This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:06] Al Malafronte: Hello and welcome to the Break a Bat Podcast where baseball meets Broadway. An attempt to show that my two favorite mediums don't have to live in such separate worlds and maybe even break some stigmas. We're happy to have you with us. Now let's play ball.

[0:24] Al Malafronte: Hello and welcome to Break a Bat. And what a special show it is going to be tonight, folks. We have with us esteemed Broadway actress Jackie Burns. And uh with a special thanks to my new friend Samara for helping put that together. We also have a full house tonight as far as the Break a Bat team goes. If I do say so myself, I think this is our strongest cast. Led, of course, by none other than the producer, the Duke of New York, King of Podcasting, Mr. Alan Seales.

[0:49] Chris Katzmann: These titles get better every time.

[0:56] Al Malafronte: Uh oh, trust me, I don't think we're even close to uh as as good as they can get. But anyway, um uh I let's without further ado introduce your fabulous host, Al Malafronte.

[1:09] Al Malafronte: Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Oh, it is really great to be here, folks. Wonderful intro there, Chris. This is your host, Al Malafronte, and we do have a very special show in store, and that is very much tested to the special guest joining us in the batter's box tonight. I've talked in the past about how there's a few roles on Broadway that are just synonymous with prime real estate, and a few shows that are really just a part of the fabric of the Great White Way, and maybe none more so than Wicked.

[1:40] Al Malafronte: Uh, I was lucky enough to have one good takeaway from Valentine's Day 2018, and that was in fact our special guest portrayal of Elphaba over at the George Gershwin Theater that night. Uh speaking of Wicked, by the way, for the baseball fans at home, our guest tonight pulled the Broadway equivalent of an Andy Pettitte, who made the All-Star team in 2010, left the role of Yankee starting pitcher, and then came back to the role in 2012, posted the second best ERA of his career, and uh ended up having his number retired with the Yankees shortly thereafter.

[2:11] Al Malafronte: So our cleanup hitter tonight had two separate stints in Wicked and now has a body of work on Broadway that spans more than a decade with credits including Hair and If/Then, in addition to holding the title of the longest tenured Elphaba in the history of that Wicked franchise. Cats, would you say that's kind of like how Mantle was the longest tenured center fielder for the Yankees?

[2:33] Chris Katzmann: Well, you know, the first thing that came to mind was actually how Aroldis Chapman was the longest tenured closer for the Reds. But yeah, Mantle for the Yankees, that works too.

[2:43] Al Malafronte: Yeah. Um anyway, much like the Mick, she's a uh big-time power hitter and uh hopefully a really good sport about what's in store for tonight's show. Um so if you'll please turn your attention to home plate, just be on the marquee. Now batting Jackie Burns.

[3:08] Jackie Burns: How exciting. Making my dad's dreams come true. My dad pitched for Villanova. So, you know, I grew up in a very baseball-heavy house.

[3:17] Al Malafronte: So cool. He's gonna be freaking out with all of these comparisons.

[3:24] Jackie Burns: Now I've made it.

[3:26] Al Malafronte: You didn't consider a career in professional baseball, even with that, you know, type of gene?

[3:31] Jackie Burns: I mean, I did, I'm not gonna lie to you, I did uh do a little pitching softball back in the day, but um dancing in theater won out, you know, had my heart. But I love sports more than anything, and I am quite a tomboy.

[3:45] Al Malafronte: Were you a lefty or a righty pitcher?

[3:47] Jackie Burns: Righty. I wish I had the lefty, then I'd be super special, but just it'd be like Chapman, yeah.

[3:52] Al Malafronte: Yeah, but just the righties are typically great performers, you know. They take center stage out there all the time. I could totally see the parallel there.

[4:00] Jackie Burns: Yeah, and you gotta stay calm because once you get in your head, that was my problem is I would get rattled. You know what I mean? Once I hit throw a few bad pitches, I get in my head.

[4:10] Al Malafronte: Yep, can't be having that.

[4:11] Jackie Burns: Yep, all eyes are on you, you know. You gotta the show must go on while you're continuing to uh battle those inner demons out there on the mound.

[4:20] Al Malafronte: So yeah, you gotta have a clear head.

[4:22] Jackie Burns: Yeah, just like in any type of performing.

[4:25] Al Malafronte: It's true, it's very true. Now, literally in every prior episode of the show, we used a segment called Fastball Derby to wrap Break a Bat. But given how everything else in the world is like so out of whack right now, that was good. I thought we tried something a little different uh with a new title for that same premise. It's called Batting Practice.

[4:44] Chris Katzmann: Okay, why don't you explain the rules to Jackie?

[4:48] Chris Katzmann: Yeah, sure. You know, it's really we're just starting off here, so we're gonna do a little warm-up, you know, get things moving, get things flowing. We've got some questions for uh for you, Jackie.

[4:57] Al Malafronte: And um uh Al, why don't you start it off?

[5:01] Al Malafronte: Okay, yeah, so we'll ask you a question. Think of it like a fastball coming at you. You say the first thing that comes to your head, okay?

[5:10] Jackie Burns: Okay.

[5:13] Al Malafronte: Wait, wait, is it no swearing?

[5:15] Jackie Burns: You can swear.

[5:16] Al Malafronte: Okay, great. I just want to know where my parameters lie.

[5:19] Jackie Burns: Be relaxed out there, that's what's important.

[5:20] Al Malafronte: Okay, be relaxed.

[5:21] Jackie Burns: Okay, I'm good.

[5:22] Al Malafronte: Perfect. Sorry, don't get in your head.

[5:23] Jackie Burns: All right, don't get it.

[5:25] Al Malafronte: Right, exactly.

[5:27] Al Malafronte: Okay, okay. First question is what is your all-time favorite musical?

[5:32] Jackie Burns: Oh, Wicked.

[5:35] Al Malafronte: I got nervous. Got in my head.

[5:38] Al Malafronte: What do you miss the most about your home state of Connecticut?

[5:41] Jackie Burns: Well, right now I'm not missing anything because I I am here. I'm sheltered and placed at my brother's house.

[5:48] Al Malafronte: Okay.

[5:49] Al Malafronte: Thing you remember most about your Broadway debut.

[5:55] Jackie Burns: Uh being very scared. But excited. Excited and scared, which is a Broadway lyric for all the nerds out there.

[6:08] Al Malafronte: Three Desert Island albums.

[6:10] Jackie Burns: Oh God. I'm the anything with Tash Sultana, anything she's ever done. I'm I'm interested. Do you if you know her, then you can't pick one. I'd pick all of hers and I'd be good to go. Um then just like a little Ariana Grande, just to like, you know, get my pop fix and uh probably some Journey.

[6:31] Al Malafronte: Any Journey.

[6:33] Al Malafronte: Great. What's your all-time favorite film?

[6:40] Jackie Burns: I can't believe I'm gonna say this. Girls Just Want to Have Fun.

[6:44] Jackie Burns: Um it's classic. It's a dance movie from my childhood. It's been Sarah Jessica Parker as a dancer, and uh it's gold. And if you haven't seen it, check it out.

[7:00] Al Malafronte: Well, you know, we've got we got some time on our hands uh these days. So yeah, it could be a good watch.

[7:05] Jackie Burns: Yeah, I think all of you guys really enjoy it.

[7:08] Al Malafronte: Sounds right up my alley, actually.

[7:09] Jackie Burns: It really, yeah. I think you guys are you'll thank me.

[7:12] Al Malafronte: Okay, great. I'm I'm gonna write not Shawshank. Girls Just Want to Have Fun.

[7:17] Jackie Burns: Okay.

[7:17] Al Malafronte: We've heard Shawshank come up as the answer to that question a few times on the show.

[7:23] Jackie Burns: Great movie. Just not it can't trump Girls Just Want to Have Fun.

[7:26] Al Malafronte: I don't know. I mean, I think you know that one comes to people's minds really quickly, maybe just because it's the highest ranked movie ever. We really appreciate the the kind of off the beat answer there.

