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[0:00] Joel Crump: On the outside, always looking in on this beautiful Bikini Bottom day. Two of my favorite shows opened this week seven and six years ago. One of them stars Sponge and the other a teenager. You guessed it, those are Dear Evan Hansen and SpongeBob the Musical. Welcome back to another episode of The Weekly Dose of Joel. I am your host, Joel Crump, back with Everything Broadway and more. This week I'm sharing some big Broadway news, Broadway history, my review of Swept Away at Arena Stage, and interviews with Vanessa Bell Calloway, John Gallagher Jr., Michael Urie, and Miss Irene Gandy. This episode is going to be filled with fun, so let's jump right into your weekly dose of Joel.

[0:42] Joel Crump: Broadway buzz. To start off, let's head over to Hell's Kitchen. The Alicia Keys musical Hell's Kitchen will transfer to Broadway in 2024 with performances beginning March 28th ahead of an April 20th opening night at the Schubert Theater. This is so beyond exciting, you guys. The musical inspired by the 15-time Grammy Award winner's life featuring a score of her best-known songs is currently playing its world premiere run off-Broadway at the Public Theater through January 14th, 2024. The Queen herself said, good things take time, and for 13 years I've been dreaming, developing, and finding inspiration for a musical based off my experience growing up in Hell's Kitchen, New York City. I mean, personally, I have no words. I mean, I truly mean it. We have so many new musicals coming, and I just don't think we are ready for what is about to come our way. So get excited for Hell's Kitchen.

[1:50] Joel Crump: On Monday, I was able to attend a very special event, which was the renaming of the Drama League's Director Assistantship Program. The Drama League has renamed the program for emerging directors in honor of press agent and Tony-winning producer Irene Gandy. The program partners with BIPOC/global majority stage directors to provide assistant directing opportunities on their productions. Some special guests supporting Miss Irene that night included Vanessa Bell Calloway, who you'll hear from later in this episode, Cara Young, Billy Eugene Jones, and Heather Alicia Sims, who are all in Purlie Victorious on Broadway right now. Also in attendance was Bonnie Connolly and Lisa Arendel. Congratulations, Miss Irene. You truly deserve it. And stay listening for my interview with her.

[2:38] Joel Crump: Yesterday is done, and you'll be able to continue seeing the pretty countryside because Merrily We Roll Along is extending on Broadway. If you know your Broadway history, you know this show was a flop its first time around on Broadway. But the Stephen Sondheim and George Firth classic is making a comeback. The musical playing at the Hudson Theater has extended its show again, with performances now continuing to July 7th, 2024. The limited run has been set to finish March 24th, and leading the production after starring in the revival's 2022 Off-Broadway run at New York Theater Workshop are Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, Crystal Joy Brown, Katie Rose Clark, and Reg Rogers. I mean, who isn't excited for the show to continue running? It's such a classic, and these stars are absolutely killing it. So go see Merrily We Roll Along.

[3:32] Joel Crump: We have some very exciting casting news this week, so I'm going to be doing a super speedy and breezy casting recap. Charity Angel Dawson will join the cast of Anne Juliette in the role of Nurse Angelique beginning January 2nd, 2024. Dawson succeeds Melanie LaBarrie, who originated the role both on the West End and Broadway in the hit Tony-nominated jukebox musical, Anne Juliette. Amber Artelino will start the new year as Marshall Murphy in A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond musical. Her run begins January 2nd, 2024, and Artelino succeeds Grubbin' Herder. Even more exciting casting news from Sweeney Todd, Joe Locke, breakout star of Netflix's Heartstopper, is set to make his Broadway debut in the revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Locke will begin performances as Tobias Rag on January 31st, 2024. And last but not least, Ali Louis Bourjui will lead the upcoming Broadway revival of The Who's Tommy in the title role, reprising his performance from the revival's summer 2023 run at Chicago's Goodman Theater. And that's your super speedy and breezy casting recap.

[4:30] Joel Crump: Now it's time for your Broadway history. This week I'm talking about two shows that opened on December 4th, one year after the other. Dear Evan Hansen opened on the 4th, 2016, while SpongeBob opened on the 4th, 2017. Something that's really cool is that both of the original stars are still around working in the business and super successful and entertaining shows. I was able to see Ben Platt in Parade this year, and man oh man, that show was so powerful. And it's a show that I will always love. And Ethan Slater's currently starring in Spamalot as the Historian, and y'all, I hear he is super hilarious, and this is a show not to miss him, and he's playing multiple roles. But what's really exciting is that this week we are doing a SpongeBob and Dear Evan Hansen giveaway.

So you can win some super incredible SpongeBob t-shirts, or you could win Dear Evan Hansen merch. So make sure to go to The Weekly Dose of Joel Instagram to see more about that, and I'll tell you more about this at the end of the episode. But that is your Broadway history this week.

[5:36] Joel Crump: This week's Broadway review. I had the honor of seeing Swept Away at Arena Stage on its opening night, and man oh man, this show is fantastic. The show stars John Gallagher Jr. as Mate, Stark Sands as Older Brother, Adrian Blake Ensko as Younger Brother, and Wayne Duvall as Captain. Each one of those brilliant actors shine in this production, and they truly fascinated me. Not to mention the ensemble carrying the life and excitement of the boat. There are certain moments in this show that were truly outstanding, and those include Ain't No Man/Lord Lay Your Hand, performed by Stark Sands and the entire cast, Swept Away, performed by Ensko and Gallagher, and one moment that is truly breathtaking was when the ship gets destroyed.

And this powerful scene performed by the ensemble is something that I'll never forget, and is one reason alone to see this show. But what really pulls all the magic together is the brilliant music and lyrics by The Avett Brothers. You sit there in the theater listening to the score, and you realize that this is a jukebox musical, and their music translates brilliantly to the stage. It's truly beyond belief. And the orchestrations by Brian Yusuf and Chris Miller truly give it that Broadway sound. Michael Mayer's direction tells this emotional story perfectly and is met with David Newman's choreography to make one perfect blend of amazement. I get to see a lot of theater, and this is for sure one of my favorite shows I've seen in 2023. I cannot wait for this show to come to Broadway. And if you're in DC, I urge you to go see Swept Away. The show is running until January 16th at Arena Stage.

[7:19] Joel Crump: But now it's time for some interviews. It's time for some interviews. I'm still in a Swept Away mood. So let's start off with Tony Award winner, John Gallagher Jr. Like I said earlier, he is playing Mate in this show. And what is really funny and kind of ironic is that he is reunited with Michael Mayer, who directed Spring Awakening, which earned him a Tony Award. I mean, he is leading this show with so much power and so much force, and he is so funny and so emotional and really narrates the story perfectly. So you have to see him in this show. And here is my chat with John Gallagher Jr.

[7:58] John Gallagher Jr: Hey you guys, I'm here with John Gallagher Jr., and you play Mate here at Swept Away at Arena Stage. It's opening night. Tell me how you're feeling tonight.

[8:06] John Gallagher Jr: Oh, it's really overwhelming. You know, we first mounted this show two years ago at the Berkeley Rep in California, and we had about a two almost two-year pause in between productions, and we've all just kept a candle burning for this show. We all believe in it, we love it. It's a strange, interesting, unique, dynamic, powerful, intense night at the theater, and I'm just in love with the show, so I'm not taking it for granted that we get another chance to share it with people on the East Coast, and Arena Stage has just been an incredible home for the show thus far, and I just feel elated that we've hit this milestone.

[8:39] John Gallagher Jr: I mean, this show is so beautiful, it's so incredible. And your character is able to go on an insane journey. Tell me about what is it like playing Mate and going through that journey every night on stage.

[8:48] John Gallagher Jr: Oh, it's a voyage, unlike any that I've ever been tasked with as an actor in the 24 years that I've been doing this. Where he begins and where he gets to is definitely one of the more extreme arcs that I've ever been asked to take a swing at. He's problematic, he's challenging, he's an unreliable narrator, he's a hero at the same time. He's kind of everything. Yeah, like he's very con, he's a total walking contradiction, and they let him be this imperfect, messy kind of character on the page, and it was such a challenge and a real joy to try to embody that every night.

[9:28] John Gallagher Jr: I mean, to be performing The Avett Brothers' music on stage. What is that like? This is a jukebox musical, but it does not feel like one. Tell me about that.

[9:35] John Gallagher Jr: You know, I've been a fan of The Avett Brothers' music for years now. I first heard their songs back in 2005 when I was 20 years old. So I've loved their music. Their music has carried me through so many highs and lows of my life.

[9:49] John Gallagher Jr: Um, I never thought in a million years that I would get to like live inside their songs and sing them every night for my job. So it's a high honor. It's truly a privilege. And the songs are just so available and so emotional and so alive that it's very easy to just lose yourself in them every night.

[10:05] Joel Crump: Yeah, the last thing I don't know is what is one thing you would bring with you if you were swept away at sea.

[10:10] John Gallagher Jr: Oh my gosh, probably a guitar, an acoustic, like a like a small, like the baby. I have like one of the baby Martins, the little acoustic guitars. Probably that. I mean, I probably should say an iPhone, but that's probably like a cheating answer. So I mean, with the guitar. I wouldn't get much service anyway.

