Husband/Wife creative team Lea & Drew Lachey visit Behind the Awards to discuss their Original Theatrical Experience Label-less which recently enjoyed an Off-Broadway run at Theater Row. Drew brings his 98 Degrees & Broadway (Rent & Spamalot) experience to this one of a kind show coupled with the storytelling of Lea’s choreography. Also in this episode - 2010 Tony Awards with Bebe Neuwirth and Nathan Lane. Drew Lachey - Drew Lachey's an accomplished singer, dancer and actor. Drew fir...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 107
Broadway Publisist, Activist and Radio Host David Rothenberg joined behind the awards to discuss his legendary life, career and his new book Manhattan Mayhem. David dishes about working with Bette Davis, Lauren Becall, Linda Lavin, Stephen Sondheim and his one time encounter with Joan Crawford. David has also been a witness to history and tells us about what I was like being part of the Attica riots and starting the Fortune Society with $32. Also in this episode - Stuart Zagnit & Harrison Br...
Jun 20, 2025•59 min•Ep. 106
Off the heels of their duet at Maestrea Amplify 2025 Antwayn Hopper & Zeniba Now come to Behind the Awards to talk about working together on The Loophole at The Public Theater as well as their upcoming projects. Antwayn can be seen on ABC’s Will Trent Season Three and Zeniba’s show Take the Lead which she did Music & Lyrics for had its World Premier at The Paper Mill Playhouse. Also a recording artist Zeniba’s music can be found on Spotify. Also in this episode - Francis Jue’s 2025 Tony ...
Jun 20, 2025•39 min•Ep. 105
Founder and Fitness Coach to the theater community Joe Rosko joins Behind the Awards to chat about his journey with Fitness and Performing. Joe shares Fitness tips and also give some of his favorite performance in the most recent seasons. Also in this episode - Celia Keenan-Bolger’s 2025 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award and her start of the Gavin Creel Fellowship with the help of Sara Bareilles, Catherine Brunell and in partnership with The American Theater Wing. https://americantheatrewing.org/pro...
Jun 18, 2025•40 min•Ep. 104
Tony Winner Lena Hall joins Behind the Awards to chat about her new series on Apple TV Your Friends and Neighbors. Lena shares her experience working with Jon Hamm and playing his sister. Lena tells us her Tony nomination/win story for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Your Friends and Neighbors is now streaming as well Lena’s Your Friends and Neighbors EP. Also on this episode - Kecia Lewis's 2024 Tony Win for Hell's Kitchen. NY City Center Encores announces its 2025-2026 Season; Bat Boy The Musical, ...
Jun 13, 2025•52 min•Ep. 103
The hilarious Wendi McLendon-Covey joins Behind the Awards to give us a prescription for laughter with her series St. Denis Medical. Wendi shares what it’s like to work with such veterans as David Alan Grier, George Segal and Allison Tolman. From Bridesmaids to Reno 911 to The Goldbergs Wendi proves time and time again that she is a master of comedy. Season 1 is currently streaming on Peacock. Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce recap the 2025 Tony Awards with their expert Matt Stashin. From...
Jun 11, 2025•52 min•Ep. 102
Emmy Winner Carrie Preston joins Behind the Awards to chat about her career and starring in the CBS hit Elsbeth which was just renewed for a 3rd Season. Carrie takes us into Elsbeth’s world including her fashion, quirks and creating a Columbo for a new generation. Carrie also discusses the evolution of the character from The Good Wife to The Good Fight to now. Also in this episode - S. Epatha Merkerson Emmy Win for Lackawanna Blues Carrie Preston continues to reprise her Emmy Award-winning role ...
Jun 06, 2025•45 min•Ep. 101
Tony winner Robert Horn takes a rehearsal break to share all he has going on across the pond. From Shucked to Disney’s Hercules Robert is taking London by storm. Robert takes us back to the start of his career as a TV writer on Designing Women and Living Single, which opened the door for his Broadway dreams. Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce celebrate their 100th episode! Plus Pen Pals starring Nancy McKeon coming back to NY and will be running at DR2 Theater August 15, 2025, through Novem...
Jun 06, 2025•45 min•Ep. 100
Tony Nominee Writer/Director joins Behind the Awards to discuss the creation of The Picture of Dorian Gray alongside Sarah Snook. Kip shares how his vision married technology and art to create Oscar Wilde’s novel for this generation. Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce discuss the announcement of Darren Criss and Renee Else Goldsberry as the hosts of The Tony Awards streaming on PlutoTV at 6:40pmEST, Sunday June 8th. As well as Montego Glover taking over the role of Rose for 8 performances i...
Jun 04, 2025•48 min•Ep. 99
Eila & Bruce bring you the fifth and final installment of their 2025 Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Best Musical, Best Play, Scenic Design of a Musical, Lead Actor of a Musical, Lead Actress of a Musical. Audra McDonald, Megan Hilty, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Simard, Darren Criss, Andrew Durand, Tom Francis, Jonathan Groff, James Monroe Iglehart, Jeremy Jordan, Rachel H...
