The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

A multifaceted talent known for his work as a book writer, composer, and lyricist, Justin Levine delves deep into the creative process behind his works, particularly "The Outsiders" musical adaptation. He draws parallels between his work on that production and his involvement with "Moulin Rouge." He also discusses the balance of honoring the original source material while also infusing the adaptation with a fresh perspective and vision. He shares how the team encourages each other to contribute ideas beyond their traditional roles, emphasizing the collaborative nature of musical theater and describing the process as a relay race. Justin challenges stereotypes about musical theater, arguing that it's a misunderstood art form with deep cultural significance. He highlights the influence of musicals on popular music and culture – as proven when he was asked by Anna Wintour to do the music for the Met Gala to celebrate Broadway coming back. With long credits under his name, he still encourages people to prioritize personal well-being, maintain meaningful relationships, and pursue work that aligns with one's passions above anything else. Justin Levine is a theater book writer, lyricist, music supervisor, and orchestral arranger with Broadway credits that include “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson”, “Moulin Rouge!”, and “Here Lies Love”. His additional credits include creating original music for Shakespeare in the Park’s “A Midsummer Night's Dream”, arranging vocals for Vevo x Lorde - Melodrama, music directing “Love's Labour's Lost”, music directing “The Robber Bridegroom” at the Roundabout Theatre, and music directing “Murder Ballad” at MTC and Union Square Theatre. He is now the co-book writer, co-lyricist, music supervisor, and orchestral arranger for Broadway’s “The Outsiders”. Connect with Justin: Instagram: @justinlevine Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Brody Grant, his bug for performing all started with his love for Star Wars. He shares insights into his journey from being a shy kid and relating to the original "The Outsiders" book to receiving a Tony nomination for his role as Ponyboy (it’s just destiny!). He reflects on the significance of the book and how it resonated with both him and his mom, one of the most important people in his life. Brody discusses his initial audition experience, feeling uncertain about pursuing acting amidst his focus on music and songwriting. His passion for acting and love for "The Outsiders" persisted, eventually leading to his casting as Soda Pop and later as Ponyboy. Brody highlights the supportive and collaborative environment fostered by their director, Danya Taymor, emphasizing the importance of chosen family and genuine connections among the cast members. He shares moments of vulnerability and bonding during rehearsals, where checking in with one another became a norm, fostering a sense of trust and camaraderie. Nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, he recalls how he found out about it through his mom, and the overwhelming support he got from his family and friends–proving that “if you continue to water the seed of the garden that you're in, you're going to end up with a forest and it's going to be beautiful.” Brody Grant is a New York-based, multi-hyphenate independent recording artist who has appeared in productions like “Parade” at the New York City Center and “The Outsiders” at La Jolla Playhouse. He just made his Broadway debut in “The Outsiders” as Ponyboy Michael Curtis, which has already nabbed him a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. Connect with Brody: Instagram: @brody_grant TikTok: @brody_grant Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma Pittman’s been “live, laugh, love-ing” dance ever since she was two years old–at least until she discovered in high school that it’s best partnered with acting. She looks back on her “The Search for Roxie” experience, winning and not being able to tell it to anyone right away, and the show getting postponed because of the pandemic. She shares her journey with the production of “The Outsiders”, including her early connection with the show, having read the book and performed in a play adaptation in high school. Emma describes the unique ensemble-based approach of the play and how it resonated with her. One standout moment she discusses is her audition process for the play, highlighting the personal connection established by director Danya Tamor, who prioritized genuine conversations with the actors during the audition process. Emma opens up about her personal experiences, including her life in high school and the challenge of breaking free from preconceived notions. She also talks about the impact of "The Outsiders" on younger audiences, and the profound effect of the show's raw and visceral scenes, particularly the rumble. In an industry where it’s easy to get boxed into a particular