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[0:11] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's the round table with me, Robert Bannon. Welcome to the round table, everybody. My name is Robert Bannon. I'm so excited you're listening to us on the Broadway Podcast Network, or if you're watching us on YouTube or on Broadway World, we have a friend. You know, we did our first ever live podcast taping with Eila, and you're back and you're here as we end this crazy Broadway season together. Eila Mell is back on the show. Welcome to the round table.

[0:37] Eila Mell: Well, thank you. I'm so excited to be back. I was so excited to talk to you. I was listening to our episode because I wanted to remember what shows you liked, what your thoughts were about the season when we predicted the nominations. The shows you predicted to be nominated were nominated because you know what you're talking about. And it has been some year, some season for Broadway. Wow, it's been exhausting and thrilling and just so much fun. So I've seen you on the streets. We've seen each other in the streets. Wild.

[1:12] Robert Bannon: So everyone, you know, Eila has a book out that you need to get a copy of. It's called The Tony Awards with all the most beautiful photos, commentary, history of the show. If you're a theater fan, if you're a theater niece who loves Broadway, if you have children, family, friends, especially a birthday, a graduation. It's a really good, you know what I was thinking about? If I had a niece or a nephew or a godchild that was graduating with a bachelor's or master's in fine arts, who wanted to sing or was in a school play or wanted to know the history of Broadway, it is a great, great something that they can really get education and know what's going on.

[1:52] Eila Mell: Well, thank you. I love that. It is. I wish I had it. And it goes, if you look, it goes year by year with pictures. I mean, you're listening to us, you can't see, but you gotta click the link below us and order yourself a copy of the book. So when you watch after the book has come out this year and you watch the Tony Awards, do you watch it in a different way?

[2:12] Eila Mell: Um sort of, yeah. Although I was there at the show this year for the first time, so that was a very different way to watch it for sure.

[2:21] Robert Bannon: Okay, so tell us where were how'd you watch, what'd you do? Tell us the whole thing.

[2:25] Eila Mell: All right, so I started the day by going to the rehearsal, which was a lot of fun. So I knew some of the surprises that were gonna happen. I knew that Alicia Keys was gonna come on, and I knew that Jay-Z was gonna be there, but it was so exciting to go later to see the audience go crazy when that stuff happened. The only thing that they didn't announce was Hillary Clinton. They said TBA, I guess because of security, who knew?

[2:56] Eila Mell: Okay, so that was the one big surprise, but oh my gosh, such a thrill. I mean, you definitely get a better view at home because you're right up there, you know, even if you're really close in the theater, you're still removed. But the energy in the room is just something to experience. That was insane, and plus you get to mingle with all your friends who are nominated, and you know, that's incredible too.

[3:23] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. Well, before we get into the show itself, can I my controversial question? We the roundtable was very lucky. Um, and I actually also controversially said no. Um, it was Father's Day, and my father is, you know, of a certain age and certain health, and uh, I was very lucky that Broadway World saved space for me on the red carpet, and then I actually my family was in, and I did not expect to be asked to be on the red carpet.

[3:50] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[3:50] Robert Bannon: So I had already made plans to see my brother, my sister-in-law, etc. And I didn't go to the Tony Awards Red Carpet. But Broadway press was in a little bit of an uproar because what are your thoughts? What do you think? People don't know. A lot of Broadway press, very prevalent, prominent Broadway press that covers Broadway all year was left off the red carpet.

[4:10] Eila Mell: Well, okay, so this is what I can tell you. It's a smaller venue. Even though the Coke Theater is huge, it's still a lot smaller than what they had. And the red carpet still took like over an hour to get through. So as unfortunate as it is, and it really sucked for the people who weren't included. I get it. I think it had to be because otherwise people just weren't gonna get into the theater in time.

[4:35] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. And you know, I as someone who you know, when you see these carpets, people don't understand if they're very long, they're not fun for the interviewer or for the person there because you don't get to go through everybody, you don't get good conversations, and sometimes we just have to sit make sacrifices. We don't get to cover everything.

[4:55] Eila Mell: Right, exactly. You know, but I do feel for the people who wanted to be there and couldn't.

[5:01] Robert Bannon: Absolutely, absolutely same. All right, so the show. What'd you think overall? What were your thoughts?

[5:06] Eila Mell: All right, so I thought it was a really fun show. You know, I loved that there were no real favorites. Best musical was totally up in the air, I thought. So that was exciting. Um, I happened to be sitting with a lot of people from The Outsiders, so that was really exciting just to be with that group. I was very excited for The Outsiders. You know, that show has so much heart and has a special place in memories for so many people reading the book and watching the movie. I just watched Bratz on Hulu about you know a lot of the cast of the movie and talking about their experience. These young kids really in this show, making their Broadway. I think when I we did their press day 18, 19 Broadway debuts, to win best musical was a special.

[5:53] Eila Mell: Yes, and Danya Tamor winning over Maria Friedman, who I think everybody thought was gonna win. What a thrill. I love when there's a surprise. I love the surprise. And there were a few.

[6:02] Robert Bannon: There were a few. So one of the things that was not a surprise was best play, which went to Stereophonic, who has really really has um from downtown and off Broadway to being uh, you know, a toast of the town on Broadway for sure. What'd you think about them, you know, kind of I don't want to say sweeping, but I mean it did win, it did not sweep all the categories that people thought it was going to win.

[6:27] Eila Mell: No, but I was very surprised that Will Brill won. And I think that's a good win. He's fantastic. Um, but I was surprised anyway. Um, they were so excited. That was the nicest part, just to watch them. They're so happy. And they weren't gonna perform, and then they did perform, so that was nice.

[6:48] Robert Bannon: Yes. I love the the show is beautiful, and it's a marathon of a show to do eight shows a week at three plus hours. But and I'm not I know I'm not going in in particular order here, but it didn't win. A lot of people talked about it winning best score, and it did not win best score. Suffs takes away book and score, and I was I thought some people might have been surprised.

[7:13] Eila Mell: I think that is only a little bit of a surprise. I think that people still feel like a traditional musical has more of a score.

[7:22] Robert Bannon: Yes.

[7:23] Eila Mell: And a play with music. So I think that probably went a long way. But so then, you know, does that position Suffs to win best musical if it's winning book and score? But then when Danya won, I thought, oh no, The Outsiders is gonna get it.

[7:37] Robert Bannon: You know, I thought the same thing. When I saw book and score go to Suffs, I thought, oh my goodness, this is gonna be a Suffs night. It was so fun to not have that clear front runner, and it was really anyone's game.

[7:49] Eila Mell: Yes. I mean, we had the clear front runner in the revival.

[7:52] Robert Bannon: Yes.

[7:53] Eila Mell: So we had that. But I think that was a deserved win. I don't think anything even came close to what Merrily did this year.

[8:00] Robert Bannon: Yes, I agree. And uh, well, let's talk let's talk about it. Revival, you said Merrily. Did when did you see did you see Merrily?

[8:07] Eila Mell: I did. I saw it um in January, so not so early, not so late. And when you have somebody like Jonathan Groff, who has been nominated for his third time and is up for a Tony Award, and he wins. I don't know if there was a more emotional moment in the whole entire show. It was such a beautiful speech. How could you not be thrilled for him?

[8:33] Eila Mell: Thrilled, thrilled. He's still such a person, and it was so, well, and same thing goes for Daniel Radcliffe. I mean, Daniel Radcliffe has been pigeonholed rightfully so as Harry Potter forever. Of course, but has put in his Broadway chops for over the years, yeah. He doesn't have to do Broadway, he doesn't have to do anything but sit on a beach and have a martini or a margarita. I mean, he's got Harry Potter money, he's good. He's fine. But to be able to be with the show, and not only was he with the show off Broadway, but to do the full run of the show. Um and the camaraderie that the three of them have, and even in the performance on the Tony's, they just have such great chemistry together.

[9:16] Robert Bannon: Yes. So did you think it was a surprise that Lindsay Mendez did not win?

[9:20] Eila Mell: I did. I did. I think Keisha, I think she's a ma I mean I love Hell's Kitchen. I loved Hell's Kitchen. I think it's a fun, really fun, joyful show. It made me leave smiling, it made me fall more in love with New York, it made me get nostalgia. And she is breathtaking. You know, ending the first act in such a different way than Broadway shows in kind of a somber moment or her connection. But I thought they were gonna sweep. I thought Lindsay was gonna win. What about you?

[9:49] Robert Bannon: Well, you know, at first when we recorded, I thought Lindsay Mendez was a lock. But then I feel like in the last week or so, Keisha Lewis's momentum really had gained. So I wasn't surprised when it happened. And I also think that Lindsay Mendez being out so much probably hurt her chances because many people couldn't have seen her.

[10:12] Eila Mell: Right. That's what I was gonna say as well. Lindsay had been out, and Lindsay, um, when people go, you know, I don't know if people watching wherever you are in the world, you know, when the Tony voters and nominators go to you know this better than me, go see the show. It is a very pivotal part of a new musical and play's life, is that the cast is there and they present in front of the people who nominate and vote.

[10:33] Eila Mell: Right. And then, you know, sometimes the nominators will go back, but and the voters, but not always, you know. You know, there's a lot of shows, especially this season, so you can't always do it. You can't always do it. So I was excited for her. I loved her speech. I loved the idea that it's never too late, that you never run out of time. You got to keep going and trucking and singing, and she's put in her work as well. Keisha Lewis has done a lot of theater, and to get to finally get her award, it was a beautiful moment. I loved it. It was, and Lindsay's got one; she's fine, she doesn't need another. Exactly, come on around, Lindsay. Right. I mean, this woman has been working for 40 years.

Forty years, and she sits there and she sings those songs and sings with such emotion and heart. If you see Hell's Kitchen, you won't have a dry eye, but when she sings her solos for sure. When you talked about, well, we jumped all over a little, but revival for a play, welcome to the chaos of my show. When you talk about the revival of a play, I loved Appropriate. So did I. I was gagged by the acting in Appropriate. It is, woo, my goodness, and so funny, so nuanced with the family relationships and dynamics, especially when you lose a loved one and you find out the secrets, literally who they are, right? You didn't even know who they were. You had no idea. But really, I left and I thought, oh my god, when I die, please somebody throw my phone in the Hudson River.

I'm gonna start to get rid of my stuff now. So were you there? Was there no real surprise that Appropriate won, I guess, play revival? No, but I, you know, I was kind of rooting for Pearly Victorious, though. I really love that show. And so I don't understand the whole revival thing. I think it should be very cut and dry. I think if your show had been on Broadway before, it's a revival. If it had been off-Broadway but never Broadway, it's a new play. It's just too confusing.

[12:35] Robert Bannon: Yeah, will you explain that a little bit more to the viewers? Because I know that there's come Tony nominating committee meetings and they make these decisions. Right. What is a lead actor? What is a supporting actor? What is a revival? What is eligible for score? Because that's another thing. If the music has been out in some other iteration, then it's not nominated for score. So what is the decision process? How does that really work?

[12:54] Eila Mell: Well, so they have these meetings every year. I am not in those meetings. But, you know, I can tell you that it can change from year to year. So that's why I think it's a little confusing. So revival is if it was the same production that moved from off-Broadway to Broadway, that's a new play. But if it had been done with a different company and different people and it comes to Broadway, that's a revival, which again, I still don't think makes a lot of sense. Because it's Broadway; off-Broadway is a different set of awards.

[13:31] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. I never really fully understand it either. And I know that it gets to be controversial. It's, uh, and people, producers, no shade to the producers, they angle things in a certain way for their best shot to win. Right. And that makes the most sense, but the nominating committee is supposed to be there to say your show has not been on Broadway, so it's new. Your show has been on Broadway; it's a revival, etc. And then if that were the case, then why wasn't Mary Jane a revival? I don't know. It just doesn't make sense to me.

[13:59] Eila Mell: I don't either. It doesn't make sense to me either. I loved Pearly too. And I think Pearly was such a powerful, strong, funny acting tour de force of the show. And Cara Young, yay. And finally, Cara Young gets her Tony Award, which was another amazing special moment. She's so electric in that.

[14:21] Robert Bannon: Yeah, I mean, seeing her in that show was just such a privilege. And so, I mean, she really makes acting choices that no one else would make, and they're so much better than you could even ever imagine.

[14:33] Eila Mell: A hundred percent. A hundred percent across the board, for sure. Did you think Leslie was another front runner to take the Tony?

[14:41] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. I did, yeah. For sure. I thought he was gonna get another one. And what did you think about when that was another surprise for you?

[14:51] Eila Mell: Yeah, absolutely. I didn't see Enemy of the People. Did you see it?

[14:55] Robert Bannon: I did not. So, you know, it's hard for me to say who deserved it and who didn't. I also thought that Michael Stuhlbarg was amazing in Patriots.

[15:03] Eila Mell: Me too. Yeah, Jeremy Strong ends up winning for Enemy of the People, and, you know, I didn't see the show, but the picture of it and what about it? I know it's in the round; it's Circle in the Square. You know, it's interesting to me. I don't know how you feel. I was very outspoken during my show the other day about Broadway. I love, oh, this is a little off topic, but there's an influx of celebrities on Broadway because, you know, we need to sell tickets and people's shows need to stay open and all of that. But it sometimes feels like a popularity contest because, you know, Jeremy Strong isn't a part of one of the most popular shows of the past decade.

[15:40] Robert Bannon: Well, right. Leslie is a Broadway baby, but Leslie has now gone on to be a recording star, an Oscar nominee, a movie star, and comes back to Broadway, rightfully so. Thank God he does. But what do you think about the influx of celebrity culture in Broadway?

[15:54] Eila Mell: I don't feel like it's all that new, but I do think it's more important now than ever because it's even more competitive and shows are getting more expensive. I wish that they could do something about that, make the shows less expensive and more affordable and just available to everyone. I don't know how you do that. So it's a big idea, but I don't know what to actually do about it.

[16:16] Robert Bannon: I don't know either. And I know that people, as many people do, regular folks who visit New York City or live in this area, they don't have the means. I mean, I remember as a kid, my parents used to take me and my brother once a month to see a Broadway show. Used to be able to get, you know, Les Mis for $40 on C Day or a discount. Those days are long gone for most of the point. Are long gone. So I hope there's a way that they could figure that out too.

[16:41] Eila Mell: Yeah, me too. But I do think that, you know, the success of being on, you know, the biggest show on TV doesn't hurt your chances of getting a Tony. I think voters are influenced by that, whether, you know, it's subliminal or overt.

[16:56] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. I also agree. I tend to agree as well. So what else? We have directors; we talked a little bit about. They both were people. Well, you saw that once outside is one director; you felt the road was there for best musical.

[17:10] Eila Mell: Yes, absolutely. Stereophonic, we assumed he was going to win as well.

[17:16] Robert Bannon: Yeah, so did I. So did I, but at least, you know, at least we had one surprise, so that was nice.

[17:22] Eila Mell: Yes. What about supporting actors in plays?

[17:26] Robert Bannon: So Carrie Young, I was so excited about. And we'll bro, well, we talked about the plays.

[17:32] Eila Mell: Yes, we did. We talked about them already. Should we talk about the musicals?

[17:35] Robert Bannon: Yes, please.

[17:36] Eila Mell: Okay, so, well, Daniel Radcliffe, I think that was so well deserved. He really did, you know, that was great. We did it, Keisha Lewis. I can't believe it. How did we fly through these so quick?

[17:48] Robert Bannon: I don't know. But we didn't talk about best leads. We didn't talk about Sarah Paulson.

[17:52] Eila Mell: Oh, yes. Well, let's talk about Sarah Paulson. Sarah Paulson is bananas. What a performance, right?

[18:01] Robert Bannon: Oh my god. My throat hurts for her because she is in her accent work and her emotional life and what she's doing on that stage at all these shows. But really, what a, what a, what a, I don't know how to describe her character. She's a juicy character for now.

[18:18] Eila Mell: Yeah. I'm glad she's not my relative.

[18:24] Robert Bannon: Oh, same. And so brilliant in the sense that she just can literally morph like a chameleon into anything. I think that's what's so great about Broadway this season is that there literally was something for everyone, from classical plays to contemporary plays to jukebox musicals that make you smile to deep original pieces to revivals of shows that we loved. Like with the groundbreaking, record-breaking number of shows that opened this year, it really was something for everyone.

[18:55] Eila Mell: It really was. It was many shows for everyone.

[18:56] Robert Bannon: Many shows for everyone, and I know that's a cutthroat business, which is like, you know, Heart of Rock and Roll announces it's closing today, and shows will make it in and not make it, and some will live forever, and some will have short runs or long runs, but there's an audience and a love for each one of these shows, and that's what I love about the Broadway community.

[19:17] Eila Mell: Yeah, me too. I loved Heart of Rock and Roll. I thought that was so much fun. I had a blast, and I know it will live on in tours and regionally and cruise. I mean, it's made for everywhere and anywhere.

[19:28] Robert Bannon: Absolutely, and the choreography, I thought was Rob that should have gotten a nomination. That was excellent.

[19:32] Eila Mell: Agreed. Agreed. Choreography, Illinois won for choreography, which I mean is so fitting. Well, I think the day I saw you, you were going to see that show. Did you see it?

[19:43] Robert Bannon: No, I, what was I going to say? Maybe, I don't know. There were so many shows, who knows? But I did not see Illinois.

[19:51] Eila Mell: We, um, it's beautiful. It's interesting to see storytelling with just choreography and being able to be so depicted in a way that you can really tell the story and build the character life. And when we did interviews with some of the casts on the round table, I talked to them about how do you, as a choreographer, do the moves, but emote emotions at the same time. And so to see it win choreography, they're doing the double work up there of really acting and dancing at the same time.

[20:18] Robert Bannon: Absolutely, and I'm so happy for Justin Peck; he's lovely. But, you know, but then on the other hand, I felt so bad for Water for Elephants because what they're doing is so special in terms of choreography and something that no one else has done or is doing.

[20:34] Eila Mell: So I agree. If only there were a special award for what they did.

[20:38] Robert Bannon: I agree. Water for Elephants is the circus work that's done on stage, and talking to that cast as well and being like, there's no tricks; they're up there eight shows a week.

[20:50] Eila Mell: No safety nets either.

[20:51] Robert Bannon: No safety nets, eight shows a week, climbing, swinging, scarf work, like literally the work that they're doing up there is amazing, and I think one of the most beautiful moments in the entire season is that Dance at the Horse does in Water for Elephants.

[21:09] Robert Bannon: It's beautiful.

[21:09] Eila Mell: Well, talking about performances, what did you think of the performances that were on the Tonies? What'd you think of the In Memoriam for one?

[21:17] Eila Mell: Um, I thought that was really nice. I love the Cheetah Rivera tribute. I thought that was great. And what a nice idea to do for someone who just had an entire life in the theater.

[21:28] Robert Bannon: I agree.

[21:29] Eila Mell: And it wasn't maudlin, it was happy. It was just a celebration of her.

[21:33] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. It made me smile for sure.

[21:35] Eila Mell: Um, I thought Ariana DeBose really shone in that moment.

[21:39] Robert Bannon: That was wonderful. I did not love the opening. I don't know what that had to do with the Tonies or Broadway or anything.

[21:46] Eila Mell: I did not love the opening either. I don't think if I was tuning in from Oklahoma and loving theater that I got what Broadway was about or felt like a celebration of Broadway in the moment.

[21:58] Robert Bannon: Yeah.

[21:59] Eila Mell: She's very talented.

[22:00] Robert Bannon: Of course she is, yeah.

[22:01] Eila Mell: And she choreographed it, and great for her. I just think it wasn't the right match for the show.

[22:06] Robert Bannon: No, it stood out in the show as a piece that didn't really fit in with the rest of the show.

[22:12] Eila Mell: Um, what do you think about shows and how important it is for them to showcase the right number and how important it is for their future, especially with this being the opportunity for so many people to have their Broadway postcard?

[22:26] Eila Mell: I think it's vital. You have to, and I don't know why so many shows get it wrong. I think they did a better job this year than in past years. I thought last year they were all a disaster.

[22:37] Robert Bannon: Yeah, we guessed.

