commentary as you like. You are not required to interact with the actors. I wouldn't have said yes to this gig if I knew I was going to be accosted like this. I'm going to call my agent, Maxwell Furnsby.

[34:06] Unknown speaker: Ha ha ha, I'm just kidding. Got you there. Join us next week for more dramatic fireworks as we get closer and closer to the opening night of Avatar the Musical.

[34:17] Unknown speaker: Thank you from the bottom of our cold hearts for listening to As the Curtain Rises. A gargantuan thanks to our brilliant cast.

[34:27] Unknown speaker: James Monroe Iglehart as producer Steve Jones.

[34:31] Unknown speaker: Lillias White as producer Cheryl Phillips.

[34:35] Unknown speaker: Ashley Park as book writer lyricist Kay Fields.

[34:39] Unknown speaker: Michael Urie as composer Bobby Kearns.

[34:42] Unknown speaker: Sarah Stiles as diva Emma Olivia.

[34:46] Unknown speaker: Ariana DeBose as director choreographer Zoe Taylor.

[34:51] Unknown speaker: Andrew Barth Feldman as science consultant Andrew Barth Feldman.

[34:55] Unknown speaker: Ramin Karimloo as the dreamy Stavros.

[35:01] Unknown speaker: Bonnie Milligan as casting director Debra Hannaford.

[35:05] Unknown speaker: Lesli Margherita as the Broadway disher.

[35:08] Unknown speaker: Mauricio Martinez as Thomas.

[35:11] Unknown speaker: Drama critic Peter Marks as drama critic Peter Marks.

[35:17] Unknown speaker: Playbill's director of social media and creative strategy Felicia Fitzpatrick as Playbill's Felicia Fitzpatrick.

[35:23] Unknown speaker: Genius Broadway and Lights of Broadway trading card artist Justin Squiggs Robinson as Broadway illustrator Squiggs.

[35:32] Unknown speaker: Variety's StageCraft podcast host Gordon Cox as, well, Variety's StageCraft podcast host Gordon Cox.

[35:40] Unknown speaker: President of DKC-ONM Rick Miramontes as Avatar's press rep Rick Miramontes.

[35:48] Unknown speaker: Theater Mania's managing editor David Gordon as, Theater Mania's managing editor David Gordon.

[35:55] Unknown speaker: Sony Masterwork senior VP Scott Farthing as Avatar record producer Scott Farthing.

[36:01] Unknown speaker: Our gaggle of press and Avatar cast members Alan Seales, Brittany Bigelow, Lauren LaBoeuf, Marty McGuire, and Jake Smith.

[36:10] Unknown speaker: And me, the incredible two-time Tony Award loser, Alex Brightman as the narrator.

[36:25] Unknown speaker: Written by Dory Berenstain and Mark Pikert.

[36:28] Unknown speaker: Directed by Dory Berenstain.

[36:31] Unknown speaker: Music, sound editing, and design by Bart Fassbender.

[36:35] Unknown speaker: Avatar music by Matthew Sklar.

[36:39] Unknown speaker: Sound engineering by Alan Seales.

[36:42] Unknown speaker: Banshee wrangling by the wonderful Bill Perloni.

[36:46] Unknown speaker: Produced by Dory Berenstain, Alan Seales, and the Broadway Podcast Network.

[36:52] Unknown speaker: Associate producers Brittany Bigelow and Marty McGuire.

[36:56] Unknown speaker: Associate directed and sound edited by Marty McGuire.

[37:01] Unknown speaker: Executive produced by Liz Armstrong.

[37:04] Unknown speaker: And absolutely everything else by our extraordinary BPN team. Brittany Bigelow, Joanna Nikolova, Katie Rosen, Cindy Schatz, and Beatriz Westby.

[37:16] Unknown speaker: As the Curtain Rises was created and recorded entirely in quarantine. This Broadway soap opera celebrates and supports the Actors Fund and the BPN Frontline Worker Initiative, which you can find at bpn.fm slash frontlineworkers.

[37:31] Unknown speaker: That's bpn.fm slash frontlineworkers. And finally, a very special thanks to our producing partner, Liz Armstrong, for your extraordinary support and inspiration.

[37:43] Unknown speaker: Buh-bye!

[37:54] Unknown speaker: As the Curtain Rises, through the Sound and Light Initiative is a sponsored project of the Gotham's Fiscal Sponsorship Program.