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[0:04] Robert Bannon: Are you ready? It's the Roundtable with me, Robert Bannon. Hello, round tablers. We are here for opening night of The Balusters. How excited are you? The energy in the room is palpable. We've got Anika Noni Rose, Michael Esper. I mean, there's I can't. I can't. I'm so excited. This is gonna be what a week we've had. What a past two weeks we had. Opening night. They've been nominated. I can't. I'm so excited. So save me a seat at the round table.

[0:37] Kenny Leon: Director Extraordinaire, Kenny Leon. Congratulations.

[0:41] Robert Bannon: Hey, thank you. Good to see you again.

[0:42] Kenny Leon: Good to see you. Looking dapper as always.

[0:44] Robert Bannon: I'm hanging in there. Opening night.

[0:46] Kenny Leon: Opening night. What an amazing cast and crew you have here.

[0:49] Robert Bannon: Oh, I love this cast. You know, it's ten cast members, and I don't have a complaint about anybody. They're just, you know, come on. Marylouise Burke, you know, Margaret, Anika, Richard Thomas. It's just a great group of actors and a great group of people who step out every night trying to stand in truth.

[1:11] Kenny Leon: Yes, and hopefully the audience connects to that truth and authenticity. So I love that. I love this cast. I love the crew. It's been a great experience.

[1:18] Robert Bannon: Congratulations on the nominations that have come out.

[1:23] Kenny Leon: Nomination? I think it was Drama League and all that good stuff.

[1:26] Robert Bannon: Thank you.

[1:28] Kenny Leon: I think out of our critic circle was today. There's a couple out there, so we'll take that. I mean, I think David did a great job, you know, when the page was blank. You know, he put these words down and created this wonderful timely play that is funny and serious, has a lot of heart. So I give all props to David Lindsay-Abaire.

[1:48] Robert Bannon: Yeah, the two of you powerhouse, let me tell you.

[1:50] Kenny Leon: Thank you so much.

[1:50] Robert Bannon: Penny, congratulations. Always a pleasure to see you.

[1:53] Kenny Leon: Always. Thanks so much. You are stunning in blue. I love that.

[1:56] Kenny Leon: Or is it cerulean?

[1:57] Robert Bannon: Somebody else said lapis.

[2:03] Kenny Leon: So I don't know. Very exciting. Anika Noni Rose, how excited are you for this evening?

[2:08] Anika Noni Rose: I love this show. I'm so happy to be in it. I love these people. Not in the theater way of, oh my god, I do love everybody, but I do. I feel like we've been really blessed with this cast and with this creative team with David, who is a sweetheart and also a genius. And with Kenny, who has just been lovely through this whole process. It's been such a joy to work with the both of them and all of them. So I'm really pleased. It's just wonderful. And I've had friends that have come to see it, and they just love it. They're like, it's funny, but it's important. Like this is stuff that needs to be said, and now and here you are with everyone. And everyone says everyone is so nice and they enjoy each other's company outside of the stage.

[2:48] Robert Bannon: Yeah, yeah, that's, you know, that's luck.

[2:50] Anika Noni Rose: Yes.

[2:48] Robert Bannon: That's luck.

[2:53] Anika Noni Rose: That's true. Anika, congratulations.

[2:55] Anika Noni Rose: Thank you. Thank you so much. Always a pleasure.

[2:58] Robert Bannon: Thank you so much. Well, congratulations on opening night. We were here on press day, and here we are again.

[3:03] Anika Noni Rose: Yes, it's great. Now we're ready.

[3:05] Robert Bannon: You're ready?

[3:05] Anika Noni Rose: We're all set to go.

[3:07] Robert Bannon: Oh, we're having a blast. It's been a wonderful process, and you know, the people who've been coming for previews have enjoyed themselves very much, and we're finally having a good time.

[3:15] Anika Noni Rose: And some nominations came along too.

[3:17] Robert Bannon: Oh, I didn't know about that.

[3:18] Anika Noni Rose: But it's wonderful. No, we're having an awfully good time. It's a beautiful play, and I have nine incredible colleagues to watch every night, which makes me so happy.

[3:28] Robert Bannon: I'm so excited. I have friends that came to see it, and they said they just love it.

[3:31] Anika Noni Rose: Oh, I'm so glad. Yes, people seem to be having a very good time, and like I said, we are now too.

[3:35] Robert Bannon: Yeah, yeah, which is fun. Because I mean, I think I got you like just before you really all started to get out of here.

[3:40] Anika Noni Rose: Well, you know, it's a very complex, it's a very fast, very intricate, ten voice chamber piece, and the difficulty factor is very high, but the satisfaction and the excitement factor is very high when you start getting it right. So it's really fun.

[3:56] Robert Bannon: Yeah, oh that's so exciting. Well, congratulations and enjoy so much for collecting.

[4:01] Anika Noni Rose: Okay, cool. Thank you.

[4:02] Robert Bannon: Carl!

[4:02] Carl Clemons-Hopkins: Yes, yes, yes, opening up.

[4:04] Robert Bannon: I know, I know. I'm so happy about it. Very, very, very excited about it. You have such a great cast here.

[4:09] Carl Clemons-Hopkins: These people are really fantastic. It's phenomenal. It's such a joy to get to work with such dedicated and talented and brilliant and funny people who really put all they can into this character, and we're just the best band, best band to play with.

[4:25] Robert Bannon: I mean, the audiences are loving it. Friends of mine have come to see it, and they were like, this is such a great show, which I knew it would be, but it's just the commercials I see them all the time.

[4:33] Carl Clemons-Hopkins: Yeah, no, the audiences have been really, really wonderful, really responsive, really right there with us. And they're here for the ride, and so I'm happy that they are present for it.

[4:44] Robert Bannon: Yes, yes. So is there anything that you do before you come here? Like do you have any ritual that you want to share before you go out on something?

[4:50] Carl Clemons-Hopkins: I try to keep as quiet and still and alone as possible.

[4:50] Robert Bannon: So does Robert. He likes to be quiet and still.

[4:56] Carl Clemons-Hopkins: Just so that things like this and then with the show, of course, I have the energy to give to that.

[5:00] Robert Bannon: Yes. I love that so much. Could you just kind of turn so we can see your fabulous pin there? Very important. And that's what I think the story is important too, because in today's world, we need to have the discussions, the hard discussions.

[5:12] Carl Clemons-Hopkins: Have those discussions and have the understanding that we're all in this together. It's gonna take all of us to save all of us, and that shared humanity is really what life is about. So though I'm hoping this show can help bring more light to the focus that we really do need each other.

[5:25] Robert Bannon: We do. It takes a village, as I think.

[5:27] Carl Clemons-Hopkins: Yes. It really does. Carl, so congratulations.

[5:29] Carl Clemons-Hopkins: Thank you. Have fun tonight.

[5:31] Robert Bannon: Thank you. Always a pleasure.

[5:32] Carl Clemons-Hopkins: Hello again.

[5:33] Robert Bannon: Hi. Ricardo, congratulations. Open a night.

[5:36] Ricardo Chavira: Thank you.

[5:36] Robert Bannon: Yeah. Like we're here. We finally got here. So those your kids that I saw?

[5:42] Ricardo Chavira: Yeah, but my two, my two human beings that claim me as their father.

[5:46] Robert Bannon: Yes.

[5:46] Ricardo Chavira: I don't like to be possessive with them. But Thomas and Balen. They have been an integral part of the theater community their whole lives. So they've seen so many of the plays that I've done. They've been in the guts of many a theater, they've seen many a show, and they're just here to support my dad, and you're gonna make me cry. But I love that, that's so important, right?

[6:09] Robert Bannon: I'm very happy they're here, yeah. You listen, congratulate the nominations, Drama League.

[6:13] Ricardo Chavira: I don't know. I don't know. I know, I know, I know. It's very exciting.

