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[0:10] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's the Roundtable with me, Robert Bannon. Welcome to the Roundtable.

[0:17] Robert Bannon: Hi everybody, my name is Robert Bannon, and you're watching the Roundtable. Well, I guess you're listening to it on the Broadway Podcast Network. I guess watching it would be over at YouTube. Um, I'm so excited to be here with you. We have had a great season of Broadway shows last year and a whole slew of them opening up this year. But some of us don't live in New York. Some of us don't have access to seeing a show. Some of us don't have the means to come to New York to just spend a lot of money and see some theater, but we have cast albums, and the Sweeney Todd cast album is out. It is stunning. If you want to see Josh Groban sing, Annaleigh Ashford sing, Jordan Fisher sing, Gaten Matarazzo sing, everybody sing, Ruthie Ann Miles sing.

Well, I had to have Johanna here because Johanna, Maria Bilbao, is so sweet and so fantastic and so charming up on stage right now over at Sweeney Todd. You need to come down here and see a show. I had a blast. I'm gonna tell you our story, why we went and saw it, and all that jazz right now with Maria. So over the spring I had the chance to jump. Oh, you know, it was my partner's first official Broadway show. It was his first official Broadway show. We went and had, you know, super overpriced drinks, and we sat in super great house seats, and he's secretly like a gigantic Josh Groban fan. Like, if he had a celebrity hall pass for a straight man, he would pick Josh Groban. So wait, I'm gonna get brownie points right now. Maria Bilbao's here, and we're gonna talk all things Sweeney Todd right now. Hi.

[1:52] Maria Bilbao: Hello!

[1:53] Robert Bannon: How I soon, I you all have such a beautiful voice.

[1:58] Maria Bilbao: Oh, thank you so much.

[2:00] Robert Bannon: You have the most beautiful acting choices, and I'm so excited to have you here.

[2:00] Maria Bilbao: I'm so excited to be here.

[2:07] Robert Bannon: So exciting to talk to you. Thank you. I everyone that's listening to us right now on the Broadway Podcast Network or watching us on YouTube. Why haven't you gotten your Sweeney tickets yet? You can it's the perfect time of year. It's perfect. It's spooky season. You know, we just had Friday the 13th. It's time. It's time to come attend the tale. Come attend the tale. And if you're around the country, you can listen to the tale right now. The album is out. It is streaming wherever music is streamed and heard. We're gonna talk about it in a moment. Maria, you're from Miami.

[2:40] Maria Bilbao: I sure am.

[2:41] Robert Bannon: At what point did you say I want to be in showbiz in theater in particular?

[2:47] Maria Bilbao: Um, I oof. I started theater when I was seven, so my mom put me in like a little theater camp, and I quickly fell in love with it because I was around kids just like me who were so expressive and who just loved to sing and dance. Um but I think that I got really serious about it once I was in high school, and or honestly, not even no, I'm lying to you. I'm lying to you. I had this very pivotal moment in my life watching the PBS documentary when Wicked first, you know, became a thing. And I remember sitting in my great grandmother's kitchen, and you know those tiny little TVs that people used to have? Yes. I was just watching Idina Menzel being painted green, and I was like, I need to do that in that city. And I must have been like seven years old, honestly. And that when you got the bug, you get the bug. That's it. Idina Menzel and the green makeup, and that was it. Done. I was like, I that's I want that.

[3:58] Robert Bannon: Did you go to voice lessons? Did you go like I know for me, I went to the mall and the Bergen Mall in Paramus, New Jersey. That's all my parents knew. Like what did they what was the steps you took when you were younger?

[4:10] Maria Bilbao: Yeah, um, my grandmother and my mother were have always been so supportive. And once they realized that I was really into this um and really serious about it, yeah. My grandma started putting me in um I started taking like group voice lessons first as like a trial. Um, and then after that I'll I went into just like private ones. I must have been 11 or 12 when I started that. And then after that, yeah, I went into dance classes and I went to like a drama magnet school for high school.

[4:42] Robert Bannon: Okay, so it was just continuous. So do in high school because people a lot of students I I teach musical theater at NJPAC in Newark, they're obsessed with theater, young theater makers, amazing voices, the up and coming superstars of the world. And they they always talk about uh their big thing is auditions and audition prep, and they're in high school, so they're going for high school shows or they're they're applying for college. Do you remember the first time you started to put songs together and make a book and all that?

[5:15] Maria Bilbao: Yes, and oh my gosh, like now I'm like, ah, I didn't know anything. Um, like there's such a specific way, I think, of creating your book and and like having a really great song that you really love that you just bring to multiple auditions. Um, but I think I remember my my high school audition was like my first one that I ever really like worked with someone with where I was like, okay, I need to find a monologue, let's find a song, let's work on the beats and the acting. Um and yeah, I just remember being at like this being from Miami, there's this like Coral Gables Youth Center, and like just sitting outside and recording myself saying the monologue and you know, editing it with her. Um, so that was like my first experience of trying to figure things out regarding auditions, and I don't think I figured it out probably until after college, to be honest. Once I really like was using it in the real world in this context. I was like, okay, this works, and this does not work, let me redo this. It's a forever living and breathing document.

[6:28] Maria Bilbao: Yeah, yeah. Where did you go to school? And did you study musical theater?

[6:32] Maria Bilbao: Yes, I did. Um, I went to AMDA um conservatory. Um, I did so they have the option of doing like two years in New York and two years in LA, and I just decided to do the two years in New York. Um, yeah. I have the students who are are applying and and going through the audition process this year, and I have many friends of you if you're in New York area or LA and you know actors, then you know people that have gone to AMDA.

[6:55] Robert Bannon: Oh yeah.

[6:56] Maria Bilbao: Oh yes, and a lot on Broadway and a lot on television and film, et cetera. What about the process there, those two years? Was it hard to leave Florida? Was that a big dramatic moment? Or you were like, I'm out, see you later.

[7:08] Maria Bilbao: I was ready to get out. I was so ready. Um, and auditioning for AMDA was a really like kind of like a cosmic moment for me because I wasn't going to audition for AMDA. I had like paid for orientation for Florida State University. I was gonna minor in theater and major in psychology. My life would have been very, very different. Well, who knows? I don't know. Um, and then I got an email from AMDA being like, if you audition, you get an automatic scholarship. It's like, oh, sure. Um and then I told FSU, sorry, I'm not coming, because then I got accepted, and I just was like, I need to, I need to leave to New York. And my mom, my mom was like bribing me with like, I'll get you an annual pass to Disney if you stay in Florida, like just stay in Florida. And she's very supportive that I'm in New York. Um, but I was like, no, nothing can stop me from wanting to be there.

[8:00] Robert Bannon: And you come here, you go to AMDA, and then you have worked in some of the best regional theaters and and got your your resume filled up and got your feet wet, so to speak. What is it like to be a book a contract and go from Westchester to here to there, everywhere, and to be in a new place and housing and what is that like for a young new actor?

[8:22] Maria Bilbao: Um, magical, I think. Like the first when I did Evita at St. Louis Rep, I was so nervous because I didn't know what to expect. You know, you get told so many things from school, like this is what it's gonna be like, but you don't ever really know until you're there. Um, but that was a really magical experience, being like, oh wow, this is truly so similar to what I know how to do. Like, like it's like being in high school, you're with a group of people who really love to do this, but we get paid to do it, and there's like more money involved, obviously, because the costumes are better or whatever. Um, but I love doing regional theater. I have met like lifelong friends doing these shows. Exploring the country is just incredible.

Like, I don't know if I would have ever gone to St. Louis, you know, um, because I didn't know what was there or was not really interested. Um yeah, it's it's fun. Like it's obviously really nice to be doing like a Broadway contract and you're in the city and you can settle yourself in your apartment for you know a long time or a longer time than usual if you're used to doing regional theater. But there's something really exciting about like jumping back and forth and being in a new place and having that new energy.

[9:46] Robert Bannon: Absolutely, and so many people don't have access to coming to New York or going to Los Angeles, and you get to be the only show in town for people who love theater everywhere.

[9:54] Maria Bilbao: Yeah, it's really inspiring for a lot of people. You know, I didn't see my first Broadway show until I was 17. So regional theater and national tours was the only way that I could get access to it. Um, because you know there were no there were no slime tutorials back then. You know, I just told that story about my first Broadway audition getting called from Telsey to be a replacement Roger in Rent in nothing that 2001. And I told my I told the kids there was no slime tutorial. There was a bootleg VHS tape that my friend had of someone with a camcorder to try to memorize the words. That is that is we live in a new world.

[10:23] Maria Bilbao: In a new world. My God. Well, so many actors dream about being on Broadway. So many actors dream about being in a big giant production of something. What was your journey like to be in Sweeney?

[10:44] Maria Bilbao: Oh wow. Um, it was a wild and really quick journey. Um so the moment that it was released that this was gonna be happening. I texted my manager. I was like, can I get it? Do you think I can get seen for Joanna? And he was like, I don't know, I'll try, but I think it's cast. And I was like, okay, valid, whatever. Um, if they want me, if they want to see me for ensemble or like a cover, you know, I'm open. Um, and that was like in the summer or spring.

[11:17] Maria Bilbao: I don't remember when it was released, the news last year. Um, and I didn't hear anything, and then I was just like, I think like two or three more times. I was like, hey, I still want to be seen for this if there's anything. Um, and then in November of last year, I got a self-tape for Joanna, and that was the week before Thanksgiving. Um, and I had to like change my flight home because I had to be here, and I was like also doing a holiday contract in Sonoma, California after Thanksgiving. So there was a lot that I had to do logistically, but I was like, I need to be here in New York for this audition right now. Um, so I sent my self-tape in and then I got asked to dance, and then that was the Friday before Thanksgiving, and then the Monday I sang, and then the Wednesday after Thanksgiving I found out my manager called me. So it happened in two weeks. It was crazy.

[12:16] Maria Bilbao: Oh my goodness. What was the moment like when you got the phone call? Where were you? What pandemic? I was, I was in Sonoma, California. I was in a, you know, I was in like artist resident housing. Um, and it was my day off. I was going to the dentist in the middle of the day. That was my only plan for my afternoon. Um, my manager calls me because I was in for another show, and he's like, you know, this show um has notes for you. And I was like, okay, this must mean that I didn't get Sweeney. Whatever, that's fine. Um, I'll just do this show, if anything. And then he said, you know, um, this show has notes, but it should be easy for you because like you got Joanna, and I just remember being in this room and like falling to my knees and being like, no way.

No way. Yes. Screaming. My roommate heard me and like knocked on the door, was like, what did I just hear? And then we celebrated together, and I FaceTimed my mom, my grandma. Um, yeah, and that's another moment that's like ingrained in my mind for it's just the beginning, it's just the first of many, I'm sure. Um, that are to come. So you all better be on it.

[13:36] Maria Bilbao: While we're talking about you can follow, follow on Instagram, make sure that you take a follow for the journey because it's gonna be exciting, all that's gonna happen. So when you walk into a rehearsal space with Annaleigh Ashford and Josh Groban and Jordan Fisher and this cast and your director who has done um a little show here and there, what on the scale? What is it like when you walk in there and this is your Broadway debut, and no shade to us, but these are monster stars, talents. What my God. I even the moment like I got the call and my manager told me like who's gonna be in the show, and I my jaw dropped, and I was like, oh really? Okay, I'm prepared for this. And there's like a little bit of imposter syndrome, you know, because it's like oh wow, like I'm just starting, like feeling like oh, I have something to prove, but I was like, no, it's all right.

Like this is treat this like any other regional gig, you know, you go in there and just be you, you've got the job already. But I definitely had to like prepare mentally prepare myself to not like fangirl over these people. Like these are all people that I have admired for so long and have followed their careers, like Ruthie and Gina and Annaleigh, like these are women that I've really admired in my own career and growing up. Um, but quickly I realized, oh man, these people are so down to earth and sweet and gracious. Um, I can just be myself around them. And they're just I'm in love with all of them.

[15:18] Robert Bannon: You are that is such a beautiful talented cast. It is such a magical evening of theater. Um, especially to sing these Sondheim songs in this time. Um, what is it like when you have people come visit this show? Like I saw a picture of you and Bernadette Peters. I mean, you have some iconic Sondheim people, Broadway people period. What is that like?

[15:42] Maria Bilbao: Wild, um surreal. Yeah, when Bernadette came, that's talk about an yeah, talk about an icon, someone since I was seven, like listening to her voice, she has shaped so much of who I am and why I love what I do. Um, so seeing her was magical. Like my inner child was just like leaping for joy. Um yeah, it's it's just incredible. And like having a direct link to people who were so close to Sondheim is really special.

[16:21] Robert Bannon: Absolutely, absolutely. Um, I like I said, we had such a great time at the show. I need everyone to go get their tickets. I think Josh Groban, I told him he's the nicest man in show business because he really is nice.

[16:34] Maria Bilbao: He is so nice. Like, like you're like, really? You can't be this nice and like so sweet.

[16:41] Robert Bannon: It's disgusting how sweet and kind and humble he is. And how are you all still standing? You're now in what? How many months have you you've done the show?

[16:52] Maria Bilbao: It's almost ten, eight. Uh yeah, almost eight months. We just hit our two hundredth performance last Thursday, which is crazy. Yeah. And I think like for us, since we all love each other so much and we are having so much fun, and we really do love this story and treat it with so much care. Um, that it doesn't get old. Like, obviously, there are days where you know life is happening. Sure. But I think collectively, all of us in the theater, the moment we walk in, it's like I know what I'm doing here. Like this is this is my safe space. Um, so and also having the two days off is really I think that is a big reason why all of us are like so I don't know, jazzed and falling apart.

[17:44] Robert Bannon: Well, it's an it's an event and and the audience is here for it. Here's pictures from from the event, and and here's here's the playbill if you're what if you're watching us right now. When you got to make the album, what was it like to do it in a recording session with this cast? And now it's it's forever documented and immortalized, and you can listen to it right now wherever music is heard.

[18:03] Maria Bilbao: Amazing. Um that's another surreal moment. Like thinking, I had a shower moment after doing the recordings where I was like, oh my god. I remember singing along to Sarah Rice in the OBC on Spotify, like learning this track for this audition, and just thinking about like young girls and women like listening to me and having that is really uh just like a mind-blowing moment.

[18:36] Maria Bilbao: There are gonna be so many high school regional community theater productions of this show forever for eternity, and they're gonna Google and Google Schmoogle this show and put it in Spotify or whatever, and they're gonna all be listening and taking notes from you.

[18:51] Maria Bilbao: Yeah, it's it's really it's I truly am at like a loss for words because it is it's hard to wrap my mind around it. Um because it's something that I love doing so much as a kid that thinking about other kids is just really magical.

[19:10] Robert Bannon: I love it. I can't wait.

[19:12] Maria Bilbao: Yeah. I can't wait for people to ruin your runs and your ideas in rehearsal and audition rooms forever.

[19:19] Robert Bannon: I um well, we know that you have music in you. We know that you have tricks up your sleeve. You were doing shows with Jenna Duwall over the. I we I saw that. I'm ready for your cabaret shows, your concerts, your solo records, your next Broadway show. We're here for you. We're rooting, we're cheering. We're ready.

[19:37] Maria Bilbao: Oh, yeah, I'm so excited. That's yeah, that's on my list. Is doing like a solo show. So hopefully, in like the next year, um, that'll be happening.

[19:46] Robert Bannon: So well, everybody that's here, we're gonna follow you on Instagram and stay up to date. We're all going to go for the holidays for Halloween for Thanksgiving break, wherever you can try to get a ticket. Go to SweeneyToddBroadway.com, Broadway.com, and you can get your tickets. And we're so excited. We are gonna be streaming the album and listening and telling all of our friends they gotta head on down and see Sweeney Todd.

[20:07] Maria Bilbao: Yes, please come. Congratulations. You're so wonderful. I'm so excited. Love to your family. I am sure they are over the moon.

[20:14] Maria Bilbao: Oh, yeah. My mom was just here. I saw the show three times this week.

[20:19] Robert Bannon: I love it. That's that's family. That's okay. That's love. Thank you. Thank you so much. So lovely speaking with you.

[20:26] Robert Bannon: Well, there you have it, everybody. How great is that? Miami in the house, now in New York. And I don't think Broadway's gonna ever let her go now. I think she belongs to the two one two. Everybody, thanks for being here. My name is Robert Bannon. I have a whole boatload of stuff coming out. A Christmas show at Chelsea Table and Stage, a brand new album called Rewind. All of that information is at my website. Go to www.robertbannon.com or follow me on Instagram at Robert M. Bannon. And I hope you keep watching and listening to us here at the Broadway Podcast Network Joy and Honor to be here. Check out some of my friends that are on the Podcast Network because they're talking about some great stuff. You're not gonna want to miss them. All right, I'll see you again next time. Thanks for being here. The best is yet to come. Bye.