This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Joshua Turchin: Hello and welcome back to the Early Night Show Virtual Edition or The Chrono Cabaret. My name's Joshua Turchin and thanks so much for being with us today. Courtney Reed from Broadway's Aladdin, Mamma Mia, In the Heights, Cambodian Rock Band, and the new album Swinging with the Mouse is here. Tyrah Skye Odoms from Broadway's Annie and the Broadway Tour of The Lion King is joining us, and Ava Ulloa from Broadway's Matilda is here. So please stick around. Welcome to the Early Night Show.

[0:31] Joshua Turchin: It has been quite a week. Fires are still burning, COVID is still spreading, and we have an election coming up. NASA astronaut Kate Rubens actually said she plans to cast her vote from the space station. So it appears her vote by mail ballot will touch down in the Atlantic Ocean sometime mid-October. I wonder if her local post office was like, okay, but we don't actually have a rocket to send you your mail and ballot. I mean, you've seen the trucks that they drive in. They don't even have doors. With all of the news around the election and COVID, there's been some really good news lately. We still have TikTok! Speaking of TikTok, I had my first TikTok video go viral since I joined a couple of months ago. It's now past 200,000 views and 40,000 likes. It's really funny to see what people actually like. I really try to keep my videos positive and funny and hope people just remember to always be kind.

[1:28] Joshua Turchin: My first guest knows quite a bit about kindness and positivity, as she's not only an incredible performer, but also a wonderful person. You may know Courtney Reed as Disney's Princess Jasmine in Aladdin on Broadway, or one of the many other shows she's been in. I first saw her in Aladdin on Broadway in 2014, when I was just seven years old. After the show, like many of you, I went to the stage store to get autographs. She and her castmates came out after and made sure to greet, talk to, and take pictures with everyone at the stage door. It was really inspiring to me to see how important it is as a performer to not only put on a great show, but to also show appreciation to your fans. And now you get to hear even more from her. As part of the new album, Swing with the Mouse. I'm so thrilled to welcome Courtney Reed to the Early Night Show. Hi, Courtney!

[2:17] Courtney Reed: Hi, darling.

[2:20] Joshua Turchin: Hi, I'm so happy to have you on the Early Night Show.

[2:23] Courtney Reed: I'm so happy to be here.

[2:25] Joshua Turchin: I actually saw you in Aladdin on Broadway in 2014. I think I was like seven, and it was the summer before I started to work professionally, and I just finished up playing Orphan number four in Aladdin Jr. I was in total awe of every aspect of the show.

[2:42] Courtney Reed: Oh, thank you. That's so sweet.

[2:44] Joshua Turchin: And I feel really old that you were seven.

[2:49] Courtney Reed: It feels like literally just yesterday I saw it, and you were so incredible.

[2:56] Joshua Turchin: Thank you so much.

[2:57] Courtney Reed: Oh, thank you. You're so sweet.

[3:00] Joshua Turchin: What was it like working in Aladdin?

[3:03] Courtney Reed: Oh, it was very magical. It was like riding a magic carpet every single day, and that being sort of the norm in your life. You know, I would wake up every morning and sort of pinch myself going, like, is this actually happening to me? Is this real life? It was really, really so unbelievably magical. Like the set, the lighting, and the magic, and of course you, James Bunger, Igol Hart, MJ Cubs, and Jonathan Freeman were just all so totally unbelievable.

[3:35] Joshua Turchin: I think what I remember like the most is how kind you were at the stage door. You took the time to talk to me, and that definitely inspired me and encouraged me. So I have always been a Disney and Broadway fan, and definitely combining the two in a show is just like the most perfect thing ever.

[3:53] Courtney Reed: Oh my gosh, that is so sweet. Thank you for saying that. And thank you for mentioning stage door moments is really special to me because, yeah, I mean, for so many reasons. But I'm so glad you had a memorable time, and I'm just honored.

[4:12] Joshua Turchin: That's so cool, and this show like everything about the show is really amazing.

[4:18] Courtney Reed: Thank you. I thought so too.

[4:20] Joshua Turchin: Were you involved in Aladdin before the Broadway run?

[4:26] Courtney Reed: I was. So I actually auditioned for the very first reading. A reading that didn't involve just a bunch of, you know, dudes around a table reading, you know, Jasmine's lines and everyone else. But yeah, so I was a part of the first reading with Adam Jacobs, Jonathan Freeman. We had a really amazing cast. It was a very internal Disney reading, and that was back in 2010. And then I continued on to do the first out-of-town tryout in Seattle in 2011, and then I was a part of so many workshops, and then obviously the pre-Broadway tryout in Toronto, and then Broadway. And actually, many other companies after that. It was like the London Company. I got to do five weeks on the national tour. So really, really just it was an incredible journey.

[5:19] Joshua Turchin: That's so cool. Was Aladdin like your gateway to Disney, or were you a Disney fan before?

[5:26] Courtney Reed: Oh, it was a huge Disney fan before. I watched Aladdin a million times, and you're way too young for this, but on VHS. I'm sure you probably don't even know what DVD is. It's like you all know is streaming. But for me, I used to watch it on VHS with my sister. I probably watched it several times a day. We were just obsessed. And we actually, this is funny. Growing up, we had a toy room in our basement that we called the Aladdin Room, and it was painted with like the genie and Abu, and we put all of our toys in there and we called it the Aladdin Room. So it's like pretty insane that I got to originate Jasmine on Broadway, and I grew up with like a whole toy room themed Aladdin style.

[6:06] Joshua Turchin: That's so cool. One thing I'm like really hoping with Disney is that they'll include an Aladdin ride. Because it's like sort of shocking that they've never done like a dark ride of Aladdin.

[6:18] Courtney Reed: I know. Why is that? It would be so—they actually just opened a carpet and like flying everywhere.

[6:24] Joshua Turchin: No, that's what I was thinking. Like, I know they have like a flying carpet ride, but I think Aladdin's one of the only Disney Renaissance movies that does not have a dark ride yet, because now Beauty and the Beast actually has a dark ride, which just opened.

[6:44] Courtney Reed: Really?

[6:45] Joshua Turchin: Yeah.

[6:46] Courtney Reed: Oh, I didn't think about that.

[6:47] Joshua Turchin: In Tokyo Disneyland, which is so cool.

[6:50] Courtney Reed: What? That's amazing. Now tell us about Swinging with the Mouse.

[6:55] Courtney Reed: I think it's such an amazing way to reimagine so many beloved songs. How long have you been involved with the project?

[7:03] Courtney Reed: So it's been a couple months now. I had the honor of being able to sing "I'll Make a Man Out of You" as a singer. I'm like, what are the lyrics? Which actually, I don't know if you've seen the new Mulan, but I really wanted that song to be in the newest, very newest version of Mulan. But unfortunately, there's really no singing in it. But who doesn't love like, you know, like a fight montage, you know? But yeah, I think it's a beautiful concept. I've been a part of it since we recorded it several months ago, and I really have high hopes for it. It's a brilliant idea, and I'm just honored to be a part of it.

[7:44] Joshua Turchin: What was the recording process like for it?

[7:48] Courtney Reed: Well, I will say that it was, you know, obviously during COVID. So everyone was being really safe. We were all in our separate booths, we wore masks and then took the masks off when we were in our booths. But it was pretty fast and furious. I have to say, maybe I did three takes, and there was a live band there, which was so amazing, which is not normal. You usually like sing to a track or something, and a lot of times if you're singing with another person, they're in a separate booth. But for me, it was so cool to be singing live with the band. And so I think that sets it above, you know, other songs and albums and similar genres. It's like we got to sing live with a band, it would be like you singing it, you know, live at a cabaret or something. So it's really special.

[8:39] Joshua Turchin: How much fun was it to sing "I'll Make a Man Out of You" on the album?

[8:44] Courtney Reed: So much fun. I've always enjoyed that song. And in fact, because Donny Osmond originally sang that song in the movie, you know, you never think that a woman could sing that song, but it's this really sort of, you know, sassy, jazzy version of it that I never thought it could be turned into like a really like, you know, jazzy female song. It's a very like woman in power song. It's really so great. I was just so excited to be a part of it. I absolutely love the movie Mulan, and I absolutely love your performance of the song.

[9:22] Courtney Reed: Thank you.

[9:27] Joshua Turchin: Well, oh gosh, Spotify, iTunes, anywhere that you can buy music or stream music. So for me, I listen to it on iTunes. But I have a lot of Spotify folks that, you know, don't do iTunes, so I will send them the Spotify album and they enjoy it. It's just so good. Is there a performance or listening party?

[9:51] Courtney Reed: So there's going to be an awesome sort of like preview on October 4th, where they're going to be singing live. I unfortunately am not in LA at the moment. I'm in Nashville, so I won't be able to sing it live for you guys, but they have a very special guest stepping in, and so it's gonna be really, really fun. So it's going to be October 4th at 5 p.m. Pacific and 8 p.m. Eastern. You can go to swingingmusic.com slash FYC.

[10:22] Joshua Turchin: In addition to being an incredible performer, I know that you're also a designer and entrepreneur with your company Gagged Chokers. Can you tell us more about the chokers?

[10:30] Courtney Reed: Yeah, of course. This is one of my side passions, and it really fulfills me. But it's called Gagged Chokers because it's, you know, this kind of fun sort of like slang word that we all use. We're like, oh my gosh, I'm so gagged. Like gagged is like, oh my gosh, I can't believe it's like you're speechless, you know. So we're like, I'm gagged by gagged. And so it started off several years ago because chokers were back in fashion, and I started making them, and all of my followers were like, we need to buy these from you. We need to buy them. And so I came out with collections online, and we even had, you know, one of our most famous, which was picked up by People Style, People Style Watch, Teen Vogue, and more, and Cosmopolitan, like so many.

They came, we came out with a collection called the Princess Collection, and you know, Laura Osnes modeled them, Sierra Boggess. We had, you know, obviously me modeling the Jasmine-inspired choker, and a bunch of other princesses. We had Ashley Park, Taylor Louderman, Stephanie Styles. We had all of these amazing, you know, Broadway divas modeling these chokers, and that did so well. But one of my favorite parts is that it really brought a lot of these young females together, and they would compare like which chokers they had, and it would start conversations, and it was a girl gang of sorts, and they would sort of lift each other up, and I think that was the most rewarding part that came out of this company.

[12:14] Joshua Turchin: Where can our listeners and viewers go to shop the chokers?

[12:18] Courtney Reed: Oh, gaggedchokers.com. It's like so easy. I know you have to run, so I'm going to share a taste of the new album with them. And to all of you listening and watching, make sure to download the album. And again go to swingingmusic.com slash FYC on October 4th at 5 p.m. Pacific and 8 p.m. Eastern. Thank you so much for joining us, Courtney. I really hope to have you back again, and maybe we can even do it next time.

[12:44] Courtney Reed: That would be awesome.

[12:46] Joshua Turchin: Hey, thank you.

[12:48] Courtney Reed: Thanks for having me.

[12:50] Joshua Turchin: Bye.

[12:52] Courtney Reed: Bye.

[13:04] ♪ Musical number: "I'll Make a Man Out of You" — performed by Courtney Reed ♪

[13:46] ♪ Musical number ♪

[14:06] Joshua Turchin: That was absolutely wonderful.

[15:48] Joshua Turchin: And I can't wait to check out the whole album. You can download Swinging with the Mouse anywhere you purchase your digital music. I love how they reimagined the classic Disney songbook. My next guesting Disney Songs eight shows a week when she toured the country as young Nala in The Lion King. I'm so happy to welcome Tyrah Skye Odoms back to the Early Night Show. Hi Tyrah!

[16:12] Tyrah Skye Odoms: Hi!

[16:13] Joshua Turchin: Hi, I'm so happy to have you back on the Early Night Show.

[16:16] Tyrah Skye Odoms: Happy to be here again.

[16:18] Joshua Turchin: How have you been doing now that you're back in school?

[16:21] Tyrah Skye Odoms: It's been pretty great. Uh my mom virtual, so I don't have to leave my house to get out of my pajamas or anything. It's been pretty fun.

[16:30] Joshua Turchin: Have you been able to be a part of any after-school activities?

[16:33] Tyrah Skye Odoms: Yes, I'm doing cheerleading. I just made the team, and we're not allowed to go to away games or do uh stunting since it's too much contact, but I am enjoying still being able to have a season in general.

[16:46] Joshua Turchin: How have your activities changed compared with those pre-pandemic?

[16:51] Tyrah Skye Odoms: Well, we have to do check-ins, we have to check our temperatures uh every time we get there, and we have to fill out a little thing before each practice just so they can make sure that we're safe and that we don't have any symptoms. But other than that, we've still been having a good time wearing masks, social distancing.

[17:05] Joshua Turchin: Yeah. That sounds so cool. I know that you are actually an ambassador for Book Smiles. Can you tell us a little more about it and how our listeners and viewers can get involved?

[17:16] Tyrah Skye Odoms: Yeah, so Book Smiles is a nonprofit organization which collects books from just people in the area, and they get donated out to lower income schools so that every kid can have access to like a wide variety of books. And we're actually working on making a video that's more informative about how people can get involved. So just stay tuned on my page for that.

[17:40] Joshua Turchin: I will. That is so cool. And thank you for what you're doing for children everywhere.

[17:45] Tyrah Skye Odoms: Of course.

[17:47] Joshua Turchin: I know that you've been on Broadway in Annie and the Broadway National Tour of The Lion King. Do you have any other Broadway dream roles?

[17:54] Tyrah Skye Odoms: I would love to be one of the Skylar sisters. I'm not sure if Hamilton will still be around when I'm older, but uh hopefully, and I would love to play any of them. I love them all.

[18:04] Joshua Turchin: Yeah, I love Hamilton so much. I've been watching it on repeat on Disney Plus.

[18:09] Tyrah Skye Odoms: Yep.

[18:11] Joshua Turchin: One of my favorite songs is A Whole New World from Aladdin. What do you think about singing it with me?

[18:16] Tyrah Skye Odoms: Yeah, I love that movie.

[18:18] Joshua Turchin: I do too. I grew up with the movie and Alan's music, and every time I hear this song, I cry. It's one of the most beautiful songs.

[18:26] Tyrah Skye Odoms: It is.

[18:47] Joshua Turchin: Tell me, Princess. Now, when did you last let your heart decide?

[18:55] Tyrah Skye Odoms: I can open your eyes.

[19:00] Joshua Turchin: Take you wonder by wonder over sideways and under on a magic carpet ride.

[19:11] Tyrah Skye Odoms: A whole new world, a new fantastic point of view.

[19:19] Joshua Turchin: No one to tell us now or where to go, or say we're only dreaming.

[19:27] Tyrah Skye Odoms: A whole new world, a dazzling place I never knew, but when I'm way up here, it's crystal clear that now I'm in a whole new world with you.

[19:27] Joshua Turchin: Now I'm in a whole new world with unbelievable.

[19:52] Tyrah Skye Odoms: Indescribable feeling soaring tumbling three willing through an endless diamond sky.

[20:02] Joshua Turchin: A whole new show.

[20:06] Tyrah Skye Odoms: A hundred thousand things to see.

[20:10] Joshua Turchin: I'm like a shooting star.

[20:13] Tyrah Skye Odoms: I've come so far.

[20:15] Joshua Turchin: I can't go back to where I was to be.

[20:19] Tyrah Skye Odoms: Every time every moment red letter, I'll chase them anywhere.

[20:28] Joshua Turchin: There's time to spare.

[20:31] Tyrah Skye Odoms: Let me share this whole new world with you.

[20:37] Joshua Turchin: A whole new world.

[20:41] Tyrah Skye Odoms: That's where we'll be.

[20:43] Joshua Turchin: That's where you'll be a thrilling chase.

[20:50] Tyrah Skye Odoms: For you and that was a wonderful time, and so much fun to sing with you.

[21:06] Joshua Turchin: My final guest is not only a Disney fan, she's actually played a few Disney princesses in different pilot productions of shows, including Jasmine in Aladdin. Of course, she was also Matilda on Broadway, which isn't Disney, but it's kind of like Brave Royalty playing Matilda. I'm so happy to welcome back Ava Ulloa to the Early Night Show. Hi, Ava!

[21:26] Ava Ulloa: Hi, Joshua!

[21:27] Joshua Turchin: Hi, I'm so happy to have you back on the Early Night Show.

[21:32] Ava Ulloa: I'm so glad to be here.

[21:34] Joshua Turchin: How has online school been going?

[21:37] Ava Ulloa: It's been going pretty good. I'm very busy, but I actually like all of my teachers, so I'm happy.

[21:42] Joshua Turchin: How are you guys doing with the fires in California?

[21:46] Ava Ulloa: Uh, we haven't really been that affected, thankfully, but I know that there's a lot of devastation uh to the communities in Northern California, and I'm just hoping that they get some relief soon.

[21:58] Joshua Turchin: I know that things are slowly starting to reopen. As a Disney fan, I cannot wait until it's safe enough for Disneyland to reopen. What are you most excited about to do in the park when it's safe?

[22:10] Ava Ulloa: I think I'm just excited to be in the atmosphere of the park. Like, I just I love being there. It's such a it's such a happy time when I'm there.

[22:17] Joshua Turchin: So just going is great.

[22:19] Ava Ulloa: Yeah, Disneyland really just makes me happy. I grew up watching a bunch of Disneyland videos, and when I finally got to go for the first time in 2017, it was a dream come true.

[22:32] Joshua Turchin: Do you have a favorite Disney character?

[22:36] Ava Ulloa: Uh, I have a lot of favorite Disney characters. I actually have a favorite Disney princess, which is Jasmine.

[22:44] Joshua Turchin: I love her.

[22:46] Ava Ulloa: I also love Aladdin, and Jasmine is an incredible princess. Do you have a favorite song to sing from Aladdin?

[22:53] Joshua Turchin: And why is it so special to you?

[22:56] Ava Ulloa: Um, I like all of the songs from Aladdin, but I think one in particular that's really just my favorite is A Whole New World. And actually, fun fact is that A Whole New World was my audition song for Matilda. The first show that I ever was in was Aladdin Jr. It was so much fun, and although I was too young for the main roles, I tried to be the best orphan number four that I could be.

[23:19] Joshua Turchin: What about singing a song from either the Aladdin Broadway show or the movie Aladdin with me?

[23:25] Ava Ulloa: I thought you'd never ask. Um I'm going to be singing Speechless from the Aladdin movie, and I'm really excited to be singing it because it's so empowering and it encourages um young women to use their voice and empower themselves.

[23:42] Joshua Turchin: Yeah, I'm so so excited to hear you sing the song. Here we go.

[24:02] ♪ Musical number: "Speechless" — performed by Ava Ulloa ♪