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[0:00] Eli Tokash: Welcome back to Take A Bow! I'm your host, Eli Tokash, and today we have a very special guest joining us. She is a GRAMMY Award winner and a Broadway star, Adrianna Hicks!

[0:15] Adrianna Hicks: Hi, Eli! Thank you so much for having me.

[0:19] Eli Tokash: Of course! I'm so excited to chat with you today. You have such an incredible journey in the entertainment industry. Can you tell us a bit about how you got started as a performer?

[0:31] Adrianna Hicks: Absolutely! I started performing at a very young age. I was always drawn to storytelling and music. My parents encouraged me to explore my talents, and I began taking dance and voice lessons. It was a gradual process, but I fell in love with the stage and knew that I wanted to pursue it as a career.

[0:53] Eli Tokash: That's amazing! It sounds like you had a supportive environment. What were some of the challenges you faced as a young performer?

[1:05] Adrianna Hicks: One of the biggest challenges was balancing school and performing. It can be tough to juggle auditions, rehearsals, and performances while keeping up with schoolwork. I had to learn time management skills early on. There were times when I felt overwhelmed, but I was passionate about what I was doing, which kept me motivated.

[1:31] Eli Tokash: That’s really inspiring. You’ve performed in so many incredible shows, including Aladdin, Sister Act, and The Color Purple. What has been one of your favorite roles to play?

[1:47] Adrianna Hicks: Each role has its own special place in my heart, but I have to say that playing Celie in The Color Purple was a transformative experience for me. The character's journey is so powerful, and being able to connect with the audience on that level was truly fulfilling.

[2:11] Eli Tokash: I can only imagine! What do you think being an adventurer brings to your performances?

[2:21] Adrianna Hicks: Being an adventurer allows you to bring new perspectives and experiences to your work. Traveling and exploring different cultures have enriched my storytelling. It helps me to connect with characters in a deeper way and to bring authenticity to my performances.

[2:45] Eli Tokash: That’s such a great point. You’ve also had the opportunity to perform alongside some incredible artists like Jennifer Hudson and Heather Headley. What have you learned from those experiences?

[3:01] Adrianna Hicks: Performing with such talented artists has taught me so much about artistry and professionalism. Each of them has their own unique approach to performance, and I’ve learned to embrace my individuality while also being open to collaboration and growth.

[3:25] Eli Tokash: It sounds like you’ve had some amazing mentors along the way. Now, you’re currently touring with SIX. What has that experience been like for you?

[3:39] Adrianna Hicks: Touring with SIX has been a whirlwind! It’s such a high-energy show, and the audience's response is incredible. I love being part of a cast that celebrates female empowerment and tells the stories of these historical figures in such a fun way.

[4:03] Eli Tokash: That’s fantastic! And I have to ask, what was it like living out your Beyoncé dreams on a Broadway stage?

[4:13] Adrianna Hicks: Oh my gosh, it was surreal! I grew up listening to her music, and being able to perform in a show that celebrates strong women and powerful voices is a dream come true. It’s a reminder of how far I’ve come and the importance of following your dreams.

[4:39] Eli Tokash: I love that! You’ve also recently become a GRAMMY winner. Can you tell us about that experience?

[4:49] Adrianna Hicks: Winning a GRAMMY was absolutely surreal. It’s a recognition of all the hard work and dedication that goes into our craft. It was such an honor to be part of a project that was celebrated in that way, and it motivates me to keep pushing forward in my career.

[5:13] Eli Tokash: Congratulations! That’s such an incredible achievement. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us today, Adrianna.

[5:23] Adrianna Hicks: Thank you for having me, Eli! It’s been a pleasure.

[13:49] Eli Tokash: Corbin Bleu is going to be returning to Little Shop of Horrors. I'm thrilled about that, by the way, did not get to see Corbin Bleu in the show. So thrilled to hopefully get the chance to see him again. But joining the show is James Carpinello and Jinx Monsoon. So James will be coming into the role of the doctor and all of the other roles that character plays, because there's like 10 of them. And Jinx will be coming in to play Audrey, which I'm so excited. So we have from April 2nd, that's going to be starting. They're going to be joining the cast April 2nd. You have a month left to go see Darren Criss in the role currently playing Seymour in Little Shop. And then Jinx is literally going to be booked and busy because she's going from Little Shop on April 2nd, and she's going until June where she's stepping into Chicago.

I know Chicago is going to be a limited run for her. So I don't know if that means she's just kind of taking a little hiatus from Little Shop of Horrors and then she's going to come back. I don't know what it means, but I'm excited to find out and see how it all works out. But huge shout out to Jinx, who is, you know, becoming a theater icon. Well, I mean, she's kind of always been a theater icon, let's be real. But, you know, making her rounds on the Broadway and on the Off-Broadway. Very exciting stuff. All right. I've talked enough. I think it's time to turn it over to our fabulous guest this week. I'm so excited. This is someone that I've been wanting to have on for quite some time. I think I reached out like originally, like the first time I saw like Six.

And once I like started, it wasn't the first time because the first time I didn't have this podcast. But like one of the first times that I saw the show, I've seen it a few times. And when I had the podcast, we were probably, I don't know, it's probably like two years ago now that like I first reached out to her. And so to get her on now and to have her, you know, come out of Some Like It Hot just recently, as well as, you know, literally come fresh off. She just kind of got back to New York from L.A. from the Grammys and doing her, you know, vacation and her healing and her rest. After, you know, doing Six and Some Like It Hot for the past six years, you know, kind of double duty, which we get into, has it's awesome. So I'm so thrilled to share this with you all. Without further ado, it is time to turn it over to Adriana Hicks.

[16:31] Adriana Hicks: Hi, Eli. How are you?

[16:34] Eli Tokash: Oh, my God. I am so excited right now. Yeah, I'm just so happy because I reached out to you, you know, when Some Like It Hot was closing. And like when I saw the show, I just like absolutely fell in love. And I already was such a big fan of yours because I'm obsessed with Six. I think Six is one of the greatest things that Broadway has seen in recent history. So I was a big fan of yours coming into it. And then like to see you leading the way, you know, leading woman on Broadway, you know, in Some Like It Hot, you know, it was just it was everything. And your performance was so good. And that show was snubbed, if you ask me. But, you know, I absolutely love that show. And it was my favorite show of the year. So I am so thrilled to have you on now to to kind of reflect on it and chat about it with you.

[18:30] Adriana Hicks: Thank you. Oh, thank you so much. That was so kind. Oh, my God. Yes. No, I'm so excited. So the way I usually like to start these things is just to like, you know, start at the beginning, you know, like, how do we get here? Like what inspired you to want to be a performer, want to entertain others? Like what was that moment for you?

