Broadway Bullet: Theatre from Broadway, Off-Broadway and beyond.

Are you into all things musical theatre and cabaret? We've got a music issue for you, chock full of everything from Classics to Americana Romano DiNillo and Chris Ranney play in the "pit" for the Broadway Smash, "Come From Away", only in this show, the pit is right where all the action is. They talk about the musicians role in this unique show. Deborah Grace Winer has dedicated her career to "curating the American Songbook". After working for years as the head of Lyrics and Lyricists, she has struck out on her own to continue bringing recognition and rememberence to Musical Theatre's finest writers. Bill Solly may be the most prolific "undervalued gem" of a writer in Manhattan. A listener suggested I talk to this man, who pioneered writing gay-themed theatre before it was mainstream and popular. We talk about his ground-breaking shows like "The Great American Backstage Musical" and "Boy Meets Boy" and hopes of a major revival. Finally, Isaac Sutton is a tireless cabaret artist playing the likes of Las Vegas, New York and Israel. He talks about bringing his art craft all over the world, and the logistics of making it all happen. That's what we have set for Vol. 813, February 21st, 2018. All that, inside!

There are many blurred lines between Opera and Musical Theatre, and in this episode we have artists working on shows that demonstrate this. Rodney Ingram is making his Broadway Debut in a feature role as Raul in Phantom of the Opera after understudying Aladdin last year. He discusses his exciting move, and how her got there. Christian DeGre is a composer whose work is often sung through and unabashedly Opera. With a successful run of his show, "Whiskey Pants" in the bag, he talks about promoting Opera to Musical Theatre fans. Seth Sklar-Hein is no stranger to Opera, as he heads up Cameron McIntosh North America, the company arguable responsible for rebranding Opera for the modern age. With a redesigned tour or Phantom of the Opera on the road, he discussed the new production and the show's remarkable legacy. Finally, Lisa Moira, recently wrapped up directing the four-character chamber Opera, Lady of the castle. She talks about the unique challenges of directing an opera and finding and working in alternative venues to advance the art form. This show isn't Puccini, so buckle up!

We've got a sampling for you this episode, a show on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Independent Theatre. First, Q. Smith and Geno Carr are giving their all eight times a week in Come From Away, and have been at it through the musical's development. They walk us through the excitement of this exhilarating show. Then, Jersey Boys is returning to New World Stages, and book writer Rick Elice stops by to let us know about that and walk us through his early history in NYC up to the fateful call to write one of the most popular musicals of this century. Finally, Frankenstein comes alive every Monday night in New York, and this time the mad creator is Eric Sirota, writing book, music and lyrics. He tells us about the show, and the unique challenges of doing a long run essentially in a festival format.

With two shows running on Broadway, Glenn Slater is excited that the sequel to Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies is finally hitting America on a national tour. The current go-to lyricist for two heavy-hitting composers stops by to tell us all about it. Aedin Moloney is in The Irish Rep's production of James Joyce's The Dead 1904. She stops by to talk about the show, her company Fallen Angel, and why Irish playwrights are so popular. This One's for the Girls, a reworking of Respect, is a hit running off-Broadway. Creater and bookwriter Dr. Dorothy Marcic talks about how this musical emerged from a sociology project about how women have been represented in popular music.

The Mad Ones, by our friends, Kerrigan and Lowdermilk is gaining heat with the Prospect production at 59E59 and actress Leah Hocking is here to discuss the show and reigniting her own career after a hiatus. Today is My Birthday is a play with an unusual and exciting dependence on sound design. Playwright Susan Soon He Stanton and sound designer Palmer Hefferan discuss developing the show together, from Sundance Lab to Off-Broadway. The classic songs of the Grateful Dead come to life on the stage in Red Roses, Green Gold. Natalie Storrs discusses the excitement of originating a role while being an actress and a musician.

Broadway titan and Cabaret performer Karen Mason stops by with her husband, songwriter extraordinaire, Paul Rolnick. Each have a new album and tons of wisdom to share. Ira Lee Collings, 81 year old MAC Hanson Award winner for 2017 is here to explain his "Gay Geezer Power", and Kelli Lynn Harrison & Kimberly Loren Eaton discuss their involvement with the League of ProfessionalWomen's Professional Theatre League as well as their own careers and "origin stories."

Ben Heller from Aurora Productions stops by to explain the detailed, often byzantine process of the Broadway Load-In. Why does it cost sop much? You'll find out! Also, Dutch actress Babette Godefroy discusses the process of getting and maintaining a performance visa in the United States, while Katie Kozlowski discusses her new venture, Loving to Be Me, where her goal is to help artists love themselves through a process that involves constant rejection. In addition, we'll hear music from Karen Mason and Paul Rolnick.

Max Vernon loves to mess with audience expectations, and he certainly succeeds with The View Upstairs. The cast album just came out and the show has opened in LA. He tells us all about it. J. Harrison Ghee has taken an unusual road to his Broadway debut, taking over as Lola in Kinky Boots. He talks about the art of drag and the long run. And Gabrielle Stravelli has released her new cabaret CD. She talks about her career and lets us hear a couple songs from her new release.

In this episode, James Barbour talks about the demands of his long stint as the 15th Phantom in Phantom of the Opera and the importance of actors to develop their business acumen. The Ensemble Studio Theatre discusses their long-running and extremely popular Marathon of One-Act Plays. The Lazour Brothers discuss the excitement and perils of musical theatre development while discussing their show-in-progress, "We Live in Cairo" and let us hear some songs from their demo recording.

The Lincoln Center hit another one out of the park this past season with Oslo, and Daniel Jenkins stops by to tell us all about it. Danielle Trzcinski is a part of the creative team that wants women all over the US to put on their little black dress and come see Little Black Dress. Ken Davenport updates us on his current projects, including the upcoming revival of Once on This Island and we hear two songs from composer Bobby Cronin.