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[0:00] Joel Crump: What's up everybody and welcome back to another episode of The Weekly Dose of Joel. This week we have a very exciting episode with the one, the only Casey Likes, who is currently playing Marty McFly in Back to the Future on Broadway. Before playing Marty McFly, he played William Miller in Broadway's Almost Famous. He is a Jimmy Awards finalist and has recently been seen in films like Dark Harvest and Spinning Gold. Casey Likes is one of the coolest people on Broadway right now, and he is going to have a magnificent career on Broadway and on film and in TV and everything he does. He is truly a triple threat and more. He does all the things, and I'm very excited for you guys to be hearing our conversation today. So let's get on to this very exciting and special episode of The Weekly Dose of Joel.

[0:45] Joel Crump: Broadway Buzz. Before we get on to this week's very exciting episode, there is a ton of Broadway news, so I'll be doing a super speedy Broadway buzz recap. It was announced that the new Steven Schwartz musical starring Kristen Chenoweth with the Queen of Versailles will be having its premiere in Boston. Darren Criss and Evan Rachel Wood have begun their runs in Little Shop of Horrors off Broadway. Tom Holland will star in Romeo and Juliet as Romeo in the West End. Tyne Daly will unfortunately be leaving the cast of Doubt, but Amy Ryan will be joining the cast of Doubt. And lastly, it was announced that Shoshana Bean, Brandon Victor Dixon, Cesia Lewis, and more will be in the cast of Hell's Kitchen on Broadway. That's your super speedy Broadway buzz, but now it's time for my interview with Casey Likes.

[1:27] Joel Crump: Casey Likes is honestly one of the coolest people on Broadway right now, if not the coolest person on Broadway right now. He made his Broadway debut as William Miller in Almost Famous on Broadway, and he is currently playing Marty McFly in Back to the Future. He's been performing since the age of three and is an award-winning director, writer, and producer. He's been seen in films like Dark Harvest and portraying Kiss legend Gene Simmons in Spinning Gold. In 2019, he was a finalist in the Jimmy Awards, and truly Casey is just such a cool person. I had the honor of first meeting Casey in 2020 at the opening night of Almost Famous. It was so cool being the youngest journalist on that red carpet because Casey was playing young journalist William Miller, who we all know from Almost Famous, and I just saw him in Back to the Future on Broadway.

And you guys, this performance is one not to miss. Not only does he kill it, but he plays that role of Marty McFly so well. And the show is truly brilliant. And listen, I've said it before on this podcast, there are so many shows on Broadway this season. Honestly, too many shows on Broadway this season. But if you want to go see a show that's entertaining that you already know and love, and that is truly just incredible, you want to go see Back to the Future on Broadway. It really was that amazing. But enough of me talking about Casey. It's time for you guys to hear from Casey himself. So here's my interview with Casey Likes.

[2:50] Joel Crump: Alright, let's do it. Perfect. So Casey, I mean, you have an incredible resume already. You're 20, 21 years old.

[2:58] Casey Likes: Yeah, 22. I just turned.

[3:00] Joel Crump: 22, 22, yeah. So you've already started two Broadway shows, movies, television, Jimmy Award finalist. I mean, how does this feel? Describe what it's been like for these past two years, like being in Broadway and doing films and doing all the things.

[3:13] Casey Likes: Well, first of all, Joel, I appreciate that, man. Thank you so much. I just really, really am cherishing every moment, man. I mean, it's come a lot sooner than I expected it to. And I'm trying to cherish it as if it came many years later.

[3:34] Joel Crump: Yeah.

[3:34] Casey Likes: And I mean, like, this is what I've worked for my whole life. Obviously, it's not a very long life so far, but it has been something I've done for, you know, 18 years. I've done it since I was three years old. So it's really kind of wild to be here now.

[3:54] Joel Crump: Yeah, I mean, growing up in Arizona, did you ever imagine any of this would happen and imagine it happening so quickly once you became an adult?

