This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:01] Eila Mell: Thank you so much. I have so many people I want to thank.

[0:05] Bruce Gotlieb: I made a list so I wouldn't forget anyone.

[0:08] Eila Mell: My parents have been so supportive of my career.

[0:12] Bruce Gotlieb: What? What are you doing?

[0:14] Eila Mell: I'm reading my thank you speech.

[0:16] Bruce Gotlieb: But you didn't win anything.

[0:18] Eila Mell: You're here to present Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

[0:21] Bruce Gotlieb: I'm sorry, Sean. I didn't hear anything you said after I didn't win anything.

[0:25] Eila Mell: But you didn't win an award.

[0:29] Bruce Gotlieb: That's unusual for me.

[0:38] Eila Mell: In this particular case, you weren't even nominated.

[0:54] Bruce Gotlieb: Do I still get to go to the party?

[0:56] Eila Mell: Oh, okay, good. We're good.

[1:09] Eila Mell: Hello and welcome to Behind the Awards.

[1:11] Bruce Gotlieb: I'm Eila. As always, I am here with Bruce.

[1:15] Eila Mell: What is the afternoon at this point?

[1:17] Bruce Gotlieb: It is it is.

[1:21] Eila Mell: So we were just listening to Kristen Chenoweth and 2010 Tony host.

[1:28] Bruce Gotlieb: This was during the 2010 show.

[1:30] Eila Mell: Having a little fun at presenting Best Featured Actress in a Musical.

[1:35] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[1:36] Eila Mell: The two of them so good together, aren't they?

[1:38] Bruce Gotlieb: I know. Yes.

[1:40] Eila Mell: But speaking of Tony hosts, in the news this week, we had announced former Tony host Ariana DeBose is going to be part of Classic Stage Company's 25-26 season,

[1:54] Bruce Gotlieb: kicking off their season with a revival of The Baker's Wife.

[1:58] Eila Mell: I don't know this show. Do you know it?

[2:00] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, not really. I mean, it's not to be confused with The Baker from Into the Woods, which I think a lot of people, because of the character name, tie it to.

[2:09] Eila Mell: But The Baker's Wife, this is the first full scale New York City production since the 70s,

[2:16] Bruce Gotlieb: when it closed before it even opened.

[2:19] Eila Mell: Was that Joanna Gleason? Was she in it back then?

[2:21] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, no, no. She was The Baker's Wife.

[2:23] Eila Mell: I'm confused. See, I'm doing it.

[2:25] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, so little fun facts that on the road originally, when this production started in the 70s, it was Topal from Fiddler on the Roof and Star of Grease and Magic Garden, Carol DeMoss.

[2:41] Eila Mell: Right. Oh, my God. I loved Carol and Paula as a kid.

[2:44] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, me too. And then they were replaced by Paul Servino and Patti LuPone.

[2:49] Eila Mell: Oh, hmm.

[2:51] Bruce Gotlieb: And then, well, then the show closed.

[2:54] Eila Mell: I don't know. I'm not sure you can blame the actors. Those are both good actors.

[3:00] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, there were some issues from what I read on with the book, with the producers.

[3:06] Eila Mell: There was a lot of angst in the production.

[3:10] Bruce Gotlieb: So is there any retooling for this version? Do we know?

[3:13] Eila Mell: It hasn't said, although everyone's excited to hear Ariana DeVos sing Metal Lark, which is the song that's become so famous from that show.

[3:22] Bruce Gotlieb: So famous that I don't think I've ever heard it.

[3:25] Eila Mell: Really?

[3:26] Bruce Gotlieb: Maybe I haven't. I didn't know that was the name of it. Yeah, I don't know it.

[3:29] Eila Mell: You've probably heard it. I mean, from Patti to, I want to say, J Harrison G, Titus Burgess. Like, it's in almost everybody's book.

[3:41] Bruce Gotlieb: Okay. Somehow escaped me.

[3:44] Eila Mell: I think if you've heard it, it might jog your memory.

[3:47] Bruce Gotlieb: Maybe. Well, that's exciting news.

[3:50] Eila Mell: So maybe to tie full circle, maybe our guests that we have coming up will have somebody as part of one of his cabaret theater acts sing Metal Lark in his night of entertainment.

[4:04] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right. Well, let's bring out PJ Adzima and see what's going on.

