This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:01] Alan Seales: Welcome to a special bonus episode of The Theatre Podcast. I'm Alan Seales, bringing you some special exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews from the Red Carpet of Opening Night from & Juliet on Broadway, a show I went in knowing nothing about. It is absolutely now one of my favorite and highly, highly recommended shows. So let's just dive straight in with a little chat with Juliet herself, Lorna Courtney. When I asked her about whether or not she felt any extra pressure from opening night, here's what she had to say.

[0:38] Lorna Courtney: I did feel the pressure today. I'm not going to lie, I did feel nervous, but it was reassuring knowing that everyone who's in the audience is there to enjoy, to give love, and to support what we have going on on stage.

[0:55] Alan Seales: Do you have a favorite moment in the show that you are not in?

[0:58] Lorna Courtney: Ooh, Teenage Dream. Oh my gosh. Teenage Dream is so much fun, and you can hear it by the reactions. Everyone is with them the whole time. They love seeing Mel and Paolo dance and sing their heart out. It's amazing.

[1:18] Alan Seales: It's so much fun. Congratulations. Happy opening. You are truly wonderful on the show.

[1:22] Lorna Courtney: Thank you so, so much. Thank you.

[1:24] Alan Seales: Juliet Woolf, who plays Anne Hathaway, no, not that Anne Hathaway, is also a force to be reckoned with on stage. Here's what we chatted about.

[1:31] Betsy Wolfe: I cannot believe we're here. I've been thinking about this night since May. I love the rehearsal process, though. I love that whole thing, but there is nothing like finally getting there and, like you said, just hearing the audience and just going, oh my gosh, we made it. We made it. We made it. We made it.

[1:47] Alan Seales: Your character of Anne Hathaway is so unique and interesting, and I love the way that you play it. Because we come out and expect, again, the wife to be kind of forgotten in the background.

[1:58] Betsy Wolfe: She's not going to be forgotten.

[2:00] Alan Seales: Is there a moment immediately when you come out and you're like, oh, the audience gets why I'm here and what I'm doing?

[2:05] Betsy Wolfe: I think from the first time I say, hi, I'm Anne, I think they understand where we're going with this. Yeah, she's not supposed to be at the theater that night, but she's coming there.

[2:14] Alan Seales: What's your favorite moment in the show that you are not in?

[2:17] Betsy Wolfe: Oh, problem. Easy. Problem. When they do that number, I'm just like, game changer. Let's go. I feel so cool when they do that number.

[2:26] Alan Seales: Well, congratulations. Happy opening. You are wonderful.

[2:28] Betsy Wolfe: Thank you.

[2:29] Alan Seales: Something I'm always curious about is how and when people get cast in their respective shows, how their auditions go, what their journey is. And I was fortunate enough to talk about exactly that with Stark Sands, who plays the lovingly despicable William Shakespeare.

[2:44] Stark Sands: I was cast in this show in April or May of this year, and it's November. So it's been a very fast journey for me. I was cast in about a week later we were rehearsing. We went to Toronto, we did a wonderful run at the Princess of Wales Theater in Toronto. And then we came here, we did like two weeks of previews, and now we've opened. So it's actually not that long, but it's a testament to how prepared this company is. And it's remarkable that we have 15 Broadway debuts in the film, and yet we are still performing at the level we're at.

[3:21] Alan Seales: I love the... I don't want to call it a fad. I want to call it like the shift in storytelling now on Broadway is telling the stories of these lesser-known characters, especially women and people of color and underrepresented individuals. And the facts that Will Shakespeare spouts, the facts that we've learned about Will and Anne Hathaway, the legitimate wife, the real name of his real wife. Is there anything that you have learned in doing this show that you were like, wow, I had no idea that that was either really cool or really not cool?