[7:38] Al Malafronte: But anyway, we've got a couple more questions here and we gotta keep moving. So that's favorite New York City meal.

[7:44] Jackie Burns: Oh, pizza.

[7:46] Al Malafronte: From where to go.

[7:48] Jackie Burns: Uh from where? Uh anywhere. I just love pizza, so I'll eat it anywhere any time, any place.

[7:53] Al Malafronte: Are you sure you're not part Italian, Jackie?

[7:55] Jackie Burns: I am a little Italian.

[7:57] Jackie Burns: All right. And we're actually right now, my brother is uh making pizza in the next room that his him and his wife and my boyfriend are all making pizza from scratch.

[8:06] Jackie Burns: So I got pizza on the brain as well.

[8:09] Al Malafronte: Wait, deep dish, deep dish or like normal?

[8:12] Jackie Burns: No, they're making um they're they're making their dough from scratch and they're grilling it on the pizza stone on the grill outside.

[8:18] Al Malafronte: They gotta, I mean, it's very perfect.

[8:20] Jackie Burns: Oh yeah, they're like real cooks, and I just eat everything because I can't cook and do the dishes.

[8:25] Al Malafronte: Look at you.

[8:26] Al Malafronte: That's great. Riding out the quarantine uh with free pizza uh that's great.

[8:30] Jackie Burns: It's great.

[8:30] Al Malafronte: All right, most embarrassing stage moment on stage moment.

[8:34] Jackie Burns: Oh, there's so many. What how could you choose just one? I think a lot of people don't um yeah, the the most embarrassing thing was my Broadway debut in Hair.

[8:42] Jackie Burns: Um we would run off stage and go into the audience a lot. And I was always the one who had to go out in the audience. They'd always pick me out there. I don't know why, but whatever.

[8:52] Jackie Burns: And there was this one moment where I had to run up the stairs and get on stage really quick, and I would run and leap to get on stage to make it. And I didn't quite make it one day and was like roadkill and fell back into the audience at the front row of people's feet.

[9:09] Jackie Burns: And that's where I ended the number. And these poor people were like, uh, they didn't know what to do. And I'm like, here, yeah. It was mortifying. Mortifying.

[9:20] Jackie Burns: But whatever. We all have moments like that.

[9:25] Al Malafronte: Yeah.

[9:26] Al Malafronte: Uh, and finally, here, um, I guess well, I'm not sure. Maybe this isn't the last question, but um, what is something about Jackie Burns that would surprise people the most?

[9:37] Jackie Burns: Um that I can't cook.

[9:40] Jackie Burns: No, I'm sure everybody knows that.

[9:44] Jackie Burns: Um, that I'm really shy inside, you know. I get really nervous. Most people think I'm just like loud and fearless, but I actually am very insecure as most athletes.

[9:55] Al Malafronte: Did you say you're an introvert or an extrovert?

[9:57] Jackie Burns: No, I'm totally an extrovert.

[9:59] Al Malafronte: Okay.

[10:00] Jackie Burns: But I get very nervous in um industry settings. I get really nervous when there's like a big group of people that I don't know because I just assume that nobody wants to talk to me. So I just kind of like want to get up get out of the way.

[10:13] Al Malafronte: Well, we want to talk to you, so we're glad to have you here.

[10:16] Jackie Burns: Thank you so much.

[10:19] Al Malafronte: Now, you were getting ready to do an adaptation of Walk on the Moon out in Jersey, I guess, right before all this corona stuff hit.

[10:26] Jackie Burns: Yeah, yeah. So there was this movie called Walk on the Moon with Diane Lane and Viggo Mortensen and Liev Schreiber. Um, back in and Anna Paquin back in the day, and it's a great movie, and they turned it into a musical, and I was playing the Diane Lane part, and two days before I was actually in LA and uh the night before I was getting on my plane back to come back to New York to start rehearsals.

[10:49] Jackie Burns: I got the call that it was canceled. And I was like, well, or postponed. Um, so that was kind of a bummer.

[10:56] Al Malafronte: But it is what it is. They moved it to next season?

[11:00] Jackie Burns: Yeah, they're not, yeah, yes. So hopefully in the fall it'll happen.

[11:04] Al Malafronte: The movie had a pretty trippy soundtrack. Are you like a big jam band, Grateful Dead girl?

[11:10] Jackie Burns: You know, the Hendrix stuff was in there, or was it did they do like a whole new score for this one?

[11:15] Jackie Burns: Was it more your musical taste?

[11:17] Jackie Burns: Yeah, it's uh I mean, I do like, of course, all I like any kind of music, but I'm not really a deadhead or anything like that.

[11:24] Jackie Burns: So, but they they uh there it's a whole new score.

[11:28] Jackie Burns: Um and it's it's really pretty epic. So it's uh it's fun. But it has like that cool like Woodstocky vibe, um, folky, Joni Mitchell, but it is uh a completely new score written for the musical.

[11:44] Al Malafronte: Who are your bands usually?

[11:46] Jackie Burns: My bands, you know what? I'm like such a weirdo for somebody who's in musical theater. I don't listen to like I don't really like listen to musical theater.

[11:51] Jackie Burns: I don't really like uh I don't like jam out to bands a lot. I just like kind of turn on the radio in my car and listen to whatever's and then the only other time I really listen to music is when I run and I listen to like crappy, like, you know, don't stop that I have no idea what's going on, but it makes me you know feel like a little bitch if I stop.

[12:18] Jackie Burns: So pep in my step. You know, usually it's something that's like club music that there's like you're stopping you stop in your little bit. Yeah, and you're like that, right? Everybody can see me. Everybody's judging me. You know, but I like all music. I really, I really, I really do. I have to say, this is so geeky. This is something people wouldn't know about me. I listen to classical music in the morning. It's like my I wake up. I was married to a ballerina, um, a guy, ballet dancer, and uh and so he always listened to ballet music in the morning and do his like little warm-up stuff, and we called it tiratiam. So uh now I'm a tiratam head where I wake up in the morning and I always listen to classical music.

[13:04] Al Malafronte: What about uh the beach boys? Are you a fan of the Beach Boys by any chance?

[13:07] Jackie Burns: I mean, my dad is.

[13:09] Al Malafronte: So Jackie, you know. We had Al Jardine of the Beach Boys in studio with us, so he's kind of he's kind of a big deal.

[13:19] Jackie Burns: No is amazing, yes. But I mean, like, he's not my they're not my go-to.

[13:26] Al Malafronte: Okay, okay, we'll let it slide then.

[13:28] Jackie Burns: Yeah, yeah. You know, I did want to ask you, and you know, I alluded to it in the intro. You played the Gershwin as long as anyone when you did Wicked, and as I mentioned, you've been on Broadway for over a decade, you know the ins and outs of this business. Um, we're in still in the heart of the shutdown right now. Cuomo threw out the date of June 7th. Very well could just be an arbitrary date. You think it's realistic as far as uh when Broadway comes back?

[13:53] Jackie Burns: I don't, I mean, I want to I I I would love it to be, but I I don't think it's realistic. No, I think that if we're lucky that's it looks like September. That was my guess.

[14:06] Al Malafronte: Yeah.

[14:06] Jackie Burns: I think it's September at the earliest. Yeah. Because when you have that many shows that rely on tourism, you need to let tourism come back. Tourisms need places to eat. Restaurants need to come back first. And then when you're a production company like Disney Theatrical that have four shows on Broadway, you don't want to open all four at once because you're competing with yourself.

[14:26] Al Malafronte: Yes.

[14:26] Jackie Burns: So I think it's gonna be oh, and then when we reopen, we don't know if it's gonna be six feet apart in the house. So are people gonna make it is it gonna be financially feasible to play to uh half girls? Yeah, because every like everyone's gotta be six feet apart, you know. So that's yeah, no, it's and I also think that yeah, I think at the entertainment, sadly, I think the entertainment industry is gonna be one of the last things that kind of gets reintegrated into life. It's gonna be about the necessities and you know sadly entertainment isn't, so it sucks. It makes me really depressed and sad. But um, yeah, I just don't think it's gonna happen until the earliest September. So I don't know.