[4:09] Eila Mell: Absolutely.

[4:11] Eila Mell: Well, we are very excited to welcome PJ Adzima to our show. Hello, PJ.

[4:17] PJ Adzima: Hi there, folks. How you doing today?

[4:19] Eila Mell: We're great. Thank you so much for joining us.

[4:22] PJ Adzima: So happy to talk to you.

[4:23] Eila Mell: Pleasure's mine. Thank you for having me here today.

[4:25] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. So I saw you in Book of Mormon not that long ago. Maybe I was very late to the Book of Mormon party.

[4:31] PJ Adzima: I only saw it for the first time maybe two years ago.

[4:34] Bruce Gotlieb: And of course, you were in it.

[4:35] PJ Adzima: Oh, my gosh. Fabulous. I love that.

[4:37] Bruce Gotlieb: I honestly I'm thrilled when I when we get new converts.

[4:41] PJ Adzima: So better late to the party than never.

[4:43] Bruce Gotlieb: I always say, I know, I know. I was so late and I knew I would get there. I just don't know why it took me so long.

[4:49] PJ Adzima: That's OK. You're not alone. You know, a lot of people like come to me and confess like a dirty secret that they still haven't seen it.

[4:55] Bruce Gotlieb: Right. But that it's like they're going to Mormon confessional.

[5:00] PJ Adzima: Yeah, I guess so. Right. Exactly. Bringing their hands.

[5:03] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, you couldn't get a ticket for a long time. Right.

[5:04] PJ Adzima: And that's like, you know, with COVID and everything, you know, and more shows that come in. You know, it has joined the ranks of the long running shows, you know, like a Chicago or a Wicked or something like that.

[5:16] Bruce Gotlieb: It's been running for 14 years. And so we do. We are in this industry really on to the next and new shiny thing.

[5:22] PJ Adzima: And not to say that Book of Mormon ain't shiny, but it's you know, we've been where we've become a legacy show.

[5:27] Bruce Gotlieb: We've really transitioned to a New York City institution.

[5:30] PJ Adzima: And so you kind of get the feeling that you're like, oh, I'll get around to seeing it because.

[5:34] Bruce Gotlieb: Right. I know it's not going anywhere. Exactly right.

[5:37] PJ Adzima: Bruce and I did the same thing with Wicked. It took us a long time to get there.

[5:41] Bruce Gotlieb: And then we just went again maybe a couple of years ago and saw it for the first time.

[5:44] PJ Adzima: And it's fabulous. It's just as fabulous as ever. Yes. As is Book of Mormon.

[5:48] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, it's absolutely it's just as funny as the day it opened. It really is.

[5:51] PJ Adzima: Oh, my gosh. Now, I got the opportunity to interview Matt and Trey a couple of years ago.

[5:58] Bruce Gotlieb: And so they told me that during COVID, they went back in and retooled the book a little bit and tightened it up and maybe updated. Were you in it during that process?

[6:08] PJ Adzima: I was not. I was a part of the I've been a part of the Book of Mormon family since 2017 in various capacities.

[6:16] Bruce Gotlieb: So I was part of the national tour. I did the Australian company for a year.

[6:19] PJ Adzima: And I've been on the in the Broadway company now for the past three years.

[6:22] Bruce Gotlieb: And during that window of time, I, you know, I did the show before those changes and then coming to join Broadway.

[6:29] PJ Adzima: It was the new version after the changes. And it was really remarkable to watch.

[6:33] Bruce Gotlieb: I mean, they're the greatest living comedic writers, I think, period, that we have right now.

[6:39] PJ Adzima: And the facility that which they could take something, you know, that is and change it over 10 years later and punch it up and have it be even better than than it was before.

[6:51] Bruce Gotlieb: And really, I think that they're the only people who could return to a piece as perfect as the Book of Mormon and actually improve it after a decade.

[6:58] PJ Adzima: So all the more reason, if you haven't seen it since the beginning, go back because it's a little bit different now.

[7:03] Bruce Gotlieb: It is. And PJ's in it now.

[7:05] PJ Adzima: That's true. That's also a great reason to come back. That's very big.

[7:10] Eila Mell: So, PJ, not only so, it's not enough for you to be starring on Broadway and Book of Mormon, but you also have this show called Stage Time. Can you tell us about it?

