Rockstar and 54 Below staple Storm Large sits down with us to talk about Cabaret, finding happiness, and Billie Eilish. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains adult content and explicit language. For tickets and more information about Storm's upcoming show, visit http://54below.org/StormLarge The 54 Below Podcast is hosted and produced by Sir Michael Allan Galvez and Macon Prickett with support from the 54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow us on Instagram: 5...
Mar 31, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 79
The former Jasmine of Disney's Aladdin US Tour, Senzel Ahmady, sits down with us to talk about her life as a dropout princess, her Filipino-Afghan roots, and making her 54 Below solo debut! Sir Michael Allan Galvez and Macon Prickett co-host. For tickets and more information about Senzel's upcoming show, visit https://54below.org/senzelahmady Watch Senzel sing "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles on https://youtu.be/0l-sHosUfCM?si=tPvuJx3HsJX0lodZ The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Sir Michael Allan Galve...
Nov 07, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 78
RuPaul's Drag Race star Nina West talks to us about her life in drag, growing up in Ohio, and all things Drag Race! Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. For more info about Nina's upcoming show, visit 54Below.org/NinaWest The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez with support from the 54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Macon Pricket on Instagram at @mrmaconprickett Learn more ab...
Sep 18, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Drama Desk Award nominee Christine Pedi talks about her career journey, "Forbidden Broadway" and "Chicago," and the life of comediennes as she knows it. Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. For more info about Christine's upcoming show, visit 54Below.org/WickedStage The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez with support from the 54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Macon Pricket o...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 76
Multi-hyphenate award-winning actress Nita Whitaker talks about her passion for music and healing, entering pageants to pay for nursing school, and working with icons like David Foster and Alan Thicke. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For tickets and more information about Nita's upcoming show at 54 Below, visit 54Below.org/NitaWhitaker Watch a sneak peek of Nita Whitaker in Sophisticated Lady: The Songs of Natalie Cole here: https://youtu.be/ivkw_tOhsvo The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by ...
Mar 13, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 75
One of the few actors ever to play both male lead roles in The Phantom of the Opera, Hugh Panaro tells the story of how he convinced Hal Prince to give him the titular role, his show mementos, and the release of his first album! Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. Watch Hugh perform "Music of the Night" from The Phantom of the Opera here: https://youtu.be/6BKh9HZ6WXk For more information about Hugh's upcoming show at 54 Below, visit 54below.org/HughPanaro The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Ne...
Mar 02, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 74
Award-winning multi-hypenate Robert Schneider talks about his career as a producer and educator, his love for bringing obscure musicals back on stage, as well as a serendipitous occasion at 54 Below which launched a big project. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more info about Robert's upcoming show, visit 54Below.org/artists/robert-schneider/ The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez with support from the 54 Below marketing ...
Feb 28, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 73
Scott Garnham and Simon Schofield of UK’s No. 1 West End musical theater supergroup, The Barricade Boys, talk about the group's origins and concerts around the globe, "Les Mis," and their favorite roles. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. Watch a preview of The Barricade Boys performing a number of their favorite songs at https://youtu.be/6V57pjM0E94 For more information about the upcoming The Barricade Boys performances at 54 Below, visit 54below.org/BarricadeBoys Original artwork design b...
Jan 06, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 72
New York’s riotous and raucous hairy Drag Queen Tammy Faymous (Alexander Kacala) talks about drag as an artform, "Die Hard" as a Christmas film, and complicated family relationships in between sips of spiced (spiked?) eggnog. Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. For more information about Tammy's upcoming show, go to 54Below.org/TammyFaymous Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Macon Pricket on Instagram at @mrmaconprickett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...
Dec 18, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Broadway leading lady Lisa Howard stops by the podcast with some hot cocoa to chat about Hallmark movies and #CountdownToChristmas, as well as her star turns on stage and in the film "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 2." Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more information on Lisa's upcoming show, go to 54Below.org/LisaHoward Watch a sneak peek of the upcoming "Lisa Howard's Holiday Special" at https://youtu.be/9k43yLWue10 The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prick...
Dec 13, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award® nominee Brandon Victor Dixon talks about his iconic roles in shows like "Hamilton" and "Jesus Christ Superstar LIVE", what's on his Spotify playlist, and his advocacy work with the WeAre Foundation. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more info about Brandon Victor Dixon's upcoming show at 54 Below, visit 54Below.org/BrandonVictorDixon The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the...
Nov 18, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 69
West End actress Ellie Nunn phones in from across the pond to talk about the essence of Stephen Sondheim's genius, the art of cabaret, and designer hand puppets (as well as a wonderful night out with Helena Bonham Carter). Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. See Ellie perform "Losing My Mind" by Stephen Sondheim here: https://youtu.be/otwoULzlBGw For more info on Ellie's upcoming show at 54 Below, visit 54Below.org/EllieNunn Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Ma...
Nov 16, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Here Lies Love star and incoming SIX Broadway queen Jasmine Forsberg talks about connecting with her Filipino roots on and off stage, creating community both on tour and in her Broadway debut, and her dreams for the future. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more info about Jasmine's upcoming show at 54 Below, visit 54Below.org/JasmineForsberg . The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing...
Nov 10, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Tony® winner Frances Ruffelle and leading West End star Norman Bowman talk about their first meeting in Les Mis, the origins of "Frankie and Beausy," and the secret ingredient to their enduring friendship. Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. For more information about Frances and Norman's upcoming show, visit 54Below.org/FrankieBeausy The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing...
Nov 03, 2023•47 min•Season 1Ep. 66
RENT star and "Queer Eye" alum Jai Rodriguez talks about how being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States shaped his career choices on stage and screen. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more information about Jai's upcoming show, visit 54below.org/JaiRodriguez . The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Romano. Follow Nella on Tw...
Oct 13, 2023•59 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Rising star Kylie McNeill talks about being the acclaimed voice behind the titular character of Mamoru Hosoda's BELLE , her songwriting inspirations, and dream roles. Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. To see Kylie sing "U" from BELLE , go to https://youtu.be/OLsCkEO1xJ4?si=6DHMAh8QjezJhopi For more info about Kylie's upcoming show, visit 54Below.org/KylieMcNeill The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with suppo...
Sep 15, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 64
"The Disney Princess who raps" (District Fray Magazine) Jade Jones talks about her musical inspirations from 70's music to Drake, and how she became Olney Theatre's "Disney's Beauty and the Beast." Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. For more info about Jade's upcoming show, visit 54Below.org/JadeJones The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design b...
Sep 07, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Tony®️ winner Santino Fontana traces the path his career has taken so far, recounts the oddity of shooting Disney's "Frozen," and tells us how his child's friends don't believe he's the real Prince Hans. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more information about Santino's upcoming show, visit 54Below.org/Santino Watch Santino Fontana sing "Let It Go" at https://youtu.be/3I-gN4n0GSM?si=35xGSUoTf33sMeSE The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michae...
Sep 06, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Backstage Babble's Charles Kirsch joins us to talk about the Golden Age of theatre and how a pandemic hobby became the smash hit podcast and cabaret show we know and love. Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. For more information about Charles's upcoming show, "Backstage Babble Celebrates Tony Awards History," visit 54Below.org//BackstageBabbleTonys The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 B...
Aug 27, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Producers of the upcoming "54 Sings Diana The Musical" chats with us about how they became DiFanas, what critics didn't understand, and their lives as young producers. Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. For more information about Katie and Izy's upcoming show, "54 Sings Diana The Musical," visit 54Below.org/54SingsDianaMusical The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff....
Aug 25, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 60
"American Horror Story" alum Jonathan Hoover talks about starring alongside Patti LuPone, Ryan Murphy sliding into his DMs (professionally), and what it means to be a "Second-Rate Somebody." Assistant Director of Programming Macon Prickett hosts. For more information about Jonathan's upcoming show, "Second-Rate Somebody," visit 54Below.org The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Prickett, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff. Origina...
