Buzzed Broadway
By Amanda Harrington/Sam St. Jean
Follow us on Instagram: @buzzedbroadwaypodcast
Buzzed BroadwayJun 19, 2020
Episode 12: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Episode 11: Company ft. Nina Weinstein
Episode 10: Les Miserables
"2460-Hold please..." Sam and Amanda chat all things Les Miserables! One of the early British invasion musicals of the 80s, Les Miz has become one of the most classic and beloved musicals of all time. Our hosts chat through the countless global productions, landmark concerts, and even their own collegiate production. A show that feels oddly familiar in 2020 means the story must continue to be told. "Dream the dream!"
This week we are pleased to highlight the Coalition for the Homeless. As the nation’s oldest advocacy and direct service organization, the Coalition for the Homeless has helped homeless men, women, and children for almost 40 years. The Coalition has worked though litigation, public education, and direct services to ensure that affordable housing, sufficient food, and the chance for a living wage are fundamental rights for our civilized society. Black Americans count for 13% of the population but account for over 40% of homeless people. By stabilizing people through shelter, moving them into permanent housing, and implementing assistance programs to keep them in their housing, we can not only reduce, but eliminate homelessness. The Coalition's How to Help page outlines resources, volunteer opportunities, and specific action plans to help those in need. Visit coalitionforthehomeless.org for more information or follow the link in our Instagram bio: @buzzedbroadwaypodcast
Episode 9: Once Upon a Mattress
Your Buzzed Broadway hosts chat the Golden Age not-so-classic, Once Upon a Mattress! After launching the career of Carol Burnett, this comedy quickly became an audience favorite and has now garnered laughs from audiences for over 60 years. Listen to Sam and Amanda talk made-for-TV adaptations, the healing power of a good joke, and what happens when 11-year old Amanda is only given one speaking line.
Buzzed Broadway continues to advocate for social justice. This week, we're pleased to highlight the Ali Forney Center. LGBTQ+ Youth comprise a disproportionate number of the homeless population and are 8 times more likely to experience homelessness. The Ali Forney Center provides LGBTQ+ young people housing and a continuum of supportive services (including food and hygiene services and free healthcare) to help them thrive and prepare them for independent living. To find out more about this organization, please visit https://www.aliforneycenter.org or visit our Instagram page: @buzzedbroadwaypodcast
To donate to the family of the late Nick Cordero: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-amanda-kloots-nick-cordero-amp-elvis
To sign the petition to rename Broadway's Longacre Theater in Nick Cordero's honor: https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/broadway-s-nick-codero-theater
Episode 8: Gypsy (ft. Fiona McIntyre & Olivia Valli)
Buzzed Broadway is pleased to welcome our very first guests: College classmates, best friends, and co-hosts of "What's Your Backup Plan?" Fiona McIntyre and Olivia Valli! "Curtain up! Light the lights!" because this is a long episode, people... Sam, Amanda, Fiona, and Olivia discuss Arthur Laurents' musical theatre masterpiece Gypsy. We cover LuPone, Merman, and of course, Olivia's high school production where she played Mama Rose herself.
On What's Your Backup Plan, Olivia and Fiona aim to help artists find ways to stay creative, connected and fulfilled through the ups and downs of a career. Each week, they interview actors, musicians, writers, photographers and directors who are creating their own businesses, overcoming obstacles and finding inspiration in the world around them. Available where podcasts are streamed. @backupplanpodcast
For the foreseeable future, Buzzed Broadway will come to our listeners ad-free as we stand in solidarity with the revitalization of the Black Lives Matter movement. This week, we are pleased to highlight the Broadway Advocacy Coalition. Founded by a team of Black Broadway alumni in 2016, the Broadway Advocacy Coalition/ Broadway for Black Lives Matter builds the capacity of advocates, students, artists, organizations, and communities to use the arts as an integral part of their social change work. You can donate to the Broadway Advocacy Coalition at bwayadvocacycoalition.org/donate and visit Broadway For Black Lives Matter at bwayforblm.org Or visit the link in our Instagram bio: @buzzedbroadwaypodcast
Episode 7: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
"Something for everyone!" Our hosts discuss Sondheim's first solo Broadway creation "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," based on Plautus' Pseudolus. Sam was featured in the ensemble of this show during his high school days and later finished out his college performing career as Pseudolus. Amanda was the assistant music director! The two chat about Nathan Lane, Sam's vocal snafu during his closing weekend, and the future of musical comedy in an uncertain world.
For the foreseeable future, Buzzed Broadway will come to our listeners ad-free as we stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement. Each week, Amanda and Sam will highlight an organization committed to closing the gap of racial inequality in America. This week, Buzzed Broadway is pleased to highlight the Black Voters Matter Fund. As a social welfare organization, Black Voters Matter is dedicated to expanding Black voter engagement and increasing progressive power. Their goals range from increasing voter registration and turnout, advocating to expand voter rights and accessibility, and developing organizational infrastructure in communities where little to none exists. At blackvotersmatterfund.org, you can join the project to become an advocate for civic engagement. You’ll support organizing work and electoral campaigns related to upsetting the systemic racism in our nation’s government. You can also donate monetarily at blackvotersmatterfund.org/donate or visit the link in our Instagram bio: @buzzedbroadwaypodcast
Episode 6: Seussical
"Think, and wonder, and dream- Far and wide as you dare!" Amanda and Sam are back to talk all things Who. That's right: Seussical is up on the Buzzed Broadway docket. Our hosts discuss casting lore, Amanda's many different roles in the world of Seussical, and what exactly happens when a should-be smash hit doesn't quite nail it.
For the foreseeable future, Buzzed Broadway will come to our listeners ad-free as we stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement. Each week, Amanda and Sam will highlight an organization committed to closing the gap of racial inequality in America. This week, we're pleased to share Broadway for Racial Justice, founded by actor Brandon Michael Nase. Broadway for Racial Justice provides immediate resources, assistance, and amplification to BIPOC artists in the Broadway and theatrical community-at-large, and aims to create safe spaces in the industry for creativity and artistry to thrive. When you donate to BFRJ, your funds pool directly into their Emergency Assistance Fund, which aids BIPOC artists, regardless of union affiliation. Please donate today. You can visit their website at bfrj.org or through our Instagram: @buzzedbroadwaypodcast
Episode 5: Little Shop of Horrors
This week, Sam and Amanda discuss Menken and Ashman's cult classic gone smash hit "Little Shop of Horrors." From humble beginnings Off-Off-Broadway, to becoming a global phenomenon, and finally ending up at a low-budget summer program at a suburban high school in New Hampshire. Buzzed Broadway covers it all.
For the foreseeable future, Buzzed Broadway will come to our audiences ad-free as we stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Each week, Amanda and Sam will highlight an organization committed to closing the gap of racial inequality in America. This week, we'd like to share Campaign Zero: A comprehensive platform of research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America. Visit joincampaignzero.org to donate to their organization, demand action from your state’s representatives, or sign up to get involved. #blacklivesmatter