[15:11] Al Malafronte: What's the best path for a comeback in your mind?

[15:14] Jackie Burns: For Broadway?

[15:16] Al Malafronte: Mm-hmm.

[15:17] Jackie Burns: Well, I mean, if they could just fucking get that vaccination, then we'll be good to go. But that's gonna take like a year and a half. Um, I'm not, I'm actually really not sure. I really like I've been yesterday is when I uh uh yesterday when it is when it really hit me that I was like, wow, this is because I had a show that I was supposed to be doing at the end of July, a different show, July um first week of August, and it just got canceled. And I was like, wow, that's already getting canceled, that's so far away. And then it really hit me. I was like, oh god, nothing's gonna happen for a really long time. I think that TV and film will hit first because you can maybe, you know, sequester smaller sets and everything.

But with theater, it's just I think that sorry, I think that they're going to probably start opening like the big juggernauts like a Wicked, a Lion King, and test the waters with half, you know, half capacity and see how that works before the smaller shows get to get picked up and hopefully they get to reopen those shows, you know, because they've lost so much money. I don't know if they'll even be able to reopen. And that's so sad and depressing.

[16:19] Al Malafronte: Well Lion King, Lion King relies so much on tourism, though I think it's gonna be like in my opinion, I think it's gonna be like a Frozen and Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen and like one other like the you know your staples that people want to go see.

[16:32] Jackie Burns: Right.

[16:33] Al Malafronte: And all the new stuff like yeah that's what I was the company Carolina Change like all of those I don't think they're I don't think they're gonna reopen for a lot longer.

[16:41] Jackie Burns: Yeah I agree with you which is really sad.

[16:45] Al Malafronte: What happens when a smaller project like that does does everything just get on hold and they assume they're coming back or you know at what point are they starting to say hey guys we you know, we probably need to look for some other way to get by here because we're not gonna be going for a while?

[16:59] Jackie Burns: Well I mean I don't honestly like none of us know because this is never this is unprecedented nothing that nothing like this has ever happened before Broadway has never been closed like this before I mean Broadway was closed for I not even was it two days when 911 happened? Two yeah two days and then yeah yeah so I mean like and then and then with the hurricane when the first time I was on Broadway was at which hurricane was it that they closed Broadway I think for two days because the subways were down and stuff.

[17:28] Al Malafronte: Sandy yeah yeah hurricane Sandy.

[17:30] Jackie Burns: But other than that, Broadway's never been closed for let alone a week, like a month, you know. So this is crazy. And I all of us are none of none of us are getting paid. Like none of those shows are paying anybody. They're just running into the guys that, like, hopefully in September, just like my show that got postponed, they're like no guarantee, but we're aiming for September. Um, but you never know. It's just really sad for those shows that have been in rehearsals already. We didn't even start rehearsals, those shows that were like ready to be in tech.

[18:02] Jackie Burns: Yeah, to not know if you're gonna ever even you know get to do the work you put all the work behind. That's like so depressing.

[18:10] Al Malafronte: Which do you think is worse? Like the the shows that didn't even get this, like they were in tech that didn't even get there, or like I saw on Wednesday the 11th, I saw Six's final preview.

[18:20] Jackie Burns: You did so you was it good?

[18:22] Al Malafronte: It was amazing, but then like these girls who were all gonna make their Broadway debuts find out the afternoon at five o'clock before their eight o'clock show that they don't have their opening night. I was I felt so I was like, that is devastating.

[18:37] Jackie Burns: I think that's I think that's pretty as much as devastating as you can get. I can't even imagine, especially for all those girls who are making their Broadway debuts. It's like, come on.

[18:47] Al Malafronte: Yeah, yeah. And now, like the press agents, the marketing agents on the creative side, everyone's furloughed.

[18:53] Jackie Burns: Yeah, I don't know. A bunch of my friends just got furloughed today, and yeah, it's really some of them were a couple weeks ago, a couple of my friends, yeah, this week got furloughed. Like, there's just nothing to do press for.

[19:04] Al Malafronte: Nope.

[19:04] Jackie Burns: There's nothing, and then what's also funny is on the other side, not funny, but like my friends that like you know, actors we're out of work all the time, right? Like, you know, you go through highs and lows. So, like some of us, some people have been like, Well, this is just a typical Wednesday for me. I've been out of work for a year. So they're like trying to make light of it now. Like, well, I've been used to this for a while.

[19:27] Al Malafronte: But it it just all sucks.

[19:28] Jackie Burns: Well, there's some people who are who are um actually like str not stranded, but I guess well stuck in a good way in cast housing. So like it there's um yes. I have a friend who's in in Hartford. He was doing a this is so sad. My friend who is Dr. Dillon on Broadway and then we did it in LA together. Um, I love him, Chad, he's amazing. He was doing a one-man show in Hartford, a one-man show. And now he's stuck in house scousing by himself because he was doing a one-man play.

[20:01] Al Malafronte: There's not even other people, humans he could talk to.

[20:04] Jackie Burns: So it's been like a month of him being by himself in a tiny cast house.

[20:08] Al Malafronte: Oh god.

[20:09] Jackie Burns: Well, it's at least he can still keep rehearsing though.

[20:12] Al Malafronte: True.

[20:12] Jackie Burns: He's gonna be so ready. He gets on the boom every night and runs his lines with himself. He's so brilliant.

[20:24] Al Malafronte: Oh my gosh.

[20:25] Jackie Burns: Yeah, he might this might be a real opportunity for him. Really uh to get some good practice in I'm just get your tickets now because clearly he's gonna be genius.

[20:34] Al Malafronte: Exactly.

[20:34] Jackie Burns: We're we're about to see the birth of something great. Just like just go rush, with uh her husband's out in at La Jolla, because I think he's in he's in Fly.

[20:47] Al Malafronte: In Fly, yeah.

[20:49] Jackie Burns: So like she yeah, Eric, she went out with Eric and their daughter, and like so they're you know, the whole family's out there in tiny cast housing.

[20:56] Al Malafronte: Yeah.

[20:56] Jackie Burns: So they're I mean, how long is that gonna last, right? Nice California weather.

[21:02] Al Malafronte: I know, right?

[21:03] Jackie Burns: I know, but they don't like they don't have any Right. Well, they don't they don't like they don't want to come back to New York. They can't come back. Some people some people have like can't come back because it's like a worse quarantine out here and whatnot, but um, you know, it's everyone's in such this unique position, and you know, it's just weird for me. I felt kind of silly the first time I went out with a mask on, and now I feel weird not having it on.

[21:24] Al Malafronte: Oh yeah.

[21:25] Jackie Burns: No? I know I went to the grocery store today, and there was I have a I have a crazy mask that makes me look like um Bane from uh Batman.

[21:34] Al Malafronte: Can you put it up here right now?

[21:37] Jackie Burns: I think like it's downstairs. It's called the Humidifier. You can totally Google it. I've had it for a while now. It's like literally, it's hilarious looking. And I've been wearing masks for years because I'll like do concerts like you know over in Japan or whatever, and I can't get sick, you know, because if I get sick, then I flew all the way there and I can't sing, and then I, you know, they hate me. So I've been wearing masks and getting looked at crazily for years. So now it's gonna be the only silver lining is that we're all gonna, you know, wear masks and not look at each other crazily.

[22:07] Al Malafronte: I went I just went to the humidifyer website and it says when you're temporarily out of stock in South Africa and USA. This is this is a personal humidifier that may help with preventing infection, but it's not an antiviral device.

[22:19] Jackie Burns: It is not, but but it's like suction to your face. It really, it's really good. And I flew with it the seven hours back from LA. It like I never I put it on before I was in LA and I put it on when I left my apartment and I didn't take it off until I got to my apartment in New York, and I'm corona-free. So just say humidifier.

[22:47] Al Malafronte: Oh my goodness.

[22:48] Jackie Burns: Now, one last thing I'll just ask about before I come back. So basically, at the end of the day, you think a show like Wicked is big enough that no matter what happens, it'll be able to sustain regard you know the hesitancy of an audience to come back into that theater?

[23:02] Jackie Burns: I I mean I think so. I mean Wicked is Universal's number one money-making project ever out of every movie, out of every I mean, Wicked makes Universal more than anything.

[23:12] Al Malafronte: So Wicked does well, and I think we'll come back.

[23:17] Jackie Burns: And I think everything will come back. It'll just take a longer time than we anticipated. And I think people are gonna be scared at first to we're all gonna be like gore of right, like we're all gonna like not want to leave our houses at first, but slowly, little by little, I think we'll all be able to be integrated and not want to, you know, run around each other and not look at each other or breathe each other's air like we do now.

[23:44] Al Malafronte: Right.

[23:45] Jackie Burns: It's the the wide berth turns around each other. The the the theater industry, I mean, all of all of the casts and everything are uh everyone's very huggy and touchy, and like it's jobs to be paid to like kiss and hug and be on top of each other, and this is it's going to be hard. Like it really is.

[24:03] Al Malafronte: Yeah, what if social distancing? You have to go and restage your whole show.

[24:06] Jackie Burns: So it's did you did you see that? Uh oh, what was it when before Saturday Night Live started doing the sketches from home?

[24:15] Jackie Burns: Which I don't which I didn't enjoy, by the way. Um really failed that we didn't even think about that. I love everything and we love it. I wanna what didn't even think about it. Did there any that you thought worked? Um weekend update.

[24:31] Chris Katzmann: Weekend update.

[24:35] Jackie Burns: Okay. I liked I liked weekend update. Uh great. And we'll end there. Well, and you didn't like Kate McKinnon's uh I didn't I hate to say I really like her, but that didn't work for me.

[24:51] Jackie Burns: Yeah, like I love Kate too. She's a she's a friend of mine. Um and I do I enjoyed it. I I thought it was good for what you can do with that, but it's hard to be funny by yourself without a crew, without a laugh track because laughter is contagious.

[25:08] Chris Katzmann: Totally.

[25:08] Jackie Burns: So, you know, I I think it would be funny even if they went, even if they went old school and did like the old sitcom laugh track.

[25:16] Chris Katzmann: Yeah.

[25:17] Jackie Burns: So they put in put in some sort of thing. Because it was interesting to me when they when the announcer did the opening credits. They're like, it's Saturday Night Live. You know, so he's doing that live. And then they had the applause. They pre-recorded applause. And I was thinking, oh wait, is there actually an audience of something? And you know why now that I've said that, I I think why weekend update really worked was because that they had some of their friends just, you know, not on camera, but they had their friends in Zoom watching on Zoom watching, and you heard them laugh, and I was laughing with them too. I thought that was actually a really good idea.

[25:49] Chris Katzmann: Yeah.

[25:49] Jackie Burns: Well, why aren't they listening to you? Do they need to call they need to call you and listen?

[25:53] Jackie Burns: I blocked Lauren. He texts me all the time. And you're like, stop. I can't fix everything for you.

[25:59] Chris Katzmann: Okay.

[26:00] Jackie Burns: I can't, you you gotta run this on your own now, Lauren. That's why Lauren is always sitting behind home plate with Jimmy Fallon at Yankee Stadium because Alan has blocked all of his texts and refuses to go and sit with him to watch a Yankee game.

[26:16] Chris Katzmann: Not a home plate.

[26:17] Jackie Burns: No, it's like I can't. Yeah, I can't do that. Can't do it. Lauren. Lauren, you and Fallon. Listen, you and you and Fallon are you're just out of my league.

[26:25] Chris Katzmann: Yeah.

[26:29] Jackie Burns: Anywho. Sorry. Sorry, I hijacked your podcast, Al. Go ahead.

[26:32] Al Malafronte: No, I love this.

[26:36] Chris Katzmann: Cats, you there?

[26:37] Chris Katzmann: Yeah, I'm here.

[26:38] Chris Katzmann: What's the what's going on? What are you doing over there?

[26:42] Jackie Burns: Oh, I was just thinking about Heraldis again. Um sorry, yeah, I got a little distracted. Um yeah. Uh uh Jackie, I'm not sure. Are are you are you well? Let me just ask like, are you an Aroldis Chapman fan like I am?

[26:59] Jackie Burns: Um, I like Geraldo Rivera. Um, they're not the same guy.

[27:05] Jackie Burns: I'm kidding, it's a joke. Uh I I'm sure if you showed me a picture, I would know who he is.

[27:11] Chris Katzmann: This is disappointing.

[27:12] Jackie Burns: I'm sorry.

[27:14] Jackie Burns: I know. And my dad's gonna be very embarrassed for me. Well, you know, I I just wanted to mention our fan base really enjoys um sort of the comparison that we've created, which is between Eraldeus and Alphabet, the witch.

[27:29] Jackie Burns: Yes. Um although instead of defying gravity, we like to say that he defies velocity. Um I like that. And just to educate you a little bit about that, he it holds the record for fastest fastball. Which is what? At what 105.1 miles per hour.

[27:48] Chris Katzmann: Can you believe it?

[27:48] Jackie Burns: He did it twice. Oh, come on. That no one's ever done it faster. What do you think?

[27:52] Chris Katzmann: I mean, I think I've done it, but but that's when I was younger, and you know, software.

[27:58] Jackie Burns: We really we really could have used you in the baseball world.

[28:01] Jackie Burns: Yeah, and you know, well, like we find with so many of the Broadway performers that we interview, a lot of them had to put down their baseball career. We did in order to pursue Broadway. But you know, everyone has to make choices like that in their life.

[28:13] Chris Katzmann: I understand.

[28:14] Jackie Burns: Yeah, anyway. Anyway, um, yeah, I mean, our fan base really seems to love um some of the crossover content that we put out there with between Aurales and uh and Broadway. They really like when we put them in green, uh, you know, Alpha Ma, Shrek, the Grinch.

[28:30] Chris Katzmann: Okay.

[28:31] Jackie Burns: All of your classic green characters really, they seem to really enjoy that. Um, you know, speaking of Instagram, because that's where we publish these uh these. I actually noticed um it seemed a few years ago you were out in the field at the Rogers Center in uh Toronto. Is that true?

[28:49] Jackie Burns: Oh yeah. So what what you gotta tell us a story behind that? That's pretty cool.

[28:55] Jackie Burns: Um, I had a friend who uh is um uh motivational speaker in Toronto, and he was like, Hey, do you want to on your day off come and see a sh- come see a show? Come see a show, come see the game. And uh it's a show, yeah. And we, you know, come and like get on, come on the field, practice, meet some of the players. And I was like, yeah, yes, I do. And then he also I was there again, and he got me tickets to the Raptors when the Raptors were in the playoffs. Um the basketball, sorry, I switched teams. I switched sports.

[29:30] Chris Katzmann: Oh, that's okay.

[29:32] Jackie Burns: Yeah, we can I mean, obviously, you're just a huge Toronto sports fan. I can tell.

[29:36] Jackie Burns: I love Toronto sports. I love you know what I love going to sporting events more than anything. I'm not like somebody who's like, oh, I have a team. I just like love live sporting events. Sitting with a beer and a hot dog and getting to like baseball. I love tennis. The US Open's one of my favorite things ever. The only sport I don't like that I get in trouble for is football. So it represents cold weather to me. Like that's when it's gonna get cold and be stuck inside. So I don't like football, but everything else I'm a big fan of.

[30:10] Chris Katzmann: You think they should allow um the audience to eat hot dogs on Broadway?

[30:14] Jackie Burns: Absolutely. Yes. I think that would really enhance a lot of the shows.

[30:20] Chris Katzmann: I couldn't agree more.

[30:21] Jackie Burns: Yeah. You know, the they should serve hot dogs. Maybe they could have the hot dog stand guy going in in the uh aisles during the show. I mean, distract a little bit, just a little, but it's worth it for the hot dogs, you know.

