This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:22] Steven Ferezy: Good morning, Dana.

[0:24] Dana Craig: Uh hi, good morning, Steven.

[0:27] Steven Ferezy: How are you?

[0:29] Dana Craig: I'm good. It's Friday morning. I was awoken by um the doorbell. We have a hole in our bathroom ceiling because actual mushrooms were growing out of it because there was a leak that no one knew about.

[0:29] Steven Ferezy: Oh no!

[0:42] Dana Craig: So one day I'm like doing my shampoo and I look up and it's the mushroom kingdom.

[0:42] Steven Ferezy: Mushroom kingdom.

[0:50] Dana Craig: I screamed. John came in and he just before I could even say he spotted him. It was terrifying. But it's taken care of. They obviously ripped them out, but the hole is still there. So they came to fill it, and I was like, I gotta record. Can we do this one day?

[1:05] Steven Ferezy: I have a few follow-up questions, Dana.

[1:05] Dana Craig: Yeah.

[1:08] Steven Ferezy: So are the mushrooms growing like what is it? Still tight? Like downward, and the cap is down at the like you're drying flowers.

[1:19] Dana Craig: Whoa! That's so bizarre.

[1:21] Steven Ferezy: Yeah, it was wild. Were they edible? Like do we get it?

[1:26] Dana Craig: It is black mold.

[1:30] Steven Ferezy: Listen, I don't like to waste mushrooms.

[1:34] Dana Craig: I know you don't. There's a hole in the ceiling, which A makes my bathroom feel bigger, right? Skyline. But it's also I just I stare at the original floors of the building that are still in there. It's so cool. We're I think we're gonna put a message in a bottle that's like we lived here during COVID.

[1:56] Steven Ferezy: You should, you should, you should. Um so my friend Allie, you know her, Ali Gilberts she lived in a house in Wisconsin and what we called it grandma's house. It was like an old house. She found a land of mushrooms behind her toilet once and took a picture and it looked like freaking fern gully.

[2:14] Dana Craig: Allie Gilbertson will always win up me no matter what my story is she things happen to her that don't even happen in movies.

[2:26] Steven Ferezy: No I know I know I know we have we have charmed lives. What a queer I have to tell our listeners we had a full 10 minute like giggle pre-show with our divine guests Toneisha Harris) and Niki Metcalf um who are about to go on the national tour of Hairspray coming to a city near you.

[2:55] Dana Craig: First of all hi thank you welcome good morning it's early thank you for being I mean my brain is busted because it's a tour in the COVID times or like post you know wherever we're at so that you're kind of like one of the first right like for then we'll be bringing theater back.

[3:12] Toneisha Harris)): Exactly yeah yeah I mean thank you I mean the the the country needs it I agree um I agree yeah and that's it.

[3:23] Niki Metcalf: And with a show like Hairspray thank god yeah we're so we're so lucky to not only be you know, being able to be creative and do this thing again. It's amazing to be telling a story like Hairspray to come back with.

[3:23] Toneisha Harris)): Absolutely.

[3:42] Dana Craig: And we have okay, so Tanisha, yeah, you are a star in your own right. Goodness. I mean, people know you from what season 18 of The Voice.

[3:54] Toneisha Harris)): That's cool. Season four of Sunday Best.

[3:57] Dana Craig: Yes, that too. Yes. I watched every season of Sunday Best.

[4:03] Toneisha Harris)): Are you serious?

[4:04] Dana Craig: I loved Sunday Best. I still watch it as well.

[4:08] Toneisha Harris)): Um Sunday Best is what introduced me to Letic. Changed my life. Changed my life. Look at her now.

[4:16] Dana Craig: Oh my gosh. She's amazing.

[4:18] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah. If they they've had some great people come from that stage, and they continue to put out some great artists as well. So I was happy to be a part of that. And then, as you said, season 18 of The Voice to be the runner up and to be here now. Um my mind is just blown, honestly. I I don't think of myself as a star. I'm still emerging. I'm still trying to figure this out and walk this journey and just kind of enjoying it the whole step of the way, every step of the way.

[4:41] Dana Craig: That's fair. That is, I was bop into your single this morning, Let's Change the World.

[4:41] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah.

[4:46] Dana Craig: Bob around my kitchen. I love it. Yes. I think that is such an amazing song, and the message is so necessary. As well as we were talking just you know about Hairspray as well. The message behind that, they both simultaneously are so necessary for today for what we're experiencing. And our nation needs it, our country needs it. So the the fact that we get to be a part of this and to take that message countrywide is just absolutely amazing to me. I am honored to be a part of that.

[5:15] Niki Metcalf: Oh my god, you are such a queen. Okay. I love The Voice, but I am not a frequent watcher of The Voice. So I went back and watched there's a YouTube clip of all of your performances.

[5:26] Toneisha Harris)): Yes, yes.

[5:27] Niki Metcalf: So I loved it. I leapt, I leapt, left out of my chair. When you were singing Diamonds, and your oh your your glam was the glammiest glam I've ever seen.

[5:44] Toneisha Harris)): They were phenomenal.

[5:45] Niki Metcalf: Oh and the way you ended, I have to say something. Belting gets a better rap than the you know other forms of uh where you're pitching your notes. When if you can belt, you're the best. Okay, great. You can do that. But when you ended Diamonds on a the lowest note of notes, I leapt. I left out of it. I said no, she didn't. It was it was Diamonds in the sky. It was like just a little touch of star quality.

[6:21] Toneisha Harris)): I think it's necessary to show your range and the show people. Oh I'm not a one. Oh, we went to the basement. Oh, we're gonna George, your bizarre. It's everywhere.

[6:34] Niki Metcalf: Oh, you can put it everywhere. I love that scene. You've already proved yourself. Let's end it easy. Let's eat. Let's end it down here.

[6:34] Toneisha Harris)): Exactly.

[6:44] Niki Metcalf: You're right. I still got I just got the tones of the world. Thank you.

[6:48] Toneisha Harris)): Oh, thank you so very much, guys. Really, thank you. That actually was one of my favorite performances because I felt like um I was reminding myself that I was a diamond. I had forgotten about that. And I felt like I was reminding myself that I could do this, that I was meant to do it, and that I still had some shine left in me. Um, so yeah, that was very, very pivotal for me. It really was.

[7:12] Dana Craig: So that I'm crying.

[7:13] Toneisha Harris)): Oh cheers. We're all crying out.

[7:18] Niki Metcalf: Um yes, I just, you know. I have nothing to say after that. Sorry. Okay, but my I think my point, my point in the beginning was you you have notoriety and Nikki, you are brand new.

[7:18] Niki Metcalf: Yes.

[7:38] Dana Craig: You know, and we were about to blow this country apart.

[7:43] Toneisha Harris)): Oh stop.

[7:44] Niki Metcalf: You were very kind. Um, I had been you know, auditioning and you know, I went to school for theater and working so hard and you know, trying to make it and you know, get into this industry that I love so much. And I was initially going to be Tracy on uh Royal Caribbean, uh on the cruise line. And we actually were rehearsing. We were two weeks from boarding when we got sent home because of COVID.

[8:17] Toneisha Harris)): Thank god in March.

[8:19] Niki Metcalf: Yeah. So then it ended up that I was auditioning for the tour, um, at the same time, and I'm just so happy it worked out because now I get to do the full thing with these incredible people that I look up to, and it just it's just such it's it's an incredible opportunity to bring this message across the country and show who I am because I relate to Tracy so much in her, you know, just trying to share her kindness and welcomingness and I just I feel so incredibly natural demeanor is like so joyful.

[8:58] Dana Craig: I obviously being the amateur web sleuth I am I googled you and uh on YouTube there is I think it's your self tape for this tour or at least a clip of you singing Good Morning Baltimore right so I'm watching like okay this is probably her self tape so like this is weird to be watching somebody's audition and they don't know it first of all sorry I did however I'm watching it and the minute you go I promise Baltimore I believe your promise that that was the second I knew that was the second I knew this tour is in good hands.

