Break A Bat! where Baseball Meets Broadway cover logo

#45 - Now Batting: Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer

56m · Break A Bat! where Baseball Meets Broadway · 12 Oct 11:35

From August 2020. Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer steps into The Batter’s Box for Episode 45! Kritzer's Broadway career began in 2004 when she made her debut in the Tony-winning Hairspray, and has since gone onto appear in Legally Blonde, Elf, Something Rotten!, and of course her most recent credit as Delia Deetz in the Tony-nominated Beetlejuice. For the folks at home that have followed Break a Bat! since our earliest days in the spring of 2019, you probably know that so much of the inspiration behind creating this podcast came from an upcoming birthday trip to see Beetlejuice on Broadway. That trip just happened to fall on the night of the famous ‘Broadway Blackout’ on July 13, 2019, when 26 of 30 shows went dark due to a midtown power outage on a hot summer night. However, Beetlejuice still had the juice at the Winter Garden Theatre, and host Al Malafronte and his original co-host Scotty Katzmann would go onto enjoy what ended up being one of their favorite Broadway performances of all-time. This fond memory is largely attested to Kritzer, and her brilliant comedic performance in the show. Kritzer joined both Malafronte and Katzmann to re-hash not only that historic night on Broadway, but also the incredible success she's endured as a lead in one of Broadway’s most beloved shows, and some of the epic behind the scenes stories that came along with it. Kritzer also just happens to be a tremendous baseball fan, and her love and knowledge of sports talk radio translated so well into the conversation she had with the boys about her love of the game, favorite ballpark memories, and the parallels she sees between both sports and theatre. She even tackles the subject of what would best serve the performers involved in this uncertain baseball season, and the re-opening of Broadway in 2021 --- which may just include Beetlejuice! Connect with Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer on Instagram: @lesliekritzer and Twitter: @lesliekritzer Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte and Scotty Katzmann Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The episode #45 - Now Batting: Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer from the podcast Break A Bat! where Baseball Meets Broadway has a duration of 56:58. It was first published 12 Oct 11:35. The cover art and the content belong to their respective owners.

More episodes from Break A Bat! where Baseball Meets Broadway

#6 - Now Batting: Al Jardine

From October 2019. Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Al Jardine steps into the Batter's Box for Episode 6! A founding member of The Beach Boys, Jardine is also a lifelong fan of America’s Pastime. Fresh off a triumphant performance at the Beacon Theatre alongside Brian Wilson, Jardine chats with host Al Malafronte for an intimate conversation about his fond memories of California baseball’s early days. Jardine presents pointed ideas about what would make a successful Broadway musical featuring the band’s iconic song catalog and even breaks some news on that front. He also discusses the creative peaks, as well as the turmoil surrounding very specific periods of The Beach Boys’ history. This was a special interview for your host, Al Malafronte, who grew up with the band’s music as part of his life soundtrack. Connect with Al Jardine on Instagram: @aljardine409 and online at: www.aljardine.com Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#50 - Now Batting: Orfeh

From September 2020. Orfeh steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 50! From pop stardom to Tony and Drama Desk nominations, Orfeh's accomplishments in show business now span more than three decades. She got her start in the performing world as one half of the pop group Or-N-More in the early ’90s, before making her Broadway debut in Footloose in 1999. She’s since gone onto establish herself as a household name in the Broadway community through her powerful voice and memorable performances in Saturday Night Fever, Legally Blonde, and most recently, Pretty Woman. This raw and candid chat covers everything from the highs and lows of baseball and show business, her success in the recording studio and on Broadway, the Double Play combo she's formed on stage with her husband Andy Karl, and even the subject of Jeter & A-Rod! Connect with Orfeh on Instagram: @orfeh and Twitter: @official_orfeh Subscribe to Orfeh and Andy Karl's YouTube Channel here. Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#37 - Now Batting: Johnny Damon

