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[0:00] James Monroe Iglehart: This is James Monroe Iglehart, and you're listening to Behind the Awards.

[0:04] Eila Mell: Hello, and welcome to Behind the Awards. I'm Eila, and I am here with Bruce.

[0:19] Bruce Gotlieb: Hello there, Eila. How are we doing? I'm very good. How are you?

[0:23] Eila Mell: Doing well. Getting a little excited. I'm not going to lie.

[0:27] Bruce Gotlieb: How much news has broken in the past couple of days?

[0:30] Eila Mell: You and I have had the conversation that this Broadway season has been the plays.

[0:36] Bruce Gotlieb: Last season was the musicals, and this season has been the plays, which there have been some really great pieces and would make for a very interesting awards season.

[0:46] Eila Mell: Yeah, but the musicals have been pretty sparse.

[0:48] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, and over the past couple of days, we are just getting new musical, new musical, new musical.

[0:54] Eila Mell: I mean, so let's start with Titanic is coming to do a limited run, but it's going to be on Broadway this time with Marla Mindell coming back in the role she created.

[1:05] Bruce Gotlieb: The Celine Dion. Right.

[1:06] Eila Mell: Now, not only did she create it in that she was the original actress, but she is one of the creators of the show.

[1:12] Bruce Gotlieb: I literally pen to paper as a writer of this production.

[1:15] Eila Mell: So what a treat, because, you know, I saw Titanic, but I did not get to see Marla Mindell on the show. So now I get to in that, you know, that's a real treat.

[1:24] Bruce Gotlieb: So I'm excited about that. I'm curious how it's going to translate into a larger space.

[1:29] Eila Mell: I saw the off-road production a couple of times and loved it each time.

[1:33] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. And I will be going back again on onto the ship of dreams.

[1:39] Eila Mell: Now, we don't know as of today, as of recording, who else is going to be in the cast.

[1:45] Bruce Gotlieb: I wonder if any of the other original cast members will be there.

[1:48] Eila Mell: Yeah, we're not. Or are they going to pull from? I mean, they had a roster of right of who's who that were just so good.

[1:56] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. And then people that maybe never even had to do it.

[2:00] Eila Mell: Absolutely. And this is the kind of show that people want to do because it's so much fun. And also, if you've seen it before, that doesn't mean you're not going to see fresh material because there is an improv component to the show.

[2:13] Bruce Gotlieb: Exactly. So.

[2:14] Eila Mell: So every time it's fresh. Yeah, it's very exciting.

[2:18] Bruce Gotlieb: So also, you know, that maybe changes the dynamic for the actor and actress categories in the Tony race, because we didn't know how many there would be.

[2:31] Eila Mell: So maybe now it expands it.

[2:33] Bruce Gotlieb: Maybe. I think so. I think so. Especially because, you know, not only with Titanic coming, but now you also have Beaches coming into the Majestic.

[2:41] Eila Mell: Right. And that's two lead women. Right.

[2:44] Bruce Gotlieb: So Jessica Vosk being one of them who is just incredible.

[2:48] Eila Mell: And we saw her in this role and Kelly Barrett also.

[2:51] Bruce Gotlieb: Both her and Kelly Barrett. Yes. So, you know.

[2:54] Eila Mell: So it's exciting. Exactly.

[2:57] Bruce Gotlieb: And that's also going to be very limited run. And then it's going out on tour following. Yeah.

[3:03] Eila Mell: So we now have not only new musicals coming in, also following this new trend of Off-Broadway to Broadway or tour to Broadway because Beaches did tour before around Canada.

[3:17] Bruce Gotlieb: So it's an interesting model getting some out of town.

[3:21] Eila Mell: Yeah. Exposure, but almost long term out of town exposure.

[3:25] Bruce Gotlieb: Right. Because, you know, Mamma Mia, this we have a tour and Beetlejuice. We have the tour on Broadway right now.

[3:32] Eila Mell: So, yeah, why not? Right.

[3:34] Bruce Gotlieb: And then, you know, it's as New Yorkers, we don't get to see tours, obviously, because we're here. So it's it's a little bit of getting to see something we don't normally get to see.