[4:02] Casey Likes: No, I think that's really what it was, is just the quickness of it all. You know, I was 17 when I got Almost Famous, and that was really surreal, man. I mean, like I was just like literally months before doing shows at my local youth theaters and in my high school, and I hadn't even graduated high school yet. So I think in the back of my mind I was hoping that there was always going to be a chance to do this in any capacity. I really would have mopped the stage, I would have done anything, man. And I always said that, but the fact that it was so early and it was so big was not expected at all. I never would have believed that.

[4:52] Joel Crump: Yeah. I mean, you're playing, in my opinion, one of the greatest roles ever right now. Marty McFly. I mean, we saw the show and we loved it. And you know, we see a lot of theater. There's a lot of stuff coming on Broadway right now. Too much stuff coming on Broadway.

[5:05] Casey Likes: Too much, you're right.

[5:06] Joel Crump: But it was, and I mean, it's truly one of my favorite shows I've seen yet this season. It's everything you wanted and more. So, what has it been like creating the role of Marty McFly on Broadway? And you know, what did you take from the film, but also create for yourself as Marty?

[5:21] Casey Likes: Well, I do see that your little love shrine behind you of all the Back to the Future memorabilia. We got the album, we got the playbill. So I appreciate that. Thanks, man. Yeah, I mean, you're asking about Marty and just creating Marty.

[5:35] Joel Crump: Yeah.

[5:36] Casey Likes: Yeah, yeah. It's just, it's really wild, man. I mean, I've kind of had an interesting career in terms of I've played mostly roles that people have an expectation of. Even this movie I did called Dark Harvest, there was a fan base behind that book. And even though I got to create that role, that wasn't really a fleshed out role in the book. Every project I've been a part of so far has had a very large expectation going into it, and I kind of love that. It fuels me because it's a little bit like once you get that validation from the fans, you know that you did your job right.

[6:04] Joel Crump: Yeah.

[6:04] Casey Likes: I kind of love that. I love that there is like a gauge of like who to listen to in terms of what you did right. And the fans of this project will tell you they were nervous about me coming in. They loved Ollie in the West End. They love Ben in the West End. And they were not about to accept a new Marty unless they were up to their standards. And of course, Michael J. Fox has set a huge precedent.

[7:09] Joel Crump: Yeah, for sure.

[7:10] Casey Likes: So yeah, I've loved it, man, and it's been fantastic. And my major thing about doing Marty was being able to distill everything that people love about Michael's performance into a performance that also is combined with everything about me. And I just try to combine all of those things together. So hopefully you're getting enough Michael, you're getting enough me to be something different but also something that the fans can accept.

[7:49] Joel Crump: Absolutely. And like I was just thinking about it right now, like almost all the bigger roles that you've played are based off of someone else. Even like Spinning Gold, you're playing a real-life person. So what kind of research do you do when playing roles like that, especially since you've done so many so far? What do you do to become that role?

[8:08] Casey Likes: I do, that's a great question. And thank you for that. I ask a lot of questions, and that's how I've always been. That's just who I am, a very inquisitive person. But you and I talked about how William Miller is a journalist, right? And that show Almost Famous is basically about you, you know, right?

[8:30] Joel Crump: Um, what was amazing about doing something like Almost Famous is that I had the guy right there and I could just do all this research talking to the real guy and asking him like how did you feel in this moment? What were you listening to at the time? What was the music you were listening to? What drove you to be this way? Can you tell me like a certain secret that nobody knows? Right? And you know, just little things that it's like you wouldn't think they would affect the performance, but they really do. And with something like Gene Simmons in Spinning Gold and Back to the Future, I didn't get to talk to the people in person, but I know a lot of people who knew them. And they gave me a lot of insight, and you kind of have to play a little bit of an imagination game.

You know, you kind of have to imagine, well, I mean, how would I be in this situation and how do I think they would have been? And always I'm just trying to combine me with them so there's reality, there's something real that I'm thinking of because I've been there in a situation kind of similar, but also like, you know, how do they talk? How do they walk? How do they speak? So yeah, great question though, thank you.

[9:25] Joel Crump: Yeah, I mean, and you kill it. And I feel like in this time of all the adaptations, you really have to be on point, and you do that in all the work you do. Could you share a memorable moment or a challenge that you encountered while preparing for Back to the Future?