[7:19] PJ Adzima: Absolutely. Yes. So I have started, in addition to my eight shows a week, Elder McKinley singing, turn it off in the Book of Mormon.

[7:27] I had this idea for a variety show for a downtown, you know, this this little twinkle in my eye that really would unite all of the different facets of New York City nightlife.

[7:37] I've lived in New York City for 15 years. I've met these amazing people from all these different circles.

[7:41] PJ Adzima: And it really kind of dawned on me that the greatest artists in the world all live here, but you never see them on the same stage.

[7:48] If you want to see a drag queen, you're going to see a drag show. If you want to see a magician, you're going to see a magic show.

[7:52] If you want to see a Broadway performer, you're going to see a Broadway show.

[7:54] We all are living and sharing this island, specifically in Manhattan, with everybody's here.

[8:00] Eila Mell: And, you know, in this in this I've always loved old school musicals and classic vaudeville.

[8:05] PJ Adzima: And I had this idea to really revive the vaudeville style.

[8:08] And I thought, well, what if I took the best drag queen I could find and the best magician I could find and best Broadway performer I could find.

[8:15] PJ Adzima: And the best aerialist and circus act is all here. Put them all together in one show.

[8:20] Eila Mell: I think we could have something special.

[8:20] PJ Adzima: And I called it Stage Time because the one thing that you need more of to make it in any of these live performing industries is more time on stage.

[8:30] Eila Mell: So absolutely. And so that was my concoction and my big idea about two years ago.

[8:38] PJ Adzima: And it caught like wildfire. Basically, you know, it right away.

[8:43] Eila Mell: Audiences were overjoyed and incredibly enthused.

[8:43] PJ Adzima: And this show that I had done a one off of was asked to become a monthly show, which then became the most well sold show in the theater's lineup.

[8:58] Eila Mell: We were offered to do a weekly show, which I said yes to and couldn't say which I couldn't resist.

[9:05] PJ Adzima: And so now it's been two years that my entire life has been taken over by this crazy creative idea I had about what it's like to really revive the Vaudeville show format.

[9:18] Eila Mell: And it is working.

[9:19] PJ Adzima: And you not only put the show together, but you're in the show as well.

[9:23] PJ Adzima: I'm the host, producer, emcee, writer, etc. I am your master of ceremonies and I have handpicked the lineup for all of the shows.

[9:30] Eila Mell: So really, it's a curated night of the best of all of these industries here in New York City. And it really is has become my absolute artistic passion.

[9:40] PJ Adzima: I love doing it.

[9:42] Eila Mell: Are you doing is theme centric? Are there is there a tie that normally, you know, puts all these people together?

[9:50] PJ Adzima: Yeah, for sure. Definitely. We have like as this as we progress through the year, we do, you know, these big monthly kind of spectacular shows that are like, you know, with a proper intermission and a full, you know, with a full live jazz band.

[10:02] Eila Mell: And that'll be themed to, you know, like, you know, to the spring, you know, for the March, we've got the spring show, we've got the Halloween show, we've got our big holiday show.

[10:09] PJ Adzima: And so there's always something happening and relevant and to the month.

[10:19] Eila Mell: And so we build these shows to be themed to the time of year and are very current.

[10:19] PJ Adzima: We're also very political. We also really are using this these uncertain times to be putting and reflecting it through the power of art, through original song, through original creation to be able to really have an outlet to help synthesize the madness of this world to the power of art the best we can in our community.

[10:38] Eila Mell: It sounds I mean, correct me if this is wrong, but it's sounding to me like, you know, like those old school variety shows that used to be on TV, but much more fabulous and downtown.

[10:47] PJ Adzima: That's exactly right. It is this old model, right? I always like to say nothing I'm doing is new. This is a this is 100 year old business model of vaudeville that works and we just dusted it off and, you know, add tweaked it for TikTok, but it really it runs the same.

[11:04] Eila Mell: And, and yes, I am deeply inspired by, you know, laughing and by the late show and even with, you know, with the changes happening now at CBS and the defunding of PBS and it's it really is for me this this punk rock pirate ship of, you know, getting the band back together and getting us to our entertainment roots and doing it really for artists by artists at this down in a moment where we really need this type of connection and community.

[11:32] Eila Mell: When you started this concept or this idea. Did you know offhand at first like okay if I want to make this happen, I have to be the producer and you know take on all these other roles, or did you try to get other people.

