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[0:10] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's the Roundtable with me, Robert Bannon. Well, you know this is a humongous day for me. If you know anything about me, I'm a humongous fan, although I've only seen, well, you know, it's a little bit of an obsession. I have Manilow socks on. You wanna see them? Look at them. Barry! Barry socks! I have a Barry jewelry box, I have a Barry Bobblehead, I have a Barry Can of Nuts, I have a Barry pillowcase, I have Barry Barry TV D, a Barry book, Barry CDs. You have to see this show. The music is beautiful, the story is gorgeous. Harmony on Broadway. Here was Barry Manilow himself talking about writing every single day.

[0:55] Barry Manilow: And it's the idea that comes first. At least that's what Bruce and I have discovered. So whenever Bruce gives you a lyric, it usually is just an idea or a couple of lines, or maybe a paragraph before I can put any music to it, especially for a show like this. This one, we have changed the scenes around and Bruce finally gave me a full lyric. And I sat and I read the lyric and listened to it. Hasn't happened in a long time. I heard the melody as I read the lyric. And I took the lyric like that. And I just played it. I just read it and sang it and played it. And that's it. It just came out in one fourth. Well, its lyric was so easy. Anybody to write a green memory to that one. We got an exclusive sneak peek of this showstopper every single day. Take a listen.

[2:15] Robert Bannon: We're here with the direct congratulations. Warren Carlyle, I have seen a lot of your shows. You are quite the director, quite the choreographer, but this show I've been waiting to see for a long time. Congratulations.

[2:30] Warren Carlyle: Thank you, thank you. This is a good one. This is one that's really close to my heart. I love this one. I love this one. I, as a little bit of a fan, although I've only seen him 24 times in concert.

[2:41] Robert Bannon: I know, me too. I'm right with you.

[2:43] Warren Carlyle: We were probably sitting next to each other.

[2:44] Robert Bannon: We probably sat next to each other. I probably hugged you and cried during Mandy.

[2:47] Warren Carlyle: I know this music, and to see it on stage by this cast is amazing. What's it been like to work with this group of actors?

[2:53] Warren Carlyle: It's really special. I mean, it's really special. They're great. And you saw them today in action. They're just, they are at the top of their game. They are magnificent. It's like thoroughbreds. Every single one of them is a thoroughbred. I love them all. They're telling the story in such a compelling, theatrical, real way. I can't wait to share this with audiences.

[3:12] Robert Bannon: And you didn't take it easy with this choreography. Those knees, they're working.

[3:16] Warren Carlyle: They're working, they're working. And what you saw is a tiny piece of. There are some other numbers in there which are really tricky.

[3:23] Robert Bannon: Well, they're so in tune, they're so talented. They're at Harmony, they're singing, they're acting, and their dancing is off the chart. This story is so timely, it's as timely as ever with the world we're living in. What does that mean to you as an artist to be able to tell this story and moral?

[3:36] Warren Carlyle: Yeah, it's interesting. You know, traditionally, I'm not particularly political in my work, you know. Hello Dolly, or The Music Man. The politics is not at the forefront of the storytelling. And with this, actually, for the first time, I'm really having those feelings, and I'm wanting to express those feelings, and I'm wanting to hold my hand up and say, this can never happen again. This kind of behavior, this moment in history that Harmony, you know, deals with and kind of hints at, it can never happen again. And that's my personal reason for telling this story. It's a really special, really important, true, true story.

[4:07] Robert Bannon: Well, you need to get your tickets and head down to the Barrymore because it's gonna be some incredible night. Congratulations, Break Legs. We're so excited to see you.

[4:14] Warren Carlyle: Thanks. Thank you so much. Here's a sneak peek of the title track, Harmony as performed by the cast.

[5:18] Robert Bannon: Six amazing performers make up the boys of Harmony, singing a cappella music and beautiful melodies throughout this entire show. We had a chance to say hello and get their take on singing together.

[5:31] Performer Robert Bannon: The worst summer I ever spent in my life was doing a cappella music with The Music Man. What is, what was it like to be able to get together and what is it? What do you feel like when you all sing together? You are tight, tight, tight harmonies. What's it like?

[5:43] Performer Robert Bannon: Well, we've been working together for two years now. And just getting to work with these five guys, they're so talented. And singing Barry Manilow's original score, Bruce Sussman's lyrics under the direction of Warren Carlyle. There's nothing better. Nothing better than that. We have such trust with one another now, and we know each other so well. And so I think it just all adds fuel to us creating the singular sound that feels really of us and of Barry and of Bruce. Even from the first workshop we did a few years ago to now, it's crazy how much we've brought ourselves to these characters, and the creative team not only allowed it, but they encourage it. It feels like we're playing real people because we are, and it's just really exciting.

[6:25] Performer Robert Bannon: Singing six-part harmony with these guys, it's incredible. I mean, it's so nice we have a shorthand with each other now. He'd be like, "You're flat." Like it's great. It's to have that bond and to just know you can kind of say anything to each other is really helpful.

[6:37] Performer Robert Bannon: Yes. I completely agree with everything that everyone has said so far. And it really is a joy too to make music with each other, you know. I think we've gotten to know each other so well that it's so fun to be around each other and to make art with each other, and also the simple act of making harmony with one another is incredibly fun. I think one of the biggest joys throughout this process has been seeing the way in which we ourselves emulate the harmonists. They were all such different people, and we collectively are such different people and individuals in our own right, yet there's this magical thing that happens when we get together and we sing and we perform this material that on any given day, it doesn't matter how you're feeling, it's gonna lift your spirits, it's gonna spark joy in your heart.

[7:22] Performer Robert Bannon: And I feel very, very close to you guys after how much we're, you all are so amazing. Congratulations, Brady. I have PTSD from that harmony singing, but it's, you're on it. You got it. You got it. How about the one and only Sierra Boggess and the one and only Julie Benko?

[7:40] Robert Bannon: That's Little Mermaid and Fanny Brice, a duet in harmony. We have a peek, and then we're chatting with them both right after.

[8:39] Performer Robert Bannon: I know, I know her.

[8:40] Robert Bannon: This is Sierra Boggess.

[8:42] Sierra Boggess: Hi, Sierra Boggess. I wish I just heard her say, do you know what she sounds like?

[8:48] Robert Bannon: What does she sound like?

[8:50] Sierra Boggess: Gorgeous, beautiful tones, pitch, the technique?

[8:55] Robert Bannon: Come on, technique.

[8:57] Sierra Boggess: Thank you. What a beautiful job. You did this show off-Broadway. You bring this show to Broadway. What does it feel like to be ready to open at the Barrymore?

[9:04] Sierra Boggess: We are ready to open at the Barrymore. First, I went into the theater the other day. I've never, I've seen a bunch of shows there, but I've never played that house. It is stunning. And I'm just like sitting, our sets like coming in, and I'm just, it's overwhelming. And this is the time for this show. It is, it's been time, but it feels like now feels right. It's just the stars are aligning, and this is the time. This show has such an important message, even though it takes place in a different time. It's as relevant as ever. As an artist, how important is it for you to pick projects that have something to say?

[9:40] Sierra Boggess: It's really important. I think now more than ever. Um yeah, it's really something. It's crazy to me. It's sad that that these stories are so relevant today. But you know, like we are getting to tell their story now. And what I love about this too, just in terms of the time that this took place, there's the reason, and I won't say, I mean, people can guess, but the reason why we never heard from them again. But now this is like, well, you're gonna hear from them now because it's on Broadway.

[10:14] Sierra Boggess: It's on Broadway. Listen, I just heard you sing a duet with Julie Benko. Your songs have been ruined in many audition rooms. If it's part of your world, if it's Phantom, if it's School of Rock, I think you got some more that are ready to be sung. A lot of 16 bar cuts are gonna be sung.

[10:29] Julie Benko: Oh, I love that. That is like the thing, you know, when you're a little kid in college, like musical theater major, it's like the things you dream of.

[10:37] Julie Benko: That's like one day your songs will be the ones that are sung. Open the book. There's some Sierra Boggess in there. I love that. Congratulations. Have an amazing opening.

[10:46] Sierra Boggess: Thank you so much. Thank you. We are here with the one and only Miss Julie Benko. Congratulations on this show.

[10:52] Julie Benko: Thank you so much. I just heard you sing a beautiful duet with Sierra Boggess. Can your two voices together be any more gorgeous? What's it like to get on stage and work with this cast every single day when you come to work?

[11:03] Julie Benko: It's so wonderful. I mean, Sierra is a dream, and I've loved, I've been a big fan for a long time, so I get that fact that I get to sing with her. It's like. And then um Chip Zien is truly one of the finest actors I've ever witnessed. And so to watch him work every day, I mean, I'm just so excited for everyone to see what he does here because he is hysterical, he's heartbreaking, he's such a beautiful actor. And um, and these boys, I mean, and these boys, they're just so wonderful. It's a wonderful, positive room where everyone's been really working to help lift each other up. And we are so ready for the star turn for you of you being on here and originating this role on Broadway at the Barrymore, so get your tickets as much as you can.

[11:44] Julie Benko: How important is it this story has a real moral lesson that's as relevant as ever? So, what does it mean for you to be able to tell this story every night?

[11:51] Julie Benko: It's really important for me. I mean, that in a time of rising anti-Semitism, that this story exists and it exists on the biggest stage that there is in the world to spread this, to spread awareness, to spread um, I think to make people feel heard, to make people feel seen. And personally, you know, I'm playing this young firebrand Bolshevik activist, but you know, I'm this young Jewish woman in this time in the 20s and 30s, and the progressive movement we're led by these young Jewish women in this time. So it's very meaningful to get to represent that on stage because that's not something that's really ever been done in a Broadway musical. I mean Emma Goldman in Ragtime, sort of, but it's totally different. And so I get uh I really it means a lot to me that I get to do that.

[12:40] Julie Benko: Oh, it means a lot to uh a lot of people and communities all around the world. You solo show, Birdland, sold out, albums coming, I'm sure, music coming, more shows coming.

[12:51] Julie Benko: I'm putting an uh Christmas album out. This like every Jewish singer before me, like Barbara. I'm I'm putting out this uh this EP called Christmas with you. Streisand and Manilow and that and they all can do it, so can Julie Benko. But I do do a Yiddish song. I do uh uh for Hadika and then uh and then I wrote a Christmas song too.

[13:11] Robert Bannon: Oh come on!

[13:12] Julie Benko: I'm trying I'm very inspired by Barry.

[13:14] Robert Bannon: Yeah, we all I mean I have Barry Manilow socks on, I'm obsessed with him. Um we we have to go get our tickets to see Harmony. Congrats, we'll be streaming this holiday season.

[13:24] Julie Benko: Great, thank you so much. Good to see you.

[13:27] Robert Bannon: Actor, superstar of stage and screen, Chip Zien happens to be in the show. Here's a peek.

[13:32] Chip Zien: I have to say, Chip. Your acting is I mean, you sell every single second and moment of uh of your brilliant actor.

[13:43] Chip Zien: Thank you so much. That that's wonderful for me to say that. The hardest thing I ever did in my life was do a community theater production of Falsettos. Ever. That score is handwritten and hard to read. In the handwritten score. There are notations in the handwritten score that say things like Chip and Steve, Steve Bogartis and Chip Zien are doing something, but we don't actually know what it is. It's actually handwritten into the original Mike's Michael Steravan's score that was published by like French. Eventually now it's been computerized. But for years, it said I don't know what notes they're singing, but it it somehow fits into the harmony. And then you guys who did it later had to fit try to figure out what it was.

[14:31] Robert Bannon: Well, we we tried to figure it out. Well, your work on stage and screen and your voice is iconic. What does it mean to be back on Broadway? But most importantly, in a show like Harmony?

[14:41] Chip Zien: You know what? I I'm I'm so at this stage of my life, I can't believe that I was actually offered this magnificent role. And it's so rangy. I mean, it's deeply emotional. It's funny. Uh we've added some things in in this in our production since uh moving from downtown. And uh I just, you know, it's a little daunting because uh I've I've hit an age, but but um, you know, I I can't believe that this that I'm doing this still. And you know, the fun of being in the show is a show's always that you get to hang out with younger people. And uh it's an incredible gift that Barry and Bruce have given me, and Warren has just been so much fun to spend the day with and every day.

[15:25] Chip Zien: Well, this cast is this cast is gonna blow your mind. They're phenomenal. You need to get to the Barrymore. Grab your tickets to see Harmony.

[15:32] Robert Bannon: Yeah. Thank you for all the work. Thank you for everything you've done best.

[15:35] Chip Zien: Thank you. I appreciate you. Congrats.

[15:37] Robert Bannon: Thank you very much. Thank you so much. This is Allison Semms, everybody. You're no stranger to the Broadway.

[15:43] Allison Semms: Oh no, not at all. Come on, Motown and Book of Mormons, and it's I'm so glad to be back though.

[15:50] Robert Bannon: And you're back. My goodness, and playing in this show, with this role, it really is. I I keep pinching myself, I'm like, really? Is this happening? You're a pretty iconic character in this show. Who are you in the show?

[16:01] Allison Semms: I'm playing Miss Josephine Baker.

[16:05] Robert Bannon: Miss Josephine Baker.

[16:07] Allison Semms: La Becca.

[16:08] Robert Bannon: Yes, come on now. What has it been like to tell this story in this time with the score and these songs and this cast?

[16:16] Allison Semms: I I just, what is it like showing up to work every day? Oh my god. It's, you know, there's an ease, I have to say. I mean, of course it's electric because we're playing such we're telling such a powerful powerful story politically, musically. It's it shows the highs and the lows, the good, bad, and ugly of humanity. But then it also shows the harmony within it, how music can be that harmonious thread. Um it's been an honor. And Barry Manilow's music, like, it's just, he's so intuitive with his his songwriting, like the melody and the lyrics, they just flow so intuitively. So it's there's an ease to it.

[16:50] Allison Semms: Yeah. I'm a little bit of a I may have seen Barry 24 times in concert.

[16:55] Robert Bannon: Oh, okay, so you already know.

[16:56] Allison Semms: I may have Barry Manilow's socks on right now.

[16:59] Robert Bannon: What? Wait, can I see it?

[17:04] Allison Semms: I may have a Barry Manilow pillowcase.

[17:07] Robert Bannon: The ultimate.

[17:09] Allison Semms: I I know all these songs when they were when you all were performing them, I was like, oh, I've got them down. I know them. I was gonna say, so how do you feel about it?

[17:15] Allison Semms: I am so excited, and I'm ready to do my 16 bar audition because I can go on. When you need coverage, I got the score down. Listen, okay, I know you're ready. I look cute in a dress. I could do it. I mean, I already know. Listen, I look good in a talk. Hey, watch out, y'all. Okay. I'm so excited for this to open in the world to see. Congratulations.

[17:33] Robert Bannon: Thank you. Congratulations.

[17:35] Andrew O'Shannek: Andrew O'Shannek is here. Andrew, are you are you the bad guy in the story?

[17:39] Andrew O'Shannek: I do play the bad guy. Yes. Bad guy. Yes, I am. I play Stand Art and Fuhrer. He is the main antagonist in the story, essentially an amalgamation of all of the different Nazi characters that they might encounter during that time.

[17:51] Robert Bannon: How do you, as an actor, put your head around a point of view and you sell truth on stage when you play some of the most scrupulous people that have ever how do you do that?

[18:01] Andrew O'Shannek: Absolutely. It is it's difficult, but I have said that everyone has a job to do in this show, and I take mine very seriously. And ultimately, without my character, without the Nazis, I take my job very seriously. And ultimately, this show has to be told because we existed, unfortunately. And so the main thing that I try and do is I try and approach it from a place of trying to figure out why they did what they did and the human side of this inhumane thing that they did.

[18:40] Robert Bannon: Absolutely. It's so important. It's more important than ever that the story is told. Is this your Broadway debut?

[18:45] Andrew O'Shannek: It is my Broadway debut, along with 15 other members of this company.

[18:49] Robert Bannon: Oh my goodness! So do you ever think back to the first voice lesson, the voice acting lesson, the dream, that horrible high school production of a show you did, and now you get to make your Broadway debut.

[19:00] Andrew O'Shannek: I do, I do. I there are so many different people who I have worked with and and um come up through the business with, and I have felt so loved and supported by every single one of them. It takes a village to do anything in this business. And um one of my main mentors always says, you know, you have to pray for the bus and run like hell. So um we've done a little bit of both, and here we are.

[19:23] Robert Bannon: And you you're here. Yeah. Congratulations. Break legs, go see Harmony at the Barrymore, Broadway debut. Get the bus.

[19:31] Andrew O'Shannek: Thank you so much. Nice to meet you guys.

[19:34] Robert Bannon: Thanks to the Cast of Harmony and everyone over at OMDKC. Make sure you get your tickets to see Harmony at www.harmonythemusical.com as it comes to the Barrymore this season. Here is the showstopping finale, stars in the sky, as performed by the cast of Harmony, and I will see you at the Barrymore.