[3:52] Stark Sands: I mean, I've learned so much. When I was cast, I did a deep dive into all my Shakespeare. I read a bunch of biographies, I read a bunch of analysis and research, and I learned so much about what life was like at this time, the company of players that he really worked with. I wanted to just understand it. Now, it's not entirely relevant because what we're doing is a sort of meta version of that. Obviously, we have these modern songs, but I learned incredible things. It's true that they were married, and then he went off and would come home maybe once a year to see his kids and his wife, and they didn't spend a lot of time together. He really did leave her the second best bed in the Will. That's all she got. There's been a lot written about it. There's a lot of theories, and I'm still reading and learning as much as I can.

[4:45] Stark Sands: There's a line about how beautiful the soliloquies he would write for other men. There's a lot that when you put it all together in a nice little package that Anne Juliet is, I'm like, Oh, yeah, that makes a lot more sense now. Okay, last question then. If you could only see one show for the rest of your life, but you can see it as many times as you want, what would you see?

[5:05] Stark Sands: Oh, my gosh. That's really tough. If I could only see one show for the rest of my life, this is a show that hit me so hard and hit me on all the levels next to normal.

[5:18] Alan Seales: Oh, my God.

[5:19] Stark Sands: I know. It's kind of a strange choice, but my gut is telling me that I was moved so much by the performances in that show. I became friends with Tom Kitt because of American Idiot, and so I have connections to those people, and that's my impulse answer for you.

[5:39] Alan Seales: Thank you so much. Happy opening. Congratulations.

[5:43] Stark Sands: Thanks.

[5:44] Alan Seales: Stark mentioned that the show hosts 15 Broadway debuts. One of my absolute favorite debuts is Elena V. Madaral, a swing who swung in for act two of the final preview, of course, the night before opening the show I was actually there able to see. So, of course, we had a chat about that.

[6:01] Elena V. Madaral: I was at the show last night.

[6:02] Alan Seales: Wait, then you saw me on.

[6:03] Elena V. Madaral: I was going to say. I was like, wait a second. She wasn't there at the very beginning. What happened backstage?

[6:10] Elena V. Madaral: Yes. Well, yesterday afternoon for the matinee, I was in the green room eating some food, and then I hear on the call, Elena, please get into mic and costume. You will be going on for act two. And so that was my debut into the show, and also on Broadway as well. That was my Broadway debut. I was doing the second act in the matinee.

[6:31] Alan Seales: So you're stepping on stage wiping chips, crumbs off your face.

[6:34] Elena V. Madaral: I know. I was like, I think I was eating hash browns or something, and then I was like, okay, I really drink some water, mouthwash. I was like, let me go on stage. And it was The feeling was being shot out of a cannon. You just kind of have to go for it. But honestly, I loved that aspect of it because then there's not too much overthinking. You just kind of have to go for it, and I enjoyed it. It was so much fun.

[6:56] Alan Seales: I absolutely love the nature of swings and understudies and standbys and alternates in like this industry would not exist, especially right now without you.

[7:04] Elena V. Madaral: The only thing that was going through my mind in that moment was like, okay, I go here, then I go here, I pick up this prop, then I sing these lyrics. But honestly, at the same time, there was so much adrenaline. And like, I felt so hyped up that it kind of just took over. And I was also just having fun at the same time. It's weird. I feel like swings have like a double mind where they're like thinking of like so many things very quickly, but at the same time, just having fun and trying to connect with everybody on stage and also connect to the audience. I mean, the energy was insane. And I loved it. It was so much fun.

[7:33] Alan Seales: What is your favorite moment of the show that you get to watch every night?

[7:39] Elena V. Madaral: Okay, so when Juliet and Romeo, they're having a scene together in act two, Juliet starts singing to Romeo and Romeo says, I'm sorry, I'm being really emotional. And Juliet says, you are really emotional. And I love that about you. That is my favorite line and my favorite section of the show. There's just so much underneath that, that I think is beautiful. And then they go right into one more try, which is my favorite song in the show. And I think everything about that scene and that song is just beautiful.

[8:10] Alan Seales: There are so many layers of representation, pushing boundaries and breaking ceilings all contained within and Juliet. One newcomer to the stage is Justin David Sullivan, who talks to me about the privilege he feels to get to tell an atypical story around the character of May, a journey that may help others to find themselves.

