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[0:00] Brandon Contreras: Hi, this is Brandon Contreras, and this is Behind the Awards.

[0:13] Eila Mell: Hello, and welcome to Behind the Awards. I'm Eila. I'm here with Bruce.

[0:18] Bruce Gotlieb: Eila, I had to, you know, I know you're doing okay. But today was a very, you know, groundbreaking announcement at the time of recording.

[0:28] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[0:28] Bruce Gotlieb: That your beloved Annie.

[0:30] Eila Mell: I know.

[0:31] Bruce Gotlieb: Is coming back to Broadway to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

[0:34] Eila Mell: It's very exciting. I mean, we kind of, we have to say our audience knew this because Bill Berloni gave us a scoop months ago. But it's still very exciting because things can change.

[0:46] Bruce Gotlieb: So now we know for sure.

[0:48] Eila Mell: It's coming fall of 2027.

[0:50] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes.

[0:51] Eila Mell: It will be helmed by Sam Pinkleton.

[0:54] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. And which, you know, got us going with, I mean, who's, who would we cast or who?

[1:03] Eila Mell: Who's going to write? Fill these roles? I mean, all right, easiest roles, probably Lily, because there's so much versatility, right?

[1:12] Bruce Gotlieb: It could be older, you can go younger, you can, there's, you don't have to stay in such a box like you do with, let's say a rooster or a Hannigan at the is probably the most constrictive.

[1:24] Eila Mell: Well, I want to point something out because I, until last night, thought that Emily Skinner was going to do it because that's the Goodspeed cast.

[1:32] Bruce Gotlieb: Correct.

[1:32] Eila Mell: But I happened to run into Daryl Roth at the theater last night, and she told me that the Broadway cast is a whole completely different cast than the Goodspeed cast, except maybe for one of the Sandys.

[1:46] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, those Sandys went through a nationwide search.

[1:49] Eila Mell: Exactly. So, so yeah. Do you think it helps Emily Skinner, you know, having done it at Goodspeed, or do you think it hurts her?

[1:57] Bruce Gotlieb: I think it hurts her because, you know, people want to be excited about this fresh production of Annie, and if she just did it, then I think that might put a damper on it.

[2:08] Eila Mell: Okay.

[2:09] Bruce Gotlieb: So for what it's worth, that's what I think.

[2:12] Eila Mell: Okay, all right, fair enough. So, I mean, Miss Hannigan seems like the role that's up for grabs.

[2:20] Bruce Gotlieb: And it feels as though as much as Annie is a property that can stand on its own, it seems as though you have an opportunity to really make a splash.

[2:31] Eila Mell: Yes. All right. So should we go through some ideas? I mean, who's gonna, who could do it? And who would be great?

[2:36] Bruce Gotlieb: Who could do it? So, so I think it would be great to have like a guest starring type of a feature where, whether it's a Hannigan rotation or some type of bringing in some nostalgia, Andrea McArdle, Sarah Jessica Parker, someone with ties to the original cast.

[2:54] Eila Mell: It would be nice, a throwback. I don't know if they're gonna go there.

[2:58] Bruce Gotlieb: I don't know. I don't know. And, well, Sarah Jessica Parker could definitely be Miss Hannigan.

[3:04] Eila Mell: So could Andrea McArdle.

[3:06] Bruce Gotlieb: Sarah would fill seats.

[3:08] Eila Mell: Very well.

[3:08] Bruce Gotlieb: I think they would both fill seats.

[3:09] Eila Mell: But Sarah, the thing is, is that Sarah Jessica Parker spans not just nostalgia. She's, you know, she's movies. She's TV. Everybody knows her.

[3:19] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes.

[3:20] Eila Mell: You don't have to be a Broadway fan or an Annie fan to know her.

[3:24] Bruce Gotlieb: Correct.

[3:25] Eila Mell: But, you know, she's not your typical Miss Hannigan.

[3:28] Bruce Gotlieb: So I don't know.

[3:29] Eila Mell: No. And Miss Hannigan is a really specific, you know, a really specific carve out, right?

[3:37] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[3:38] Eila Mell: You need humor, comedic timing and sensibility. You can't be too old, but you also can't be too young.

[3:46] Bruce Gotlieb: Right.

[3:47] Eila Mell: You can't be, you know, America's Next Top Model.

[3:50] Bruce Gotlieb: No.

[3:51] Eila Mell: You know, there's certain things that need to be brought to the table for this character to work.

[3:56] Bruce Gotlieb: And I want my Miss Hannigan to dance because of Easy Street.

[4:00] Eila Mell: Sure. I don't want someone just going through the motions.

[4:02] Bruce Gotlieb: It would be fun if she could keep up with the other two.

[4:05] Eila Mell: Absolutely. All right. So who in your perfect world, who would you have as Miss Hannigan?

[4:13] Bruce Gotlieb: The first two names that come to mind are Jennifer Simard.

[4:18] Eila Mell: Brilliant.

[4:19] Bruce Gotlieb: Who I think would be just outstanding. There's nothing she can't do.

[4:23] Eila Mell: Absolutely.

[4:24] Bruce Gotlieb: And you're going to get a, you know, a belted little girls to the heavens.

[4:30] Eila Mell: And so funny.

[4:32] Bruce Gotlieb: So funny. And then my other thought is actually the person who she's replaced in Schmigadoon, Anna Gasteyer.

