Mandy Gonzalez is a Broadway powerhouse and she’s here to tell her story on the Backstage Talk podcast hosted by Martín Acuña. Mandy and Martín discuss the Musical Theatre industry, looking back to Mandy's days in In the Heights, Wicked, and the revival of Sunset Boulevard. If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads Website & LinkedIn Le...
Feb 17, 2025•56 min•Season 5Ep. 134
We've got to keep the conversation about mental health in the entertainment industry going. Sean Hayden, performer, lawyer, and advocate, shares his story and how it inspired the Stage Combat Podcast, a show about his and other artists' story regarding mental health. Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Me...
Aug 15, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 137
Chita Rivera was an icon and a legend in the Musical Theatre world. 🔥 How come a Broadway theatre hasn't been renamed after her? This episode features returning guest and friend Eric Ulloa, recorded live from the West Side Story exhibit at the Museum of Broadway, to honor the historic and renowned Chita Rivera. ✨ Want to sign the petition? Click here. Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reac...
May 01, 2024•23 min•Season 5Ep. 136
She's THE Queen of the Castle! Marilyn Caserta is here with her incredible Broadway debut story with SIX: the Musical. 🎤 Marilyn shares how her Cuban-Italian heritage has driven her life. 🔥 Let's celebrate her Broadway-Universal Alternate-debut anniversary! Please visit her Instagram to see what she's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: In...
Jan 04, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 135
This incredible Mexican actor shares his story from his home country all the way to New York City! 🔥 Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads Website & LinkedIn Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 29, 2023•15 min•Season 5Ep. 134
This Afro-Latina queen has made her roar be heard ever since she started performing! 🤩 In this episode, the incredible Shereen Pimentel shares her Broadway journey from The Lion King as the first Afro-Latina Young Nala to her work in West Side Story, the 2020 revival, Into the Woods at New York City Center, and regional productions of Evita. Please visit her Instagram to see what she's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out wit...
Dec 21, 2023•26 min•Season 5Ep. 133
Mateus Cardoso is the future Broadway Royalty; MARK OUR WORDS! 🔥 We are delighted to have recorded this episode with Mateus before his upcoming Broadway Debut! Get to know his background and his story before he takes a bow in the world's greatest stage. 🫶🏼 Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Ins...
Dec 14, 2023•18 min•Season 5Ep. 132
Tri-racial performer, writer, and producer Rebbekah shares a little about her life in the performing arts world. 🔥 Please visit her Instagram to see what she's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads Website & LinkedIn Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 07, 2023•15 min•Season 5Ep. 131
Miguel Gil, an astounding young performer, is taking Broadway by storm, and we are here for it! 🫶🏼 From Venezuela, to Orlando, to New York, Kimberly Akimbo's cast member Miguel always brings his 100% to every work he does, because he understands that for many Latin people, being an artist is a privilege we cannot take for granted. 🔥 Tune in to this episode and listen to his journey! Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please vi...
Nov 30, 2023•25 min•Season 5Ep. 130
From Miami to Broadway, Maria Bilbao shares how her Latinidad has influenced her most recent work: Johanna in the recent Broadway production of Sweeney Todd. 🩸 Her passion, like all Latinos, carries throughout this episode, take a listen! Please visit her Instagram to see what she's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram & Thread...
Nov 23, 2023•19 min•Season 5Ep. 129
To celebrate & Juliet's first year on Broadway, Philippe Arroyo, who plays François in the show, gets candid about how his heritage has played a role in his acting journey. 🫶🏼 He also shares how he ended up in this jukebox musical after touring the country with Aladdin, how he got cast, and the his relationships with his castmates! 💙 Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with f...
Nov 16, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 128
Valeria Ceballos has had great opportunities to showcase her heritage and talent through some iconic Latiné roles, but also on the Dear Evan Hansen Tour! 🤩 Please visit her Instagram to see what she's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads Website & LinkedIn Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
Nov 09, 2023•27 min•Season 5Ep. 127
Florencia Cuenca is paving the way when it comes to bringing Broadway to Spanish-speaking audiences! 🤩 This incredible Mexican actress and singer started a project with husband and past guest Jaime Lozano to mix Spanish words into Broadway songs, and the best part? It all started with Hamilton! 🔥 Please visit her Instagram to see what she's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backs...
Oct 26, 2023•24 min•Season 5Ep. 125
Angel Sigala, the original actor who portrayed Mateo Díaz in the recent Broadway Show "New York, New York," goes down memory lane to the auditions for this production and the moment he got the part! 🤩 He also reminisces about his Broadway debut and how his Heritage was fully shown on stage as a Latiné actor. Angel also takes time to honor his family and the values infused in him from home that have influenced his artistry. Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want...
Oct 19, 2023•18 min•Season 5Ep. 124
Kalyn West gets real and vulnerable about her Colombian Heritage and what it has meant to navigate the world as a Colombian-American in the Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry. ✨ In this episode, Broadway performer Kalyn West, whose Broadway credits include The Prom and the recent The Gardens of Anuncia at Lincoln Center, has a passionate and raw conversation about what it means to be mixed-racial and how she's connecting to her Heritage from a place of love and self-improvement work. 💙 ...