[3:44] Eila Mell: Yeah, it's definitely it's keeping the industry on its toes a bit, I would say.

[3:49] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, it's fun. It's just it's a little different.

[3:52] Eila Mell: So am I are we missing any other announcements?

[3:55] Bruce Gotlieb: You know, it's all happening so quickly. We may be. I'm not sure. And I feel like there might be more to come, too.

[4:02] Eila Mell: Well, the opportunity is there always. You never know what's going to slip in, like the sign in Sidney Brustein's window. Remember that came like they just decided Illinois was like, yes, or the right.

[4:13] Bruce Gotlieb: So sometimes it works for them and sometimes it doesn't. Some shows would have been better off waiting for the next season just because it gets crowded in that time right before the Tony Awards are announced.

[4:24] Eila Mell: But, you know, you never know. And speaking of replacements, are you excited about the newest O'Meary announcement?

[4:31] Bruce Gotlieb: I think it's a fantastic choice.

[4:33] Eila Mell: So John Cameron Mitchell is going to be taking over when Jane Krakowski is gone.

[4:39] Bruce Gotlieb: So it's going from one excellent choice to another.

[4:43] Eila Mell: I think, you know, I think both of them are fantastic for this role.

[4:47] Bruce Gotlieb: And then they announced today his Cheyenne Jackson's replacement.

[4:51] Eila Mell: Oh, who is I haven't even heard.

[4:53] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, breaking news. I love to see me, Lou.

[4:57] Eila Mell: Wow. That's a huge name for this show.

[5:00] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. Wow. Well, that's very exciting.

[5:04] Eila Mell: So you get all different. I mean, he's got such an array of a fan base from his sitcom that he did to the Avengers universe, the Marvel world.

[5:15] Bruce Gotlieb: It's going to bring in so many people who would not necessarily go see a Broadway show. So that's great. That's so good for, you know, for the industry.

[5:24] Eila Mell: And he also has that new TV series with Hannah Cruz, The Copenhagen Test, that starts in January.

[5:30] Bruce Gotlieb: So exciting. Yes.

[5:31] Eila Mell: So Broadway is a buzz.

[5:33] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, yeah. It's turning out to be a much more exciting season than it seemed like it was going to be.

[5:39] Eila Mell: Absolutely.

[5:40] Bruce Gotlieb: So, yeah, it's getting really exciting.

[5:43] Eila Mell: So you and I both have tickets to Bug.

[5:46] Bruce Gotlieb: So we're excited to see that.

[5:48] Eila Mell: And lots of good stuff is coming. I want to remind people that our guest Sean Alan Krill has a movie opening on Christmas Day.

[5:57] Bruce Gotlieb: He does.

[5:58] Eila Mell: And I hear this word of mouth is fantastic for this movie.

[6:02] Bruce Gotlieb: It's Song Sung Blue starring not only Sean, obviously, but Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.

[6:10] Eila Mell: And Hugh Jackman plays a Neil Diamond impersonator.

[6:14] Bruce Gotlieb: So, yes, it sounds like a lot of fun.

[6:17] Eila Mell: But people are saying that they could see it being nominated for Oscars, this movie. It's that good.

[6:22] Bruce Gotlieb: I love that.

[6:23] Eila Mell: So we'll see.

[6:24] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, we should bring out our guest today.

[6:27] Eila Mell: Yes.

[6:28] Bruce Gotlieb: We have song stage screen.

[6:32] Eila Mell: I mean, just 90s icon.

[6:34] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right.

[6:35] Eila Mell: And she's so lovely.

[6:37] Bruce Gotlieb: So please let's welcome Shanice to our show.

[6:40] Eila Mell: Absolutely.

[6:44] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, Eila, how excited are we that we have Shanice on with us today?

[6:49] Eila Mell: I mean, a true legend. Welcome, Shanice.

[6:53] Shanice: Thank you for having me. I'm glad to talk to you.

[6:56] Eila Mell: We are thrilled to have you. I mean, I feel like there's a lot to start with. But I guess how does this come across where you're you're asked to play Michelle Obama? Like, how does that come to be?

[7:05] Shanice: I know just out of nowhere. Kerry Gordy, who is Barry Gordy's son, called me and said, Would you want to play Michelle Obama in a musical? And I'm like, Are you serious? Me?

[7:21] Shanice: And so what happened was they had before I joined the show, they did like a reading in front of the audience and they had a band and everything. And Fish, who was our drummer, our band is called House of Vibe. He thought of me first. So because they were looking for a Michelle. And he said, What about Shanice? And then he called Kerry Gordy and Kerry Gordy called me.

[7:44] Shanice: At first I was like, pull this off like Michelle Obama. I love her so much. And I thought, like, you know, do I have to imitate her? And, you know, can I really pull this off? You know, so I decided to do it. And when I talked to Eli, who created the show, he said, I just want you to play the essence of her. You don't have to imitate her. You know, so I was like, OK, I was like, I could do this.

[8:12] Shanice: I started I watched her documentary. I just she started looking at her interviews and stuff. And I said, we have a lot in common. Like, she's a strong woman. She's been married for a long time. She's a great wife. She has two kids. I have two kids. I've been married for 25 years. You know, I'm very strong. And I said, OK, I think I could do this. We have a lot in common. And I just love everything about her. She's classy.

[8:39] Shanice: Yes. And I just love how she supports her man, her husband. So I said, I want to do it. And I've been doing it on and off for like three years.

[8:50] Eila Mell: Oh, wow. Because did the show start in L.A.? Is that right?

[8:53] Shanice: Yeah, we started in L.A.

[8:55] Eila Mell: OK, at this place called the Bourbon Room in Hollywood. And I invited all my celebrity friends. We've had Stevie Wonder come. We've had Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell.

[9:07] Shanice: We love Tisha. Yes, Kim Whitley, some of the cast of Girlfriends, the TV show, Wanda Sykes.

[9:16] Shanice: Wow. The list goes on and on and on.

[9:18] Eila Mell: Oh, wow. So I started inviting my celebrity friends. The word got out. And then we ended up going from Los Angeles to Chicago. We did a run in Philly. We did a showcase like a year ago here in New York, just a showcase. And now we're in New York doing a long run, an off-Broadway run.

[9:40] Shanice: Yes.

[9:41] Eila Mell: Congratulations.

[9:42] Shanice: You guys just got extended, too.

[9:44] Eila Mell: Yeah, we're extended to Jaguar.

[9:46] Shanice: That's amazing.

[9:47] Eila Mell: So exciting.

[9:48] Shanice: Yeah. We've actually had Daryl as a guest on our show.

[9:52] Eila Mell: Really?

[9:53] Shanice: Yeah.

[9:54] Eila Mell: It's so female, right?

[9:56] Shanice: Yes.

[9:57] Eila Mell: I'd love to meet her.

[10:00] Shanice: Oh, she's very inspiring. I hope you do meet her.

[10:01] Eila Mell: Oh, I hope she comes to our show.

[10:03] Shanice: Yeah, right. Her name is on the marquee, so she should stop by.

[10:07] Eila Mell: Have you had the opportunity to meet Michelle in person at all or no?

[10:11] Shanice: No. I met Barack when he was running for president.

[10:15] Eila Mell: Wow.

[10:16] Shanice: I have a really great picture of myself with Barack, but I've never met Michelle. My dream is to meet Michelle Obama.

[10:22] Eila Mell: I'm sure it'll happen.

[10:24] Shanice: I hope to meet her one day. I hope she comes to the show.

[10:27] Eila Mell: Wouldn't that be great? And I hope that we can make her proud, her and Barack.

[10:30] Shanice: Yeah.

[10:31] Eila Mell: Well, so just for people who don't know, the show is called 44.

[10:34] Shanice: Yes.

[10:35] Eila Mell: And it's not a very dramatic take on the rise of Barack and Michelle.

[10:43] Shanice: It's fun.

[10:44] Eila Mell: Right. Would you call it a parody or a satire?

[10:49] Shanice: It's a satire.

[10:50] Eila Mell: Okay.

[10:51] Shanice: Yeah.

[10:52] Eila Mell: But you know what? We have moments that will touch your heart. It makes you want to cry. It makes you want to laugh. It makes you want to sing. It makes you want to dance.

[11:00] Shanice: Yeah. You know, the music is catchy. It's going to stick in your head. Right. You're going to leave the theater singing the songs. But I love that it just makes you feel good. I've had people tell me, you know, the world is so heavy right now with everything that's going on. And I just feel like just for those, you know, few hours, I felt like, you know, joy. And it was just like a nice getaway. I'm glad that we can, like, make people happy and smile.

[11:28] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[11:29] Shanice: And give them joy.

[11:30] Eila Mell: I mean, audiences are going crazy for it.

[11:32] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right. And Eila and I think that you look amazing in that green FLOTUS robe.

[11:37] Shanice: Yeah.

[11:38] Bruce Gotlieb: You should take that after the show if you can.

[11:43] Eila Mell: Welcome back to Behind the Awards. Today, we have a very special guest, recording star and actress Shanice, who is currently starring as Michelle Obama in the satirical musical 44.

[12:13] Bruce Gotlieb: Shanice, it’s great to have you here! You’ve had such an incredible career, from Kids Incorporated to winning Star Search. What has this journey been like for you?

[12:41] Shanice: Thank you for having me! It’s been a wild ride. I mean, starting on Kids Incorporated was such a formative experience. I learned so much about performing and being in front of an audience.

[13:09] Eila Mell: And then you went on to win Star Search, which was a huge deal at the time. How did that change your career?

[13:34] Shanice: Winning Star Search was a turning point for me. It opened so many doors and gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams in music and acting.

[13:59] Bruce Gotlieb: You also made history as the first Black actress to play Eponine in Les Misérables on Broadway. What was that experience like for you?

[14:12] Shanice: It was surreal! I felt a huge responsibility to represent and bring something special to the role. The support from the audience was overwhelming, and it was an honor to be part of such a legendary show.

[14:37] Eila Mell: And now you’re in 44, playing Michelle Obama. What has that experience been like for you?

[15:02] Shanice: It’s been amazing! The show is satirical, and it allows me to explore a different side of Michelle Obama’s character. It’s a fun and challenging role, and I love bringing her to life on stage.

[15:27] Bruce Gotlieb: You have such an incredible voice. Can you tell us about your music career and your hit song "I Love Your Smile"?

[15:52] Shanice: "I Love Your Smile" was a game changer for me. It reached so many people, and I’m grateful for the love it continues to receive. Music has always been a passion of mine, and I love being able to share my voice with the world.

[16:17] Eila Mell: You’ve worked with some amazing artists like Babyface and David Foster. What have those collaborations meant to you?

[16:42] Shanice: Collaborating with such talented artists has been a dream come true. Each experience has taught me something new and helped me grow as an artist.

[17:07] Bruce Gotlieb: You also have a Christmas movie coming up on BET+, A Soulful Christmas. Can you share a bit about that?

[17:36] Shanice: Yes! I’m really excited about it. It’s a heartwarming story, and I get to showcase my music as well. It’s perfect for the holiday season!

[18:01] Eila Mell: That sounds wonderful! We can’t wait to see it.

[18:30] Bruce Gotlieb: Before we wrap up, are there any upcoming projects or musicals you’re excited about?

[18:55] Shanice: Absolutely! There are some new musicals coming to Broadway that I’m really looking forward to, like Beaches and Titanique. It’s an exciting time for theater!

[19:24] Eila Mell: Thank you so much for joining us today, Shanice. It’s been a pleasure hearing about your journey and your current projects.

[19:53] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes, thank you! We wish you all the best with 44 and your upcoming Christmas movie.

[20:22] Shanice: Thank you both! I appreciate it, and I can’t wait for everyone to see what’s next.

[20:51] Eila Mell: And to our listeners, make sure to check out Shanice’s work and stay tuned for more exciting episodes of Behind the Awards.

[21:20] Bruce Gotlieb: Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and check out Eila’s book, "The Tony Awards."