[4:39] Eila Mell: Right.

[4:40] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. Also, the comedic sensibility is off the charts.

[4:44] Eila Mell: Yeah, right. So for me, I would love to see Maya Rudolph. I think she could be amazing as Miss Hannigan.

[4:53] Bruce Gotlieb: Sure.

[4:54] Eila Mell: She knows the Sam Pinkleton role.

[4:56] Bruce Gotlieb: She does.

[4:57] Eila Mell: She does with O'Mary. Could Cola Scola be Miss Hannigan?

[5:02] Bruce Gotlieb: Maybe a little young.

[5:03] Eila Mell: A little young. But you were saying to me earlier, Jynx Monsoon could do it.

[5:10] Bruce Gotlieb: Sure, sure.

[5:11] Eila Mell: And yeah. Also, maybe a little young, but the comedic timing is so important.

[5:18] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, right. I agree. You can forgive certain things, like if you didn't get the best dancer, not to say that anyone we've mentioned isn't.

[5:25] Eila Mell: Right.

[5:26] Bruce Gotlieb: But if they're not the best dancer and their comedy is off the charts, you'll forgive a lack of a dance. You'll forgive a stretched note, you know?

[5:36] Eila Mell: Right.

[5:36] Bruce Gotlieb: No, absolutely. I mean, well, Sutton Foster could do all three.

[5:43] Eila Mell: Sure.

[5:43] Bruce Gotlieb: She could definitely dance it. She could act it. She could sing it. But she's not really the physical type.

[5:49] Eila Mell: Right.

[5:49] Bruce Gotlieb: And I mean, she's played a Carol Burnett role before.

[5:52] Eila Mell: She has.

[5:53] Bruce Gotlieb: She has. I don't know, Stephanie J. Block. She could do it.

[5:57] Eila Mell: Yeah, why not?

[5:58] Bruce Gotlieb: Donna Murphy would be great.

[6:00] Eila Mell: Donna Murphy, even Beth Leavel, who I love, I think, I mean.

[6:04] Bruce Gotlieb: Incredible.

[6:05] Eila Mell: Incredible. It's just, there's so many possibilities.

[6:10] Bruce Gotlieb: I know.

[6:10] Eila Mell: Because you can go in so many different directions.

[6:13] Bruce Gotlieb: I know. Even though you need specific talents for this role, it could be so many different people.

[6:20] Eila Mell: You know who I would love to make her Broadway debut?

[6:23] Bruce Gotlieb: Who?

[6:23] Eila Mell: Queen Latifah.

[6:25] Bruce Gotlieb: She'd be excellent.

[6:27] Eila Mell: She would be fantastic.

[6:28] Bruce Gotlieb: She would. Because she's not overtly funny.

[6:31] Eila Mell: But she's funny, yeah.

[6:32] Bruce Gotlieb: But she's funny. Do you have any thoughts on Rooster?

[6:38] Eila Mell: Rooster, I could see. Maybe like, because Rooster's got to be really smooth, really dance well.

[6:48] Bruce Gotlieb: Funny.

[6:49] Eila Mell: Funny. Maybe Jared Grimes.

[6:52] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, he'd be great.

[6:53] Eila Mell: From Funny Girl. James T. Lane.

[6:56] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes, he could do it.

[6:57] Eila Mell: Maybe. What about Max Clayton?

[7:00] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, he could do it too.

[7:02] Eila Mell: He's really funny.

[7:03] Bruce Gotlieb: He's funny. Again, he's got that, there's just a little, they all have like, within their smoothness and their dance, there's a little danger, right?

[7:12] Eila Mell: And you need that for Rooster.

[7:14] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes, absolutely. Now, is it too small a role for Aaron to be?

[7:21] Eila Mell: He could do it.

[7:22] Bruce Gotlieb: It might be.

[7:23] Eila Mell: It might be too small.

[7:24] Bruce Gotlieb: Maybe. He's not obviously funny, but he was so funny in Schmigadoon.

[7:29] Eila Mell: He was. And you wonder when someone is funny on camera, can that translate to a live performance?

[7:36] Bruce Gotlieb: Because what's expected and camera angles and performing to just what's in front of you is different than performing in a Broadway house, as we've seen. So I wonder how that translates.

[7:50] Eila Mell: I mean, there's so many possibilities. I think because of the age of the character, it's probably going to be a newcomer for Annie.

[7:56] Bruce Gotlieb: You would think so, because even if the girl who's playing it at good speed is off the charts amazing, she's got a year that, you know, you have to sustain height and, you know, the only good thing about Annie is that, you know, if you're casting, let's say like an Oliver, you know, or, you know, you don't have to worry about a voice change like you would for a boy, but you do have to worry about a growth spurt.

[8:23] Eila Mell: And girls tend to shoot up before a boy would.

[8:27] Bruce Gotlieb: So it's one of those.

[8:28] Eila Mell: I know. And that 11-year-old age, you could.

[8:31] Bruce Gotlieb: Anything.

[8:32] Eila Mell: Yeah, right. It could. All of a sudden now, she's, you know.

[8:36] Bruce Gotlieb: Right.

[8:36] Eila Mell: She's got boobs, you know, a lot can change at that age.

[8:39] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[8:39] Eila Mell: And depending if you cast, you know, Kristen Chenoweth as Hannigan, all of a sudden she can be taller than her.

[8:44] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[8:45] Eila Mell: Which could blend into some humor, but no.