type, Emma imparts advice on embracing one's uniqueness and staying true to oneself wherever you go. Emma Pittman is a Mississippi native who graduated from New York City's Wagner College. In late 2019, she won “The Search for Roxie”, an online contest to find the next Roxie for “Chicago” on Broadway. After she won, she made her Broadway debut in 2022, replacing Pamela Anderson. Her regional credits include Janet in the drowsy chaperone and Lola in damn Yankees. She's also a teaching artist, a director, and a choreographer. Her choreography credits include “On the 20th Century,” “In the Woods,” and “The Cradle Will Rock”. She was part of the original cast of Broadway’s “Back to the Future,” and is now making audiences cry eight times a week as Cherry Valance in “The Outsiders”, which just received 12 Tony nominations. Connect with Emma: Instagram: @emmapittmanofficial TikTok: @emmapittmanofficial Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rick and Jeff Kuperman talk about their roles as choreographers for the Broadway production of "The Outsiders," diving deep into various aspects of the show's creation, from choreography and staging to its technical elements like sound and lighting. The two share how their collaboration with Danya Taymor began, their non-traditional theatre practices, and the story behind “The Outsiders” choreography, particularly the rumble scene. Apart from theatre and directing, Rick and Jeff share their other interests, such as Jeff's appreciation for Russian literature and Rick's fascination with philosophical introspection. With their success, the two reflect on the role of luck and how things aligned for them, the pride they take in their work, and the collaborative aspect of their job, highlighting the importance of teamwork, creativity, and dedication to storytelling. Rick and Jeff Kuperman is a directing and choreographing team with many projects that you've seen on stage and screen. Their recent highlights include co-directing and choreographing the immersive show from the producers of “Sleep No More”, choreographing a new musical adaptation of “The Outsiders”, which just opened, and choreographing “Alice by Heart” which won the Lucille Lortel Award, the Chita Rivera Award, and the Callaway Award for Outstanding Choreography. They've also worked on “Cyrano” with Peter Dinklage, Phish at Madison Square Garden, and choreographed the feature film, “Dicks: The Musical”, which you can find streaming online. Other camera work includes “Living With Yourself” with Paul Rudd, and “Silent Retreat”. Connect with Rick and Jeff: Website: kupermanbrothers.com Instagram: @kupermanbrothers Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the first of many episodes for 'The Outsiders' takeover here on the podcast! Tony Award Nominee(!) Danya Taymor didn’t know that she was going to stick with theater until she was towards the end of her college career. She’s enjoyed being a director (or the captain of the ship, as they say) since then. She recalls doing plays in Duke and why it was a gift that allowed her to try and fail, and hone her directing style. Currently manning the ship for Broadway’s Tony Award Nominated “The Outsiders”, she discusses her experiences leading up to the opening night of the show, her creative process, and the challenges of bringing a beloved story to the stage. As a director, she emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of the collective health of a project and knowing when to stop working on it. She talks about how the show resonates with the younger audiences, her approach to make the show appealing and relatable to the youth, and the warmup they do every day to cultivate a safe space for the actors and crew. Dayna also looks back on her experience directing "Pass Over," the first Broadway show to reopen after the shutdown due to the pandemic. She describes it as an honor and a divine experience, and how it has been a blessing throughout her career. She shares the collaborative nature of directing, the importance of caring for actors' well-being and feeling their energies, and her belief in the healing power of theater. Danya Taymor is a New York-based director who reopened Broadway with the play, “Pass Over”. Her other works include the out-of-town production of “The Outsiders”, Samuel Beckett's “Endgame”, Will Arbery's Pulitzer Prize finalist, “Heroes of the Fourth Turning”, “Evanston Salt Costs Climbing”, and Jeremy O'Harris’ “Daddy”. She's the recipient of the Joan Cullman Award for Extraordinary Creativity from Lincoln Center. Her latest credit is the Broadway production of “The Outsiders”, which just opened at the Jacobs Theater. Connect with Danya: Website: about.me/danyataymor Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Full list of 2024 nominees here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/theater/tony-awards-nominations.html Find more of The Theatre Podcast at http://bpn.fm/ttp Best Musical - Hell's Kitchen - Illinoise - The