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[0:00] Robert Bannon: Well, hello everybody. Welcome to the red carpet for the Heart of Rock and Roll. I am here for the Broadway Podcast Network of The Roundtable. I'm so excited to be a part of tonight. Growing up in the 1980s from New Jersey, do you know how many Huey Lewis songs we have sung in diners and movie theaters across the tri-state area? And now it's here, the James Earl Jones Theater, and we are so excited for the red carpet. We have the stars, we have the cast, we have Huey Lewis himself, all here on Broadway. Listen to us on the Broadway Podcast Network and check us out. All the excitement on the red carpet coming to you live right now at the Heart of Rock and Roll.

[0:01] Huey Lewis: The heart of rock and roll is still beating.

[0:40] Robert Bannon: Happy opening night.

[0:45] Huey Lewis: Thank you.

[0:46] Robert Bannon: Ten years.

[0:47] Huey Lewis: Yeah.

[0:48] Robert Bannon: It's been a schlep.

[0:49] Huey Lewis: It's been a schlep, but we're so excited for you. Happy opening.

[0:52] Robert Bannon: We've been singing "Stuck with You" since you wrote it. We are such fans.

[0:55] Huey Lewis: Oh, have you seen the show yet?

[0:56] Robert Bannon: I sure have.

[0:57] Huey Lewis: Oh, so you see. They are dancing and singing. "Stuck with You" is pretty cool, right?

[1:01] Robert Bannon: Beautiful, beautiful number. Congratulations.

[1:03] Huey Lewis: Thanks.

[1:04] Robert Bannon: Late night legend, Jimmy Kimmel.

[1:08] Jimmy Kimmell: Do you know I'm from East?

[1:10] Robert Bannon: My family's from East Gilleku today.

[1:11] Jimmy Kimmell: They are?

[1:12] Robert Bannon: So I've been meeting so many people from this tiny island.

[1:15] Jimmy Kimmell: What's their last name?

[1:16] Robert Bannon: Demeglio.

[1:17] Jimmy Kimmell: We could be coming out. I met a guy named Mark Icano on the street today, who's a pizza chef whose family's from East.

[1:24] Robert Bannon: And do people just say it to you now because your family knows that you're from the East Coast?

[1:27] Jimmy Kimmell: No, nobody really knows. Just you and the pizza guy.

[1:31] Robert Bannon: Well, my grandmother, Vincenzo Di Meglio, is out there right now. So excited. He's in the house. Grandpa Vincenzo.

[1:36] Jimmy Kimmell: You know, the thing is there are only like six male first names in Italy.

[1:42] Robert Bannon: Vincenzo is one of them.

[1:44] Jimmy Kimmell: Uh, Sal is another one of them.

[1:46] Robert Bannon: You know, Tony is another one of them.

[1:49] Jimmy Kimmell: And they really like, there's not a lot of creativity when it comes to food.

[1:53] Robert Bannon: First names, it's like, you'll be another Tony.

[1:55] Jimmy Kimmell: We're all Anthony's. That's it.

[1:56] Robert Bannon: But I'm Robert, you're Jimmy, and here we are.

[1:58] Jimmy Kimmell: Yeah, I know here we are. It's an honor to meet you. We love you. We love the show. Thank you for the art you do.

[2:03] Robert Bannon: Who's this "we" you're talking about?

[2:04] Jimmy Kimmell: You and your grandfather?

[2:05] Jimmy Kimmell: Just me and the voices in my head.

[2:09] Robert Bannon: Good to see you. Thanks so much, Mr. Kimmel.

[2:11] Casey Cott: Casey Cott is here. Moulin Rouge and Broadway and Riverdale and your brother.

[2:16] Robert Bannon: And most importantly, Corey. We're so excited to be here tonight.

[2:21] Casey Cott: Yeah, it's gonna be incredible. Do you ever, does your family realize like you both are so talented on Broadway here? What is it like? Is it like a family get-together? Do you all sing songs and play guitar?

[2:31] Casey Cott: We do the opposite of that. We, uh, I don't know, we drink Diet Cokes and eat cake, I guess. But, um, you know, Corey and I are doing a little thing at the Tonys this year, and we did have a moment recently where we were like, man, we got to be on Broadway the same year. We're going to the Tonys together. Like, he's opening this fourth Broadway show. Just take a moment in to like really celebrate that, and we're just so thankful to be here, but I'm just so excited to see him crush it tonight, man.

[2:58] Robert Bannon: He is gonna crush it. Tonight, a party on Broadway. When you go out and about, if there's a karaoke machine, do you have a go-to song? Is there a Cott song? Is there a duet?

[3:04] Casey Cott: Corey and I have never done karaoke together, but during the Riverdale years, we had a couple karaoke nights. I was in "New York State of Mind," Billy Joel kind of guy. But now I might have to go with Corey to see him do some Huey Lewis, you know. I guess we're gonna get that tonight, so maybe we need something else, but I like that.

[3:23] Robert Bannon: Never have too much Huey. That's a good thing.

[3:25] Casey Cott: You absolutely can't.

[3:26] Robert Bannon: Thank you so much. Pleasure. Enjoy, good to see you.

[3:29] Robert Bannon: Mr. Vereen, Ben Vereen!

[3:32] Ben Vereen: You're yours, it is an honor to meet you.

[3:34] Robert Bannon: Thank you. When I think of the 80s and I think of this music, I think of Zoobly Zoo.

[3:34] Ben Vereen: Zoobly Zoo.

[3:41] Robert Bannon: Magic and wonders away before you. That is my childhood. I grew up with that. Thank you. What does it mean to be here to see another opening? You've seen a few openings in your day here on Broadway.

[3:51] Ben Vereen: I keep them coming. Keep them coming. You know. And you people come out to support us. We're here for you. To be here for us. And thank you for all the years and all the joy you've given us. We appreciate it.

[4:04] Robert Bannon: Thank you for the arts and thank you for doing this and getting the word out. It's important.

[4:08] Ben Vereen: Thank you so much, Mr. Bannon. Thank you, enjoy. Pleasure.

[4:11] Robert Bannon: Jackie Hoffman, how are you?

[4:13] Jackie Hoffman: I am good, thank you. It's so good. I've been loving "Only Murders in the Building." What is it like to be here another opening night on Broadway?

[4:22] Jackie Hoffman: Um, as a spectator? Yes. It's still very exciting.

[4:25] Robert Bannon: You are really good in "Feud." You're good in everything, but I mean, can we talk about "Feud"?

[4:29] Jackie Hoffman: Can we talk about "Feud"? Well, they're the swans now.

[4:35] Robert Bannon: Now I know. Did you watch?

[4:37] Jackie Hoffman: Oh yes.

[4:38] Robert Bannon: Fuck yeah. Can you say fuck all the time?

[4:40] Jackie Hoffman: Oh, you could say fuck all you want. Fuck yeah.

[4:42] Robert Bannon: Me too. Ryan Murphy does some of the best work on TV.

[4:45] Jackie Hoffman: Yes, he does. And so do you.

[4:47] Robert Bannon: Visually.

[4:47] Jackie Hoffman: Oh, you're so kind. Thank you. Have you ever sung karaoke? We've been asking people.

[4:50] Jackie Hoffman: Oh god, I loathe karaoke.

[4:54] Robert Bannon: I hear you. But I did because I love Kerry Butler so much. I think I did a karaoke night for them and sang that "Don't Stop Believin'."

[5:06] Jackie Hoffman: Yeah.

[5:07] Robert Bannon: That is it. Well, you're the best. It's so good to see you.

[5:10] Jackie Hoffman: He didn't write that.

[5:11] Robert Bannon: We have to.

[5:11] Jackie Hoffman: No, no, you we'll sing Huey next time.

[5:14] Robert Bannon: Nice to meet you.

[5:15] Jackie Hoffman: We did just as good.

[5:16] Robert Bannon: That's right. Thank you so much.

[5:20] Robert Bannon: Tonight, his name is Louie Hewitts.

[5:24] Jackie Hoffman: Gloey Ewis is my done. Books! That's my new band name.

[5:30] Robert Bannon: Hi, Gordon.

[5:31] Gordon Greenberg: How are you?

[5:33] Robert Bannon: Gordon Greenberg, the director of the show here, The Heart of Rock and Roll. Nice to see you in person.

[5:38] Gordon Greenberg: Nice to see you in person. Thank you for being here.

[5:41] Robert Bannon: I'm semi-realistic.

[5:42] Gordon Greenberg: You're not going to be able to do that.

[5:45] Robert Bannon: How's it been to get this on its stage now that it's in its place, now that you're not in a rehearsal space anymore, like when we smoke, you are on the stage and opening on Broadway?

[5:53] Gordon Greenberg: This has just been a dream. The entire cast, the company, the stage crew, the designers, everyone is so full of heart and happiness and kindness. And it's like I was saying it's like being back at camp. I feel like we're all just putting on a show in a barn because everyone loves it, and we know that this show is all about delivering joy. So everything had perspective in it. And I feel like everyone's operating at the top of their craft, the top of their intelligence, and most importantly, the top of their humanity.

[6:24] Robert Bannon: And that's what the season, we want to have some fun.

[6:27] Gordon Greenberg: Yeah. We need to have some fun. This is a show about fun for sure. I mean, the audience is regularly up out of their seats by the end, and they all leave kind of dancing out of the building like a foot off the floor. It's amazing.

[6:39] Robert Bannon: Well, you do a lot of work besides directing. You do a lot of teaching and the next generation and all of these things. You get to see a lot of Broadway debuts in this show. What's it like to be a director and see someone make their debut on stage on Broadway?

[6:50] Gordon Greenberg: I'm so proud. I don't think anyone would know the difference between the people that are making their debut and the others, because they're all so very talented and so ready for it. But it does give me great joy because it, you know, I think everyone deserves the shot and the platform that they get here in this show, which is a delivery system for fizz, joy, ebullience, and happiness.

[7:13] Robert Bannon: Come on. You know, I've been asking people their karaoke song, but I know Gordon, you are not you are a smart guy. You're not having a margarita and singing karaoke.

[7:22] Gordon Greenberg: Oh my gosh, total eclipse of the heart. I totally am.

[7:24] Robert Bannon: Come on. Or Wheels of a Dream.

[7:26] Gordon Greenberg: Oh, oh, you know, that's why you're my kind of people.

[7:32] Robert Bannon: Congratulations, break legs, happy opening. All the best.

[7:35] Lauren Latarro: I am Lauren Latarro, the choreographer.

[7:37] Robert Bannon: Lauren, you've the busiest woman on Broadway this season.

[7:40] Lauren Latarro: It's a thrill.

[7:42] Robert Bannon: I love your work. I can't dance a lick. Would you would you mind?

[7:46] Lauren Latarro: Sorry, right. Thank you. I love your work. I've been asking the ensemble about what they did to make sure that they got these dance moves down. And they said it's been a journey. So for you, how does it feel when you see them up there being able to do this?

[8:00] Lauren Latarro: They're the best dancers in New York City. I mean, they're incredible. I want to show them off. Absolutely. And creatively and this creative team. How's it been work to work with Gordon and Huey and everybody that's a part of this show?

[8:10] Lauren Latarro: We've had so much fun. We've had a lot, a lot of laughs in the rehearsal studio. I love your outfit, by the way. Not the deepest question, but this eyeshadow and this come on now, 80s. So when you when you are an 80s moment, do you have a go-to sing-along 80s song?

[8:25] Lauren Latarro: I am a child of the 80s. So like, you know, yeah, I mean I know them all. You know, but I would say Pat Benatar was a big favorite, Huey, um, Blondie.

[8:34] Robert Bannon: Same. Come on. Look, I'm from born in 1983 in Jersey, so I get it. I get the whole thing.

[8:39] Lauren Latarro: Jersey.

[8:39] Robert Bannon: Come on, Jersey. Congratulations, break legs, happy opening.

[8:44] Josh Breckenridge: Sure. I'm Josh Breckenridge. I play Wyatt.

[8:46] Robert Bannon: Josh, how exciting. Are you excited? You're excited. People listening, he has blue eyelashes.

[8:53] Josh Breckenridge: Blue eyelashes. Where am I looking, by the way? Here? Oh, hi.

[8:56] Robert Bannon: Right here. Well, you have done "Come From Away," "Scottsboro," "The Ritz." You have an album out.

[9:02] Josh Breckenridge: Yes.

[9:02] Robert Bannon: Monotony. Out wherever you listen to music. So what's, yes, stream it wherever you listen to? What's it like to open an original show on Broadway? A fun show in this time.

[9:10] Josh Breckenridge: Oh, it's wonderful. I'm blessed that we get to share this joy machine with the city, hopefully the world eventually. It's great on Cloud Nine, and it's a feel-good musical, you know. This season is it needs it. There's a lot of heavy hitters on this. Great, beautiful shows, but this has a place in the Broadway canon of shows as well. Just something that's lighthearted, escapism is the word.

[9:35] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. Out of all the shows we've covered, my father is like, I need to go with you to see The Heart of Rock and Roll.

[9:40] Josh Breckenridge: Oh, yeah. Because it brings us back to a place in time.

[9:42] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. So for you, if you're you really sing though, so this is not a fair question. What is it? If you were a karaoke, what what would what gets you up on stage?

[9:51] Josh Breckenridge: Oh my god. He has his own songs, y'all.

[9:58] Robert Bannon: I know, right? I don't, there's so many. I keep saying, keep bringing it back to Whitney Houston. I do love "How Will I Know."

[10:03] Josh Breckenridge: Yes.

[10:04] Robert Bannon: Um, I do love some, uh, let's see. Oh my god, what's uh, "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"?

[10:13] Josh Breckenridge: George Michael.

[10:14] Robert Bannon: Yes. Yes, come on, that's it. I'm ready for all of that. We're ready for this show, we're ready for you to be up on stage. Break legs, happy opening night.

[10:23] Josh Breckenridge: Thank you, thank you.

[10:24] Zoe Jensen: All right, Zoe Jensen.

[10:27] Robert Bannon: Welcome back to Broadway.

[10:28] Zoe Jensen: Thank you. I mean six, "Dear Evan Hansen," "Hamilton," all that fun. But those shows are fun. But this show is fun.

[10:35] Robert Bannon: This show is another level of silly and another level of fun. Is it fun to be a campy, fun, silly, good old time up there eight shows a week?

[10:43] Zoe Jensen: It absolutely is. It is just like so fun. I feel like we're all just like hanging out on stage, just like putting on this show, and there happens to be an audience that's watching us just have fun.

[10:52] Robert Bannon: What's it like when you get to Curtain Call and you see people leap like dancing, singing, silly good time?

[10:58] Zoe Jensen: Well, you know, I will say this is a different situation for me. You know, I came from "Six," a show that's automatically I go in knowing that people are gonna love. We've gone into this new work being like, what are people gonna think? So to see people leap to their feet, I have felt an immense amount of gratitude that I've never felt before. Because it's like, wow, thank you so much for seeing the work that we've been putting in and for receiving it.

[11:20] Robert Bannon: Oh yeah, and you all are dancing fools up there, so that's a lot of work, everybody. So if do you have like a go-to pop karaoke moment song? It doesn't have to be an 80s or Huey song.

[11:28] Zoe Jensen: Well, I am Filipino, so of course I've got a list, I've got a book of karaoke songs. My go-to karaoke song is "Believe" by Cher. But if I had to, which I know is so silly, imagine five-year-old me singing that. Um, I get it. And then if there's like a new pop song or pop star, I'm a big Ariana Grande fan. Anything Ari, I sing.

[11:50] Robert Bannon: I think you gotta be able to sing Ariana Grande, and we know you can sing up and down. So we're ready. I'll take you to karaoke any night.

[11:58] Zoe Jensen: Let's go.

[11:58] Robert Bannon: Happy opening, break all the legs. So nice to meet you.

[12:00] F. Michael Haynie: My name is F. Michael Haynie, and I play Glenn in the show.

[12:05] Tamika Lawrence: And you look so damn good.

[12:07] Huey Lewis: Thank you so much.