[8:48] Bruce Gotlieb: But probably not exactly the right way to go.

[8:51] Eila Mell: Right.

[8:52] Bruce Gotlieb: She should still look really young. And what about Lily? Do you have any thoughts on Lily?

[8:57] Eila Mell: I think there's so many people who could do Lily and be great. Jordan Tyson, I think, could be fun.

[9:04] Bruce Gotlieb: Sure.

[9:04] Eila Mell: What about you?

[9:05] Bruce Gotlieb: You know, depending on how young or old you want to go, because I think Lily has the most rate, like you can spread the range the most. There are two people I'm like, maybe like a Sam Pauly.

[9:17] Eila Mell: Great choice.

[9:18] Bruce Gotlieb: Go with like a Christiani Pitts.

[9:21] Eila Mell: Yeah. Right. I mean, yeah, there's a lot of flexibility in that character. So it's hard to even speculate how they're going to go with that.

[9:30] Bruce Gotlieb: I feel like, again, Easy Street, you want a dancer.

[9:34] Eila Mell: You do, especially in that role. You need somebody who, you know, juxtaposition between the Hannigan, obviously the age is one thing, but this girl should be like a pinup.

[9:44] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[9:45] Eila Mell: Like she's got to have.

[9:46] Bruce Gotlieb: Right.

[9:47] Eila Mell: That, you know, street stopping looks kind of thing about it.

[9:52] Bruce Gotlieb: Right. So for Miss Hannigan, you have to play down her looks and Lily, you have to really play up as much as possible.

[9:59] Eila Mell: Especially Lily comes across as not the most, you know, the sharpest tool in the shed.

[10:04] Bruce Gotlieb: Right.

[10:04] Eila Mell: I mean, it's not a figure she got through life somehow helped her get through life.

[10:09] Bruce Gotlieb: Right.

[10:10] Eila Mell: I mean, you know, let's face it. It's not the most refined character, you know, it's pretty much a stereotype.

[10:15] Bruce Gotlieb: So, OK, we can lean into that.

[10:18] Eila Mell: Why not?

[10:19] Bruce Gotlieb: Right. Because that is to that level of comedy.

[10:22] Eila Mell: Exactly.

[10:23] Bruce Gotlieb: Exactly. But speaking of comedy.

[10:26] Eila Mell: Yes.

[10:26] Bruce Gotlieb: You know, one of probably the funniest guys on Broadway right now.

[10:32] Eila Mell: Oh, well, yes.

[10:33] Bruce Gotlieb: We both love Operation Mincemeat.

[10:35] Eila Mell: We do.

[10:36] Bruce Gotlieb: We've seen it multiple times.

[10:38] Eila Mell: Yes.

[10:39] Bruce Gotlieb: And Titanic.

[10:40] Eila Mell: And we've seen that multiple times.

[10:41] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. And we are so thrilled to welcome Brandon Contreras, who is starring in Operation Mincemeat to Behind the Awards.

[10:48] Eila Mell: Yes. So let's bring him out.

[10:52] Bruce Gotlieb: I'm so excited to welcome Brandon Contreras to Behind the Awards.

[10:56] Brandon Contreras: Oh, hello.

[10:58] Brandon Contreras: Hello. Thanks for having me.

[10:59] Eila Mell: Thanks. I'm so happy.

[11:00] Brandon Contreras: Oh my God. Good morning. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy day in life.

[11:04] Brandon Contreras: Oh, no worries.

[11:05] Brandon Contreras: To just chat.

[11:06] Eila Mell: No worries. Long time listener. First time caller.

[11:08] Brandon Contreras: Thank you so much.

[11:09] Eila Mell: Oh, and friends.

[11:12] Brandon Contreras: We bonded.

[11:13] Eila Mell: That's right.

[11:14] Brandon Contreras: It was so magical. I felt like I was fangirling. And I was like, hi, it's so nice.

[11:20] Eila Mell: Well, we felt equally the same.

[11:21] Brandon Contreras: Oh, lucky us.

[11:22] Eila Mell: Lucky us.

[11:22] Brandon Contreras: I'm very lucky.

[11:24] Eila Mell: So let's tell people where we met because it's such a special place.

[11:27] Brandon Contreras: Oh, my God. So we met at this incredible camp. Remind me of the name.

[11:32] Brandon Contreras: I'm going to butcher it.

[11:33] Eila Mell: I'm going to use that.

[11:35] Brandon Contreras: That's it. Um, when me and my, uh, my colleague, my wonderful friend and colleague, Julia, and I tell we're performing for this entire like theater camp of full of like incredible kids who go there, who, who do arts, crafts, sports things.

[11:52] Brandon Contreras: And it's just so much, but we were, and we met in the back room in the green room. And it was so special. And I felt like I was meeting a celebrity, but it was really, really cool to hear your kind of, um, your path with that camp as well.

[12:05] Eila Mell: And yeah, it's my alma mater. I love it. I think that's so special. And I like, you know, once a theater kid, always a theater kid kind of, and it was just so much fun to be there, to be surrounded by that energy, to be surrounded by that. That, that hope, right. That theatrical hope and, uh, and, and uninhibited joy. And so I think it was kind of the best place to me. Like, I wouldn't have wanted me to the cocktail party or event. I was like, that was like, we were there so happy. So joyous filled with like love and, and this casual care about like each other, the arts and performances. So I was just so happy to be there.

