This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] ♪ Musical number: "My Favorite Things" — performed by Unknown performer ♪

[0:17] Robert W Schneider: Happy throwback Thursday, everybody. Hi folks, how you doing this week? I'm doing good. Kevin just called me Edie Gourmet.

[0:22] Kevin David Thomas: I did.

[0:24] Robert W Schneider: Well, Rob, we were gonna start recording, and Rob's like, I don't have my cord ready for my microphone, and he whipped his chord around. And I thought, okay, Edie.

[0:30] Kevin David Thomas: I was trying to think of a really funny anecdote name that he would get, but I just said Edie.

[0:37] Robert W Schneider: And where did you go? You thought right away. You see, I didn't turn on my old Mishbucha brain, which should have been we're going to see Edie Gourmet. I turned on my little gay brain that said Edie from Grey Gardens.

[0:50] Kevin David Thomas: Oh huh. Oh hi. God, that show was so good. I never want to see anybody but Christine Eversoll play that role. She was perfection. She was magnificent in that part. And boy, she's, you know, she's a legend. I mean, she is a Broadway. I just saw a picture on, you know, on Bygone Broadway, the Instagram thing. It was a favorite thing where they post a lot of old Broadway photos, and there was her when she was like 20, 21 playing Guinevere, I think, in Camelot, in like 1980. But my goodness, what that woman has had a career. You know, she was on SNL for a season, right?

[1:25] Robert W Schneider: What?

[1:26] Kevin David Thomas: Yeah, no, yeah, she was on SNL for a season. I think so. It's somewhat legendary, but like when the original cast left, I think in 1980, and Lauren Michaels left with them. They brought in a new producer named Jean Dumanian. Um, and she brought in a whole new group of people, a whole new cast. And it was her, Joe Piscopo, Gilbert Gottfried, Eddie Murphy, um, and a lot of Denny Dillon, if you know Denny Dillon, and a lot of other folks, um, and they all got like canned within a year. Like within a year they all were all asked to leave and then it didn't go so I don't know if she was asked to leave or if she quit. I don't know.

[1:46] Robert W Schneider: Oh well we have to will she get her on the podcast so we can ask?

[1:46] Kevin David Thomas: You know, I would like to ask her but she's also like she also shows up in some TV shows. I hear she's in Woody Allen's new movie if anyone is still seeing his movies. Very, she's very, yeah, she has had a very long multifaceted career. Yeah, incredible and my god such a genius, such an absolute genius. But if I don't, I want her and nobody else can I tell you my quick Grey Gardens story and then we'll move on? I'm so sorry. I remember the first time I saw Grey Gardens, I second acted it. Remember that when you could actually like second act shows? Thoroughly Modern Millie, that's I love. Oh did you really? I know the second act so well.

[1:46] Robert W Schneider: Oh you're so good. Um, I second acted Grey Gardens and I had never seen the documentary. I had no idea it was based on a true story and I was like what is this? This is brilliant, this is brilliant. And so then I went back and bought a ticket and I was like act one I was like holy shit like she plays her mom in a younger like what is this? Right? It was such a mind. The watching her perform act two alone was mind blowing but then to see act one I was like give this woman every Tony award that ever existed and that show you can really it's like it's like it's second acting Sunday in the park, you know, act one and act two show yes they're connected but they are they're almost like two different one acts that are connected, you know?

[1:46] Kevin David Thomas: And that's so wild because you must have been blown away when you saw Act One finally and thought oh my gosh.

[3:33] Robert W Schneider: That was all in the future.

[3:34] Kevin David Thomas: That was all yeah. Then my mind was like triply blown when I saw the original documentary and I was like holy shit, who is that? She captured her and Mary Louise Wilson.

[3:45] Robert W Schneider: Mary Louise Wilson, who is a genius. I would like to get her on the podcast as well.

[3:50] Kevin David Thomas: We have made an offer and she declined.

[3:53] Robert W Schneider: Oh, okay. Good to okay. That is like the second or third time in five years that that is what happened.

[3:59] Kevin David Thomas: I hear she's um, I don't want to use the word eccentric, but I hear that she is uh I'll take it a very fun personality.

[4:08] Robert W Schneider: I love what I've heard. I love a fun personality, Miss Wilson. If you're willing to change your mind and reconsider, we'll only talk about things you want to talk about.

[4:16] Kevin David Thomas: We've save hands. Hey, if anyone knows her, like drop our names a little bit, let her know that she's gonna be in good hands.

[4:25] Robert W Schneider: We'll take care of her. It's what's that insurance company? Is it you're in good hands?

