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[0:01] Eli Tokash: Hello everyone and welcome to episode 104 of Take A Bow. I'm your host, Eli Tokash, and this week we have a little bit of a different episode, but it's gonna be a really, really cool one. Um as I mentioned in the previous few episodes, actually, I went to the uh opening night of POTUS, the uh new Broadway play that's on Broadway this season, and uh it's at playing at the Schubert Theater. I was able to attend its opening night. I was able to talk to literally all of the cast. Uh the entire cast is going to be featured in this episode. They are actually going to be featured first, um, and then we'll hear from some of the special guests that uh showed up at uh the opening night of POTUS. And um it was uh it was an incredible night, it was an incredible show.

Uh, I'm a huge fan. I came on, I reviewed it, I did all the fun stuff, and now I'm finally releasing the content. But uh it's gonna be one of those fun opening night episodes. And for those of you who kind of like the more traditional episodes uh where they have interviews, I've actually been doing a few interviews this week, which is why we are choosing to release this type of episode this week, as it was difficult for scheduling purposes to figure out a time to schedule a guest. Um, but with that being said, you can go check out other podcasts that I'm actually a guest on. Uh, you can check out Real Talk with Mason Bray, which is also on the Broadway Podcast Network, or you can check out a musical theater podcast, a which is a episode that I did uh to talk about this season's Tony Awards.

I gave my Tony nomination predictions and my favorite, and just uh kind of reviewed all the shows that I saw. That episode was a Patreon exclusive, so uh it's only a dollar if you wanna check that out. Um, and then Real Talk with Mason Bray is available on all podcast platforms, and that's kind of me talking about my career and my story, and uh talking about the podcast a lot on that show. Um, so if you wanna tune into any of those, that's completely free on all podcast platforms. Um, go check those out. I had a great time on all of those, and I have I've actually done a few more this week. Um, but those are the BPN plugs that I wanted to mention, and you can follow me on social media if you wanna uh listen to any of the other ones that I did this week.

So, with that being said, although it's a bit of a different uh type of episode this week, we are still gonna be doing all of our regular stuff. So, with that being said, let's turn it over to some Broadway news, shall we? Um I am gonna start off the Newsweek section this week and talking about my fun news. I uh ta I saw two Broadway shows this week and I wanted to give you my thoughts on them. Uh so I saw Music Man first, and then I literally saw Music Man the day I released Jared Grimes' episode, which is the Tony nominated performer uh in Funny Girl, uh, who was on last week's episode. And uh I so I went to see Music Man and just absolutely fell in love. I'd never seen a production of Music Man before live on stage.

Um anytime you get to see Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster on a stage together, it's a it's a gift. It doesn't even matter what the uh material is, like it's just it's gonna be amazing. Um I was a little worried going in because I was like, oh, Music Man, like I heard it's pretty long. I heard um it's a little boring. I was never bored during the show. Um I thought they did a wonderful job. It's gonna give Company a run for its money in the revival category. Um it uh it w it was brilliant. It was two and a half hours. So it definitely uh was able to cut some fat. Uh but that being said, they still had all of those incredible dance numbers. Uh they were able to feature the band and all of the fun stuff.

It was great ensemble piece. Um just amazing to see that stage and what they did with the with the theater to to fit that many people, both on the stage and in the audience is pretty spectacular. Uh it was sold out and it was great crowd, and I think that always helps a performance. And yeah, I mean, I don't know what else to say about it, other than like Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster obviously stole the show. Uh they were fantastic. They were I was actually at a performance where they both were in a scene together and they just broke. Um so the audience, of course, was eating that up. Um it was just a great night. I loved Music Man. Um this this production of it, I will not be surprised will do very well um at the Tony Awards, but uh I mean there's just so much that anything could win this year, honestly.

It's just so up in the air. Um there's definitely no clear coat winners for sure. Uh, but that makes it fun. So it makes it exciting and something to watch. And yeah, so Music Man, go check that out. It's at the Winter Garden. And uh there's been some like talks about like Justin Timberlake replacing Hugh Jackman this week. Hugh Jackman came out, he made an announcement saying that's not true. I don't even have an end date. It the on on it said like this would be happening in November, and he was like, I don't ha I don't think I'm leaving the show in November. Uh that may be news to me, but like none of this is true. I would this would be super cool, but I I don't think any of this is true. Um anyways, just just something.

So with that being said, go see Music Man. Uh neither of them have dates that they're leaving Sutton or Hugh. Um they're just so fantastic, and uh it's definitely worth seeing with them. And uh Yeah, we had a great time, and hopefully we'll get some Music Man uh company members uh uh on the podcast to talk all about it. So yeah. Then I was able to see A Strange Loop, which also was fantastic. Um I still have Six and MJ above that for my Tony winner. Um I know, I know. I'm sorry for those listening if they agree the if they disagree with me. Um I I love Strange Loop. I I didn't love it as much as I loved uh MJ or Six. I thought it was interesting because it was advertised that it was like a 90-minute show with no intermission.

Well, really, it was like a two-hour show with no intermission. So I'm not sure how they're getting away with that. Um, but maybe it was just that night. So there was an understudy on when I went, uh actually playing the lead role of Usher. Um so maybe that could have affected uh the time difference. But uh anyways, the the his performance was fantastic. Um the understudy did a fantastic job. Um I I loved the show. I thought it was absolutely something completely different. I think it's one of those shows that um gets me excited about the future of Broadway because I feel like if this show was on Broadway before the pandemic, I don't think it would have necessarily um would have succeeded in the way that it's doing right now.

Um I don't think that it's something that people were able to watch or willing to watch or kinda um be able to digest all of that um if it wasn't for the movements during the pandemic, if it wasn't for the reflecting during the pandemic and all the wonderful things that happened to um you know further everything with um not even further but like uh um acknowledge all of the um systemic racism and everything just going on in our history and kind of look reflecting and looking into a mirror. Um it's definitely a big black and queer American Broadway show. Um and I'm just quoting that from the show. And like there's there's scenes about like finding your inner white girl and uh you know it it's about a playwright writing a play.