[18:49] Adriana Hicks: Oh, my gosh. Yeah. As far back as I can remember, I was always someone who was intrigued with entertainment. Like I just loved every form of entertainment, like from ballet to music, like to just, you know, of course, Disney and all the things. So it kind of started there. Like my mom was a singer growing up and like her side of the family was very much that just singing in church. And that's where I kind of started there. But I would also put on my own productions in my room, like every day after school. And yeah. And but I didn't have a name for it. I didn't know what it was called. I just simply was like, this is fun. I'm going to play Princess Jasmine and all the other characters today. So I'll talk to you guys later.

Like literally, my brother was just talking about that one at the Grammys, which we'll talk about later. But it's just so sweet. So from that place, it wasn't until I got to high school that I saw my first musical theater production. And I said, oh, I think this is what I'm supposed to do. Like I didn't again. I had no knowledge of it. But other than like, oh, this is a form of entertainment that incorporates everything that I'd always been drawn to. Like at one point, I wanted to be a ballerina. But no. And then another point, I was like, oh, I want to play an instrument, play an instrument in middle school, play the flute, which is great. But I had always sung. I always like acted in my room and just like it was just the expression. So my first musical high school Guys and Dolls and the rest is kind of history. I just followed love in that way.

[20:22] Eli Tokash: So you really just fell in love with like the art, you know, like it wasn't like a show, you know, like it was just you loved singing.

[20:30] Adriana Hicks: Yeah. Yeah. It was just an expression. I'm like, oh, this this is fun. And it came so naturally for me. Like I didn't have it. It wasn't formulated. It wasn't anything that, you know, and honestly, that was a part of my journey, like, you know, going to school for musical theater. I said, OK, this is something I want to do. So just stay in school for it. Like I really had no recollection of what I was doing, but I just followed it. And I was like, look, it sounds wise to go to school about it and then get a degree. Cool. College check. You know, it was it was very much that. And it's like, OK, what do we do now? Oh, that's right. You can make money off of this. OK, well, let's audition for a summer stock or like, you know, I literally just took it bit by bit.

But I had amazing cultivators and people along the way to kind of help me navigate to be where I am today. And it's and it's honestly like, you know, my in my older age, I am saying I'm really understanding the ins and outs of this business. Like more so than I did when I was younger. Because, again, I didn't start it from that place. I started it from just the pure love of it.

[21:39] Eli Tokash: Yeah, of course. And then it modes into this beast and you're like, what the hell?

[21:45] Adriana Hicks: Right. What happened to the fun?

[21:48] Eli Tokash: Yeah. Oh, wow. No, it's so true. It's like it's still fun, but it's like, oh, yeah, you're definitely adulting.

[21:55] Adriana Hicks: Yeah. In this business, which is something that, you know, I always if that's ever a topic that's brought up. It's like it's so important to learn the ins and outs of what we do as artists. It's just not what you may see. It's a lot of things behind the scenes as well, too.

[22:12] Eli Tokash: Absolutely. I mean, I started like performing as like a kid and I didn't even know I was making money while I was doing it. You know, like someone like a kid or someone fresh out of college. It's like you're not even like trying to support yourself or make money. But then, you know, then reality sets in and you're like, oh, OK, I got to pay bills.

[22:34] Adriana Hicks: Right. I was like, I'm making a living now. Oh, gosh, I've made a living in this for over 16 years now.

[22:42] Eli Tokash: Oh, wow. So you you're asking yourself questions. Do I still love this? Do I still want to continue on? But I'm also physically tired. And I was talking to a friend the other day about how as artists we can we tend to hold very like extremes all the time.

[22:59] Adriana Hicks: Yeah. You know, the extreme of like silence and quiet at home. If you're if you're starting out single and like you don't have a partner or what have you, you know, it's no kids or anything young. That's how it was for me. Young, starting out like quiet at home, just doing what you want to do. Then you go to the extreme of like hair, makeup, smoke, lights, mirror, you know, and then like audience. Like it's it's extremes every single day learning to juggle that. And then that just kind of becomes your norm. But, you know, as I again, as I've gotten older, you kind of see like, oh, yeah. Like as human beings, we need time to rest. We need time to unplug, especially for artists. I just advocate for that so, so much.

[23:42] Eli Tokash: Yeah, I really do. And kind of adding on to that, like I feel like as artists, we are our own biggest like obstacle, you know, in a way.

[23:54] Adriana Hicks: 100%. Yeah.

[23:56] Eli Tokash: And so it's like balancing that and kind of finding that healthy balance of like, how do I maintain my mental health? How do I allow myself to have fun? Like, how do I not be so hard on myself? You know, that's another thing. Like, what is what is your journey through that? And kind of, you know, like especially like I don't know what it is, but I feel like, you know, as you go through this career in this industry, you almost feel like you should be validated the more you work. But at the same time, the pressure just continues to mount.

[24:31] Adriana Hicks: Yeah. So how do you find that balance for yourself?

[24:34] Adriana Hicks: Yeah, no, that's a great question. Well, I definitely again, in my younger years starting this, I was very much a perfectionist like and I had always been that since I was a kid, even the girl in my room, you know, like doing all the things, putting on my little concerts and stuff. But it was never, you know, it was never with the influence of an opinion. It was just by myself. And then when opinions and also the again, the business side of it is like, well, you're also a part of something that is making money, that is also somewhat trying to turn into a machine so it can keep making money. You're not a machine, but you can be treated that way unintentionally. Like it's like a whole, it's a whole other dynamic, you know, that adds to the perfectionism and it just pushes it out.

That's a real thing. You know, I've heard a lot of times people say, you know, it's the spotlight brings out what's really within you and what's in your heart. And it's not like from a malicious place. It's just, oh, no, when you're when you have so many eyes on you, things push out that you're like, I wasn't even, I wasn't even didn't even know this about myself, you know?

[25:42] Eli Tokash: Right.

[25:43] Adriana Hicks: And I learned that so much. I had great lessons along the way of that helped me to stop in and look in and really take care of these things, the mental health side of it, because it's not easy what we do. And again, I'm not trying to make this sound like, oh, it's such a Debbie, like I'm going to be a Debbie Downer at all when it comes to being an entertainer. Like I'm like this stuff. I love it. Like it's such a crazy relationship I have with it, you know? And I feel like all audience. I mean, I feel like all artists feel this tension that is constantly there. How do I navigate that? So to answer that half of the question, if I were to give any advice to somebody about it, I would say you have to allow yourself to learn at first.

Like there is no there is no specific equation that is that is tailor made for every person. But you have to learn how you navigate it for you. And what a huge part of that learning comes from giving yourself grace in the first half of it of like to fail, to like succeed and then take note and then to like check in. And I'm a very I'm very much a person that likes to. I do a lot of internal work, you know, because I feel like if that is done, then what's expressed on stage will be more authentic. What's expressed in life with my loved ones, with my fans, you know, with whatever, it'll be more authentic and come from a place of connect that's connected to some to love, you know. And that internal work is really a huge thing and loving myself and loving what I do and reconnecting back to that inner child that had no opinions attached to what she was doing.

So that's that's really important. Like that first half of it is like you have to give yourself grace to learn. And then I would say the next step to navigating all of this is like, well, once you learn that, there is a turning point that.

[28:39] Adrianna Hicks: Like constantly with these shows so, so there one day or like on a Monday, I used what I used to do when I was younger is like plan my days. Okay, you need to rest so you need to sleep, you need to eat, well, you need to do yay. This is this and this on a list. But I learned that like, well, what if you just listen to whatever you're feeling, just go with it. So yeah, yeah you please if you want to chime in cuz no I was like, that's it that yeah. Yeah, it's so easy to not like it's hard to be in touch with yourself. Yeah, like, you know, it's hard to even acknowledge what you need and at times in this industry, it's all just so fast-paced that you don't even allow yourself to be like, what do I need?

Exactly. Exactly. That's why you have to have that time period of learning and failing like, you know, and that's it. That's basically what I would say it's like checking in, checking in be like, okay, well, whatever I want to do just let it happen. I mean there be times when I'm like, well, I need to do my laundry, I need to do this, I got need need need need but what if I didn't? There would be days, you know, there'd be days I'm like, no, I need to sit down and veg out and watch nothing but Netflix and go to sleep. Then there'd be days where like I actually need to go outside and go to the museum or go reconnect with stuff outside of this industry because life is so much more than it, even though it can present itself as being life itself if that even makes sense. I was really wordy what I just said, but the energy, yeah being in it, you can be really consumed. It's so easy to be consumed. But I love my sense of normalcy.

[30:23] Eli Tokash: Yeah, and it's so easy to allow yourself to get consumed with it and like to kind of detach from life because what we do is like we have to use life and our life experience like we have to go out and experience those things so that we're then able to perhaps tell that story, you know like it is. Yeah, it's crazy finding the balance of, you know, the work-life balance really and, you know, just doing the thing, keep grinding away, but allowing yourself to check in on yourself like so important.

[31:01] Adrianna Hicks: Well, I love your journey. You know, you went to school for musical theater and then you didn't come straight to New York. You actually went overseas to Germany to perform. I mean, what was that like first of all? Like is that like that's got to be an adjustment like your first time I got on your own perhaps like what was that the case? Like, how are you able to just navigate learning a different language, you know the lifestyle whatever?

[31:33] Adrianna Hicks: Yeah, that was a dream for me that I didn't even know I had in a way like it was like, well, it was a dream because I always wanted to travel like I've always been an adventure. I love adventure. I love traveling. I was, you know, my mom introduced us to because she worked for Delta that was the only way that I was able like our family was able to even go places, but we didn't like go major, you know, like we weren't we never I never went out seas overseas. I never did any of those things but because she had that opportunity for us, that was only way we were able to travel to like see family without it being so expensive and all of that. So the travel bug was very bit me very much like really early on.

And I just I love, you know, again, I love entertainment and movies. I was like, I would watch movies like where is this place? Like if we're in Paris, whoa, Paris, I want to go to Paris. I want to do this. So when Germany presented itself, it was like, oh my gosh, this is just gonna be a vacation and I get to sing like that was my mindset like oh my god. Like I went to Oberhausen Germany, which is literally the equivalent of a retirement town here and not even there's nothing flashy about it. But the metronome theater where I worked, there was it was the mall, the promenade, the promenade and the mall in our theater literally the main events of the town. But I was there and I was like look at the tree it's German.

I was, yeah, I was such a big kid. So that experience was incredible and then not to mention that it was a big melting pot of people coming together to put on a production in another language, so the cool thing about working with stage entertainment, that's like pretty much I want to say like the Broadway of Germany. They are major major musical theater production company, the main one in that country. They were very adamant about wanting to continue my career out there if I still choose to be there, but they like supported me in that they like gave me German lessons in the day. I would take German lessons in the day so I can learn the culture and be because I was immersed in the culture and then I would do the shows at night.

But the first show I did was Dirty Dancing and I was a featured singer and I just sung in English. So it wasn't too much pressure. It was like, okay, we want you for all of our future projects. They were doing Sister Act, Tarzan, Lion King. They had amazing projects that I could've been a part of. They're like we want you for that, but we're gonna train you to get you to that place. So because it is a lot which I mean I am so thankful to this day for that for those groups of people. They back that group of people, they were they still stay in contact today. They still come see shows because they're still, you know bouncing back and forth between Germany and wow here it it was just such a gift.

And I learned the language and I ended up doing Dirty Dancing at first and I moved to Vienna, Austria to do the first German production of Legally Blonde then came back to Oberhausen to do Sister Act. And those were nice like steps stepping stones. Like I sung in English, learned German for a year, moved on to Legally Blonde, which is literally like I mean, it's so fast what was in German, so I'm like, okay, next level. Yeah. Okay. Here we go. It was crazy and coming back to the Sister Act and like playing the lead. I covered the lead, but I went on multiple times for her. Yeah, it's just a dream. I love that show that show is so good. All of those shows fantastic. Your resume is full of them, but that's got to be such a cool experience and just a wild experience.

I love that you're like an adventurous because like literally, like if you weren't, I don't know how you'd still be doing this because that's literally your career. I mean, it's been an adventure, man.

[35:48] Eli Tokash: Yeah. Well, I've got to touch you because I mean speaking of adventures like a tour is such an adventure and you know Broadway you did Broadway and tour for The Color Purple and you made your Broadway debut in the show. So I'm obsessed with The Color Purple. I have a very soft spot in my heart because I'm very, you know, just a personal experience with it and I'll share it in a second. But I have so many questions for you because I'm just so in love with it. I just saw the movie, you know, like when it came out a couple weeks ago. And so, um, I'm obsessed so I can't wait to talk to you about this.

[36:29] Adrianna Hicks: Yeah, I mean first of all like what did it mean to just like for you to to make your Broadway debut? But especially like in this production because like it felt like you know you got to open a show on Broadway, you know, you got to experience award seasons, you got to tell an incredibly beautiful story, female empowering, black empowering, all of these things, you know, and you're working with the best of the best, you know. What just like was the craziness to just like dive in as your first like Broadway experience?

[37:04] Adrianna Hicks: It was all-encompassing like joy. Like joy, it was everything to me. And I want to say probably one of the main things about it was yes working in the first my first all-black cast production. I had never worked in a show but in a show that it was just the entire cast was black and I talk about an enlightening moment for me, you know. I'm a girl that's raised in Texas and it is what it is. Like it's like a, it's a, it was it was a dualism living there and a predominantly white school and then being a black woman who is entertained like girl, you know young girl in entertainment and trying to find her place in that world, but there were, it was like a just yeah. It was interesting and then you know to look at entertainment and to see like, okay, this is how you have to do it in order to make it because I was I studied a lot and I knew what I liked but it was predominantly white movies I was watching and and you know like again not to knock these movies or these people at all.

It was just what I was surrounded by because of my environment. So to come to The Color Purple and see oh, we are beautiful. Like it was it was just an amazing take on understanding how I mean I'm just being so proud to be a black woman doing huge things and to make my Broadway debut with, I mean, oh gosh with these trailblazers. Cynthia Erivo starting out as a rising star and look at her now and then Jennifer Hudson now she's the EGOT winner and Daniel Brooks now she's got her Oscar nomination and they all made their Broadway debuts the same time that I did and it was like I got to share that moment with some incredible women who taught me how to do this thing now that I'm in this position and my life is changing. So I, my heart is so full. Like I couldn't have asked for anything greater than that. Um, it's just so full.

[39:21] Eli Tokash: Yeah, I mean I couldn't imagine. I mean the names that you mentioned alone is pretty pretty wild because yes, they were making their Broadway debut, but we all kind of knew like who they were, you know? Yeah, like Jennifer like come on. So I forgot to mention to like Heather Headley and Jennifer Holliday. Can we just talk about that like they got to come in? I worked with the women who I wanted to do Dreamgirls for so long and I'm like, oh I worked with every for my first like what is happy? Yeah, I just had to type it in. Please continue Eli.

[40:05] Eli Tokash: Yeah, it was no it was like but it's crazy to think cuz like you meet them and then and you kind of like forget like humans, you know like and that's the greatest thing about it.

[40:09] Adrianna Hicks: Well, I'm obsessed cuz like I mentioned, so I was in a reading of this little movie called The Greatest Showman and we I was doing we were in our third and final reading before it got like greenlit and you know this rising star Cynthia Erivo was a part of that reading.

[40:33] Adrianna Hicks: Yeah, and I we were like, you know, we did our first read-through of that reading because she wasn't in the previous ones and I was like I just had to come over here and talk to you because I just think you have an amazing voice. I think one day you're really gonna be on Broadway and she was like, oh honey. I am.

[40:54] Adrianna Hicks: British accent, of course you are like everyone in this room it seems like we're all on Broadway. So like I was like, I don't even know why I said it so then she was like you should come see the show we have a Monday performance and she came in the next day and she said you have a ticket under your name at the box office. Yes, and you know like it was just it seems like she was just such an incredible human being, you know, like is that just like kind of Cynthia like or who perhaps I guess was kind of like your Broadway?

[41:30] Adrianna Hicks: Yeah, I mean, you know, Cynthia was definitely a covering, but my mind immediately went to, I was thinking about all the Suge Averys, Heather Headley, when she came in, she really felt like a mom-sister. Like, she, like, you know, I would feel, I felt comfortable talking to her, even like, again, all three of them, because they, like, you know, she was just, like, a mother figure, and I, and I worked with all of these women, like, I worked with Heather Headley and Jennifer Holliday first, before everybody else got to meet them, because I was a swing in the show, so it was the perfect position of being like, oh, my God, like, I was like, because I covered Celie, so they were like, okay, Adrianna, you get to go to all the rehearsals with them first, so they can get it, and I was like, okay, cool, I'm going to be on my stuff, so they know exactly what to experience.

Yeah, and meeting Heather Headley, and being like, ah, you're Nala, like, I was like, tripping, like, she did something in the tub scene, and I said, wow, that's Nala, what's happening, it was incredible. But talking about, like, just a woman, you know, they both were so encouraging, and I remember Heather being like, you know, it's not, she just gave me one of the hugest compliments, just like, you know, I've been in this world of working with understudies, but there's no one like you, like, in the sense of, like, you are way more up to par than what you may know for yourself. Just because you're a swing, don't, do not underestimate your power, and what you have, so that was so encouraging, and then to get to perform with her, you know, be her co-star, and, you know, like, she's my sugar, like, it was, you know, it was great, and same with, you know, Jennifer Holliday, there was one point where I had taken steroids for the first time, because I had to, I believe, I think Cynthia might have been gone, or sick, or something was going on, and I was called to go on, and the first understudy for Cynthia, something was going on with that, like, we might have had a cut show, I don't know what the case was, but I was sick, and I had to still perform, one of the scariest moments of my life is like, you know, I got through it, but I had to take steroids, because I wasn't, I was sick, and it was a crazy experience, like, I still to this day don't like steroids, because I'm like, that, it just made me feel out of body, made me feel crazy, so the next day, I got through it, it was fine, Jennifer Holliday came up, and she gave me, like, a care package, she was like, Adriana, let me just tell you something, with steroids, like, you're going to feel like you have a high, and then all of a sudden you have depression, or depression, or whatever is going on, I was like, I feel crazy, I was just, like, new to taking these medications just to get through a show, and she was like, here, I got you, she got me a steamer, she got me these, like, fancy cough drops, and, like, what else did she get me?

Like, it was just, like, a beautiful care package of just love, oh, tea, she got me, like, peppermint, she was like, you're going to take this, take that, steam, do that, and don't worry if you feel a little low, because that's what steroids do, they kind of make you feel hype, and then all of a sudden when you're off of it, because you feel better, you're going to feel a little bit low, she was like, it's okay, because I was literally, I was like, I feel so sad, like, I had no motivation, I had, like, an audition the next day, or something, and I was like, I feel no motivation to do this, what is wrong, like, I, motivation in a deeper way, you know, like, we all not have motivation every day, but it was, like, a different level that I just couldn't put into words, so what a gift, like, I'll never forget that, and she still supports me to this day, like, she's seen every single musical I've been a part of on Broadway since then, and she was like, I remember when you were young, we were starting, and she was like, yeah, you've grown so much, and, like, she saw me, and so I'm, like, hot, and I ran into her on the street one day before she performed on the Tonys, that was the year, not last year, the year before last, I want to say, or no, no, no, it was like, whenever she performed on the Tonys, it was, like, in the past three years, did her performance, because it was the anniversary for Dreamgirls, how long it had been on Broadway, or whatever, yeah, and I ran into her on the street before she performed, like, it was that week of the Tonys, and it was just so special, yeah, and Jennifer Hudson, like, talk about somebody who, you know, again, she was definitely, like, a sister, because, like, she was like, who can tell you you look like, well, sometimes people say I look like you and Brandy, she was like, that's funny, because people say that I look like I swallowed Brandy, I was like, I am sorry, like, she just, I mean, these little moments, but she was just really cool, and she definitely felt like a sister, for sure, and just getting to perform with her, yeah, I could talk all day about these ladies, just, and how they're mothers, as well, like, they're in this industry, and they're moms, and, you know, it's just a beautiful word, yeah.

[46:48] Eli Tokash: It's incredible. Wow. That is, I mean, I was having chills when you were telling some of those stories, I love that, you know, because, you know, it's crazy, like, what that leadership can do to a young person, you know, like, what that kind of having a mentor and having that guidance, because, like, I mean, we still don't know what we're doing, let's be real, but, like, we're having a hard time, you know, like, we're trying to figure it out, you know, like, that's just, like, it's just how it is, and just to have that kind of, you know, like I said earlier, like, we don't allow ourselves to take validation, I guess, all the time, but, like, to kind of have someone, you know, in your corner and visibly in your corner, it does so much for your confidence, your mental health, like, everything.

So that's pretty incredible to hear it from someone who is, you know, like, you know, like, you know, like, you know, like, people who are of that caliber, you know, it's incredible. Well, I'm curious to kind of switch over to the tour, just because that's kind of what made me want to get into this topic of Color Purple. You revisited the show, so you went to Aladdin, correct, is that, and then revisited the show on tour, and you were playing Celie, and you've done at least seven of those eight shows a week, so what was that like for you, was tour something that you enjoyed because you had that adventure side to you, was that a bit of an adjustment period, you know, was the show different at all, like, what was the production like for you?

[48:30] Adrianna Hicks: It was wonderful and daunting at the same time, it was literally all of the feelings because I'm like, well, we're a Tony award winning musical, we won a lot of musicals that, you know, a lot of awards that season and now I'm stepping into the shoes of someone who won the Tony for it, who's well-known because of this role and so that was the daunting part of like trying to figure out how to fill Celie's shoes and not somebody else's, so that was great, it was challenging in that way but really, really good because you know what works and you know how you can kind of try to, but you can never be anybody else, like I can never be Cynthia and I don't want to be like that, like I want to be me and I mean that with the utmost respect because she's doing her thing and I want to do the same thing as well, so I am, yeah, it's like I was like, I can never be her, but I want to be me and it was honestly great to have John Doyle now be one-on-one with him when it came to, okay, what am I going to do for Celie with this, with me, with Adriana, how am I going to approach this with me and that was a great experience because I always, I admired the way he taught, you know, I admired like how he led us to help tell the essence of Alice Walker's story and I believe he did a wonderful job for a revival, you know, to really, he really revived it, yeah, to bring it to this next generation, yeah, how many years later after the first one, so it was great and also, again, I love to travel, like see the country because I'm so used to traveling, you know, overseas that like I haven't even seen the United States like that and there's so many places here, so that was a really cool part even though I couldn't, I just couldn't do a lot of things like I wanted to naturally, but because I had to, you know, focus and be a lead, but I was so, I love, again, I love traveling, I always, I get, not that I get bored easily, but when I do, I'm just kind of like, I want to, what's next, what's new, like that, I think having that ever since I was a kid, like God knew what he was doing in putting me in this industry because I always, I never get tired, like I get tired and I have my grace period of sitting now, but then I'm like, oh, what am I gonna do next, like it's like exciting for me, so, yeah, I enjoyed that on tour, just going to a new city and like getting a fresh clean slate in every new city and like going on here in Memphis versus in Seattle or, you know, like it was, it was so, so cool.

[51:13] Eli Tokash: Yeah, well, I mean, you mentioned just like now you had to step in and be the lead and this even goes for like your time in Six and some like at Hut, like what was something that like you kind of like really like noticed yourself, you know, learning as you kind of were stepping into those shoes and, and what's something perhaps like maybe it's like, oh, I took, I can take this from Cynthia and Jennifer and, you know, Heather, you know, like all of the people who, you know, you've worked with prior, like, did you kind of see that come out, like the influences and, and did you kind of put any more pressure on yourself maybe, like what was it like to kind of really see yourself like, okay, I've got a lead and I've got to figure out how to lead a, and figure out how to lead a team?

[52:24] Adrianna Hicks: Yeah, I had to blossom in, into understanding that I, a huge part of all that is bringing myself to the table and it's very easy in this industry again to pull from things that work, you know, that have worked for other people, that have worked for other productions, even that have worked for you even in the past, you know, but the challenge is to always, it's always keep your heart open to the new and even as you have learned from the old, and that was huge with, it was a great stepping stone with Six because, you know, I told you I was a kid and one of the things that I would do was watch I loved Destiny's Child and Beyonce growing up and I would definitely, yeah, like I would definitely watch, there was Beyonce concert live at Wembley that was her very first concert, solo concert in England and I would watch that and just do, like, and even the Beyonce experience like when she brought that out, that was one of my favorite concerts of hers, so I would play it in my room and I would put my little wig on, like I had so much fun, right, so for Six I mean, the audition was just a blast I was like, oh, I've been practicing this since I was a kid, guys like, let me just come on, like, you know, it just felt so right with Catherine of Aragon I'm like, wow, what a gift, God, like, you already knew what was coming for me and stuff like this, you know that was like a hybrid of, I never thought that I would get to do something like that on that level in musical theater and our, shout out to our writers, Toby and Lucy, like, they just wrote something that was just for the times and just so innovative and a hybrid of its own thing, you know an anomaly, a beautiful one, yeah but starting out, I was like, well, I have to be Beyonce like, that was, that always tends to be my process I have to be something, like this image, how I see I was like, I have to do this, or something like Ahad it wasn't like, it wasn't like, oh, so I have to be Marilyn Monroe but yes, like, it was weird, like, with something like Ahad it was like, do I have to be Marilyn Monroe?

I started to ask the question versus being like I have to be something, so that's the growth right there and then it wasn't until, you know, Casey Nicholaw and Matthew Lopez, you know, our writer he came, they both talked to me, they're like Adriana, we don't want a Marilyn Monroe situation I was like, thank God, like, great, so my question is answered because I didn't know what the vision of it was going to be I had never seen something like Ahad I've only heard of it, and I knew that the name Marilyn Monroe was attached to it, and I was like, okay, we know who this iconic figure is this sensual lady, like, there's so much more to her dynamics.

[55:18] Adrianna Hicks: Yeah, it was just a thing. But that's how I always kind of start off of like, who do I have to be in order to make this work? Or, or it's either that question, or it's, it's an image of like, I think this is what it is to make it work and be successful. And then after a while, it just kind of goes away. You know, it's like, as you explore, it's like, you know, again, creating that room to, to fail, to see if that works, if it doesn't. And then making room for you to, for you to sit at your own table, like to sit at the table. And just like, that's the reason they hired you in the first place, because they saw you and not a replica of anybody else. Even if you are doing something that is attached to a very iconic person, you still have to be you. I don't care what role you're playing. I don't care what you're stepping into. So you have to make room for that. And that's what I did.

[56:19] Eli Tokash: Amen. I mean, say it louder for the people in the back. You are saying all the right things. This is it's so true. I mean, all of this I mean, it but it's so hard. It sounds so simple. But it's so hard to allow yourself to do that. You know, but if anyone's listening, you know, try to take it, you know, it's easier hearing it from Adrianna than your stage mom or whoever. I know that for sure. Well, I mean, I want to talk about Six and Some Like It Hot before I let you go. So, you know, you mentioned walking into the audition room and like, feeling like you're you get to play as Beyonce, you know, like, is that something that was talked about, like, that all of these queens kind of resemble or are inspired by the Queen of Pops, you know, like all the Queen of Pops?

[57:01] Adrianna Hicks: Well, it was kind of I like, it was like a framework in the sense of like, so you can get the essence of each queen, not like so like how each individual pop artists from Adele to Jennifer Lopez to Billie Eilish to you know, like they all carry a certain essence about themselves. And I think the reason of course, in the breakdown, it was like, well, Kevin Airdon is like, is like the Shakira equivalent of a Beyonce equivalent of our pop stars today. Amberlynn is like the equivalent of Avril Lavigne, or you know, like, of course, the breakdown had that. But the our, you know, our writers and directors, like they, they made it very clear, like, we don't want you to be these people, we want you to be you.

But the reason why we have that framework is so that we understand we are understanding the essence of the story of these queens that we want to tell. And we just filtered it through what is tangible in the pop world, you know, because it is a pop concert. So they're like, all right, cool, people will understand the Beyonce Shakira element, people will understand the Adele element or the Alicia Keys element, like they understand that, but it's more so about the story that we were telling that embodied that fire of each one of these artists, you know, um, so it was like that it wasn't more so it wasn't a thing about trying to imitate them or be them. But we could definitely draw inspiration from them, which I was so thankful for, because again, I loved Beyonce growing up.

[57:57] Eli Tokash: Yeah, and it's not an easy thing to originate a role like from literally nothing. Yeah, like to have some sort of, you know, guidance or blueprint, you know, I'm sure helps in creating that. Fascinating. Do you have time? I know we're like 45 minutes. Okay, I'm just making sure because I have like one more six question and then I'm gonna turn around so I'm like get hot. Cute. I don't want to prolong your day. Anyways. So yeah, I mean, I'm curious, you know, in talking about like, kind of originating the role and finding that role, you know, you did many iterations of the show, you know, like you, you were with it in prior to Broadway. Were you in readings or anything for it as well?

[59:42] Adrianna Hicks: For Six? No, we we had no readings. It was just because they already had the show in London. So they were just like, we know what our show is, but we it's just the American cast version of it. So there was no readings necessary. But we did do tweaks here and like very minor tweaks to make it make more sense in the American production because things they say over there, you know, it's more yeah, like people have a different language. Yeah, it's not it's the same language, but it's different. It's like, well, we don't say, you know, our knickers for pants, we say pants like it's like, it's that sort of it was just like little nuanced things in that nature. So we didn't need to have a new reading to sit down. But we just, we just started out with having what we like to call like a tour on multiple contracts in a way, just it stops in different cities to see if it resonated with American audiences. And it did.

[1:00:38] Eli Tokash: Yes. So like, you know, in going through that process, you know, and then eventually coming to Broadway, like, do you did you see your character kind of grow and change as as you kind of found the character and then when you got to Broadway, was it kind of like, oh, we're just doing another show? Or did it feel like, oh, no, I have to go even another level because now here we are on a Broadway stage?

[1:01:01] Adrianna Hicks: Yeah, definitely. My Captain Aragon definitely evolved as any character after you do it for a while. And that was in huge part as well to the pandemic, having a chance to sit down as that happened. And I feel like with all of us, like we had a better grasp of reality of life when everything came to a halt, where we just could only sit down with ourselves. And I, you know, developing more ease with how you approach life and because you had to face it, you know, we had to face it in the pandemic, we had nowhere else, nothing else to do to distract us from facing what was within us. So we like to call ourselves like the six 2.0 queens when we came back. And definitely for me, there was just much more ease and understanding of what story I was telling versus a story I was telling versus what I was performing.

There's a difference. So like, I'm telling a story and it'll be performed well versus like, I need to perform something so the story can be heard. It's like, no, just tell the story. So yeah, that's how that was the major shift for me. And then, yeah, but initially coming to Broadway, it just felt like everything was heightened. And we were all so dreadfully tired by that point. So it was, oh, I can't imagine. Yeah. We were like, all right, we're on this train to the Tonys. Oh, we're not. We're going to stop. And it was a gift in a way for all of us.

[1:02:40] Eli Tokash: Yeah. Yeah. Kind of give yourself that grace a little bit, huh? Sure. Yeah. And so was it during Six that you kind of found out about Some Like It Hot? Because it seems like you kind of went right into it.

[1:02:46] Adrianna Hicks: I did. Well, so it was in between. So Six stopped in Chicago, then ART, then we went to Canada, and then we went to, I'm going to say the Ordway. I always mess up the last one. But yeah, we had four stops before we were coming to Broadway. So in between the first two stops, I had a period where I was in New York traveling to go to Boston. And I had an audition for Dreamgirls. My agent had an audition whenever Casey Nicholaw was having those auditions at that time, like five years ago now, we were having auditions. And yeah, and I went in and auditioned for every single one of the dreams. And that's how Casey was like, this is great. You can do all of these, but they're all very specific types.

But I have another show for you that you're perfect for. And it was Some Like It Hot. So yeah, I literally had an audition. He already wanted to hire me. But of course, Mark and Scott had to see me sing their music. And they also wanted me to read some of the sides. So I came in. That's when I came in before I was going to Boston in between the time period of six. But I auditioned for the Dreamgirls thing in March, right before six came out, auditions came out for it. So it was like that whole spring into the summer. That's whenever my name was about with the Dreamgirls with Casey. And then in the summer, he saw me sing some of the songs from Sugar and do some of the scene work with Mark and Scott.

They were in the room. And then I got the job right then. Because my agency was like, they really want you. They think they know he knows you're perfect for this role. Just come on in. It was that sort of thing. And then the rest is history. So I had the job before six even made it initially. I had the job back in 2019.

[1:05:16] Eli Tokash: That's wild.

[1:05:17] Adrianna Hicks: Yeah, it was wild. And then we had our first reading, my first reading of it, at least in early 2020. In January, February, right before we were about to start rehearsals for six, before going to Broadway, and then the pandemic happened. So yeah, I've been with Something Like It Hot for the same five years.

[1:05:46] Eli Tokash: You were doing double duty.

[1:05:47] Adrianna Hicks: Yeah, in a way. Yeah, definitely in a way. And then really double duty once we opened up again, and Six was back on Broadway. But I was, yeah, I did like the, we did the six week sit down at the Little Shubert. Because we were trying to do an out of town tryout. That was the initial plan. But pandemic and quickly schedule. That's when I was really, really doing double duty, like doing that in a day and Six at night. Yeah, but double duty in all forms.

[1:06:16] Eli Tokash: Wow. That's wild. So you really needed that pandemic. You needed that break.

[1:06:21] Adrianna Hicks: Yeah.

[1:06:23] Eli Tokash: That's crazy. Well, I mean, I've got to ask because, you know, I mentioned Some Like It Hot. And I absolutely love the show. And I, it was crazy to me that it had the most Tony nominations. And it didn't win Best Musical. You weren't like this. It was just it was, I don't know. It was, I have my piece. I've already said my piece. So I don't want to like keep going. But you know, so I am curious, you know, like, it came back around just recently. And, you know, the ship got righted. And y'all won a Grammy for, for your frickin show, which is just so wild. So I'm curious to ask you, you know, first of all, you know, through all of the craziness of award seasons, and just going through that whole thing, and then you go through closing, and then to to kind of come back and reunite with some cast mates and kind of share this one last final, like, huge major achievement, you know, as a whole, that you could share together. What was just that like for you? Was that kind of like, I mean, I can't think of a better sendoff to a show.

[1:07:23] Adrianna Hicks: Oh, my gosh. Well, yeah. The Grammys was amazing. I honestly wasn't from from the award season before that, like I was just so proud of our show and proud of how much we had accomplished. And that was like a crazy time because people were also we were like saying like, yeah, y'all were here like the show is like, please come see the show. And every time someone would see the show, they're like, Oh, my gosh, why? Why is nobody like come see the show? You know, and people were definitely there. Like it was we definitely had support. But it was interesting. You know, when we had the nominations come out, and it's like, yeah, y'all, we've been trying to tell y'all like we're here. It was that sort of thing.

And then to have such a joy with what we did receive from that, that was great. But that was like an emotional roller coaster with just knowing how long the journey had been and the hard work that everyone had put in. And then we like, you know, got some sense of relief, like and recognition in the show with the Tonys. And then the Grammys roll around and my mindset was just kind of like, I'm just happy. I'm, you know, I don't like to say that a lot too much, but it is way more than just this. But it's like, I'm just happy to be here. And I honestly wasn't expecting us to win because in this not in the sense of how not knowing how good our show was, it had nothing to do with that. It was more so of like, not setting myself up for any expectations, because anything can happen.

You know, like, we've experienced that already with Six. And now with this show, in some ways, with Some Like It Hot, I was like, you know what, my heart is open. I'm just really, I'm really happy to be here. And I'm going to celebrate this because this is something that my family never like to be Grammy nominated. I'm the first Grammy nominated.

[1:09:08] Adrianna Hicks: person in my family for that to ever happen. So we're going to honor the family legacy and we're going to go. So my brother, it was more so about that and it's still more so about that after winning and how much that represents just the hard work and the acknowledgement of like my voice is a part of something that in the music industry that is huge and my voice is a part of that. I celebrate that so much. My heart is so full and I still don't have words for it. Like it's taken, I've been back in New York City for two weeks now since we closed after taking a month-long vacation with the, you know, with the Grammys included in that, that I still have no words and I'm honored. I'm so grateful for the acknowledgement in this huge way for the four to five years of energy that I put into the show.

Not just me, but everybody. And I'm on stage, you know, I'm on stage next to royalty, like thinking about Brian Carter, you know, this young black man composer. He's just like, I don't know if this is, I think this is their first, Charlie and Brian's first show orchestrating Broadway, like their first Broadway orchestration for shows. And they've won the Tony and the Grammy. And I'm like, wow, legacy. And then I'm looking at Natasha, who has paved the way for us for the past 25 years for me to stand on that stage with her. And she's just now getting a Tony nomination and her Grammy. Talk about what, and then you already know with Jay Harris and G, like the iconic pillar that this incredible human being is.

And I get to be a part of that. I was content with just looking at what was around me and also within myself. I worked very hard for 16 years and to have it be acknowledged in this way with a little piece of this really was everything. And to have my brother witness all of that, my family be there, that trip changed my life.

[1:11:20] Eli Tokash: I love that so much. It's literally like, it's so well-deserved. I mean, huge congratulations to you by the way. I don't even know if I've said that. I've just like, kind of like been like, oh my God, the whole time. But it's truly so, it's incredible. And it's so well-deserved. Like the show, I can't stop saying it. The show is something that like, I truly believe describes Broadway. Like for the whole season, if someone from out of town was in Times Square or TKTS and like walking past and being like, what show should I see? I was always stopping and I said, you want to see a Broadway show? Like go see some like, you know, like it seemed like it was a throwback, but it was a story that like was so relevant and needed to be heard. And it was so good. I mean, with you and Jay and Christian leading the way, I mean, like y'all did something really beautiful and I'm so thrilled that, you know, y'all were acknowledged the way that y'all deserve to be.

[1:12:29] Adrianna Hicks: Yeah, no, seriously. I'm a huge fan. And, but again, I mean, a huge, you know, tribute to Casey and his work as the director. Like I truly believe he, he, everything he touches, like is the definition of Broadway. He's just so passionate about it. I'm so grateful to know him.

[1:12:50] Eli Tokash: Yeah. So, I mean, and it's gotta be cool to, to kind of have that experience of like, he saw you, believed in you right away. And that was how you kind of got with the show. So incredible. I mean, your journey throughout this industry has been, has been incredible and we didn't even get through all of it, but I'm so thrilled that, you know, we, we got to celebrate you and talk about all of these fantastic things that you, you've already accomplished. And it's still, you know, there's still another many chapters.

[1:13:25] Adrianna Hicks: Yeah. You know, so I, I'm so excited to, to continue to watch you and root you along the way, but you already have so much to take about for us. So thank you so much for, for taking the time to chat with me today.

[1:13:39] Adrianna Hicks: Thank you, Eli. Thank you for having me. It was a blast.

[1:13:43] Eli Tokash: Oh my God. I'm so glad. I absolutely loved hearing your, your journey. So thank you for sharing it with me.

[1:13:48] Adrianna Hicks: You're welcome. Thank you for having me.

[1:13:52] Eli Tokash: Take about Adrianna Hicks. Oh my God. I, I loved talking to her about literally everything, just about maturing in this industry, about, you know, becoming a lead and leading the way in this industry. I love those conversations and it's something that Jordan and I talked about last week in our episode. So I, it's slowly becoming like one of my favorite questions. So prepare for more of that in the future. But yeah, just a fabulous episode and I loved everything that she shared through the color purple. The, the, the emotion just came out when she talked about color purple, as well as, you know, the honor of winning a Grammy and honoring her name and just to be in a room with all of those fabulous people and the people of the music industry, because she is the voice of an angel.

And I wouldn't be surprised if one day comes out with an album of her own or whatever it may be, you know, it's just, it's incredible. And I'm thrilled that, you know, she, she had the opportunity to, to get all, to do all of that because it's so well-deserved and you can kind of, you can kind of tell, you know, how she doesn't take it for granted. And it came out in our conversation. Hopefully it came out through her, her voice. I think it did, but I also got to look at her as well. So we'll, we'll be posting all the clips, but the candidness of like, you know, taking steroids and, and having the, the pressure to, to perform, especially when you're an understudy, you know, it doesn't really matter if you're sick as an understudy, especially like five, six years ago, like you still were like expected to save the show.

Like it, the pressure that they face in not getting sick, like if they're sick, then there's really no show. Like they are the saviors of the show. And so they have way more pressure than, than people realize. So to, to hear her kind of talk about that, and this was not at the time where we were like, the people in the industry and castmates were supporting their swing, but like the industry as a whole, we're not recognizing them properly. So to, to kind of hear that story and the emotion of, of kind of what she kind of dealt with and how that, you know, affected her, you know, but how much she also learned from it at the same time was really incredible. And to get that advice from, you know, Jennifer Holliday and then the Hudson and, and Heather Headley, you know, like all of, all of the things, J HUD, we love, we love it all.

So Adrianna, thank you so much for, for coming on here and sharing those incredible stories. And I was so upset because I've literally, I take these things so seriously. And I, I have so many questions like for each episode that I oftentimes don't get through all of them. And this was the case today. But when I had Brittany Mac on the show, and I believe she's the first and only like six queen we've had on the show. But that was literally, I mean, I was so, I was kicking myself because I didn't ask her about the queen of pops, you know, and what that kind of, was that a part of the getting to know your role? Was it the breakdown? Was it something that was talked about in the room? Is that something that the audience kind of made up, you know, in their heads just through watching whatever it was, you know, I, I've always been curious of that because I've always seen the characters, you know, be attached to one of the queen of pops.

So I finally got to ask, and this is literally two years later that I've still been like upset at myself about this. And, you know, to, to kind of hear what she had to say about it was really cool. So, so yeah, just a lot of cool, you know, little tidbits of information and, and, you know, things that I've been so curious that I've gotten got answered on this week's episode. So very, very exciting episode for me. First of all, just being a fan of Adriana and loving, you know, her work, but also getting some, some of the information that I've been so curious about.

[1:18:26] Eli Tokash: So that is episode 195. I hope you all enjoyed this week's episode. I know I certainly did. Hopefully you all were able to learn something. Hopefully you were all able to just become big fans of Adriana Hicks. Perhaps you are a fan of hers and wanted to get to know a little bit more about her. Hopefully that happened. For those of you who aren't following her already, go check her out on Instagram at missadriannahicks and you can spell out miss. She is definitely worth the follow and, you know, following her career and her journey and what's next is something that I'm very much looking forward to. So yeah, go do the thing. And while you're at it, make sure you're following Take a Bow on Instagram.

Make sure you're subscribed to our YouTube page. Y'all, y'all, the overwhelming amount of feedback that I received on the Jordan Fisher, Lola Tong, and Ani DeFranco episode meant the world to me. And I know I wasn't able to answer everybody, but just know that I've seen them and I'm so grateful for them. Thank you for reaching out. You don't know how much it means. I will be responding to all of you just to show my gratitude and how much it really means because, you know, you get in your head sometimes and this just really ignited my love for doing this and reminded me why I'm doing it and reminding me how much fun I personally can have doing this, but also how much that you all can benefit from this, if that makes sense.

So it's not just, you know, for myself and there is an audience out there and it's hard to remember that because, you know, it's not something that I see and that's usually what I'm used to as a performer is just seeing an audience. So, you know, I appreciate the support as always. And I say that because it was one of our best YouTube videos, so that's what made me think of it. So thank you for doing that and hopefully you all subscribed, those of you who watched it on YouTube. Clearly not all of you did because there's a lot more views than there are subscribers, but it's okay. I digress. But definitely go like the YouTube, like it on TikTok, at Take About Podcast, on Instagram as well. You don't know what that does and how much that really, really, really helps us and also motivates us to get more of it out there and to continue to bring you all the best.

So hopefully, you know, that certainly happened this week and hopefully we will be getting the YouTube more active for you all because it seems like y'all enjoyed watching on YouTube. So that's a great thing. And yeah, that's it. I'm rambling at this point. So thank you so much for listening to episode 195. I hope you all had a great week and I hope you all have a good week moving forward. Can't wait to see you all next week with another great episode. And until then, bye everyone. Have a great week.

[1:21:37] Eli Tokash: For this episode's curtain call, I would like to recognize a few people who also deserve to Take About. This podcast would not be possible without the help of Dory Berenstein, Alan Seals, Kimberly Garris, and the team at the Broadway Podcast Network. Next in line to Take About are our fabulous editors, Jessica Warren, who edits the audio of the podcast that you just listened to, and Tessie Tokash, who edits the videos and visuals for this podcast. And how about a bow for our executive producer, Chris Griner. And our final bow, our extra special, to the patrons, Brian Thompson, Pat McNamara, the listeners of PCC, as well as all of the other patrons for their continued support. If you're interested in becoming a patron, go to patreon.com slash T-A-B. If you enjoyed this week's episode, make sure to subscribe on the platform that you are currently listening to this on, or go check out our YouTube where you can watch the episode.

You can also subscribe, like, and comment on there as well. If you're more into the regular social media and want to follow us, you can do that at TakeAboutPodcast across all social media platforms. The music of this podcast was made by Nikki Torsha and Cormac Collinan, and the logo was created by Giselle Bustos. And that wraps up this episode's curtain call. Thank you all again for listening to this week's episode, and I can't wait to see you next week. Bye everyone, have a great week.