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[0:00] Joshua Turchin: Hello and welcome back to the Early Night Show Virtual Edition or the Chronicabrae. My name is Joshua Turchin, and thanks so much for being with us today. Alexa Lasanta from Annie, Sound of Music, and The Perfect Fit is here. And Sarah McKinley Austin, who is Matilda in Matilda, is joining us. So please stick around. Welcome to the Early Night Show.

[0:28] Joshua Turchin: It has been such a wonderful and extremely busy week, and I am so excited to share that my musical, The Perfect Fit, will be live streamed as a perfectly distant concert from the incredible new world stages in MIC. Unlike so much of what we watch now, it will actually be live. So you at home will be watching it as we from New York City will be singing it. And as you know, anything can happen in live theater, so stay tuned. That's really what I miss the most about live theater. It doesn't matter how many times I've seen a show, there's always something that changes. Whether it's the interaction between cast members or the audience, it's always slightly different. We will miss interacting with a live audience, but at home, you can unwrap as many plastic candies as you would like without bothering anyone.

I mean, this could really change live theater. Imagine not having a tall person sitting in front of you during a Broadway show, or bringing in dinner and snuggling on the couch to watch Broadway, or not having to take the train back from the city at 11 p.m. So, for more information or to get tickets before they close out, go to perfectfitmusical.com/slash tickets. Although I know you cannot be in the audience to watch the Perfect Fit Musical's live stream, I know that you can still be there with us virtually. I mean, that's kind of the theme for 2020. Being there with people without actually being together in person. That actually reminds me of a song by Marshmallow called Here With Me. So here's my take on Here With Me.

[2:01] Joshua Turchin: Can I tell you something just between you and me? When I hear your voice, I am finally free. Every single word is perfect as can be, and I need you here with me. When you lift me up, I know that I'll never fall. I can speak to you by saying nothing at all. Every single time I find it harder to breathe. Now I know I'm falling in deep. Every single night. I find it harder to sleep. Cause I need you here with me every day. You're saying the words that I want you to say. There's a pain in my heart and it won't go away. Now I know I'm falling in deep. Cause I need you here with me every day. You're saying the words that I want you to say. There's a pain in my heart and it won't go away. Now I know I'm falling in deep. Can I tell you something just between you and me? When I hear your voice, I am finally free. Every single word is perfect as can be. And we've been great friends ever since.

[5:15] Joshua Turchin: Not only is she my very talented friend, she's also a virtual cast member in The Perfect Fit. I'm so happy to welcome Alexa Lasanta back to the Early Night Show. Hi, Alexa!

[5:22] Alexa Lasanta: Hi!

[5:22] Joshua Turchin: I'm so happy to have you back on the Early Night Show!

[5:33] Alexa Lasanta: Thank you so much. I'm super happy to be back.

[5:36] Joshua Turchin: I'm really happy to have you back on. How have you been doing now that school's in session?

[5:41] Alexa Lasanta: I've been doing good. Um, I mean, school takes up a lot of time, but it's been taking some adjusting. But yeah, I'm good.

[5:49] Joshua Turchin: Which one do you prefer? Online school or in-person school?

[5:54] Alexa Lasanta: I prefer online school because I really like homeschooling. Like ever since I got home from tour, I've wanted to homeschool again. So I really love online school because it allows me to work on my own pace. So if I have a job, I'm able to like get more work done, and it allows me to work ahead, so I don't need to do any school during rehearsals.

[6:14] Joshua Turchin: True. I know that in addition to being an amazing singer and actress, you're also a dancer. Have you been able to resume dance classes yet?

[6:25] Alexa Lasanta: Yes. So I have been doing in-person dance classes at my dance studio since the beginning of the summer because we did them on Zoom before, but then we went back and we obviously had masks and social distancing and stuff like that. But yes, we're back in.

[6:41] Joshua Turchin: Of course, we have some really exciting news to share. You're one of our amazing virtual cast members for The Perfect Fit the Musical's upcoming live concert at New World Stages on November 15th at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Super excited. Have you heard any of the songs from The Perfect Fit before?

[7:03] Alexa Lasanta: Yes, because I got to watch the online concert. I mean, I couldn't see it when it was off Broadway, but I did watch the online concert. So yeah.

[7:11] Joshua Turchin: Did you have any favorite songs from the show?

[7:14] Alexa Lasanta: Obviously, it's the Tonies Are My Super Bowl because, well, you sang it, and also because that's how I would describe it to anybody who's like, well, a sports fan and who doesn't know theater because that happens a lot.

[7:28] Joshua Turchin: I don't know. That happens a lot. How do you feel about seeing live theater from New York City a thousand miles away from where you live?

[7:37] Alexa Lasanta: I think it's really cool because before, I mean, I wouldn't be able to watch as much New York theater as I would want to, because I would have to go to New York and I think it's a really cool concept that we get to do it online because I don't have to live in New York or go to New York to be able to see shows and stuff like that. I feel like this virtual platform really allows us to expand on more things and really allows us to think of new innovative ways to create live theater again.

[8:12] Joshua Turchin: Yeah. Well, I'm so so excited to have you a part of The Perfect Fit the Musical's virtual cast. Anyway, while you're here, what do you think about singing a song for us?

[8:23] Alexa Lasanta: Of course.

[8:25] Joshua Turchin: What would you like to sing?

[8:27] Alexa Lasanta: I'm going to be singing in the middle of a moment from James and the Giant Peach.

[8:32] Joshua Turchin: Well, I wish James and the Giant Peach would come to Broadway. And I can't wait to hear you sing the song. Here we go.

[8:48] ♪ Musical number: "In the Middle of a Moment" — performed by Alexa Lasanta ♪

[9:17] ♪ Musical number: "Stuck in the Middle of a Moment" — performed by Unknown performer ♪

[12:05] Joshua Turchin: My next guest toured the country as Matilda in the Broadway tour of well, Matilda. I'm so happy to welcome Sarah McKinley Austin to the Early Night Show. Hi Sarah!

[12:18] Sarah McKinley Austin: Hi Josh!

[12:19] Joshua Turchin: Hi, I'm so happy to have you back on the Early Night Show!

[12:23] Sarah McKinley Austin: I'm so happy to be here. Thank you so much for having me back.

[12:26] Joshua Turchin: Of course. How have you been doing now that school's resumed?

[12:31] Sarah McKinley Austin: I've been doing pretty well. I just actually went back to in-person school from doing online. I really feel like I need a teacher, and I just love seeing my friends, even though I have to wear a mask, but it's all worth it to really see my friends.

[12:46] Joshua Turchin: Definitely. Being stuck in quarantine has really, really made me miss human interaction in person.

[12:53] Sarah McKinley Austin: Oh my gosh, yes. What do you miss most about live theater?

[12:59] Sarah McKinley Austin: Live theater, what I miss most, I just love having an audience and interacting with my cast members and directors because they're such great people that I really miss having that interaction and being able to perform with them and being able to enjoy like what I do with the audience.

[13:19] Joshua Turchin: Yeah, I do too, but thankfully, through this new virtual environment, instead of just like a certain amount of people being limited to go into the theater, now we're able to literally include as many people through live streams and cool things like that.

[13:36] Sarah McKinley Austin: Yes, it's actually really great now, also because you really get to include more and discover what you can do virtually as well.

[13:44] Joshua Turchin: How have you been involved in the arts over the past few months?

[13:49] Sarah McKinley Austin: So, over the past few months of quarantine, I obviously haven't been going out much or doing anything with theater out. So I've been doing every week, I've been doing private lessons with my voice teacher and private lessons with my acting teacher and doing some dance Molinari dance classes and some master classes online with other Broadway performers, and it's just been a great experience.

[14:12] Joshua Turchin: I am so excited to sing Love's an Open Door with you. What made you select that song?

[14:18] Sarah McKinley Austin: So when I found out I would be coming back to the Early Night Show to do a duet with you, I got in contact with my voice teacher and my acting teacher. We went over some duet ideas, and we just thought Love's an Open Door would be a perfect idea. I love the song, I love the music in Frozen, and I just love the show, so I'm glad I get to do this with you.

[14:35] Joshua Turchin: Yeah, I'm so excited to sing with you. Disney, I absolutely love Disney and Frozen the Musical and Frozen the Movie have such memorable songs, and Love's an Open Door is definitely one of my favorites.

[14:47] Sarah McKinley Austin: Well, I'm ready whenever you are.

[14:50] Joshua Turchin: Alrighty, let's do it.

[14:55] Sarah McKinley Austin: Can I say something crazy?

[14:58] Joshua Turchin: I love crazy.

[15:01] Sarah McKinley Austin: All my life has been a series of doors in my face.

[15:05] Joshua Turchin: And then suddenly I bump into you.

[15:08] Sarah McKinley Austin: I was thinking the same thing, because like I've been searching my whole life to find my own place.

[15:15] Joshua Turchin: And maybe it's the party talking or the chocolate fondue, but I hear with you.

[15:22] Sarah McKinley Austin: I'm now I see your face.

[15:24] Joshua Turchin: And it's nothing like I've ever known before.

[15:28] Sarah McKinley Austin: Love's an open door.

[15:33] Joshua Turchin: Love's an open door.

[15:37] Sarah McKinley Austin: Love's an open door with you.

[15:37] Joshua Turchin: With you, with you.

[15:41] Sarah McKinley Austin: Love is an open door.

[15:51] Joshua Turchin: I mean, it's crazy.

[15:52] Sarah McKinley Austin: What?

[15:52] Joshua Turchin: We finish each other's sandwiches.

[15:54] Sarah McKinley Austin: That's what I was gonna say.

[15:56] Joshua Turchin: I've never met someone who thinks so much like me.

[16:00] Sarah McKinley Austin: Our mental sitting pronunciation can't have one explanation.

[16:05] Joshua Turchin: You and I were just meant to be.

[16:09] Sarah McKinley Austin: Say goodbye.

[16:10] Joshua Turchin: See goodbye to the thing of the past.

[16:14] Sarah McKinley Austin: We don't have to feel it anymore.

[16:17] Joshua Turchin: Love's an opening dawn.

[16:21] Sarah McKinley Austin: Love's an open day.

[16:26] Joshua Turchin: Life can be so much more with you.

[16:28] Sarah McKinley Austin: With you with you!

[16:30] Joshua Turchin: You love your open.

[16:35] Sarah McKinley Austin: Can you say something even crazier?

[16:38] Joshua Turchin: Do you want to be on the Early Night Show?

[16:40] Sarah McKinley Austin: Yes.

[16:46] Joshua Turchin: That was so much fun, Sarah. I think you would be a perfect Donna in the revival of Frozen one day. If you want to perform along with me, make sure to check out my TikTok at Joshua Turchin and look for my piano videos. Record what? Use the hashtag SingWithJosh, and you may get featured on the Early Night Show. Also, if you're a student whose show was canceled, please send us a link to a video of you singing to earlynightshowcasting@gmail.com, and you may get a chance to go on the show.

[17:14] Joshua Turchin: If you're enjoying these virtual bacabarets, please consider making a donation to the Actors Fund's emergency relief fund at www.actorsfund.org to support people working in the entertainment industry who have suddenly found themselves out of work. Any bit helps. You can also find the Early Night Show on the Broadway Podcast Network wherever podcasts are found and videos of our episodes online on theearlynightshow.com. Thanks again to my guests, Alexa Lasanta and Sarah McKinley Austin. And let's keep entertaining. Any artists who want to be virtual guests, send me a direct message on my Instagram at Joshua Turchin, and let's keep making music to help the world. Stay healthy, wear a mask, and vote!