[12:44] Brandon Contreras: You and Julia so generously gave your time to work with some of the kids too.

[12:48] Eila Mell: Oh gosh. It's the best. It's literally, it's one of my favorite things to do is to like do masterclasses or teach like the youth. I think it's so important. I think that's where it all starts, you know?

[13:00] Brandon Contreras: Yeah.

[13:01] Eila Mell: And they remember it for their whole entire lives, which is, you know, it's an important thing. I remember like masterclasses or meeting my favorite, you know, go see my show stage during, I remember all of it. It's like seared into my mind.

[13:16] Brandon Contreras: Yeah.

[13:16] Eila Mell: Right. Now the only thing is when you said we met in the back room, it sounded a lot sexier than when you corrected it and said the green room.

[13:21] Brandon Contreras: Yeah. To be fair.

[13:25] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[13:26] Brandon Contreras: You're absolutely right. It's the green room, but it is behind the stage.

[13:32] Eila Mell: That's right.

[13:33] Brandon Contreras: That's right. Reminded me of torch song.

[13:35] Eila Mell: Oh my God.

[13:37] Brandon Contreras: That's right. Wow.

[13:38] Eila Mell: Oh, wow. Good one.

[13:40] Brandon Contreras: What a good one.

[13:40] Eila Mell: I know.

[13:41] Bruce Gotlieb: All right. So let, we have to jump into Operation Mincemeat because our audience loves Operation Mincemeat.

[13:48] Brandon Contreras: That makes me so happy.

[13:50] Eila Mell: Thank you. It's a show that has the best fan base.

[13:53] Brandon Contreras: Oh no, we win.

[13:54] Bruce Gotlieb: We win.

[13:55] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[13:58] Brandon Contreras: So how are you embraced by them?

[14:06] Eila Mell: Welcome back to Behind the Awards. Today, we have a very special guest, Brandon Contreras, who is here to share his journey and experiences in the world of theater.

[14:36] Bruce Gotlieb: Brandon, it's great to have you on the show. You know, we were just talking about the challenges of performing and how you prepare for those moments when you have to step into a role unexpectedly.

[15:06] Brandon Contreras: Oh, gosh, I guess. I mean, there are a few tricks that you do to preemptively get ready for this moment. You know, I was lucky that I started my career as a cover. I was a swing in the first national tour of In the Heights when I was 20 years old.

[15:36] Eila Mell: Wow, you started your career at such a young age!

[16:06] Brandon Contreras: I mean, you know, In the Heights was my dream show. Just saying City Center, don't even get me started. That's a dream. One day, hopefully, I'll get to do a full circle as a snobby, but right. But yeah, so I have foundations there lined up for me.

[16:36] Bruce Gotlieb: That's amazing!

[17:06] Brandon Contreras: And that's a big part of the people who first taught me how to swing, which was the one and only Michael Balderrama, who's one of the associates on MJ. And then the incredible actress Morgan Marcel, who was most recently in Ragtime. She was also, I quote her as being one of my first friends in the business.

[17:36] Eila Mell: It's great to have those mentors early on.

[18:06] Brandon Contreras: They taught me the tracks, and really what it comes down to is that your body knows more than you think. You sit here and you learn so much and you drill, but you kind of have to have these peripheries on at all times. You have to be aware of everything.

[18:36] Bruce Gotlieb: That makes sense.

[19:06] Brandon Contreras: What I have learned, especially in this show, is that you have to rely on others. You have to be a team player. You have to understand that "shove with love" is a real term, and "lead with grace" is a real term. These are all things that I had to learn in situ, in real time.

[19:36] Eila Mell: It sounds like a real collaborative effort.

[20:06] Brandon Contreras: So when you get the call, it is like, okay, when it first happens, you're like, okay, I move the box here, my tie goes off and I put it in my right pocket, and then I push with my left. And then, you know, as time went on, I was like, yeah, okay, I'll take a Diet Coke instead of that margarita.

[20:37] Bruce Gotlieb: It sounds like you adapt quickly!

[20:43] Brandon Contreras: But it changes after a while. It shifts that phone call or that text from your stage manager. Even now, I get a text from my stage manager, and I'm like, oh, wait, Brandon, you're not on. But wait, what's this about?

[21:06] Eila Mell: Keeping track of everything must be a challenge.

[21:36] Brandon Contreras: The hardest thing to that sometimes I, you know, I'll ask the music director for grace. But that is something that comes with training your ear for that. That comes with time to sit with the book and to really drill that.

[22:06] Bruce Gotlieb: I can imagine!

[22:36] Brandon Contreras: Because in this specific show, it is only five people, only two kind of male or tenor voices. There's only two low voices in the show. So that is a really hard—it is a big difference if we're both singing the same thing and we should be singing different things.

[23:06] Eila Mell: That sounds like a lot of pressure.

[23:36] Brandon Contreras: But at least the audience won't know. But they might. People know the album now.

[24:06] Bruce Gotlieb: I remember when Eila and I went to see it; we were at an early preview, and the girl sitting next to me had already seen it eleven times!

[24:36] Brandon Contreras: It is astounding. We just had someone celebrate their hundred and fifth show. I'm very grateful and I'm very used to that in a very beautiful way because I came from the world of Titanic.

[25:06] Eila Mell: That fan base is strong!

