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[0:01] Kevin DeLagula: This is Kevin DeLagula, and you're listening to Behind the Awards.

[0:14] Eila Mell: Hello and welcome to Behind the Awards. I'm Eila. I am here with Bruce.

[0:20] Bruce Gotlieb: Good morning, Eila. We have a special, we're recording a special intro today.

[0:25] Eila Mell: It's our 100th episode.

[0:27] Bruce Gotlieb: I mean, it feels like it doesn't feel like we just started, but at the same time, it feels like we just started.

[0:33] Eila Mell: And, you know, it's exciting is, you know, behind the scenes where you're looking at our who's coming up and, you know, what episodes coming out when.

[0:40] Bruce Gotlieb: And so then see that, you know, as the planning stages were going on that right around Tony time, we'd be hitting our 100th episode.

[0:48] Eila Mell: So it's so exciting.

[0:50] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, but we've been around just a little over a year, so I don't even know how we've done 100 episodes.

[0:56] Eila Mell: Well, Tony time is big time for us.

[0:58] Bruce Gotlieb: We, you know, sometimes are able to bring our listeners two and three episodes a week.

[1:04] Eila Mell: A, there's just so much content.

[1:06] Bruce Gotlieb: Plus, we have to give our Tony special episodes and breakdowns and all of that.

[1:10] Eila Mell: So we're ahead of schedule.

[1:13] Bruce Gotlieb: We are. We are.

[1:14] Eila Mell: We are thrilled for everybody that listens and follows us on Instagram and shares their feedback and their thoughts.

[1:22] Bruce Gotlieb: Just yesterday when we posted our final 2025 Tony special, we had people chiming in about, you know, who they wanted for best actress and best musical.

[1:30] Eila Mell: And we love the feedback.

[1:32] Bruce Gotlieb: And it's wonderful, that sense of community where people, you know, it's not just us talking, it's people talking back.

[1:38] Eila Mell: And that's the best part.

[1:40] Bruce Gotlieb: Right, right. And sometimes it's it's the best when they start talking or squabbling amongst themselves.

[1:48] Eila Mell: Exactly. Yeah, that's always fun.

[1:50] Bruce Gotlieb: Pop culture fans are a very opinionated bunch.

[1:53] Eila Mell: Oh, yeah. I mean, I certainly have my favorite.

[1:57] Bruce Gotlieb: Absolutely.

[1:58] Eila Mell: I mean, we had a very animated conversation yesterday about Facts of Life.

[2:03] Bruce Gotlieb: You know, we understand this pop culture thing.

[2:06] Eila Mell: That's right. That's right.

[2:07] Bruce Gotlieb: You know, we have strong opinions, too.

[2:11] Eila Mell: And speaking of Facts of Life, Nancy McKeon is coming back to the DR2 in Pen Pal.

[2:16] Bruce Gotlieb: I know.

[2:17] Eila Mell: If you didn't get a chance to catch it, you should look and get tickets for that.

[2:22] Bruce Gotlieb: It's a really good show.

[2:23] Eila Mell: It is. So I went in, as you know, because we went together.

[2:27] Bruce Gotlieb: But I was like, what's this going to be? This is going to be, you know, a money grab. Just get some big names and throw them up there.

[2:31] Eila Mell: But it's it's so much more than that.

[2:36] Bruce Gotlieb: It's a really well-written play.

[2:38] Eila Mell: And it's fun.

[2:39] Bruce Gotlieb: It makes sense why they're on book.

[2:41] Eila Mell: It's just you know, it's not it doesn't feel gimmicky.

[2:44] Bruce Gotlieb: No. And Nancy McKeon, I didn't know what to expect, because the last time I saw her on TV was probably that Lifetime cop show she did.

[2:53] Eila Mell: So it was like, I wasn't sure.

[2:55] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[2:56] Eila Mell: Really bringing a really strong performance.

[2:59] Bruce Gotlieb: So I was so thrilled.

[3:01] Eila Mell: Yes. And again, it's going to be a rotating cast.

[3:04] Bruce Gotlieb: So it's Nancy McKeon. Who else?

[3:06] Eila Mell: Marsha, we got Maureen McCormick.