Oct 12, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 123
TikTok superstar Jorge Rivera-Herrans talks all things Epic, his musical, which blew up TikTok, and his latest Album, My Heart Says Go, intertwining his story and the power of his heritage. 🔥 He's working with Broadway Royalty, and we LOVE how his musical had trending audios all over social media. 🤩 Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Bac...
Oct 05, 2023•24 min•Season 5Ep. 122
Straight from the underworld comes this Latina actress to share her journey of resilience and pride! 🔥 Belén Moyano, an incredible performer, has been with the Hadestown tour for over two years and she recognizes the incredible relationship between this story and her heritage! Please visit her Instagram to see what she's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us ...
Sep 28, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 121
This episode is a dream come true episode! 🔥 Joey Contreras is an incredible songwriter and composer who has a LOT of shows in the works! 🫶🏼 Tune in to this incredible episode about heritage and how anyone can celebrate their past at any point in their lives. 💙 Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Medi...
Sep 21, 2023•24 min•Season 5Ep. 120
Legna Cedillo shares how she owes everything to her beautiful parents. 🤩 Tune in to listen to her story in the industry all the way to Americano! The Musical! 🔥 Please visit her Instagram to see what she's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads Website & LinkedIn Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...
Sep 14, 2023•18 min•Season 5Ep. 119
Kevin Corte is a Mexican performer who is here to share his side of the story working on the West Coast! 🔥 Tune in and listen to his wonderful journey with Latinness and queerness playing Angel in Rent! 💙 Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads Website & LinkedIn Twitter L...
Sep 07, 2023•18 min•Season 5Ep. 118
Debra Cardona teaches us that it is never too late to make your Broadway debut! ✨ Her wonderful journey in this industry is inspiring, especially when she talks about her family's heritage in New York's Spanish Harlem! 🫶🏼 Please visit her Instagram to see what she's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads Website & ...
Aug 31, 2023•22 min•Season 5Ep. 117
After a self-discovery journey, Performer and Producer Danny Marin is ready to take this industry by storm. 🔥 Danny always brings their whole self into their work, from their heritage and their family history to their queerness self. 🫶🏼 Please visit their Instagram to see what they've been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram & Th...
Aug 24, 2023•32 min•Season 5Ep. 116
Our characters will always bring our baggage with them. ✨ Actress Shelby Acosta shares her experience on Broadway with the 1776 musical, a very political show, and how she portrays a Founding Father as a queer Latina performer. 🔥 Please visit her Instagram to see what she's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads Website...
Aug 17, 2023•18 min•Season 5Ep. 115
Joél Acosta, an incredible actor, dives into his experience bringing his Latinness to many characters. 🤩 He also breaks down his amazing work at The Great Gatsby, the immersive experience. 🎩 Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram & Threads Website & LinkedIn Twitter Learn more abou...
Aug 10, 2023•25 min•Season 5Ep. 114
The iconic Ana Villafañe is our season premiere episode guest! 🤩 Ana has portrayed iconic female roles on Broadway and in several films, and she takes us on a sneak peek at her latest work all the way from London: Sinatra, the Musical. 🫶🏼 Please visit her Instagram to see what she's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram & Thre...
Aug 03, 2023•30 min•Season 5Ep. 113
Bekah Walsh, theatre influencer, is here to talk to us about her POTUS Theatre Trail in this in-between-seasons special episode! 🤩 This iconic play that was on Broadway will embark on a tour in the USA soon and Bekah wants to go on the road with them! 🔥 Please visit her Instagram & TikTok to see what she's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social ...
Jul 20, 2023•23 min•Season 4Ep. 112
Season 4 finale is here! 🔥 Episode 111 (our lucky number) is out now! Dean Cestari is one of those people that will make you feel your soul replenished after talking to him. 🥰 He shares his journey, dreams, and aspirations in Musical Theatre, going through recording an Off-Broadway Cast Album, growing up in Long Island, and a risk he took! 🤩 Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out wi...
Jun 29, 2023•22 min•Season 4Ep. 111
Influencers have rocked every single industry, and Theatre wasn't going to get behind! 🔥 In this episode, we have two of Broadway's best influencers: Kate Reinking and Ashley Hufford. 🤩 Listen to both of them discuss Shucked and Some Like It Hot as case studies, influencer marketing on Broadway, and how they got started! Please visit Kate's Instagram and TikTok and Ashley's Instagram and Tiktok! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feed...
Jun 22, 2023•39 min•Season 4Ep. 110
Shuffle Along was the Hamilton of its era, this author claims back this iconic show's place in Musical Theatre history. 🔥 Tune in to listen to Caseen Gaines discuss his latest book, "When Broadway was Black." 🤩 Please visit his Instagram to see what he's been working on! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram Twitter Learn more about your ad choices...
Jun 15, 2023•25 min•Season 4Ep. 109
The Tony Awards are here and we have over our favorite Twins to do our Predictions on the winners!! ✨ Listen to Connor and Dylan MacDowell and our host spill their tea about who will get the beloved Theatre Award! Please visit their Instagram to listen to their latest eps! If you want to know more about our host, please visit his website! Feel free to reach out with feedback or if you want to be part of Backstage Talk! Follow us on Social Media: Instagram Twitter Learn more about your ad choices...
Jun 08, 2023•58 min•Season 4Ep. 108