[11:48] PJ Adzima: I'm very fortunate to have a lot of folks and good friends jump in. I mean, it takes an army to pull this off. Oh my God. But from the beginning with me in a notes app in a prayer.

[11:58] PJ Adzima: And, and, you know, and organize it really has become a full time job I really now I produce five original shows a month on top of doing a shows a week.

[12:07] Eila Mell: So we'll do you know with the big monthly extravaganza and then the weekly show that I have is Saturdays at midnight downtown, so I will do two shows of the Book of Mormon, I'll do a two o'clock seven o'clock then I'll run downtown and do my third show for myself at midnight.

[12:24] PJ Adzima: And then I'll, you know, we'll after party and have a great time with everybody. I'll go to bed wake up and then do a two show Sunday the next day.

[12:39] Bruce Gotlieb: Wow. So, and I'm prior just listening.

[12:39] PJ Adzima: Oh my gosh I haven't I haven't slept in years and I've never, I've never been happier.

[12:47] Eila Mell: It just sounds like a nonstop party I mean you get to have this dream job on Broadway and then you get to do this on top of it, what could be better.

[12:47] PJ Adzima: I mean I couldn't agree more right I say, you know, when it stops being this much fun I'll stop doing it, and it really is it's it's you know it's a, it's more is in fact more we are in this, this incredible exciting city and we are drought we have we have such an abundant of talent.

[13:04] Eila Mell: But for me honestly the problem is actually knowing where to go right sometimes there's a little too much to see, or there's, there's too many options and you really only do have that one date night out.

[13:15] PJ Adzima: So what I do when I when I have a stage time is I'm going to give you 10 nights out and one. Instead of going to see a drag show, instead of going to see a magic show instead of going to see, you know, a circus or two or all the way out to Coney Island, I'm going to bring you a bit of each, I'm going to get you a flavor of all of them, and I'm going to give you this like tasting menu of the best of New York City, and give you 10 nights out and one.

[13:35] Eila Mell: And that's another part of it too is, is you can come see stage time and really get the entire the entire picture of what New York City nightlife is like.

[13:52] PJ Adzima: And so the lineup is different it's always rotating is that never the same twice and that's the fun too, is that like the repeat the repeatability, we've got folks who come back every week.

[13:52] Eila Mell: We've got folks who you know who you know are like oh my gosh so and so is back right like Donna Karnow is one of our and she's been on the show from the very beginning she's the world champion of pole dancing.

[14:04] PJ Adzima: People, and we have these station fans who then become super fans of Donna, and they're like Donna's back. Okay, honey, we got it now, like, gotta send her to Donna show right and and that's fun to like we get this opportunity to really, you know, for me, for me, there, there is such a problem with entertainment where, you know, the, the people who get the most famous and get the most recognition are probably the people who are the best at marketing and not necessarily as to what they do.

[15:44] PJ Adzima: You know, I think the thing about the Book of Mormon is that it really is a celebration of life and the absurdity of life. And I think that’s what makes it so special. It’s not just about the story; it’s about the experience of being in the theater and sharing that with an audience.

[16:10] Eila Mell: Absolutely! And you’ve been a part of that experience for quite some time now. What has it been like for you to perform in such a groundbreaking show?

[16:20] PJ Adzima: It’s been incredible. I mean, every night is different, and the energy from the audience is just electric. You can feel it, and it really drives the performance. I love being able to connect with people in that way.

[16:31] Bruce Gotlieb: And you’re also the creator and host of Stage Time, right? Can you tell us a bit about that?

[16:42] PJ Adzima: Yes! Stage Time is this hybrid variety show that combines elements of vaudeville, late-night talk shows, drag, and magic. It’s a celebration of New York City nightlife, and it’s a platform for performers to showcase their talents in a fun and engaging way.

[17:04] Eila Mell: That sounds amazing! How did you come up with the idea for Stage Time?

[17:05] PJ Adzima: Well, I’ve always loved variety shows, and I wanted to create something that felt fresh and exciting. I wanted to bring together different types of performers and create a space where they could all shine.

[17:06] Bruce Gotlieb: And it’s been successful! What do you think has contributed to that success?

[17:08] PJ Adzima: I think it’s the diversity of talent we showcase and the energy of the audience. People come to have a good time, and we deliver that. Plus, New York City has such a rich nightlife culture, and we tap into that.