So like it's a show within a show and there's like a a rock number about AIDS and it's just like it's wild. It's like and nothing you'll ever see. I mean literally it wasn't like I walked out of the show. Like usually I walk out of shows and I'm just like oh my god that was fantastic or uh like I don't know. I don't know how I feel about it. But that show I was literally like what did I just watch? Like it wasn't like like I was just not even confused. I just needed to like digest it all. Like it's just something so um unlike anything we've seen on Broadway and it's so different and unique and beautiful that it was just like that is something that that is foreign to me. And I've been going to Broadway shows for since I was like nine.

So like w what's going on? I've been going for the past ten years and I I don't know how to what I just saw, you know, like and how to even begin to analyze what my thoughts are about the show. Anyways, that being said, uh the next morning I woke up and I was just like I really enjoyed that show. Like I didn't know the leaving, I I literally didn't know if I liked it, if I did not, what I was confused about, blah blah blah. Like it was one of those shows that I just had to really let digest and figure out like what the true meaning behind it was and and and figuring out a way that like because when you go to a show you're gonna like want to relate to it, and obviously as a white male, just like a teenager, like I didn't know how to relate to that while watching it, but I was entertained the entire time.

Um so it was just like I don't know, it was just it was something really fun to watch, something completely new, and uh I really enjoyed it, and I think that uh I think it'll be interesting to see what happens at the Tony Eves because the way that it's getting responded to is just like unlike any other thing that I've seen. Like there is such a rave about it right now, which is so great to see because of how different and and and exciting this wave and generation of Broadway is going to be. Um, because we haven't had anything big, black and queer be such a success on uh on Broadway. So um I hope the rave uh the good reviews continue and uh it continues to succeed in all the ways that it is. Um, but yeah, it'll be it'll be fun to see.

And uh again, I I still have MJ and Six above it. Um maybe that's just me, but uh I I just know that like as soon as I walked out the theater, I I was like, oh my god, I'm in love. Like, and I didn't have that feeling walking out of A Strange Loop, but I did have it the next day. So, like, I don't know. It's it's interesting. It's it's a weird one. I I don't know what to say about it, but you're just gonna have to go and find out for yourself. Go check it out. It's A Strange Loop on Broadway. Super good. Um, you're definitely gonna enjoy it, and uh even if you don't, you're gonna be entertained. Like, I don't know. It's it's great. You should it's worth seeing. Um, and yeah, so that's my little Broadway news this week.

Moving on to like actual Broadway news. Um, unfortunately, our good friend Annalise Carpaci and the cast of Mrs. Doubtfire will be and and Calvin Cooper. Um, but Annalise has been on here twice, so she came to mind. And then uh the cast of Mrs. Doubtfire is closing on Broadway um on May 29th, which is really soon. It's in like 10 days if you're listening to this Thursday, the day that this comes out. Um with this announcement, producer Kevin McCullum actually did announce that there will be a run in England and a national tour. The national tour will be in October of 2023, and England will be later this year. Um so you still have 10 days to see it if you listen to this the day that it comes out on Thursday, May 19th.

Um so make sure you go see it. I have not seen it yet. So within these next 10 days, if you go see it, there's like a one in ten chance that I'm gonna be there because I'm definitely going to it before it closes on May 29th. Uh I look forward to seeing it. I I don't understand like why it's doing poorly because like everyone I talk to is like I loved it. It was about family. I enjoyed it. The performances were great, the show was good. Like, I don't understand, like I haven't heard like anything like completely negative about it. So like I don't understand why it's doing s uh so poorly, and and partially maybe because of the whole um you know, it's more of a tourist show because it's just Mrs. Doubtfire is just so known worldwide, and uh it's like Chicago or like Phantom of the Opera.

[12:51] Eli Tokash: It's like so it's just so broadly known that it could be a more of a tourist crowd, and tourists just aren't coming to New York right now. So that could be part of the unfortunate timing that Mrs. Doubtfire is happening. Um, but everyone I talk to in the industry and in New York really enjoys it. So I don't know what's going on, and I'm excited to find out for myself what's going on with the show and hopeful to see it before it closes because I've heard such great things and I've heard Rob McClure is amazing. Uh, I heard it's worth your going just to see him, um, which he is nominated for a Tony, so I'm not surprised that it is worth seeing. Um, anyways, moving on, that's it for that. Uh, a beautiful noise, our friend Will Swenson will be opening on Broadway this fall, playing at the Broadhurst Theater.

This was just announced that today, Wednesday, May 18th, but yesterday, if you're listening to this the day it comes out. Um, with preview performances beginning Wednesday, November 2nd, and the official opening night is currently set for Sunday, December 4th. Um, very exciting stuff. November, that's not too far away. When we talked to Will, um, he mentioned that they were gonna do like an out-of-town, and then they were gonna do to Broadway. Um, obviously that's happening, and he kind of hinted at like a late summer, early fall. So this is kind of happening. I guess you could say early fall, but it's kinda like mid-fall, December's well, no, it's actually end of fall, because December's winter.

Um, I don't know what I'm thinking. It's like winter, uh, and that's the opening night. I mean, obviously November with previews and everything, but I guess the opening night is December. So I guess that's kind of winter. Anyways, um, yeah, it'll be great, Neil Diamond. Uh, go check it out. And uh, if you haven't listened to our episode with Will Swenson, it's definitely one you should check out. Um, and check that out on wherever you found this episode is where you can find that one. Um, he talks all about Neil Diamond and uh, beautiful noise and his wonderful career on Broadway. So uh, yeah. And now moving on. Um, this one is very exciting. Obviously, the run, congratulations first of all, to everyone who was involved in the Into the Woods um little I guess gala benefit performances, like all of the wonderful runs that they had at City Center.

Um, cast was just ridiculous. And everyone I talked to was like, this is insane! This is like the best thing I've ever seen. Um, I was so mad that I couldn't attend. Um, I was offered a ticket, but it was Mother's Day, and I was just so bummed that I couldn't go because literally every like there's not been a single negative thing about the show, and there's a lot of speculation now that it's coming back to Broadway. I would love it. It would be a dream. Anyways, that happened, and now they announced uh City Center announced that Michaela Diamond and Ben Platt are set to star in Parade, directed by Michael Arden. This Gala Benefit performance will be on November 1st and the production will run through November 6th.

So just like a week long. Um, I hope to go to this because I mean, first of all, love parade. Um, I have actually seen a production of Parade where I have not seen a production of Into the Woods, so I'm literally so eager to see Into the Woods. Um, live that is Into the Woods. And um, so but you all know how how much of a Ben Platt fan I am and Kayla Diamond. Um, and those are just the first people to be announced. They had an amazing cast for Into the Woods, and I'm sure that they're gonna have a star-studded cast for this one, but for Parade at City Center as well. Um, November 1st, November 6th, start keeping your eye out. They said that they're gonna sporadically be um not selling tickets necessarily, but also selling tickets because before the like tickets really go on sale, um they're gonna be doing like pop-up things here and there with the show um that's gonna have the tickets at a more affordable rate.

So just keep your eye out on it because it's definitely something worth checking out. And I after seeing per uh after seeing Into the Woods is ticket prices, so uh they were insane, and that's part of the reason why I couldn't get in to see it. So, because of that, you're definitely gonna want to take advantage of any opportunity that you can to get a cheap ticket, to get an affordable ticket because none of them because none of them are actually cheap. Um, but an affordable ticket to see this production of Parade at New York City Center. Um, moving on, there's a couple more things here. Uh, SUFS was canceled their performances. Okay, this is actually heartbreaking. Um, actually canceled performances up until May 25th, and they close on May 29th.

So literally they have like four days. And SUFS is one of those shows right now that's like hard to get a ticket to, and everybody wants to go see. Um, I talked about SUFS on I was one of the first people to see SUFS and I was able to talk about it, and it's great. Um, and now it's got all this hype and I love it. And uh, unfortunately they're canceling a whole like week and a half of performances due to COVID-19 complications. This entire run, this cast has had a lot of difficulty staying healthy and have had to cancel in several uh several occasions because of uh COVID-19 complications. So hopefully by shutting down for like a week and a half, it allows them to fully play out their uh last week of performances, and hopefully it'll allow the cast to recoup a bit, get healthy, quarantine, avoid all those complications, and it can have a smooth last week of performances uh until May 29th.

And uh if you can get a ticket to this show uh for its last week, I highly recommend it. I don't think it's gonna be too long till it's gonna be on Broadway, but still so worth it. Uh, I loved this show. It's at the public theater right now, where Hamilton is, or was. Um, it's really like I feel like it's just gonna follow in its footsteps. I mean, it's not rap or anything, but like it's just a history musical kinda changing the course of Broadway. This is an all-female cast, all female creative team. Um, it's uh unlike anything you've seen, it's it's from City Center. The lead is also the writer. It's got a lot of similarities, and I wouldn't be surprised to see it follow in its footsteps and come to Broadway, especially with all the hype that it's generated now, um by playing at the public.

Last thing on our list here to talk about is that uh there's a lot of award it's it's really award season and um a lot of award ceremonies and shows are going on right now. Uh, we recently had the Lucilla Hotels Awards, um, and that's usually for off Broadway drama desks are approaching, and then of course we have outer critics and we have the Tony Awards and all that fun stuff. But usually these uh the you may not have heard these these outer critics and these drama desks and these um Lucilla Hotels and all those award shows, and really the that's okay. I mean, like they're they're the lesser known ones, but a lot of the time those kind of have implications of what's gonna happen at the Tony Awards.

So it's definitely something good to keep an eye on. Um, I personally I think I and maybe that's actually not true. I've noticed that as a trend in the last three years that I've kind of been like watching and tracking them. I mean, maybe not three years. Well, yes, three years, but really like five years because the pandemic doesn't count. Um, anyways, uh this week's uh this year the the Drama Desk Awards announced their nominations. They just announced it like this week, and um it was so cool to see the Drama Desk Awards for those of you who don't know um are really really cool because they um because they acknowledge works from shows on Broadway, shows off Broadway, and shows off off Broadway.

Um, and they put them all into one category, which is just so cool, and you don't see anything like it. So really it's just like New York, like it's literally like any show going on in New York is everyone's fair game. Uh, no one has like another level, they're all in the same category. Um, just really really cool stuff. So leading the way was Six, no surprise there. Um, Kimberly Akimbo, which was an off-Broadway show that I went and saw, Skylyssa Friedman, uh Fantastic, Vicky Clark, um Vicky Clark stars in it, um Bonnie Mulligan as well, fantastic performance. Um, which is coming to Broadway also. Um, so there's lots going on. So it was led by uh Six, and then it went Kimberly Akimbo, and then it went Company, MJ, Intimate Apparel, um, and so on.

Those were the top five shows for nominations. So that's an interesting trend. Uh, Six and Company and MJ are going to be uh in this season's Tony Awards. Obviously, Kimberly Akimbo and Intimate Apparel will not be as they are off-Broadway shows. Um, but interesting to look out for. Kimberly Akimbo has a lot of buzz. They've won a lot of awards at the Lucilla Hotels and all of the other places that have had these award ceremonies. Um, huge shout out to Vicky Clark, by the way, who has won a ton of awards for her performance in this because she was fantastic. Um, but all this buzz going on around the show, like it's pretty pretty good stuff. I mean, they are out nominating Company and MJ and all these musicals that it's like whoa.

So uh, that's a show coming to Broadway that everybody's gonna want to keep their eye out on and uh really pay attention to and hopefully get a chance to see when it comes. It's coming in the fall. The fall's gonna be another really strong season. So congratulations to everyone involved who were nominated for a Drama Desk Award and all of these awards ceremonies coming out. I mean, there's just too many to keep track of. So I apologize for not being able to like keep up with all of them, but um once again I saw that, grabbed my attention, and I thought that that was something interesting to talk about because I think we're gonna do a lot of fun things with Kimberly Akimbo moving forward. Um, so stay tuned for that.

And yeah, that's all I have for you folks. So let's turn it over. I know this was a long intro, but I wanted to talk about all of these incredible things. Let's turn it over to all of these wonderful interviews from POTUS. Uh, you're gonna be hearing from Julianne Hough. You're gonna be hearing from Rachel Dratch, you're gonna be hearing from Julie White, Lilli Cooper Chuck Cooper, Chuck Cooper, Eddie Cooper. You're gonna be hearing from Jesse Tyler Ferguson, you're gonna be hearing from all Adrienne Warren, Shereen Pimentel. You're gonna be hearing from all of these incredible people. Um, all of these interviews are about uh maybe about a minute long, a minute 30 if we're lucky, maybe even two minutes, probably one is like two minutes.

Um, so they're quick, quick interviews. Everyone's kind of just wanting to talk to everybody, moving down the line swiftly. Um, these opening nights are insane. I would love to share uh a video with all of you. You actually are if you're a Patreon member, so go check us out on Patreon if you are uh interested in seeing that because these award shows are crazy. The videos do not do it justice, but it helps. This is a fun one. I hope you all enjoy it, and we talk a lot about POTUS. So here goes nothing. POTUS CURTAIN UP SAY Can you talk to me about how special it is to be working with such a great group of women on Broadway?

[25:32] Julie White: Well, it's really um thrilling, and for some reason there's always this weird thing thrown around that women aren't funny.

[25:38] Suzy Nakamura: Yeah, wrong! No, seriously, it's so funny. This show is amazing. It's really fun, and it's amazing to not have any of that energy that sorry, yeah. For sure. No tech energy around. It's just the girls. Yeah and we not only have all of our, you know, all of the ovary energy. We've got a couple of nursing mothers. There you go. So it's like, yeah, baby, it's so uh it's really been an absolute joy and an honor um to get to bring this to the Schubert and also the other side of Shubert Alley is uh another all female cast. So it's really thrilling that the ladies are holding up one of the most iconic um little streets on Broadway. Yes, it's a very special time for sure. How are you? How are you feeling about tonight? I'm excited. I'm excited.

[26:27] Suzy Nakamura: I have to ask. Your character in the show. What president do you feel like it resembles the most? President? Yeah. I mean, unfortunately, she doesn't resemble any former president. Okay. I feel like she'd be an aspirational president where we have just a string of female presidents coming on the horizon. Well, that's great. That's a great little transition into my next question, which is what is it like to work with such a wonderful group of women? I I've never had an experience like this. And no shade to men or the you know but there's something about the way women communicate. There's a shorthand, and helping each other is it never doesn't have to be requested. It's understood. And it was so immediate and um universal that it was it surprised me at first.

Where it's like the you know, like those people that would just automatically help you. Right. This cast is that is that is that group of people or that type of person. I love that. It's a community on stage and backstage. Yeah, and and you know, it's also very efficient. Yes. Seven emails is now just two. There you go. That'll do it. Thank you.

[27:43] Vanessa Williams: Well, can you describe the word for the show for me in one word? I can't say it. You can't say it? No. Okay. What make a new one up? Um it would have to be. Um Conti. Oh, okay. I see what you're doing. I see where it's going. I love that. That is literally perfect. Thank you so much. Enjoy tonight.

[28:10] Vanessa Williams: Can you just describe POTUS in one word for me? Um, one word? Hilarious. Oh, perfect. Thank you so much, Vanessa. Our opening. I feel like we worked so hard to get here, and being on stage with these insanely brilliant and funny ladies is honestly the best. What is it like to collaborate with so many like a group of women such as this? Group of women, veterans, Broadway vets, and you know, I feel like I'm getting a masterclass from you know all these women, Susie Strowman, every single day, and I'm just like so beyond honored to be here with like Broadway coming back to life again, and like I get to be here. I feel so honored.

[28:46] Julianne Hough: How excited are you to make your Broadway debut? I'm beyond. I mean, this really is a dream come true. It's been something that I've I've dreamed of since I was a little girl. Even my sister like told me what Broadway was when I was little. I didn't even know what it was. And so it's been in my like my atmosphere for so many years, and I I can't believe I'm actually here.

[29:06] Julianne Hough: Yeah, I know, it's so exciting. I love it. So can you do me a favor? Can you think of a president, a previous president, that your character most resembles? My character most resembles resembles. I am Dusty from Iowa. I don't think any president resembles my character. No. I love it. I love when you come in with the icy and everything like that. It's so funny. You do an amazing job. Can you talk to me about leading the concert at the end? Oh, yeah. You know, Dusty's always trying to just help out any way she can. And uh, yeah, she's uh she's doing her thing. She's given her like best Iowa dance company uh performance. So well, thank you so much. Enjoy tonight. Thanks for stopping by.

[29:50] Rachel Dratch: Yeah, of course. How excited are you about tonight? I'm very excited. It's Broadway debut. Me and uh Susie and Julianne, so that's really exciting. Yeah, and how do you feel like SNL kind of prepared you for this? Oh, well, uh I mean, just I guess just working in comedy for so long. It just, you know, you instinctually just try to find the funny in every moment you can. So probably something like that. I don't know.

[30:15] Rachel Dratch: Totally. That's a perfect answer. What is it like to work with so many wonderful like females on stage? It's so fun. Everyone's really smart and funny, and everyone brings their own energy to their part. So it's it's so fun, like instantly, first read-through. Just excited to work with everybody. Yeah, and it's easy to work with so many great people. Like when you're those are your scene partners, it's insane. Oh yeah, so fun.

[30:37] Rachel Dratch: Can you describe the show for me in one word? Oh, um. I don't know. Irreverent? I don't know. Or or I would say lady power. That's probably a made-up word, but lady power, yeah. I love it. Well, yeah. Yes, I love it. Enjoy tonight. Thank you so much for stopping by, Rachel.

[30:56] Lilli Cooper Chuck Cooper: Check in the chat. Amazing. How excited are you for tonight? I'm dying. I'm so excited. I can't wait. I've got so many friends coming, and I can't wait. Jesse is doesn't have a show tonight, so he's coming over across the street to watch it. I love it. You know, we both I went to his opening, now he's coming to mine. I'm just really, you know, it's just great.

[30:59] Lilli Cooper Chuck Cooper: How excited are you to have Broadway back? I'm s couldn't be more excited. I've been I've been going to Broadway since it's been back. I've been going and going and going, and now I can't, because you know. We're all basically on the same schedule. That's the worst thing. The only bad thing about being in a Broadway show is you can't see your friends in their shows and stuff.

[31:31] Chuck Cooper: Yeah. How would you describe POTUS in one word? Uh cunt. Oh, great. That's a that's a popular one. That's a popularity. That would be there's a reason for that. See the show and you'll know why. I love it. Well, what character so your character, right? Yeah. Give me a president, a former president that you feel like your character resembles the most. My character resembles most a former president. Amazing. Bill Clinton. Oh yeah? Now I'm gonna go with Bill Clinton. There you go. There you have it. Thank you so much. Enjoy tonight.

[32:03] Ari Shapiro: Thank you. How are you? Do you mind if you have a second to talk? Yeah. Okay. So how excited are you for tonight? I know this is like kind of your second opening, but like how excited are you? No, it's funny because we kind of got all of like the stressful stuff out of the way on Wednesday with the quote unquote press opening. And now this one we just get to have fun and dress up and look cute, so it's really great.

[32:25] Ari Shapiro: Absolutely. What is it like to work with such a wonderful group of women on stage? Okay, the most surreal thing ever. Every time I walk into Shubert Alley, I see my name next to six other women that I adore, and I just feel so lucky. Okay, now what president do you feel like your character resembles the most? What president? Yeah. Well, I hope Obama. Oh, period. Great answer, great answer. Is that who you like want it to be, or is that like who you actually feel? Okay. Yeah, yeah. And what about you as like a human? Same, same answer. Period. I love it. Well, thank you so much. Enjoy tonight. It's gonna be amazing.

[33:03] Shireen Pimental: You're welcome. I'm expecting to see my daughter on Broadway. No way. I love it. Are you excited? What is it? What number show is this for her? Five. Five. Incredible. Incredible. Oh, you guys, your family is so talented. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So lucky. I can't. I love your daughter's performance in this show. I think it's absolutely fantastic. Way cool. Very cool. I'm glad to hear it. Has she shared anything about the show with you? I know nothing. You know nothing. And I've read nothing. No way. No. Do you usually do that? Oh my god. I love it. I love it. It's great stuff. Well, enjoy tonight. I'm excited for you. I'm excited to hear your reaction.

[33:39] Adrienne Warren: Oh, sure. Thank you very much. Yes, thank you. Not at all. How excited are you to see the show tonight? Oh my god, this is the best way to make a Broadway debut, which is that I get to sit in the audience, have a drink, enjoy the show, and recorded or played over the audio at some point, and so I don't have to worry about where I'm standing on the stage or how I look or remembering a line. I get to just enjoy the show and technically still call it my Broadway debut. So I'm into it.

[34:06] Adrienne Warren: And you can say you worked with all these fabulous women. Yes. Oh yeah, I was in a play with Vanessa Williams. Definitely. Definitely. Can I ask if you're a blue slushy or croc kind of guy? This is embarrassing to admit, but I'm not sure that I've ever tasted a blue slushy, and I know I've never worn crocs. No way. I have nothing against them. I just have no experience with either. Okay. Fair enough. Yeah. Well, we'll leave that one. We'll leave that one.

[34:33] Nathan Lee Graham: So how would like have you seen the show yet? No, but I've read the script. Okay. So I'm really excited to see it staged. So, like, now that you've read the script, like, how would you describe the show after just reading the script? A documentary. A documentary. How so? Well, I was a White House correspondent for four years. My husband worked in the White House. And uh I live in Washington, DC, and I think what actually goes on in the West Wing is much closer to what happens in this play than uh many people would like to admit. Wow, interesting. Well, it's very on brand for you to be making your Broadway debut in this then. I like to think so. I'm honored to have been invited to be a small part of it. Amazing. Well, thank you so much and enjoy your night.

[35:10] Jeanette Bayardelle: You're welcome. Do you have a second to chat? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh my god. How excited are you to see the show tonight? I'm very excited to see it. I'm like, they're they're my neighbors. They're so happy. They mentioned you many times the cast is saying your neighbors and everything. Oh, that's so sweet. Yeah, no, I'm excited to see what these seven women are doing in this theater. I'm ready to laugh and have a just a great night off from my own show. Yes, this block is kind of like iconic right now with uh uh both shows featuring women casts. Like, how do you feel about like Broadway and just like how it's coming back? I I mean it's it's an incredible time. Um I'm I'm hoping that we can do something together. I mean that would be really special because it's seven and seven, right next door to each other, you know what I mean? But it's it's a great time for women, and um hopefully we're heard.

[36:05] Stacey Sargeant: Totally. Talk to me about for colored girls now. Like, what is that process like? Are you loving life? Oh my god, I love my cast. The process with Camille was amazing. Um amazing, uniquely talented group of women who I am just overjoyed every day to share the stage with. It's been absolute joy. That's amazing. Well, enjoy tonight. Prepare to laugh and have so much fun. Yes, thank you so much.

[36:38] Shireen Pimental: You're so welcome. Well, how excited are you to see the show tonight? I'm so excited. I don't know anything about it, and I did it on purpose because I want to experience it for the first time, but I've heard it's so funny, so I'm really excited. Well, have you heard about the crocs or the blue slushie? No. Okay, well, they're pretty iconic in the show. They're parts. They're just like little gags. I'm excited.

[36:57] Sophia Anne Caruso: Yeah, but are you a crocs or a blue slushy kind of gal? Ooh, I think a crocs go. Now I never used to be into crocs, but when I was in Westside, we got crocs. Yeah. And I've been in love ever since. They're the best backstage. They're so good. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I love them. Absolutely essential. Um, talk to me about the Into the Woods rehearsal process. Oh my gosh, yes. It's been so fast. As many people know, it just goes by. But it's so wonderful to be in that room. Everyone's extremely talented, which is just a given. But then on top of it, they're so kind and so amazing to be with.

[37:31] Douglas Lyons: Yeah, for sure. And how excited are you to see this group of women on the stage tonight? I'm so excited. They're wonderful, and they're giants in in this industry. And so to see them all be together and to create this piece of art to end this season too, it's perfect. Seriously. Well, enjoy the show. Thanks for doing this. Of course, thank you.

[37:50] Jesse Tyler Ferguson: So excited to have a great time in the theater. How cool is it to see a group of women collaborate on the stage together? It's it's cool. I I hate that it's so rare. Yeah. And so it's I'm I'm really excited to be here and to support that, and I hope there's a lot more of that coming in the future soon. Absolutely. I have one question. Crocs or blue slushies? Oh, blue slushies. Thank you so much. Enjoy tonight.