With spring training right around the corner, here's an archive release from June 2020! Johnny Damon steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 37! Damon's big league career spanned 18 seasons, in which he cemented a legacy as one of the top outfielders of his generation, and one of the greatest leadoff hitters of all-time. More than 15,000 players have dawned a Major League Baseball uniform throughout history, and Damon ranks 32nd all-time in Runs Scored (1,668), 49th in Doubles (522), 55th in Hits (2,769), and 68th in Stolen Bases (408) - feats which remain gold standards for any performer. However, as Damon touches on in this episode, his ultimate measure of success was winning championships, and he holds the distinction of being one of only four players to win World Series Championships as both a member of the Boston Red Sox (2004) and New York Yankees (2009). There was no bigger contributor to either team, and our conversation covered so many of the stories behind his success. Damon's career mirrors those of many Broadway greats, whether it be proving himself as a performer under the brightest of Broadway lights, handling career crossroads, and thriving in different types of roles on a team or cast. We even played some Baseball meets Broadway trivia in this week's 7th Inning Stretch! Off the field, Damon continues to do some tremendous work with his own foundation. The Johnny Damon Foundation aims to raise and donate funds to charitable organizations and assists local and national programs that provide leadership and growth opportunities for disadvantaged children at risk. You can find more information about the foundation on its Website. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images Connect with Johnny Damon on Instagram: @johnnydamon and Twitter: @JohnnyDamon Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#102 - Now Batting: Victoria Konefal

From September 2021. LOOKOUT! New York's own Victoria Konefal steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 102! Konefal is best known for bringing Ciara Brady to life in NBC's Days of Our Lives and has enjoyed rousing success ever since the launch of the show's miniseries Beyond Salem which is now available on Peacock. This summer, she earned her first Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series for her work on "DOOL," and has some epic stories to go along with her impressive back of the baseball card. Konefal embodies what it means to be a New Yorker with her undying spirit, realness, and personality that was such a pleasure to have on the show. This week she takes us through her eventful summer and start to the fall, the roots of her passion for both performing and the New York Yankees growing up in Brooklyn, and even her longstanding Friends fandom that would make Dr. Drake Ramoray proud. Fastball Derby was also in full swing, as Konefal brought the perfect blend of laughs and insight to this free-flowing chat that's a true grand slam. Connect with Victoria Konefal on Instagram: @victoriakonefal Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#96 - Now Batting: Fran Brill

From August 2021. You know it’s a great day in The Batter’s Box when you're talking about The Muppets, the New York Yankees, and Broadway all within the same hour. However, one might venture that’s par for the course when the legendary Fran Brill steps up to the plate! Brill’s career as an actress on stage and screen spanned more than 40 years. As one of the original Muppet performers, her body of work is marked by a phenomenal ability to create characters, brilliant comedic wit, and ultimately, as a pioneer. She was the very first female performer hired by Jim Henson and she helped pave the way for women puppeteers everywhere. Her many credits with The Muppets include The Muppet Show, The Jim Henson Hour, and of course, Sesame Street, where she brought Prairie Dawn and Zoe to life and into the hearts of children all across the globe. This week, Brill dives deep with host Al Malafronte to look back on the legacy she’s authored and how it still remains as prominent as ever. It's with good reason that her work has endured through the years, as the way she brought such a huge part of herself to Prairie Dawn ranks up there with any example of character development in Muppet history. There are also many never-been-told stories in this conversation, spanning anything from her first Muppet project (The Great Santa Claus Switch) to nearly losing Zoe on a train to the pre-game ritual she shared with Steve Whitmire before each Sesame Street shooting day. Brill also candidly discusses her decision to retire in 2014, which parallels Mickey Mantle’s choice to step away from baseball amid a changing game and guard of teammates. A big sports fan in her own right, she also offers her takes on Alex Rodriguez’s behavior off the field, and discusses some of her favorite moments at the ballpark. Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every Podcast » Break A Bat! where Baseball Meets Broadway » #45 - Now Batting: Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer