This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Joel Crump: What's up everybody? It's time for another episode of The Weekly Dose of Joel, and I am your host, Joel Crump, back with more Broadway news, history, and exciting interviews.

[0:09] Joel Crump: We are in the midst of this very busy but exciting Broadway season. This week I am bringing you interviews with Caissie Levy, who's playing Mother in Ragtime at New York City Center, Nicole Scherzinger, who is starring in Sunset Boulevard, Michael Mayer, who is the director of Swept Away on Broadway, and Ephraim Sykes, who is currently starring in Our Town on Broadway. You'll also hear me chat about some Broadway buzz and what's coming up next this Broadway season.

[0:34] Joel Crump: I don't want to keep you waiting any longer, so let's get started on your Weekly Dose of Joel. I mean, what a time to be alive right now on Broadway. There are so many exciting things happening right now. We've had some openings like McNeil and Our Town, Sunset Boulevard, and Romeo and Juliet. I mean, all those shows are so exhilarating. I know one of my favorites that I'm really excited about is Sunset Boulevard. You'll hear me talking to Nicole Scherzinger this episode.

[1:01] Joel Crump: And we also have some very exciting shows that are gonna be opening up in the next couple of weeks, like A Wonderful World, Maybe Happy Ending, Tammy Faye, Elf, Swept Away, Death Becomes Her. I mean, Gypsy. This entire fall season is so exciting. And we're not even halfway there. A lot of these shows I just listed haven't even started previews yet, so we have a lot coming up, and there's been some cool casting stuff happening like Charlie D'Amelio in Anne Juliet and Aisha Jackson in The Notebook. This is truly the time to be alive, and I know I'm living my best life off-Broadway right now, and I know you guys are going to be too in these next couple of weeks.

[1:36] Joel Crump: Not to mention the fact that we are having an epic production of Ragtime at New York City Center with an all-star cast, let me say. I mean Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz, Shayna Taub, Ben Lee Vyras, Nichelle Lewis. I mean, the list goes on and on and on, and listen, if y'all know me, you know I love, I love Ragtime so much. So this production means a lot to me because I'll be able to see one of my favorite shows on stage. And you know, it's just so wonderful all the art that is happening in New York City right now.

[2:08] Joel Crump: Before we jump into the interviews of the day, I want to talk about the grosses this week because I think it's very interesting. You know, people call the fall season, and I don't agree with this, but people say, you know, oh, the fall is so rough because not many people go to see Broadway, you know, the grosses dip down. But looking at the grosses report of this week, a lot of shows are still doing fantastic amid this fall season. Some shows that are in the A Million Dollar Club this week include, you know, Wicked, Sunset Boulevard, House Kitchen, The Outsiders, McNeil, The Great Gatsby, Cabaret. You know, these are all shows that people are still excited about and are still seeing in this fall season.

[2:42] Joel Crump: And I have to shout out shows like Sunset Boulevard and The Outsiders and McNeil and The Great Gatsby and House Kitchen, because those just opened in the last year. They're not long-running shows, and they're still doing fantastic on Broadway. You know, shows that reached 100% capacity this week include The Outsiders and Romeo and Juliet, two shows that opened in the last year, you know, O'Marry, which is just doing fantastic week after week after week. It's an exciting time for these Broadway shows. And I'm really glad that the momentum is keeping up and that we don't see a lot of dips and shows you that, you know, Broadway is still Broadwaying, and people are excited about what's on stage.

[3:18] Joel Crump: There is some fantastic work across New York right now. And it's really exciting to see that these shows are sustaining and doing so well in this tough season. But now let's jump into this week's interview. Let's start off with Mother, Caissie Levy, who is playing Mother in Ragtime at New York City Center. I know people are very excited for her performance in this show. She was obviously just in Next to Normal on the West End, crossing my fingers for a Broadway transfer because I need to see her in that show. But she's currently in the iconic show Ragtime, which is just about to start at New York City Center. And you know, it's really, really cool to play an iconic role in such iconic songs. So I'm really excited for you to hear my chat with Caissie Levy.