[25:36] Brandon Contreras: Some of the fans and friends have come over from Titanic to this show, and that is a big gift. It makes me so happy and excited every time.

[26:06] Bruce Gotlieb: Speaking of Titanic, you had a great role in that show.

[26:36] Brandon Contreras: Thank you! I had the best time. That's one of my favorite jobs in my life. It was one of the most affirming roles in my career. Until then, I had never played like the guy, you know, the guy that gets the girl.

[27:06] Eila Mell: It sounds like it was a transformative experience for you.

[27:36] Brandon Contreras: That role really shifted something in me as a person. To be seen and also the kind of music that I was singing and how I was perceived on stage was a really beautiful feeling that healed me in ways that I never imagined in my life.

[28:06] Bruce Gotlieb: That's incredible to hear!

[28:43] Eila Mell: Welcome back to Behind the Awards. Today, we have a fantastic guest with us.

[29:13] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes, we do! We're excited to dive into his journey and experiences.

[29:43] Eila Mell: Absolutely! It's always inspiring to hear from those who have made significant contributions to the arts.

[30:13] Bruce Gotlieb: And our guest today has a remarkable story that we can't wait to share.

[30:43] Eila Mell: So, without further ado, let's welcome Brandon Contreras to the show!

[31:13] Brandon Contreras: Thank you so much for having me! I'm thrilled to be here.

[31:43] Eila Mell: We're excited to have you! Let's start from the beginning. What inspired you to pursue a career in the arts?

[32:13] Brandon Contreras: Well, I grew up in a family that valued creativity. My parents encouraged me to explore my interests, and I found my passion in theater.

[32:43] Bruce Gotlieb: That's wonderful! Did you have any specific influences or mentors along the way?

[33:13] Brandon Contreras: Definitely! I had some amazing teachers who really believed in me and pushed me to pursue my dreams.

[34:14] Eila Mell: It's great to hear how important mentorship can be. What was your first big break in the industry?

[34:20] Brandon Contreras: My first big break came when I was cast in a regional production that really opened doors for me.

[34:26] Bruce Gotlieb: That must have been an incredible experience! How did it feel to be recognized for your work?

[34:33] Brandon Contreras: It was surreal! Being acknowledged for something you love is a feeling like no other.

[34:38] Eila Mell: And now, as you continue your journey, what are some of your goals moving forward?

[34:45] Brandon Contreras: I want to keep pushing boundaries and exploring new roles that challenge me as an artist.

[34:59] Bruce Gotlieb: That's an admirable goal! The industry is always evolving, and it's exciting to see artists adapt.

[35:08] Eila Mell: Speaking of evolution, how do you think the landscape of theater has changed in recent years?

[35:38] Brandon Contreras: I think there's been a greater emphasis on diversity and inclusion, which is so important for the future of the arts.

[36:08] Bruce Gotlieb: Absolutely! It's crucial to have a variety of voices represented on stage.

[36:38] Eila Mell: And that leads to richer storytelling. What advice would you give to aspiring artists looking to make their mark?

[37:08] Brandon Contreras: I would say to stay true to yourself and never stop learning. The journey is just as important as the destination.

[37:38] Bruce Gotlieb: Wise words! It's all about growth and embracing the process.

[38:08] Eila Mell: Thank you for sharing that, Brandon. It's been a pleasure having you on the show.

[38:38] Brandon Contreras: Thank you for having me! I've enjoyed our conversation.

[39:08] Bruce Gotlieb: And we look forward to seeing where your journey takes you next!

[39:38] Eila Mell: Yes, definitely! Keep us updated on your future projects.

[40:08] Brandon Contreras: I will! Thank you again for the opportunity to share my story.

[40:38] Bruce Gotlieb: And thank you to our listeners for tuning in to another episode of Behind the Awards.

[41:08] Eila Mell: Be sure to join us next time for more inspiring stories from the world of theater, film, and television.

[41:38] Bruce Gotlieb: Until then, take care and keep celebrating excellence in the arts!

[41:56] Eila Mell: Bye for now!

[42:08] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye!

[42:20] Eila Mell: Welcome back to Behind the Awards. Today, we have the incredible Brandon Contreras with us, who has a fascinating journey in the world of theater and leadership.

[42:50] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes, Brandon, it's great to have you here. Your story is truly inspiring, and I can't wait to dive into it.

[43:20] Eila Mell: So, let's start from the beginning. What inspired you to pursue a career in theater?

[43:48] Brandon Contreras: Thank you for having me! I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and the power of performance. Growing up, I was involved in school plays and community theater, which really ignited my passion for the arts.

[44:13] Bruce Gotlieb: That’s wonderful! It sounds like you had a supportive environment. Did you have any particular mentors who influenced your path?

[44:41] Brandon Contreras: Absolutely! I had a few teachers who really believed in me and encouraged me to take risks. Their support made a huge difference in my confidence and my decision to pursue this career.

[45:09] Eila Mell: It’s amazing how mentorship can shape our journeys. Can you tell us about a pivotal moment in your career?

[45:37] Brandon Contreras: One of the most pivotal moments was when I was cast in a lead role in a local production. It was a challenging character, and I had to push myself beyond my comfort zone. That experience taught me so much about resilience and the importance of vulnerability in performance.

[46:05] Bruce Gotlieb: That sounds like a transformative experience. How did that role impact your view on leadership in the arts?

[46:33] Brandon Contreras: It really opened my eyes to the idea that leadership isn’t just about being in charge; it’s about inspiring others and creating a collaborative environment. I learned that as a leader, you need to be approachable and willing to listen.

[47:01] Eila Mell: That’s such an important perspective. In your opinion, what qualities make a great leader in the theater industry?

[47:25] Brandon Contreras: I believe empathy, communication, and adaptability are key. A great leader should be able to connect with their team, understand their needs, and be flexible in their approach.

[47:53] Bruce Gotlieb: Those are valuable traits. Have you had any experiences where you had to demonstrate those qualities?

[48:21] Brandon Contreras: Yes, definitely. There was a time when we faced significant challenges during a production. I had to step in and mediate between different team members to ensure everyone felt heard and valued. It was a tough situation, but it ultimately brought us closer together.

[48:49] Eila Mell: It sounds like you handled that beautifully. How do you think your experiences in theater have shaped your leadership style?

[49:17] Brandon Contreras: My experiences have taught me the importance of collaboration and trust. I strive to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to share their ideas and contribute to the creative process.

[49:45] Bruce Gotlieb: That’s a fantastic approach. What advice would you give to aspiring leaders in the theater community?

[50:13] Brandon Contreras: I would say to be authentic and true to yourself. Don’t be afraid to take risks and learn from your mistakes. Surround yourself with people who challenge you and support your growth.

[50:41] Eila Mell: Great advice! Now, shifting gears a bit, can you share a memorable moment from an awards ceremony you attended?

[51:09] Brandon Contreras: One of my most memorable moments was when I was nominated for an award. The excitement and anticipation in the room were palpable. It was a surreal experience to be recognized for my work alongside such talented individuals.

[51:37] Bruce Gotlieb: That must have been incredible! How did it feel to be in that moment?

[52:05] Brandon Contreras: It was overwhelming in the best way possible. I felt a mix of gratitude and disbelief. It reminded me of why I love this industry so much.

[52:35] Eila Mell: It’s moments like those that really fuel our passion. What do you hope to achieve in the future?

[53:03] Brandon Contreras: I hope to continue growing as a leader and to inspire others through my work. I want to create opportunities for underrepresented voices in theater and help elevate new talent.

[53:31] Bruce Gotlieb: That’s a noble goal. It’s so important to give back to the community. How do you plan to make that happen?

[53:59] Brandon Contreras: I’m currently working on initiatives that focus on mentorship and education. I believe that by providing resources and support, we can create a more inclusive environment in the arts.

[54:29] Eila Mell: That’s fantastic to hear! We need more leaders like you in the industry.

[54:57] Bruce Gotlieb: Absolutely! Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Brandon. It’s been a pleasure having you on the show.

[55:25] Brandon Contreras: Thank you both for having me! I really enjoyed our conversation.

[55:53] Eila Mell: And thank you to our listeners for tuning in. We’ll see you next time on Behind the Awards!

[56:23] Bruce Gotlieb: Bye, everyone!

[56:28] Brandon Contreras: And we should always aspire for more, but you have done it, I've done it, I'm in it, I'm in it now currently. I will do it later at 7:30 p.m. like it is, that's right. So I just, I'm the luckiest, luckiest camper, the luckiest. And for decades to come, kids will look up, you know, all your work and see your name attached to these roles and, you know, I mean, you've made your mark. It's amazing.

[56:54] Eila Mell: That got me.

[56:55] Brandon Contreras: Oh, sorry, but it's true. Oh God, that got me. Yeah, that is a, it's kind of the one thing I hope that like, and then also like when I saw you at Usedan, right, it, you know, is, oh, not even an hour concert. Yeah. And you sang a couple of songs, but just seeing you sing that Disney song, it's like, oh, he can do this. Yeah, you know, like, yeah, it's like just if people get to see you do different things, they're gonna, you know, they're going to just know who you are more. And it's so, it's like every, even a small thing that you do, there's a ripple effect.

[57:35] Eila Mell: Oh gosh, thank you. That means that's so sweet. You got me, you got me, gal. I'm not trying to get you. So wait, so all right, so to put all this to practice then, you said that there were dream roles that you don't know if people see you and let's put them out there.

[57:48] Brandon Contreras: Oh God, that's so fun. Maybe hopefully you'll see some sometime in the future me performing some of these songs like a la carte, but I would love to do The Wild Party. I would love to be Burrs in The Wild Party. And I know we just, there, you know, like Houston Lipa, I saw Jordan Donica's Burrs in Encore's Wild Party and that, that's untouchable. I don't ever, I could never, that was astounding. So I'm going to refer to Alipha's and I would love to play Burr in that. And it just, that was, it's incredibly dark, twisted role, incredible music that I would love to do. My dream penultimate role that I've wanted for so long is Molina in Kiss of the Spider Woman.

[58:40] Eila Mell: Oh yeah, and you could kill it.

[58:41] Brandon Contreras: I mean, like I, it just like, I'm, I, it was such a, it's such an intersection of everything that I am, right? It's Latin, it's queer, it's also skirts on the non-binary aspect of it all. And it also like really shows, you know, what, like how, how much power is in sensitivity, right? And vulnerability in that role. Yeah. And I also love Valentin too. There was a, there was a time where I said that I wanted to Little Foxes, the role like kind of Cynthia Nix and Melora Linney, how they like, I would like those two roles are who I am, you know, it's like, you know, I always joked with my dear friend Joelle Perez and I was like, let's just switch every night, you know, Broadway's Joelle Perez. And so that, that show means so much to me and Molina specifically just like how much that I would love to do. It's a beautiful part.

[59:35] Eila Mell: Yeah, it's a beautiful role.

[59:36] Brandon Contreras: It's so heartbreaking, but I think that there are more times than less, unfortunately, I think that a lot of queer people understand heartbreak. And I don't mean that for, I don't mean that for love necessarily, romantic love, but heartbreak from the world and how we're portrayed, how we are treated, how we are ostracized. And then it's also family, it's also, there's so many things. We know heartbreak well, right? It's something that you have to think about that many people.

[59:58] Eila Mell: Exactly.

[59:59] Brandon Contreras: And I'm not speaking to us as a monolith, right? But I think that we have our hand on the pulse of what it's like for heartbreak. And so to see that in a show is devastating, but also what a beautiful way to portray it and honor that as myself, as just like me, myself, who I am in the proximity to that role was really beautiful. Yeah. And then also I, I would, I always joked that I wanted to collect all the Disney princesses like infinity stones, you know what I mean? I was able to do, oh, I did Beauty and the Beast, and I was able to be the Beast and that was really cool and that was so fulfilling. And then I'm like, well, next is Prince Eric and then next after that is Cinderella's prince.

Like, you know, so I've always wanted to be a prince. I've always, like, I have a dream, like I have a dream to like to voice a Disney singer, like in a Disney musical. Yeah, yeah, like in an animation, kind of like what they did in Encanto and, or like, you know, when Little Mermaid, that live action came out, like what's to be Prince Eric too? I wanted, I want to do something like that, just to save the day or to, you know, storm the castle, but then sing this beautiful song like out there or her voice or just something that's really quite charming and beautiful. I want to be someone that people can fall in love with.

[1:01:34] Eila Mell: Yeah, well, oh, you are.

[1:01:35] Brandon Contreras: Thank you.

[1:01:36] Eila Mell: Tell my exes.

[1:01:37] Brandon Contreras: You know, what do they know?

[1:01:39] Eila Mell: Well, what do they know?

[1:01:41] Brandon Contreras: Or else, yeah. So those are kind of my, my some of my career things, things like that are, they're so, so all very different. But if there's anything I love, it's a challenge. And if it's anything that I have, it's the audacity. So, and of course creating a new role too is just such an honor.

[1:02:06] Eila Mell: Gosh, what is that?

[1:02:07] Brandon Contreras: Yeah, that is, that is special, creating something new. Yeah, you know, and then to be recognized for creating that, you know, like when you, like, like going through your book too is such a, such a zeitgeist into the world that is creation, right? And then also things like designing Broadway too, it's like you watch that and you're like, this is wow. I think we, why we love theater so much is because it, it's like, look, I found a hat where there never was a hat. You made that from your brain thing, you know? Right? And so I think that's why we love it so much and the actors that come along with it. And did you see your Almost Famous set in the book?

[1:03:03] Eila Mell: Oh God, did I ever.

[1:03:04] Brandon Contreras: That's sad. Oh, Derek McLean, I mean, just the best of them. I mean, just, yeah, he is the best and just he, yeah, yeah, a great guy.

[1:03:10] Eila Mell: Great man, great man.

[1:03:11] Brandon Contreras: And then his, the one and only busiest woman on Broadway, Leobolic, the producer, there's a powerhouse.

[1:03:17] Eila Mell: Yeah, yeah, you know, like, so you're watching them create MJ, you know, so it's like, it's a crazy thing to watch people create and just, you know, and yes, and then to something from nothing and to see our set like that in that book was, is so cool. Like it would have, I like never forget that set. I'll never forget those doors. I'll never forget, you know, that couch. Yeah, you know, I love the map and the set as you know, that was so cool. But yeah, brings me back, it brings me so back. Yeah, and the projections were so cool and just, you know, it's so cool, the rock of it all, just the hotel, those doors, I have nightmares about those doors, you know? They were so tricky, but they, it was so successful when you did it, when we did it, when we nailed it, there was no stopping us. Everyone in that cast was such a rocker, we went for it.

[1:04:01] Eila Mell: Oh yeah, we went for it.

[1:04:02] Brandon Contreras: It was, yeah, this show should have lasted longer, but you know, you never know how these things go.

[1:04:07] Eila Mell: Yeah, and Anika Larson, amazing.

[1:04:09] Brandon Contreras: Oh my God, the mother to us all.

[1:04:10] Eila Mell: The mother to us all, so nice. I also walked away from that with like someone like Drew Galing. Oh my God, that's my guy. I've understood him, I've understood him twice now.

[1:04:18] Brandon Contreras: Oh yeah, that role and then I also did Secret Garden with him, the workshop of that and I understood and, and so now we joke, I'm like, yeah, what's on your docket? I think I'm free, you know, March of 2028, you know? So I always joke, you're too busy.

[1:04:39] Eila Mell: Yeah, right.

[1:04:40] Brandon Contreras: Yeah, Drew Galing, I'm busy. But like we always joked, I was like, you've never seen Drew Galing and I in the same room, like, and so that's all just, and so, yeah, that's some, that's someone from that show that I took and that I will like forever be grateful for. Just like he's, he's fantastic.

[1:05:04] Eila Mell: Yeah, understanding.

[1:05:05] Brandon Contreras: This is his wife, William Edison, you mean?

