From growing up in a modest neighborhood known as "Cardboard Village" in Oak Park, Michigan, to becoming one of the most influential producers in Broadway history, Jeffrey Seller's story is one of resilience, creativity, and a deep love of musical theater. In this candid and insightful conversation, Jeffrey reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his journey—from the early days of Rent to launching Hamilton, and how he’s always championed new voices that challenge the status quo. He opens up...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 399
Dive into a magical behind-the-scenes journey with the cast and creative team of The Little Mermaid, now running at Paper Mill Playhouse through June 29th! This special bonus episode takes you inside the rehearsal room and onstage with the artists who are reimagining the classic Disney tale with heart, humor, and fresh perspective. From the emotional depth of the parent-child relationship to the physical challenges of portraying life under the sea, this production brings new layers to a story we...
Jun 20, 2025•50 min
What starts as a conversation about acting quickly turns into a heartwarming reunion between two North Carolina natives who had no idea they practically grew up next door. Molly Griggs opens up about her Southern roots, early theater experiences at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and how growing up in Fayetteville shaped her worldview both on and off stage. From MerleFest memories to reflections on leaving—and later embracing—her hometown identity, this episode is full of unexpected nostalgia. M...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 398
Rob Madge grew up staging living room musicals with wigs, smoke machines, and the unwavering support of their parents and grandmother—but what started as childhood play eventually became the viral, heartfelt, and Olivier-nominated solo show My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?). In this episode, Rob shares how those home videos evolved into a theatrical sensation, and how a show born during lockdown has become a powerful celebration of queer joy, family, and radical acceptance—now heading to N...
Jun 10, 2025•55 min•Ep. 397
Anthony Veneziale and Aneesa Folds return to the podcast with the same brilliance and warmth that made their first appearances unforgettable—this time teaming up to talk about their new boundary-breaking musical, Co-Founders, premiering at ACT in San Francisco. With its Bay Area hip hop roots, tech satire, and cutting-edge stage visuals powered by Unreal Engine, the show challenges both theatrical norms and late-stage capitalism, all while telling a deeply personal story about representation, eq...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 396
Just in time for Broadway’s biggest night, the 2025 Tony Awards, Survival Jobs hosts Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo drop a special bonus episode today featuring The Theatre Podcast host and Broadway insider Alan Seales. This fun, laid-back conversation is packed with 2025 Tony Award predictions, hot takes, and heartfelt reflections on this year’s standout nominees. Whether you’re a seasoned theatergoer or just catching Tony fever, this bonus episode is the perfect companion to the exc...
Jun 06, 2025•27 min
Julia Knitel grew up immersed in theater, with parents who ran a community company out of a church basement. From an early age, she was surrounded by costumes, sets, and the collaborative chaos that comes with putting on a show — and she was hooked. After booking her Broadway debut as a teen in Bye Bye Birdie, Julia continued to carve her own path through the industry, landing the lead in Beautiful, touring with Come From Away, and now earning her first Tony nomination for Dead Outlaw. In this c...
Jun 03, 2025•48 min•Ep. 395
Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez might come from very different musical worlds — Latin pop and musical theatre — but their collaboration on Real Women Have Curves proves just how powerful a cross-genre partnership can be. Meeting for the first time over Zoom in the middle of the pandemic, these two composers built trust, respect, and a Tony-nominated Broadway score entirely online before ever meeting in person. In this episode, they share how they developed unique musical identities for each charac...
May 31, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 394
After first joining the podcast back in episode 96, Taylor Trensch returns with a Tony nomination under his belt and a powerful performance in Floyd Collins that's leaving audiences breathless. We dive into the fascinating real-life story behind the show, his emotionally raw portrayal of journalist Skeets Miller, and how a tragic event from 100 years ago still mirrors today’s media culture. Taylor shares what it’s like to be the emotional center of a musical, how his understanding of connection ...
May 27, 2025•38 min•Ep. 393
Kevin Csolak shares his journey from growing up in his mom’s New Jersey dance studio to starring as Tulsa in the Broadway revival of Gypsy. He opens up about performing alongside Audra McDonald and Danny Burstein, the artistic influence of the live orchestra, and how the cast is breathing new life into a classic. Kevin also reflects on what it means to approach each show with intention and curiosity—even months into the run. He takes us behind the scenes of his whirlwind audition for Steven Spie...