[9:36] Niki Metcalf: Ah that is I bought your promise in a minute and a half like in a room on YouTube.

[9:44] Toneisha Harris)): Steven you don't buy anything.

[9:46] Niki Metcalf: I don't buy anything not without a coupon at least not without a coupon that that is high praise from my podcast partner right there. Listen it's it's what I look that's how I watch theater. I look I look for the first thing you make me totally believe and then I'm with you.

[10:09] Toneisha Harris)): Oh I love it.

[10:11] Niki Metcalf: You know I've been singing that song since the original production came out and you know looking up to people like Marissa who like I just I wanted to be that I wanted to do that. I actually um I originally sang Good Morning Baltimore in sixth grade we had something called a sixth grade lip sync, and everyone would get up on stage and lip sync to their favorite song, and that was like our little talent show. Now, I didn't want to lip sync. I I was like, No, I need to sing. I want to sing. I want to live sing. So I ended up putting on the full-over here. I ended up putting on the full Tracy outfit. My mom painted this beautiful backdrop, um, you know, on paper with the record store and everything in the background with Hairspray, and I sang Good Morning Baltimore for that lip sync, and my mom surprised me and came up on stage like dressed as Edna, and it was hilarious and incredible.

[10:11] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah.

[11:12] Niki Metcalf: But that was my first time like performing that song in front of people, and it was my first song that I uh my voice teacher. It was the first song that I showed to him to go to voice lessons, and it just that song has carried me through, and I just I've always loved that message, you know, believing that message for myself that I'm ready to take this on, I'm ready, you know, and I am enough to bring this message of kindness that I so you know, I so believe in so you know, so want to share, and I just it it's such an incredible feeling.

[11:50] Dana Craig: I'm just it's just starting to sing. I'm so excited for you to like put on the wig and the costume and like do that first run through and just absolutely uh feel her come to life in your body. It's such an incredible opportunity, and I just you know, I'm still reeling, trying to believe it, you know. I'm pinching myself every day. Like, is this real? Do I really get to do this? You know, actually.

[12:16] Toneisha Harris)): Well, probably gonna cry a lot, I'm sure.

[12:19] Dana Craig: Good. Lots of tears, lots of dark ears. Tanisha, have you done Hairspray before? Have you lived with Motormouth a while?

[12:27] Toneisha Harris)): No, no. Other than in my mind and in my dreams. Um, no, I've never done this one. I've always wanted to do this production. So this is uh full circle for me as well. Um, I have you know, watched it, sang the songs, done some of the lines, just kind of too much walking around the house. And I've done that for years. So um, yeah, so it is it is amazing that we both kind of have some similar full circle moments with this production. And like I said, I I definitely think once we step out in our characters for the first dress rehearsal, we're probably gonna cry.

[12:57] Niki Metcalf: Well, I am it doesn't take long time.

[12:59] Toneisha Harris)): Oh no, full full tears. Especially after the year and a half we've all had just stepping into the theater and knowing that you get to live there for a second. Um, to be able to do theater at all again is just so amazing. I like I miss it so much. You know, it's all I've ever wanted to do with my life. I want to, you know, it sounds corny, but like I want to change the world and change minds and spread kindness through theater, and that's always what I've felt like I was called to do, and how I was called to do it. And it just to be able to do that with this show after the year we've had, um, and all these conversations that have been started and opened, uh it's just so important to keep that going, and to be able to do that with the show is just incredible.

[13:46] Dana Craig: You're the cutest! So the cast list, the casting notice hasn't gone out yet, right? As we are speaking right now.

[13:55] Toneisha Harris)): So we have yet to publicly, you know, shower praise upon you.

[14:00] Niki Metcalf: That's true.

[14:01] Dana Craig: Very exciting. But by the time this drops, you it will have been announced, but I just want to, you know, proper praise will have um been praised.

[14:11] Toneisha Harris)): Oh gosh. Yes. Oh, I can't even imagine. I'm just my heart is just literally overwhelmed. Um, I think we all were saying that when we did the uh photo shoot and the interviews together that it was just overwhelming to think, as you said, Steven, coming out of this pandemic, and we get to share this message, but not just that, we get to help people escape for a few moments. Like you get to forget about what's happening around you, but also you get to zero in on what it is that we're really saying and take that away with you when you go back out.

[14:43] Toneisha Harris)): So we really do hope to change people's perspective.

[14:46] Niki Metcalf: Absolutely.

[14:47] Toneisha Harris)): Change their outlook, change their lives, one person at a time, one family at a time, one community at a time.

[14:53] Niki Metcalf: And we get to be a part of that.

[14:55] Toneisha Harris)): And I think that being able to look at Niki and being able to look at Andrew and see that we all come from such a humble place.

[15:06] Niki Metcalf: I think that really speaks volumes to not only casting, but also to the fact that when we go out on that stage, that our hearts are pure, that we really do want to not just get lost in these characters and allow people to live vicariously through us in those moments, but that we also get to convey a message that we believe in.

[15:25] Toneisha Harris)): It's not something that somebody is telling us to say or telling us to sell, but we actually live it and believe in it.

[15:32] Niki Metcalf: And I think that when it comes from a pure place, that it makes it more believable and people will walk away feeling more inspired.

[15:39] Toneisha Harris)): And so that's what I'm looking forward to the most.

[15:41] Niki Metcalf: Um, the food on the road.

[15:45] Toneisha Harris)): And I just want to say Andrew that you mentioned is Andrew Levitt, who is if you watched RuPaul's Drag Race, he is Nina West.

[15:53] Niki Metcalf: Yes, I've got the most horrible, uh, wonderful activist.

[15:58] Toneisha Harris)): Um, has raised millions of dollars for LGBTQ rights and he's just incredible.

[16:06] Niki Metcalf: Yes, puts his money where his mouth is.

[16:10] Toneisha Harris)): I love that.

[16:10] Niki Metcalf: So, Nikki, as Tanisha was speaking, you're gonna be going across the country.

[16:16] Toneisha Harris)): You will be the first Tracy many people experience.

[16:21] Niki Metcalf: Yes.

[16:21] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah.

[16:22] Niki Metcalf: Like what an honor. What to, you know, I mean, as Motormouth Maybelle.

[16:27] Toneisha Harris)): Yes.

[16:28] Niki Metcalf: Hairspray was such an incredible point for me watching the original production and seeing someone who looks like me being able to live a story authentically as herself, unapologetic as herself, with that confidence and light and who just wants to dance, wants to share that love of dance with everyone.

[16:50] Toneisha Harris)): And if I can affect one person, you know, one little girl or boy or anyone who, you know, even after this year, who is now thinking, you know, I've lived my life up until this point like this, like I want to follow my dream.

[17:05] Niki Metcalf: You can do that.

[17:06] Toneisha Harris)): Like I just, I, and life is way too short, you know.

[17:10] Niki Metcalf: If you're not doing what you love, you're wasting your time.

[17:13] Toneisha Harris)): And I live by that.

[17:15] Niki Metcalf: You know, that's the theater is what I am passionate about.

[17:18] Toneisha Harris)): So I am going to live that and I'm going to work for it.

[17:20] Niki Metcalf: And I hope that as Tracy, that message of you can do it and do not let what society thinks, you know, someone has to be to be deserving of love and deserving of following their dreams, you know, that is anyone.

[17:40] Toneisha Harris)): Anyone is deserving of that.

[17:42] Niki Metcalf: And I, you know, to be able to affect someone and hopefully get through to them that that is possible, you know, that is what I'm looking forward to the most is spreading that message, you know, that, you know, it's hard for me to believe every day.

[17:42] Toneisha Harris)): You know, it's hard for anyone to believe.

[17:58] Niki Metcalf: You don't have to shoulder that responsibility.

[18:00] Toneisha Harris)): I mean, as long as you're who authentically yourself and joyful and loving what you are doing, that will cosmos, that will soak into the people and that will just happen.

[18:13] Niki Metcalf: That's the hope.

[18:13] Toneisha Harris)): That's the goal.

[18:14] Niki Metcalf: You know, spoken like a true leading lady.