[1:05:08] Eila Mell: Please.

[1:05:09] Brandon Contreras: Oh please, I could, I know I could go on. We don't have enough time to talk about Julia.

[1:05:14] Eila Mell: No, Julia, she is, yeah, that, the, her brain, I would, the amount of rent I would pay just to live in her mind for five minutes, the genius. I would, we would say that if Jennifer Smart ever left Death Becomes Her, she would be the best replacement. I watched her, I watched her, I did, she's, they're doing Tangled right now and I watched them do Tangled and I watched her sing Rapunzel stuff like, and just like, like just to show people, you know, she could, there's not one thing that Julia cannot do, name it. We were at an event, we were at an event and she sang for the gays, yeah, full belt and all, it was great. And it's still my favorite thing in the world that she rhymes grunge, yeah, with, and I saw, I actually saw Julia in Godspell when she was an understudy in Godspell.

I'll never forget her improv for that. So she did Turn Back Oh Man and they started in the audience and she came out and she did her audience thing and then she's like, turn back oh man, how you doing? Is that a diet coke girl? Back oh man, oh I'm just gonna pass. And she's like, I'm gonna pass through and she's like, turn back oh man, and as she's doing a split, she goes, I slipped into your programs. I won't, like it's been over 20 years since I've seen that and I still remember her improv. That, I mean, there's no one like her.

[1:07:03] Eila Mell: What is that? Is that a diet coke?

[1:07:05] Brandon Contreras: That's hilarious, man, that is.

[1:07:07] Eila Mell: Excuse me, coming through.

[1:07:09] Brandon Contreras: Like that is Julia, there's not one thing I can, we're gonna actually have another episode behind the behind the award about Julia, about me talking about Julia and how much I love her. I think people would love that.

[1:07:20] Eila Mell: We should do like a tribute to Julia.

[1:07:22] Brandon Contreras: She deserves it, she's so talented.

[1:07:24] Eila Mell: Yeah, yeah, I'm, I'm always around. I'm so grateful. I look around in my career and I'm just like, huh, I've got to meet and work with some of the best people of, of, of artistic generation.

[1:07:35] Brandon Contreras: Well, don't you think that's the best part of your job?

[1:07:37] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[1:07:38] Brandon Contreras: Who you get to work with the best. I like go, I like go get to hang out with some friends at a theater, that's cool, right? And then do a show, right? Even like my best friend, then you get to, yeah, right? That's amazing. You get to create a show with Cameron Crowe that, you know, is his personal story, amazing.

[1:07:46] Eila Mell: My God, that will forever live with me, Cameron Crowe.

[1:07:49] Brandon Contreras: Yeah, one of the, one of the nicest men and the most generous collaborators of our time. And you would think, right? Yeah, Oscar award, what, you know, like these people, right? He is, but nothing but kind, considerate, always buzzing, yeah, he's genuine, genuine, he's the real deal, intelligent, thought-provoking, and just like the ultimate collaborator. Yeah, and he went through that show losing his mother, who was the central character. I mean, there, it's, you know, it couldn't be more dramatic.

[1:08:18] Eila Mell: No, yeah.

[1:08:19] Brandon Contreras: And, and he did it so beautifully and how me and Anika handled all of that too, it just was like the most beautiful, it's, it's, it's the present you don't want, right? It's the, how poetic and beautiful that was. But if there's one, if there's one person who can turn a moment so heavy and dark and, and make a hat, it's Cameron Crowe. And I think any of us in that building, with any of us from that show, will, would follow him anywhere. If he were to call me, be like, hey, can you watch my dog, fly to LA and watch my dog? I'd like, absolutely, I'm calling out. No, I mean it, I would follow him anywhere.

[1:09:05] Eila Mell: Well, it's a good man.

[1:09:06] Brandon Contreras: Yeah, no, he absolutely, he, and just, you know, you know, I got to talk to him for Designing Broadway and just so generous in the stories that he shared about bringing Anika to his mom and, you know, her singing for him for her and just, you know, just beautiful.

[1:09:23] Eila Mell: Yeah, it's so special. I'm, I'm glad that they were able to have that moment.

[1:09:27] Brandon Contreras: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, we could talk to you all day. I hope that you'll just come back on a regular basis. We, we need to have an ongoing conversation.

[1:09:34] Eila Mell: Oh my gosh, anytime. I'm just so happy to be here. Thank you so much for thinking about me and for asking me. I feel so honored. I feel like I, I did it, I made it, you know, you're our new BFF.

[1:09:46] Brandon Contreras: Oh my, I want to hear your family, so whatever you need, promote something, you got something coming up, whatever.

[1:09:51] Eila Mell: One day, hopefully, you know, I just, the world is, the world is, life is very long and I hope one day that I can have something to promote or awards, I think, you know, things like that. I just, one day I would love that, that'd be such a dream.

[1:10:08] Eila Mell: Oh my gosh, there's so much good ahead for you.

[1:10:10] Brandon Contreras: Thank you so much, that means so much coming from you both who are, are at the literal eye of the storm of everything. You truly, you truly are, you guys are at the center of the tornado that is this business, so that means a lot coming on.

[1:10:19] Eila Mell: Thank you.

[1:10:20] Brandon Contreras: Well, we will definitely ask you back and we will see everyone next time on Behind the Awards.

[1:10:25] Eila Mell: Okay, bye.