[8:27] Justin David Sullivan: When you first read this script, did you realize that it was going to be like take us to the depth that it did?

[8:33] Justin David Sullivan: I think that when I first knew about this character, the character that it plays, May, I knew that it was something special, something that I'd never seen before. And then to get to read the full script and see all the stories and all the characters come to life, I was like, whoa, this show has something for everyone. And this is something that I've never seen before. So I knew it was special for sure.

[8:57] Alan Seales: How much of how much of you do you bring to the role? I mean, I guess how much of you is is May and how much of me is you?

[9:04] Justin David Sullivan: I would say, and I don't know how other people have answered this, but I feel like May and I are one in the same. I have never seen a character that I related to more. It's so surreal. And that's something that makes me so grateful to get to tell a story that you know, I resonate so closely to so close to my own truth. And it's a beautiful thing.

[9:30] Alan Seales: Have you get have you heard any feedback from people? Like, I mean, this is only opening night, so there's going to be fingers crossed years and years of stage doors. But have you heard feedback from people who are like, finally, this is this is what I need. This is what I have to see on stage now?

[9:44] Justin David Sullivan: Absolutely. I think, you know, representation is so important, especially on Broadway, you know, for a community that really wants to be super inclusive. I think that it's important that these kinds of stories are getting told. And I meet so many people every day that are just like, thank you so much for telling the story with so much honesty. And, you know, people that have told me things like seeing you perform this role has made me brave enough to like come out to my family. And those are the moments that you know, I will cherish forever. And it's always a reminder to me of why this is so important. Yeah.

[10:21] Alan Seales: What is your favorite moment from the show that you are not in?

[10:23] Justin David Sullivan: My favorite from the show, for sure, is It's My Life. Romeo's entrance. Spoiler alert is really iconic. And that number is just gets you so pumped up and so excited for act two. I think it's an incredible number.

[10:38] Alan Seales: Congratulations. Happy opening.

[10:40] Justin David Sullivan: Thank you.

[10:45] Alan Seales: So Ben Jackson Walker, who, spoiler alert, plays the character of Romeo, he talks about his journey with the show as well. What really surprised me about him, though, is that even though he slays the pop songs in this show, he actually trained in traditional musical theater.

[10:55] Ben Jackson Walker: My journey started with the show early this year in like February. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Before that, before this year and like, I'm so lost. What year is it?

[11:08] Alan Seales: 2022.

[11:09] Ben Jackson Walker: I think it was earlier this year. And I auditioned and then heard about it in February or March. And I, yeah. And then and then we started in Toronto and then now we're here.

[11:29] Alan Seales: Welcome to the red carpet opening night interviews for "& Juliet."

[11:59] Alan Seales: We're here to celebrate the cast and crew of this amazing production.

[12:29] Alan Seales: Let's dive into the excitement of the evening.

[12:34] Alan Seales: The energy is palpable as everyone arrives.

[13:39] Alan Seales: It's a night filled with anticipation and joy.

[14:09] Alan Seales: The stars are shining bright tonight.

[14:39] Alan Seales: We can't wait to hear from the talented cast.

[15:09] Alan Seales: Each interview will bring us closer to the magic of theatre.

[15:14] Alan Seales: Stay tuned for some incredible insights.

[15:19] Alan Seales: The atmosphere is electric, and the excitement is contagious.

[15:24] Alan Seales: Let's see who we can catch up with first.

[15:29] Alan Seales: The red carpet is the place to be tonight.

[15:34] Alan Seales: We're ready to celebrate this fantastic show.

[15:39] Alan Seales: The cast has worked so hard to bring this story to life.

[15:44] Alan Seales: It's a beautiful night for a celebration.

[15:49] Alan Seales: Let's hear from the stars themselves.

[15:54] Alan Seales: Each of them has a unique story to share.

[15:59] Alan Seales: The excitement is building as we await their arrival.

[16:04] Alan Seales: This is a night to remember.