Aug 11, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Bailey Ryon and Milly Shapiro, two of Broadway's original four Matildas talk about growing up, creating cast traditions, and their favorite Matilda memories ahead of this year's Matildapalooza at 54 Below where several young actors who have taken on the role will come together in celebration of Matilda's 10th anniversary! Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more information about the upcoming Matildapalooza 2023, visit 54Below.org The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Macon Pr...
Jul 21, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 58
"SIX" queen Taylor Iman Jones talks to us about "Devil Wears Prada" the musical, "Head Over Heels," and the two tap combinations she'll never forget. Assistant Director of Programming Kevin Ferguson hosts. Taylor Iman Jones is so excited to be making her New York solo debut at 54 Below! She’s even more excited that it’s on her birthday! And you’re invited! Come help her ring in her new year, while she reflects on her career, love, heartbreak, and life. Along with singing some of her favorite Bro...
Feb 23, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Award-winning musical theater composer Joriah Kwamé talks about his recent work in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile , his viral hit "Little Miss Perfect," and the music that brings him and others joy. Assistant Director of Programming Kevin Ferguson hosts. Since he was a child, Joriah has struggled with his voice. Is it too high? Does it say the right things? Is it too loud? Before writing the now-viral MT stand-alone, “Little Miss Perfect,” (which won the inaugural 2019 Write Out Loud Contest), Joriah had...
Feb 13, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Tony Award® nominee Walter Willison talks about Danny Kaye and Two by Two , his Pippin debut as the titular role, and the upcoming Pippin 50th Anniversary reunion. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. For more information about Walter's upcoming Pippin 50th reunion show at 54 Below, visit 54Below.com/Pippin The 54 Below Podcast is hosted by Nella Vera and Kevin Ferguson, and produced by Michael Allan Galvez, with support from the 54 Below marketing staff. Original artwork design by Philip Rom...
Feb 01, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Singer-songwriter and Broadway star Matt Saldivar talks about his music, The Petersons, and versatility as an artist. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. Matt Saldivar is a New York City-based performer who has originated numerous principal roles in Broadway productions, including The Wedding Singer, Grease (2007 revival), and Honeymoon in Vegas . He is a long time member of the band The Petersons, who performed all over New York over the course of almost 20 years, including multiple appeara...
Jan 24, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Jennifer Simard, one of Broadway's funniest ladies, stops by the podcast to talk about Company , comedy, and Disaster! Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. Jennifer Simard is a two-time Tony Award®, four-time Drama Desk Award, two-time Drama League Award, and Lucille Lortel Award nominee, who most recently played the role of Sarah in the Tony Award® winning Broadway revival of Company . She is also a co-host of the Broadway Podcast Network’s “The Fabulous Invalid.” Broadway credits include: M...
Jan 13, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 53
The sensational Tin Can Brothers give us an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview about their new musical, Spies Are Forever, and talk about their careers starting from becoming members of Team StarKid. Associate Director of Programming Kevin Ferguson hosts. The Tin Can Brothers (Corey Lubowich, Joey Richter, and Brian Rosenthal) are a trio of Los Angeles based entertainers. As writers, directors, producers, and actors, they have created over 200 YouTube videos, seven live stage shows, and raise...
Oct 19, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Two-time Tony Award® nominee Amanda Green talks about her recent work in Mr. Saturday Night, becoming the first woman president of The Dramatists Guild, and a sneak peek into what's coming up in 2023. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. Amanda received nominations for the 2022 Tony Award® and Drama Desk Award for her lyrics for Mr. Saturday Night , starring the legendary Billy Crystal. She received a Tony Award® nomination and two Drama Desk nominations for her music & lyrics for Hands O...
Oct 19, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Broadway's Princess Diana Jeanna de Waal talks about Diana The Musical , Broadway Weekends, and everything in between. Director of Marketing Nella Vera hosts. Jeanna was most recently nominated for a Drama Desk award for her portrayal of Diana, Princess of Wales in Diana The Musical on Broadway and Netflix. Jeanna starred as Lauren in Kinky Boots and as Heather in American Idiot on Broadway. Jeanna originated the role of Dawn in the A.R.T. production of Waitress by Sara Bareilles and the role of...
Oct 12, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 50