Outsiders - Suffs - Water for Elephants Best Play - Jaja's African Hair Braiding, Author: Jocelyn Bioh - Mary Jane, Author: Amy Herzog - Mother Play, Author: Paula Vogel - Prayer for the French Republic, Author: Joshua Harmon - Stereophonic, Author: David Adjmi Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play - William Jackson Harper, Uncle Vanya - Leslie Odom, Jr., Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch - Liev Schreiber, Doubt: A Parable - Jeremy Strong, An Enemy of the People - Michael Stuhlbarg, Patriots Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play - Betsy Aidem, Prayer for the French Republic - Jessica Lange, Mother Play - Rachel McAdams, Mary Jane - Sarah Paulson, Appropriate - Amy Ryan, Doubt: A Parable Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical - Brody Grant, The Outsiders - Jonathan Groff, Merrily We Roll Along - Dorian Harewood, The Notebook - Brian d'Arcy James, Days of Wine and Roses - Eddie Redmayne, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical - Eden Espinosa, Lempicka - Maleah Joi Moon, Hell's Kitchen - Kelli O'Hara, Days of Wine and Roses - Maryann Plunkett, The Notebook - Gayle Rankin, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play - Will Brill, Stereophonic - Eli Gelb, Stereophonic - Jim Parsons, Mother Play - Tom Pecinka, Stereophonic - Corey Stoll, Appropriate Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play - Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Doubt: A Parable - Juliana Canfield, Stereophonic - Celia Keenan-Bolger, Mother Play - Sarah Pidgeon, Stereophonic - Kara Young, Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical - Roger Bart, Back To The Future: The Musical - Joshua Boone, The Outsiders - Brandon Victor Dixon, Hell's Kitchen - Sky Lakota-Lynch, The Outsiders - Daniel Radcliffe, Merrily We Roll Along - Steven Skybell, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical - Shoshana Bean, Hell's Kitchen - Amber Iman, Lempicka - Nikki M. James, Suffs - Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, Monty Python's Spamalot - Kecia Lewis, Hell's Kitchen - Lindsay Mendez, Merrily We Roll Along - Bebe Neuwirth, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jayne Atkinson believes she has this kind of magic superpower of getting what she wants if she puts her attention to it, and she’s got a long list of credits to prove just that. She looks back on her childhood and having an English sensibility (and sense of humor) even though she grew up in America. She credits her high school drama teacher as the one who gave her the foundation of her work, and thinks fellow classmate Michael Greif is her “theatre angel”. Jayne talks about her latest play, "Still," which she stars in alongside her old friend Tim Daly. She shares the story of what made her say yes to the play after receiving the script from Will Rucker, and the show’s themes of love, connection, and the importance of listening to each other. Jayne gets real as she reflects on the impact of technology on human connection, why she thinks “the SAG strike didn’t hit some of the issues it needed to hit”, and the significance of live theater, especially today. With a successful acting career and so many credits under her name, she shares her personal motivations, advising aspirants to prioritize self-care and enjoyment in auditions. Jayne Atkinson is a British American actress who's graced everything from Broadway's grand stages to popular television shows. You might recognize her from her Emmy-nominated role as Karen Hayes on “24” or her powerful performances in “House of Cards” and “Criminal Minds”. Her accolades extend far beyond the screen, including Tony Award nominations for her captivating theater work in the 2000 production of “The Rainmaker” and the 2003 production of “Enchanted April”. Her other TV and film credits include “Parenthood”, “A Year in the Life”, “Gossip Girl”, “Madam Secretary”, and “Death and Other Details”. Jayne is also a three-time Drama Desk Award nominee. She was last seen on stage starring alongside Angela Lansbury in “Blithe Spirit”, and can now be seen in the off-Broadway production of “Still” at the DR2 Theater. Connect with Jayne: Instagram: @jayneatkinsonofficial Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot has changed since Izzy McCalla first appeared in episode 38 back in 2019 and she’s more than happy to share the latest news in her journey – from her early roles to now playing Marlena in "Water for Elephants." She reflects on how each role built her confidence and prepared her for new challenges, her tendency to gravitate towards ensemble pieces, and her ability to go back and forth between the comedic and dramatic genres. Izzy opens up about the challenges of replacing actors in established shows, the pressure of delivering in front of audiences, and the process of finding inner peace and self-acceptance. She shares an important lesson on being funny on stage, and that nothing kills