[16:09] Alan Seales: The energy here is simply unmatched.

[16:14] Alan Seales: We're in for a treat with these interviews.

[16:19] Alan Seales: Let's keep the momentum going.

[16:24] Alan Seales: The cast is arriving, and the crowd is cheering.

[16:29] Alan Seales: It's a celebration of creativity and talent.

[16:34] Alan Seales: We're thrilled to be part of this special night.

[16:39] Alan Seales: The stories behind the scenes are just as captivating.

[16:44] Alan Seales: Let's capture those moments as they unfold.

[16:49] Alan Seales: The excitement is at an all-time high.

[16:59] Alan Seales: We can't wait to share these interviews with you.

[17:04] Alan Seales: The stars are here, and they're ready to shine.

[17:09] Alan Seales: Let's hear what they have to say.

[17:14] Alan Seales: The anticipation is building as we await the first interview.

[17:19] Alan Seales: This is a night dedicated to the art of storytelling.

[17:24] Alan Seales: We're here to celebrate the magic of theatre.

[17:29] Alan Seales: Let's make some memories tonight.

[17:34] Alan Seales: The red carpet is alive with excitement.

[17:39] Alan Seales: We're ready to hear from the incredible cast of "& Juliet."

[17:44] Alan Seales: Each interview will bring us closer to the heart of the show.

[17:49] Alan Seales: Let's dive into the stories that make this production special.

[17:54] Alan Seales: The night is young, and the excitement is just beginning.

[17:59] Alan Seales: We're thrilled to be here with all of you.

[18:04] Alan Seales: Let's celebrate the talent and creativity on display tonight.

[18:09] Alan Seales: The energy is infectious, and we can't wait to share it.

[18:14] Alan Seales: Let's keep the interviews rolling.

[18:17] Alan Seales: The stars are ready to share their experiences.

[18:22] Alan Seales: This is a night for the artists and their stories.

[18:25] Alan Seales: We're here to honor their hard work and dedication.

[18:27] Alan Seales: The excitement is palpable as we await the first guest.

[18:31] Alan Seales: Let's make this a night to remember.

[18:37] Alan Seales: The red carpet is the perfect backdrop for this celebration.

[18:43] Alan Seales: We're ready to hear from the cast of "& Juliet."

[18:48] Alan Seales: The anticipation is building as we await their arrival.

[18:50] Alan Seales: Let's capture the magic of this evening.

[18:58] Alan Seales: The stars are shining bright tonight.

[19:08] Alan Seales: We're here to celebrate the art of theatre.

[19:18] Alan Seales: Let's hear from the incredible cast.

[19:28] Alan Seales: Each story is unique and inspiring.

[19:38] Alan Seales: We're excited to share these moments with you.

[19:48] Alan Seales: The energy is electric, and the excitement is contagious.

[19:58] Alan Seales: Let's keep the celebration going.

[20:08] Alan Seales: The night is filled with creativity and talent.

[20:18] Alan Seales: We're ready to hear from the stars of "& Juliet."

[20:28] Alan Seales: Each interview will bring us closer to the magic of the show.

[20:38] Alan Seales: Let's dive into the excitement of the evening.

[20:48] Alan Seales: The red carpet is alive with anticipation.

[20:58] Alan Seales: We're thrilled to be part of this special night.

[21:08] Alan Seales: Let's celebrate the incredible talent on display.

[21:18] Alan Seales: The stories behind the scenes are just as captivating.

[21:28] Alan Seales: We're here to honor the artists and their craft.

[21:38] Alan Seales: Let's keep the momentum going.

[21:48] Alan Seales: The excitement is building as we await the first interview.

[21:58] Alan Seales: This is a night dedicated to the art of storytelling.

[22:08] Alan Seales: We're ready to celebrate the magic of theatre.

[22:18] Alan Seales: Let's make some memories tonight.

[22:28] Alan Seales: The red carpet is alive with excitement.

[22:38] Alan Seales: We're ready to hear from the incredible cast of "& Juliet."