[12:08] Tamika Lawrence: I love this album. If you're listening to us on the Broadway Podcast Network, you need to Google the red carpet photos right now.

[12:14] Huey Lewis: I appreciate that a lot. I think it's a time where we all get to act up and then we all have to go put on costumes that are a little bit us, but also a lot, not us.

[12:22] Tamika Lawrence: Right.

[12:22] Huey Lewis: So we get to all kind of act out a little bit and be closer to the people that we are when we walk in and out of the theater and share that with the people who get to see the show and get to be a part of the show. And it also feels so special to get to share this because I've been saying that like Broadway is like community theater and this is part of the community. Getting to stand out here on the street with horns and cops and strangers and they think we're all much more famous than we are.

[12:45] Tamika Lawrence: That's not true.

[12:46] Huey Lewis: They're very famous. But yeah, this is the coolest part because we get to see the faces of the people that we hear interviews when our friends are in shows, and like it's amazing to get to share this and knowing that in ten hours or whenever they finally seat everybody for the show, that we get to do it on a home field court. You know what I mean? Like home field court, that can't be it. But like we get to do a home game today.

[13:07] Tamika Lawrence: Yes.

[13:07] Huey Lewis: That it's friends, it's family, it's human beings that just want to be here and celebrate this. And then we will do it for more of those people every single day as long as they'll let us. I will we love it, and I'm here for it, and I'm excited for it. Thank you. So what has it been like to work with this cast to be up there on stage with this group of people?

[13:24] Tamika Lawrence: So you know when you're in like high school and then everyone sees the shows and they go like, oh, you look like you're having fun up there, and it's an insult, you know what I mean?

[13:30] Huey Lewis: Yes.

[13:31] Tamika Lawrence: When anyone says that at the stage door, they always say, no, no, no, but like in a good way. And I go, oh, I know. Because I literally have fun every day. I literally laugh every day. I play video games with the loop downstairs. We have little hijinks and pranks, but not like show disrupting pranks, we're very professional. But you know, our stage manager Justin is one of the kindest, most amazing human beings, and has a group of stage managers who have a safe, happy, fun environment. Everybody that works on the show every night, dressers, everyone that runs like all automation, everything. Like the whole team that we put together is kind, happy human beings. And every time we've had one of our swings go on in the previews, everyone is like trying to find a time to watch.

Time to cheer. And so I think that like finding a group of people who you get to come to work with, and even though it is work and it's hard and our bodies hurt, and my ankles are gonna kill me for wearing these shoes. But I go for all of us, the hurt the next day feels good because I know that like if my voice is raw on my day off, I go, good. I sang, I sang what I wanted to sing with my friends, and then on days that I'm not feeling it, I can get lifted up by my friends, and I know I can lift them up. And we support each other so much that I don't know if I've loved working with a cast on whole as much as I have with this, and I don't know how we got here. I don't know how we landed on these human beings, like you know, the Plinko of life that it landed here, but this cast is so special from our Bobby and our Cassandra all the way to our incredible offstage talent.

Like they are all doing like Hercules level work, and I am so fortunate to get to be one of 11 principals in a show of like 27 people, I think. And I really do legitimately love each and every one of them.

[15:17] Tamika Lawrence: Well, we love it. We're here for it. If I if it was after the show and we were at a karaoke bar, do you have a song that you belt out?

[15:23] Huey Lewis: See, here's the bad thing. I was a karaoke host for years.

[15:26] Tamika Lawrence: You are not, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[15:27] Huey Lewis: So I couldn't sing any of the good songs because I would get in trouble. So I had to sing things that made people feel comfortable and go, oh, I love that song, but never, oh, that was my song, because people get mad. So, like, I would do something like story of a girl.

[15:40] Tamika Lawrence: Okay, you know the song?

[15:41] Huey Lewis: Yes, I yeah.

[15:42] Tamika Lawrence: Then you go any time you can start with a this is a story of a girl, exactly. Like, do that because it makes people go, like, oh. But I'd never pick it.

[15:49] Huey Lewis: You'd never pick it, but then you might the next time you go out.

[15:53] Tamika Lawrence: Yeah.

[15:53] Huey Lewis: Okay. See? Now you know from the karaoke host.

[15:56] Tamika Lawrence: Yeah.

[15:57] Huey Lewis: You've done.

[15:58] Tamika Lawrence: Yeah, I was ready to sing Olaf because I that was my karaoke.

[16:01] Huey Lewis: Summer.

[16:03] Tamika Lawrence: Do it.

[16:04] Huey Lewis: Do it. Someone right after I left Wicked, I was hosting karaoke, and someone came in and sang Defying Gravity. And I think it was a really humbling moment of going, I heard some of the best singers in the world sing it for 312 performances in a row. And then I heard drunk person on 19th between Park and Irving do their best.

[16:22] Tamika Lawrence: And there's art in that too.

[16:25] Huey Lewis: There is art. Happy opening, break all the legs, enjoy.

[16:28] Tamika Lawrence: Nice to my name is Tamika Lawrence.

[16:31] Tamika Lawrence: You sing your freaking face off.

[16:35] Huey Lewis: Oh thank you. Grammy Awards and all to seek for it. What is it to be a part of this show? What has it been like to be up on the stage eight shows a week?

[16:43] Tamika Lawrence: It's fun. Yeah, it's it's it's deeper than it's fun, and it's um it's been restorative to be with a bunch of people who are not only funny but like kind people. It's been awesome.

[16:54] Huey Lewis: And you all can sing and dance.

[16:57] Tamika Lawrence: They uh pe everybody is working and acting because the show has you know deeper meaning, so it's it's been awesome.

[17:03] Huey Lewis: Absolutely. Caroliner Change, if then, beautiful, mean girls. This the litany goes on of the great shows that you've been a part of. When you got to be in this room with this creative team, what can you say about Yui Lewis and Gordon and the whole team that's been a part of this?

[17:16] Tamika Lawrence: They are knowledgeable, they're a professional, they're um at the top of their game and they're kind. They're they're um very generous with how they let us explore and find characters and also set um parameters so that we all are doing the same play. They're so smart, and I'm so honored to be with them.

[17:35] Huey Lewis: Oh, we're gonna have you're gonna have it's such it's a it's a great show, and people need to get down here and see the show. If we were if it was after the show and you wandered into a little bar or a little moment, and there was a karaoke machine, do you have a go-to number?

[17:47] Tamika Lawrence: Yeah, Barracuda. That's my heart.

[17:51] Huey Lewis: Yeah, love.

[17:51] Tamika Lawrence: You probably burn that place down.

[17:54] Huey Lewis: Depending on the day, but that's my favorite song. It is such an honor to talk to you. I am such a fan of your art and artistry. So congrats, break legs, have a wonderful run.

[18:03] Tamika Lawrence: Thank you. I'm John Michael, and I play Eli.

[18:06] Huey Lewis: We know John Michael, everybody. I'm gonna ask him his go-to karaoke song.

[18:10] John Michael- Lyles: You know what my go-to karaoke song is? How many minutes are the Come on?

[18:15] Huey Lewis: Yeah, fuck. I'm ready. How are you feeling? How's it feel? You did a show in the West Coast, you've done the Broadway shows, and now you're back here in New York City opening and on Broadway, baby.

[18:24] John Michael- Lyles: It feels amazing. I'm happy to be here. It feels great. My family's here, and I'm just glad that I can make them proud.

[18:30] Huey Lewis: Now I heard this show, y'all are dancing. It's not just singing.

[18:33] John Michael- Lyles: Yeah. Well, I'm mostly playing the drums.

[18:36] Huey Lewis: Okay, they're whacking. I'm holding that beat down. And I'm grateful for it. How was that for you? Did you have to learn?

[18:41] John Michael- Lyles: Honestly, I didn't know that I could play drums. I knew one beat, and I was like, y'all, I got this one beat. But luckily that beat will take you far.

[18:49] Huey Lewis: That's all you need.

[18:50] John Michael- Lyles: That's all you need. That get out of here. Yeah, I mean, you know, there's some extra stuff, but that foundation was luckily already there. What's it like to work with this cast and creative team?

[18:56] John Michael- Lyles: It's a show about joy, joy, personify.

[19:00] Huey Lewis: Yeah, well, just like every day in rehearsal, watching the bar go higher and higher, just seeing everyone just slay every time and just like outdo themselves day after day. It just like inspired me to want to do better and really show up for everyone in a cool way.

[19:15] Huey Lewis: Yeah. Oh my goodness, I'm excited. He's so beautiful. He's a beautiful performer.

[19:20] John Michael- Lyles: Thank you. If I we're karaoke go-to songs, do you have a song? I wanna know, we love it.

[19:25] Huey Lewis: Oh, but the original or the Mariah?

[19:28] John Michael- Lyles: Oh, I mean, I just asked for the original. I don't think I could sing in the Mariah.

[19:33] Huey Lewis: No shade.

[19:34] John Michael- Lyles: I don't know if Mariah could sing it in the Mariah Key. But she's a goddess. And that song is a Bob.

[19:39] Huey Lewis: You're a Bob.

[19:40] John Michael- Lyles: Thank you. Congrats. Break all the legs.

[19:41] Huey Lewis: Happy opening things. I'm Orville Mendoza and I play Fjord in the heart of rock and roll.

[19:46] Tamika Lawrence: How excited are you about this opening night here?

[19:49] Orville Mendoza: Super excited. This has been an amazing journey for me. Like I've been involved in the first table read, and from there to how what the show has become is just amazing.

[19:58] Tamika Lawrence: Well, we've known you from like Peter and the Star Catcher and Pacific Overture, and you just swept away. This is not like that. This is a good time.

[20:05] Orville Mendoza: This is a great time. And you know, Broadway is for everyone. You can have serious stuff and you can just have crazy ridiculous things. And this is crazy ridiculous in the best possible way.

[20:18] Tamika Lawrence: Absolutely. So what is it like to work with this casting creative team up on stage eight shows a week?

[20:23] Orville Mendoza: We're like a family, you know. We have all developed a rhythm, and you know, we've gotten to really know each other. So, like any little raised eyebrow or any little wing can sometimes like you know make us laugh or whatever, but they're so amazing and incredible, and it's been a joy.

[20:40] Tamika Lawrence: Yes. Alright, so if we went out after the show and it was a karaoke bar, do you have a song? Are you do you have a song you could belt out?

[20:44] Orville Mendoza: Oh my god. Um I oh it's okay. It's a hard question.

[20:58] Tamika Lawrence: I understand.

[20:59] Orville Mendoza: Um maybe we have to wait for the mood to strike.

[21:03] Tamika Lawrence: Exactly.

[21:05] Orville Mendoza: It could be a ballad night, or it could be like a fast number or a disco easy matter, it depends.

[21:10] Tamika Lawrence: Absolutely.

[21:11] Orville Mendoza: Um how many drinks you have.

[21:14] Tamika Lawrence: Exactly.

[21:16] Orville Mendoza: Um I think my karaoke song would have to be Holiday.

[21:20] Tamika Lawrence: Oh Celebrate Madonna.

[21:22] Orville Mendoza: Yes, Madonna.

[21:23] Tamika Lawrence: Yeah, I love it. I love that so much, and I love that she's did it in this last tour.

[21:27] Orville Mendoza: I will fan out with you about Madge anytime.

[21:31] Tamika Lawrence: Alright, that's a date.

[21:33] Orville Mendoza: That's a deal. Let's do it. Break legs, happy opening.

[21:36] Tamika Lawrence: Where we're oh, we're looking here. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Let me fix this hair. Come on, hair.

[21:41] Tommy Bracco: Tommy, you're like my paison. Where are you from, Tommy?

[21:44] Tommy Bracco: I'm from Staten Island, New York.

[21:46] Tamika Lawrence: And I'm from Jersey, so it's the same shit.

[21:47] Tommy Bracco: We are cousins.

[21:48] Tamika Lawrence: We are cousins.

[21:49] Tommy Bracco: We are cousins. You have a good Italian family.

[21:51] Tamika Lawrence: Yes, the best Italian family. They're all coming tonight. And beware, because they got kicked out of every other show that I've done. So all bets are off tonight.

[21:56] Tommy Bracco: I get it. I have my dad's Irish, but my mom is Rose Antonia Di Meglio. Like I have olive oil veins.

[22:05] Tamika Lawrence: And wait, we got a little Irish in us too.

[22:07] Tommy Bracco: The Irish is trouble too.

[22:08] Tamika Lawrence: Don't a lot of trouble.

[22:10] Tommy Bracco: Yeah. We eat and drink.

[22:10] Tamika Lawrence: Uh-huh. Yeah, I hear you. Well, you're back on the Broadway.

[22:14] Tommy Bracco: Yeah.

[22:14] Tamika Lawrence: If I was on Big Brother, I think I'd want you to be my don't tell my f you're getting married.

[22:18] Tommy Bracco: Yes, I'm getting married.

[22:19] Tamika Lawrence: I'm getting married. When are you getting married?

[22:21] Tommy Bracco: May 25th, 25.

[22:23] Tamika Lawrence: Oh, that's amazing. We're getting married a year from today, actually, April 19th, 2025.

[22:28] Tommy Bracco: Oh, so you get to go first.

[22:30] Tamika Lawrence: So I could just go on your Instagram and steal your looks and ideas.

[22:32] Tommy Bracco: Yes. Can I borrow your flowers? I'll pay you half price for them.

[22:37] Tamika Lawrence: Is it a New York Jersey wedding? Like a new having a Bronx wedding because we live in Staten Island.

[22:44] Tommy Bracco: He's from the Bronx. My fiance, Joey. His whole family's from the Bronx. His parents got married there. His brother, his all his cousins. So we're gonna have a Bronx wedding, and I'm so excited about it.

[22:57] Tamika Lawrence: I'm so my Darius is from Detroit. He's never seen a Tri-State wedding before. He saw the price and the place, and he he had to take a lot of.

[23:06] Tommy Bracco: I am balls. It's actually not even it should be illegal how expensive these places are.

[23:12] Tamika Lawrence: Absolutely.

[23:13] Tommy Bracco: But we got a great price. They treated us great at the Marina Del Rey in the Bronx.

[23:18] Tamika Lawrence: So come on, Marina. If anybody's looking for a wedding venue, I highly recommend the Marina Del Rey.

[23:23] Tommy Bracco: Tommy, I want to I want to be your friend. I want to go out.

[23:25] Tamika Lawrence: We are friends.

[23:27] Tommy Bracco: We are set. Tommy, if you were if we were to sing karaoke, do you have a go-to karaoke song?

[23:31] Tommy Bracco: Probably Look At Me Now by Busta Rhymes.

[23:35] Tamika Lawrence: Well, Lil Wayne, Buster Rhymes. Who else sings that? Chris Brown.

[23:38] Tommy Bracco: Yeah.

[23:38] Tamika Lawrence: I love that rap. Look at me now.

[23:40] Tommy Bracco: That's so good. Look at me now.

[23:41] Tamika Lawrence: Oh, I love it. Getting paper.

[23:43] Tommy Bracco: Yeah. And you're getting paper here, eight shows a week.

[23:45] Tamika Lawrence: That's right. Right here. Come on. Good. Congratulations.

[23:49] Tommy Bracco: Thank you so much.

[23:50] Tamika Lawrence: Welcome back.

[23:50] Tommy Bracco: Thanks.

[23:51] Tamika Lawrence: Having a big break legs.

[23:52] Tommy Bracco: Thank you, thank you, thank you. I appreciate it.

[23:54] Tamika Lawrence: Thanks. I can see myself.

[23:55] Tommy Bracco: You can see yourself.

[23:56] Tamika Lawrence: You look good. It's everything put together.

[23:58] Tommy Bracco: So let's see. See, you don't have lipstick on your teeth. You got a hair.

[24:00] Tamika Lawrence: Oh my god, see, this is why you need cameras like this.

[24:04] Tommy Bracco: What would you introduce yourself first?

[24:05] Lindsay Joan: Hi, I'm Lindsay Joan. And I'm the ensemble.

[24:07] Tamika Lawrence: Lindsay?

[24:09] Lindsay Joan: From the voice.

[24:20] Tamika Lawrence: Oh my goodness. Your eyes are beautiful.

[24:22] Huey Lewis: Oh my eyes, thank you so much. It's because we have a camera that shows us. We can if you're listening to us on the podcast network, Google her and then watch her on The Voice and then buy a ticket to the show.

[24:31] Tamika Lawrence: Oh my gosh, you're so sweet. Um, it's been a dream come true. I mean, it's every little girl's dream to be on a big stage, especially if you are a performer. And it's just been an absolute dream. I mean, from start to finish. I feel so lucky every day to be with this incredible company. Everyone is so fun and beautiful, and it's just every day I come here, and I can't believe that I get to work with these incredible people and put on this beautiful show. It's such a gift. I love it, and I love the music. As this Jersey kid that I am, I'm like, come on. Come on, the greatest hit CD and listen.

[25:06] Huey Lewis: So if I was to have you go out with you after the show and we had her at like a Mexican restaurant.

[25:11] Tamika Lawrence: I got you. It's living on a prayer.

[25:14] Huey Lewis: Bon Jovi.

[25:15] Tamika Lawrence: I already knew the question. It came to me in my spirit. I know all the words.

[25:20] Huey Lewis: John Bunch, so do I. Do you want to have a dance off but a sing on it?

[25:24] Tamika Lawrence: I'm gonna have a sing off. A dance off but a sing on. But you're gonna have to, I'm gonna have to sing no shade to Bon Jovi because I'll get kicked out of New Jersey, but I have to sing it the way he sings it now.

[25:32] Huey Lewis: You can hit the high notes.

[25:34] Tamika Lawrence: You can't hit the high notes.

[25:35] Huey Lewis: I know you can. Like, give it a try.

[25:37] Tamika Lawrence: Oh!

[25:38] Huey Lewis: Yeah!

[25:39] Tamika Lawrence: Like that?

[25:40] Huey Lewis: Okay. Yeah. Oh catch us at the local bar for the show. Singing John Bon Jovi.

[25:45] Tamika Lawrence: I'm ready. I'm ready. I'm ready. Let's do it. Let's go. Happy Broadway debut. Break all the legs. Thank you so much for chatting with us.

[25:51] Huey Lewis: Thank you. I'm Robin Massella.

[25:53] Tamika Lawrence: Robin?

[25:54] Huey Lewis: Robin Shucks. Bad Cinderella. Dancing with the J-Lo and the Janet Jackson.

[25:59] Tamika Lawrence: Yes. Oh my god. Wait a second. What's it like to be in a room with Janet Jackson and dance?

[26:04] Robin Massella: Let me tell you, it's humbling. My knees are shaking just thinking about it.

[26:09] Tamika Lawrence: Oh yes. It's absolutely amazing.

[26:11] Robin Massella: Yeah, yeah. Well, you've done a lot of associate choreography work for shows as well.

[26:15] Tamika Lawrence: I have, yeah. I was the associate choreographer of Shucked last season, and I work at Jimmy Fallon and you know, jump around doing a lot of other stuff.

[26:23] Robin Massella: So she could do these 80s dance moves and she could do choreography with corn.

[26:27] Tamika Lawrence: Yeah, you know, and dance with Janet Jackson. I mean that's it. What's it been like to be a part of this show? I hear the choreo is something fierce in this show.

[26:35] Robin Massella: Oh the choreography is amazing. Lauren Latarro, our choreographer, is incredible and has thrown everything at it, and we are dancing our little butts off. Um, it's so high energy, it's so fun, it's sexy, it's 80s, it's everything you want.

[26:48] Tamika Lawrence: That sounds like literally my life, except for the sexy part. But I'm here for it. I'm here for it. If we were gonna sing karaoke together, do you have a karaoke song? Do you have a pop song at least in your book?

[26:57] Robin Massella: I mean, give me something. I mean, my go-to is Journey, "Don't Stop Believin'."

[27:02] Tamika Lawrence: That's a good one. You know, your casts are like in sync here.

[27:06] Robin Massella: Yes, come on. Well, but now I have to change it to a Huey Lewis song, right? So it has to be like "Heart of Rock and Roll" or something fun like that.

[27:12] Tamika Lawrence: The heart of rock and roll is still beating, and it's here on Broadway.

[27:15] Robin Massella: Yes, it is. Come see us. Come see us. Break legs. Happy opening night. So nice to meet you.

[27:20] Tamika Lawrence: Yeah, thank you. Hi, I'm Taylor Marie Daniel.

[27:23] Robin Massella: Taylor Marie Daniels Broadway debut!

[27:27] Tamika Lawrence: Let's go! So exciting. You went to the University of Michigan.

[27:31] Robin Massella: I did, me and Miss Mackenzie Kurtz. You know, that's like all the cool musical theater people. They you go pump out stars.

[27:38] Tamika Lawrence: They do do a very good job. I do have to give them credit for sure. Well, I talk about it because my fiancé lives in Detroit, and I've learned that Michigan is a whole special place of art and entertainment and Coney dogs and Faygo sodas. What is it like that when you look back at the career you had in school, your book, The Audition Grind, you're here on Broadway?

[27:56] Robin Massella: Yeah, it's I definitely have to give props to my school. Being surrounded by so many talented people keeps you level-headed and it keeps you loving what you do, and I wouldn't be here without it. What's it like to be with this cast and creative team eight shows a week?

[28:09] Tamika Lawrence: A dream come true. This female ensemble, I love them all to death, and I'm the youngest in the cast, and they keep me here and they keep me together. And this show has you all dancing.

[28:22] Robin Massella: Yeah, for sure. I sing our bodies every night. If we were they have but my through question is if we were to karaoke together, what would you get up and sing? It doesn't have to be from the show, it doesn't have to be from the 80s. Just a good song.

[28:37] Tamika Lawrence: Yeah, and it's the sincere emotion. Mine is, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody."

[28:40] Robin Massella: I can't even, I can't even what else am I gonna sing at karaoke? I mean, there's only one.

[28:47] Tamika Lawrence: The sun begins to fade.

[28:49] Robin Massella: That's it. I'm with you. Thank you. Congratulations. Happy opening night.

[28:53] Tamika Lawrence: Thank you so much. I'm loving beauties. Hello, Olivia Sisi, am I right?

[28:57] Olivia Sisi: You're right, you nailed it.

[28:58] Tamika Lawrence: I am right. You were in Moulin Rouge.

[29:00] Olivia Sisi: I was, I was in Moulin Rouge.

[29:02] Tamika Lawrence: You're no stranger to the Broadway people.

[29:04] Olivia Sisi: No, this is my second one here, so I'm blessed, and what a great second show to be in.

[29:09] Tamika Lawrence: And you stole my entire outfit. If you're listening to us, she is looking like five, literally fire.

[29:15] Olivia Sisi: Thank you. I'm on fire. I feel like I'm on fire. How does it feel to be a part of this show and get up here and dance this score and this choreo eight shows a week?

[29:23] Tamika Lawrence: Um, it is an absolute dream. And I don't just say that. I've wanted to have a role like this for a long time, really, to be able to dance and just tell this story that the people in the audience can relate to, the 80s fun, the 80s fierceness of it all. I'm an 80s lover myself. Um, so it just feels like that bucket list moment that you just never know is gonna happen, and it landed for me, and so I'm so lucky.

[29:47] Robin Massella: Well, this 80s baby is psyched about this show. It's gonna be super fun. Do you ever do like sing an 80s power ballad, karaoke moment? Do you have a song that you like?

[29:57] Olivia Sisi: Honestly, I'm not a huge karaoke girl.

[30:01] Robin Massella: But what I could sing a little something from the show if you want.

[30:05] Tamika Lawrence: Can you what song?

[30:06] Olivia Sisi: I could do. I was singing "New Drug" because I was telling another interviewer that that's my favorite song from the show. And the favorite, my favorite dancing.

[30:11] Tamika Lawrence: What line? Can you tell us?

[30:15] Olivia Sisi: I could do, yeah, um, let's see. It starts with uh, "I want a new drug, one that does what it should. Well no won't make me feel too bad. Well no won't make me feel too good."

[30:25] Tamika Lawrence: You better Christina Aguilera that whole entire run and so come on, Olivia!

[30:31] Olivia Sisi: But I come out of the bed and dance instead.

[30:32] Tamika Lawrence: Oh, I'm here. We're in. We're in. Come down here and see the show. Yeah, congrats, happy opening with my dance.

[30:38] Olivia Sisi: Thank you. Nice to see you again.

[30:41] Tamika Lawrence: Hi, Mike. Happy opening. How's it feel to be here today?

[30:45] Mike: Oh my god, just so many emotions. Like, we did so much in the curation of the show that we're just so happy to finally be at this moment.

[30:53] Tamika Lawrence: You're the dance captain.

[30:54] Mike: I am not. I'm in the ensemble.

[30:58] Tamika Lawrence: Then my notes are terrible.

[31:00] Mike: It's okay. It's okay. Wait, you're in the ensemble. Well, tell us about the dance. It's a dance-heavy show.

[31:05] Tamika Lawrence: It's like choreo for days.

[31:06] Mike: It's thousand percent is. It is one of the hardest and most amazing times I've ever had dancing on stage. It's just so much fun. It's full out. Can you give us a little insight into what is it like to learn the choreography? Like, is it something that you go home? Do you do it in your bedroom mirror? Like, do you do it in the living room? Like, what do you do?

[31:22] Tamika Lawrence: Yeah, all the above. Um, to get ready for the show. We definitely did a lot of pre-production, um, creating the movement with Lauren. I mean, she's such a genius and a great storyteller through movement. Um, we just had the most amazing time.

[31:35] Mike: Okay, so here's my question for everyone. I know you hear a lot of these questions on this carpet. When you're out and about, and if there's karaoke, is there a go-to song that you sing?

[31:45] Mike: Um, me and my brother definitely have "Wonderwall." So it's kind of like kind of our thing. You know, when we're like, you know, a couple beers in, we're like, what's and do you cry a little bit and have a moment?

[31:56] Tamika Lawrence: Yeah, and we hug and embrace.

[31:58] Mike: Yeah, see, you're my kind of you're my age because I get that. I get it. But we're here for some fun. There's no crying in this show. You're gonna have a good time. You might have a couple feelings of you know, emotion, but it's good.

[32:10] Tamika Lawrence: Well, break legs, happy opening, enjoy every second of it.

[32:13] Mike: Thank you so much. Hi, I'm Michael Lilard Big B.

[32:16] Tamika Lawrence: I am the assistant dance captain in the show, and I am the ensemble, and I cover Eli.

[32:21] Michael John Slinger: So amazing! Thank you. What is dance call like for this show? Because y'all are dancing your teeth out.

[32:25] Tamika Lawrence: Oh my god, it's good actually. There's it takes a lot of trust, and I think we've really formulated that in this process, and it's just amazing. It's good. When you were in rehearsal and you were getting new steps, like are you in the subway doing the dance? Are you on the street? Like, where's your I've got a my mental is here. I got it, I get it.

[32:44] Michael John Slinger: It's all the time constantly running.

[32:45] Tamika Lawrence: Yes, yes. It must be fun to give joy. You give joy. This show gives joy to an audience every night.

[32:50] Michael John Slinger: Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Broadway debut, and there's a lot of joy to it. But that's a lot of dance classes, a lot of singing classes, a lot of auditions, and you're on Broadway.

[32:58] Michael John Slinger: Yes! Thank you. Do you have a go-to singing song? Like, do you have a karaoke anthem that you would like whip out of your repertoire?

[33:05] Michael John Slinger: I love "Very Superstitious" by Stevie Wonder. That's like a good people clap and they, you know.

[33:12] Tamika Lawrence: Hey, what?

[33:13] Michael John Slinger: Yes, I love it.

[33:14] Tamika Lawrence: I'm with that song. That's a good choice. Everyone picked like these rock anthems, so we need a little Stevie Wonder punk in there.

[33:20] Michael John Slinger: Yes, a little funk and the ladder and the cat and all the lyrics of it.

[33:24] Tamika Lawrence: But you Broadway debut. Thank you. Break all the legs. Happy opening.

[33:28] Michael John Slinger: Thank you so much. I'm Robert Pendia, one of the ensemble members.

[33:30] Tamika Lawrence: Robert, how are you doing? Happy opening night.

[33:33] Robert Pendia: Thank you so much. I'm doing great. So tell me, what has it been like to be a part of this show? You all dance.

[33:37] Tamika Lawrence: I've been saying that to everybody because I can't dance at all.

[33:42] Robert Pendia: You know, and I doubt that.

[33:43] Tamika Lawrence: No, that's a fact.

[33:45] Robert Pendia: I doubt that. So what has it been like to sing these songs, classic, iconic songs, and then to put these up on stage eight shows a week?

[33:52] Tamika Lawrence: It's so much fun because Huey Lewis music is just so fun and energetic, and the way Brian Yusuf has just rearranged them. It's so well done. And doing Lauren Latarro's choreography eight times a week at 47 years old is so much fun.

[34:06] Robert Pendia: You are not 47 years old.

[34:08] Tamika Lawrence: I'd love to say it.

[34:08] Robert Pendia: I am, yes. I turned 40 this year.

[34:11] Tamika Lawrence: It's life like does life begin at 40?

[34:14] Robert Pendia: It's life begins when you want it to, so right now, yeah.

[34:17] Tamika Lawrence: Okay. That's very fair. And the anti-inflammatories I have to take are besides the point.

[34:23] Robert Pendia: I mean, that's the backs the you know, behind the scenes. But you know, it helps. I'm bringing dad to this show. I'm sure at the end at Curtain Call, people must be on their feet going crazy.

[34:33] Tamika Lawrence: Going crazy on their feet.

[34:34] Robert Pendia: I'm in one of the scenes. I'm not gonna give anything away that gets to look at the audience and we get to stare at them. And to see people bopping their heads back and forth and singing along and jamming along, and especially like the dads sing along.

[34:47] Tamika Lawrence: Yes, that's it. It makes me so like, yeah, my dad'll love this. Well, this is a sing along show, so do you have like a go-to karaoke sing along song?

[34:55] Robert Pendia: My go-to actually is is a Steve Perry, is anything journey, but I love a Huey Lewis moment.

[34:55] Tamika Lawrence: I love a Huey Lewis moment too. And I love a journey sea parry. No, they all can sing. It was the 80s, though, like old school rock.

[35:09] Robert Pendia: Come on. Yes.

[35:10] Tamika Lawrence: Yeah. With high-ass voices.

[35:11] Robert Pendia: Yes. And like you just screlted your face off and you went to work the next day.

[35:16] Tamika Lawrence: Exactly right. Well, we're ready for you all to squirt your faces off. Happy opening night. Congratulations.

[35:21] Ross Lee Kites: Thank you.

[35:22] Tamika Lawrence: Hi Ross, how are you doing?

[35:24] Ross Lee Kites: How are you? Happy opening.

[35:27] Tamika Lawrence: Yeah, we're here. Finally. Big deal.

[35:28] Ross Lee Kites: Now you have done Broadway shows and tours and moments before.

[35:34] Tamika Lawrence: Yes, it's my sixth Broadway show. A couple tours before that, yeah.

[35:38] Ross Lee Kites: Six shows? But this show is a party.

[35:41] Tamika Lawrence: It's a beast.

[35:41] Ross Lee Kites: It's a beast. It's a beast. Everybody's doing everything. Dancing and singing and doing it all.

[35:46] Tamika Lawrence: What's the rehearsal process been like for you to get this show in your bones, but also to be with this cast and creative team?

[35:51] Ross Lee Kites: The casting creative, I mean, this cast is so tight. Everybody's different, but everybody gets along and we all blend well. The rehearsal process was she was a lot. I'm not a dancer, and I'm dancing in this thing. And um, but no, it's been a great time. We've gotten to change so much and do it all together, so it feels like it's really everybody's show.

[36:11] Tamika Lawrence: When you're going home, like, do you like just are these songs like earworms?

[36:14] Robert Bannon: Are they stuck in your head?

[36:16] Huey Lewis: No.

[36:17] Huey Lewis: No, I think I try and block it up.

[36:19] Robert Bannon: I get it.

[36:20] Robert Bannon: I get it.

[36:21] Robert Bannon: Well, this I'm excited to see it. I'm bringing my dad from Jersey.

[36:24] Huey Lewis: Oh, great.

[36:24] Robert Bannon: This is like, he is gonna love it.

[36:26] Huey Lewis: Bring all the people from Jersey.

[36:27] Robert Bannon: Oh, Jersey?

[36:28] Huey Lewis: Yes, come on, Jersey.

[36:30] Robert Bannon: Represent South Orange.

[36:31] Huey Lewis: Are you from South Orange?

[36:33] Robert Bannon: I went to Seton Hall.

[36:34] Huey Lewis: You did?

[36:35] Robert Bannon: I can drive on 280 or what is that.

[36:37] Huey Lewis: You don't want to, but you have to.

[36:39] Robert Bannon: Do you have a go-to song? If you're after the show and we see you over at the uh Mexican spot and there's a karaoke machine. Are you gonna belt out a song? What would you pick?

[36:46] Huey Lewis: Uh from this show?

[36:49] Robert Bannon: Anything.

[36:50] Huey Lewis: I usually belt out something from Journey.

[36:53] Robert Bannon: Yeah, well, don't stop believing.

[36:55] Huey Lewis: Open arms.

[36:56] Robert Bannon: Oh, you have that kind of voice.

[36:58] Huey Lewis: She's up there.

[36:58] Huey Lewis: She is up there.

[37:00] Huey Lewis: In my young days.

[37:02] Robert Bannon: Right.

[37:02] Robert Bannon: Oh man. Congratulations. Break legs, so nice to meet you.

[37:07] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: Thank you. Hi, my name is Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard, and I'm a swing and cover for the Heart of Rock and Roll.

[37:11] Robert Bannon: So exciting! Alright, how many roles?

[37:14] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: Okay. Um, as of a couple of days ago, nine.

[37:20] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: It's two principles and about seven ensemble members.

[37:25] Robert Bannon: Wait a second. I heard that this choreo is serious. It's giving cardiovascular.

[37:33] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: It is giving check the heart rate.

[37:36] Robert Bannon: So how are you gonna you know which way to go right and left, and which is your left leg, and which is your right leg?

[37:41] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: I I don't know how I do it. Uh and honestly, it's my own like special little way to do things, but I just do a lot of outside, inside, and try not to give things a right or a left. I just then people it's like all the jumble of marbles until it isn't, you know.

[37:56] Robert Bannon: I'm obsessed. I can't even remember what I ate for lunch, and you are ready to do this.

[37:59] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: Me neither, but you know. Sometimes the short-term memory works better than the long term, but I'm so excited for you. This show is so much fun.

[38:06] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: Thank you. How has it been to work with this cast and creative team?

[38:11] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: The cast is lit. They I love them so much. It's been such a great, wonderful, warm, delicious experience. And the creative team has been so fun. It feels like they have you in the palm of their hand and they uh you they understand you and they're so supportive, so it's been great.

[38:31] Robert Bannon: Alright, so here's my my hot take question. Hot take. We love a hot take. If I was like out at a bar and we were having a drink and there was a karaoke stage, what would you what would we get you to get up and sing? Doesn't need to be something from Huey Lewis and then.

[38:43] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: No, it does not. Then it's definitely giving Bon Jovi. For sure.

[38:49] Robert Bannon: This Jersey boy is here for it.

[38:51] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: Yes, I love it. Anything Bon Jovi for me. Or I'm like a huge fan of sticks.

[38:57] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: Yes, I'm a huge fan of Journey. Like a one and uh, it's just they live in my heart rent-free. Like I'm I'm a big beltress of a of a boy.

[39:07] Robert Bannon: I love it. I love all right, I'm ready to wanted dead or alive do it.

[39:11] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: Oh my god, yes! Come on!

[39:14] Robert Bannon: Oh my god, yeah, for sure. You are that you're my kind of people. I'm ready. Congratulations, break legs.

[39:19] Frederick Rodriguez Odegaard: I appreciate you.

[39:20] Jennifer Noble: Yes. Yes, my name is Jennifer Noble, I'm a swing.

[39:23] Robert Bannon: Jennifer Noble, how many okay, how many tracks do you have in your brain right now?

[39:26] Jennifer Noble: Okay, so right now I could probably ultimately there's gonna be at least seven. But right now, I could give you a solid four and a half.

[39:36] Jennifer Noble: So we're still working on the rest. But yeah.

[39:39] Robert Bannon: That's amazing. Thank you. Do you have like a copious notebooks and and life?

[39:44] Jennifer Noble: So this is my first time swinging, so I'm learning a lot. Got an amazing swing team that's like helping me, showing me the ropes. The really great app called Good Notes for all those swings out there or swings to be out there. Good notes is like where it's at.

[39:56] Robert Bannon: This is amazing. How's it been to be in the rehearsal room and be with this casting creative team?

[40:01] Jennifer Noble: They are so kind, and it's not only the most talented casts ever. They are so fun and they are so kind. And whenever I feel myself like spinning out for you know, from swing stress, they're always there to like lift me up and they're they're amazing. I'm so excited about this show. It just seems like a happy good old time.

[40:18] Jennifer Noble: It is, and we need that. There's so much going on in the world, so much sadness, and it's just to have a little moment of joy is is a great gift.

[40:26] Robert Bannon: Exactly it. Alright, so if I took you out to karaoke, do you have a song you would sing?

[40:30] Jennifer Noble: Okay. I don't want to be cliche, but I think alone is like my go-to karaoke, like 80s. Have you been to my Pride K my Pride Show at 54 Below? I'd whip that song out.

[40:41] Robert Bannon: It's so good. It's so good. But you could do it probably in her key, and you get that high you know, that's if you gotta go warm up.

[40:49] Jennifer Noble: Yes, but that's it. Come on! That's a good one. That's an original one on the carpet tonight.

[40:54] Robert Bannon: Really?

[40:54] Jennifer Noble: Yes.

[40:56] Robert Bannon: I'm here for it. Break all the legs. We're gonna come see you do every track in this show.

[41:01] Jennifer Noble: Please come. It's so much fun. Break legs. Happy opening night.

[41:05] Jonathan Abrams: Jonathan Abrams. And Jonathan, you do you have a fun job in this show.

[41:09] Jonathan Abrams: I do. I'm the book writer of the Heart of Rock and Roll.

[41:11] Robert Bannon: And I heard like Huey Lewis. I heard a I heard a secret, a little secret. It has a personal meaning to you. Did you get married and drive off to some Huey Lewis music?

[41:21] Jonathan Abrams: Oh wow, you are good, you that's true. We did. We drove off to Power of Love in 2016 in New Orleans where we got married. We had a rented, it was like a Ford Mustang or a Jag. It was like a great vintage car, and we blared it and we pulled out. It was awesome.

[41:36] Robert Bannon: Is there a better song? I'm born in the 80s in Jersey. I mean, there is not a better, more quintessential song for a wedding than the power of love. It's what uh it was the theme of our wedding. It was what it was all about. We had uh yacht rock review playing 80s jams for three hours for people. It was incredible.

[41:51] Robert Bannon: That sounds like a kind of wedding I want to go to. Now you wedding. Now you come off, you're making a movie with Clint Eastwood, you have shows on FX, you are a busy, you're working.

[42:00] Jonathan Abrams: Come on, work.

[42:01] Jonathan Abrams: Working for 11.

[42:03] Robert Bannon: There we go. What about this story? Is why do we need this now?

[42:07] Jonathan Abrams: I think we need this now because we're living in a really sort of perilous time, and uh in a time where there's a lot of there's not a lot of joy in the world day to day. So to be able to escape from all of that seriousness and heartache and come into a theater for two hours, two hours and 15 minutes with um people who maybe are different than you, that have a different point of view on things than you, but you can laugh together and maybe cry together and feel something together. I think it's it's a nice escape, but also a nice reminder that we're maybe all a little more alike than we think.

[42:37] Robert Bannon: Ooh, I love that. Do you do you ever sing karaoke? Do you ever have an 80s karaoke moment?

[42:41] Jonathan Abrams: Yes.

[42:42] Robert Bannon: What do you sing?

[42:43] Jonathan Abrams: Rebel Yell Billy Idol.

[42:44] Robert Bannon: Oh, come on!

[42:46] Jonathan Abrams: In the midnight hour.

[42:47] Jonathan Abrams: Yeah, I want to, yes, with the screeching and screaming and the whole thing.

[42:51] Jonathan Abrams: 100%.

[42:52] Robert Bannon: I performed it at my friend's wedding at the New York Public Library with an 18-piece orchestra. It was unbelievable.

[42:56] Jonathan Abrams: How many do you have to have a drink before you do it?

[42:59] Jonathan Abrams: I had a couple.

[43:00] Robert Bannon: Yeah. Congratulations, break legs, Broadway debut, congratulations.

[43:06] Jonathan Abrams: Yes, thank you so much. Nice to meet you.

[43:08] Brian Yusufur: Thank you so much. My name is Brian Yusufur. I'm the music supervisor, arranger, and orchestrator for the Heart of Rock and Roll.

[43:12] Robert Bannon: Which is so cool that you get to arrange and orchestrate this music.

[43:15] Brian Yusufur: That is very cool. So what do you do you listen to like the the greatest hits collection and then add your own flair and excitement for each person's voice, changing keys, or you know, di whatever? What do you do?

[43:25] Brian Yusufur: Yeah, that's the idea. I mean, for me, I go right back to the lyrics. I start with the lyrics and make sure that they can actually say what we want them to say. And then I think about who the character is and what they should sound like. Um sometimes they sound like Huey Lewis, sometimes they sound like Whitney Houston, sometimes they sound like a totally different 80s artist. But that's been really fun to kind of play with those ideas. But it is about the storytelling, so I try to start with what the words say.

[43:48] Robert Bannon: What was it like when you had to show these arrangements to Huey?

[43:51] Brian Yusufur: I mean, they're they're music that he's sung for decades that we are loved, so what was it? Were you nervous?

[43:55] Brian Yusufur: It was terrifying. I sat there and just watched him the whole time, like, what's he gonna do? And he laughed and clapped, and it was very I was like, Well, this is a fun show. This is a fun night.

[44:08] Robert Bannon: Do you have a go-to? Do you ever do karaoke as a musician?

[44:11] Brian Yusufur: I used to do karaoke. I haven't in a minute, but I used to, yeah.

[44:14] Robert Bannon: Do you have a like an 80s? Do you have a song that you love?

[44:17] Brian Yusufur: I used to sing with or without you.

[44:18] Robert Bannon: Which is really high, but I would do it.

[44:22] Brian Yusufur: I love it.

[44:22] Robert Bannon: Come on, a sting moment. That's quintessential 80s.

[44:25] Brian Yusufur: That's right. Well, I love the arrangements. I'm ready for these songs to be done in a new fun, exciting way. But keep the heart, the heart of this rock and roll right in it.

[44:32] Brian Yusufur: Absolutely. Happy opening break legs.

[44:34] Michael John Slinger: Thank you so much. I am Michael John Slinger, the associate choreographer.

[44:37] Robert Bannon: Oh my goodness. So you're partly responsible for this crazy choreo in the show.

[44:41] Michael John Slinger: Yeah, it's partly with Lauren, Lauren Lutero.

[44:44] Robert Bannon: How's it been like to work with her?

[44:45] Michael John Slinger: She is a beast. Oh, I mean, it's amazing. We go way back. This is uh seven or eight years now for us. Um, you know, and she she raised me uh basically, so it's fun to be reunited with her.

[44:57] Robert Bannon: I've been asking the ensemble what they did to get these moves down. They were in their bedrooms, in their living room, moving the coffee table. We did a lot of rehearsal. How do you feel? How's it feel to see them now on stage to open this?

[45:10] Michael John Slinger: I feel so good. They have worked so hard. So uh, you know, the payoff, it's so worth it. They're a gorgeous group and they are working their butts off eight times a week.

[45:20] Robert Bannon: Do you this show's about 80s and fun and sing along music that we all grew up with, at least I grew up with. Uh, do you have a go-to song when you sing karaoke? If I gave you a margarita and a microphone, what would you sing?

[45:30] Michael John Slinger: It would actually be hip to be square. Because it's such a good song.

[45:34] Robert Bannon: It's a banger. Come on.

[45:36] Michael John Slinger: Well, congratulations. We'll all be- I can't dang it. You'd fire me after one rehearsal.

[45:39] Robert Bannon: No, I can make a dancer out of anybody.

[45:41] Michael John Slinger: Okay, I'm gonna hold you to the city. I'm gonna I'll see you at Broadway Dance Center.

[45:49] Robert Bannon: Congrats on being here. Nice to meet you.

[45:51] Jen Caprio: Thank you so much. Uh hi, I'm Jen Caprio, the costume designer for Heart of Rock and Roll.

[45:56] Robert Bannon: You are the class, and what a fun show to design for. Jen, did you take your like 80s vibe and put it on stage?

[46:03] Jen Caprio: I tried. I mean, I was a small child in the 80s, so I remember all of that craziness.

[46:08] Robert Bannon: Me too. I mean, I don't want to age myself, but yeah, I remember all that craziness and how much fun it is.

[46:13] Jen Caprio: And we all have this fun, fun memory of it as well. Like there's so much to choose from, and so much in TV and film right now, too. I think I own some of these outfits in the 80s.

[46:23] Robert Bannon: I hope you see some on stage.

[46:25] Jen Caprio: I definitely do. I want some of those jeans, you know, those with the pleats and the whole thing.

[46:29] Robert Bannon: Yeah, the cavalricis.

[46:30] Jen Caprio: Yes, a cap you I don't know if I was fancy enough to have cavalricis.

[46:34] Robert Bannon: I didn't own them, that's for sure.

[46:35] Jen Caprio: Well, but we could see them on stage here at the Heart of Rock.

[46:38] Robert Bannon: Sure can. We got one pair. What is it?

[46:40] Jen Caprio: Yeah, what is it like in this being a part of this creative team and working with Gordon and this incredible cast?

[46:45] Jen Caprio: Um, this cast, this crew, this whole team, Gordon, everyone is just the greatest. Like Lauren is so collaborative, Gordon's so collaborative, and we just can all, you know, bring the joy. We keep saying it's the joy machine, and bring the joy of the 80s of the music and each individual cast member on stage. I mean, there's nothing to complain about.

[47:02] Robert Bannon: Well, I can't wait to see it. I've been singing Huey Lewis and the News all week.

[47:06] Jen Caprio: You lose in there all week to get ready for tonight.

[47:09] Robert Bannon: All week. And our and my whole lifetime, besides just the this week. And do you have a go-to rock and roll karaoke song?

[47:16] Jen Caprio: I used to do Shadows of the Night by Pat Benatar. I don't think I can hit those notes now, but back in my day.

[47:24] Robert Bannon: Oh, I'm ready. Now you're gonna have me singing Shadows of the Night.

[47:27] Jen Caprio: Yes, come on.

[47:28] Robert Bannon: Yep, sort of congratulations. Break legs, happy opening. Enjoy the show tonight.

[47:32] Jen Caprio: Thanks.

[47:33] Robert Bannon: Well, there you have it. Thanks for checking out our coverage of the opening night of the Heart of Rock and Roll. Get your tickets at www.heartofrockandrollbroadway.com.

[47:43] Robert Bannon: Thank you to Alan Seales for running audio. Thank you to everyone at the Broadway Podcast Network and all the guests who stopped by. My name is Robert Bannon. Follow me at Robert M. Bannon and listen to me here on the Roundtable every single day on the Broadway Podcast Network. Go support a show today and remember that the best is yet to come. Till next time, everybody. Thanks for being here. Good night.