[6:16] Robert Bannon: I know nothing.

[6:17] Ricardo Chavira: I know nothing.

[6:17] Robert Bannon: Yes.

[6:18] Ricardo Chavira: So, but um, I hear good things.

[6:19] Robert Bannon: Yes, yeah, yeah. Well, listen, have a great time tonight. Congratulations.

[6:22] Ricardo Chavira: Oh my god, thank you, thank you.

[6:23] Robert Bannon: Okay, pleasure.

[6:24] Ricardo Chavira: Okay, all right, likewise, thank you. Thanks, thank you.

[6:27] Robert Bannon: Hi. Hello, Miss Jeena Yi.

[6:32] Jeena Yi: Thank you. This necklace, this dress, and Thanksgiving.

[6:35] Robert Bannon: Oh, yeah. How excited are you? Opening night. I saw you press day, and now it's opening night.

[6:42] Jeena Yi: Yeah, here we stand. I mean, here we are, we're ready to birth this baby and offer it up to the world. It's been such a joy discovering what the play is with these audiences and previews, and every night is so live and excited to meet our new scene partners tonight too. So it's just, it's a thrilling opening. Opening night is always so thrilling.

[7:01] Robert Bannon: It is, it's always so fun. The energy, the electricity, it's just, you know.

[7:05] Jeena Yi: It's so exciting.

[7:07] Robert Bannon: Is there any part in the play where you're like, this is so cool that I get to do this? Is there anything that you can share without giving too much of the thing?

[7:12] Jeena Yi: I love Luce Bakai, the character that I play. I get to observe and hold all these beautiful, messy humans with grace and compassion throughout, and then reflect back some truth at the end. So truly the gift of observing and holding other humans with grace has been such a gift to explore. Kind of what we all need to do in the world.

[7:39] Robert Bannon: We are, and we do, and I think the play really questions that it's like is that possible? And I want to hope that it is, you know, that you need that hope.

[7:47] Jeena Yi: Yep, absolutely. Embracing the messiness so that we all are messy, we're all hopefully well-intentioned, and we all misstep on some level. So, how do we hold each other with grace and empathy, yet hold on to our deep, deep passions?

[8:00] Robert Bannon: You know, that's true. Congratulations for the link tonight. That's so much fun.

[8:03] Jeena Yi: Always a pleasure.

[8:04] Robert Bannon: Yes, indeed. Take care. Thank you, thank you. Nice to see you.

[8:07] Robert Bannon: Hi. Congratulations. Opening night.

[8:12] Marylouise Burke: Thank you so much. It's a thrill.

[8:13] Robert Bannon: It is, right?

[8:14] Marylouise Burke: Yeah, always, yeah, and tonight especially.

[8:16] Robert Bannon: Yeah, this the reviews have been, I mean, some nominations too.

[8:19] Marylouise Burke: Yeah, so amazing. Mary Louise in the play, and it's the whole thing is incredible. It's very exciting.

[8:24] Robert Bannon: Yeah. You've got some really great castmates here.

[8:26] Marylouise Burke: Yeah, I mean, it's such a, it's such a like murderer's row of actors, it's so crazy. It's so much fun to be in a, it's so rare to be in an ensemble this big on Broadway. It's such an incredible experience to have all of them be so, so gifted and surprising and such tremendous actors. It's just awesome.

[8:44] Robert Bannon: Is there ever a pinch me moment like I'm here? How did I'm here again, you know, with another amazing cast, another amazing show?

[8:53] Marylouise Burke: Yeah, constantly. I mean, it happens every night, you know. The pinch me moments never stop coming.

[8:58] Robert Bannon: Yeah, you know, it's part of I feel like what's so addicting about being an actor and like about working, you know, it's just, and working with good people is it's constantly surprising.

[9:08] Marylouise Burke: Yeah.

[9:09] Robert Bannon: And constantly alive. You know, so I feel really lucky for that. And now all that hard work, all that rehearsing and opening night.

[9:17] Marylouise Burke: Yeah, and now we just get to give up.

[9:19] Robert Bannon: Yeah. The audiences love it though. I mean the reviews have been fantastic.

[9:23] Marylouise Burke: Yeah, yeah. The audiences have been, the audiences have been wonderful, they've been so, so, yeah, they've just been laughing and commenting and so invested and keeping us buoyed, and it's been really fun.

[9:38] Robert Bannon: Yeah, and we need the laughter right now with everything going on in the world. I think this is gonna, I think it's gonna be great.

[9:43] Marylouise Burke: Yeah, we really do. We need it both as a release and also as like, you know, I think it helps us consider things better. I think like laughter helps us engage with things in a freer way.

[9:53] Robert Bannon: Yeah, unlocks us to maybe let some things in that we might not otherwise. I think this play does that beautifully.

[9:59] Marylouise Burke: That's great. Well, congratulations. Have fun tonight.

[10:01] Robert Bannon: Thank you. Thank you so much.

[10:02] Marylouise Burke: Thank you.

[10:03] Robert Bannon: Nice to see you, thank you.

[10:05] Robert Bannon: I'm coming over. You're stuck with me now.

[10:08] Jeena Yi: You look stunning.

[10:09] Robert Bannon: Thank you very much. The boots, I'm loving the boots.

[10:11] Jeena Yi: Bobby bought me this for Christmas.

[10:12] Robert Bannon: It is beautiful. Fortunately, I have a Broadway opening I can wear it to.

[10:17] Jeena Yi: Yes.

[10:18] Robert Bannon: I mean, opening night, I mean, what just to get here, the process.

[10:22] Jeena Yi: Yeah.

[10:23] Robert Bannon: I mean, and you've got some great castmates.

[10:25] Jeena Yi: I do. It's been long. I mean, I first started working on this in August. And the cast changed a little bit in around December. But we all got together at the end of February.

[10:35] Robert Bannon: Right.

[10:35] Jeena Yi: And it's been very much anticipated. People are constantly asking me what it's like to work with Kenny, and it's been a thrill. It's been a pleasure. He comes from his own world and he's really molded a really terrific script. We've had her, it's a lot of people.

[10:50] Robert Bannon: Yeah, yeah. And so we've learned to about this the play and handle subjects that are very challenging for all of us now in America, and handle it with grace and humor and respect.

[11:05] Jeena Yi: Yeah, I think that if anybody takes that away from the show, I'd be really pleased.

[11:10] Robert Bannon: Yeah, the audience seems to love it. I mean, I just all the commercials.

[11:15] Jeena Yi: Yes, they did. They're really edited well. Manhattan Theater Club did a good job with that.

[11:20] Robert Bannon: This publicity group.

[11:21] Jeena Yi: Yeah, they did a really good job. I'm proud of them. Normally I go but I'm reposting them. Or my sons are but what does it feel like tonight for opening night after all of the work? Is it just like how did I get here? Like pinch me moment.

[11:37] Jeena Yi: No, I'm exhausted. I'm I can't wait to run it and just have my life and then you know come to the theater two hours at a time to pull myself together, go over my blocking, go over my lines, and just soak up the enormous opportunity of doing live theater in New York City.

[11:55] Robert Bannon: No, I just congratulations. It's the best. There is nothing like life. I'm so blessed to have this job. It's an incredible opportunity. And I've this I think this is my seventh Broadway show.

[12:06] Jeena Yi: Oh my god.

[12:08] Robert Bannon: I can't believe if you told me when I was, if you told Margaret Mary at sixth grade that this would be in her future, she would have fallen to her knees and thanked God.

[12:17] Jeena Yi: Well, congratulations so much. Good to see you as always.

[12:21] Robert Bannon: Thank you. Look at Kaylee, you're beautiful.

[12:24] Jeena Yi: Thank you so much. Congratulations. Opening night. How excited are you?

[12:29] Jeena Yi: Very. It's my Broadway debut. I couldn't be more excited.

[12:32] Robert Bannon: Do we have family coming to see you in Friends?

[12:34] Jeena Yi: I have my very closest friends in the world since college. They're all here in the same place. And we rarely are now, so that feels very special.

[12:43] Robert Bannon: That is very special. So exciting. I was telling everyone the energy with these castmates. It has to be just a really great feeling.

[12:49] Jeena Yi: These are really wonderful people. They're wonderful people. They're very funny. Michael Esper makes me laugh on the staircase every night. And sometimes it'll just be little snippets of Michael Esper singing while he walks past my dressing room. And I know that he's there and I find that comforting.

[13:07] Robert Bannon: I love that. What's one of the favorite things about that you get to do in the play?

[13:13] Jeena Yi: Oh, every night. Um I get to get so embarrassed on stage. And I don't like to be embarrassed in actual life, but I love that every night I get so hot when the audience starts, like my body gets hot because I'm so embarrassed in this play. So the White Girl Tears section is gotta be a personal favorite. And it works every single night. My friends came to see it and they just loved it so much.

[13:45] Robert Bannon: I'm so glad. I've been telling everyone I the commercials all the time. I'm like, this is going to be something. And there have been some some award nominations already that have been.

[13:52] Jeena Yi: There have been. I think uh David Lindsay-Abaire really deserves any credit for any awards that and Marylouise Burke, of course she's a distinguished performer.

[14:04] Robert Bannon: She's one of our best.

[14:05] Jeena Yi: Yes. Yeah. And you get to share the stage with her.

[14:08] Jeena Yi: I do. I'm learning more about comic timing from Marylouise Burke than I have in such a short period of time. She's masterful at it.

[14:16] Robert Bannon: Oh my love to hear that. That's so wonderful. Well, congratulations on your Broadway debut. Enjoy tonight. Enjoy the time with your friends. And always a pleasure to see you. I'm sure we'll see you again.

[14:26] Jeena Yi: So good to see you. Congratulations.

[14:30] Ricardo Chavira: Awards and a baby box. Very exciting, yes. Congratulations on opening night. How excited are you?

[14:36] Jeena Yi: Oh, I'm so excited. It's just thrilled and just grateful to be a part of this amazing company. The energy from everyone is just it's palpable.

[14:43] Ricardo Chavira: I love it.

[14:44] Jeena Yi: Yeah, yeah, it really is. It's like I think you know, it's it's wonderful when everything like kind of comes together. You know, the work is amazing, the people are amazing, audiences have been great, and so it's just really like my friends have come to see it and they love it. They just love it.

[14:56] Ricardo Chavira: I love it too. I love doing it. It's so much fun. We have so much fun.

[15:01] Robert Bannon: Is there anything special that you do to prepare before you go out on stage?

[15:05] Jeena Yi: Um not really. That's such a boring answer, but no, not really. I just drink a lot of water.

[15:11] Ricardo Chavira: Right.

[15:13] Jeena Yi: I do, I actually do drink a lot of water because I do eat a lot throughout the show. So I have to make sure I'm hydrated because they stick a cashew in there and I'm already thirsty. It's just asking to choke.

[15:26] Robert Bannon: Well, listen, congratulations. Enjoy opening night, and congratulations on all the good stuff.

[15:31] Jeena Yi: Thank you so much.

[15:31] Robert Bannon: You're welcome. Bye.

[15:33] David Lindsay-Abaire: Uh hi, I'm David Lindsay-Abaire, author of The Balusters. Congratulations, all the awards, all the nominations and accolades. I mean, it's very exciting. It's it's thrilling and terrifying and overwhelming, and I forgot what it was like, but it's been it's been really fun.

[15:49] David Lindsay-Abaire: This is such an amazing cast. I mean, when you look at the names and everything and the energy that they have, I love it. And you know what? They're all really nice people. You can do a three-person play, and inevitably you're gonna end up with a jerk. There's not a butthead in the bunch. It's ten wonderful, kind people who also happen to be, of course, incredibly talented and they know how to do the play, and that's important. But the nice part is what I like best.

[16:12] Robert Bannon: Right, isn't it? It's nice when people are nice.

[16:14] David Lindsay-Abaire: Well, especially since they're so mean to each other in the play. It's nice that you know when the scene's over, they hug each other and they laugh.

[16:21] Robert Bannon: Yeah. The audiences seem to love it.

[16:23] David Lindsay-Abaire: I know. It's been that's been really nice. I I I didn't, and I say this with all humility, I didn't realize how funny the play was. It's getting way more laughs than I knew were in the play. And so I think that's really a testament to Kenny Leon's amazing direction and also this amazing cast that knows how to get laughs if they're there.

[16:41] Robert Bannon: Exactly. Well, congratulations.

[16:43] David Lindsay-Abaire: Thank you. Have fun tonight.

[16:44] Robert Bannon: I'm gonna thank you so much.

[16:45] Tony Carlin: Hi, I'm Tony Carlin. I understudy Elliot Emerson, who which is played by Richard Thomas.

[16:52] Kayling Chung: Hi, I'm Kayling Chung. I understudy uh Jeena Yi, who plays Melissa Han.

[16:58] Robert Bannon: How excited are you for this evening?

[17:00] Tony Carlin: What a fun night. This is beautiful. You've got the A list. David Lindsay-Abaire just writes wonderfully funny funny because I understudied in Good People, so I know how beautiful it can be and poignant and funny.

[17:15] Kayling Chung: Right.

[17:15] Tony Carlin: And Kenny creates such a family.

[17:19] Kayling Chung: Yeah, he does.

[17:21] Tony Carlin: Such a powerhouse. I mean two of them together. Oh my gosh.

[17:23] Kayling Chung: Yes, yes. It's just it's just nice. I've never worked with either one of them before, so it's lovely to see them witness them in the room and see how they work and how inclusive they are, and it's just been really fun working. And then working with the understudy team, it's we're a pretty good team, I'd say.

[17:41] Kayling Chung: Yeah. There's nine of us, there's ten of them, and we feel part of the family, which is uh all to them and Kenny just joining us in. It's really beautiful.

[17:54] Tony Carlin: When I spoke with Kenny earlier he said it's such he goes I can feel it from the cast. He goes, everyone and he spoke of the understudies as well and said everybody is just so great and so nice and kind. And I think that's so important when you're doing something like this.

[18:06] Kayling Chung: Yeah. It is it's very very important.

[18:10] Tony Carlin: Important stories to be told and and I have to say friends of mine have seen it and they loved it. They absolutely loved it.

[18:17] Kayling Chung: Oh my God. Uh the floor with the characters is everybody has a house.

[18:23] Tony Carlin: Right. So that is a big thing is when people have property they have something to hang on to. So they're talking about serious stuff.

[18:29] Kayling Chung: Right.

[18:32] Tony Carlin: In a very funny way. I mean we've seen the show so many times but I I think I speak for myself but I think I still find it super funny and there's so different moments that I enjoy every night.

[18:44] Kayling Chung: Yeah.

[18:46] Robert Bannon: Well thank you both so much congratulations we'll see you real soon.

[18:50] Kayling Chung: Thank you so nice to meet you. Hi I'm Lena Pepe.

[18:52] Lena Pepe: And you play and I'm understudying Willow Gibbons.

[18:55] Mike Iveson: And I'm Mike Iveson and I'm understudying Alan Kirby.

[18:59] Robert Bannon: How excited are you guys for opening night?

[19:01] Lena Pepe: Beyond excited beyond exciting I have no words I'm very I'm very excited. This play is so stupidly good. It's like beyond stupidly good. It's like so exciting that like people are coming and freaking out it's very good.

[19:15] Mike Iveson: And it really it feels like something that people need to see right now. And the laugh it's been just such a pleasure to sit in the audience and watch these beautiful actors do their work and have people be laughing their word I can't say is off.

[19:31] Lena Pepe: Yeah. It's just it's amazing. And it's with everything in the world, it's really it's very special thing to sit in.