[21:49] Eila Mell: Thanks for listening, everyone!

[22:18] Bruce Gotlieb: Until next time!

[22:47] Shanice: Bye!

[23:16] Eila Mell & Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[23:27] Eila Mell: Welcome back to Behind the Awards. We are thrilled to have the incredibly talented Shanice with us today.

[23:57] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes, Shanice, you are known for so many amazing roles, but today we’re excited to talk about your portrayal of Michelle Obama in the satirical musical 44. Can you tell us a bit about that experience?

[24:17] Shanice: Absolutely! Playing Michelle Obama has been such an incredible journey. The character is so rich and layered, and I really wanted to bring her essence to life on stage. It’s a satirical take, so we have a lot of fun with it while still respecting her legacy.

[24:37] Eila Mell: That sounds fascinating! You’ve had such a diverse career, from Kids Incorporated to winning Star Search. How do you think those experiences have shaped your performance in 44?

[24:57] Shanice: Every experience has contributed to my growth as an artist. Kids Incorporated taught me the importance of teamwork and creativity, while Star Search was a huge confidence booster. Each role has added a new layer to my craft, and I feel like I’m bringing all of that to this role.

[25:17] Bruce Gotlieb: And you were the first Black actress to play Eponine in Les Misérables on Broadway! That’s a monumental achievement. How did that role impact your career?

[25:37] Shanice: It was a dream come true! Eponine is such a beautiful character, and being the first Black actress to portray her was a huge honor. It opened doors for me and allowed me to connect with audiences in a profound way. I hope to inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles.

[25:57] Eila Mell: Speaking of inspiration, you also had a memorable guest appearance on Family Matters. What was that experience like?

[26:17] Shanice: Oh, it was so much fun! I loved working with the cast, and it was a great opportunity to showcase my acting and singing. Family Matters was such a beloved show, and being part of it was a highlight of my career.

[26:27] Bruce Gotlieb: You have such an impressive range! Your Grammy-nominated song “I Love Your Smile” is a classic. How do you balance your music career with acting?

[26:37] Shanice: It can be challenging, but I love both so much that I make it work. Music and acting feed into each other for me. When I’m performing, I’m telling a story, whether it’s through song or acting. They both allow me to express myself creatively.

[26:57] Eila Mell: You have an upcoming Christmas movie on BET+ titled A Soulful Christmas. Can you share a bit about that project?

[27:07] Shanice: Yes! A Soulful Christmas is a heartwarming story about family and love during the holiday season. It features some amazing music, and I’m excited for everyone to see it. It’s a perfect film to get you in the holiday spirit!

[27:27] Bruce Gotlieb: That sounds wonderful! We can’t wait to check it out.

[27:37] Eila Mell: Before we wrap up, are there any upcoming musicals you’re particularly excited about this Broadway season?

[27:47] Shanice: Absolutely! I’m really looking forward to Beaches starring Jessica Vosk and Kelli Barrett. It’s such a powerful story, and I can’t wait to see how they bring it to life on stage.

[28:07] Bruce Gotlieb: And Titanique sounds like a fun twist on a classic story!

[28:27] Shanice: Yes! I love the creativity behind it. It’s always exciting to see new interpretations of beloved tales.

[28:47] Eila Mell: And we can’t forget about Oh Mary! with John Cameron Mitchell and Simu Liu. It’s going to be a fantastic season!

[29:07] Bruce Gotlieb: Definitely! And Song Sung Blue starring Sean Allen Krill, Hugh Jackman, and Kate Hudson is hitting theaters on Christmas Day. It’s going to be a busy holiday season for theater lovers!

[29:27] Shanice: So much to look forward to! I love how theater brings people together, especially during the holidays.

[29:47] Eila Mell: Thank you so much for joining us today, Shanice. It’s been a pleasure hearing about your journey and your exciting projects.

[30:07] Shanice: Thank you for having me! I had a great time.

[30:27] Bruce Gotlieb: And to our listeners, make sure to check out Shanice in 44 and her upcoming projects. We’ll see you next time on Behind the Awards!