comedy faster than hesitation and anxiety. Currently playing as Marlena in “Water for Elephants,” she talks about the character’s complexities, and her evolving perspective on love, relationships, and self-worth. She also discusses her Haitian heritage and its personal connection to her role, sharing her family's history and how they immigrated to Haiti with the Danish circus. Izzy gets real as she opens up about vulnerability, self-discovery, her tendency to fix others, and the importance of setting boundaries while maintaining empathy as she navigates emotional growth. Izzy McCalla first appeared in episode 38 back in 2019 and our special 150th Pride episode in June of 2021. Since then, she has added more credits, including the Paper Mill Playhouse production of “Clue” and “Hercules”, and “Footloose” at the Kennedy Center, and was part of the closing cast of "Shucked" earlier this year. She’s currently part of the recently opened production of “Water for Elephants” as Marlena. Connect with Izzy: Instagram: @izzymccalla Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Samonsky believes that Jerry Garcia’s death (yes that Jerry Garcia) may have instigated his performance career in some way. From being a “deadhead” to becoming a Broadway actor, Andrew opens up about his years of following the Grateful Dead and dealing with drug problems that led him to go to rehab. Lost and feeling helpless, he decided to pray to help find his path. He soon received a letter from his old voice teacher encouraging him to pursue a career in singing, and the rest is history. He looks back on his childhood, his love for singing despite being a shy kid, and how, ultimately, theatre and its community are what saved him during his troubled years. Currently playing as Tadeusz Lempicki in “Lempicka”, Andrew shares the story behind his cosmic connection to the show, which goes all the way back to 22 years ago and a random interaction with the Peace Corps. He discusses the challenges and joys of originating a role, the importance of trust and collaboration between actors and creative teams, and the feeling of gratitude for the opportunity to bring characters to life and how it can impact audiences. Andrew Samonsky made his Broadway debut in the 2008 production of “South Pacific” and has additional Broadway credits, including “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”, and “Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson”. His TV credits include “Madam Secretary”, “It Could Be Worse”, and “Elementary”. He can now be seen as Tadeusz Lempicki in the Broadway production of “Lempicka”.  Connect with Andrew: Instagram: @asamonsky Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Vasquez looks back on his career journey, including living with French acrobats in a seven-bedroom house while doing a show, and eventually booking Hamilton. Playing as many characters as he has in Hamilton was to him just “paid therapy”. Having passed up competing offers to star in Water for Elephants and The Outsiders, he is now starring as Middle Noah in "The Notebook", Ryan opens up about why he chose to be part of the show–believing in its impact and just how it personally hits him hard. He reflects on the various aspects of the show, from having diverse couples portray the different stages of Noah and Allie's relationship to witnessing the audience cry and experience deep emotions during performances. He also discusses the misconception that the show is purely about sadness, noting that it touches on a range of emotions like joy and self-actualization. Ryan also talks about her chemistry with his co-star Joy Woods and how much real life fun they have performing together. Aware that he's stepping into an iconic role, he reveals that he doesn't feel pressured but instead focuses more on the importance of bringing his own authenticity to the character. After all, it’s what motivates him: bringing his “authentic-isms” and self to the world. Ryan Vasquez can probably reenact all of Hamilton on his own having played multiple roles in the ensemble, including Philip Schuyler, Reynolds, Hercules Mulligan, James Madison, George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and ultimately, the title role of Hamilton himself. He has been in “Wicked” as Fiyero and other roles, and in Broadway's production of “Waitress”. He can be seen on both the big and little screens in “The Good Fight”, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, “Tick, Tick... Boom!”, and “In the Heights”. He can now be seen as Middle Noah in the Broadway cast of “The Notebook”. Connect with Ryan: Website: www.ryanvasqueznyc.com Instagram: @itsryanvasquez Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support the podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast YouTube: YouTube.com/TheTheatrePodcast Threads, Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com My personal Instagram: @alanseales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices