Broadway Bullet: Theatre from Broadway, Off-Broadway and beyond.

In this episode we speak with three people with a lot of great advice to offer theatre artists. First, Angelina Fiordelissi talks about her work as founder and artistic director of the Cherry Lane Theatre, and especially about their mentor project to encourage new artists. Next, Raissa Katona Bennet talks about her career as a theatre actress and cabaret artist, with tons of great advice for those starting out. We might even listen to a couple songs from one of her many albums. Finally, Philip Galinsky and Jeff Cherzczon talk about their project, The National Monologue Slam. They are dedicated to bringing training and opportunities to underserved areas of the United States, and have no shortage of advice for actors. All this, inside.

We're back with a brand new season, and to kick it off, we're going to be exploring the one-man show. What goes into them, why to do them. First, Baba Brinkman has been making his name doing one man rap shows about scientific concepts he describes as "part rap concert, part TED talk and part stand-up." He discusses his process of researching and writing these shows while talking about his latest, "Rap Guide to Consciousness". Next, Moises Belizario and Steven Prescod talk about putting together the one man show, A Brooklyn Boy, featuring Prescod playing over 25 roles. Both have served time in prison, and have used theatre as a way to escape their pasts, but use this show to illustrate it to help others avoid their mistakes. Robert Galinsky spends most of his time working with prison inmates and pre-release candidates. His dedication to using the arts to help others led to his creation of "The Bench" a show following the lives of several people before and after their troubles began. So sit back, and enjoy today's trip!

Frozen recently opened on Broadway, and we got a chance to talk with Jeremy Chernick, the effects designer for this tech heavy production. He talks about his job and work on this show, Alladin and others, as well as offering techniques to achieve FX gold on a dime budget. Following this, we have two excerpts from what might as well be called Broadway Master Classes. Broadway Lyricist Glenn Slater has been writing with arguably two of the most influential composers of the past 40 years, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Alan Menken. He has two shows currently running on Broadway, wrote lyrics for Galavant on television, and has a career, it is safe to assume, that any lyricist would sell their soul for. He didn't sell his soul, however, but spent years honing his craft. Here, he shares some of what he has learned. Book writer Rick Elice, came into the theatre by an unusual route, and became a book writer later than some others, but he has made a huge impact since his debut with Jersey Boys. Taking in a Tony nomination for that show and a second for Peter and the Starcatcher. With more shows in the works, this new titan discusses his various theories about what different techniques make a book work, using examples from his past and upcoming shows. The full versions of all these interviews are available in their complete, unedited form at broadwaybullet.com, so be sure to check those out. Now, let's discover how the masters of Broadway do their thing!

Book writer Rick Elice, came into the theatre by an unusual route, and became a book writer later than some others, but he has made a huge impact since his debut with Jersey Boys. Taking in a Tony nomination for that show and a second for Peter and the Starcatcher. With more shows in the works, this new titan discusses his various theories about what different techniques make a book work, using examples from his past and upcoming shows.

Frozen recently opened on Broadway, and we got a chance to talk with Jeremy Chernick, the effects designer for this tech heavy production. He talks about his job and work on this show, Alladin and others, as well as offering techniques to achieve FX gold on a dime budget.

In this episode, we talk with four people in the Dramatists Guild Foundation Fellowship program. DGF Fellows is a year-long development intensive led by esteemed writers. Participants spend a year honing their craft while developing full-length pieces, culminating in an industry presentation at an Off-Broadway theater. The program is highly sought after for its successful format of bringing playwrights and musical theater writers together in the learning process. Keelay Gipson is a multi-disciplinary artist including work as an activist, teaching artist, and award-winning playwright. He is the recipient of the Van Lier Fellowship (2016-2018) at New Dramatists and recently finished work as a Public Artist in Residence for the City of New York’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Administration of Children’s Services working with LGBTQ foster youth. Janine McGuire and Arri Lawton Simon are musical theatre fellows as well as members of the BMI Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop. They have collectively written and produced concerts, stage musicals, plays, film scores, orchestral pieces, choral works, and custom songs in addition to teaching musical theatre and performing arts outreach in the community. Riti Sachdeva is an alum of the The Public’s Emerging Writers Group and the Women’s Project. A theater maker and cultural worker, Riti has been creating art in some form for over 25 years. Incorporating text, installation, and dance into her writing and performance, she straddles the conventions of U.S. theater, performance art, and international approaches to theater. All this, inside!