[18:17] Toneisha Harris)): I think it was Julia Murney who told me she was like, I think when we had her on, she was talking about how when she was Alphaba on the Wicked Tour, she really, she was proud of herself because she knew how to lead a company.

[18:30] Niki Metcalf: Not only she knew how to like do the role, but when you are in that spot, people look to you to lead the tone of the day into the tone of wherever you are.

[18:43] Toneisha Harris)): Um, it's just so nice to hear that you are in that position with that attitude because the rest of your company will follow.

[18:51] Niki Metcalf: Yes.

[18:52] Toneisha Harris)): Well, and then even meeting Tanisha and Andrew the other day, knowing that, you know, they are two wonderful people who have already had so many experiences in their career, and knowing that they both come from the same place that I do, and we have so many similarities coming into our respective roles is so comforting, and you know, I'm excited to make that with them because we all have that same heart and mind that, you know, this is why we want to do this thing.

[19:23] Niki Metcalf: Exactly.

[19:23] Toneisha Harris)): This is why it's important to us, and you know, having that team with you.

[19:29] Niki Metcalf: Yeah.

[19:29] Toneisha Harris)): Is incredible.

[19:30] Niki Metcalf: It's incredible to your creative team too.

[19:33] Toneisha Harris)): I mean, it's a good group.

[19:35] Niki Metcalf: Jerry Mitchell is a good egg and he keeps good eggs around his work.

[19:42] Toneisha Harris)): I can't wait for that.

[19:44] Niki Metcalf: I really can't.

[19:44] Toneisha Harris)): I'm really excited about that.

[19:46] Niki Metcalf: Yeah.

[19:47] Toneisha Harris)): Absolutely.

[19:48] Niki Metcalf: Talk about sweetie pies, he's a sweetie pie.

[19:51] Toneisha Harris)): Yes.

[19:51] Niki Metcalf: Yes.

[19:52] Toneisha Harris)): He's a sweet.

[19:54] Niki Metcalf: No, he's fun.

[19:55] Toneisha Harris)): He's fun.

[19:57] Niki Metcalf: Um, Tanisha, a little like not Hairspray related, but I have to ask because The Voice was like during COVID.

[20:05] Toneisha Harris)): Like you kind of transitioned mid-season and now on the other end of COVID, you're like transitioning right back into it.

[20:12] Niki Metcalf: So I kind of wanted to hear like, okay, so when this was all starting and you had to transition in that moment and nobody was really good at Zoom media yet.

[20:22] Toneisha Harris)): What did that look like?

[20:24] Niki Metcalf: And now 18 months later, what is it looking like going into something new from this?

[20:30] Toneisha Harris)): Does that make sense?

[20:34] Niki Metcalf: These big projects and both of them are in the gray area.

[20:38] Toneisha Harris)): So how does that work?

[20:40] Niki Metcalf: How does that you learn?

[20:40] Toneisha Harris)): Well, it definitely taught me flexibility, if nothing else, that it's important to be flexible because you never know when things have been changing day to day, honestly.

[20:53] Niki Metcalf: And you're right, when we were doing The Voice, we had went out and did all of our pre-taping and so it was great, we were all excited about going back to be on the live stage and experience the audience in the band and that energy.

[21:05] Toneisha Harris)): And for me as a performer, I really pull from the crowd for the intimacy of the crowd and having that connection.

[21:12] Niki Metcalf: And so, you know, we left that January thinking, okay, we're coming back in April and everything is gonna be okay.

[21:18] Toneisha Harris)): And then all of a sudden, I'm in Canada in March, and they said, uh, we're about to close the borders.

[21:24] Niki Metcalf: And I was like, oh God, no, please wait.

[21:26] Toneisha Harris)): What is happening?

[21:27] Niki Metcalf: I gotta get home.

[21:28] Toneisha Harris)): And I literally got one of the last flights out on Air Canada back home, and they had closed the borders.

[21:36] Niki Metcalf: And I literally, I was home.

[21:37] Toneisha Harris)): I remember being home really nervous, just saying, oh my god, what's gonna happen?

[21:40] Niki Metcalf: I hope this opportunity doesn't get taken away from me because we were wondering at that time, are they gonna cancel the season?

[21:46] Toneisha Harris)): Are they gonna do it?

[21:47] Niki Metcalf: Um, we didn't know, and they really kind of were trying to figure it out.

[21:51] Toneisha Harris)): And I have to give them their props.

[21:53] Niki Metcalf: I have to say kudos to them for being revolutionary, for being willing to kind of step out of the box and say, well, we have to still give them a season and not just them, but everybody's gonna be home.

[22:06] Toneisha Harris)): So we gotta give people something to watch, and what better way to touch people than through music?

[22:10] Niki Metcalf: Music is so important, it's a tapestry of our lives.

[22:13] Toneisha Harris)): There's a song that speaks to absolutely everything that you are dealing with in life.

[22:17] Niki Metcalf: It does not matter.

[22:18] Toneisha Harris)): There's a lyric for that, and so that's the beautiful thing about music, and I'm glad I get to be a part of that.

[22:24] Niki Metcalf: And so when they contacted us and said, we're gonna team up with Microsoft Surface and we're gonna see if we can't make this work, we're gonna send you all tablets, we'll send you all everything that you need, and we'll just figure it out.

[22:34] Toneisha Harris)): And we were nervous about it, but we were excited, and we had to become our own makeup crew, our own hair crew, our own camera crew, our own lighting crew, which was full circle for me because my son was the reason that I could not audition in 2011 when he was diagnosed with leukemia.

[22:52] Niki Metcalf: And then thank God he is well, I'm happy to report.

[22:54] Toneisha Harris)): And when I did that season, he was able to be with me.

[22:59] Niki Metcalf: He was my camera crew and my lighting crew.

[23:03] Toneisha Harris)): He became like on a first name basis with them back in LA.

[23:05] Niki Metcalf: They were like, oh, Trenton has her good.

[23:07] Toneisha Harris)): We're good to go.

[23:08] Niki Metcalf: We don't have to worry about it.

[23:09] Toneisha Harris)): He's got it right.

[23:10] Niki Metcalf: So go for Trenton.

[23:11] Toneisha Harris)): Go for Trenton.

[23:13] Niki Metcalf: So it was, they started asking for him when we would kind of go on the camera.

[23:18] Toneisha Harris)): Is Trenton with you?

[23:20] Niki Metcalf: And if he wasn't, if he was in class, they would be nervous.

[23:23] Toneisha Harris)): Oh God.

[23:23] Niki Metcalf: I said, I promise he got me straight before he left.

[23:25] Toneisha Harris)): We're okay.

[23:27] Niki Metcalf: So it was.

[23:36] Toneisha Harris)): And having to figure that out, it really was nerve-wracking, but I definitely learned a lot about technology on the fly.

[23:42] Niki Metcalf: And so now I don't necessarily call myself a tech guru.

[23:45] Toneisha Harris)): Um, but I definitely am amateur-ish, but I feel more comfortable with doing what I need to do.

[23:51] Niki Metcalf: And I love being able to wear my slippers when I was performing.

[23:55] Toneisha Harris)): So I appreciated that.

[23:59] Niki Metcalf: Wow.

[24:00] Toneisha Harris)): Oh yeah.

[24:03] Niki Metcalf: I was singing my heart out.

[24:05] Toneisha Harris)): I was like, don't show on my feet because I have slippers on.

[24:08] Niki Metcalf: Um, but at the same time, nothing.

[24:12] Toneisha Harris)): Nothing.

[24:13] Niki Metcalf: Really, literally.

[24:13] Toneisha Harris)): That's what I would say.

[24:15] Niki Metcalf: Um, but then now here we are a year and a half later.

[24:18] Toneisha Harris)): And, you know, we started this conversation and audition process right after I finished The Voice.

[24:24] Niki Metcalf: So we finished May of 2020.

[24:26] Toneisha Harris)): I had my audition like literally maybe two weeks later.

[24:30] Niki Metcalf: Wow.

[24:31] Toneisha Harris)): So yes.

[24:33] Niki Metcalf: So we thought we were going on the road then, and then everything got pushed back from that summer and that fall.

[24:39] Toneisha Harris)): So it kind of was just we were in this holding period, and I just kept praying, God, please, you know, you gave me this opportunity.

[24:45] Niki Metcalf: I'm gonna believe that the door is gonna open again and the timing will be right.

[24:50] Toneisha Harris)): And sure enough, you know, they said, hey, we think we're gonna be able to do it.

[24:53] Niki Metcalf: And when they said they're opening Broadway back up this fall, I said, oh my god, it's really happening.

[24:57] Toneisha Harris)): And then they called us to come and do the photo shooting interviews.

[25:00] Niki Metcalf: I said, it's really, really gonna happen.

[25:02] Toneisha Harris)): Like I was so stoked.

[25:04] Niki Metcalf: And, uh, and so now, you know, things are different.

[25:07] Toneisha Harris)): You have COVID protocols in place and vaccines and tests and things, and so that has become a way of life that we've all adjusted to.

[25:15] Niki Metcalf: But I'm grateful that we've been able to get to a place where we can get back to some sense of normalcy.

[25:22] Toneisha Harris)): Um, and I'm excited about that.

[25:25] Niki Metcalf: Mm-hmm.

[25:27] Toneisha Harris)): I bet.

[25:29] Niki Metcalf: God.

[25:30] Toneisha Harris)): Yes, really.

[25:32] Niki Metcalf: You know, yeah, yeah, really, you know, just kind of rubbing elbows with people.

[25:37] Toneisha Harris)): Well, maybe safely, but still rubbing elbows with people and just, you know, and I think your audiences on this tour.

[25:45] Niki Metcalf: Oh, first of all, any Hairspray fan is gonna come because, oh my god, Hairspray's coming to my town.

[25:50] Toneisha Harris)): Any theater fan is gonna come because, oh my god, I haven't been in a theater in a year and a half.

[25:55] Niki Metcalf: Yes, with new eyes, whether they're expecting it or not.

[25:58] Toneisha Harris)): Those are the people who don't know they need to see Hairspray right now.

[26:02] Niki Metcalf: Yeah, they're not itching for it, they maybe just saw the movie recently.

[26:06] Toneisha Harris)): That it's been scratched, but they're gonna go see it, and it's gonna hit them in a weird spot that they didn't see coming.

[26:15] Niki Metcalf: And that is gonna, the ripple effect of that, I think is going to be huge.

[26:22] Toneisha Harris)): Yes, I agree.

[26:23] Niki Metcalf: I agree, and I cannot wait to be a part of that.

[26:26] Toneisha Harris)): Honestly, I really can't.

[26:28] Niki Metcalf: I can't wait.

[26:29] Toneisha Harris)): I know I need some Hairspray right now.

[26:31] Niki Metcalf: Yes, yes.

[26:33] Toneisha Harris)): Who doesn't?

[26:34] Niki Metcalf: I mean, it's such a perfect show.

[26:37] Toneisha Harris)): Like it doesn't get old.

[26:38] Niki Metcalf: Always loving it.

[26:40] Toneisha Harris)): It has everything.

[26:41] Niki Metcalf: It has the laughs and the dancing and the, you know, it has all of the joy, but then it also has the messages and the love and the welcomeness with open arms.

[26:52] Toneisha Harris)): It's just, it's everything that a musical should be.

[26:57] Niki Metcalf: Yeah, this year really showed us that the beat cannot be stopped.

[27:02] Toneisha Harris)): You can stop that beat.

[27:04] Niki Metcalf: Yeah, that is going to be such a release for so many people.

[27:09] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah, yourselves included on that stage.

[27:12] Niki Metcalf: After, oh my god, this year, this year.

[27:14] Toneisha Harris)): Well, guess what?

[27:15] Niki Metcalf: It's so let it out.

[27:18] Toneisha Harris)): Exactly.

[27:18] Niki Metcalf: We just want to let it out.

[27:19] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah.

[27:25] Niki Metcalf: I'm going to veer wildly off topic.

[27:29] Toneisha Harris)): And bring Nikki and Steven together on a shared skill.

[27:36] Niki Metcalf: Oh do you know?

[27:40] Toneisha Harris)): I think I do.

[27:43] Niki Metcalf: Mm-hmm.

[27:44] Toneisha Harris)): I know.

[27:46] Niki Metcalf: Sorry, we're doing our scale.

[27:48] Toneisha Harris)): This is great for a podcast.

[27:50] Niki Metcalf: Um, yeah.

[27:52] Toneisha Harris)): Listeners, we can all see each other.

[27:53] Niki Metcalf: We're on a video, but they both do ASL.

[27:57] Toneisha Harris)): That's true.

[27:58] Niki Metcalf: Here's the interesting thing.

[27:59] Toneisha Harris)): The interesting thing is I used to be an ASL interpreter for my church.

[28:03] Niki Metcalf: No, no way.

[28:04] Toneisha Harris)): Yes.

[28:05] Niki Metcalf: No way.

[28:06] Toneisha Harris)): Now I am definitely, definitely my skills, because you know, ASL is ever evolving.

[28:11] Niki Metcalf: So I took some classes maybe about a month ago to try and kind of class again.

[28:19] Toneisha Harris)): Dana, we gotta talk about you.

[28:22] Niki Metcalf: Okay.

[28:23] Toneisha Harris)): So my mom used to teach her lit, uh, sit in on a class at the high school.

[28:29] Niki Metcalf: So I know bacon.

[28:30] Toneisha Harris)): Uh-huh.

[28:31] Niki Metcalf: There it is.

[28:32] Toneisha Harris)): Okay.

[28:33] Niki Metcalf: Okay.

[28:37] Toneisha Harris)): Uh, what, Dana?

[28:38] Niki Metcalf: Dana.

[28:39] Toneisha Harris)): Okay, that's your name.

[28:40] Niki Metcalf: Great.

[28:41] Toneisha Harris)): Someone gave you a little sign.

[28:43] Niki Metcalf: Mine is Tanisha.

[28:45] Toneisha Harris)): Because I think.

[28:47] Niki Metcalf: I love that.

[28:48] Toneisha Harris)): Yep.

[28:49] Niki Metcalf: Mine is an S.

[28:50] Toneisha Harris)): I had a really epic swoop bang when I was working in the field.

[28:54] Niki Metcalf: So it's an S that kind of makes a big swoop thing across my face.

[28:58] Toneisha Harris)): I love that.

[29:00] Niki Metcalf: I don't actually have a name sign.

[29:02] Toneisha Harris)): I never had been, you know.

[29:04] Niki Metcalf: A signal.

[29:05] Toneisha Harris)): When I had been taking it in college, I minored in it with musical theater being my major because I was just so, American Sign Language is such a, you know, obviously a visual language, but so it feels artistic in its absolutely artistic to it so easily and so well.

[29:25] Niki Metcalf: I have tried to learn Spanish, I have tried to learn French. Yep, yep, it doesn't stick, but my brain knows how to embody movement. Absolutely. And I was so drawn to especially Deaf West, the theater company. And I, you know, thinking about oh my gosh, like bringing theater and bringing music to these people and like bringing that again, bringing people together is so incredible. And being able to do that, especially watching Deaf West's Spring Awakening. That's the awakening revival I did and I wept; it's incredible. And I just to be able to incorporate that somehow into the future of my theater career. Like obviously it's been a little bit and we've all been inside. So you know, brushing up on the skills again.

[30:15] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah.

[30:15] Niki Metcalf: You know, and actually 'cause it takes, you know, it takes a lot. There's, you know, and you have to use it. You have to use it. You have to use it.

[30:22] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah.

[30:23] Niki Metcalf: And it's a total, uh, the grammar of it is different than English too. So even thinking of, you know, speaking and signing at the same time, it's very different because just how you form the words is, you know, in a totally different order. And so that's, you know, that's something on tour that I'm excited to do.

[30:44] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah, I'm sure one of your shows in one city will be interpreted too.

[30:49] Niki Metcalf: And that would be so cool. Like spending some time like getting to know and, um, pick up those skills again and it's just such a beautiful language and oh that gives us something to do, Nikki.

[31:03] Toneisha Harris)): I can't, I know, I didn't know your whole cast is gonna pick up on it because they're gonna think you're talking about them every time.

[31:10] Niki Metcalf: I know, it's funny. I would kind of do that during, uh, past shows during some rehearsals, like I teach my friends some sign, like not talk badly, but anyone on the side of the side of the side.

[31:19] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah, across the wings, it's helpful.

[31:20] Niki Metcalf: Oh, it's helpful because you can be quiet, you know, you don't want to watch your voice.

[31:26] Toneisha Harris)): Exactly.

[31:27] Niki Metcalf: Exactly. So it's, you know, it's very useful. I'm so glad I know that about you now today. This is so cool.

[31:33] Toneisha Harris)): I am ready.

[31:35] Niki Metcalf: Oh wow, this is gonna be interesting.

[31:37] Toneisha Harris)): Oh yeah, we're gonna definitely be brushing up on the road together.

[31:40] Niki Metcalf: I can't wait.

[31:41] Toneisha Harris)): I can't wait.

[31:42] Niki Metcalf: Pre-pandemic, I had tickets to a signed performance of Caroline or Change.

[31:47] Toneisha Harris)): Oh my gosh.

[31:48] Niki Metcalf: And then you know what happened.

[31:52] Toneisha Harris)): So did I.

[31:53] Niki Metcalf: No.

[31:54] Toneisha Harris)): Uh, I know.

[31:55] Niki Metcalf: I always try. I'm on TDF, and whenever I see that there is a signed performance, if I can make it, I'll go because I love watching them.

[32:04] Toneisha Harris)): It's something very beautiful about it.

[32:07] Niki Metcalf: So beautiful.

[32:07] Toneisha Harris)): It really is. The fluidity of it, it is something so beautiful to watch.

[32:12] Niki Metcalf: Have either of you seen any like musicals or plays interpreted?

[32:17] Toneisha Harris)): You said you saw, uh, Spring Awakening with Deaf West.

[32:21] Niki Metcalf: Yeah.

[32:22] Toneisha Harris)): I have not.

[32:23] Niki Metcalf: Not yet.

[32:24] Toneisha Harris)): You have not.

[32:26] Niki Metcalf: Not yet.

[32:27] Toneisha Harris)): It's so cool.

[32:27] Niki Metcalf: I think the last one I saw was either, uh, Children of a Lesser God on Broadway.

[32:31] Toneisha Harris)): Oh, I also saw Children of a Lesser God.

[32:35] Niki Metcalf: Yes.

[32:36] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah, and that was great. I went with my sign language teacher to that one.

[32:40] Niki Metcalf: It was being interpreted that night.

[32:41] Toneisha Harris)): And we went together. It was so cute.

[32:46] Niki Metcalf: See, I miss theater because that's when that stuff happens.

[32:49] Toneisha Harris)): Right.

[32:49] Niki Metcalf: Like that connection.

[32:50] Toneisha Harris)): Right.

[32:50] Niki Metcalf: Like I miss going. I miss the stories. All of that is very true. But also like I can't make that date happen any other way.

[32:58] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah.

[32:58] Niki Metcalf: Yeah.

[32:58] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah.

[32:59] Niki Metcalf: How theater like encompasses and involves everyone in some way or has the ability to do that. It just, it's amazing.

[33:09] Toneisha Harris)): In college, I got to try the other side of it. I was sick of taking all these like core classes. I was like, I'm too old for this. So I did a bunch of independent studies where I would interpret the main stage productions.

[33:20] Niki Metcalf: I like had some of my sign language friends.

[33:23] Toneisha Harris)): And we would, I mean, certainly not certified interpreters, but in an educational setting, we like broke down the script and we interpreted a show.

[33:33] Niki Metcalf: So I did, I think I did Sweet Charity and Bright Lights Big City were the two musicals.

[33:38] Toneisha Harris)): That's awesome.

[33:40] Niki Metcalf: Insane, there's always a need for interpreters too. That's the shortage always, so that's another thing that kind of piqued my interest about it is, oh wait, there's a need.

[33:51] Toneisha Harris)): Um, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's a good language. I don't know, I whenever I find somebody that knows it, we click in a way that is just, uh, specific and different than, you know, oh you also took Spanish in high school.

[33:51] Toneisha Harris)): Is there a great resource if any of our listeners want to take it up? Like where do you go to find the best learning materials?

[34:19] Niki Metcalf: Well, Tanisha, you said you recently took a class, so that's probably the most up-to-date information.

[34:25] Toneisha Harris)): Well, what I would say is, um, what I did is I just researched ASL in my state because every state has some kind of class and you don't realize it, there's some type of, um, deaf learning center that is available and most times people who are of the hearing community don't realize it, they're welcome in those centers. They want you to come, they want you to learn so that you can be interactive and a lot of those classes are free or very, very, very reasonable. So I would say start there because that's what I did and there is one here in Georgia, but then I also found a young lady online through Facebook who was just doing introductory classes for people that wanted to sign up.

[35:02] Niki Metcalf: I paid, I think maybe 20 bucks and I took maybe six weeks of classes.

[35:07] Toneisha Harris)): So it was, I mean just start researching in your area what's in your area, you'd be surprised what's close.

[35:13] Niki Metcalf: Um, there's a lot of schools in the area, a lot of people, even churches who offer those classes.

[35:17] Toneisha Harris)): So definitely look and see what's available.

[35:20] Niki Metcalf: What resources are right at your fingertips we may not know about.

[35:22] Toneisha Harris)): Absolutely.

[35:23] Niki Metcalf: The most ASL I ever did was in church.

[35:26] Toneisha Harris)): So like gee, like Jesus.

[35:28] Niki Metcalf: Yeah.

[35:30] Toneisha Harris)): I can't remember what's wrong with it.

[35:32] Niki Metcalf: Oh my Lord.

[35:36] Toneisha Harris)): Yes.

[35:36] Niki Metcalf: I did the Lord's Prayer.

[35:38] Toneisha Harris)): I had to do the whole Lord's Prayer as my aunt would sing it.

[35:40] Niki Metcalf: And so that, yeah, definitely some of the most amazing memories, um, of my lifetime for sure.

[35:47] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah.

[35:47] Niki Metcalf: Absolutely.

[35:48] Toneisha Harris)): My final in class was Seasons of Love.

[35:52] Niki Metcalf: 45,600 minutes.

[35:54] Toneisha Harris)): Yes.

[35:55] Niki Metcalf: Yes.

[35:55] Toneisha Harris)): That's so fun.

[35:57] Niki Metcalf: 25,000. Yeah, I love that.

[36:00] Toneisha Harris)): That lives in my pocket.

[36:01] Niki Metcalf: That's a fun party trick once in a while.

[36:04] Toneisha Harris)): Oh really?

[36:04] Niki Metcalf: To pull that out at an open mic and everyone starts doing Seasons of Love at the end of the night.

[36:09] Toneisha Harris)): Just go stand by the piano, start signing it, see what happens.

[36:13] Niki Metcalf: Oh, I got to teach a signing the song class.

[36:17] Toneisha Harris)): I was working as a teacher and a choreographer for a kids camp and they had a need for a class.

[36:17] Niki Metcalf: And they were like, what do you want to teach? And I was like, oh my gosh, I would love to do signing the songs.

[36:28] Toneisha Harris)): It was practice for me to, you know, try and figure out how I was going to do that and obviously not being certified either, but I did, uh, Waiting for Life to Begin from, yeah, from Once on This Island that was really good.

[36:44] Niki Metcalf: Um, I did, you know, they wanted Waving Through a Window, so of course we did that.

[36:44] Toneisha Harris)): Of course, you know, um, so it was really exciting to be able to do that.

[36:55] Niki Metcalf: And we always started the class with, okay, bring in some words that you would like to know or like some vocab words, so we'd start the class that way and then we'd start with the song.

[36:55] Toneisha Harris)): Um, so that was a really exciting opportunity for me to do that and teach, you know, teach kids who, you know, growing up there's not many places that offer that for kids, you know, to grow up and have that experience of, oh, I want to do that. It's primarily Spanish or, you know, French, but it was great to introduce kids to American Sign Language and have them kind of sprout that passion to look further and keep learning.

[37:37] Niki Metcalf: We should talk to them and do that on the road. We should talk about that, like, you know, they're always looking for different publicity things that we can do.

[37:45] Toneisha Harris)): Maybe we can, ooh, now I've got my mind going now.

[37:49] Niki Metcalf: And that's it.

[37:49] Toneisha Harris)): Well, because again, I want to, you know, I'm not gonna say I'm an expert, I'm not gonna say, you know, it's been a bit, but it's something I'm passionate about to pick up again and I think the road is a great opportunity.

[38:07] Niki Metcalf: You know, yes, yes.

[38:09] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah, I don't know your cities, but obviously like DC and Baltimore I know has like huge deaf populations.

[38:15] Niki Metcalf: And you know if there's outreach to be done, yes, we're welcoming, you know, welcoming anyone.

[38:15] Toneisha Harris)): Absolutely.

[38:15] Niki Metcalf: Oh gosh, that is, that's so cool.

[38:31] Toneisha Harris)): Well, Tanisha, we didn't even find that out about it on the internet.

[38:36] Niki Metcalf: Exciting.

[38:36] Toneisha Harris)): I keep some secrets to myself.

[38:39] Niki Metcalf: You heard it here first on In the Room.

[38:41] Toneisha Harris)): There it is.

[38:44] Toneisha Harris)): I want to know a little bit about what gets you guys ticking. Like what are your favorite things? What's your favorite TV show? Like, what are we binging? Do you like to cook? Is like what is your life? What's what's what are the ingredients of your life?

[39:02] Steven Ferezy: Shut up, Steven.

[39:05] Toneisha Harris)): I didn't say shit.

[39:08] Niki Metcalf: Sure.

[39:11] Toneisha Harris)): Um, for me, I'm such a person that I want to have, uh, it's so corny. I speak, you know, but um, I want to have as many different experiences in life as possible. I find it so exciting to try new things and to try new experiences. Like that's that in itself, you know, really gets me going. So I've been having more time to cook, which has been amazing. I love cooking. I picked up reading again. I've already read about 41 books this year. I just picked, I'm a big, yeah, I'm a big bookworm, and I just really got that passion back because sitting at home and having the time to really do that and explore, okay, you know, when I can't be performing, what is something because it's so important to have other passions and other, you know, life experiences because that'll only help you in your performances as well. And so those are two major things, you know.

[40:13] Toneisha Harris)): But I'm always up for trying a new experience, a new something.

[40:18] Niki Metcalf: I think that really, that in itself is what's most exciting for me.

[40:22] Toneisha Harris)): You're about to travel a whole lot of places and see a whole lot of new. You know, you're about to live dreams.

[40:29] Niki Metcalf: You better blog it, Tracy's Turnblog.

[40:32] Toneisha Harris)): That's it.

[40:33] Niki Metcalf: Tracy's Turnblog.

[40:34] Toneisha Harris)): You know what that was.

[40:38] Niki Metcalf: That was brilliant, Steve.

[40:40] Toneisha Harris)): That was brilliant.

[40:41] Niki Metcalf: Okay, I may have to ask permission to steal it.

[40:44] Toneisha Harris)): Take it and run.

[40:48] Niki Metcalf: That was incredible.

[40:51] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah.

[40:51] Niki Metcalf: I'm blown away.

[40:52] Toneisha Harris)): Do one new thing in every city and talk about it.

[40:55] Niki Metcalf: Yeah.

[40:55] Toneisha Harris)): That's it.

[40:56] Niki Metcalf: Oh my gosh.

[40:57] Toneisha Harris)): Yes.

[40:57] Niki Metcalf: Yes, yes, yes.

[40:58] Toneisha Harris)): I'm such a person that if I sit still for too long, like I don't like being in one place for too long.

[41:04] Niki Metcalf: Don't like sitting in, you know, one thing for too long.

[41:07] Toneisha Harris)): So I just sitting alone in your room.

[41:10] Niki Metcalf: That's it.

[41:11] Toneisha Harris)): Come here.

[41:13] Niki Metcalf: Yeah.

[41:14] Toneisha Harris)): That's it.

[41:14] Niki Metcalf: You have good morning Baltimore, but then you could have good morning San Diego.

[41:14] Toneisha Harris)): Good morning.

[41:20] Niki Metcalf: That's it.

[41:21] Toneisha Harris)): How you know that?

[41:23] Niki Metcalf: Okay, we're building this whole thing.

[41:24] Toneisha Harris)): We're building it.

[41:26] Niki Metcalf: Good morning.

[41:26] Toneisha Harris)): Sands in Austin.

[41:28] Niki Metcalf: That's it.

[41:28] Toneisha Harris)): That's the intro to each thing.

[41:31] Niki Metcalf: That is brilliant.

[41:33] Toneisha Harris)): Oh my gosh, this is gonna be fun.

[41:35] Niki Metcalf: Oh many subscribed.

[41:36] Toneisha Harris)): I'm subscribed.

[41:38] Niki Metcalf: For real.

[41:38] Toneisha Harris)): Like seriously.

[41:39] Niki Metcalf: And Tanisha's son will do your camera work.

[41:42] Toneisha Harris)): That's it.

[41:42] Niki Metcalf: Oh my gosh.

[41:43] Toneisha Harris)): He's coming on the road.

[41:45] Niki Metcalf: I wish.

[41:49] Toneisha Harris)): Right.

[41:50] Niki Metcalf: Right.

[41:50] Toneisha Harris)): He loved that.

[41:51] Niki Metcalf: That was his star moment.

[41:53] Toneisha Harris)): And I, yeah, Tanisha put her husband in a music video.

[41:56] Niki Metcalf: You can see it on the, um, it's so funny listening to Tracy, to Tracy.

[42:02] Toneisha Harris)): Listening to Nikki because, um, we, a lot of things, I tell you, the more that we talk, I see the similarities.

[42:09] Niki Metcalf: And, um, and it's funny because I am an avid reader.

[42:12] Toneisha Harris)): I used to read the dictionary on a regular basis because I wanted to learn new words.

[42:17] Niki Metcalf: And so that has something that I have.

[42:20] Toneisha Harris)): That's something that I'm a conversationalist.

[42:22] Niki Metcalf: I love to talk, um, but not just talk to talk.

[42:25] Toneisha Harris)): I love to listen and share.

[42:28] Niki Metcalf: And so that was one of the reasons why I did it.

[42:31] Toneisha Harris)): Right, right.

[42:34] Niki Metcalf: Motormouth starts a podcast.

[42:38] Toneisha Harris)): I should.

[42:39] Niki Metcalf: Let's learn words with Motormouth.

[42:40] Toneisha Harris)): Like, like definitely should do well, not as catchy as what Steven came up with, but I mean we can come up with something.

[42:46] Niki Metcalf: I'm trying, working on it.

[42:47] Toneisha Harris)): I'm working on it.

[42:49] Niki Metcalf: Wheels are turning.

[42:50] Toneisha Harris)): Yes.

[42:50] Niki Metcalf: Some things need a marinade, some things are a quick grill.

[42:54] Toneisha Harris)): I get it, I get it.

[42:55] Niki Metcalf: And there's love for both.

[42:56] Toneisha Harris)): Um, so, so in addition to that, I have gotten back into reading as well.

[43:01] Niki Metcalf: I have bookshelves of books, and I've run out of space.

[43:04] Toneisha Harris)): So they're just kind of in boxes.

[43:06] Niki Metcalf: Um, but I love murder mysteries.

[43:08] Toneisha Harris)): I love, you know, to just read.

[43:10] Niki Metcalf: I'm a big John Grisham fan.