[4:29] Kevin David Thomas: All state, you're in good hands.

[4:31] Robert W Schneider: I think it's all state. Yes, we're like the all state of podcasting. Okay, Miss Wilson. So, you know, people feel safe. They always get done to say, Hey, that was really fun. Now let's go over your fun. We had a, I had a good time.

[4:41] Kevin David Thomas: Hey, speaking of a good time, our interview with Ann Ryan King was a good time, wasn't it?

[4:45] Robert W Schneider: Wow, that got a lot of uh, a lot of attention.

[4:47] Kevin David Thomas: Some might even say a good time, Charlie.

[4:50] Robert W Schneider: I feel like I didn't take that uh bait, and I should have, and I'll I'm a little ashamed of that. That's a you really lay that one out there.

[4:57] Kevin David Thomas: I try. I tried open. I tried for you. That was some good pictures that our social media person is uh movie we've seen. I mean, that is like really a really fun shot.

[5:06] Robert W Schneider: Yeah, Bethany Anderson. Bethany's amazing, and it's really uh yeah, it's really fun to see those photos. And it's and it was fun to talk to Ann Ryan King. Somebody asked me, and I don't know the answer. Is in the interview, she kept alluding to the fact that like there was a big star slated to play Roxy Hart and Encores. And remember that? And she was like, and she's like that person dropped down, so you know, I took over. And so a bunch of people text me, like, what like who was it? Who was it? And you know, folks, she never said she didn't tell us, and we we didn't ask her off the line. She never said, no, and you usually after somebody mentions that a few times, we feel like they'll they'll mention it, and she did not mention it, and so I feel like there was a reason she didn't mention it.

[5:46] Kevin David Thomas: Um, but we I don't know who it was. I have some theories, I have some theories and ideas. Do you especially in that time period? Because you know, we didn't have uh the Encores was so new then.

[5:57] Robert W Schneider: Uh and so, yeah, go ahead.

[5:59] Kevin David Thomas: Sorry.

[5:59] Robert W Schneider: No, no, no, no. I was thinking it might have I was thinking one of two people, and I I might be wrong on both, because she was like, it's a really big star. I was thinking maybe one of it, maybe Vanessa Williams. Remember, because they kept always trying to get her to do an encore show, right? And she had just done uh, you know Kiss of the Spider Woman, and she was like real big, yeah.

[6:20] Kevin David Thomas: Right, and okay, Anne Reinking had worked with her on the I think on the Bye Bye Birdie TV show. Remember that with Jason's interview?

[6:27] Robert W Schneider: Yes, of course.

[6:27] Kevin David Thomas: And the other one, I was like, I was like, maybe it's Goldie Hawn. Because do you remember like in the 80s they were gonna make a movie of Chicago and it was gonna be Goldie Hawn and Madonna?

[6:27] Robert W Schneider: Wow, yeah.

[6:27] Kevin David Thomas: I was like, maybe that's maybe it's her. That's super big because that's bigger than Vanessa. Vanessa was like a star, but it wasn't that's not but Goldie. That's a mega star, yeah.

[6:48] Robert W Schneider: But I'm saying Vanessa is like, yeah, she's a star, but I mean, Goldie Hawn, that would have been fun. Boy, I would have that would have been. I don't know. So, listener, first of all, listeners, if you have an idea, let us know. Um, and if you actually know, let us know because I'm I'm sure curious.

[7:04] Kevin David Thomas: That's fine. Or should I text Ann? Should I text her back and be like, hey, and I have a follow up, yeah.

[7:08] Robert W Schneider: And sub you up, you up. Just with a God bless her. I you know what I loved about her? There was not one there was not a one um uh uh uh uh uh uh text. Sorry. I was like what grandpa check your battery there was not one text that went by where there was not an emoji.

[7:32] Kevin David Thomas: I love that so much.

[7:33] Robert W Schneider: I got hearts from her, I got those clapping hands. She was like, she's an emoji queen. So I was I was very excited to be texting with her. We never emailed, all we did was text. I think that's wonderful.

[7:45] Kevin David Thomas: So she's my buddy. She was she was nothing but just kind, generous with she was so open too. I was I thought maybe, you know, I've seen interviews, I read interviews. I thought maybe there'd be a little bit more of a walla, but she was so gregarious and and just uh she was wonderful.

[8:00] Robert W Schneider: Yeah, folks, check it out. And you know what? And before we move on, you know, it's so funny when Kevin and I first started this podcast five years ago. Yeah, almost or thinking about it at least five years ago, when we both came up with a list of 25 people that we wanted to talk to. Um and I think I looked at my list again recently. She was number one on my list.

[8:16] Kevin David Thomas: She was number one. She was on your list too. But I was like, I can't, I was like, oh shit. Wow, we we got her.

[8:23] Robert W Schneider: We got Annie. I'm so full of puns today. Just made me no, I'm I don't know if I'm feeling sentimental or what, but I love it. I'm just enjoying it.

[8:34] Kevin David Thomas: I think, yeah, we did. That is I'm so I I was I'm just I was so happy when we when we had when we locked that interview down. I was just yeah.

[8:41] Robert W Schneider: Me too. And I think we got stuff that we we we heard things that I have not heard in other interviews.

[8:47] Kevin David Thomas: Absolutely. Absolutely. That was really cool too.

[8:50] Robert W Schneider: Absolutely. And a big thank you.

[8:51] Kevin David Thomas: Yeah.

[8:51] Robert W Schneider: No, I was gonna say a big thanks to Michael Kubala, who was one of our former guests who got us in contact with her. So Michael, big, big thanks. And Michael's interview was also fascinating. Michael was in Maryland.

[9:02] Kevin David Thomas: Was he the one?

[9:04] Robert W Schneider: Yeah, he was in Maryland. I think so. Um and had some interesting stories about that and working with Jerome Robbins too. Because he's Michael's an amazing, amazing dancer. Really talented guy.

[9:13] Kevin David Thomas: Um, okay. And hey, don't forget, folks, Saturday. Hey, it's trivia night. Trivia night, trivia night.

[9:18] Robert W Schneider: Every Saturday, we're gonna have well, we missed last one uh last Saturday because of the old July 4th. But we're back with you Saturday night, eight o'clock. You know the routine. What do they have to do, Rob?

[9:28] Kevin David Thomas: They have sorry, I was thinking about July 4th for a second. I was thinking about fireworks, and I was thinking about that song from Do Werry Me.

[9:33] Robert W Schneider: And Hamilton.

[9:34] Kevin David Thomas: Oh, right, of course. Oh, old school new school. I know. Hey, can we create a mashup of uh fireworks from from both Hamilton and Doray Me?

[9:43] Robert W Schneider: Yes, please. Being amazing. Are you okay with that?

[9:48] Kevin David Thomas: Amazing.

[9:48] Robert W Schneider: See, your name scans pretty well with it. I was thinking about that earlier. Oh, it should be me on the star, but instead of like pointing up, I'm just sitting there and you see an ice cream cone in one hand.

[9:58] Kevin David Thomas: Like the man in chair, but like the man in chair, yes.

[10:01] Robert W Schneider: I'm Robert W. Schneider. Lynn, we're making some changes. Hey, but before we talk about trivia, I'm so sorry. Did you watch The Hamilton?

[10:08] Kevin David Thomas: Are you kidding me? I've watched it twice already.

[10:10] Robert W Schneider: My god, it looks so good. I got a Disney Plus subscription for this. I'm stuck it's worth every penny. I loved it before, and I and I am one of the I'm on the bandwagon. I've been on the bandwagon. I'm proud to be on the bandwagon because it is so well written and directed and acted and all of the words.

[10:26] Kevin David Thomas: But I I'm this time watching it, because I watched the bootleg a couple times. I've listened to it so many. But to really watch the storytelling and to have Tom Thomas Cale, who directed on stage, also direct the film. I mean, it's a stage, but you know how it's funny, and I mean funny, not haha, but funny weird sometimes when you bring something that's a live theatrical experience to the film, and you how do you make something that is so visceral, you know, 2D almost, you know, we're just watching the screen. I thought they did such a good job of keeping the shots wide, keeping them not just close-ups because that drives me crazy because we're not meant to see them that close up on stage. I want to see the picture, I want to see the choreography all around.

And I thought they really navigated that so so shockingly well, and the applause and all of those things, letting the audience be a little part of it, but not too much. I'll be really curious to talk to you about it once you've seen. Have you seen it yet?

[11:13] Robert W Schneider: Oh yeah, I loved it.

[11:14] Kevin David Thomas: Oh good, okay. I loved it. I just I was just so blown away by by and and some of the things that Thomas Kale did to help propel the story forward. I just were so inventive to me and so creative, and using props and not using props and the transitions going in and out so quickly. I've never seen anything quite like it before.

[11:31] Robert W Schneider: Yeah, and you know, also I think a really huge shout out to Andy Blank and Bueller because that choreography musical staging, yes, staged within an inch of its life. Um not too distracting either. What's going on behind oh supports the focus of the story going on in the center?

[11:48] Kevin David Thomas: Go ahead.

[11:48] Robert W Schneider: I'm sorry.

[11:48] Kevin David Thomas: No, no, no, I was gonna say I was watching a thing on YouTube a couple of days ago um that they've posted where it's him, Andy Blank and Bueller in a dance studio, explaining like some of the moves in the show, like why um uh it was so fascinating.

[12:04] Robert W Schneider: It's so fascinating, and he's just such a smart choreographer. Just and it was it was a really cool look into the process. But Hamilton, which came out in the 2010s, and hey, Kath and guess what? Yes, 2010s is the theme of our trivia.

[12:17] Kevin David Thomas: And the the the tens are the theme. We're gonna go take you to some contemporary musical theater friends.

[12:23] Robert W Schneider: We are so once again, folks, it's on Saturday at eight o'clock Eastern time via Zoom. Um this year, the this year, the week. It's like Alexander Cohen. This year, the theme of the Tonies is gonna be ushers. What is it, Hildi? What is it? Some Italian. Okay, sorry. Everyone, get ready. Um, it's going to be the uh uh the 2010s. Um, the way you and sorry, and all of the proceeds are going to the National Immigration Law Center. One more time. The proceeds this week are going to the National Immigration Law Center. Please don't forget that every time we do one of these trivia things, all the money that you pay to participate with is all donated. Kevin and I do not keep a cent of labor of love. It's a labor of love because we want to be helping as many people as we possibly can.

Last week we raised about $300 for Glisten, and so we're hoping to raise the same amount of money for the National Immigration Law Center. Um, and the theme that we said is the 2010s, Hamilton, Fun Home, Book of Mormon.

[13:20] Kevin David Thomas: So many you know what's so funny, Kevin? When I when we were done putting the questions together, I was like, oh my god, there's so many musicals we have not included. We could do a part two. It's a very productive period, don't you think? So we have Hamilton, we have Book of Mormon, we have Fun Home. You are you Triumph the Insult Comic Dog?

[13:37] Robert W Schneider: Yes, yes. Frozen Anastasia, yeah, lots of fun stuff. And as always, Kevin's gonna sing. I'm gonna do I'm gonna sing with some tunes for you. Yeah, I'm gonna throw a little little song in there. I was tempted and I was like, no, let just like Kevin sing, because he's the better singer by by yards.

[14:00] Kevin David Thomas: You sing.

[14:00] Robert W Schneider: No, I was gonna I was gonna have Robert Goulet pop up and sing a couple of songs from the 2010s, but I realized that would just not be a pretty thing.

[14:07] Kevin David Thomas: Oh no, I want to do that. We gotta do that.

[14:10] Robert W Schneider: He doesn't he's he's also he's already gone back to heaven. No, now you're like, I'm percolated. I'm thinking of of the other category we could do when we do the 60s. We could have you doing different impersonations of people because you do, you're so good at your own.

[14:22] Kevin David Thomas: Stop it.

[14:23] Robert W Schneider: Stop it.

[14:24] Kevin David Thomas: Stop it.

[14:25] Robert W Schneider: I'm an impressionist.

[14:26] Kevin David Thomas: Yes, you are.

[14:27] Robert W Schneider: So anyway, so the way you can play is you can go and Venmo me Robert W Schneider 5 on Venmo.

[14:33] Robert W Schneider: Um and if you want to do it by PayPal, it's Rob W Schneider at gmail.com.

[14:37] Robert W Schneider: Um and like I said, all the proceeds go to the National Immigration Law Center, and that's great.

[14:42] Kevin David Thomas: I I know that one.

[14:44] Robert W Schneider: I know that one.

[14:45] Kevin David Thomas: I saw I saw I see Kevin's baby going by.

[14:47] Robert W Schneider: I'm very excited.

[14:49] Kevin David Thomas: I'm very excited.

[14:51] Robert W Schneider: Bye, baby.

[14:52] Kevin David Thomas: Hey, Crawford.

[14:54] Robert W Schneider: Okay, sorry, I'm good.

[14:54] Kevin David Thomas: I'm good.

[14:55] Robert W Schneider: Um, okay, so our favorite thing this week, boy, oh boy, I wish we were not doing this as a favorite thing this week.

[15:02] Kevin David Thomas: But we wanted to celebrate the wonderful life of somebody that we lost.

[15:07] Robert W Schneider: Oh my god, so way, way, way, way too soon.

[15:10] Kevin David Thomas: And that's Nick Cordero, um, who who passed away on the 5th um at aged 41, 41 years old, um, of complications from from COVID.

[15:21] Robert W Schneider: And we have been following his story since um he first got ill. Uh and we were all praying and hoping that you know he would have a miraculous turnaround.

[15:32] Kevin David Thomas: And he he sort of has become um, I think in the country, you know, the image of it can happen to anyone.

[15:40] Robert W Schneider: I mean, here's a guy who's young, who's in great physical shape, right? Um pre-existing conditions that I'm aware of.

[15:50] Kevin David Thomas: Um, and um, this this horrible, horrible thing has taken him away from us, but more importantly, it's taken him away from his wonderful wife, Amanda, um, and his and his beautiful, beautiful baby Elvis.

[16:03] Robert W Schneider: Um, so we are we are sending that family such an incredible love. Um, but you know, whenever I saw him on stage, uh, he just brought so much joy and celebration to what he was doing.

[16:18] Kevin David Thomas: So I'd love to, we'd love to use this episode as a uh celebration of all of the work that Nick created in his uh short time on Earth.

[16:27] Robert W Schneider: And we can only think of all the wonderful creations that he would have, you know, created um uh had had he been able to still be with us.

[16:36] Kevin David Thomas: So, Robert, I'm curious, when is the first time that you remember seeing Nick on stage?

[16:43] Robert W Schneider: Yeah, uh great question. Uh, you know, Nick Nick is from uh Canada, and and he uh I don't I actually never worked with him, I don't know him.

[16:50] Kevin David Thomas: I feel like I do because every single like you, Rob, every single one of my friends has had an experience with him.

[16:55] Robert W Schneider: And I just want to say before I talk about when I first saw him, that uh, you know, it's it's wild because everything you just said about his performance on stage is exactly what everybody says about him off stage.

[17:05] Kevin David Thomas: How kind, how giving, how how how how how carefree and friendly and supportive and loving and wonderful he was uh offstage to everybody.

[17:13] Robert W Schneider: So I just think that's worth mentioning as well. I actually saw him in his first, I think it was one of his first uh United States uh shows.

[17:21] Kevin David Thomas: It was his big break.

[17:21] Robert W Schneider: It was Toxic Avenger. I saw that pretty much.

[17:23] Kevin David Thomas: Oh, really?

[17:24] Robert W Schneider: Uh yeah.

[17:25] Kevin David Thomas: And uh he was phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal.

[17:29] Robert W Schneider: It's it's a weird, funky show, but some good tunes. Um, and uh yeah, that was my first time.

[17:34] Kevin David Thomas: But I I must say that I I don't think I saw oh, in Rock of Ages.

[17:38] Robert W Schneider: I saw him in that in Rock of Ages.

[17:39] Kevin David Thomas: Um, but those are the only two. I did not see any of his more recent work where he has you know became the real leading man that he um became.

[17:41] Robert W Schneider: I did not see Bronx Style, I did not see Waitress, I did not see Bullets over Broadway, for which he won a I mean he had a Tony nomination, which is incredible.

[17:54] Kevin David Thomas: Um, but you saw those.

[17:56] Robert W Schneider: I did.

[17:58] Kevin David Thomas: I did see those.

[17:59] Robert W Schneider: I did see those.

[18:01] Kevin David Thomas: He okay, we we we will talk openly.

[18:05] Robert W Schneider: Bullets over Broadway was one of those shows that you're like, this is a there's a lot of wonderful things in this show, and there was a lot of not so wonderful things in the show.

[18:15] Kevin David Thomas: And I think because of um everything that's going on in the world, I don't know if we're ever gonna see this show again for many reasons.

[18:22] Robert W Schneider: I don't, you know, when is theater coming back, and two, if it comes back, do they really want to be doing a Woody Allen show?

[18:28] Kevin David Thomas: So I think it might be a museum piece.

[18:30] Robert W Schneider: I think, yes, but you know what? I'm kind of okay with it because I don't think anyone could be as brilliant as Nick was in that show.

[18:37] Kevin David Thomas: He came on stage, and he first of all, he was incredibly funny.

[18:37] Robert W Schneider: He was incredibly funny.

[18:45] Kevin David Thomas: Are you do you know Bullet?

[18:46] Robert W Schneider: You don't know, do you have you ever seen the movie Bullets Over Broadway?

[18:48] Kevin David Thomas: It's on my list, I gotta watch it.

[18:50] Robert W Schneider: In a condensed version, he plays a gangster who kills people.

[18:55] Kevin David Thomas: Um, that ends up sitting in on rehearsals for a play and starts giving notes to the writer on how to make the play better.

[19:04] Robert W Schneider: And every note he gives is brilliant, but he does it in this like very like mobster-y New York way.

[19:12] Kevin David Thomas: Like never what he says, it doesn't come out sounding sophisticated, but it's like brilliant writing.

[19:17] Robert W Schneider: Um Chaz Palmanteri in the movie is is genius.

[19:20] Kevin David Thomas: Um, and when Nick did it, I was like, oh, he's he's nailing all the comedy in this character.

[19:26] Robert W Schneider: Then he opened his mouth to sing, and you go, Oh my god, he can he can sing.

[19:30] Kevin David Thomas: Then he fucking danced.

[19:31] Robert W Schneider: And he didn't tap dance, and I mean, because this was a stroke show.

[19:35] Kevin David Thomas: Tap tap tap to say, you know, like nobody's business.

[19:38] Robert W Schneider: And he is brilliant.

[19:40] Kevin David Thomas: He is a brilliant tapper.

[19:42] Robert W Schneider: And you sit there and you're like, I'm watching, okay.

[19:44] Kevin David Thomas: This is a star now.

[19:46] Robert W Schneider: This is a star.

[19:47] Kevin David Thomas: And it's interesting to know. Do you know what he was doing before he got cast in Bullets Over Broadway?

[19:52] Robert W Schneider: Uh, I only know because it's uh it might be a trivia question.

[19:57] Kevin David Thomas: Might be on trivia if you played.

[19:58] Robert W Schneider: Wink wank wank, but uh real estate, right?

[20:00] Kevin David Thomas: He was going for his estate license.

[20:02] Robert W Schneider: He was getting out of the business.

[20:03] Kevin David Thomas: Yeah.

[20:04] Robert W Schneider: He was getting out of the business, he was getting his real estate license.

[20:07] Kevin David Thomas: And thank God that he got cast in this because we might not have been able to see the rest of the genius that he was.

[20:14] Robert W Schneider: And so, and for that, you know, he got nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor, Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor.

[20:20] Kevin David Thomas: Theater World, yeah.

[20:21] Robert W Schneider: He won, yeah, he won the theater world, he won out of critics.

[20:24] Kevin David Thomas: For a show that was not that successful, I mean that's always uh a sign when the the actor rises.

[20:30] Robert W Schneider: I don't want to say rises above the show, but becomes you know recognized for his work, despite perhaps the the the show not being uh what it could be.

[20:38] Kevin David Thomas: No, and it was one of those things where you were like, I'm going to see the show for him, you know.

[20:44] Robert W Schneider: And I mean, and oh Marin, oh my god, yeah, I forgot.

[20:44] Kevin David Thomas: Yeah, I forgot.

[20:49] Robert W Schneider: I she was also actually Helene Yorkie was was in, and she was also.

[20:53] Kevin David Thomas: So was Brooks, so is Brooks.

[20:55] Robert W Schneider: Let me go back.

[20:56] Kevin David Thomas: Let me re let me rephrase what I'm saying.

[20:58] Robert W Schneider: Let me sorry, let me rephrase what I'm saying.

[20:59] Kevin David Thomas: Forgive me.

[21:00] Robert W Schneider: I know a lot of people who saw the show and were disappointed by the show, regardless of all those wonderful people.

[21:08] Kevin David Thomas: But everyone unanimously across the board could not stop talking about how wonderful Nick was.

[21:15] Robert W Schneider: Totally.

[21:15] Kevin David Thomas: Yep.

[21:16] Robert W Schneider: Everyone started, you know.

[21:17] Kevin David Thomas: Um, and then he goes over to, and you didn't see Bronx Tale, right?

[21:23] Robert W Schneider: I unfortunately did not see Bronx Tale.

[21:26] Kevin David Thomas: Also, uh he's so wonderful in this show, and so um he he takes a character that some might not say is all that sympathetic and makes them incredibly sympathetic in in Bronx Tale.

[21:39] Robert W Schneider: Um also I think a role that Chaz Palmon Terry played.

[21:42] Kevin David Thomas: Uh yes, I was just gonna because I was confused a minute ago because I thought you were talking about, you know, a Bronx Tale accidentally, even though you're talking about Chaz.

[21:49] Robert W Schneider: And then I realized, no, I forgot he played that, you know, he's sort of cornered the market on that kind of that the wise guy, tough guy, but yet how can you do that in musical theater?

[21:57] Kevin David Thomas: Because it's musical theater song and dance.

[21:59] Robert W Schneider: It's a very hard thing.

[22:00] Kevin David Thomas: Tony Asbeck does it very well, but it's not many guys that can that can pull off that uh that really that oozing that charm and that sort of like and it dated dated shows.

[22:10] Robert W Schneider: It's a very traditional uh vision of a what a man is, you know, and yeah, he he does that very well, that 50s, 60s sort of like, you know, bad boy type, um, but yet likable.

[22:22] Kevin David Thomas: Yes, and like you said, he it's almost like he was like frozen in time in like the 50s or 60s, and then they you know said, All right, come on.

[22:29] Robert W Schneider: Let's find some shows for this guy.

[22:30] Kevin David Thomas: Let's find some shows for this guy.

[22:32] Robert W Schneider: Um, and then really surprising in Waitress, really surprising in waitress as you know the the asshole.

[22:42] Kevin David Thomas: Oh no, he was no, no, her her husband, the asshole.

[22:45] Robert W Schneider: Oh, yeah.

[22:46] Kevin David Thomas: I would maybe would have believed the relationship when I would have seen it then.

[22:49] Robert W Schneider: Well, I'm I did not believe that relationship when I saw it.

[22:52] Kevin David Thomas: Well, I'm gonna you didn't have enough pie, that's why.

[22:54] Robert W Schneider: I'm gonna tell you, because they sold pie in intermission.

[22:57] Kevin David Thomas: Um, I bought some pie.

[23:00] Robert W Schneider: Uh of course you did.

[23:02] Kevin David Thomas: What it's a dinner theater, yes.

[23:04] Robert W Schneider: I love my those two things together.

[23:04] Kevin David Thomas: My God, I'll tell you, I have seen I saw that you know, I saw the movie of Waitress, and I've seen it a few times.

[23:10] Robert W Schneider: But when he played Earl, like you said, you understood exactly what that relationship was.

[23:16] Kevin David Thomas: You understood who he was.

[23:18] Robert W Schneider: Um, you um you you had some understanding of why the relationship worked the way that it did, and I've never seen that again.

[23:26] Kevin David Thomas: He brought a lot of humanity to that role.

[23:28] Robert W Schneider: Um, and it didn't, excuse me, it didn't feel two dimensional.

[23:33] Kevin David Thomas: I've seen, I'll be honest with you, I've seen it in a couple of other incarnations.

[23:36] Robert W Schneider: Right.

[23:37] Kevin David Thomas: And the role feels like such a two dimensional.

[23:40] Robert W Schneider: Oh, uh that's exactly what it was when I started.

[23:42] Kevin David Thomas: I would have given anything to have seen him play it.

[23:44] Robert W Schneider: And I'm gonna be honest, I don't know if that's because he was really wonderful and could mind things, or if that maybe it's not the most well-ridden role, and and he was able to add a layer to it that other actors have not.

[23:57] Kevin David Thomas: Either way, either way, it's a wonderful performance.

[24:01] Robert W Schneider: And what makes me sad now is that you know, we're not gonna see anything else.

[24:07] Kevin David Thomas: No, and that is the saddest part.

[24:10] Robert W Schneider: It is so sad, and it's uh uh that it's yeah, and but we can at least so much of it has been preserved on these cast recordings, and you can listen to to him and you can hear the spirit with which he he brings to the work that you know we we we have.

[24:24] Kevin David Thomas: But boy, I know the could have been is the hardest part.

[24:24] Robert W Schneider: The could have been is the hardest part, but you know what?

[24:31] Kevin David Thomas: One of the I mean one of many, one of many.

[24:33] Robert W Schneider: Um for you know, television, you know, he was also on Queer as Folk, which is a lovely show.

[24:38] Kevin David Thomas: He played the wonderful role of tuna rap, which is that's exactly the role I would have figured he played in Queer as Folk, yes, of course.

[24:45] Robert W Schneider: And he did Blue Bloods, and of course he did Law and Order like everybody else.

[24:48] Kevin David Thomas: The the lovely thing about living at least in this time period is that future generations will be able to say, look, you want to see him?

[24:59] Robert W Schneider: Here's the bootleg of waitress.

[25:01] Kevin David Thomas: Yeah, you know, exactly.

[25:02] Robert W Schneider: Here's here's the bootleg of Bullets Over Broadway.

[25:04] Kevin David Thomas: People are going to see him, and he will he will absolutely live on.

[25:10] Robert W Schneider: Um and you know, God bless his wife, who took to social media and kept everyone aware of what was going on with him.

[25:21] Kevin David Thomas: Um, you know, the the up days, the down days, and really put a very specific face on what this virus is can do to people.

[25:31] Robert W Schneider: Amanda has done heroic work really at this time when you know it I can't even imagine what this is like to, you know, to lose a spouse um because of this, and and and especially so young.

[25:47] Kevin David Thomas: And the fact that she wanted to keep everyone informed about his his progress, his decline.

[25:53] Robert W Schneider: Um is just really, really something I I think we really need to appreciate that she did for the world.

[26:02] Kevin David Thomas: Most definitely, and especially when things are not going great, to have that to feel that responsibility tall.

[26:08] Robert W Schneider: It's not like he was uh, you know, he a lot of people knew him.

[26:10] Kevin David Thomas: Uh in our business and show business, you know, when you do many, many shows, those are those are all families, you know, especially if you're likable, especially if you're friendly with everybody.

[26:19] Robert W Schneider: So it's all those people.

[26:21] Kevin David Thomas: You're right.

[26:21] Robert W Schneider: That is I I had not thought about that, Rob.

[26:23] Kevin David Thomas: And that is such a responsibility that you know, she she took on with such grace, uh and uh dignity and um and and it be and uh it's it hit me especially because I have a son almost the same age.

[26:37] Robert W Schneider: And I and I and I you guys probably heard him he he just got up from his nap a minute ago.

[26:41] Kevin David Thomas: Uh and uh and he but he oh he said hi.

[26:44] Robert W Schneider: Um but it it just made me my heart uh hurt that much harder because the it's the added element of having a child as well.

[26:52] Kevin David Thomas: And and I just think that she has been uh a pillar of strength uh and in this sorrow.

[26:58] Robert W Schneider: Um and uh yeah, I just but all thoughts and and hearts and prayers go to to them and and as they move through this um this this part of yeah, yeah.

[27:07] Kevin David Thomas: We're thinking we're thinking of the wonderful Amanda, we're thinking of their adorable son Elvis, what a name.

[27:14] Robert W Schneider: Um and I I'm sure Elvis will know how much that his father just loved them, just loved him, and he'll get to see some so much footage of you know what made his dad so magical and get to see how loved his dad was.

[27:27] Kevin David Thomas: Um so we're we're sending our our love and thoughts to them.

[27:31] Robert W Schneider: There's a petition going around to rename uh the Longacre Theater uh after Nick, um, which is where he did um a Bronx Tale.

[27:41] Kevin David Thomas: And so there's a petition going around to see if they can rename the theater.

[27:45] Robert W Schneider: So we'll see if that um that happens when when theater comes back, please please make theater come back.

[27:51] Kevin David Thomas: Um in the meantime, though, wear your masks, people.

[27:54] Robert W Schneider: Please wear your masks, wash your hands.

[27:56] Kevin David Thomas: Social distance, wash your hands, wear a mask.

[27:59] Robert W Schneider: It's not about you, it's about other people.

[28:02] Kevin David Thomas: You know, it's about other people.

[28:04] Robert W Schneider: So please, you know, protect, protect.

[28:07] Kevin David Thomas: Um, and that's the so I can't believe we're doing um in memorium for somebody who's 41 years old.

[28:14] Robert W Schneider: Um, but that's it.

[28:15] Kevin David Thomas: And so go watch watch some of his clips online, watch some old interviews, take a listen.

[28:20] Robert W Schneider: Listen to a cast recording, listen to a cast recording, listen.

[28:23] Kevin David Thomas: Yes, check it out.

[28:24] Robert W Schneider: It's this is the celebrate Nick Cordero.

[28:27] Kevin David Thomas: Yes, celebrate this wonderful, wonderful individual who left us way, way too soon.

[28:32] Robert W Schneider: Um, all right.

[28:33] Kevin David Thomas: So that's that's that for this one.

[28:35] Robert W Schneider: That's that.

[28:36] Kevin David Thomas: We'll see you on Saturday.

[28:37] Robert W Schneider: Awesome.

[28:38] Kevin David Thomas: All right, see you on Saturday for Trivia 2010.

[28:40] Robert W Schneider: And yes, there will be a question celebrating Nick.

[28:43] Kevin David Thomas: Um, all right, everybody, take care.

[28:45] Robert W Schneider: Bye, friends.

[28:59] Kevin David Thomas: These are a few of my favorite things.

[29:08] Kevin David Thomas: These are a few of my favorite things.