Tony Winner Beth Leavel pays a visit to Behind the Awards to chat all things Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends. Beth talks about working with Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga and what to expect at the Samuel J Friedman theater. Beth also talk about working on The Prom. Drowsy Chaperone and Gypsy. She also gives an answer to the burning question do you go the Yankee game or see Angela Lansbury in Mame when you visit NYC at age 11. Also in this episode Angela Lansbury Tony win for Blithe Spirit and a r...
Apr 16, 2025•53 min•Ep. 77
Teenage Producer/Director Charles Kirsch & Tony Nominee Brad Oscar stop by to talk about their upcoming concert version of the musical Coco. We also discuss Brad’s current run as the Wizard in Wicked and Apple TV Hit turned musical Schmigadoon. Also in this episode - Nora Ephron presents Meryl Streep with a Lifetime Achievement Award and a review of John Proctor is the Villain 54 SINGS COCO BY ALAN JAY LERNER AND ANDRÉ PREVIN APRIL 14, 2025 This performance will also be livestreamed. For tic...
Apr 11, 2025•47 min•Ep. 76
Writer Rick Elice joins Behind the Awards days after Smash’s first preview. Years in the making thanks to the Pandemic co-writer Bob Martin and the rest of the creative team, Marc Shaiman, Scott Whitman and Susan Stroman tackle the hit TV Show with Robyn Hurder and Brooks Ashmanskas leading this musical comedy. Rick also takes us on a trip down memory lane sharing how he go into Broadway via Advertising for such shows as Cats and A Chorus Line. We were so lucky that Rick shared this story of mee...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 75
Stage and Screen Star Norm Lewis drops by to give us an early look into his upcoming show Ceremonies In Dark Old Men at St Clements Theater. Norm also recounts his time with A Soldiers Play, Les Miserables and working with Billy Porter on Pose. Link for tickets -https://www.thepeccadillo.com/ Also in this episode - Joe Morton Emmy Win. Review of The Last 5 Years. Emmy, Tony, and SAG Award nominee, NORM LEWIS (Russell Parker) was recently seen onstage starring in the national tour of the Tony Awa...
Apr 04, 2025•36 min•Ep. 74
Boom Box Icon Ione Skye stops by Behind the Awards to discuss her new book Say Everything and the movie that made famous Say Anything. Ione is brutally honest as she discusses her life, career, famous father and romances with Jon Cusack, Keanu Reeves, Anthony Kiedis. Also in this episode - Tina Fey Emmy Win. Review of Lea & Drew Lachey’s Label-less. Ione Skye made her film debut opposite Keanu Reeves in River’s Edge, followed by her iconic role as Diane Court in Say Anything. Skye has appear...
Apr 02, 2025•55 min•Ep. 73
Carra Patterson dropped in to talk about Elsbeth and what it’s like to be on a network series in 2025. Carra also revels what it was like originating a role in the August Wilson Play Jitney and being directed by George C Wolfe. Listen as Carra talks about working with co-stars Carrie Preston & Wendell Pierce, plus her take on Self-Tape Auditions. Also in this episode - Martin Sheen 2001 Golden Globe win for West Wing and Operation Mincemeat Review. Carra Patterson was born and raised in St. ...
Mar 28, 2025•56 min•Ep. 72
Behind the Awards welcomes Constatine Maroulis to give us the back story about his new immersive show Avalona. We do a deep dive on American Idol, Rock of Ages, Jekyll & Hyde and Jesus Christ Super Star. Also in this episode - Debbie Allen’s Emmy Award Win, Buena Vista Social Club Review. CONSTANTINE MAROULIS (he/him) was born in Brooklyn and raised in Jersey. Best known for his Tony Nominated star turn in Rock of Ages on Broadway and as a finalist during the heyday of American Idol with sup...
Mar 26, 2025•47 min•Ep. 71
Broadway’s premier animal trainer Bill Berloni joins Behind the Awards to chat about his current dogs starring in Gypsy & Left on Tenth. Bill also talks in depth about how he started his career with the original production of Annie. Bill gives us the inside Scoop about working with Naomi Watts for the upcoming Feature Film The Friend. Also in this episode - Diahann Carroll’s 1972 Tony Award for Lead Actress in a Musical for No Strings. A review of Vape! A Musical Parody Bill Berloni of Willi...
Mar 19, 2025•56 min•Ep. 70
Pulitzer Prize Finalist Rajiv Joseph explores his new play Dakar 2000 at Manhattan Theater Club running through March 23rd. Rajiv gives us the backstory on working with Robin Williams to bring Bengal Tiger at the Bagdahd Zoo to Broadway. Rajiv talks about collaborating with esteemed Directors Moisés Kaufman on Bengal Tiger and Kenny Leon on critically acclaimed King James about Rajiv’s hometown of Cleveland and the LeBron James lead Cavaliers. Also in this episode - Tyne Daly Tony win for Gypsy....
Mar 12, 2025•40 min•Ep. 69
Behind the Awards welcomes Kevin Csolak to chat about his scene stealing role as Tulsa in Gypsy. Kevin also shares his experience working with Stephen Spielberg in latest West Side Story film. Listen to hear how the Outsiders manifested Gypsy, and how he leaped into the first day of Mean Girls Rehearsal hours after performing with Justin Timberlake in the Super Bowl. Also in this episode - Cate Blanchett Best Actress win for Blue Jasmine. Our best moments from the 2025 Oscars including Mikey Mad...
Mar 05, 2025•54 min•Ep. 68
Behind the Awards is joined by Jiffy Pop Culture’s Frank Liotti and our in house expert Matt Stashin to dish all things Oscar’s. The hottest races include Conclave vs Anora, Demi Moore vs Cynthia Erivo, Timothée Chalamet vs Adrian Brody and much more! Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. V...
Feb 28, 2025•53 min•Ep. 67
Marjan Neshat joins Behind the Awards to deep dive into the Pulitzer Prize winning Play at the Roundabout Theater. Marjan shares her pride and excitement of being part of a cast and creative team all making their Broadway Debut at the same time. You can also catch Marjan Guest Starring on The Night Agent now streaming on Netflix. Also in the this episode - Olivia Coleman’s 2019 Oscar win for The Favourite. SAG Awards Winners including, Conclave, Demi Moore, Timothee Chalamet, Only Murders In the...
Feb 26, 2025•45 min•Ep. 66
Original Rent cast member Rodney Hicks joins Behind the Awards to recount the creation of the cult phenomenon Rent and his friendship with Jonathon Larson. Fun Fact the OBC still has an active group text. Rodney discusses for the first time ever 1968: An American Love Story, a project that he has been writing for the past 5 years. Rodney shares how Susan Stroman made him a dancer, his battle with Spasmodic Dysphonia and upcoming feature film. Also in this episode - Julianne Moore 2015 Best Actre...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 65
Behind the Awards was thrilled to participate in BroadwayCon 10 and have Producer Jack Noseworthy & Composer and Lyricist Benjamin Valez on their live panel to discuss the new musical Real Women Have Curves. Jack Noseworthy is the co-founder of Truworthy Productions along with Tony and Olivier Award-winning Director/Choreographer Sergio Trujillo. His producing career has been bolstered by 33 years as a stage and screen actor. Jack was honored to make his Broadway debut in Jerome Robbins’ Bro...
Feb 17, 2025•56 min•Ep. 64
Theater has the power to challenge, connect, and inspire—and that’s exactly what Maiden Mother Crone: A Duet of Solo Plays delivers. This groundbreaking production, featuring Sugarcoated by Jen Ponton and The Longer My Mother is Dead, the More I Like Her by Deborah Unger, invites audiences to explore universal themes of identity, resilience, and transformation through two uniquely personal perspectives. In Sugarcoated, acclaimed actor and writer Jen Ponton (AMC’s Dietland) delivers a searing, hu...
Feb 14, 2025•47 min•Ep. 63
CFDA Award Winning Designer Francisco Costa joins Behind the Awards to review Sunset Blvd. Francisco also shares the launch of his new beauty line Coast Brazil. Also in this episode Meryl Streeps 2004 Emmy Win for Angels in America, a busy Behind the Awards weekend of BroadwayCon 10 Panel discussing Real Women Have Curves and Nancy McKeon in the Off Broadway Play Pen Pals. Francisco Costa, the 13-year-long former creative director of womenswear for Calvin Klein. After his departure from the bran...
Feb 12, 2025•53 min•Ep. 62
Alison Arngrim joins Behind the Awards to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Little House on the Prairie. Alison shares how she was cast as Nellie Oleson. What it was like to work with Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert. Did you know Alison played Eve Plumbs daughter on Fantasy Island? Alison also talks about guest starring on The Love Boat, what it’s like being a child start and her one woman show - Confessions of a Prairie Bitch. Also on this show - Joan Rivers 1990 Emmy Win for Best Talk Show ...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 61
Tony Winner J. Harrison Ghee joined Behind the Awards to reminisce on their Some Like it Hot Tony nomination and win and how the subject of identity has evolved since then. J also takes us on a journey to create Lady Chablis for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Plus going from Swing to Dance Captain to Lola in Kinky Boots. Also in this episode - A review of Wonderful World. J. Harrison Ghee -Tony and Grammy Award winner, made history as the first non-binary actor to win in a leading indi...
Feb 05, 2025•48 min•Ep. 60
McKinley Belcher III pays Behind the Awards a visit before taking his final bow in A Guide for the Homesick. He also discuses his Netflix series Eric co-starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Death of a Salesman and how he detoured into a career of acting. Also in this episode - Jean Smart’s 2025 Golden Globe win for Hacks. A review of Pulitzer Prize winning Play English by Sanaz Toossi at The Roundabout Theater. Broadway: Happy Loman in Death of a Salesman and Private Louis Henson in A Soldier’s Play a...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 59
Behind the Awards looks at what could be nominated for the 2025 Tony Awards. Big in the conversation are Gypsy, Sunset Blvd, Death Becomes Her, Oh Mary!, Our Town, Good Night and Good Luck, Glengarry Glen Ross, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...
Jan 24, 2025•58 min•Ep. 58
Anna K Jacobs, Alyse Alan Louis and Jared Loftin visit with Behind the Awards to do a Teeth Deep Dive. They share everything from the original concept album to the expanded slash zone. Also in the episode - Steven Spielberg’s 1999 Oscar win for Best Director for Saving Private Ryan. Plus the 2nd Tony Committee Eligibility Rulings. Show included in the meeting were: Sunset Blvd.; A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical; Maybe Happy Ending; Tammy Faye; Elf; Swept Away; Death Becomes Her; Cu...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 57
Writer/Producer Matt Williams & Writer Trey Ellis join Behind the Awards to give a first look at their new Musical Delta Blue. Matt and Trey talk about developing the show and their collaboration with Masi Asare, Jimmy Vivino, and Tamara Tunie. Delta Blue invites listeners for a very special night of songs on Tuesday January 21st at The Green Room 42 performed by notable Broadway stars including Producer Tamara Tunie. Get tickets at deltabluemusical.com Delta Blue, a sweeping new American mu...
Jan 17, 2025•27 min•Ep. 56
Playwright Ken Urban visits to discuss his play A Guide for the Homesick starring McKinley Belcher III & Uly Schlesinger. Ken gives us the lowdown on the process of getting a play produced in NY as well his role throughout the production. Ken shares the importance of collaborators when putting up a play and this play was lucky enough to have Coleman Domingo in 2017 in Boston which lead to the collaboration with the current director Shira Milikowsky at the DR2. Also in this episode: Demi Moor...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 55
The entire cast of Left on Tenth; Julianna Margulies, Peter Gallagher, Kate MacCluggage, and Peter Francis James join us for a deep dive into the show. How a chance in counter on the corner of 10th Street between Delia Ephron and Juliana lead to her playing the author. Based on Delia Ephron’s bestselling memoir, this warm and witty new play is directed by five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman. When she least expects it, Delia, beloved novelist and screenwriter of “You’ve Got Mail,” reconnect...
Jan 08, 2025•58 min•Ep. 54
Richard Kind stops by to discuss the Ensemble Piece All In co-starring John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, and Renee Elise Goldsberry. Fans know Richard from TVs Mad About You, Only Murders in The Building, Spin City and Curb your Enthusiasm. Also in this episode - Sharon Stone’s Best Actress Golden Globe for Casino. Review of Swept Away. Richard Kind, a Drama Desk Award winner and Tony nominee for the Broadway hit The Big Knife, is an accomplished stage, screen and television actor who continues to red...
Jan 02, 2025•50 min•Ep. 53
Eila & Bruce go through their top moments of 2024 including: The Outsiders, Wicked, Taylor Swift, Sunset Blvd and more! Plus don’t miss what they are excited about for 2025! Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 26, 2024•29 min•Ep. 52
Grey Henson visited to discuss his starring role as Buddy in Elf the Musical on Broadway. Grey talks about working with his co-start Sean Astin who is making his Broadway Debut. Grey also recalls where he was when he received his Tony Nomination for Mean Girls. We learn how his career started in Book of Mormon and how he almost didn’t do Shucked on Broadway. Also in this episode - Hugh Laurie Gold Globe win for House. Review of A Guide the Homesick and TV Sitcom Actors…how old are they? Grey Hen...
Dec 18, 2024•47 min•Ep. 51
Award winning actor TR Knight stopped by on the heels of the casting announcement of Stranger Things on Broadway. TR also discusses The Merchant of Venice, Grey’s Anatomy and his passion of all things Jim Henson and getting to work with the Muppets on Sesame Street. Also on this episode - Julie Bowen Emmy Win for Modern Family, a review of Gypsy starring Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein, Joy Woods, and Jordan Tyson. T.R. Knight’s Broadway credits include A Life in the Theatre, It’s Only A Play, No...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 50
Gracie McGraw joined Behind the Awards to discuss making her Off-Broadway debut in Babe. She talks about working with costars Marisa Tomei and Arliss Howard. Gracie discusses her unique point of view for the play as someone who grew up in the music industry (her parents are Faith Hill and Tim McGraw), and how that informed her performance. Also in this episode…Norbert Leo Butz’s Tony win for Catch Me If You Can and The New Group and their 30th anniversary season Gracie McGraw, a New York based p...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 49
Emmy Winner Lea DeLaria gives us the scoop on her residency at 54 Below. In this Monthly cabaret style show Lea brings her love of Broadway, Comedy and Current events to her audience in a way only the star of POTUS, Orange is the New Black and On the Town can. Lea also discusses her upcoming movie Tow co-staring Rose Byrne and Ariana DeBose. Plus you can find her current film Holy Irresistible on Amazon Prime now. Also in this episode Review of Death Becomes Her staring Megan Hilty and Jennifer ...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 48