[38:23] Alex Newell: Hi, Alex. Do you have a quick second to chat?

[38:25] Eli Tokash: Yeah. Thank you so much. How excited are you to see the show tonight?

[38:28] Alex Newell: I'm super excited. It's apparently really hilarious and hysterical, so I'm ready to laugh. I need to laugh today.

[38:34] Eli Tokash: Are you ready to see a group of fabulous women on the stage together?

[38:37] Alex Newell: Absolutely. That's all I live for.

[38:39] Eli Tokash: Yeah, seriously. Well, there's a big croc and blue slushy kind of gag on the stage. What are you? Like, are you a blue slushy? Are you a crocs kind of person?

[38:48] Alex Newell: I'm a blue slushy.

[38:49] Eli Tokash: Oh, okay. I'm not a crocodile.

[38:51] Alex Newell: Okay. I love that for you. I'm so excited for you to see the show. Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy the show.

[38:57] Eli Tokash: Thank you, honey. Where is honey?

[39:00] Alex Newell: There's lots of physical comedy, lots of shenanigans and chagrins and antics.

[39:04] Eli Tokash: I'm ready.

[39:05] Alex Newell: Yes.

[39:06] Eli Tokash: Oh my god. Are you excited to see a bunch of females on stage doing their work?

[39:10] Alex Newell: I'm always excited to see that. And I'm especially excited to see it tonight. See them rocket out.

[39:16] Eli Tokash: Yes. I cannot wait. And how do you run everything anyway?

[39:20] Alex Newell: Seriously.

[39:21] Eli Tokash: Um get anything done.

[39:23] Alex Newell: Yeah. Um, how do you feel about Broadway being back?

[39:27] Eli Tokash: In all honesty.

[39:28] Alex Newell: I'm just so thankful.

[39:30] Eli Tokash: Yes.

[39:30] Alex Newell: And uh I think we're all so blessed to be literally alive and to have our community come back. I'm just so grateful and so thankful.

[39:41] Eli Tokash: That's all I can really say. Very, very thankful.

[39:44] Alex Newell: Thank you so much. Enjoy POTUS tonight.

[39:47] Eli Tokash: Yeah, I'm good, good. All right, how excited are you to see the show tonight?

[39:50] Nathan Lee Graham: I'm very excited. I am um I heard good things, I hear that it's funny.

[39:54] Eli Tokash: Yeah.

[39:54] Nathan Lee Graham: So I'm looking forward to laughing and you know having a good time.

[39:58] Eli Tokash: Absolutely. Let me ask you a question. Since it's POTUS, okay, as a human, what president do you feel like you kind of I don't know, resemble or embody the most?

[40:10] Jeanette Bayardelle: Um President Jeanette Bayardelle, which is me.

[40:14] Nathan Lee Graham: Yes.

[40:14] Jeanette Bayardelle: You haven't seen me yet.

[40:15] Nathan Lee Graham: That's right.

[40:16] Jeanette Bayardelle: But you will.

[40:17] Nathan Lee Graham: One day?

[40:17] Jeanette Bayardelle: One day.

[40:18] Nathan Lee Graham: In the office.

[40:19] Jeanette Bayardelle: In the office.

[40:19] Nathan Lee Graham: Oh my god, I'm here for it.

[40:22] Jeanette Bayardelle: You have my vote.

[40:22] Nathan Lee Graham: Okay, good.

[40:23] Jeanette Bayardelle: Yes, absolutely. We're gonna hold your side. We need women running this country.

[40:26] Nathan Lee Graham: Seriously.

[40:28] Jeanette Bayardelle: Well, enjoy tonight. It's so much fun. You're gonna laugh so hard.

[40:32] Nathan Lee Graham: So I'm excited.

[40:33] Jeanette Bayardelle: I'm excited about laughing.

[40:35] Nathan Lee Graham: Thank you. That's what we all need right now, right?

[40:37] Jeanette Bayardelle: Oh my goodness. But what we've been through, we have been through some traumatic things in the past couple of years, so it's gonna be nice to sit down and laugh.

[40:45] Nathan Lee Graham: Absolutely.

[40:46] Jeanette Bayardelle: Thank you so much. Have a great night.

[40:48] Nathan Lee Graham: Thank you so much. How excited are you to see this show tonight?

[40:50] Katie Finneran: I'm so excited. I've just said it a few times. I can't tell you how I cannot tell you how excited I am that there is a platform, that there's a play that somebody why it's taken the so I don't know.

[41:03] Eli Tokash: But you will see the most genius women on that stage tonight.

[41:06] Katie Finneran: I don't know anything about the play other than it's about the presidency, but I do know the women on this that stage I've known for decades, and I cannot wait. I cannot wait to spend the evening with them.

[41:21] Eli Tokash: It's just thrilling.

[41:22] Katie Finneran: Absolutely. Well, I'm not gonna give too much away about the show, but there is an iconic part of it where it involves a blue slush and crocs. Are you a blue slushy kind of gal or a crocs kind of crowd?

[41:34] Katie Finneran: Yeah?

[41:35] Katie Finneran: Yeah, I you know anything that's uh comfy and waterproof, I think is a good to go, and lots of colors to match your outfit. I think crocs are the way it is the way to go.

[41:42] Eli Tokash: They also have opening night crocs now.

[41:44] Katie Finneran: Oh my god.

[41:45] Katie Finneran: They have high heel crocs.

[41:46] Eli Tokash: Yeah, that's everything.

[41:48] Eli Tokash: Talk to me about the Gilded Age. How is that going?

[41:50] Katie Finneran: Oh, it's so great. It's been such a wonderful experience. Not so great putting the corset on after quarantine.

[41:56] Eli Tokash: Oh, I just that was um just stressful to say the least.

[42:00] Katie Finneran: Oh my god. But uh I had a great time. I love saying his words, and of course, all the women are women from the Broadway community. We've all known each other forever.

[42:07] Eli Tokash: It was like a it's like being at camp with corsets.

[42:10] Katie Finneran: Seriously, and playing with friends, of course, right? Heaven.