[30:34] Chris Katzmann: It is because then people are full, they're feeling good, you know. Get their little ballpark feel, you know.

[30:39] Jackie Burns: Yeah, yeah. Exactly. You know, actually, the first time though I say uh the first time I went to a football game, I sang for was singing the national anthem at the Jets. Um, and I met the commissioner of uh the football. Roger Goodell.

[30:55] Chris Katzmann: Thank you, Roger Goodell.

[30:56] Jackie Burns: Oh, cool. And my dad made friends with the yeah, and my dad did lobby to get me to sing the national anthem for um the Super Bowl. It didn't happen, but you know, fingers crossed next year.

[31:08] Chris Katzmann: Yeah, they had Dina do it because I come on. I think you know, I was one of the one of the biggest die hard sports fans out there in in the uh in the Broadway community, and uh just with the amazing voice you have, it makes total sense. You should be the next one in line.

[31:24] Jackie Burns: Absolutely, thank you so much. It does, it just makes sense, doesn't it? Forget like you know, Beyoncé. We've then they're done that. Let's get moving.

[31:35] Chris Katzmann: I mean, exactly. I mean, it plus, you know, uh she I don't think she's really that into it anyway, but uh yeah, she doesn't want to do it. You know, I I think I think you definitely deserve it more.

[31:45] Jackie Burns: I do too. Thank you so much.

[31:50] Al Malafronte: Jackie, how's your singing voice, you know, during this quarantine?

[31:53] Jackie Burns: You know, that's a really I'm impressed that you asked that. Um my seeing voice got some dust on it. Let's be honest. I actually had to do a self-tape for a musical about two weeks ago. And uh I had to it up because she was not ready.

[32:09] Jackie Burns: Right. Because it's a muscle, and you know, they atrophy when you don't use them. You gotta keep working out in the off season.

[32:17] Chris Katzmann: You really do.

[32:18] Jackie Burns: Everyone knows that.

[32:19] Chris Katzmann: Everyone knows, yeah. And I I normally I go to my voice teacher, you know, once to twice a week, and I haven't been going at all. So I need to get my butt in gear. But I have been doing P90X.

[32:30] Jackie Burns: So nice. Remember P90X or my aging myself, my dating myself really bad.

[32:39] Chris Katzmann: Oh no, we all we all know P90X.

[32:43] Jackie Burns: I think a roll is trending that actually uses P90X to bulk up in the offseason. Some good stuff. I did it today out on in outside.

[32:52] Al Malafronte: Now, Jackie, you know, I I know you have aspirations of maybe singing the anthem over at the Super Bowl.

[32:59] Jackie Burns: Yeah.

[32:59] Al Malafronte: But are you feel you're familiar with the seventh inning stretch in baseball, right?

[33:02] Jackie Burns: Of course I am.

[33:04] Al Malafronte: Yes. Well, you know, I think that at this point in the interview, we're kind of like at that point in you know, at that point of the game, if you want to put it that way.

[33:14] Jackie Burns: If you will, yes.

[33:16] Chris Katzmann: Uh Chris, what do we usually do during the seventh inning stretch?

[33:20] Chris Katzmann: Um, you know, here on Break of Bat.

[33:23] Chris Katzmann: Go get a.

[33:24] Al Malafronte: We usually do a trial trivia game, but I'm not sure, uh, Al, is that what you want to do today?

[33:29] Al Malafronte: No, because everything is out of whack, like I said. So I know that you and Alan came up with a new idea, and I'm very much for it.

[33:37] Chris Katzmann: No.

[33:37] Al Malafronte: That's right. Alan and I put our heads together on this one, although I gotta give most of the credit to Alan.

[33:43] Chris Katzmann: Um I don't know if I want to take credit for this.

[33:49] Al Malafronte: Well, you're getting it anyway, Alan.

[33:52] Chris Katzmann: Uh we have uh we would like to sing a little bit of a verse with you.

[33:57] Jackie Burns: Uh um, one at a time, actually, taking turns.

[34:02] Al Malafronte: Okay.

[34:03] Chris Katzmann: Um so I guess what we'll do is uh I myself, Alan, Al, and you will we'll each sing a line and then um we'll rotate and sit and sing the next line.

[34:16] Jackie Burns: Okay, and how do we know who goes first? Do we have an order?

[34:18] Chris Katzmann: I mean, like, do we have an order? That's that's a good idea.

[34:22] Al Malafronte: Alright, Al, maybe you can just point or your video's a little bit more.

[34:26] Chris Katzmann: My video is a voice.

[34:28] Al Malafronte: I'll point to you when it's point to me when it's my time.

[34:31] Jackie Burns: Perfect. Thanks for taking the reins, Alan.

[34:34] Chris Katzmann: Classic Alan Seals move right there.

[34:36] Al Malafronte: Yep. So instead of instead of singing take me out to the ball game, yeah, we are going to sing um one of one of the songs that I'm sure you will know.

[34:46] Jackie Burns: Oh god, I have to do it.

[34:47] Chris Katzmann: So uh The Beach Boys.

[34:53] Jackie Burns: Which one?

[34:54] Chris Katzmann: It's a surprise. You're gonna have to pick up on your cue, and I think Chris is accusing.

[34:59] Jackie Burns: I'm a little bit tone-deaf myself, but I'm gonna try and lead it off here.

[35:02] Al Malafronte: Okay, everyone.

[35:04] Chris Katzmann: Here we go.

[35:06] Jackie Burns: What is this feeling so sudden and new? Is this me just oh god I don't know laid eyes on you my pulse is rushing is it me that's you oh no I thought I don't know it my something something my head is reeling my head is feeling my face is flushing what is this feeling fervent as a flame does it have a name here we go yeah yeah yeah loathing an adultery loathing for your face oops oh she's running with it no let her go I got to be glad that was the only time I've ever said for your face for that move I had a change I had to I had to own that this for listeners at home this is really hard to do over the internet it really is okay though we're we're you know we're we love to experiment on this show by the way I feel good about it I'll pick it up for your face your voice your clothing let's just say I love it all wow all right nice we made it all the way through a verse that's pretty cool that was good job everybody it goes to I don't remember it obviously very well it's been a that's okay I mean we uh everyone everyone understands don't worry about it.

[36:45] Jackie Burns: Yeah. Actually, I had to sing something from Wicked the other day and couldn't remember the words, and I felt really, really bad for myself.

[36:52] Al Malafronte: You've got tons of other stuff to remember, I'm sure so yeah, totally so much.

[36:58] Jackie Burns: Like brushing my teeth. And I've, I mean, well, all the Aroldis Chapman stats you probably have racked up 105.1 twice.

[37:08] Al Malafronte: There you go. A new one.

[37:10] Jackie Burns: That probably just pushed out some of the other memory space for some of the Wicked lyrics when you learn that new fact. So it's different.

[37:18] Al Malafronte: Yeah.

[37:19] Jackie Burns: I can't wait to tell my dad. He's gonna be so proud. You're so synonymous with a great role like that. Do you ever find yourself singing those songs like when you're in the shower or like even when you're running? Like you throw that onto the iPhone on your Spotify playlist ever?

[37:38] Jackie Burns: No, I'm truly such a weirdo. I think because I've played roles that are like so vocally challenging, and you sing like eight, you know, I'm so used to singing a million songs every day that I don't ever sing when I'm not in a show. I never, like never ever, ever, ever sing. It's kind of weird. Everybody finds it very strange. But if I'm not in a show, I don't sing, and when I'm in a show, I don't sing. No, that's and I feel very uncomfortable singing unless I'm like getting paid.

[38:07] Al Malafronte: There you go. Yeah, yeah. You're a professional.

[38:10] Jackie Burns: That's right. I don't think Aroldis Chapman strikes people out for free.

[38:13] Al Malafronte: Right.

[38:14] Jackie Burns: He's like, yeah, show me the money, and then I'm gonna go.

[38:18] Al Malafronte: There you go. And then I'll give you the kids.

[38:20] Jackie Burns: Yep, yep. Good Jerry Maguire reference right there, by the way.

[38:24] Al Malafronte: That's sports.

[38:25] Jackie Burns: That's sports and early arts.

[38:27] Al Malafronte: Yeah, totally. How about going up on the lift for Defying Gravity? Do you have any funny stories or crazy stories or terrifying stories about that?

[38:38] Jackie Burns: Yeah, so many things. It's actually everybody thinks it's super scary, and I am afraid of heights, but you don't know how high you are because all the lights are in your eyes. So the only time you realize how truly high you are is once the curtain goes down and they're lowering you, and then you realize how high you are, and that's kind of scary. The really scary thing is when that lift doesn't work and you have to sing Defying Gravity like an a-hole, not flying. And they call it plan B. And the worst thing ever. And the funny thing is, so I did the show for a year on tour, and I'd never had a, they call it a no-fly show. And so I didn't know what plan B was. So then when I went to Broadway the first time, it was about halfway through my run.

So what you do is you like, it's actually a lot. While you're saying goodbye to Glinda, you're like, bye, the guards are coming, I'm gonna fly out of here. You turn around and you have this cape and you have a broom and you have your book bag, and you have to do this like turn to get into this very tiny cherry picker thing, and get your cape over the apparatus in the back so that you know it covers it so you don't see it. And then you also like push with your back this little tiny lever that closes the arms and tells the computer that you're safe and they can go. And so you start, you know, going forward and then you fly up. And so it was that point where I was clipped in and I should be going forward while I'm like, it's not her, she's not the one, you know, it's me, it's me, right?

And I'm not going anywhere. I'm still there, it's not moving. And I'm like, oh God, what's happening? And I feel in the dark somebody tap me on the shoulder and is like, plan B, plan B. And I'm like, what the fuck does plan B mean? I don't know what's going on. And then I realize that you have to unclip yourself in while you're singing, you know, like it's my oh, like singing, and you're unclipping yourself and you have to walk forward, and then everybody else from the wings comes down, and normally they're like looking up at you, going, like look at her, she's wicked, and pointing up at you. Well, plan B is that they all lay down at your feet. That's right, fully lay down. So it looks like you're higher than you are.

They have a whole different lighting structure that actually makes it look like you're kind of flying, but you're just a jerk talking about how you're flying in front of 2,000 people that you just ruined their Broadway experience, even though it's not your fault. And then the conductor is like a foot away from you just laughing at you because it's so uncomfortable, and then everybody's laughing at you on stage, you know, laying at your feet, like look at and you just feel like the biggest jerk in the world. And I had five no-fly shows on Broadway that first time, and it sucked, and I hated it.

[41:30] Al Malafronte: But that's an amazing story though. I never would have thought of all the little details that go into a show like that.

[41:36] Jackie Burns: That's yeah, and well, you gotta think on your feet there. That's pretty cool.

[41:39] Al Malafronte: Oh, it's the but it's just so bad. Like you're literally singing an entire 11 o'clock number about how you're flying high Defying Gravity standing center stairs like a jerk. Like it's mortifying. And you can't help but then like over-sing because you're like, I'll show you that, I'll give you still give you a good time, and then you blow out your voice, and then the whole second act you're just struggling because you like blew it out with your no-fly show.

[42:06] Jackie Burns: Anyways, so honestly, I'm trying to think of a baseball analogy, but that's just such a unique situation. I, one's not coming to mind, you know, that almost never happens for me.

[42:15] Al Malafronte: But wow. It's like when you're like trying to go steal home, and then you're stuck in like a pickle, maybe.

[42:24] Jackie Burns: There you go, a rundown, and you gotta get out of it, and you gotta still score.

[42:28] Al Malafronte: Yeah, perfect. Yeah, yeah. I like that. Sound like you're five for five though. That's pretty good. That's like, you know, you must be a real wizard out there on the base pads.

[42:37] Jackie Burns: Thank you.

[42:38] Al Malafronte: Or wait, I should say.

[42:40] Jackie Burns: I met the wizard.

[42:41] Al Malafronte: So yeah.

[42:42] Jackie Burns: Yeah.

[42:44] Al Malafronte: I love that. Is there one role on Broadway existing or from the past that you think could top that experience of playing Elphaba?

[42:54] Jackie Burns: For me, what the only thing that could top it is something written specifically for me that's that epic. That would be that would top it because it would be written exactly for me and my voice and my skill set, and I'd be creating it for the first time. And the reason why, you know, you go to stage left on that word is because I decided that's where I wanted to move, you know, and not because somebody else had created it and you have to justify it now because that's how it was, you know. So for me, that would be the only thing that could top it.

[43:30] Chris Katzmann: You know, Chris and I—

[43:32] Al Malafronte: Oh go ahead, Chris.

[43:32] Chris Katzmann: Yeah, I was just gonna say, it sounds like you're saying I should start working on my baseball musical.

[43:37] Jackie Burns: That's what I'm saying. Um, yes, absolutely.

[43:41] Al Malafronte: Perfect. All right, I'll make it right on it. I've been meaning to.

[43:43] Chris Katzmann: This is the motivation I needed. Thank you.

[43:45] Jackie Burns: Yeah, and you have clearly have the time.

[43:49] Al Malafronte: Sadly.

[43:51] Chris Katzmann: I know we should stop putting so much effort into these episodes and actually get our musical off the ground, Chris.

[43:56] Al Malafronte: And now that we have Jackie who's down to star in it, so that's perfect.

[44:01] Jackie Burns: Yes.

[44:02] Al Malafronte: I mean, yeah, count it. I mean, we're gonna count on it and yeah, probably, let's see. Whenever Broadway opens, you might want to have to look out for the Break A Bat musical.

[44:10] Jackie Burns: Oh yeah, it's gonna be huge.

[44:11] Al Malafronte: Listen, coming from podcast world, it's a lot cheaper and easier just to write a radio play.

[44:17] Chris Katzmann: Yeah, that's into a musical.

[44:21] Al Malafronte: Smart.

[44:21] Chris Katzmann: And you don't have to put on makeup, you can just wear a hat and call it a day.

[44:25] Jackie Burns: A musical radio play. I like it.

[44:27] Chris Katzmann: Yeah. They're doing that now here on our Broadway Podcast Network, Chris.

[44:31] Jackie Burns: That's a thing.

[44:32] Al Malafronte: Oh, really?

[44:32] Chris Katzmann: Yep.

[44:33] Al Malafronte: Oh yeah, that's right. You were telling me.

[44:34] Chris Katzmann: I'll remember, yeah.

[44:38] Al Malafronte: And we've got Jackie Burns down to star in ours, all right? We're gonna have you sign an exclusivity deal at the end of this interview.

[44:46] Jackie Burns: And you'll get to star in Break A Bat the musical.

[44:53] Al Malafronte: You might be able to guess that it'll probably heavily involve Aroldis Chapman.

[44:59] Jackie Burns: I hope so. Potentially could be just about his life, but we'll have to work that out after this.

[45:05] Al Malafronte: Okay, so pop quiz hot shot. Who would you cast as Aroldis Chapman in the Break A Bat musical?

[45:10] Jackie Burns: Oh, myself.

[45:13] Chris Katzmann: Oh no.

[45:13] Al Malafronte: Oh, Chris.

[45:16] Chris Katzmann: Obviously myself.

[45:22] Al Malafronte: Wait, who would play his translator?

[45:25] Jackie Burns: I guess that would be you, Al.

[45:28] Al Malafronte: I can be Aroldis Chapman and you can be Marlin. Although, you know, Jackie, you could probably pull off the role too. I mean, we've got a lot of talent on this show here.

[45:41] Chris Katzmann: I'm thinking like Christian Borle. Christian Borle's gotta bring something to a character that has no lines in English.

[45:51] Jackie Burns: Fair point.

[45:52] Al Malafronte: Fair point. Now, speaking of Aroldis Chapman, his prime real estate is the bottom of the ninth inning. And this is usually our seventh inning stretch, but this is your chance for your team, Jackie, to come away with a win.

[46:07] Jackie Burns: Okay.

[46:08] Al Malafronte: You're in the batter's box, the game's on the line. Um, we're gonna ask you some trivia questions. Half baseball, half Broadway.

[46:17] Jackie Burns: Oh god, okay.

[46:18] Al Malafronte: And you get enough of them right, you'll actually win a prize and join what we call the winner circle.

[46:25] Jackie Burns: Oh god, this sounds like a test, and I feel like I'm gonna lose. Just gonna set the bar low for myself.

[46:31] Chris Katzmann: I told you there's more tests coming.

[46:33] Jackie Burns: Yep.

[46:33] Al Malafronte: So anxious.

[46:35] Jackie Burns: Here, here it is.

[46:40] Chris Katzmann: Call the other call in the other room and ask your boyfriend.

[46:42] Jackie Burns: Okay, yeah. I feel like he won't know either.

[46:45] Al Malafronte: Just don't let us patch you because this test will be proctored and scored anyway.

[46:52] Jackie Burns: Okay, I'm ready.

[46:56] Al Malafronte: Okay, sure. I guess I'll kick it off then. Aroldis Chapman has made the All-Star game a remarkable six times in just 10 major league seasons. In the 2015 All-Star game, what did legendary Fox announcer Joe Buck suggest that Chapman's catcher, Yasmani Grandal, was thinking as Chapman struck out the side with multiple pitches of over 100 miles per hour? Was it A, he throws so fast, B, he's a monster, C, he could sail around the world if he wanted to, or D, get me out of here? And before you say anything, Alan, I know you know the answer. Don't give it away, please.

[47:40] Jackie Burns: Um, what was Grandal thinking? Again, was it he throws so fast, he's a monster, he could sail around the world if he wanted to, or get me out of here?

[47:54] Jackie Burns: I would say get me out of here, because I feel like his hand would hurt.

[47:58] Al Malafronte: Ding ding ding! You nailed that.

[48:00] Jackie Burns: I'm so impressed.

[48:03] Al Malafronte: You know, and oh man. Wow, I actually thought that was a tough one, and you just totally knocked it out of the park.

[48:13] Jackie Burns: I feel so good.

[48:14] Al Malafronte: Sat on the fastball, knocked it right out of the park. Great job.

[48:17] Chris Katzmann: Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

[48:20] Al Malafronte: No. That was pure skill team and the exact reason.

[48:26] Al Malafronte: That was that was logic.

[48:27] Jackie Burns: That was you're reasoned your way to victory.

[48:29] Al Malafronte: I did, yes.

[48:31] Chris Katzmann: Very good, very good.

[48:32] Al Malafronte: Jackie, you were in the Broadway revival cast of Hair. In the movie adaptation, the role of Wolf was played by a guitarist from which legendary rock band?

[48:43] Jackie Burns: Was it Pink Floyd?

[48:45] Al Malafronte: Chicago, the Eagles, or the Beach Boys.

[48:50] Jackie Burns: I'm gonna go with the Beach Boys.

[48:53] Al Malafronte: The answer is Chicago.

[48:58] Jackie Burns: I just thought you were gonna do a full circle with the Beach Boys action.

[49:02] Al Malafronte: It looked like it, didn't it?

[49:03] Jackie Burns: But we did not.

[49:05] Chris Katzmann: I got the choreographed it.

[49:08] Al Malafronte: You know, Jackie, we gotta throw some curveballs here at you, you know? You might throw a hint here and there to only give you fastballs.

[49:14] Jackie Burns: That's why we changed the name of the segment from fastball derby to bottom of the night.

[49:20] Al Malafronte: I like it. Do you know here? What do you know who choreographed the uh Hair movie?

[49:26] Jackie Burns: Um Casey Nicholaw.

[49:28] Al Malafronte: No, okay.

[49:31] Jackie Burns: Twilight Art.

[49:33] Al Malafronte: Oh, Moving Out.

[49:34] Jackie Burns: That's one of my favorites. One of the other few shows I've seen twice.

[49:37] Al Malafronte: She choreographed Billy Joel.

[49:40] Jackie Burns: Yes.

[49:40] Al Malafronte: My my ex-husband was the lead, John Celia.

[49:43] Jackie Burns: Wait, oh shit.

[49:46] Al Malafronte: I swear to God, I did not know that, but I love Michael Kavanaugh, and he's a big Indians fan.

[49:50] Jackie Burns: Oh, he has a great voice.

[49:53] Al Malafronte: This is gonna test a little bit of your knowledge from earlier in the episode.

[49:57] Jackie Burns: Okay.

[49:58] Al Malafronte: Okay. Which of the following performers holds the major league record for fastest fastball? Is it A Lynn Manuel Miranda? B Neil Patrick Harris. C, Laura Bell Bundy. Or D. Aroldis Chapman.

[50:21] Jackie Burns: I'm gonna go with D.

[50:24] Al Malafronte: Great job. I don't know how you got two of my questions in a row.

[50:27] Jackie Burns: I don't know how I didn't either.

[50:29] Al Malafronte: Yeah, that was uh you're really talented, I gotta say. You're a very good experience.

[50:33] Jackie Burns: I should have said Laura Bell Bundy, but I didn't.

[50:38] Al Malafronte: Well, there are some prize at stake, so you know you gotta you gotta if you know the answer, you gotta say it. Come on.

[50:43] Jackie Burns: Although, yeah, Laura Bell Bundy, if I didn't know, that probably would have been my second pick.

[50:48] Al Malafronte: Right? Absolutely. He's got a fast heater, yeah.

[50:51] Jackie Burns: Yeah.

[50:51] Al Malafronte: And the folks at home, that might be a little hint at next week's guests, but uh now I think it's Alan's question.

[50:59] Alan Seales: All right, all right, all right. So within the stories, the storied Wicked franchise, that you're obviously a huge part of, there's a great lineage of actors who have taken on the role of Fiero. Which of the following actors is not in that Fiero lineage? Tay Diggs, Derek Klena, Aaron Tveit, or Alex Brightman.

[51:26] Jackie Burns: Oh, I was sorry, Alex Brightman.

[51:28] Alan Seales: But he was in Wicked as Bach.

[51:31] Jackie Burns: Yes.

[51:33] Alan Seales: Ding ding ding. Yep. And I saw Tay Diggs as Fiero the very first time I saw Wicked. He was he was Fiero.

[51:44] Al Malafronte: All right, so you're three for four. That's a pr that's a 750 batting average. That's very good.

[51:48] Jackie Burns: Or I'm sorry, do we have five questions already? I may have lost count here.

[51:54] Al Malafronte: I think uh I added one. I added one at the very bottom.

[51:57] Jackie Burns: I love it.

[51:57] Al Malafronte: Okay, so three for four. You're you're on a good pace here. Um we've got three more.

[52:02] Jackie Burns: Oh god, okay.

[52:03] Al Malafronte: Yes. Um, anyway, it's again my turn, so you might guess what the topic is. But maybe not, you know.

[52:12] Jackie Burns: We'll see.

[52:13] Al Malafronte: This could be a curveball. Anyway, in which two months did Aroldis Chapman win the American League Reliever of the Month award in 2019? Was it January and February? January and April, May and August, or December and July.

[52:34] Jackie Burns: How'd you guess?

[52:36] Al Malafronte: Because I'm not an idiot.

[52:38] Jackie Burns: You are a Chapman to Ross.

[52:40] Al Malafronte: I gotta say, you might be a bigger, you might be more knowledgeable about Chapman than I am, honestly. I mean, this is impressive. This really is.

[52:48] Jackie Burns: I'm so impressed.

[52:49] Al Malafronte: Anyway, you've passed all of my baseball related tests here. So we'll turn it back over to Alan and Al now after that dramatic break.