[43:11] Toneisha Harris)): I'm a big, um, just Stephen King fan.

[43:14] Niki Metcalf: I'm constantly getting their books.

[43:16] Toneisha Harris)): Um, so yeah, I love to read and I love, love, love to cook.

[43:20] Niki Metcalf: Um, my husband and I sometimes have cook-offs, uh, which our children absolutely love, of course.

[43:25] Toneisha Harris)): Um, so I love, love, love to cook and we've kind of discovered some other things and I've been trying to, um, to be a little more conscious.

[43:33] Niki Metcalf: I'm trying to get road ready, I say it.

[43:35] Toneisha Harris)): And maybe that's what I'll, well, I don't know, that's a different podcast, uh, different ball, but um, I'm trying to get road ready.

[43:40] Niki Metcalf: So I've been trying to cut out some different things and explore different ways to cook different things.

[43:45] Toneisha Harris)): So that's been an adventure for me as well.

[43:48] Niki Metcalf: Um, and then I've been writing.

[43:50] Toneisha Harris)): I've been writing, I've been writing my own, um, book, my own memoir.

[43:53] Niki Metcalf: Um, and I don't have a release time for that yet, but I have been writing it.

[43:57] Toneisha Harris)): I got some stories to tell, and I feel like, you know, somebody needs to hear it, and hopefully, we'll grow and heal from it as well.

[44:03] Toneisha Harris)): Because I definitely have, as I've been pulling back these layers. Um, and then and I've been writing music, so I've been kind of really enjoying being insular and being in this bubble, um, and kind of taking some time to just debrief and all of the stuff that I've been carrying for years, and you begin to realize wait, this is stuff I don't need to carry anymore. This is a weight that I kind of need to release, and how do I release it? And so for me, it has been through writing, it has been through journaling, it has been through the music. Um, and so yeah, those are some of the things that I love to do um when I'm not doing theater or singing and whatever else.

[44:50] Toneisha Harris)): Right, and and I've been and I since I know that we're getting back to this, then I've been trying to take moments to really enjoy my family because this is gonna be a first for me being away. I mean, my children are adults now, so they don't need mom as much. I probably feel like I need them more. Um, so it's it's gonna be an adjustment being away for eight months, and so I've been trying to take time each week. Okay, what can we do this week? What can we discover this week? Whether it's doing something in the house or safely going out, like what can we do so that we can continue to build those memories and hold on to them when we're apart from each other? Um, I love, love, love to travel, so I can't wait for that. I have I love doing puzzles, so I do puzzles, and one of the ones that I have to do is you are puzzles for me too.

[45:35] Niki Metcalf: Why are we so similar?

[45:37] Toneisha Harris)): Oh my gosh. So we have a book club, like we are trying to food. We are all about doing puzzles.

[45:44] Niki Metcalf: Oh my gosh. I love talking about it. I'm about to just be like a tour groupie and follow you.

[45:49] Toneisha Harris)): Oh my gosh. I want to do puzzles.

[45:52] Niki Metcalf: You should.

[45:53] Toneisha Harris)): I want to do Tracy's Turn Blog.

[45:56] Niki Metcalf: We should have him on for that, right?

[45:57] Toneisha Harris)): That's it. Yeah, guest starring. Um so I uh different kinds of puzzles. I'd love more so word search, and I actually love putting puzzles together. And so um I have um uh an app on my iPad that allows me to put puzzles together, and so one of them that I have downloaded is of the 50 states, and I told myself that I would only do the ones that I visited because it's on my bucket list to visit every state, and so now I'm getting ready to be able to do more of those states because I think I might have 25 done. Um, but I want to now add. So each time that I go to a different state, I'm gonna be able to do that puzzle. So um, I'm really really excited about that. Um so yeah, I'm gonna knock something off my bucket list while I'm doing something that I love to do.

[46:43] Toneisha Harris)): Um so yeah, those those that's kind of me in a nutshell. That reminds me of after the year 2000 when all the quarters started getting states on the back and people buy those maps and you'd stick the quarter in.

[46:58] Niki Metcalf: Oh wow.

[46:59] Toneisha Harris)): Oh yeah, that wasn't me. I think my mom, I think we had one, but I think she took all the quarters out when I moved to New York and started using laundromats. She would just send me quarters in every care package, quarters all. I'm sure she repurposed the the the 2000 quarter map man. Man, you just kind of took took me back to a time just thinking about that.

[47:24] Niki Metcalf: Yeah, yeah. Just 21 years ago, though.

[47:27] Toneisha Harris)): I know.

[47:37] Dana Craig: My home. I have a question that we ask all of our guests, and I'm very excited to hear your answers. There are seven very well-known dwarfs in history. If you were the eighth and ninth dwarf, what would your names be?

[47:54] Toneisha Harris)): Okay. I think I know what people would say. I I think they'd probably call me Smiley, because that's Smiley Dwarf. It tried to do that. Smiley dwarf.

[48:04] Toneisha Harris)): The smiley dwarf. Definitely.

[48:09] Niki Metcalf: Infectious grin dwarf.

[48:11] Toneisha Harris)): Infectious dwarf. I like that better, you know. Um, I as crazy as it may sound, I probably would be called mommy dwarf because I'm such a mom, I'm such a nurturer. Everyone when they're around me, whether it's the first time, Mama Dwarf. It's funny because they call me Mama T. And so it kind of has stuck. And it's it doesn't matter. No whether no matter where I go, whether it's work, whether it's been in theater, whether it's at church, whether it's just out, I become I instantly become a mom to somebody. Instantly, I just take that role because it's just so natural. I've been in the mom role since I was eight. Um, my mom had a set of twins, and she had to go back to work. My dad was going to work, so I basically raised my brother and sister.

And so from that moment on, and then becoming a mom myself, it just it's the nurturer is in me. And I try to always leave people better than the way I found them. So I think that that would be the thing for me. Mommy, Mama Dwarf.

[49:07] Niki Metcalf: Yeah. Mama Dwarf, Mama T is a mama D.

[49:10] Toneisha Harris)): Yes. Yes.

[49:15] Niki Metcalf: I we haven't had a Mama Dwarf.

[49:18] Toneisha Harris)): Now you do.

[49:19] Niki Metcalf: Now we do. We keep meaning to make like a family dwarf tree.

[49:24] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah.

[49:27] Niki Metcalf: Of course.

[49:28] Toneisha Harris)): I don't think we've never had a mama tea.

[49:31] Niki Metcalf: Uh sorry, a mama dwarf before.

[49:33] Toneisha Harris)): Is that what you just said?

[49:34] Niki Metcalf: It is. Sorry, I had to go get my charger. I got a notice that was like, your computer's gonna shut down.

[49:41] Toneisha Harris)): That's what I did a minute ago when I got off screen too.

[49:44] Niki Metcalf: I did the same. Let me tell you, three minutes before we all signed on here. I was plugging in my computer and I noticed how dirty that charging cord was. So I took a quick alcohol pad to it. Day changed. It's a little bit changed my whole day. Yeah. I didn't even realize how um not difficult that was to do and also how horribly dirty that cord was. Little things.

[50:15] Toneisha Harris)): That's right. Changes the whole course of the day.

[50:18] Niki Metcalf: It does. See? Like the makeup and the hair that we were talking about.

[50:22] Toneisha Harris)): Yes. Like a manny petty, just clean hands and feet. You're like, ooh, I can do it.

[50:26] Niki Metcalf: You're about to do it.

[50:28] Toneisha Harris)): Take on the world.

[50:28] Niki Metcalf: Yeah.

[50:29] Toneisha Harris)): Yes. But why would you? You want to just kind of sit and relax.

[50:33] Niki Metcalf: Why would you?

[50:33] Toneisha Harris)): Because then it'll just done. Can't move. I mean, we all gotta get showed.

[50:40] Niki Metcalf: Do it on Monday.

[50:41] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah. We all gotta get tour ready as people.

[50:44] Niki Metcalf: Yeah. We're all on a tour right now.

[50:46] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah, going to Hell's Kitchen feels like a tour now after 18 months off. Just taking that a train feels like a trip.

[50:55] Niki Metcalf: You want me to do that? We have to take Tanisha to uh Club Q.

[50:58] Toneisha Harris)): Yes.

[51:00] Niki Metcalf: And Nikki, obviously.

[51:02] Toneisha Harris)): Tanisha was like us. What do you who are you talking to? Well I mean truly let's do it.

[51:04] Niki Metcalf: Let's do it.

[51:10] Toneisha Harris)): Where can people find you online? How do we fangirl and fanboy over you?

[51:18] Toneisha Harris)): Wow. Well for me uh Facebook and Twitter Tanisha Harris make sure you remember it's Tone First T-O-N-E I-S-H-A Tanisha Harris on Instagram it's I am Toneisha Harris) I also have a website oh my god guys I have a website um tanishaharrismusic.com if that's too complicated for you t Harris Music will reroute you there as well um and I have a super redirect and I have uh I have a fan club um superheroes fan club so I want you to go and sign up for my superheroes fan club because we'll stay connected with you we'll do some exclusive things I have merchandise out there as well so I'm doing it right now please oh my goodness thank you are you kidding I'm about to sign up yeah I'm gonna be with you for the next few months but I'm gonna oh gosh so yes please stay connected stay connected and I love to follow back when I can so please amazing yes.

[51:18] Niki Metcalf: And for me everything is at Niki Metcalf but it's n i k i the easiest way to spell Nikki, N-I-K-I, and then M-E-T-C-A-L-F. Baseball team and a baby cow.

[52:38] Toneisha Harris)): That's it. I mean, I do have to ask, are you related to our queen Lori?

[52:48] Niki Metcalf: Oh my gosh. I do get asked that. And you know, I like to pretend so. So, you know, you gotta do Ancestry. I'm doing it right now. Pinning it for next week, Dana.

[52:58] Dana Craig: That's it. Okay. Ancestry. Like it. I can't even suspect you're related to somebody. I mean, how many other medcasts do you know?

[53:09] Niki Metcalf: I, you know. There's not a whole lot.

[53:12] Toneisha Harris)): Well, I'll say yes until they tell me no.

[53:14] Niki Metcalf: No. There's less Metcalf than there are Harris, I imagine.

[53:19] Toneisha Harris)): I told people I was related to Jenny Craig for the longest time. So there you go.

[53:25] Niki Metcalf: If that's your story, that's good.

[53:28] Toneisha Harris)): That's the only thing I'm choosing to believe about you.

[53:32] Niki Metcalf: Everything else you've ever told me is a lie.

[53:35] Toneisha Harris)): Throw it right away.

[53:37] Niki Metcalf: That's true.

[53:39] Dana Craig: Uh you both. I just could talk to you guys. I like recording in the morning, especially with guest artists. And like because now, like my day's not gonna be shitty anymore.

[53:51] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah, no, this has been a fantastic way to start a morning.

[53:55] Niki Metcalf: It really, really has.

[53:57] Toneisha Harris)): It is. Oh, wait, now can I say one more thing? You guys are saying two more things.

[54:02] Dana Craig: Oh thank you, Steve.

[54:04] Toneisha Harris)): So listen, if if anybody is listening to this and you want to catch me, I'm going to be in Nashville on August the 18th, performing with Foreigner.

[54:12] Niki Metcalf: So please like actual foreigner.

[54:16] Toneisha Harris)): Yes, actual foreigner. I can't believe it either. Like, right? Oh my gosh. I am I'm still pinching myself about that one. When I sang their song for my blind audition, and they started following me afterwards, and we were trying to put something together before the pandemic happened. And then I just was like, oh, that that may not happen now. And we reached back out to them and they said, Are you kidding? Yes, we won her. So I'm blown away. I'm gonna go and perform with them on August the 18th in Nashville, Tennessee.

[54:45] Niki Metcalf: Oh my god.

[54:50] Toneisha Harris)): Is it like I want to know what love is?

[54:53] Niki Metcalf: Yes, just like that.

[54:54] Toneisha Harris)): Just like that.

[54:58] Niki Metcalf: Love it. I mean, is there a better song? Truly.

[55:01] Toneisha Harris)): They're like talk about a rock ballad. I mean like you. That's one doesn't get a lot of that's one that's like hard to skip when it comes on the shuffle. I'm like, yeah, you gotta do it. Well it won't hurt me to listen to this. Right. And it makes you feel better afterwards. And it's such a it's such an iconic song, but also such a a message that still rings true for today. So I am I'm really elated. I'm excited. I still I'm probably gonna fan out, honestly.

[55:28] Toneisha Harris)): Um, but as you should.

[55:36] Niki Metcalf: Thank you. I think I need a a shirt that says that.

[55:38] Toneisha Harris)): Lean in.

[55:39] Niki Metcalf: Yes, there you go.

[55:41] Toneisha Harris)): You should do that, Stephen, and let me know so I can get one.

[55:44] Dana Craig: Well, I I can't steal it from Cheryl Samberg, but okay.

[55:48] Toneisha Harris)): But I'm sure.

[55:49] Niki Metcalf: Yes, you can, Steven.

[55:50] Toneisha Harris)): Yes, you can. Yes, listen. We won't tell.

[55:55] Dana Craig: Wow. You both I'm so obsessed. This I I didn't neither of us knew you beforehand. Like, what a second in a row that we've like our guest is somebody that we've never met before, but just kind of blindly said, We want you.

[56:10] Toneisha Harris)): Yeah.

[56:11] Niki Metcalf: Well, I'm glad you've been.

[56:15] Dana Craig: Thank you so much very much. You are our diamond in the sky, and Nikki. We can't wait to say good morning to you.

[56:24] Niki Metcalf: Oh, thank you guys. I would love that. And listen, when you're in New York, please like holler at us. And we would love to, like, when we see you on the street, we're going to say hello. So I'm really saying be prepared for that.

[56:37] Toneisha Harris)): Okay or let us know and we'll arrange it so it'll be a little less um abrupt.

[56:41] Niki Metcalf: Yeah, well, we gotta go to Club Q, remember? We gotta go to Club Q.

[56:44] Toneisha Harris)): You have to take us to Club Q.

[56:47] Niki Metcalf: Okay, okay.

[56:55] Toneisha Harris)): All right. This is gonna spiral into musical theater. Realness. Um, but thank you so much. This has been a delight. Good luck on tour. Break all the legs, break everything, tear this country apart with your joy and the freaking best musical of all time, hairspray. Like, come on.

[57:13] Niki Metcalf: Yeah, so we will be with you in spirit. The the past hairspray folk of this podcast are with you in spirit.

[57:22] Toneisha Harris)): Yes.

[57:23] Niki Metcalf: Yeah. Mark Shaman is with you.

[57:26] Toneisha Harris)): Mark Shaman.

[57:27] Niki Metcalf: Mark Shaman.

[57:28] Toneisha Harris)): Bye.

[57:32] Dana Craig: Bye.

[57:38] Steven Ferezy: Well, fix it in post. In the room with Steven and Dana is produced by Steven Ferezy.

[57:44] Dana Craig: And Dana Craig.

[57:46] Steven Ferezy: Special thanks to Joel Wagoner for tinkling the ivories on our theme song. Hit him up at Joel Wagoner.com.

[57:53] Dana Craig: We apologize. And you're welcome.

[57:54] Steven Ferezy: We'd also like to thank Jesse Wiener, W-I-E-N-E-R, for our jazzy original music sprinkled throughout each episode. You can find him at jessewiener.com.

[58:06] Dana Craig: Last but certainly not least, we'd like to thank Kevin Thomas Garcia for taking all of our ridiculous photos. You can find him online at KTGNYC.com.

[58:19] Steven Ferezy: We are all over the internet on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at Intherroom Pod. Follow us, like us, share us, pant us out. And don't forget to subscribe to In the Room Podcast. We everywhere, so subscribe.

[58:33] Dana Craig: And thank you so much for listening. Thank you so much.