[19:37] Mike Iveson: David even said he didn't realize how funny it really was until like so tiny.

[19:42] Lena Pepe: It's so funny.

[19:43] Mike Iveson: Yeah, no, they've added a whole other dimension. I mean, they always do, but like with this play, especially, was like we didn't really know what it was gonna be, and now it's a comedy.

[19:46] Lena Pepe: Now it's a comedy. I mean it's not only that, but it is that.

[19:56] Mike Iveson: Yeah. But it's nice that people kind of leave the theater and have a conversation and talk about the different types of people that they see that they may know in their own lives. I think that's so fantastic.

[20:05] Lena Pepe: Yeah. There's really something for everybody in it. I mean, even Will and Willow and Alan, the characters, they've got a pretty I'm not gonna without a giving without saying anything. They've got an incredible conversation that happens, which between our uh characters that we cover.

[20:17] Mike Iveson: Um, but it really is one of those moments where it goes to show that there is there's something for every single person in the audience throughout the play with each of these characters.

[20:24] Lena Pepe: That's so fantastic. I love that. And it's conversations that you would think that we were having normally out in the culture that I don't think I guess I'm learning from the play and people responding to it, we're not having these conversations enough.

[20:36] Mike Iveson: Right.

[20:37] Lena Pepe: Which is fantastic though.

[20:40] Mike Iveson: That's what theater's for kids.

[20:43] Lena Pepe: Exactly. The show the show's been showing up everywhere in my life now. As like there's HOA things, but like conversations. I feel like I'm picking up on so many things because of this play.

[20:55] Mike Iveson: My sister runs her HOA down in Florida.

[20:57] Lena Pepe: Really?

[20:58] Mike Iveson: Okay, okay, there you go. And she's a Dina student, so she takes it all on. I said, What what do you sleep? And she's like, No. But she's going to Italy, so that's that's her her trait.

[21:07] Lena Pepe: Oh my god, go with her.

[21:08] Mike Iveson: That's also actually referenced in the play.

[21:10] Lena Pepe: It is referenced in the play.

[21:12] Mike Iveson: He does go to Italy. There's multiple trips to Italy referenced the place.

[21:15] Lena Pepe: So really it all comes together. It's all one thing.

[21:17] Mike Iveson: It's wonderful. Well, so nice to meet you. Congratulations.

[21:21] Lena Pepe: Thank you. Have fun. Hope to see you soon.

[21:24] Mike Iveson: Thank you so much.

[21:25] Stacey High Smith: I'm Stacey High Smith and I'm understudying Kira Marshall.

[21:29] Melody Booti: Hi, I'm Melody Booti, and I'm understudying Luz Bakai.

[21:33] Robert Bannon: How excited are you both for this?

[21:35] Stacey High Smith: Oh, it's such a beautiful play. I'm so happy to be to be a part of it and be part of the team for sure.

[21:41] Melody Booti: Yeah, the cast is amazing. The understudy cast is amazing.

[21:43] Stacey High Smith: Yeah, we're having a great time and it's really fun. And we all really get along, which is amazing.

[21:52] Melody Booti: It's so funny, it's so moving. Like we're all discovering things, especially as the understudies, we're digging into it on our own and discovering things. We do a lot of discussing of our characters and backgrounds, and we get to watch what they're doing on stage, and we take it back and we work it out with ourselves.

[22:08] Stacey High Smith: Yeah. Yeah. It's been really great.

[22:10] Robert Bannon: Now, for each performance, do you all come in every night? Like how how does it work? Explain to those that may not understand how that goes.

[22:18] Melody Booti: Well, it depends. Some people will watch the show every night. Um it depends on where you are in the preparation. Some of us will work scenes with each other backstage, and then some of us will work on our lines. Uh we mix it up.

[22:32] Stacey High Smith: We do. We do. And we are all at the theater every night. So for every performance, we're here. We're here at half hour, same with the rest of the cast. But we, depending on the day, decide whether we want to watch from the house, watch from the monitor, work on our own stuff, run. Sometimes we'll just gather as a group and do a line through, you know, things like that. But it's it's uh we try to switch it up for sure.

[22:53] Melody Booti: You know, I think it's it's an important story uh in today's world to be told.

[22:57] Stacey High Smith: Now yes, absolutely. It just hits all the topics you know race, politics, gender. And it's so timely and I I love it that David has created something that's so funny.

[23:09] Melody Booti: Right.

[23:10] Stacey High Smith: But literally is so poignant but not hitting you over the head with it.

[23:14] Melody Booti: Yeah.

[23:14] Stacey High Smith: Right? Like you get it, but it's not in your you have to think it through and you're like wow and I leave the theater every night and people are talking about it. You know who they like the most different ideas how it relates to politics today. He just is he did an amazing job.

[23:32] Melody Booti: Yeah. And how you how you see yourself reflected in each of the different characters. I mean he does such a wonderful job of creating this conversation of people with different generations different backgrounds different viewpoints and yet it's it's seemingly like you're talking about mundane things like stop signs and balusters but it when you step back it's about so much more and it's about how how do we move forward how do we hold on to the past how do you know what are the things that we want to preserve and cherish while we move you know move our community in a different direction and I think it's a it's such a beautiful microcosm of our of our society.

[24:13] Stacey High Smith: Yeah well congratulations and I am do I say what I'm doing in the show I am understudying the legends Marylouise Burke and Margaret Colin.

[24:31] Melody Booti: So I have big shoes to fill.

[24:35] Luis Vega: Hi, my name's Luis Vega. I'm understudying Isaac Rosario, who's played by the wonderful Ricardo Chavira.

[24:43] Alvin Keith: And you my friends. Yes, I'm Alvin Keith, and I'm understudying or covering for Carl and the character of Brooks.

[24:51] Luis Vega: How excited are we this evening? Like this is very energetic, right? This is fun. We're all looking forward to it. And the only thing I have to say is that it has been for me just scintillating to be around the creative process, being in the theater, watching David Lindsay-Abaire and Kenny Leon do their work. I've never been part of such a funny, funny play.

[25:21] Alvin Keith: And I mean, it's just so great to be around something so funny. It's very special too. I mean friends of mine have seen it and they just loved it.

[25:33] Luis Vega: Yeah, the word of mouth is great, and anybody who sees it will see why. It's a special play. I mean, David Lindsay-Abaire is like a proven theater legend, as is Kenny Leon. This cast, you'll come see, it's just tremendous, you know. So you put that all together and like it's a recipe for something really special.

[25:51] Alvin Keith: I was speaking with Kenny earlier, and he said just everyone, the cast, understood that everyone is just so nice and kind, and I think that's nice to hear, especially from such an amazing.

[26:01] Luis Vega: Absolutely. That's we need more of that just in general. Nice, kind cooperation and all of that. We definitely have it here. But we'd like my two colleagues who just said Kenny and David have just really, you know, led with that, with kindness, with joy, and what have you, and it's been a great experience.

[26:18] Alvin Keith: It's just been great to be around. You know, it's nothing worse than being in a comedy and no one's laughing.

[26:23] Luis Vega: Right, you know what I'm saying? It does happen, but not here. We laugh on stage, off stage, backstage. It works.

[26:30] Alvin Keith: That's so good. And if anyone is thinking of coming, it is healing to be able in this time to be able to laugh so much.

[26:40] Luis Vega: Oh, that's what I said. I was like, we need to laugh. We need to have that laughter. And the conversation too, it's important. And no stone is left unturned here. You know what I mean? There are 10 characters in this play. That's a lot of people, a lot of different personalities, a lot of different perspectives.

[26:53] Alvin Keith: Well, 10 different perspectives, right? So no one, you know, is left untouched here, which is great, which is great. That's what makes a really good play, right?