[10:34] Casey Likes: I mean, many. So many. It was always fun though. The show was always fun to navigate challenges. I think the biggest one was the physical and vocal requirement of the role. It was really, I mean, Almost Famous was very, I don't think anything I've done has actually been physically or vocally very easy, but Almost Famous was challenging in a different way because, you know, there were parts of my voice that I needed to in order to sing the song with the kind of quiet tone that I wanted to have, I had to really work on that with my vocal coach Joan later. Physically, you know, there was some choreography that changed all the time throughout the many different versions of it. But this one was pre-established, you know, they did this in London. They know that there is a human being on earth that can do this role. So you know, my job was to come in and either do exactly what has been there or even add some more to it.

[11:34] Casey Likes: Um, you know. So uh I knew the notes I had to sing, so I brought them to Joan, and I was like, listen, this is this is high rock tenor stuff. It is so high, okay? So high. Unbelievably. Yes. And I I uh I remember very, very specifically showing the music to Joan, and and she you know, she's been with everyone. She's she she's a legend. She's a uh she has a special Tony Award for for her work on in Broadway. And she uh she just let out a big like and I was like, uh oh. That's not yeah, that's not uh that doesn't make my nerves go away. Uh oh. Uh because she's seen everything. So um that that made me a little nervous, but you know what? She she got me through it, and she really I owe so much to her.

Um so that and then I also for months before had to train in the gym. Uh I just knew that uh I was not in the shape I needed to be to be able to run um around the way I am. I have to do some fighting, fight scenes, I gotta run and jump on top of lockers and uh do hood slides and um jump over hedges and it's like an action movie every single day. So um I had to get pretty pretty uh pretty in shape for that.

[12:57] Casey Likes: And you barely leave the stage. Like I you barely how it's it's wild to me. Like you're you're in every scene, and not only you're in every scene, but every scene is so high energy, you have to like keep flowing. That must be yeah, it is, but um ironically, it seems to be the only job they give me out here. Um which is uh which is both uh a humble brag, but also like uh it seems uh really genuinely it is like what I've been trained for since I was 17. Um, you know, they um they did almost famous, and that was exactly the same way. It was I I didn't leave. I think I left maybe three or four times that whole show, and the I leave a couple more times in this show, but it's I'm quick changing. I didn't change my clothes in almost famous, but um this one I uh I do a lot of quick changes. One of them is in a minute, under a minute.

[13:50] Casey Likes: Whoa, oh my god. Yeah, yeah, it's really fast, and it's a full outfit change. It goes from uh the enchantment under the sea dance into my iconic um Marty look um towards the end of the show, and that is crazy. Um, but yeah, I mean I think I think what's great about that is that you uh especially the second go around um is that I you you you find a really kind of an interesting zen with the whole thing I mean I've done the show about 200 something times now and um I find times to um maybe not go full force in this scene um with the physicality or whatever um because I know I need to have it for the next scene or um there's some scenes where I'm not exactly um uh needing to be uh in the scene sometimes I'm witnessing something and uh everyone else gets to go off stage and check their phone and have conversations and sometimes you just kind of have to have a conversation with your with yourself and just check in like how are you doing? What happened today and and then uh check back in when it is um you know when you have to act and be present of course right totally.

[14:57] Joel Crump: I mean back to the future is such a beloved movie what was your initial reaction to finding out you would play this role on Broadway?

[14:57] Casey Likes: Uh terrified which is uh which is uh an answer that I I didn't think I would ever I would ever have because I I kind of try to be pretty um pretty like oh I'm I'm super confident about everything but I was I was terrified man I mean I I got almost famous and I was just so ready I was like put me in coach I'm ready I've done this before blah blah blah but you know I learned a lot on almost famous Broadway is a is uh is a beast man and there's nothing quite um that will prepare you for that. Um, it's just kind of like uh you I I really just wanted to do it right.

[15:53] Casey Likes: And when they offered um Marty to me, I I wanted to do that right too. And um I guess I kinda had a good reputation after Almost Famous, and um uh I got through that one. Um I had a little bit of um some health issues towards the end of that. Um that uh were really challenging to work through, but I uh so I I I was kind of nervous. I was like, oh man, I don't wanna I don't want to disappoint people. So um but through some conversations with um with a lot of different people, I I realized that um it was worth the risk. It was worth the risk of possibly falling flat off my face. Um because if I didn't, then the reward would be massive.

[16:38] Casey Likes: And it has been every single night. I just um feel very blessed um that I I'm I'm able to be up there.

[16:47] Joel Crump: So cool. And I mean, from my understanding, the Likes family has been in shows before, right? Like your mother was on Broadway, like that's so cool. So did she give you an advice that was like, hey, watch out for this while you're gonna step into these roles?

[17:02] Casey Likes: Yeah, man. You know, actually my mom was a really big um a really big supporter of me. Um uh continuing my Broadway journey, you know. Um, and it was never any ego. I mean, I was just like anytime anyone believes in you, uh, I just think it is a blessing, man. And uh I just was honestly, I was just very nervous. Yeah, you know, she said to me, she was like, You have to do this because you have to, you you have to like have an exp an experience that unfortunately, because almost famous, um although you know, acquired a huge massive fan base that still approaches me on the street to this day, um, it didn't run very long.

[17:46] Casey Likes: It only ran about five months. And uh I loved it. I loved it so much. Thanks, man. Thank you. Well that that shows for you, man. But yeah, I mean, I think she was, I think she felt really good about this show. She had a very um uh a good instinct about it. And she was like, you you need to have something that that really, really um lands and you're able to sit down in for a while. And um, because you don't want to have you know the taste in your mouth of of Broadway, you know, spit you out or whatever, you know, which is not exactly how I feel now about Almost Famous. I think every piece of art has its time, but at the time it was very heartbreaking. So she was really a big supporter in that.

[18:30] Casey Likes: And um uh I I really thank her for that.

[18:33] Joel Crump: Are you enjoying this episode as much as I am? I hope you are, and if you are, feel free to like this podcast or add it to your library. Before we move forward, it's time for a quick ad break.

[18:44] Joel Crump: Now back to my interview with Casey Likes. What I think is so cool about you, Casey is that not only do you act and perform, right, you're also a creator behind the scenes. So you I know you want to direct and do all those things. So what's a movie or a TV show you would want to turn into a Broadway musical?

[19:00] Casey Likes: Oh man. Such a great question. I gotta be honest, man. I have a few ideas. Okay, but but I also am a strong, I think I'm I have a little bit of a superstition that if I say things out loud, then they come true. Which is uh which is funny because a lot of people are the opposite. They like to manifest and say things out loud. I actually feel like um the opposite. So what I will say though is that there are many things that I do want, and I don't I don't usually star or direct. I don't usually star at the same time as I direct something. I if I ever do, it's because uh I know it's something I have to do, or e or if I write or direct.

[19:47] Casey Likes: Um I've only done that once or twice in the films that I've made, but in the musicals I've made, I want to be in all of them. There's so many cool roles out there. Yeah, yeah. There's some bio musicals I want to do. There’s some uh and I I do have to say I've done the 60s in a movie, I've done the 70s in a musical and a movie. Right. I've done the 80s now. I probably should do the 90s.

[20:14] Joel Crump: You probably should do the 90s, and that's where any producer listening right now. I mean, Casey is ready.

[20:20] Casey Likes: I'm ready for the 90s. Bring on the 90s.

[20:23] Joel Crump: Yeah, okay. So I I want to know is there a Broadway show you want to revive that you want to star in?

[20:29] Casey Likes: Oh. Oh man. Um yeah. Yeah. I mean, yeah. There's like I think I I would love to, I mean, I don't know what I there's probably so much more you can do with Pippin and Jesus Christ Superstar. Yeah, I would be very interested in a uh a new lens on American Idiot. Um I feel like politically we're at such an interesting time that I feel like that that could be something on the horizon.

[21:00] Casey Likes: Yeah. Um, but yeah, those three are um, I think those three are so interpretive as shows, and I would be interested to see how they would look like in a in a new lens right now.