[3:59] Joel Crump: Hey you guys, I'm here with Caissie Levy. We are here at the press day for Ragtime at New York City Center. You're playing Mother. I mean, what has this been like for you getting ready to do this show?

[4:09] Caissie Levy: It's been a whirlwind. It's so fast, as I'm sure other folks have mentioned to you. Um, trying not to stress. Yeah. Um, and you know, it's a room full of people that love this show and trust the writing because the writing is so spectacular. So we're just trying to make really beautiful choices quickly. Yeah. And hopefully put on a really special show for everybody.

[4:29] Joel Crump: Talk to me about the first time that you heard Ragtime, you found out about Ragtime. Talk to me about that moment for you. And did you ever think some years later you'd be in this all-star cast playing the role of Mother?

[4:39] Caissie Levy: No. I saw this show in its out-of-town trial pre-Broadway. Oh my god. When I was 13, I think.

[4:46] Joel Crump: Jealous.

[4:47] Caissie Levy: Yeah. Um, and it left a huge mark on my heart as a theater fan. And it was sort of one of those first like iconic pieces that made me want to be an actor. Yeah. Um, and I never thought I would get to do it, let alone with so many people in the business that I've sort of like come up with.

[5:05] Caissie Levy: Uh, and Brandon Uranowitz is one of my best friends, and now we're like on stage together doing this. So it's wild. Um, but I guess that's how the world is sometimes, you know. You sort of like trust it, and things appear that are meant for you, and I guess I was meant to be here, and I'm so grateful that I am.

[5:20] Joel Crump: Yeah, I mean, this might be a hard question, but what is your favorite song in the show?

[5:25] Caissie Levy: It's impossible. Honestly, every time the new song starts, that's my new favorite song. Right? Yeah. I mean, Wheels of a Dream, which you saw today is spectacular. Spectacular. Yeah. Joshua and Nichelle are doing the most beautiful work.

[5:38] Caissie Levy: Um, I love watching Brandon invent in the rehearsal room and play with all of his various songs. I love watching Shayna like command as Emma Goldman. Um, I don't know. I love every song. Do you want to know what I'm excited for?

[5:51] Joel Crump: What are you excited about?

[5:52] Caissie Levy: I'm excited for you to sing Back to Before, and I sit in my seat and melt as you give us the performance of a lifetime.

[6:00] Caissie Levy: I hope that that is everything that you hope for and more. I feel so honored to get to sing that song. And actually, we're staging it later today for the first time. So man, I might be in the corner sneaking around trying to try to get a listen.

[6:12] Joel Crump: Alright, alright, alright. I'm on mine. Thank you so much, Caissie.

[6:15] Joel Crump: The ushers at New York City Center are literally going to have to drag me out of the theater because I will be melted away in my seat after hearing Joshua Henry, Brandon Uranowitz, Caissie Levy, Nichelle Lewis, that entire cast just lament me with the beautiful, beautiful score of Ragtime. If you guys can't tell, I'm really excited for this show.

[6:38] Joel Crump: I mean, it's going to be the event of the season. I'm telling you now, and I am praying for a Broadway transfer. We only have Ragtime for two weeks, y'all. Two weeks. So if you don't have your tickets, what are you doing? Like, literally, what are you doing? Get your tickets now. And if you don't have tickets, if you can't get to New York, if you can't get to New York City Center, be praying like me for that Broadway transfer.

[7:01] Joel Crump: Next up is my interview with Nicole Scherzinger. Let me tell you guys, she is ready for her close-up. Okay, she is giving the performance of a lifetime in Sunset Boulevard. I know you've seen the clips at a curtain call of her and the blood, and you're wondering, what is going on? I was wondering what is going on, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I've yet to see Sunset Boulevard. I need to get to the St. James, and so do you. So here's my chat with Nicole Scherzinger.

[7:28] Joel Crump: Hey you guys, I'm here with Nicole Scherzinger. We are here at the opening night of Sunset Boulevard on Broadway to make your Broadway debut in an iconic role and show. I mean, what has this moment been like for you?