Jun 02, 2025•34 min•Ep. 98
5 time Tony Nominee Ben Stanton stops by Behind the Awards to share his process on lighting such shows as Maybe Happy Ending, The Notebook and Spring Awakening. Ben goes into detail about the innovative tech that went into Maybe Happy Ending and his collaboration with the video design. Also in this episode - 2026 Broadway Season announcements are in full swing. Revivals of Ragtime, Chess and Mamma Mia lead the way. Ben is a lighting designer for theater, concerts, dance, installations, and event...
May 30, 2025•35 min•Ep. 97
Just in Time’s Caesar Samayao visited Behind the Awards to discuss his multiple roles in the show including the legendary Don Kurshnier. Caesar recounts his time creating his track in Come From Away, The Pee Wee Herman Show and How to Dance to Ohio. Also in this episode - Real Women Have Curves Tony Nominee Benjamin Velez comes back to Behind the Awards to share what the process has been like since BroadwayCon when they were just getting into the theater to rehearse and put the show together to ...
May 28, 2025•56 min•Ep. 96
Emily Bergl takes a break from Just in Time: The Bobby Darin Musical to break down the two characters she originates in the show. Emily gives us the low down of working with Jonathan Groff as well as working on such TV Series as; The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Shameless, Desperate Housewives and Gilmore Girls. Also in this episode - Tony Nominated Just in Time Orchestrators Andrew Resnick & Michael Thurber join Behind the Awards to discuss creating the environment that is a Jonathan Groff/Bobby ...
May 28, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 95
Eila & Bruce bring you the fourth installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Director of a Musical, Costume Design of a Musical, Lead Actress of a Play, Lead Actor of a Play, Lighting Design of a Play, and Revival of a Musical. Laura Donnelly, Mia Farrow, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Sadie Sink, Sarah Snook, George Clooney, Cole Escola, Jon Michael Hill, Daniel Day Kim, Harry Lennix, ...
May 26, 2025•36 min•Ep. 94
Burke Swanson visited Behind the Awards to give us the low down on his show Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Burke shares his first hand experience in the creation of the magical theater experience and what it is like to step into the shoes of James Hopper Jr. Also in this episode - Tony Nominated Sound Designer Dan Moses Schreier gives Behind the Awards a glimpse into what it takes to create the environment that is Floyd Collins at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center. Burke made his...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 93
Tony Nominee Joy Woods stops by Behind the Awards to talk about playing Louise in Gypsy alongside Audra McDonald. Danny Burstein, and her Notebook co-star Jordan Tyson. Joy shares her way into the title role through Director George C Wolfe’s stories during rehearsal and her meteoric rise from Little Shop to Six to being a Tony Nominee. Also in this episode - Millie Shapiro and Keri Rene Fuller from Last Bimbo of the Apocalypse now running at The New Group join us to give listeners a looking into...
May 21, 2025•57 min•Ep. 92
Tony Nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers joins behind the Awards to give a deep dive into Boop The Musical where she is making her Broadway Debut. Jasmine also shares the process of working with Jerry Mitchell on the workshop and then into the out of town as well as working with David Foster. Also in this episode - Octavia Spencer’s 2012 Oscar win for The Help Jasmine, in her acclaimed Broadway debut, has earned nominations for the Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, Drama League...
May 21, 2025•38 min•Ep. 91
Eila & Bruce bring you the third installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Featured Actress in a Musical, Book of a Musical, Scenic Design of a Play, Best Revival of a Play, and Sound Design of a Musical Natalie Venetia Belcon, Julia Knitel, Gracie Lawrence, Justina Machado, Joy Woods, Will Aronson, Hue Park, David Cumming Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, Zoe Roberts, Itamar Moses, Mar...
May 19, 2025•35 min•Ep. 90
Death Becomes Her Writer Marco Pennette joins Behind the Awards to chat about making his Broadway Debut in this musical comedy. From his TV work on such shows as Ugly Betty, Caroline in the City, and Kate & Allie to being Hal Prince’s intern Marco has stories for days including the touching relationship he had with Linda Lavin. Death Becomes Her stated 8 years ago with the help of his friend Kristin Chenoweth. Also in this episode - Isabelle Sanford’s Emmy Win and a review of Stephen Sondhei...
May 16, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 89
2 time Lortel Winner Francis Jue dropped by Behind the Awards to chat about his role in Yellow Face and working with David Henry Wong. Francis shares his 20 year journey with the piece as well as storing in the tour of M Butterfly and The King and I at The MUNY. Catch Yellow Face on PBS May 16th 2025. Also in this episode - Lady Gaga’s 2019 Oscar win for Best Song Shallow from A Star is Born. Review of Pirates! A Penzance Musical. Francis Jue earned Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards for the NYC deb...