[21:12] Joel Crump: Yeah, for me, mine is at least recently, it's been ragtime. I mean, I think it's such a large show, but like has such a specific meaning. And I feel like in our day and age, it's still a very relevant meaning. I think there's a lot of want for that too after they did that concert.

[21:28] Casey Likes: I mean, every time they bring ragtime back around, people just just freak out.

[21:33] Joel Crump: Yeah. All right. So you I mean, you have a lot of fans, Casey. There are so many fan questions.

[21:39] Casey Likes: So wow. Okay. That's cool to hear.

[21:40] Joel Crump: So we'll do a couple, because I know we're running out of time, but we'll do a couple.

[21:45] Casey Likes: And yeah.

[21:47] Joel Crump: So Russell the third asks, after going to the Jimmies, did that help boost your career, or has your success come from other outlets?

[21:56] Casey Likes: Uh yeah, it absolutely boosted my career, man. I mean, the the um the Jimmies was less like a fast pass. That's what I always call it. It's like remember Disney Fast Pass. I don't know if they still um do it.

[22:06] Casey Likes: Um for sure, yeah. I just I love Disney.

[22:11] Joel Crump: You're you're a big theme park guy.

[22:12] Casey Likes: Oh yeah, for sure.

[22:13] Casey Likes: Yeah, thank thank goodness. That's that's we are I'm a big theme park guy. Um, but uh it's like a Disneyland fast pass. I mean, it's like you don't need it to get into the industry, but I will say it did accelerate things quite fast for me because it all of a sudden, you know, you're in front of face to face with the people that you've been uh submitting self tapes to for your whole life.

[22:37] Casey Likes: I I remember having a conversation with um Bernie Telsi and Tara Rubin. Oh my god, both uh large casting directors at the after party for the Jimmies, and I told them, I said, uh, I've been auditioning for uh Darren Hansen for for a couple years now.

[22:53] Casey Likes: Um, and they were like, Yeah, we just connected the pieces. Um, and I thought that was uh so interesting. I just like it's always good to get in front of people in person if you possibly can.

[23:05] Casey Likes: And the Jimmy's is just a very large showcase. It's like a college showcase or a showcase that you can pay to be a part of where there's a lot of people that can see you in person.

[23:20] Joel Crump: Meeting Bernie, was that scary? Because when I met Bernie, I was like, oh my god, like I like this is like so scary. What was it like for you?

[23:28] Casey Likes: Well, I mean, at 17 years old, I mean, I was just like, I I mean, I just was a fan, man. I've just been a fan of all these people. And yeah, I was it was a little nerve-wracking, but I also like I also I don't come from a whole lot of like, I come from a middle-class family that, you know, we live in Arizona. We're not usually in very large fancy rooms like that. So when I get in those fancy rooms, I'm like, I better put my nerves aside because I need to introduce myself to these people because I don't know when the next time I'm gonna be in these rooms again.

[24:04] Joel Crump: That's funny.

[24:05] Casey Likes: That's so I probably was nervous, but I just gaslit myself. That's how I used to think when I started this. Like, I used to throw it aside now. Like, I feel like it's different because I'm...

[24:13] Joel Crump: Yeah, well, you established yourself now, man. I mean, everyone knows you on our team. So, um, yeah, I mean, you can relax a little bit more now, as can I, I think, hopefully.

[24:25] Casey Likes: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[24:26] Joel Crump: Um, Grummet Adam asks, How do you manage to play so many distinct roles that are completely different from one another?

[24:33] Casey Likes: I've just been lucky, man. I mean, that's a great question, and I wish I could take more credit for it. But it is a little bit of a goal. There are some times that I'm like, oh well, that's a little similar to what I did before. But I don't really like to say no a lot because it's like if anyone asks you to come in, I really want to give everything my best shot. And truthfully, like even if I got a role that was like exactly like Marty McFly next, which I don't know if there's a lot of things that are exactly like Marty McFly, I would find a way to differentiate it because I love actors like Christian Bale where it's just like they're chameleons and they disappear in everything. So I really, to answer your question, I've just been lucky and I also make an effort to try to differentiate them.