In this episode,we have two shows that have passed, but we expect to hear more from their creators soon! Immersive theatre has exploded, and we talked with creators of Curiosities, Anthony Logan Cole and Bryan Knowlton. Both are veterans in the new trend of all things immersive. They discussed not only what they needed to keep in mind creating their piece, but perhaps what you should keep in mind creating yours. Next up, earlier in the Season we talked to the composer of Whiskey Pants, Christian DeGre, who, since I posted the interview, has gone on to be Director for Opera America. In this episode, we talk to book writer Serrana Gay and lyricist Joseph Reese, both of whom I certainly expect to hear from more. Finally, I talk to an old friend, Bret Tuomi who has been making his living for several years both on the road touring with Rock of Ages (a show he made his Broadway debut with) but also treading the boards on many legitimate stages in Chicago. He talks about life as an actor on the road, and in the Windy City. All of this, inside!

Are you wondering what a producer has to do or curious about producing yourself? We've got an episode chock full of interviews of interest to you. Cara Reichel and Peter Mills talk about their production company, Prospect Theatre company, their fantastic growth, and areas you need to look out for when creating a company. Seth Sklar-Hein discusses his job producing and associate directing for Cameron Mackintosh North America as well as his working relationship with arguably the most successful producer of the modern theatre. Ralph Lewis of Peculiar Works talks about dusting off the forgotten American classic, Androbourous and the challenges and joys of producing site-specific theatre. Peter Bogyo, General Manager for too many Broadway Shows to mention, talks about his numerous duties and his new book, aptly titled, "Broadway General Manager". Finally, Eleanor Speert, buyer for the Drama Book shop comes in to talk about the resources they provide everyone in celebration of 100 years of doing business. She also talks about writing your book... because face it, you know you want to write one. All of this, after this.

Cara Reichel and Peter Mills talk about their production company, Prospect Theatre company, their fantastic growth, and areas you need to look out for when creating a company.

Ralph Lewis of Peculiar Works talks about dusting off the forgotten American classic, Androbourous and the challenges and joys of producing site-specific theatre.

Are you into all things musical theatre and cabaret? We've got a music issue for you, chock full of everything from Classics to Americana Romano DiNillo and Chris Ranney play in the "pit" for the Broadway Smash, "Come From Away", only in this show, the pit is right where all the action is. They talk about the musicians role in this unique show. Deborah Grace Winer has dedicated her career to "curating the American Songbook". After working for years as the head of Lyrics and Lyricists, she has struck out on her own to continue bringing recognition and rememberence to Musical Theatre's finest writers. Bill Solly may be the most prolific "undervalued gem" of a writer in Manhattan. A listener suggested I talk to this man, who pioneered writing gay-themed theatre before it was mainstream and popular. We talk about his ground-breaking shows like "The Great American Backstage Musical" and "Boy Meets Boy" and hopes of a major revival. Finally, Isaac Sutton is a tireless cabaret artist playing the likes of Las Vegas, New York and Israel. He talks about bringing his art craft all over the world, and the logistics of making it all happen. That's what we have set for Vol. 813, February 21st, 2018. All that, inside!

There are many blurred lines between Opera and Musical Theatre, and in this episode we have artists working on shows that demonstrate this. Rodney Ingram is making his Broadway Debut in a feature role as Raul in Phantom of the Opera after understudying Aladdin last year. He discusses his exciting move, and how her got there. Christian DeGre is a composer whose work is often sung through and unabashedly Opera. With a successful run of his show, "Whiskey Pants" in the bag, he talks about promoting Opera to Musical Theatre fans. Seth Sklar-Hein is no stranger to Opera, as he heads up Cameron McIntosh North America, the company arguable responsible for rebranding Opera for the modern age. With a redesigned tour or Phantom of the Opera on the road, he discussed the new production and the show's remarkable legacy. Finally, Lisa Moira, recently wrapped up directing the four-character chamber Opera, Lady of the castle. She talks about the unique challenges of directing an opera and finding and working in alternative venues to advance the art form. This show isn't Puccini, so buckle up!

We've got a sampling for you this episode, a show on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Independent Theatre. First, Q. Smith and Geno Carr are giving their all eight times a week in Come From Away, and have been at it through the musical's development. They walk us through the excitement of this exhilarating show. Then, Jersey Boys is returning to New World Stages, and book writer Rick Elice stops by to let us know about that and walk us through his early history in NYC up to the fateful call to write one of the most popular musicals of this century. Finally, Frankenstein comes alive every Monday night in New York, and this time the mad creator is Eric Sirota, writing book, music and lyrics. He tells us about the show, and the unique challenges of doing a long run essentially in a festival format.

With two shows running on Broadway, Glenn Slater is excited that the sequel to Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies is finally hitting America on a national tour. The current go-to lyricist for two heavy-hitting composers stops by to tell us all about it. Aedin Moloney is in The Irish Rep's production of James Joyce's The Dead 1904. She stops by to talk about the show, her company Fallen Angel, and why Irish playwrights are so popular. This One's for the Girls, a reworking of Respect, is a hit running off-Broadway. Creater and bookwriter Dr. Dorothy Marcic talks about how this musical emerged from a sociology project about how women have been represented in popular music.

The Mad Ones, by our friends, Kerrigan and Lowdermilk is gaining heat with the Prospect production at 59E59 and actress Leah Hocking is here to discuss the show and reigniting her own career after a hiatus. Today is My Birthday is a play with an unusual and exciting dependence on sound design. Playwright Susan Soon He Stanton and sound designer Palmer Hefferan discuss developing the show together, from Sundance Lab to Off-Broadway. The classic songs of the Grateful Dead come to life on the stage in Red Roses, Green Gold. Natalie Storrs discusses the excitement of originating a role while being an actress and a musician.

Ben Heller from Aurora Productions stops by to explain the detailed, often byzantine process of the Broadway Load-In. Why does it cost sop much? You'll find out! Also, Dutch actress Babette Godefroy discusses the process of getting and maintaining a performance visa in the United States, while Katie Kozlowski discusses her new venture, Loving to Be Me, where her goal is to help artists love themselves through a process that involves constant rejection. In addition, we'll hear music from Karen Mason and Paul Rolnick.

Max Vernon loves to mess with audience expectations, and he certainly succeeds with The View Upstairs. The cast album just came out and the show has opened in LA. He tells us all about it. J. Harrison Ghee has taken an unusual road to his Broadway debut, taking over as Lola in Kinky Boots. He talks about the art of drag and the long run. And Gabrielle Stravelli has released her new cabaret CD. She talks about her career and lets us hear a couple songs from her new release.

In this episode, James Barbour talks about the demands of his long stint as the 15th Phantom in Phantom of the Opera and the importance of actors to develop their business acumen. The Ensemble Studio Theatre discusses their long-running and extremely popular Marathon of One-Act Plays. The Lazour Brothers discuss the excitement and perils of musical theatre development while discussing their show-in-progress, "We Live in Cairo" and let us hear some songs from their demo recording.

The Lincoln Center hit another one out of the park this past season with Oslo, and Daniel Jenkins stops by to tell us all about it. Danielle Trzcinski is a part of the creative team that wants women all over the US to put on their little black dress and come see Little Black Dress. Ken Davenport updates us on his current projects, including the upcoming revival of Once on This Island and we hear two songs from composer Bobby Cronin.