May 14, 2025•50 min•Ep. 88
Eila & Bruce bring you the second installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Featured Actress in a Play, Lighting Design of a Musical, Costume Design of a Play, Best Original Score and Director of a Play. Tala Ashe, Jessica Hect, Marjan Neshat, Fina Strazza, Kara Young, Jack Knowles, Tyler Micoleau, Ben Stanton, Rudy Horne Sun, Scott Zielinski, Justin Townsend, Brenda, Abbandandolo, ...
May 12, 2025•43 min•Ep. 87
The cast of Operation Mincemeat joins Behind the Awards to do a deep dive of the musical from inception to Broadway. David Cumming, Claire-Marie Hall, Natasha Hodgson, Jak Malone, and Zoe Roberts give us the behind the scenes secrets of the show. Staring at The Fringe to Oliver Award winning run on the West End this show gives the audience a history lesson of World War II in the most physical comedy way possible. Also in this episode - Harriet Harris 2002 Tony Win for Thoroughly Modern Millie an...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 86
Natalie Venetia Belcon brings her Lortel Winning performance of Omara to the Schoenfeld Theater. Buena Vista Social Club has the 2025 Broadway season a flurry and Behind the Awards gets the scoop for the star. Natalie Venetia Belcon also is known for creating the role of Gary Coleman in the Tony Winning Avenue Q. Also in this episode- Andrea Martin’s 1993 Tony win for My Favorite Year and Real Women Have Curves show stopping preview experience. Natalie Venetia Belcon won the Lucille Lortel Award...
May 07, 2025•32 min•Ep. 85
Tony Nominated Director/Choreographer Camille A Brown stops by Behind the Awards to discuss Gypsy, Hells Kitchen, For Colored Girls and her journey to Broadway. Also in this episode - Bebe Neuwirth 1997 Tony win for her portrayal of Velma Kelly in Chicago and a review of Purpose Four Time Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown, currently nominated for her choreography in Hells Kitchen on Broadway, is a prolific Black female choreographer who in 2022, made her Broadway directorial debut for the Broa...
May 07, 2025•22 min•Ep. 84
Eila & Bruce bring you the first installment of their Tony deep dive. They are joined by expert Matt Stashin and share who will win and who they want to win in the following categories: Best Choreography; Best Sound Design of a Play; Best Orchestrations; Featured Actor in a Play; and Featured Actor in a Musical. Glenn Davis, Gabriel Ebert, Francis Jue, Bob Odenkirk, Conrad Ricamore, Brooks Ashmanskas, Jeb Brown, Danny Burstein, Jak Malone, Taylor Trench, Joshua Bergasse, Camille A Brown, Pat...
May 05, 2025•35 min•Ep. 83
Sunset Blvd Choreographer Fabian Aloise joins us from backstage at Drury Lane Theater where he is currently working on Much Ado About Nothing with Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell to give us the low down on putting the show on its feet. Fabian breaks down the shows viral TikTok stroll through Shubert Alley. Fabian gives us the close up on working with Nicole Scherziger and collaboration with Director Jamie Lloyd. Also in this episode - Julie White 2007 Tony win for The Little Dog Laughed and a r...
May 02, 2025•49 min•Ep. 82
Dead Outlaw star Julia Knitel gives Behind the Awards a deep dive into all things Dead Outlaw, plus her experience playing Louise in Gypsy with Beth Level and Carol King in Beautiful. Also in this episode - Katie Finneran 2010 Tony win for Promises Promises and a review of Good Night and Good Luck Julie Knitel - Broadway: Beautiful, Bye Bye Birdie. Tour: Beautiful (Carole King), Come From Away (Janice). Off-Broadway: Dead Outlaw (OCC nom), A Letter to Harvey Milk (Lortel nom), Panic of ‘29. Regi...
Apr 30, 2025•42 min•Ep. 81
Behind the Awards welcomes back their resident awards expert Matt Stashin to play Tony Nominator before the actual nominations are announced. Also in this episode - The World Premier of Cheap Seats from the Theatrical Experience Label-Less created by Lea & Drew Lachey and performed by Diana Hutchinson. This single can be found anywhere you download music with the full Album available May 1st! Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amz...
Apr 28, 2025•56 min•Ep. 80
Director and Creator Zhailon Levingston joins Behind the Awards to share his vision for the upcoming Wonderful Town at New York City Center Encores. Zhailon also talks about Cats: The Jellicle Ball and the future of the show and his collaboration with Playwright Douglas Lyons. Link to Wonderful Town Tickets - https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2024-2025/wonderful-town/ Also in this episode - Christine Ebersole 2007 Tony Win for Grey Gardens. Review of Stranger Things on Broadway. Zhailon Levingst...
Apr 25, 2025•35 min•Ep. 79
Tala Ashe unpacks her Lortel Nominated performance as Elham in Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize winning Play English at The Roundabout Theater. Tala also compares this to her work on Legends of Tomorrow and Smash. Also in this episode - Heather Headley's 2000 Tony win for Best Actress in a Musical for Disney's Aida plus Dead Outlaw Review. Tala Ashe received a Best Actress Drama Desk Award nomination for her performance in English, Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama at the Atlantic Theater...
Apr 23, 2025•53 min•Ep. 78