[25:23] Joel Crump: Yeah. A question that I just thought about is, you know, after going to the Jimmies and after doing all the things going back home, going back into your communities, what was it like going back from such a high to, you know, back to everyday life and how do you manage being in the forefront but then also coming back to yourself and like realizing like, hey, I need to do something for myself and not always be that guy in front of?

[25:48] Casey Likes: Well, after the Jimmies ironically, I was actually only back in Arizona for two weeks. I went to my first day of school and I left because I had Almost Famous, so I didn't have a whole lot of time back in Arizona. But over the pandemic, obviously I had a lot of time in Arizona because I went home and then every time I'm not on a job out here or on a film, I go home. I love being home and I think two things keep me grounded. I like creating no matter where and how it is. I don't care if it's the big billboards, I don't care if it's whatever. As long as I have a place to create and do art, I'm very happy. And I've been very lucky with a lot of people at home, including this theater called Grease Paint Youth Theater and my mom's high school that I can sometimes like come in and watch and give my two cents on.

It just makes me feel like I'm still a part of something. And that really is very fulfilling to me. And that's one thing. And then two things, the second thing is that like when you get to that level, you kind of want to figure out who your people are. And I think there was a while in my life where I was like, I'm gonna just push everyone away, I don't need anything. And then I realize it's like, no, you actually having people to support you and having people that you support as well is necessary.

[27:18] Joel Crump: That's so brilliant. I love that. And that shows how humble and great you are because you've like you you don't need the biggest thing in life. You just want to create, and that's what a true artist wants to produce something, you know.

[27:30] Casey Likes: Thanks, man. I think those are the people that go the farthest. There are some people, of course, that are, you know, not exactly in it for those reasons, but I feel like the ratio of like true artists to those bad apples is definitely a lot higher.

[27:46] Joel Crump: Yeah. Last fan question is if you could give any advice right now, just for life, just in general, what advice would it be?

[27:55] Casey Likes: Oh my God. I mean, wow. I feel like Jesus, we should ask Aristotle or something like that's wow. I mean, I think probably the biggest advice probably comes with the biggest place of truth I'm in in this current moment, which is that like nobody knows. And that's and I have no idea, man. I am literally always trying my best. Yeah, like it I don't think anybody would know the challenges I have faced because I've dealt with them pretty privately and within my circles. But every time I'm met with an obstacle, especially recently, there's never a clear answer. I think we all wait around that there's gonna be a clear answer and we know exactly what we're gonna figure out, we're gonna figure out exactly what we want to do. And unfortunately, it just never comes. You just kind of have to take the step and take a risk. And I've taken some cool risks and I guess they've worked out pretty well. So I guess that's my advice. Nobody knows.

[29:06] Joel Crump: Yeah, I love it. That's great.

[29:08] Casey Likes: That's great.

[29:08] Joel Crump: So now we're gonna do a quick round. These are some rapid-fire questions.

[29:11] Casey Likes: Do it.

[29:12] Joel Crump: Let's do it. All right, favorite Back to the Future song.

[29:17] Casey Likes: Uh probably "Put Your Mind to It" if we're not counting the Huey songs.

[29:21] Joel Crump: Backstage Bestie.

[29:23] Casey Likes: Uh Billy, my dresser. It's the only person I see backstage. I love Billy, his everything, his YouTube everything.

[29:30] Joel Crump: Favorite snack backstage.

[29:32] Casey Likes: Um almonds or salt and vinegar pistachios.

[29:37] Joel Crump: Favorite day of the week to perform.

[29:40] Casey Likes: Oh. Um, Friday? I think either Friday or Saturday night.

[29:48] Joel Crump: Yeah, yeah, yeah. The best part of performing in the show.

[29:54] Casey Likes: The people.

[29:55] Joel Crump: Favorite Broadway cast recording.

[29:58] Casey Likes: Oh. I mean, Spring Awakening is a pretty dope recording, man.

[30:03] Joel Crump: Yeah. Favorite vocal warm-up.

[30:07] Casey Likes: Um, probably one from Joan later. It goes, and then goes next.

[30:18] Joel Crump: Best Back to the Future dance number.

[30:22] Casey Likes: Oh, I mean, the best dancing is probably "21st Century."

[30:26] Joel Crump: Yeah, yeah, yeah. And lastly, the best part of performing "Johnny Be Good."

[30:30] Casey Likes: Um, getting to rock out. I just love being a rock star, man. It's like I've never gotten the chance to just like be cool like that. Other than, I mean, Gene Simmons, yeah, definitely for sure. But like, you know, this being a full number and it being something I yeah, it's just great.

[30:50] Joel Crump: Love that.

[30:51] Casey Likes: Yeah, you killed Quick Round.

[30:53] Joel Crump: Following follow questions, learning that guitar solo.

[30:57] Casey Likes: I mean that it truly blew my mind. What was that like for you?

[31:01] Casey Likes: Yeah, I worked with Aurelian, our guitarist downstairs, and you know, I just I just wanted to learn as much of it as I possibly could very early. And fortunately, you know, he was so giving and helpful. And yeah, I don't know.

[31:19] Joel Crump: I'm sure. And just also getting to play it on that guitar, that beautiful guitar is just a gift.

[31:26] Casey Likes: Yeah, it's funny. I interviewed Amber a couple weeks ago, and for favorite snack backstage, she also said almonds.

[31:33] Casey Likes: Oh, yeah. Well, that's great. It's protein, and you know, you get some iron out of it, and yeah, it keeps me alive.

[31:39] Joel Crump: Yeah, and I mean, the last thing I want to know, Casey, is you know, for any aspiring creators, you have so many fans, so many people that want to be on Broadway. What would you tell them they need to do right now that will help them get to Broadway?

[31:53] Casey Likes: Um, it probably sounds cliche, but it really is the truth. You can't stop working, you know. It's like I still take voice lessons. I did growing up. I look up when I have my off time, I'm watching videos of interviews of actors, and you know, I did dance lessons growing up. I probably should do more now. I just think there's always room to learn, and there's always room to improve because once you stop doing that, then that's when other people, you know, surpass you and they're still learning. So, you know, you just always stay on that grind. Take time for yourself, of course. But yeah, I mean, like, I really like once you get stagnant. I think that's the issue I find with most young actors is that, you know, don't let that ego get involved. Just let keep diving into that craft.

[32:50] Joel Crump: Love it.

[32:51] Casey Likes: Yeah, thank you so much, Casey. This was absolutely fantastic.

[32:55] Casey Likes: Thank you, Joel. I appreciate you, man. You're the best. And I can't wait to listen to this one and the last few episodes you've done.

[33:02] Joel Crump: You guys, was that not one of the best interviews ever? I think it was. I've been able to interview so many cool people, and every time I interview Casey, it's just the best time ever. And he has so much wisdom to give, and he has so many fantastic stories. And what's really crazy is that he's been doing this since he was three. So, while it may seem like, you know, oh my god, he's just now getting all of this fame, and he's just now getting into Broadway and all this stuff, he's been doing this for a really long time, so it's really cool that he's, you know, finally getting all that he's worked for, and I cannot wait to see what Casey does next.

[33:37] Joel Crump: I know you all love Back to the Future so much, so we will be doing a Back to the Future ticket giveaway. You can see how to enter for this very, very exciting giveaway on the Weekly Dose of Joel Instagram. That's at Weekly Dose of Joel Podcast. And though all the rules are right there. You have to share the post, comment, do all the things, and you will have the chance to win two tickets to go see Back to the Future on Broadway, starring Casey Likes.

[34:05] Joel Crump: Next week, we have a very special Black History Month themed episode. I'm having some of the top-notch stars on here, you guys get very excited. There's so much more special stuff to come that I'm planning, and this is one of the interviews that I've been looking forward to. So I'm so glad I was able to speak with Casey. And don't forget, you have your chance to win tickets to go see Back to the Future on Broadway. But I will see you next week for another episode of The Weekly Dose of Joel.