[17:09] Eila Mell: Speaking of New York City, what’s your favorite part about living and working there?

[17:10] PJ Adzima: I love the hustle and bustle of the city. There’s always something happening, and it’s inspiring to be surrounded by so much creativity and talent. Plus, the food is incredible!

[17:11] Bruce Gotlieb: You’ve had quite the career so far. Are there any particular moments that stand out to you?

[17:12] PJ Adzima: Definitely! I think performing at the Tony Awards was a huge highlight for me. It was such an honor to be a part of that celebration of theater, and to share the stage with so many talented people was unforgettable.

[17:13] Eila Mell: That’s incredible! And what’s next for you? Any upcoming projects you’re excited about?

[17:14] PJ Adzima: Yes! I’m really excited about the upcoming theatrical release of The Kiss of the Spider Woman. It’s a fantastic project, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.

[17:15] Bruce Gotlieb: We’ll definitely be on the lookout for that! Thank you so much for joining us today, PJ. It’s been a pleasure chatting with you.

[17:16] PJ Adzima: Thank you for having me! It’s been great to share my experiences with you both.

[30:27] PJ Adzima: Here in New York. That's why you live in New York. You don't move to New York City to sit in your apartment. You move here to take advantage of being so close and being surrounded by the most talented, interesting, diverse, and dynamic people in the world. That's why we don't care that the apartments are so small because they're not there. I haven't moved in months. I'm in my office right now. I'm in my dressing room and I'm going out. But again, this is like I, I don't know if you can tell I'm very passionate about this. And just I think we've lost, we lost the plot a bit. And with COVID, we lost this ability. We are creatures of the night. We are entertainers. We are here to really bring people out of their shell and wake them up from the mundanity.

Right. That's why you go see a show. You're a nine to fiver and you've been looking forward to whatever you and then you get to see something that really just like blows your mind and reminds you like, oh, my God, wow, I'm in the best, the greatest city in the world.

[31:31] Eila Mell: Well, PJ, you know, this is great news because, you know, this next generation coming up, they don't even like to go out at all. I mean, everything is virtual and online. So if you can get them out to go to the theater, I'm the Pied Piper. I'm right here. I'm like, yeah, we can do it. And you know what? You're going to dance and you know what happens when you dance? You're going to lock eyes with somebody who you might be afraid to talk to. But guess what? You're going to have something to talk about because you guys just saw a show. Right. This is my favorite thing. I always say I throw the show to get to the after party. That's what we do. Like we do. We have these daytime shows and we have everybody's on stage.

And then as soon as the last act is done, the DJ starts and the dancers hit the floor and we clear all the tables and chairs and the after party is right in that same room. Like Cabaret when it was Cabaret. Remember, I hate to break it to you, but it's back. We don't have to pay four hundred dollars and pretend in Midtown you can find forty dollars and live the real thing on the Lower East Side because, baby, if you haven't paid attention, it's the Weimar Republic. But with Beyoncé music.

[32:27] PJ Adzima: OK. But also that's how theater started. It was not for the snobs, you know, the groundlings. It's for us. It was look at Shakespeare's audience and the Greeks, their audiences. They were just everyday. And again, I'm all like St. Cole's Cole for like Cole made O'Meary for Cole's friends. Yeah. Right. And we happen to like it. Right. So why would you go any other model? And it was embraced by everyone. Yeah. So you want to see I say I made Stage Time because I want to sit in the front row. Yeah. I picked that lineup because I want to see that show. And then I do. I hope you don't want to go here. So and so. And then I sit and then I watch them. Wow. Me, Donnie Carson. I love what I do. And that's the and again, like we need to be making ourselves for each other because when we see and feel a piece of like a Broadway show that has so clearly been made like for a market.

Yeah. Intel. Right. And then we're like, how come it's not working? And it's like, well, I don't know. Like because you made this to hook people who go to the M&M store. Right. Like. Yeah. And no tea, no shade. But like we give if we start making things that impress us, it will impress others because people want to be in on the thing that's cool in New York City.