[10:24] Joel Crump: Yeah, exactly. Exactly. With the guitar, you can like produce your music.

[10:26] John Gallagher Jr: Yeah, I'll do some songs, I'll write songs, and I'll like try to entertain my castaways and to try to keep us all from going crazy.

[10:33] Joel Crump: I wish the mate had done something as nice as that, but he has other designs.

[10:38] John Gallagher Jr: Yeah, yeah. Got the devil in his head.

[10:40] Joel Crump: He does, unfortunately. Thank you so much.

[10:42] John Gallagher Jr: You're very welcome. It's great to see you again.

[10:46] Joel Crump: Ah man, such a great interview. And if you didn't get my little reference at the end, you need to go listen to some of the Ava Brothers music because now I am a huge Ava Brother fan after seeing that musical. My next guest is Miss Irene Gandy, and as you heard earlier, the Drama League's Assistants Director Program has now been named the Irene Gandy Assistant Director Program. She is just so inspirational, and she has led the path, led the trail for so many people, including myself. And so I'm so excited you could hear my chat with Miss Irene Gandy.

[11:21] Joel Crump: Hey you guys, I'm here with Miss Irene Gandy, the woman of the hour. Tonight you are being honored by the Drama League. This assistantship is being renamed after you. So start off, tell me how does it feel? What does this mean to you?

[11:33] Irene Gandy: Well, what it means to me is that the legacy continues like you. I remember when you were this high, and to see you on every red carpet. Um, with the help of your mom, you got a great mom. Some moms that encourage you. What it means to me that there are people that will help you if you are authentic and if you ask for help. And also, all of us, the theater community is very small, and our visions are so big. Um, and God gives us a dream, but he doesn't give us the button. Yeah. And but we keep plowing away at it. And to be able to, it's so reminiscence of who I am because you know, and that's and that's I'm so happy with the drama because they know me. Yeah, you know, and uh so yeah, and I'm glad to be a recipient.

[12:24] Joel Crump: Yes, your career, I mean, goes for over decades, over five decades, yes.

[12:30] Irene Gandy: I'm eighty now, I'm eighty years old, yeah.

[12:32] Joel Crump: It's incredible. Tell me, what is a moment that you can remember that really reminds you of why you've worked so hard over these years to build this legacy?

[12:39] Irene Gandy: And I don't think I, I think that I want you to know that it's not because you're sitting here saying this. I remember me and Felicia Rachel was on the red carpet and everyone's asking to do interviews, and I saw your mom, you were like at the end of the carpet, and you were very, you were quiet about it, but you were very authentic about it. You said, Can I do an interview? And I remembered that. And I'm like, this is what we, this is where we go.

[13:07] Joel Crump: Yes.

[13:08] Irene Gandy: Yeah, I do remember that moment. That's an important moment for me. Seeing you and then seeing you now, you know, in the carpet, I follow you and doing interviews are very mind-blowing. But not just doing it, doing your homework and just is it's just yeah. So every I stay in the present. So every memorable, you know, um interview, I mean every memorable moment. Like when I'm on the carpet and I see something and someone says, Oh, did you do I hear people the press say, Oh, he needs to do Joel Crump? Or he knows to do, he needs to do yeah.

[13:43] Joel Crump: So I stay in the present.

[13:45] Irene Gandy: Yes. Yeah. And let me just say before I let you go, that you are the reason not all of us are here. Your career has truly paved the way for all of us, and I don't take that for granted and I truly appreciate it. Wow, just being able to reflect and think about all that she's done for me and you know, the Black Broadway community, it just blows my mind. Thank you so much, Miss Irene. I mean, y'all, she's eighty years old and still killing it and still changing this industry. I mean, I hope to be like that. We all should aspire to be like Miss Irene Gandy.

[14:16] Joel Crump: But my next guest is Miss Vanessa Bell Calloway, and she is in Purlie Victorious, which is currently on Broadway and running to January. I mean, she's so funny in this show. This show is hilarious in general. But Miss Calloway is truly killing it. And I was able to interview her at the Embrace the Season Fall Drama League Gala. So here's my interview with Vanessa Bell Calloway.

[14:40] Joel Crump: Hey you guys, I'm here with Miss Vanessa Bell Calloway. We are here at the Drama League Fall Gala, embracing the season. You are embracing the season by being a Purlie Victorious. Tell me, what have your experiences being a Purlie Victorious been like for you so far?

[14:53] Vanessa Bell Calloway: You are the cutest thing I can. I'm only doing this interview because he's just the cutest thing. But anyway, um, it's been amazing. It's been a blessing. It's reminded me of why I got in the business in the first place. And I'm just so grateful.