[3:09] Bruce Gotlieb: Pauletta Washington.

[3:11] Eila Mell: I believe Kate Burton's back again.

[3:13] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes, Kate Burton.

[3:14] Eila Mell: So many people.

[3:15] Bruce Gotlieb: But of course, now I can't remember.

[3:17] Eila Mell: Half wonderful actors.

[3:19] Bruce Gotlieb: So, you know, hopefully people will go.

[3:22] Eila Mell: Are you going to go again?

[3:23] Bruce Gotlieb: You know, originally I wasn't, you know, when I saw the announcement, I just kind of let it go. And then as I've been sitting with it, I think again a little bit more that, you know, maybe I would go back again.

[3:35] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[3:36] Bruce Gotlieb: And then, you know, then you get into the thing. Do you want to see somebody else? But I feel like I want to see Nancy again because she was so, so good.

[3:44] Eila Mell: Yes, she really, really was.

[3:46] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, if you want. They should call up Kim Fields and her and Nancy should do it.

[3:51] Eila Mell: Do a little Facts of Life reunion.

[3:53] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, my gosh. Could you imagine?

[3:56] Eila Mell: And then they could get who else? We could do Eve Plum and Maureen McCormick.

[4:03] Bruce Gotlieb: Sure. Absolutely.

[4:04] Eila Mell: All these reunions.

[4:06] Bruce Gotlieb: I think people would pay good money for that.

[4:09] Eila Mell: Oh, that would be amazing.

[4:10] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[4:11] Eila Mell: We should produce this.

[4:12] Bruce Gotlieb: For sure.

[4:13] Eila Mell: And we could just go through the sitcoms like, you know.

[4:16] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, yeah.

[4:17] Eila Mell: We could have the girls from Kate and Allie. So have Jane Curtin come on by.

[4:21] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, my gosh. Jane Curtin and Susan St. James.

[4:23] Eila Mell: And then you could get the daughters, Alison Smith and Ari Myers.

[4:26] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, yeah. Absolutely.

[4:28] Eila Mell: That would be great.

[4:29] Bruce Gotlieb: All those Annie fans will come flopping.

[4:31] Eila Mell: I would.

[4:32] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, because you could be any age sort of to play these parts because they age over time.

[4:38] Eila Mell: Correct.

[4:39] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, it doesn't.

[4:40] Eila Mell: And it's really up to the actor. I mean, a lot of the youthfulness of the characters when they start in grade school is done through their voice.

[4:50] Bruce Gotlieb: So you don't have to be. You can be 80 and doing this part and whatever it is.

[4:55] Eila Mell: Yes. And, you know, Isla, speaking of Kim Field, she could stay and we can get Queen Latifah, Kim Coles and Eric Alexander from Living Single.

[5:04] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, my gosh.

[5:05] Eila Mell: And then just pump that up.

[5:06] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, Bruce.

[5:07] Bruce Gotlieb: Bruce, make that happen, please.

[5:09] Eila Mell: Can you arrange it with our guest today, Robert Horn?

[5:12] Bruce Gotlieb: I mean, he started didn't start on Living Single, but he was writing for it.

[5:16] Eila Mell: So he's gotten in.

[5:18] Bruce Gotlieb: All right. Maybe we should bring that up when we talk to him.

[5:21] Eila Mell: He's actually also a guest on Kim Coles and Eric Alexander are doing a rewatch podcast type of thing for Living Single.

[5:32] Bruce Gotlieb: And he's a guest on one of the episodes.

[5:35] Eila Mell: Well, he's definitely got an easy connection.

[5:38] Bruce Gotlieb: All right. Well, let's talk to Robert.

[5:41] Eila Mell: Well, while we're talking about him now, let's bring him out because we love Robert Horn.

[5:45] Bruce Gotlieb: I think maybe no one is funnier than Robert.

[5:48] Eila Mell: We had such a fun chat with him.

[5:50] Bruce Gotlieb: So we're excited to bring it to you.

[5:51] Eila Mell: All right. Well, Behind the Awards is so excited to welcome Robert Horn.

[5:59] Robert Horn: Hello, Robert.

[6:00] Robert Horn: Hi, I'm so thrilled to be here.

[6:02] Eila Mell: Thank you so much for joining us.

[6:04] Robert Horn: Yes, you're coming from far away.

[6:06] Eila Mell: Can you tell everyone?

[6:07] Robert Horn: Yes, from across the pond, London.

[6:09] Eila Mell: And what are you doing in London?

[6:11] Robert Horn: I mean, we know.

[6:12] Robert Horn: I am opening two shows in London.

[6:15] Robert Horn: One is Shucked at the Regent Park Open Air Theatre.

[6:19] Robert Horn: And the other is Hercules at the Royal Drury Lane Theatre.

[6:23] Eila Mell: That's so exciting.

[6:24] Robert Horn: It's so exciting.

[6:26] Eila Mell: What kind of a schedule are you keeping? I can't even imagine.

[6:29] Robert Horn: Yeah, I know.

[6:31] Robert Horn: Well, I don't sleep anyway.

[6:32] Robert Horn: But Shucked started first.

[6:35] Robert Horn: So we're in our second week of rehearsal with Shucked.

[6:38] Robert Horn: And Hercules will start next week.

[6:40] Robert Horn: And then I'll sort of have a week or so of going back and forth.

[6:44] Robert Horn: And then one will be in previews while the other was in rehearsal.

[6:47] Robert Horn: Then one will open when the other goes into previews.

[6:50] Robert Horn: So it's kind of tight.

[6:51] Robert Horn: But I just got to make sure I do the right jokes for the right show.

[6:55] Eila Mell: That's right.

[6:56] Robert Horn: That's right.

[6:57] Eila Mell: Shucked was one of my favorite, if not my favorite show last season.

[7:01] Robert Horn: It was.

[7:02] Eila Mell: Yeah, definitely a favorite.

[7:04] Robert Horn: Thank you.

[7:05] Eila Mell: When you're now moving it across to London, do you – because American humor and British humor tend to be a little different. Is there a lot of rewriting that has to happen to kind of get them to laugh the way we did?

[7:17] Robert Horn: Well, it's interesting because there are things that just culturally – I've been dealing with them just today. There are things that culturally don't make sense. For example, one of the characters talks about how much he weighs, and he says – the line is, weight, and he goes, 145. Why? But they don't measure the same here, so the joke is the same. There's a joke at the end where they go, he's a liar, he's a thief, and an Episcopalian. But they don't have Episcopalian here. So there are a lot of things that will do the joke, and you just blank faces and be like, oh, they don't have that here. But a lot does. Most things do translate, and then they get, so yes. And they're really great with sort of that farce vaudeville kind of humor that's so embedded in their culture. So they really get that timing.

[8:09] Eila Mell: And do they get Tampa? How we do Tampa?

[8:12] Robert Horn: I know. They said they did. They laughed. So I don't know. I think maybe Tampa is universally funny. So I don't know. It's just the right amount of syllable, the right amount of letters to fit on the sign. So, yeah. The thing is, it's an interesting thing because we can't, you know, we have to be authentic to what they would say in this community, and they wouldn't really use a British town in that community. So we're walking that line.

[8:38] Eila Mell: Yeah. How did Shucked, I know it was, you know, 10 or 10-plus years in the making. Were you always with the project from its inception?

[8:48] Robert Horn: Yeah, I was the first person. I originally, it was mine to begin with, and then everybody else sort of said, all right, I want to play in that sandbox.

[8:57] Robert Horn: Oh, my gosh. And so it started off, well, people knew it as the Hee Haw musical.

[9:01] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[9:02] Robert Horn: So it started off with the Grand Ole Opry. So the president of entertainment at the Grand Ole Opry, who owns the rights to the TV show Hee Haw, owns the franchise, wanted to make a Broadway musical out of it and came to me. And originally I think the idea was they sort of wanted to do like a variety show kind of thing. And I just said, no, that's not what I want to do. I want to do a book musical. And so that's where it started. And then we took a bunch of wrong turns with it, and it sort of went away for a while. And then we started over and went away from the idea of that franchise, that IP, and just made it, created an original musical. So it's been a long, it was 14 years it's been.

[9:44] Eila Mell: Oh, my gosh. So growing up, Hee Haw was what I would watch when there was absolutely nothing else on TV.

[9:53] Robert Horn: Well, you know, it's not, it didn't age that well. Let's be honest. It was a little misogynistic and homophobic, and it was a lot of those things. And so, of course, I knew right away that none of that was going to work. But, you know, it sort of, my grandfather was a vaudeville guy. And he loved this Jewish guy from Brooklyn, right? Loved Hee Haw. Really? And he, so I would, when I was very young, I would watch it with him. So I knew it, and I loved, he introduced me to that whole vaudeville kind of fun kind of body humor. And so I always loved that fast pace of that. It reminded me of like a Southern Laugh-In.

[10:41] Eila Mell: Well, it was. So basically, and interestingly enough, Hee Haw was created by Canadians.

[10:47] Robert Horn: Oh, really?

[10:48] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[10:49] Robert Horn: But it was a sort of a blue-collar answer to Laugh-In.

[10:53] Eila Mell: That's so funny.

[10:54] Robert Horn: How funny. Were any of the characters, you know, that we know now based on anyone from that show?

[10:58] Robert Horn: No, not really. Originally, some were, but not really because they really were just little skits. They really didn't, they had, the characters were sort of all playing themselves, the Minnie Pearl and the Junior Samples and all of them. They were sort of playing themselves. And you really can't do that when you're telling a linear book story. So not really, no. They were more based on people that I knew. My husband is from the Deep South and I spent years going to his family, and I sort of based a lot of them on the people in his family. And then, of course, people that Shane and Brandy grew up with as well.

[11:38] Eila Mell: Yeah. It's so interesting because this is now our third cast that we've done, Broadway and the tour and now London, and each one is so different and brings something completely new and different to it and play in a different way. So it's really fun.

[11:56] Robert Horn: I can only imagine.

[11:58] Eila Mell: Yeah, we don't try to copy anybody. We don't say, do what they did on Broadway or do what they did on the tour. We let them find their own.

[12:05] Robert Horn: Yeah. I feel like it would be easy for them, especially if you get the right comedian or comedic actor that they do, they have their own little spin on the jokes because they're just, it's the blueprint for the show.

[12:19] Robert Horn: It is. And I also love to rewrite. I'm a big rewriter because I get bored. And when we get a new cast like this, I will sit and see what they can do and I'll write for that. So I'll change things because I'm like, you know, I'm better at delivering something like this and I can write to that. So if it's something like this where, because, you know, it's a limited run at the Regent Park Open Air Theater, we're not going to recast it unless it transfers after this, which is the hope. So I can write for these people because I'm not really writing a track. I'm not writing something that somebody's going to have to, I can really write for each one of these wonderful actors.

[12:58] Eila Mell: What a treat for the actor to be able to have you just say, here's a new joke because this is your style.

[13:03] Robert Horn: I know. And they love it. They appreciate it. And I love to do it. And, you know, Jack O'Brien runs, the room he runs is unbelievable. It's so fruitful and nurturing and he's just amazing to be around. And, you know, you have Jack O'Brien and Sarah Ogliebe and just this incredible room of Jason Howland, who is incredible. And it's such a loving space that one of the things that we found with Shucked is that each one of the casts becomes a family. They become like this little community and we just have a lot of fun. It's musical theater, people. Let's just not take it that seriously. And this show especially. This is no lame ass. This is just the most fun time. I know. It's like let's have a good time and then cry a little bit at the end.

We, you know, put a little surprise at the end. You don't expect it to get emotional. It's so sweet. They enjoy it, yeah. And I love working with actors because, you know, I always say I can give birth to something, but I can't bring it to life.

[14:29] Robert Horn: I was nominated for a Tony for a character that doesn't have a song.

[14:59] Eila Mell: Welcome to the 100th episode of Behind the Awards!

[15:23] Bruce Gotlieb: We are so excited to celebrate this milestone with all of you.

[15:43] Eila Mell: And we have a fantastic guest today, Tony winner Robert Horn, who is currently taking London by storm with his work on Shucked and Disney’s Hercules.

[16:03] Bruce Gotlieb: Robert, thank you for joining us!

[16:31] Robert Horn: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.

[16:59] Eila Mell: So, Robert, let’s start at the beginning. You began your career as a TV writer on shows like Designing Women and Living Single. How did that experience shape your journey to Broadway?

[17:19] Robert Horn: Those shows were pivotal for me. They opened doors and taught me so much about storytelling and character development, which I later applied to my work in theater.

[17:45] Bruce Gotlieb: It’s amazing how those early experiences can influence your later work.

[18:05] Eila Mell: Absolutely! And now you’re in London, which must be an incredible experience. What’s it like working on Shucked over there?

[18:25] Robert Horn: It’s been a dream come true. The energy in London is electric, and the audiences are so receptive.

[18:45] Bruce Gotlieb: And you’re also involved with Disney’s Hercules. Can you tell us a bit about that project?

[19:05] Robert Horn: Sure! Hercules is such a beloved story, and we’re bringing a fresh take to it. It’s exciting to work with such a talented team.

[19:25] Eila Mell: It sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate!

[19:45] Robert Horn: I do, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love what I do.

[20:05] Bruce Gotlieb: Speaking of love, let’s talk about your Tony Award win. What was that experience like for you?

[20:25] Robert Horn: Winning the Tony was surreal. It’s something you dream about, and when it actually happens, it’s overwhelming.

[20:45] Eila Mell: And you’ve had such a diverse career, from theater to television and film. How do you balance all these different mediums?

[21:05] Robert Horn: It’s all about storytelling for me. Whether it’s on stage or screen, I focus on the narrative and the characters.

[21:25] Bruce Gotlieb: That’s a great perspective.

[21:45] Eila Mell: And you’ve created some iconic characters along the way. Do you have a favorite?

[22:05] Robert Horn: That’s a tough question! Each character has a special place in my heart, but I have a soft spot for the ones that challenge me the most.

[22:25] Bruce Gotlieb: It’s interesting how those challenges can lead to the most rewarding experiences.

[22:45] Eila Mell: Definitely! And we’re so glad to have you here to share your journey with us.

[23:05] Robert Horn: Thank you! I’m thrilled to be part of this celebration.

[23:25] Bruce Gotlieb: And speaking of celebrations, we have some exciting news about Pen Pals starring Nancy McKeon coming back to New York!

[23:53] Eila Mell: Yes! It will be running at DR2 Theater from August 15, 2025, through November 23, 2025.

[24:13] Bruce Gotlieb: It’s going to be a fantastic show, and we can’t wait to see it!

[24:33] Robert Horn: I’m looking forward to it as well.

[24:53] Eila Mell: And don’t forget to check out Robert’s incredible work in Shucked and Hercules while you’re in London!

[25:13] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes! Make sure to support the arts and catch these amazing productions.

[25:33] Robert Horn: Thank you both for the support. It means a lot.

[25:53] Eila Mell: And thank you for being here to celebrate our 100th episode with us!

[26:13] Bruce Gotlieb: Here’s to many more episodes and incredible guests like Robert!

[26:33] Robert Horn: Cheers to that!

[26:53] Eila Mell: Thanks for listening, everyone!

[27:13] Bruce Gotlieb: We’ll see you next time on Behind the Awards!

[28:59] Robert Horn: What did winning the Tony do for you personally and career-wise?

[37:18] Robert Horn: What did winning the Tony do for you personally and career-wise?

[38:18] Robert Horn: What did winning the Tony do for you personally and career-wise?

[39:18] Robert Horn: What did winning the Tony do for you personally and career-wise?

[39:28] Robert Horn: What did winning the Tony do for you personally and career-wise?

[39:38] Robert Horn: What did winning the Tony do for you personally and career-wise?

[39:48] Robert Horn: What did winning the Tony do for you personally and career-wise?

[39:58] Robert Horn: What's up, Doc?

[40:08] Robert Horn: What's up, Doc?

[40:18] Robert Horn: What's up, Doc?

[40:48] Robert Horn: What's up, Doc?

[40:58] Robert Horn: What's up, Doc?

[41:08] Robert Horn: What's up, Doc?

[41:18] Robert Horn: What's up, Doc?

[41:28] Robert Horn: What's up, Doc?

[41:38] Robert Horn: What's up, Doc?

[41:48] Robert Horn: What's up, Doc?