[27:01] Luis Vega: But it's really everybody's imperfect, like we are in life, you know. We live in a culture right now of like a lot of like finger pointing. And it's like, uh, and this play, I think, delivers a message of grace in the face of that.

[27:17] Alvin Keith: Um, which is I think what makes it special, along with being really funny and just a delight to kind of witness.

[27:24] Luis Vega: And the play talks about the finger pointers and those that are being pointed at. Right?

[27:28] Alvin Keith: The play hits, you know, on both of them.

[27:30] Luis Vega: Yeah, like I said, no one goes unscathed. That's what I love about it. And I think everyone needs to need that right now. Like come and see this and laugh and then leave and have, you know, some new perspective when you leave the theater.

[27:45] Alvin Keith: There's a lot of ins for people. I mean, everyone, everyone will see themselves in this play, I guarantee you.

[27:51] Luis Vega: Yes.

[27:52] Alvin Keith: Well, thank you all so much. Congratulations. And have a great opening.

[27:54] Luis Vega: Thanks for being here.

[27:57] Alvin Keith: Thank you.

[27:57] Luis Vega: Thank you. So nice to meet all of you.

[27:59] Robert Bannon: Let's head to the red carpet with the VIP arrivals for The Balusters.

[28:03] Robert Bannon: Let's kick it off with Xylon Levingston, co-director of Cats the Jellicle Ball.

[28:09] Xylon Levingston: Hello, how are you?

[28:11] Robert Bannon: I'm doing all right. How are you?

[28:12] Xylon Levingston: Good. Look very nice and warm. I like the jacket. What is the weather?

[28:16] Robert Bannon: I know, right? What's happening? Mother Nature, she needs to make up her mind.

[28:20] Xylon Levingston: I know. So are you excited to be here tonight?

[28:21] Robert Bannon: I'm so excited to be here. You know, I'm here repping team Anika Noni Rose, so I'm so excited. She was stunning this evening. She had this blue dress on.

[28:27] Xylon Levingston: Oh, I can't even.

[28:30] Robert Bannon: One of the sweetest.

[28:32] Xylon Levingston: Right, exactly. I know I was trying to find in TJ Maxx like Princess Tiana earrings, and I couldn't find. I said to my sister, I was like, you have to try and find them.

[28:40] Xylon Levingston: And funny story, my sister, she heads up her HOA down in Florida.

[28:43] Robert Bannon: Oh, wow.

[28:44] Xylon Levingston: Oh yeah. That's incredible. No, I love Anika. I love that she's in a comedy. I love, you know, I'm just here to celebrate her tonight.

[28:51] Robert Bannon: Yeah.

[28:52] Xylon Levingston: And I think the story is important because we need to start listening to people and hear what they have to say. I think this is this is a good new play we need to see.

[29:00] Robert Bannon: Yeah, I mean, David's good for that, right? Like when there's a new David Lindsay-Abaire musical or play, you just know you're gonna have a real conversation in the theater.

[29:13] Xylon Levingston: And so I'm excited to see what he wants us to be talking about.

[29:17] Robert Bannon: Exactly. Thank you so much. We love what you do, keep doing it.

[29:21] Xylon Levingston: Thank you.

[29:23] Robert Bannon: Hello there.

[29:24] Justin Cooley: Hiya. I'm so good. How are you?

[29:25] Robert Bannon: Could you please introduce yourself to the round tablers?

[29:28] Justin Cooley: Hello, I am Justin Cooley here with the Roundtable.

[29:32] Robert Bannon: And you're in a very special show right now.

[29:34] Justin Cooley: Oh, I am, I'd say. I don't know. Ian, I am in the 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee right now.

[29:41] Robert Bannon: I mean, that's like is that like a pinch me moment when you got the call?

[29:45] Justin Cooley: Absolutely, absolutely. You know, I got the offer, and it was like I've been being told all my life like you have to do this show. You know, because like so many high schoolers do it, and I actually never got around to it back then, you know, when I was just doing educational theater. I got the call, I'm going to revive it. It was crazy.

[30:04] Robert Bannon: And what a cast you have.

[30:06] Justin Cooley: Oh my gosh, just some of the most amazing people. Everyone is bringing their A game. So I'm quite proud to be a part of it.

[30:13] Robert Bannon: Well, congratulations.

[30:14] Justin Cooley: Thank you so much.

[30:17] Robert Bannon: I will. Thank you for stopping. So nice to meet you.

[30:20] Mark Moses: Yes, nice to meet you. I'm here to see my friend Ricardo Chavira.

[30:26] Robert Bannon: Can I what a lovely man he is?

[30:28] Mark Moses: I know. I haven't seen him in a long time in this place, so I'm really looking forward to it. His kids are here tonight. He was such a proud dad.

[30:33] Robert Bannon: Oh, I haven't seen his kids in years since they were this big. His son and daughter, and you could just tell I saw it. He was so excited.

[30:40] Mark Moses: Oh, that's great. I'm excited for him. This is gonna be some play, let me tell you.

[30:44] Robert Bannon: Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

[30:45] Mark Moses: Yeah, what's new with you? What's going on? Anything you can share?

[30:48] Robert Bannon: Yeah, I well, I did a little work on stage with Melissa Gilbert a couple of years ago. Actually, it was a year ago, I on still, so that was kind of fun to get back on stage, and I'm I just finished something called Cry Wolf on FX.

[31:01] Mark Moses: So yeah, so it should be good. Very excited.

[31:03] Robert Bannon: Mark, thank you so much, so nice to meet you. Have fun tonight.

[31:07] Mark Moses: Thank you.

[31:10] Robert Bannon: Thank you so much.

[31:11] Mark Moses: I love the dream.

[31:12] Robert Bannon: Thank you.

[31:14] Mark Moses: I know, I love it.

[31:15] Robert Bannon: Well, I did the I did the purple, so you know here's coochron in a little bit.

[31:19] Mark Moses: How are you doing?

[31:20] Justin Cooley: I'm good. I'm so excited to see this.

[31:22] Robert Bannon: Yes.

[31:22] Justin Cooley: Um, my husband and I live down the block from David.

[31:26] Robert Bannon: Oh, I was. So we've been told that there's no, you know, real representations of anyone, but we're of course gonna be watching like yeah, yeah, yeah.

[31:35] Justin Cooley: He says it's a lot of composites, but it's gonna feel very personal.

[31:39] Robert Bannon: Oh yeah. This cast is truly amazing.

[31:41] Justin Cooley: Very amazing. Getting to talk to them and their energy of each other.

[31:45] Robert Bannon: Yeah.

[31:46] Justin Cooley: It's electric. I just did a TV show last summer with Kayli Carter, so I'm like a big, big fan.

[31:52] Robert Bannon: She's so sweet.

[31:53] Justin Cooley: She's so great. I did my first show in New York with Margaret Colin. And Michael Esper is one of my favorite actors in the world, and the rest of the cast are phenomenal. So like it's very exciting.

[32:01] Robert Bannon: They said Michael Esper was a little bit of a jokester.

[32:06] Justin Cooley: Yeah, he's very funny, very naughty, and very wonderful.

[32:10] Robert Bannon: Yeah, yeah. So great to see her now.

[32:12] Justin Cooley: Yeah. Now what is up and coming for you that you can share?

[32:14] Robert Bannon: Um, well, we start season three of your friends and neighbors in a couple weeks.

[32:19] Justin Cooley: So that's like the next job. But um the next play I'm doing is gonna be announced next week, something in the fall that I have to keep quiet about now.

[32:29] Robert Bannon: Well, you'll have to come on the Roundtable and talk about it.

[32:32] Justin Cooley: Thank you so much.

[32:33] Robert Bannon: Bye.

[32:33] Justin Cooley: One quick little granddaughter.

[32:35] Robert Bannon: Hello, how are you?

[32:37] David Thomas: David, we're such fans.

[32:38] David Thomas: Oh, thank you. I mean, Blue Bloods, the Bear, I mean, and so many wonderful things.

[32:44] Robert Bannon: How are you doing?

[32:45] David Thomas: I'm doing great. How are you doing?

[32:46] Robert Bannon: We're good.

[32:47] David Thomas: Mother Nature needs to make up her mind though, because it's hot one day and then it's cold the next.

[32:51] Robert Bannon: Well, I know last week. Last week I would be in short sleeves, you know, it's that's just the way it is.

[32:56] David Thomas: Yeah.

[32:56] Robert Bannon: And you're here tonight for The Balusters opening night.

[32:59] David Thomas: I'm so excited for it. I know so many people in it. It's gonna be very exciting.

[33:05] Robert Bannon: Yeah, it's gonna be a fun show.

[33:08] David Thomas: Oh, he's one of the best playwrights ever. David Lindsay-Abaire. And I just I'm just so looking forward to seeing.

[33:14] Robert Bannon: And Kenny Leon direct, I mean, you can't Powerhouse.

[33:16] David Thomas: You can't and then the amazing cast.

[33:19] Robert Bannon: Right, I'll just wonderful.

[33:20] David Thomas: Fantastic, yeah, I can't wait.

[33:22] Robert Bannon: You're really gonna enjoy.

[33:23] David Thomas: Okay, thank you. Such a fan, thank you so much.

[33:25] Robert Bannon: Come over here.

[33:25] Jordan Cooper: I am with Robert. I love your eyeshadow, by the way.

[33:27] Robert Bannon: Thank you, Matt.

[33:29] Jordan Cooper: Come on. No, no, you love me so he You are a friend of the show, Jordan. We adore you, and you are looking for I wish I had this.

[33:36] Robert Bannon: Thank you. I wish I had the eyeshadow.

[33:38] Jordan Cooper: Come on. How excited are you to be here for opening night?

[33:41] Robert Bannon: I'm so excited. I love David Lindsay-Abaire.

[33:44] Jordan Cooper: Love his work. I love Kenny Leon.

[33:46] Robert Bannon: Yes.

[33:47] Jordan Cooper: I love Kenny Leon.

[33:49] Robert Bannon: So the two of them.

[33:50] Jordan Cooper: Powerhouse.

[33:50] Robert Bannon: I know.

[33:51] Jordan Cooper: The two of them together is just insane. David Lindsay-Abaire's written one of my favorite plays.

[33:55] Robert Bannon: I love Good People.

[33:56] Jordan Cooper: Good People sort of.

[33:57] Robert Bannon: And then the book of Shrek the Musical is like one of the greatest musical books.

[33:57] Jordan Cooper: People are underrated.

[33:57] Robert Bannon: Can I tell?

[33:57] Jordan Cooper: So true.

[33:57] Robert Bannon: But Shrek the Musical is like, it's solid.

[34:06] Jordan Cooper: Let your freak flag fly.

[34:07] Robert Bannon: Hello!

[34:08] Jordan Cooper: Yes, yes. Never take it down, never take it down.

[34:13] Robert Bannon: So now what is next for you, my friend?

[34:15] Jordan Cooper: Yes.

[34:15] Robert Bannon: That you can share.

[34:16] Jordan Cooper: I just got renewed for season six of my sitcom that I created.

[34:20] Robert Bannon: Yes, yes.

[34:21] Jordan Cooper: So excited about that.

[34:23] Robert Bannon: Thank you.

[34:23] Jordan Cooper: So excited about that. And then I created a YouTube comedy series.

[34:27] Robert Bannon: I'm excited.

[34:27] Jordan Cooper: Me and Kara Young doing something really cool together.

[34:30] Robert Bannon: Can I just tell you?

[34:31] Jordan Cooper: I she is amazing.

[34:33] Robert Bannon: She really is.

[34:33] Jordan Cooper: And I've been fortunate enough to interview her twice, and she is just so poignant, whatever she says and whatever she does.

[34:40] Robert Bannon: No, she's insane. Like she's just, it's kind of ridiculous.

[34:45] Jordan Cooper: Right?

[34:46] Robert Bannon: Yeah.

[34:47] Jordan Cooper: She's a chameleon.

[34:48] Robert Bannon: Literally, it's wild.

[34:50] Jordan Cooper: And she's so nice.

[34:51] Robert Bannon: So sweet, so humble, just a really sweet spirit, a really beautiful spirit.

[34:56] Jordan Cooper: Yeah, and playing together was the best.

[34:57] Robert Bannon: Well, Jordan, you have fun tonight.

[34:59] Jordan Cooper: Thanks.

[35:00] Robert Bannon: Stella Selakid is here.

[35:02] Robert Bannon: Please.

[35:03] Jordan Cooper: I can't even. My husband, that's my husband John.

[35:05] Robert Bannon: Oh, hello, John.

[35:06] Jordan Cooper: I took him in to the Chicago fire and Chicago met him piece.

[35:09] Robert Bannon: I love you so much.

[35:10] Jordan Cooper: Bless you.

[35:11] Robert Bannon: When I saw your name, I said, I don't care about anybody else.

[35:15] Jordan Cooper: Wait, that's so funny.

[35:16] Robert Bannon: You made me feel so special.

[35:17] Jordan Cooper: I'm brought my girl.

[35:18] Robert Bannon: Wait.

[35:19] Jordan Cooper: You look stunning this evening.

[35:21] Robert Bannon: Thank you so much.

[35:22] Jordan Cooper: How are you?

[35:23] Robert Bannon: I'm great. I'm really good. Like I'm really good.

[35:25] Jordan Cooper: Really good.

[35:28] Robert Bannon: So that feels great.

[35:31] Jordan Cooper: Um what's new?

[35:33] Robert Bannon: I just got done spending the weekend with a friend of mine at a horse ranch in Portland.

[35:41] Jordan Cooper: Um 40 acres of absolutely nothing. Highly recommend.

[35:45] Robert Bannon: Oh no, we need sometimes I mean, this is great. New York, the hustle and bust Chicago, the hustle and bustle.

[35:50] Jordan Cooper: I know. Sometimes you need to decompress.

[35:52] Robert Bannon: I do.

[35:53] Jordan Cooper: I mean, my whole body just I feel like I've returned to her.

[35:57] Robert Bannon: You know what I mean?

[35:58] Jordan Cooper: Yes.

[35:58] Robert Bannon: Because it's like in the hustle and bustle, it's like you gotta keep track of so many things.

[36:02] Jordan Cooper: There's so much um, what's that called? Noise.

[36:05] Robert Bannon: No, but it's like um it's it's gone.

[36:05] Jordan Cooper: It's gone.

[36:10] Robert Bannon: There's so much stimuli.

[36:13] Jordan Cooper: Yes, yes.

[36:14] Robert Bannon: If you feel over it's like the mental overload, there's like so much.

[36:17] Jordan Cooper: And you're tracking just all you know what I mean? That you're not even thinking about.

[36:21] Robert Bannon: So it's really nice to just go and be on beautiful land with 20 horses and my two amazing friends.

[36:29] Jordan Cooper: I love that.

[36:30] Robert Bannon: And now you're here to see the opening of The Balusters tonight.

[36:32] Jordan Cooper: I'm so excited.

[36:34] Robert Bannon: It should be really good.

[36:35] Jordan Cooper: Yeah. The cast is outstanding.

[36:37] Robert Bannon: Also, like David Lindsay-Abaire.

[36:39] Jordan Cooper: Oh my god, am I saying that right?

[36:41] Robert Bannon: Yes.

[36:41] Jordan Cooper: Okay, great. Um, oh my god, yeah, like what a wonderful playwright. I'm really excited.

[36:46] Robert Bannon: And Kenny Leon, I'm excited to see what...

[36:51] Anika Noni Rose: It's so good to see you. I'm so good. The baby is the best. He's home with the nanny right now. God bless. Yeah. Listen, I mean Titanic and Ragtime. And now you're here. And now I'm here. Yes. I feel so excited to be here tonight for opening night, but also like I just opened Titanic last week, and so I'm still feeling a little bit of the whiplash, but you know, this is an exciting season, and I feel like the plays are really coming through this season, so I'm really excited to be seeing this.

[37:25] Marylouise Burke: Yeah, the cast is amazing. I know. And I love Kenny Leon, so I'm excited to see his work as well. Talking to him was just like, I mean, he's just such a powerhouse with the fine. And like it's I'm kind of like, how dare you be so good at being able to direct comedy and drama? Like, that's not fair.

[37:40] Anika Noni Rose: Yeah. Correct. That's so crazy.

[37:42] Marylouise Burke: Listen, enjoy tonight. How are you doing this evening?

[37:46] Anika Noni Rose: Good. Nice to see you. Are you excited to be here?

[37:48] Marylouise Burke: I am so excited to be here. This is gonna be one great play, I think.

[37:52] Anika Noni Rose: Yeah, yeah, to support Kenny Leon, I've known a hundred years. And Anika, of course, she and I did Carolina Change together, so yeah. It's a nice, you know, Mother Nature needs to make up her mind. It's hot one day.

[38:02] Marylouise Burke: Oh my god, I mean we're in April now, we're done with the cold weather. Let me tell you, I had a whole nother thing that I was gonna wear.

[38:11] Anika Noni Rose: I know, and now not so much.

[38:13] Marylouise Burke: I know, you still look lovely though.

[38:14] Anika Noni Rose: Thank you, thank you. Well, enjoy tonight, have a good time. Always a pleasure to see you.

[38:18] Marylouise Burke: Thank you. Take care.

[38:19] Jeena Yi: I'm liking you! You look pretty in purple. Look at this.

[38:24] Anika Noni Rose: Oh no, I'm pleased. How are you?

[38:26] Jeena Yi: I'm really good. I'm excited. I love opening nights.

[38:29] Anika Noni Rose: I know, it's so fun. I wish it was a little warmer.

[38:32] Jeena Yi: I know. What happened to the weather?

[38:33] Anika Noni Rose: That's what I said. I was like, Mother Nature, she needs to make up her mind here.

[38:36] Jeena Yi: It's so weird.

[38:37] Anika Noni Rose: I know. But we do this it'll get warmer.

[38:39] Jeena Yi: It'll get warmer. So, how excited are you to be here this evening?

[38:42] Anika Noni Rose: Oh, I'm excited. Kenny Leon is fantastic. I mean, look at all the productions he's been doing every season.

[38:49] Jeena Yi: And this looks like a real wonderful addition to the season this year.

[38:53] Anika Noni Rose: Oh, this is gonna be really something special. And I do have to fangirl out a little bit over Anika Noni Rose. I love her so much, so I'm excited.

[39:01] Jeena Yi: She is so sweet, so kind. She tonight she had on this beautiful blue dress. I was like, oh, like stunning.

[39:07] Anika Noni Rose: Stunning. Yeah, she's one of our greats, I think.

[39:10] Jeena Yi: Yes. And I think it's fun for her to do a little comedy.

[39:13] Anika Noni Rose: Yes, you know.

[39:13] Jeena Yi: Yes. Although if you know she ever stops to sing to me, I will be there for it.

[39:19] Anika Noni Rose: Now what's next and up and coming for you, my dear? What you can share.

[39:22] Jeena Yi: I will be back at Manhattan Theatre Club with a revival of Jocelyn Beo's incredible play, School Girls or the African Mean Girls Play. It's a big surprise, but I guess the cat's out of the bag.

[39:33] Anika Noni Rose: Okay.

[39:33] Jeena Yi: And as you know, Jocelyn and I made our Broadway debut here, so it feels really good to come back.

[39:38] Anika Noni Rose: Yes.

[39:39] Jeena Yi: It's a great, it's a great, great family to be a part of.

[39:41] Anika Noni Rose: Yes. Well, congratulations.

[39:44] Jeena Yi: Thank you. Hopefully we'll be here for that one. Fingers crossed.

[39:47] Anika Noni Rose: And a friend of the show as always.

[39:49] Jeena Yi: Thank you.

[39:51] Anika Noni Rose: Thank you so much.

[39:56] Whitney White: Look at you looking fabulous.

[39:57] Anika Noni Rose: Thank you. How excited are you to be here?

[39:58] Whitney White: Opening night. Listen, so excited. I mean, I'm here with so many great things, and I've also been supporting Anika Noni Rose with her hair during the whole show, so that's been awesome. But I'm really, I'm really excited.

[40:10] Anika Noni Rose: Yeah, I know. It's kind of weird when you're not like it's this is you're here to support.

[40:14] Whitney White: Exactly! Exactly. That's all right, the pressure is off. Listen, I'm just here to cheer and say congratulations.

[40:21] Anika Noni Rose: But we have something new coming soon. Can you share?

[40:24] Whitney White: Oh, well, 100%. Well, you know, I just opened Cats: The Jellicle Ball. That just got extended.

[40:31] Anika Noni Rose: Exactly.

[40:31] Whitney White: Listen, we are praying that it'll extend and extend and extend. So it was a blessing to design that show. You know, I've been like in the dungeon now. I'm kind of coming out to life. And then I'm starting work on the Crazy Sexy Cool musical, which is doing an out-of-town tryout in DC before it hopefully you know out into the universe.

[40:53] Anika Noni Rose: Absolutely.

[40:54] Whitney White: And schoolgirls here actually in the summer. It'll be yeah, so that'll be exciting. We are booked and busy.

[41:01] Anika Noni Rose: Listen, blessed!

[41:02] Whitney White: Yes, yeah, so thank you. Congratulations.

[41:05] Anika Noni Rose: Thank you. And you enjoy tonight, you have fun. And those shoes are fabulous.

[41:08] Whitney White: Thank you, dear lady.

[41:10] Jeena Yi: Great friend of the show. You look fabulous.

[41:13] Anika Noni Rose: Thank you. How excited are you to be here?

[41:16] Whitney White: I'm so happy to be here. I'm just thrilled. I'm so excited for the play.

[41:20] Jeena Yi: I cannot wait with a killer ensemble. I'm excited.

[41:22] Whitney White: The energy when we were just interviewing them before, they all first of all, they all care about each other so much, and I love that.

[41:28] Jeena Yi: And they said you don't always get that with this one, and that's why I know this is gonna be something special.

[41:33] Whitney White: I can't wait. I cannot wait. Such pros.

[41:36] Jeena Yi: Now, what's new and up and coming for you that you can share?

[41:39] Whitney White: Sure. I'm doing a Clubbed Thumb show called Titans, and it's very relevant to the present moment with ice raids. So I'm very excited about that.

[41:47] Jeena Yi: Yeah, we started rehearsals yesterday.

[41:50] Whitney White: Okay, all right. But I couldn't go because I had jury duty.

[41:54] Jeena Yi: Oh, uh really we're back.

[41:57] Whitney White: I came from rehearsal.

[41:58] Jeena Yi: That's it. Wonderful, wonderful. Well, enjoy tonight.

[42:01] Whitney White: Oh, thank you so much. Always a pleasure.

[42:03] Jeena Yi: Thank you so much.

[42:04] Adrian: Yes, I'm Adrian, I'm the cousin. I'm the East Coast correspondent. He actually told me to look out for you.

[42:09] Whitney White: Oh, yes, yes, yes.

[42:10] Adrian: So last time we spoke was press day for Liberation.

[42:13] Whitney White: That's right, that's right.

[42:14] Adrian: And now we're here in the season, and good things I think will be coming for this for your lovely place.

[42:19] Whitney White: I hope so. There's so many great shows this season. So it's just been great to make the rounds and get to see so many wonderful plays.

[42:25] Adrian: But yeah, no, I'm fingers crossed that the ladies get some nominations for celebration.

[42:30] Whitney White: Yeah, now The Balusters. This is gonna be a fun one.

[42:32] Adrian: Oh, absolutely. I'm David Lindsay-Abaire's. I've been a massive fan for years and years and years. So this feels pretty special because being opening night of one of his new plays.

[42:41] Whitney White: Always a pleasure.

[42:42] Adrian: It's a pleasure. Friend of the Roundtable, we love it.

[42:45] Whitney White: Thank you so much. Enjoy the play tonight.

[42:47] Adrian: Thank you, thank you. How are you?

[42:50] Whitney White: I'm good. Are you excited for this evening?

[42:52] Adrian: I'm really excited. I'm really excited. Anika, I've known her since I was like seven years old, and so she's like a big sister to me, and I'm really excited to see her.

[43:01] Whitney White: Last time I saw her in a show was Carolina Change. This is gonna be very, very special. I'm really excited.

[43:05] Adrian: She looks stunning this evening, so I'm sure.

[43:09] Whitney White: Hi, come by Nico.

[43:10] Anika Noni Rose: Yeah, I need Anika Noni Rose, the people's princess.

[43:14] Whitney White: We love you, Anika. I was trying to find Princess Tiana earrings at TJ Maxx because they have the Disney, and I couldn't find them.

[43:20] Anika Noni Rose: For like a week now I've been trying to find them, and I could not. It would have been perfect, would have been the perfect moment.

[43:25] Whitney White: I know, I know. But how excited are you guys to be here?

[43:27] Adrian: We're so excited.

[43:28] Whitney White: Oh my god, Kenny Leon, we cannot wait.

[43:31] Adrian: Yes.

[43:31] Whitney White: We are Kenny Leon Hive Rise Up. We're here to support her.

[43:35] Adrian: We're very excited, and I actually don't know a lot about this play.

[43:40] Whitney White: Oh.

[43:40] Adrian: So I'm coming in, just like totally ready to be surprised.

[43:44] Whitney White: That's good. I love that.

[43:45] Adrian: It's very funny, but I think for the story that it's going to tell, it's very poignant for today's global what's going on.

[43:52] Whitney White: Now more than ever.

[43:53] Adrian: Amazing. We love to hear it.

[43:54] Whitney White: That's right.

[43:54] Adrian: Yeah, I'm so excited.

[43:55] Whitney White: Yes, well, have fun, all of you.

[43:56] Adrian: Thank you.

[43:58] Adrian: See you for something.

[43:59] Adrian: I'm Adrian with The Roundtable.

[44:00] Whitney White: Hi, Adrian.

[44:01] Adrian: How are you?

[44:01] Whitney White: Good, thank you. Are you excited to be here tonight?

[44:03] Adrian: This is gonna be a great play.

[44:04] Whitney White: We are we're excited.

[44:05] Adrian: Yeah, yeah. Do you know anyone that is performing?

[44:08] Whitney White: All of them, yes, all of them.

[44:10] Adrian: All longtime old friends.

[44:11] Whitney White: Right, I mean, and I mean you look fantastic, but you've been around a while.

[44:15] Adrian: I've been around in a while.

[44:17] Whitney White: Lots of decades at this point, sadly.

[44:19] Adrian: Isn't that crazy when you think about it?

[44:21] Whitney White: Yes, it is.

[44:22] Adrian: No, no, no. My first job in New York City was in the year 2000 at MTC. I was an understudy and a standby for Brian Darcy James and Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party.

[44:32] Whitney White: Oh my god.

[44:32] Adrian: That was my first job in New York.

[44:34] Whitney White: Yeah.

[44:34] Adrian: Wow.

[44:35] Whitney White: And now here we are.

[44:36] Adrian: Here we are. Now what's next and up and coming that you can share?

[44:38] Whitney White: I'm shooting a TV show called Cooper Tino for CBS, which we're really excited about, Robert and Michelle King. And I'm gonna direct a play in the film, so I'm really excited.

[44:46] Adrian: That's amazing.

[44:47] Whitney White: Super excited about that.

[44:48] Adrian: Thank you.

[44:50] Whitney White: Thank you for stopping.

[44:51] Adrian: Let's have a fun little chat with the design team.

[44:55] Rolling.

[44:55] Whitney White: Hi.

[44:56] Design Team: Happy opening now.

[44:57] Whitney White: Thank you so much.

[44:58] Design Team: It's very exciting.

[44:59] Whitney White: It's very exciting.

[45:00] Design Team: Yeah, isn't it?

[45:01] Whitney White: Yeah, I know it's supposed to be a little bit warmer, but it's chilly.

[45:03] Design Team: Mother Nature can't make up her mind.

[45:05] Whitney White: That is correct, yes.

[45:06] Design Team: But that's New York City.

[45:07] Whitney White: But we're just gonna pretend it's warm out.

[45:09] Design Team: Exactly.

[45:09] Whitney White: Yeah, pretty in pink, I love it.

[45:11] Design Team: Thank you. I'm like a tropical bird in the Arctic, but I'm just pretending that it's fine.

[45:15] Whitney White: How excited were you to work with these wonderful creative people on this production?

[45:20] Design Team: I mean dreams, right? This is like what I wanted my whole life as a little young artist in New York City. And many of them are repeat collaborators, so it's just really incredible to be in rooms with people more than once.

[45:35] Whitney White: You know, this is my tenth show with Kenny Leon, and I've done several with Derek, and it's just really extraordinary to be with people who are at their sort of highest at the highest point in their careers and just really being able to come together and create something new.

[45:55] Design Team: I mean a new American play is something that doesn't happen as much as I would like personally. And so it's such a gift to do something new that has never been seen before in every way, not just the writing, but the scenic design and the costumes and the direction, so it's really a gift, truly.

[46:15] Whitney White: And it's a story that needs to be told.

[46:18] Design Team: I mean I think that the story is relevant, it's funny, it's full of heart. I think that at a time where the globe is forgetting what it's like to be neighborly and kind, and the simplicity of that that is really I think necessary.

[46:39] Whitney White: And you know, it's not just the people that are across from you or next to you, it's the people that are in other cities and other communities and other, you know, whether you are across countries or across cities or even just like if what am I trying to say?

[46:57] Design Team: Across communities, meaning if you don't belong, if you're you know, of a particular gender, or if you're of a particular age or a particular social status, it just feels like we are neighbors no matter what. You know, we're part of like a humanity and a human race that extends beyond all of our biases.

[47:18] Whitney White: And if we just listened to each other a little bit more, if we had a little more grace for each other, then maybe we might learn something and we might be able to just be kind at the end of the day I can't think of a play that is more relevant in that way right now.

[47:36] Design Team: That is wonderful well congratulations.

[47:39] Whitney White: Thank you so much for stopping and enjoy tonight.

[47:42] Design Team: Thanks.

[47:43] Whitney White: Thanks so much. Opening night very exciting.

[47:46] Design Team: Yeah, I'm excited. So where did your vision come from for this particular production?

[47:50] Design Team: So there were two things of designing the set for this that I looked at one was David Lindsay-Abaire's house because a lot of this play you know is based on things that happened similar to what happened in his neighborhood and he you know he called me up when I was asked to design this and said you know you should come see my house and so I did and it was kind of funny when I walked in because I actually recognized things in the play in his house I sort of saw the ground plan.

[48:15] Whitney White: So I based the architecture of the house on his house however the decor is completely different and for that I really had to look at the central character in the play Kira it's her house and she's very different than David Lindsay-Abaire.

[48:30] Design Team: And so I was trying to figure out sort of who she was and I turned I was inspired largely by the work of an African American New York based interior designer named Sheila Bridges and she was my inspiration for a lot of the work in the set.

[48:48] Whitney White: That's wonderful well congratulations happy opening.

[48:50] Design Team: Thank you so much.