[52:59] Alan Seales: All right. So my last question is a Wicked question for you.

[53:03] Jackie Burns: Okay.

[53:04] Alan Seales: Where are the wizards from? What do they call all sorts of things that aren't true?

[53:10] Jackie Burns: Wait, what? Where the wizard is from, yeah. What do they call all sorts of things that are not true? Jackie, if this is a hint, you were in the song where this lyric and fact comes up.

[53:24] Jackie Burns: What the f um you can finish the fuck and the F bomb. Go ahead.

[53:28] Al Malafronte: Yeah, what is the what the say it again? I feel like this is gonna be deceivingly easy, and I'm just making it very hard right now in my head.

[53:37] Jackie Burns: Okay, so the wizard is where he's from. Where are the wizards from? What do they call all sorts of things that aren't true?

[53:46] Jackie Burns: I I don't I don't know, I don't know. I'm feeling history.

[53:51] Al Malafronte: Oh that's so embarrassing.

[53:59] Jackie Burns: You and I do that one. That's because you know what? That's that's uh that's the hard that is the hardest part of the show for me. To stay present in that song is you're just in the zone, you just you just it kind of well, you just like black out in your Tollian character.

[54:17] Al Malafronte: Is that how it goes for you?

[54:18] Jackie Burns: No, you just there's nothing act listening is the hardest thing there is as an actor. So just to listen for three minutes and not think about what you're gonna eat when you go home and that mac and cheese that you're gonna eat, and it stay present is very hard.

[54:32] Al Malafronte: I get it.

[54:33] Jackie Burns: Yeah, I mean, as a professional, you know, you're you're you're you're getting paid on your on what you gotta deliver, and that's it.

[54:39] Al Malafronte: Yeah, I got you.

[54:41] Jackie Burns: I'm like such an asshole.

[54:42] Al Malafronte: No, I just couldn't remember that. I don't know why.

[54:45] Jackie Burns: Yeah, history. That's a funny part of the show. I'm embarrassed.

[54:49] Al Malafronte: So you really would make a good Chapman, by the way.

[54:53] Jackie Burns: You really would. He he comes in and just delivers what he needs to do with those fastballs. One inning, one inning every game, you know, just comes in, lights up the crowd. He's he's the star, obviously, you know, but he's just does what he needs to do, and he's consistent and and he gets paid the big bucks for it.

[55:10] Al Malafronte: So I'm very consistent.

[55:13] Jackie Burns: Yeah, we we uh we totally see that parallel here and really uh appreciate the what it means to be a true professional on this show. So thank you.

[55:22] Al Malafronte: Thank you anyway. And I've got one final question for you. Alan actually came up with this one.

[55:26] Jackie Burns: Okay.

[55:29] Al Malafronte: Um we mentioned earlier that Aroldis Chapman, we might have mentioned it a few times actually, uh, that he holds the record for fastest pitch at 105 miles per hour. For our quarantine listeners who use the metric system, how fast is that in kilometers per hour?

[55:48] Jackie Burns: Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Um, okay, wait. Oh, okay, all right. Yes.

[55:54] Al Malafronte: We'll give you options. We'll give you options.

[55:55] Jackie Burns: Oh, good. I was like, I can't convert that.

[55:58] Al Malafronte: Okay, great. Is it 156 kph? 167 kph or 189 kph?

[56:12] Jackie Burns: Um one more one say it when we have time.

[56:15] Al Malafronte: Okay. So let's think of 105 miles.

[56:19] Jackie Burns: Can I?

[56:20] Al Malafronte: Sure.

[56:21] Jackie Burns: No, that's cheating. I have to try it.

[56:24] Al Malafronte: No.

[56:26] Jackie Burns: I'm honestly trying to look at think like a picture of my dashboard. And like oh wow.

[56:33] Al Malafronte: That's an interesting strategy. I like that.

[56:35] Jackie Burns: Because it has like like 40, 20, you know, whatever. And now I'm trying to think what it is.

[56:38] Al Malafronte: We told you this might be like the SAT, and we're making good on that.

[56:42] Jackie Burns: We did. Okay, why don't you read it off one more time?

[56:45] Al Malafronte: So 105.1. Right?

[56:49] Jackie Burns: Yes.

[56:50] Al Malafronte: Yeah. Is either 159? Is that what you said? It's either 156 kph. 167 or 189.

[57:04] Jackie Burns: I don't, I don't. I'm gonna, I'm gonna guess, and I'm gonna call a friend.

[57:08] Al Malafronte: Okay.

[57:09] Jackie Burns: Well, first I'm gonna call a friend.

[57:10] Al Malafronte: Okay.

[57:11] Jackie Burns: Uh uh, hey, do you know what the answer is?

[57:15] Al Malafronte: Yeah.

[57:15] Jackie Burns: She's calling Amanda Jane Cooper, I think, for the folks in the room.

[57:20] Al Malafronte: No, I'm gonna go with uh B.

[57:24] Al Malafronte: Ding ding ding! Welcome to the winner's circle, Jackie Burns. That is correct!

[57:31] Jackie Burns: Oh my god. That was really good. See how I see how I created that um suspense like I didn't know when I clearly did.

[57:38] Al Malafronte: That's a testament to your acting skills.

[57:41] Jackie Burns: She is very fitting, but playing a role to Chapman for that reason.

[57:44] Al Malafronte: And let me let me just show Jackie her prize here to send her off with. Hang on.

[57:51] Al Malafronte: It's all right. Jackie, this is uh this is some pretty official memorabilia here in the Broadway world right now. Um and we don't give it out to that many people, only the winners.

[58:03] Jackie Burns: Oh my god, I'm so excited.

[58:05] Al Malafronte: This is hopefully that my fuzzy video feed will not blur it, but this is your official Chapman on Broadway long sleeve t-shirt.

[58:13] Jackie Burns: Yes! I love it.

[58:15] Al Malafronte: You have his number.

[58:18] Jackie Burns: That is Yep.

[58:21] Al Malafronte: That's right. He does wear 15 minutes. We've got our logo in the back, too.

[58:24] Jackie Burns: Oh, Sansa.

[58:25] Al Malafronte: Break a bat. There you go. Welcome to the winner's circle, Jackie. You were so you were so awesome on this. Um I learned so much.

[58:39] Jackie Burns: You're welcome. Thanks for coming on.

[58:41] Al Malafronte: Thanks for being such a great support with us. And uh we really had a lot of fun actually.

[58:44] Jackie Burns: I had a great time. Thanks, guys.

[58:46] Al Malafronte: You're welcome. And Jackie, there's one last question that we used to wrap every show. It's usually at the end of Fastball Derby, but everything is so out of sync tonight. Um, you know, I thought that we could keep one thing consistent. What's the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? And what was it?

[59:02] Jackie Burns: Uh, just to be yourself, don't compare yourself to anybody else because there's only one you, and only you can be you. So just be you.

[59:12] Al Malafronte: Yeah. You know, we've heard that from a few of our guests too. I think it's definitely a piece of wisdom that a lot of uh great performers have learned over the years. So thanks for sharing.

[59:23] Jackie Burns: Yeah.

[59:24] Al Malafronte: Yay. Jackie, can't thank you enough again for joining us on Break a Bat. This was awesome. Alan and Chris, you were fantastic aside, men as always.

[59:35] Alan Seales: Thank you.

[59:35] Chris Katzmann: Good to be here.

[59:36] Al Malafronte: Yeah, I had a great great time. Thanks again, Al.

[59:40] Al Malafronte: All right. That'll close out the ball game here on Break a Bat. This is Al Malafronte signing off from the Broadway Podcast Network. We'll see you next time.

[59:51] Al Malafronte: Thanks for listening to Break a Bat. This is produced by the fine folks at the Broadway Podcast Network. Visit and subscribe at bpn.fm slash breakabat. You can find me online at break underscore A underscore bat underscore podcasts. And you can also find the Broadway Podcast Network on Instagram at Broadway Podcast Network. It's been so great having you here with us today, and we'll see you next time.