[42:13] Eli Tokash: Yeah, I love the show. I love the cast.

[42:15] Katie Finneran: Yeah.

[42:16] Eli Tokash: Oh, good. Your work is so good.

[42:17] Katie Finneran: Thank you.

[42:18] Eli Tokash: Yeah, thanks for stopping by.

[42:20] Katie Finneran: Yes, of course, thank you.

[42:20] Eli Tokash: Bye.

[42:21] Katie Finneran: Thank you.

[42:22] Lilli Cooper Chuck Cooper: Extremely excited. It's an all women's show. I mean, come on. Serious. Couldn't be more excited.

[42:26] Eli Tokash: Yeah. So in the show, there's a big iconic part where it's blue slushies and crocs. Which one do you prefer?

[42:33] Lilli Cooper Chuck Cooper: Blue slushies, absolutely.

[42:36] Eli Tokash: Blue slushies.

[42:36] Lilli Cooper Chuck Cooper: Even though they turn your mouth green.

[42:38] Eli Tokash: Yes, that's the whole point.

[42:40] Lilli Cooper Chuck Cooper: They can't like you can't do it before a big show though, right?

[42:44] Eli Tokash: Why not?

[42:45] Lilli Cooper Chuck Cooper: Fair enough, fair enough. Have you seen Beetlejuice now that it's back on Broadway?

[42:49] Nathan Lee Graham: I have not seen it yet, but I hear it is absolutely popping.

[42:52] Eli Tokash: And Elizabeth is the nicest gal, and I'm so happy she's doing it.

[42:56] Lilli Cooper Chuck Cooper: I love that.

[42:57] Eli Tokash: Well, I'm excited for you to see the show because it's absolutely hilarious, and I know you're gonna enjoy it.

[43:02] Lilli Cooper Chuck Cooper: Yeah, I'm excited.

[43:03] Eli Tokash: Well, enjoy the show, and thanks for stopping by.

[43:05] Lilli Cooper Chuck Cooper: Yes, absolutely. Thank you so much.

[43:07] Nathan Lee Graham: Thanks.

[43:08] Eli Tokash: Talk to me about tonight. How excited are you to see POTUS?

[43:11] Chuck Cooper: It's a comedy, and it's women and it's new, and it's it doesn't take itself too seriously out here.

[43:16] Eli Tokash: So like I'm here to support.

[43:18] Chuck Cooper: From a writer's perspective, like how like creative is it to write something like this?

[43:23] Rachel Dratch: It's freeing.

[43:24] Chuck Cooper: Yeah.

[43:25] Rachel Dratch: Comedy is hard. Comedy does not get the same amount of love in the theater.

[43:29] Chuck Cooper: It's hard.

[43:30] Rachel Dratch: Drama not that drama's easy, but like to make people laugh for two hours, that's that's work.

[43:35] Chuck Cooper: And so from what I hear, it's so beautiful and so awesome, and so I'm excited to support it.

[43:39] Rachel Dratch: It totally is.

[43:40] Eli Tokash: Well, I'm not sure if you heard, but uh in the show, there's a blue slushie that's a big big iconic part, and then of course the crocs that are a big part.

[43:49] Chuck Cooper: Yes.

[43:49] Rachel Dratch: Are you a blue slushy guy or are you a crocs kind of guy?

[43:53] Chuck Cooper: I'm a crocs backstage kind of guy.

[43:55] Chuck Cooper: Like let's slip on the crocs to go from the robe and everything.

[43:58] Chuck Cooper: Yeah, like let's go to the, you know, the room, the green room, and then we're our crocs of the dressing room.

[44:04] Rachel Dratch: Yeah, I like I we love a croc.

[44:05] Eli Tokash: Okay.

[44:06] Rachel Dratch: Yes.

[44:06] Eli Tokash: I love it.

[44:07] Rachel Dratch: Well, they're sponsoring this?

[44:08] Chuck Cooper: No, they're not.

[44:09] Rachel Dratch: Oh, okay. So there's not free crocs, like there's not, but you can you may be able to grab them.

[44:13] Chuck Cooper: Okay.

[44:13] Rachel Dratch: Oh no, there's a bunch.

[44:15] Chuck Cooper: I no, I'm not touching that dirty pile of crocs.

[44:18] Rachel Dratch: Seriously.

[44:18] Eli Tokash: Well, enjoy tonight.

[44:19] Chuck Cooper: Thank you so much.

[44:21] Rachel Dratch: Sent from Crocs.

[44:22] Chuck Cooper: You can actually take one with me.

[44:23] Rachel Dratch: No way.

[44:24] Chuck Cooper: Are they actually?

[44:25] Rachel Dratch: Yeah, sent from Crocs.

[44:27] Chuck Cooper: Oh my god, so maybe they are sponsoring this.

[44:28] Rachel Dratch: Okay, they are sponsoring.

[44:29] Chuck Cooper: Great, that's great.

[44:30] Rachel Dratch: Wonderful. Let's do it.

[44:30] Chuck Cooper: We're learning something new.

[44:31] Rachel Dratch: Well, thank you so much and enjoy the show.

[44:33] Chuck Cooper: Absolutely. Nice meeting you.

[44:34] Rachel Dratch: Nice meeting you.

[44:35] Eli Tokash: How do you how are you managing like during the show? Are you just collapsing at the end of the beach Saturday and Windsor?

[44:42] Adrienne Warren: Oh, I'm very tired. Um Beckett is our son is with us, and it's um it's exhausting.

[44:48] Eli Tokash: And I'm I've never actually had a job like this where I've had some parents at the end of the day, or parents the next morning.

[44:54] Adrienne Warren: And I just want to say thank you to my mom and dad for you know doing this.

[45:00] Adrienne Warren: Uh and uh my husband's amazing, like helping helping me out.

[45:04] Adrienne Warren: Like he let me sleep in today till 10.

[45:09] Eli Tokash: So that's all because of this guy.

[45:09] Adrienne Warren: Right.

[45:10] Adrienne Warren: Um but yeah, it's it I'm so grateful that I gotta do this. It's such a special time.

[45:14] Adrienne Warren: I brought Becca by the marquee the other day, and he like got to see my photo up on that.

[45:19] Eli Tokash: Oh yes, yeah.

[45:20] Adrienne Warren: Papa confused as to why I was on the side of a building.

[45:24] Eli Tokash: Yeah.

[45:25] Adrienne Warren: Um one last question. The show uh has crocs in it, it's quite a large part of the show. Do you wear crocs?

[45:30] Chuck Cooper: Oh, this show.

[45:33] Adrienne Warren: I actually just got a pair.

[45:35] Chuck Cooper: You did.

[45:35] Adrienne Warren: The ranch crocs.

[45:37] Chuck Cooper: They're ranch.

[45:38] Adrienne Warren: So ranch crocs, they're in LA. I haven't worn them yet, but I'm very excited to try them on.

[45:41] Chuck Cooper: They're waiting for us back in Los Angeles.

[45:43] Adrienne Warren: And he'll share them because we share.

[45:45] Chuck Cooper: I hear they're very comfortable to cook at.

[45:46] Adrienne Warren: Let's not get out.

[45:47] Chuck Cooper: Let's not talk about cooking out.

[45:48] Adrienne Warren: No.

[45:48] Chuck Cooper: We're not doing that anymore.

[45:51] Adrienne Warren: We're not to wait out anymore.

[45:51] Chuck Cooper: I'm still terrible in the kitchen.

[45:54] Adrienne Warren: Justin's mother's very angry at both of us.

[45:58] Eli Tokash: How excited are you to see your neighbors tonight?

[46:02] Adrienne Warren: My neighbors.

[46:03] Adrienne Warren: Oh, very excited. I know this entire cast. So I'm thrilled for that.

[46:06] Eli Tokash: I love it. It's so exciting. I can't wait to see take me out.

[46:09] Adrienne Warren: Oh, thank you so much.

[46:09] Eli Tokash: You'll enjoy it.

[46:10] Adrienne Warren: Yes.

[46:10] Eli Tokash: Thank you.

[46:11] Adrienne Warren: I'm so excited.

[46:12] Eli Tokash: Take care, right?

[46:13] Adrienne Warren: Thank you.

[46:17] Eli Tokash: Take about POTUS.

[46:20] Eli Tokash: Oh my gosh. And literally everyone involved in POTUS.

[46:24] Eli Tokash: Literally anyone who I was able to talk to that night, uh, anyone that saw the show. Just so much fun.

[46:34] Eli Tokash: It was so freaking good. I love that show, and and you can tell I from these interviews. I mean, at the beginning of the the the round of interviews that you heard, though those were all the cast.

[46:44] Eli Tokash: Um you can tell that they're all just absolute characters. They're all hilarious. All of them are comedians, honestly.

[46:52] Eli Tokash: Um just it it it's unbelievable that cast in what they're able to do on a nightly basis and making everybody laugh.

[47:01] Eli Tokash: It's so timely. Um there's messages beyond anything that uh is kind of discussed in these interviews, and um even in the show and what it it it's advertising because it's like POTUS behind or behind every man is a um group of seven women trying to keep him alive.

[47:22] Eli Tokash: And um it's just so much more than that, and I really hope that everyone is able to to um experience the show and be able to watch this show and I thought it was a wonderful time to air it because it's it is involved in this year's Tony season it did get a lot of nominations congratulations to Rachel Dratch for her nomination for her incredible performance in this show literally she's a walking SNL skit so like she doesn't even need anything scripted she doesn't need anything she is a riot through and through it's who she is she's perfect she's made for this stuff um so so happy for her she totally deserves this it's her Broadway debut and uh she absolutely nails it so um she she literally looks like a pro up there so everyone go check out POTUS everyone congratulations to all everyone involved in POTUS it's just so so freaking good and uh I hope you enjoyed these fun little interviews and of an inside scoop to the show talking about the cast talking about little um hidden things in the show that we talk about like the crocs and the slushies um and just all the other fun stuff that that's involved in it and I think that uh in listening to all of the wonderful celebrities that also attended the show people are really excited about this show and and you and they should be so you should go check it out because I promise you you will not regret it.

[48:45] Eli Tokash: Um it's hilarious it's truly hilarious and everybody knows that and everybody said that in their interviews like I'm just ready to laugh I'm just ready to to have a good time and to watch these wonderful artists perform and tell a story and uh they do just that.

[49:00] Eli Tokash: So I hope this helps kind of motivate you to to go check out POTUS and to go see it. If you if it does, please let me know because I highly recommend it and to to know that I kind of helped that and inspired you to go see it.

[49:15] Eli Tokash: That will literally make my day because it's literally one of my favorite. It may be my favorite play on Broadway this season.

[49:21] Eli Tokash: So that being said, thank you all for listening to this week's episode. Once again, we will be returning back to regular uh formatted episodes next week.

[49:31] Eli Tokash: Thanks for sticking around till the end. I appreciate you all so much for listening.

[49:35] Eli Tokash: As always, follow us on social media, follow us on whatever platform you may be listening to this on. Check us out on Patreon, do all of the things, any and all your support really goes a long way.

[49:45] Eli Tokash: So thank you all so much, and I hope you have a great week. Bye everyone.

[49:50] Eli Tokash: For this episode's current call, I would like to recognize a few people who also deserve to take a bow.

[49:55] Eli Tokash: This podcast would not be possible without the help from Dory Berenstein, Brittany Bigelow, Katie Rosen, Alan Seals, and the team at the Broadway Podcast Network.

[50:03] Eli Tokash: Next in line to Take the Bow is Tessie Tokash, who edits the audio and all the visuals for this podcast.

[50:09] Eli Tokash: A special thanks to patrons Brian Thompson, Pat McNamara, the listeners at PCC, as well as all the other patrons for their continued support.

[50:17] Eli Tokash: If you're interested in becoming a patron, go to patreon.com slash T A B.

[50:23] Eli Tokash: And if you enjoyed this week's episode, don't forget to subscribe on the platform that you're currently listening to this on.

[50:29] Eli Tokash: Also, feel free to give us a follow on Instagram at Takeabow Podcast.

[50:34] Eli Tokash: Take a bow's logo is designed by Giselle Bustos, and the music is by Nikki Torsha and Cormac Collinon.

[50:40] Eli Tokash: Bye everyone. Hope to see you next week.