[33:49] Eila Mell: Yeah. And we've especially right. And we new thing. And we've lost that. Right. You used to move in. It used to come on vacation to New York City so you could eat at New York City restaurants. Right. Yeah. And be like, whoa, I'm out in New York and I'm learning what their taste is. And now you come to New York City so you can eat at the world's largest Olive Garden. Yeah. Right. But I am right. Let's talk about who the audience is. Right. Yeah. We have the expectation and the comfort is I'm going to get catered to as opposed to we're going to cater to ourselves and you're going to be cool because you got to go experience that.

[34:32] PJ Adzima: I love everything that you've been saying. But the other thing that I love maybe a little more is that you've taken this dream, this thought, this thing that you always wanted and you've made it reality. So can you speak to that feeling? Because there's somebody out there that has a dream that they want to figure out how to make work. And this might inspire that person to do that.

[35:01] PJ Adzima: I sincerely hope it does, because it's the most fulfilling work that you could be doing. And for me, you know, I really I'm a wildly passionate person. And once I was seized with this and I saw where it could go, I just there was nothing that would stop me from getting it done. And that love of this and it's really my life's work is this is the fulfillment of, you know, an entire lifetime in the arts. I started when I was eight years old. I moved to New York City when I was 18. And this is the opportunity to now be creating full time and working for myself. And I keep dreaming these bigger dreams because my dreams keep coming true.

[35:44] Eila Mell: Well, that's just it. I'm a lead in the Book of Mormon. I got my dream job.

[35:49] PJ Adzima: Yeah, you got to keep raising the bar, keep pushing the envelope. Right.

[35:54] Eila Mell: Yeah. When you were a kid and you wanted to do this, did you what performance? Obviously, I would assume was one of the first objectives. Was this always a seed there? Or did this come from?

[36:09] PJ Adzima: This came from so yeah, Stage Time came to me as an idea when I've been in New York City for 15 years. Yeah. And so I met and I fell in love with the downtown scene. And I always said to myself when I was hustling and because I've done every I've worked every job survival job in New York City. I've been a truck driver and a warehouse worker. I've been a cater waiter, butler, bartender, babysitter, bar back, whatever corporate employee, blah. So I had a lot of time in those in those shitty survival jobs to daydream about what I would do if I got the job.

[36:46] PJ Adzima: And so when when Mormon did come along and I did get that, that big Broadway job and that big Broadway paycheck, I knew what dream I was going to put it towards immediately. Because I always like to say and people think I'm absolutely crazy. And I am I'm an insane person. I'm doing eight shows a week with a ninth midnight show, and then a spectacular on my day off. And there I am a manic man obsessed with this thing I'm building. But it's only because when I say like, when the lights go green, you got it. Yeah, I do not know how long this window of opportunity will be open.

[37:36] PJ Adzima: Yeah, yeah. For me to be able to produce and finance and do and organize and work this hard and have this energy and have this stamina to get this done in this brief window because opportunity is not a lengthy visitor. And I have spent years of my life waiting at that red light begging it to go green.

[37:53] Eila Mell: Where did the idea come from for you to host the show in drag?

[37:56] PJ Adzima: Well, I've hosted the show. I'm not always in drag. I think I like to host the show in drag every once in a while because I believe in the diversity of entertainment. Right. Like, I don't I think that putting ourselves in a box is a death knell, actually. Like, I'm a comedian who sings and dances. And that's why I'm a lead in the Book of Mormon, the funniest show of all time, like because I'm a comedian. Right. But now but and I and I was so frustrated because I was labeled now a musical theater actor. And I'm like, well, I'm a musical comedy actor, like, yeah. And and then I watch these people who are like, well, I don't do musicals anymore. Now I do drag. And I'm like, what do you mean? You do you do everything or you go, well, I'm not it's I'm not a dancer.

I'm a singer. I'm not a what I'm like you. So I like to practice and I'm fulfilled by drag because drag is an art form, like painting is an art form, like dancing is an art form. And my doing it is a right that I have to do and I hope inspires others that you don't have to commit your life to this craft to go and do it, like go take that. It's the same as taking that tap class, you know, and and that's the fun and the diversity of the city and of these nightlife, you know, entertainment forms is seeing that actually everybody wants to be in each other's camp.