May 21, 2025•56 min•Ep. 392
Erika Henningsen opens up about the real ups and downs of a life in the spotlight, from early rejection to career-defining roles. Known for originating Cady Heron in Mean Girls on Broadway, Erika dives into the emotional rollercoaster of auditioning, the shift from seeking audience approval to prioritizing collaboration, and why working with people she admires—like Jonathan Groff and Alex Timbers in Just In Time—makes all the difference. She also shares what it’s like to voice animated character...
May 13, 2025•54 min•Ep. 391
Julia Lester brings heart, humor, and honesty to this deep-dive into her journey from a theatre-loving kid in LA to a Tony-nominated Broadway star. She talks about growing up surrounded by performers, how Into the Woods became a defining chapter in her career, and the surreal moment when Stephen Sondheim personally approved her audition tape. Julia also shares the backstage magic of working with legends like Phillipa Soo and Gavin Creel, and how those experiences shaped her as both an artist and...
May 09, 2025•52 min•Ep. 390
From recreating music videos on VHS as a kid to being cast by Clint Eastwood with no callback, Erich Bergen’s path in entertainment has always been uniquely his own. In this episode, he shares the early influences that sparked his creativity—like turning Brio trains into the New York subway system—and how his love of producing was hiding in plain sight even as he pursued a performance career. Erich also opens up about getting fired from Jersey Boys only to land Gossip Girl a week later, and the ...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 389
From church choir in Eatonville, Florida, to becoming the first Black Phantom on Broadway, Norm Lewis opens up about his unique path to the stage. He shares how early dreams of a tennis career turned into a life in music and theatre, and the surprising way a cruise ship job launched it all. In this candid conversation, Norm reflects on near-misses, bold moves, and the audition advice that changed his life. We also discuss his current role in Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, a rarely produced Off-Broa...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 388
From opera student to comedy icon to Broadway belter, Ana Gasteyer’s career has been anything but ordinary. In this candid conversation, Ana opens up about her winding path through improv comedy, the creative chaos of Saturday Night Live, and why live performance continues to mean so much in a media-saturated world. She shares the real backstage realities of SNL’s 50th anniversary, the challenges of being taken seriously as a vocalist after finding fame through sketch comedy, and how she’s now c...
Apr 29, 2025•51 min•Ep. 387
Exclusive, behind-the-scenes interviews with cast and creatives from LCT's Floyd Collins musical. Recorded on March 11, 2025 in a rehearsal space at Lincoln Center Theatre. Interview order as follows: Ted Sperling Lizzy McAlpine Jeremy Jordan Sean Allen Krill Taylor Trensch Tina Landau Adam Guettel Jessica Molaskey Marc Kudisch Jason Gotay Get your tix to Floyd Collins here: https://www.lct.org/shows/floyd-collins/ Read more about the true story: Buy the book Trapped here. Connect with The Theat...
Apr 26, 2025•42 min
Whether he’s helping shape a brand-new show or breathing life into real people onstage, Caesar Samayoa brings authenticity and heart to every role. In this conversation, Caesar shares what it's like building Just in Time from the ground up—balancing daily rehearsals with nightly performances, and trusting in the collaborative energy of a veteran cast. He opens up about the emotional weight of portraying real people, the lessons learned from immersive productions, and the beauty of audience conne...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 386
It’s safe to say you’ve never heard an episode quite like this one. Cassie Silva joins me for a conversation filled with raw honesty, surprising twists, and a lot of laughter. We dive into everything from her unexpected life-changing trip to London, where & Juliet reignited her passion for performing, to the deeply complicated and emotional aftermath of her time on MTV’s Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods. Cassie shares behind-the-scenes stories that will absolutely change how you thi...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 381
What do you get when you mix Broadway royalty with sci-fi cloning, environmental theater, and a dash of boogie-woogie piano? A wildly entertaining conversation with the legendary Terrence Mann. From his earliest days growing up in a musical household to helping launch the North Carolina Theatre, Terry’s journey is packed with passion, persistence, and a whole lot of timing. He shares the story behind how he actually got cast in Cats (it involves London and a royal connection), and how he practic...
Apr 01, 2025•54 min•Ep. 384
The cast and creative team behind Real Women Have Curves: The Musical gathered for an exclusive press day, and we were there to soak in the joy, passion, and powerful stories that define this new Broadway production. From bold choreography to songs that stick in your head long after the final note, this episode captures the spirit of a show that centers Latin culture, immigrant narratives, and shared humanity in a way that’s as timely as it is timeless. Whether you’re drawn to the musical’s univ...
Mar 28, 2025•25 min
Joanna Gleason’s career has been nothing short of legendary. Best known for her Tony Award-winning performance as the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, she’s graced Broadway in I Love My Wife, The Real Thing, Social Security, Nick & Nora, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Sons of the Prophet. Beyond the stage, her work spans film and television, with memorable roles in Boogie Nights, The Wedding Planner, Friends, The West Wing, and The Good Wife. But Joanna’s artistry doesn’t stop at performing—she...
Mar 25, 2025•49 min•Ep. 383
Matt Doyle has built an impressive career on stage, from originating roles on Broadway to stepping into legendary ones. He reflects on his journey, from his early breakout in Spring Awakening to his Tony-winning turn as Jamie in Company. Along the way, he shares lessons learned from unexpected career pivots, the realities of show business, and how he navigates the highs and lows of performing eight shows a week. His recent role as Frank Sinatra in Sinatra: The Musical marked a thrilling West End...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 382
AnnMarie Milazzo is a musical storyteller with an incredible gift for shaping sound and emotion. Her concept album The Shape of Things, inspired by Joy the Musical, has completely captured my imagination, and in this conversation, we break down how it all came together. She opens up about her creative process, the organic way she approaches vocal arranging and songwriting, and why concept albums are having a resurgence in musical theatre. We also get into the balancing act of artistic integrity,...
Mar 11, 2025•56 min•Ep. 381
From viral high notes to Broadway debuts, Kelsie Watts is making waves in the theatre world! You might remember her powerhouse vocals from The Voice, where she wowed audiences (and Kelly Clarkson) with her soaring range, but now she’s taking center stage in a whole new way—as Jane Seymour in Six on Broadway. In this episode, Kelsie shares how she built a career as an independent artist, the unexpected moment that led her to Six, and the challenges of stepping into musical theatre after years awa...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 380
Prepare to question what’s real and what’s just your imagination with renowned mentalist and illusionist Vinny DePonto. Known for his groundbreaking Broadway show Mindplay, Vinny doesn’t just perform tricks—he crafts immersive experiences that blend psychology, memory, and storytelling, making every audience member part of the magic. In this episode, Vinny opens up about the journey from a childhood fascination with a shoebox of vintage magic tricks to becoming a master of mind-bending performan...
Feb 25, 2025•55 min•Ep. 379
Tala Ashe has captivated audiences on screen as a time-traveling hacker in Legends of Tomorrow and on stage in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play English. Now making her Broadway debut, she brings a deeply personal perspective to her role, exploring themes of language, identity, and cultural assimilation. In this conversation, Tala opens up about her own experiences growing up in Ohio after emigrating from Iran, the complexities of representation in Hollywood, and the emotional weight of performing...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 378
From making her Broadway debut as a teenager in Spring Awakening to stepping into the iconic role of Glinda in Wicked, Alexandra Socha has experienced the highs, lows, and unexpected twists of a life in theater. In this candid and insightful conversation, she opens up about her journey, including the surreal experience of joining Spring Awakening right after the Tony wins, the hard lessons of navigating a career beyond that first big break, and what it’s like to take the stage in Wicked at a tim...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 377
Marjan Neshat is having a moment, making her Broadway debut in English the same night The Night Agent Season 2 premiered on Netflix. In this episode, she opens up about navigating cultural identity, language barriers, and the deep emotional connection she brings to her work. Marjan shares the journey of her family leaving Iran, growing up between worlds, and how storytelling became her way of making sense of it all. She discusses the impact of English, a Pulitzer Prize-winning play about bilingu...
Feb 05, 2025•56 min•Ep. 376
Bill Berloni has dedicated nearly five decades to bringing animals to life on stage and screen, all while championing rescue work and humane training practices. From his semi-accidental start training Sandy for the original production of Annie to working with a menagerie of animals for Broadway, film, and TV, Bill’s journey is as heartwarming as it is inspiring. In this episode, Bill shares stories of training everything from dogs and cats to butterflies and snakes, and how he has created unforg...
Jan 28, 2025•58 min•Ep. 375
Originally aired as episode 198 on March 22, 2022. Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of eating disorders. At the age of 25, Eva Noblezada is a two time Tony Award nominee, a Grammy Award winner, and a WhatsOnStage Award winning actress and singer. She starred as Kim in Cameron Mackintosh’s London revival of Miss Saigon when she was 17 years old, and shortly after played Eponine in the West End revival of Les Misérables. Eva later reprised her performance as Kim in the first Broad...
Jan 21, 2025•57 min•Ep. 374