In this episode, all four members of the Junkyard Dog production team, Sue Frost, Randy Adams, Marleen Magnoni Alhadeff and Kenny Alhadeff gather to discuss how Come from Away came together in time to grab 7 Tony nominations this past season, including Best New Musical. Puff's General Manager, Daniel Kuney and Producer, David Carpenter talk about all different hoops they had to jump through to make Puffs the Off-Broadway success it has become. Actress Liz Stanton and Director Jeremy Williams talk about what needed to happen for the one-woman show, The Woman Who Was Me to make it to the stage. We also listen two songs from the composing team Carner and Gregor; we're sure you'll be hearing more about them in the future.

In Volume 802, John Sanders stops by to talk about his role as Ned in Groundhog Day, a 2017 nominee for Best Musical currently playing on Broadway. He delves into technique, his career and working with five turntables. Langston Belton discusses Puffs a play dealing with things Potter, and sometimes about things Harry, currently playing Off-Broadway at New World Stages. Zach Murphy, Lighting Supervisor for the Public Theatre talks about his job and lighting technology in these quick changing times... in terms other theatre folks can understand. Also, we hear a song and short interview from UGF graduate, Matthew Bartolotta about his experience helping during the interview sessions for season 8.

In this episode: Lynne Wintersteller stops by to talk about he sustained career acting on stage. She talks about everything from her latest show, Shear Madness, to her work in Closer Than Ever. Along the way she talks about sustaining a career and offers great advice for aspiring actors. Brian Lowdermilk (of the songwriting duo, Kerrigan and Lowdermilk) discusses his career and process with songwriting, how he created the New Musical Theatre website, and what makes for a good audition song for actors. Joel B New comes in to talk about the unique angle of his podcast, Something New, and to discuss pursuing a songwriting career in NYC. Robin Goldfin and David Carson discuss adapting the tales of Etgar Keret for the stage, and the process of raising funds to get a production up in NYC!

Andrew Lippa discusses his career as a composer/lyricist for the Broadway stage. Adam Feldman, theatre critic for Time Out NY, discusses theatre and the the changing face of theatre criticism and reviews. Gaby Alter and Tommy Newman share two songs from their musical, Band Geeks; and Nick Kohn talks about his unconventional acting career and time with the long-running Avenue Q Musical.

Kate Shindle gives a very candid talk into her new position as President of Actor's Equity, and what changes might be needed down the line. Patrick Noonan discusses his career and long relationship (300+ performances) with the comedy Shear Madness, now Off-Broadway in NYC. Matt Okin discusses the challenges of acquiring a brand new space for Black Box Studios in Teaneck, NJ. We also hear two songs from the team Kooman and Dimond from their CD, "Out of My Head".

Stephanie Klemons (Dance Captain) and Andrew Chapelle each swing nightly for the mega-hit, Hamilton. They talk about the whole process and their acting breaks before Hamilton. We hear two new songs from STRING, the new musical Adam Gwon is writing "Uncharted Territory" performed by Heidi Blickenstaff with Carey Anderson, Geoff Packard, Zachary Prince, and Katie Thompson "Just Curious" performed by Geoff Packard and Heidi Blickenstaff James Tyler is a current DGFund fellow, and is breaking in a big way with three simultaneus fellowships. But it wasn't always that way. He tells us about it. It takes a lot of moxie to get noticed, even in Children's Theatre. But Jonathan Rockefeller tells us how he used it to become Baz Luhrman's assistant and protege and then develop the play and obtain the rights to the monstrous children's book, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar".

Megan McInnis discusses her long history and path to NYC with the musical, Daddy Long Legs; Andrew Lippa and Rachel Routh talk about the Dramatists Guild Fund and the many ways they help artists. Composer/Lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver shares two tracks from We Foxes, a musical in progress, and Danny Ashkenasi discusses his new musical, Speakeasy, running at Theatre for the New City Feb. 18-Mar. 13.

Bobby Steggart discusses his new play, Boy, as well as shares some of his unorthodox and refreshing views on a career in acting. Director/Creator Bruce Jordan discusses his uber-long running show, Shear Madness, and why it has finally arrived in NYC. We hear some new music from composer/lyricist Zoe Sarnak and Director/Choreographer/Creator James Walski talks about the long journey to NYC for the 60's Dance Musical, Trip of Love.

Tony award winning orchestrator, Alex Lacamoire talks about his work on the current smash musical, Hamilton. We hear an original podcast musical, "As You Were" written by Kerrigan and Lowdermilk, and Andrea McArdle talks about her new two-hander, 2 Across, as well as her 45 year career in entertainment, including "Annie".

Catherine Walker talks about Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, her history with the show, and her eventual takeover of the role of Phoebe, also the touching story of her first big break in Mary Poppins. Lisa Dozier talks about the ups and downs and ins and outs of General Management. We have a panel from the League of Professional Theatre Women to discuss the issue of availability of women's roles.

Ellie Covan talks about Dixon Place, a home for new and emerging Theatre Artists of all kinds. Joshua Brody of San Diego's The Trip talks about doing theatre on location and the trials and tribulations of bringing a show to NYC. We feature a song by Kerrigan-Lowdermilk, sung by Katie Thompson. Jim Shankman talks about the perils and thrills of writing a show for yourself.

David Stallings discusses his latest work in Macbeth of the Oppressed as well as challenges facing all minorities in getting represented on stage. Joe Cosentino discusses his career as an actor, writer and educator and talks about his new book, A Murder Mystery set backstage at a college theatre dept., Drama Queen. Susan Schulman discusses her career as a Broadway Press Agent, talks about her book, Backstage Pass to Broadway and offers advice for theatre people dealing with a Press Agent.

We talk with Kathleen Butler, veteran of three shows with Edward Albee, founded Triumvirate Artists to provide opportunities for theatre artists over 55 years old. Riley Thomas just finished his third show, Wearing Black, for the New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF) and he shares the skinny on all the details of participating and getting your show up. Jason Marin, lighting designer and head of Casting Light Podcast, discusses lighting, tech and his career.

We have a lot going on! We have interviews with comedian/musician/improv artist/Late-Late Show co-host, Reggie Watts; Joan Kane, director with Ego Actus production company; Joe McGinty, musical director and founder of Loser's Lounge as well as resident accompanist with Sid Gold's Request Room. We also talk with audiobook narrator, Dara Rosenberg and hear a song demo from composer/actress, Amanda Higgins.

In this episode, we talk with Paul Gordon, composer and lyricist for the new Off-Broadway Musical, Daddy Long Legs. We also talk to the members of Cabaret duo, TastiSkank Kate Reinders (Something Rotten, Wicked) and Sarah Litzsinger (Beauty and the Beast). We close with an enlightening discussion with Branden Huldeen and Peter Rothstein of NAMT discussing the NAMT Festival.

Up Close - Ken Davenport, Broadway producer and writer for The Producer's Perspective, talks about Deaf West's production of "Spring Awakening" coming to Broadway, and a little about the musical two-hander, "Daddy Long Legs" The Best of Company - Hip to Hip - This Queens-Based Shakespeare company brings the bard to parks all over the city. They discuss the technical and logistical challenges of the operation, and discuss achieving gender parity in casting. We speak with Jason Marr and David Mold. Listening Room - Cabaret performer, and Broadway Bullet fave, Jenna Esposito, has released a new album of Italian pop songs, That's Amore: Songs from the Great Italian-American Songbook. We feature two original songs on the album by Ernie Rossi, a shop owner in Little Italy. On the Boards - Everett Quinton in Drop Dead Perfect DROP DEAD PERFECT is the ideal vehicle to showcase the talents of the Everett Quinton. The show’s Off-Broadway run coincides with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Theatre of the Ridiculous, the wildly creative theatrical genre that led to the establishment of The Ridiculous Theatrical Company. Everett discuss the show, his career performing drag roles, and it's place in the LGBT movement.