[39:15] PJ Adzima: Right. Like the magicians can't get enough of the drag queens and the drag queens can't get enough of the comedians because what are the drag queens doing if not standing up and telling jokes all day? Like, right. They're sharing the same skills and the same ability that really is to do you have the goods to hold an audience? Right. Do you have it when it is your stage time? What are you going to do with it? And you can only get better. You want to get better. That's the right. It's like I also I think of myself as an athlete when people think about how much I'm working. And it's like if you want to be an Olympic swimmer, it's hours in the pool. If you want to be a performer, there's the best at what they do. It's hours on stage. It's hours of stage time. Right. It's not about taking days off. It's not about taking days off. And also it's like I'll take days off when I'm when I got the gold. Like, exactly. Same day. Let's go.

[40:09] Eila Mell: Like, for sure. And I think that that's that also gets to this, you know, to the younger generation, to whatever. It's like this is a boots on the ground. This is a hard life. This is not like this is the most glamorous working class blue collar job you can have. Yeah. That's a performer is a blue collar job. I make money with my body. And if my body doesn't hit that stage, I don't get paid. Right. You just might have you might be covered in sequins.

[40:35] PJ Adzima: Well, absolutely. And I look fabulous. Right. But like, but I work so hard. I got blood in my shoes from tapping. Like, this is not a glamorous life. And that's the fun. Right. Like, that's the thing is, I think people get into this and, like, fall in love with musical theater because it seems so luxurious. But if you've ever been backstage in a Broadway house, you learn real quick that this is a trade. And that's fun. And that's and that better let you up. Right. Like, yeah, if you think it's going to be craft services and, you know, it's not a movie set.

[41:11] Eila Mell: It's not a movie set.

[41:17] PJ Adzima: And you got to stay on the ball, too, because you always you have to there's the show isn't going to close and there better be a next one. You have to do this. Like, it is a vocation.

[41:27] Eila Mell: And your family must be really supportive to help you get through.

[41:32] PJ Adzima: I'm very, very fortunate that I am. I've been overwhelmingly supportive my entire life. And I am I am the product of unconditional love. And I am what happens when you when all of your dreams are supported. And I think it's a beautiful thing. And I try to support as many other people's dreams as possible because of it, because I am so fortunate to have been so just full, full supported with a full chest by my family. And it's a thrill to continue to make them proud and to do that and in their honor because I would not be here without them.

[42:10] Eila Mell: Well, that's very sweet. It's beautiful. Yes. Best. So how can people get tickets to come see?

[42:15] PJ Adzima: Well, Book of Mormon, we know that's easy. Just come see the Book of Mormon. That's easy. Shows a week. Telecharge today, Tix. But how can people see Stage Time? Check us out online. Instagram on Instagram at Stage Time NYC and also give me a personal follow at P.J. Adzima. And that's going to be the best place to stay updated on all of our public shows and also our private shows and private parties. We're having Stage Time turning two years old. We're throwing a big party for it up here at our art studios in Harlem. We have our own art studios. It's incredible. It's very fun. We've got puppets in the next room. We love it. We're working on our original puppet songs for our next show.

[43:00] Eila Mell: Oh, my gosh.

[43:00] PJ Adzima: Yeah. We have we have a couple of guests who we've had on that love puppets.

[43:06] Eila Mell: Oh yeah. Everybody loves puppets.

[43:10] PJ Adzima: I know. I know. They're pretty great. I've commissioned this puppet troupe that we're having Bill. We're having like these original Stage Time puppets and calling them the stuff. It's I love it. Keep your eyes peeled for the stuff. It's coming soon.

[43:14] Eila Mell: All right. Well, we'll be waiting for our invitations to whatever you do.

[43:17] PJ Adzima: That's right. Absolutely. No, you're on your life because we're.

[43:24] Eila Mell: That's right. And then keep your eyes out for Slam Frank.

[43:30] PJ Adzima: Yes, please. Slam Frank opening at the Asylum downtown on September 15th. And it's going to be running for about six weeks time. We haven't announced amazing.

[43:35] Eila Mell: Well, we're officially inviting you to come back for that.

[43:41] PJ Adzima: Oh, I can't wait. I would absolutely love. It's going to be an incredibly fun and spicy show. And we love we love a good controversy here in New York City theaters.

[43:46] Eila Mell: Absolutely. Absolutely. For it. Well, thank you so much for joining us. You're just incredible. And we are very happy to have had you on the show. Now you're part of our Behind the Awards family.

[43:58] PJ Adzima: Yeah. Thank you so much. Anytime. And we will see everyone next time on Behind the Awards.

[44:05] Eila Mell: Bye bye.