[15:07] Joel Crump: Yeah, thank you. I want to know what advice would you give to young Black performers who want to be on the stage and want to do a career that you have done that you have continued to build up for Black artists?

[15:17] Vanessa Bell Calloway: Well, the first thing I would say is study, know your craft, know who you are, and be honest with who you are, because everybody is not meant to do everything. Right. And be okay with that. And then hone in on what your qualities are and what you're best suited for. And then pray, believe, but go after it. Don't think that God's gonna miraculously give you everything you need. You gotta work, you gotta put the work in. But then you also have to pray. If you're gonna worry, don't pray. If you're gonna pray, don't worry. And once you give yourself over to the universe and God and know that you are in the place that you are supposed to be because you're anointed and you're supposed to be there. Then just do your best to do it. But you have to put the work in. And then when that door opens a little bit, kick it in. Jump in and do your best because you may not get a second chance.

[16:05] Joel Crump: Wise words from Miss Vanessa Bell Calloway. Thank you so much. It's a pleasure to see you.

[16:10] Vanessa Bell Calloway: No, it's a pleasure to be on your show, and God bless you. Every single word she just said, I am soaking up and truly taking it with me because everything she said was so powerful. You guys need to be, you know, kicking the door open and seeing the opportunities. And I mean, every performer out there, I applaud you as a performer myself. It's just hard work, and everybody has so much talent inside them. And God, I just wish everybody could be center stage on Broadway. But you know, the hard work really pays off, and that is exactly what Miss Calloway was talking about.

[16:41] Joel Crump: My last guest is Michael Urie, and he is currently in Spamalot on Broadway. And guys, he's so funny. He, I mean, it's just hilarious. The entire show is hilarious. But Michael is so, so, so funny. So I mean, here's my chat with Michael Urie.

[16:58] Joel Crump: Hey you guys, I'm here with Michael Urie. It's opening night of Spamalot. I mean, tell me how are you feeling tonight?

[17:04] Michael Urie: I'm very excited. I'm very excited to do the show for these people tonight. And then do it again tomorrow.

[17:09] Joel Crump: Then do it again.

[17:10] Michael Urie: And then do it again, and then do it again and do it again.

[17:12] Joel Crump: I mean, this show is so goofy, it's so fun. You were in it in DC and now on Broadway. What's your favorite part of doing Spamalot?

[17:19] Michael Urie: It's really like the audiences. I mean, I love the material. I love the music and the scenes. I love the cast. Yeah. But it's that spontaneous thing that only an audience can give you where they're listening to it for the first time and they're taking it in for the first time. They can't, they're incapable of lying.

[17:37] Joel Crump: Yeah.

[17:38] Michael Urie: We lie for a living. That's all we do. Yeah. We're just lying all day. We're lying all the time. I'm a liar, you're a liar.

[17:45] Joel Crump: Audiences don't lie.

[17:47] Michael Urie: And it's really, I feel really comfortable with them because I know that they're gonna give me earnestness.

[17:57] Joel Crump: Yeah, totally. Okay, so I wanna know being in this theater, being in the St. James Theater with all these goofballs. I mean, what I mean, how do you deal with it, Michael?

[18:06] Michael Urie: Well, I'm really the adult in the room. Yeah. And they, uh, they listen to me and they do what I tell them to do.

[18:14] Joel Crump: Because you're Michael Urie.

[18:15] Michael Urie: Because I'm Michael Urie.

[18:17] Joel Crump: He is Michael Urie. Deal with it. I mean, Spamalot is so funny. I need you all to clip clop your way to the St. James Theater to go see Spamalot on Broadway. Well, just like that, we've all been swept away into the magical land of Broadway, and this episode of The Weekly Dose of Joel is over.

[18:36] Joel Crump: Thank you so much for listening. Like I said earlier, make sure to look on the Weekly Dose of Joel Instagram for this week's giveaway. I'm having some exclusive Dear Evan Hansen merch and a SpongeBob t-shirt giveaway to celebrate them opening six and seven years ago. I mean, next week we are reaching episode number 10, and I truly can't believe that I'm able to do this with you guys every week. I love it so much. I hope you guys enjoy it every week. It is so much fun bringing you all the Broadway news, all the Broadway history, all the Broadway, everything. But make sure you guys have a great week. Next week, I'm going to be seeing The Color Purple, so I'll tell you about that. I'm seeing How to Dance in Ohio, and I'll be interviewing on that red carpet, so I'll tell you about that.

And I'm seeing Fiddler on the Roof at Paper Mill Playhouse, and I'll be interviewing that cast. So I have so, so, so much content coming. Make sure you guys stay tuned. I'll see you next week for another episode of The Weekly Dose of Joel.