[7:38] Nicole Scherzinger: I mean, I got I don't know if I'm not sure. I want to say it's unbelievable, but I'm living it. It's a dream realized, it's my childhood dream realized. And my heart is just so full of gratitude, and I'm just humbled by tonight, by that crowd, by the audience, by my cast, by the creatives, by the crew, by everybody who made this possible.

[8:00] Joel Crump: Yes, I mean, you've done so much work across music, television, and stage. You know, how does playing Norma Desmond challenge you in new ways?

[8:07] Nicole Scherzinger: Oh my gosh, playing Norma Desmond has challenged me in every way. Forty-six years old, and I've done things I've never done in my life. I've literally cracked myself open, peeled myself, my heart to the world, and said, This is me in every shape and form. This is all my uglies, this is all my um uh my crevices, this is everything. And just uh it's made me braver and more courageous and stronger than ever, and it's been extremely therapeutic and healing for me. What a star, what a legend. It was so cool for me to chat with her on her big opening night on Broadway. I mean, what do I have to say? I mean, everybody's saying it for me. Literally, if you go on TikTok and you search up Sunset Boulevard, you will see so many creators and regular people just saying how much they loved Sunset Boulevard.

So get your tickets now to go see Nicole Scherzinger in Sunset Boulevard. And you'll get to see that iconic moment of you know the cast walking in Times Square and walking through Shubert Alley. I feel like that is enough to buy a ticket to Sunset Boulevard, in my opinion.

[9:11] Joel Crump: Next up, I'm bringing you my chat with Ephraim Sykes, who is currently in Our Town on Broadway. What I love about this production of Our Town is that it's Our Town for our time. You know, Kenny Leon, the legendary Kenny Leon, has brought us a new a new take on Our Town, and he's making it more relatable for everybody, so that everybody in the audience feels seen. And he does it in so many beautiful ways that you know it was very exciting for me to hear about and see about and chat with you know Ephraim and the entire cast about. But I really love this interview too because I was able to connect with Ephraim on a personal level, which we'll hear in a couple of minutes. But here is my chat with Ephraim Sykes.

[9:49] Ephraim Sykes: Hey you guys, I'm Ephraim Sykes. We're here at the opening night of Our Town on Broadway. It's opening night, Toby. How are you feeling tonight? I am so over the moon, man. It's like I'm bubbling on the inside, like a shaking up soda can right now. It's great. Yeah, I mean, to be in Our Town, you're doing so much special work on Broadway. But to be doing this show, tell me what has that been like for you? It's just, I mean, the biggest thing I can say is a learning experience. I've never done a straight play before. So what I've had to walk into and what I've had to open myself to learn and to absorb from my incredible castmates and this genius, Kenny Leon that I get to learn from and who's willing to give me, I mean, so much knowledge. I'm just like, I'm a sponge and I'm soaking up everything I can and just trying to trust it, you know.

[10:29] Joel Crump: Tell me about your town, where you grew up. Talk to me about the town that you grew up in.

[10:33] Ephraim Sykes: Funny enough, I grew up in a town, uh, St. Petersburg, Florida, so did Kenny Leon. We kind of my house where I grew up in is probably five or ten minutes from where he grew up. You know what I mean? So small town of St. Pete, Florida. Prayers up for them right now. They just got hit by a hurricane, and thankfully everybody's for the most part pretty safe and healthy. But yeah, it reminds me of Our Town in the way that we look out for each other. We my church that I grew up in, my dad was a pastor of, so I got people praying for me night and day that you know what I mean. Also, people that can whoop me. Yeah, they know they have permission. I'm I'm a PK too.

[11:02] Joel Crump: Oh, you oh see, so we have that connection.

[11:04] Ephraim Sykes: Yeah, people that I mean they're always praying. I'm always gonna comment saying, keep on going, praying for you. God's got you all. Absolutely. And that literally the it sounds corny, but it's like the wind beneath my wings. Like I can feel the prayers, I can feel the encouragement, even when I don't see it. I know that they're there rooting for me and praying for me.

[11:20] Joel Crump: Ephraim Sykes has been seen on stage in so many amazing productions, and it's really exciting to see him in this play. And you know, who doesn't love a a new take on a classic show like Our Town? Obviously, this show has been done thousands and thousands of times, but this is Our Town for our time, and it's a time to be alive, it's a wonderful time to be alive, and you have to go see Our Town. I'm ending off this episode with a bang. I mean, if we're gonna be honest, every single person I've chatted with is a banger, in my opinion, on this episode. But Michael Mayer is directing Swept Away on Broadway, and listen, y'all, I saw Swept Away in Washington, DC, and I loved it so much. It was so incredible there, and now it's on Broadway.

And listen, I mean, the show will speak for itself once you see it, but it is so good. It's it it's the music of the Avett Brothers, who I, you know, I I I didn't know who they were before I saw the show, and then I saw the show, and I was like, this music is so good, and they wrote all this for Broadway. And then I learned, no, the music was not written for Broadway, but it fits so perfectly into the show, in my opinion. It's the best jukebox musical you will ever hear in Sko see. So here is my interview with Michael Mayer.

[12:31] Michael Mayer: Hey you guys, I'm here with Michael Mayer. We are at the press day for Swept Away on Broadway. I had the pleasure of seeing it in DC. I loved it there. I'm so excited for it to come to Broadway. What can audiences expect from Swept Away on Broadway? I think they can expect a great adventure story, amazing music, beautiful performances by the four leads, um, and great dancing by our ensemble. And I think a story that they've never heard before. I mean, it's completely original. John Logan made it up. It's not based on anything. So what you're gonna what they're gonna have is a new story they don't know with songs by the Avett Brothers, who some people may not know.

[13:13] Joel Crump: Right, and if they don't know them, they're gonna be knocked out by them.

[13:16] Michael Mayer: That's happened. That's happened to me.

[13:18] Joel Crump: Yeah, yeah.

[13:18] Michael Mayer: They're incredible songs. And people who do know them will not have heard them in this way in this context. So it's very, I think everyone gets uh a great surprise. And there are great twists and surprises, as you know, that I never want to give away, but it's it's pretty exciting. I mean, this is a reunion of many sorts for you. Talk to me about that and having you know this group of people back for you and meeting new people too as well on this show.

[13:44] Michael Mayer: Well, you know, John Gallagher Jr. and I go back to the Spring Awakening days. So that's a long time. And then we did American Idiot together, which I sort of made for him. And Stark Sands was in that. He would play Tony in that. So this was even years ago when we started this, it was a reunion for the three of us for sure. So then when we added Adrian Blake and Sko and Wayne Duvall to our little merry group and did the show in Berkeley, we all formed such a strong bond because it was during COVID and we couldn't go out. There was nothing to do. We were with each other all the time. We were like these guys in the boat, right?

[14:28] Joel Crump: Exactly.

[14:28] Michael Mayer: And then a year and a half later to meet up again in Washington, it felt like a homecoming to us. And that relationship just got deeper and deeper and deeper. And so here we are a year later. I'm telling you, the first rehearsal, those guys were in character. They were deep in. It was amazing.

[14:50] Joel Crump: Michael Mayer is a Tony Award-winning director for a reason. And you guys have to go see Swept Away. Like I said, I loved it in Washington, DC, and you guys are going to love it on Broadway. Thank you so much for listening to this episode of The Weekly Dose of Joel. You know, I love talking about the thing I love most, which is obviously Broadway. And right now is the time to be alive. I know I've said it like 1500 times, but there's some incredible, incredible productions happening all over New York. We have impeccable revivals like Sunset Boulevard, Ragtime, Our Town, and then new exciting original pieces like Swept Away. So you have to go see live theater. And you know, something that's been in my heart recently is living life to the fullest.

You know, when Gavin Creel passed away, I saw so many messages about how Gavin just lived, and he lived happily, and he took every day to just live his best life. And I think it's so important that we live our words and truly live life to the fullest. So you go out, you go see something new, you go to the theater. Even if it's a show you love, like Wicked or you know, The Lion King, go live and go be happy and joyful and free, you know. I am so excited about everything that's happening on Broadway right now. And I hope you are too. But this is it for this week's episode of The Weekly Dose of Joel.