[22:38] Eila Mell: I was such a fan of Shucked. I thought that was the best show. And when I saw the clip, the scene that they did, I was so disappointed. And all the people with me who hadn't seen it were saying, "That's what Shucked is? I'm not going." And I had to say, "No, it's not this. It's so much better." And then they closed not that long after. So I think it's really, really important that you showcase the right thing.

[23:00] Eila Mell: I think Hell's Kitchen got it a hundred percent right this year. That was the best.

[23:04] Robert Bannon: Oh, agreed. 100%.

[23:06] Eila Mell: If I'm anywhere you're watching this, even if you're a little small fan of theater, if you're just a casual fan of theater, you saw that and you thought, "That's the energy, that's the show that I need to go see." And they made it a water cooler moment.

[23:23] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. I remember last year, I remember Shucked's performance as well. I remember independently owned and operated was that weird little cut in the middle. I remember it was the "It's Not Easy." I know they give you a certain amount of time; it costs, you know, time is money on network television, etc. But there's gotta be a way that they showcase the shows that make you want to pick up the phone and call and give your credit card number and buy it.

[23:48] Eila Mell: Well, I think the problem is that they try to do too much with that time. If they had just had that opening number and not put independently owned in, it would have been better. You would have gotten more of a sense, and it would have been more fun.

[24:00] Robert Bannon: I agree. Just give us one good solid fun number with a full beginning, middle, and end.

[24:05] Eila Mell: I love that idea too. You don't have to do these mashups and medleys of 10 songs in two minutes, etc. It dilutes the feel of the number in the show itself.

[24:15] Robert Bannon: I agree, I agree. Um, what else? Did any other performances stand out for you in particular?

[24:21] Eila Mell: The Outsiders. I thought that was pretty good. Um, because they had the rumble in at least a little bit, so that's so exciting. And they brought the rain.

[24:30] Robert Bannon: Yes.

[24:30] Eila Mell: They had to put down a special floor in the theater because otherwise it would be too wet for the other things that happened afterwards. So in the commercial break, you saw them put down this floor.

[24:42] Robert Bannon: It was great. I love that you were the secret correspondent in there for this whole entire show. So when it was over, firstly tell us, I haven't been. I went to the Tony Awards when I was 12 years old. My parents bought tickets that took me to the 50th anniversary of the Tony Awards in the third balcony of Radio City when Rosie O'Donnell hosted that year. What is it like? You know, come there's commercial breaks and moments where there's lots of action and there's a stop, etc. Do you see the other performers mingle and talk? Did you see a lot of camaraderie amongst the people in their seats?

[25:17] Eila Mell: Oh yeah. Everybody jumps up at commercial break and goes over and talks, and there's a lot of bathroom breaks, people running and trips to the bar too. But yes, during commercials, everybody jumps up, so that's fun and nice because you want to catch up with people. I mean, that's really the fun of it.

[25:35] Robert Bannon: Sure. And when it was over, what'd you do?

[25:38] Eila Mell: Well, when it was over, then everybody's relaxed. So, you know, there's just a lot of mingling, a lot of hanging out. It's just sort of like being at a high school reunion. You know, you're just catching up with people. I used to cover Fashion Week every season, and it was the same thing. It's like people you get to see once or twice a year and really spend time with, so it's really nice.

[26:03] Robert Bannon: Did you go party it up or did you go home?

[26:06] Eila Mell: I went home because I had been there since 8:15 in the morning for the rehearsal. So it was a long day, yeah.

[26:12] Robert Bannon: So while we've got you and everyone, the Tony, the forefronts of Tony Award lore and history right here with Eila, you could get the book. The book is available now, so make sure you grab it. And I one day want to know the whole, and I mean the American Theater presented the book. I mean, you worked in conjunction, yes?

[26:26] Eila Mell: Absolutely, I did this. I have no idea, but you did. It's amazing, and it's such a beautiful, beautiful book of photos and history. Um, what do you say about next season? What are your thoughts as we jump? It's already so crowded. I it's so exciting. There's so much. Did you see Paul Wontor posted this thing about next year's Best Actress right already? I know, and there's already like 10 people who are in contention and we haven't even had a show. Well, we had one show so far.

[26:26] Eila Mell: Oh my gosh, I've seen Home so already. I'm doing well.

[26:26] Robert Bannon: You're good.

[26:26] Eila Mell: I know I read, and I was like, "Oh my goodness, they're already talking about Nicole Scherzinger, and we're already talking about Audra, and we're already talking about this." We're already full steam ahead till next June. How exciting though! I mean, it seems like it's going to be a fantastic season. I can't wait. I can't wait to go see. Oh Mary, you know, I'm just there's so many fun things coming.

[26:26] Robert Bannon: Yes, I'm excited. Broadway is alive, y'all. And I say this all the time at the end of my shows, no matter where you live, you know there's art and there's theater that we need to support and show. We think so much of us because we're here in this area, and we get to be so grateful to cover Broadway. But there's tours and there's regional productions and there's community theater, and there's shows that we've loved that people don't get a chance to see because they don't live near New York. Go support a show, go see a performer put on a performance no matter where you are in the world.

[28:03] Eila Mell: I can tell you that the American Theater Wing is very behind that statement. And they support regional theaters, and they love community theaters, and absolutely they echo that sentiment.

[28:13] Eila Mell: I've had a lot of fun. I bounce, Eila, between Detroit and New York City.

[28:17] Robert Bannon: Oh, my husband manages banks, like a regular good old job in Detroit.

[28:23] Eila Mell: So we bounce back and forth, and being able to be a part of the touring season in Detroit brought and on Broadway and the Opera House in Detroit, it's such a different perspective because when you see a show on tour, they're craving this art. The audience is, it's the only show in town. So it is a really special, different perspective on what everyone's doing when they put these shows out here and they hit the road.

[28:45] Robert Bannon: I want to go do that. I want to go on the road and see something. I should go see Queen of Versailles or something like that out of town.

[28:50] Eila Mell: Well, if you want to come and hang out, I'll have a spare room in Detroit for you anytime. I'll take you to see whatever you want to see.

[28:57] Robert Bannon: All right. I'm calling Jet Blue after we're done.

[29:00] Eila Mell: That's the deal.

[29:01] Robert Bannon: Everyone, the next season is about to start and be full-fledged ahead for you. So make sure you stay up to date on all of the things. But if you want the full history, you gotta go click the link below us. There's a link. You can follow. Tell us about your podcast.

[29:14] Eila Mell: So my podcast is a companion to the book called Behind the Awards. And so we talk to winners of Tonys, but where the book was just the Tonys, we also branch out into the Oscars and the Emmys and Golden Globes and the Drama Desks and the Obies.

[29:31] Eila Mell: So we've had incredible guests. We have fantastic guests coming up. It's just been so much fun.

[29:40] Robert Bannon: Yeah, so make sure you right here on Broadway Podcast Network. So if you're listening to us, make sure you listen to Eila's show.

[29:48] Eila Mell: It's done it so much more classy and put together than my mess.

[29:52] Robert Bannon: And I am excited to see you grab the book, grab the book to make sure you tag her, tag us here on The Roundtable, order a copy, and enjoy some of the Tony Awards, even if for the commentary, the pictures, the history, the lessons. It's definitely a full unvalid encyclopedia of the show.

[29:52] Eila Mell: Oh my gosh, Robert, you know what happened when I was on, you know, at the Tonys? So many people who are in the book came up to me and were so happy and just were so grateful to be included, and they had the book. I ran into one person who had just gotten it that morning, and all the nominees got it. So it's so exciting for me.

[29:52] Robert Bannon: What a dream come true! All the work, all the hard work to see it live and to be there at the Tony Awards, really to celebrate your year is something special. Congratulations.

[29:52] Eila Mell: Thank you so much. I want you to come on and talk about award shows and shows all the time. I want all of your tea and gossip and opinions.

[29:52] Robert Bannon: Okay, well I should bring my co-host Bruce on, and we'll come and we'll do maybe a double episode like you have the episode and we have the episode. We'll share it.

[29:52] Eila Mell: I'm not afraid to give my opinion, Robert. I am not. I'm ready.

[29:52] Robert Bannon: Me too! Well, you know I said I didn't like the opening number, so clearly I'm not either. Thank you so much for all the work you do and for covering this art form of theater and for spending time with us today.

[31:16] Eila Mell: Well, it was my pleasure. Thank you.