The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

Intimate, personal conversations with the biggest talents from professional theatre, tv, film, and more. Hear their secrets, what makes them laugh, stresses them out, and how they manage the anxiety of success. We feature both stars and creatives such as producers, stage managers, directors, press and marketing agents, or even the people who own the theaters or productions themselves.​

This is a podcast for artists, made by artists. With over 2 decades of experience in film and theatre both as cast and creative, host Alan Seales speaks with Broadway, TV, film and beyond’s biggest talents to learn more about not only how the world of theatre and performing operate, but also what makes it so real and human. In-depth, personal, behind-the-scenes conversations will highlight special details of the industry that most people may not know exist, will always find out what makes the guests love their craft, what makes them tick, and what truly inspires them.

Part of the Broadway Podcast Network.

Arts
Performing Arts
Society & Culture
76
Ep261 - Tommy Kail and Sonya Tayeh: Cut From th...
Director Tommy Kail and choreographer Sonya Tayeh have teamed up for the first time in Hulu’s new rom-com musical, “Up Here”. Not wanting to stick to just one medium, Sonya talks about being an expansive artist and following wherever her passion takes her.
38 min
77
Ep260 - Steven Levenson: UP HERE With Our Favor...
Tony-award-winning playwright and screenwriter Steven Levenson is back to let us in on his current project with Hulu, “Up Here”. He recalls how it all started and why it was a terrifying moment for him at the time to turn it into a TV show, why they decided to find an additional executive producer for the show and their deliberate choice to set the show in 1999.
41 min
78
Ep259 - Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez: ...
Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Bobby Lopez are living proof that two is better than one. They have now co-created a romantic musical comedy called “UP HERE”, streaming exclusively on Hulu.
60 min
79
Ep258 - NaTasha Yvette Williams: We All Like It...
Natasha Yvette Williams is currently originating the role of Sweet Sue in the brand new production of “Some Like It Hot” on Broadway. She gets real as she opens up about why she doesn’t consider herself a singer, admitting that she’s still a little insecure about her singing, but despite dealing with imposter syndrome, Natasha remains positive by constantly reminding herself that everything is a challenge, a lesson, and a blessing.
43 min
80
Ep257 - Jordan Fisher: A Professional eSports A...
Jordan Fisher is currently starring in the upcoming production of "Sweeney Todd" on Broadway. Being drawn to art and performing from a young age, it's no surprise that he ended up in the industry. Apart from performing, the actor shares his love for gaming and what it's like to be a professional eSports athlete, including his day-to-day work in the gaming space. Jordan talks about what's different about this production of Sweeney this time and their take on the piece, which will look, feel and sound familiar but bigger and larger at the same time—the most realistic telling of the story, if you will.
27 min
81
Ep256 - Sierra Boggess: Exploring Relationships
With the recent passing of Lucy Simon, playing the role of Lily Craven in "The Secret Garden" is both special and bittersweet for Sierra Boggess and the rest of the cast.
31 min
82
Ep255 - Marla Mindelle: Writing a Love Letter t...
Marla Mindelle is currently making people laugh playing an over the top Celine Dion in the off-Broadway production of "Titanique".
48 min
83
Ep254 - Robert Horn: Learning to Laugh at Ourse...
Robert Horn's life story is an incredible testament that you can use humor as a way of survival—well, that and a little bit of luck. From getting separated from his twin and sneaking out of an orphanage when he was a little over 13 to renting an apartment in New York that was possibly run by the mob and eventually moving to LA to pursue a career in writing, his life is anything but boring.
37 min
84
Ep253 - Jelani Remy: Putting in the Work Like B...
"Everybody wants to be Beyoncé, but does everybody wanna put in the work?" is just one of Jelani's many foods for thought in this episode.
34 min
85
Ep252 - Julie Boardman and Diane Nicoletti: Cre...
Julie and Diane are both co-founders of The Museum of Broadway in Times Square which opened November, 2022.
50 min
86
Ep251 - Ilana Levine: You're a Good [Wo]Man, Il...
Infected by her mom's love for Broadway shows, Ilana was introduced to the world of theatre at an early age. After getting a haircut by one of the most handsome people she's ever seen when she was 18 years old, she ended up at his acting studio in New York and walked into a room of people performing a private moment exercise, which changed everything in her life from that moment on, including her college major.
51 min
87
Ep250 - Brandon Victor Dixon: Driving Change Us...
Driven to inspire other people with art, Brandon Victor Dixon has been sharing his talent with the world for decades now. And this month, the actor slash theatrical producer is part of the much-anticipated world premiere of the award-winning "MacGyver: The Musical’s" album which will be released on January 27th. Apart from theatre, Brandon is also doing advocacy work.
46 min
88
Ep249 - Squigs (aka Justin Robertson): Illustra...
You can take the boy out of Oregon, but you can't take the Oregon out of the boy. Or something like that.
36 min
89
Ep248 - Eddie Izzard: Living up to Great Expect...
Eddie Izzard is a Tony Award nominated, Emmy Award winning actress who quickly rose to fame in the 90s as a phenomenal standup comedian - producing two of my all time favorite specials Glorious and Dress to Kill.
34 min
90
Ep247 - 2022 Wrap Up with Alan Seales and Diana...
2022 - the first full year of theatre since Broadway shutdown in 2020. It was full of highs and lows, but one thing's for certain we're glad Broadway is back! Once again, Diana Salameh, a VP of Marketing and Communications at Serino Coyne, co-hosts the final episode of the year. Serino Coyne is the nation's longest-running theatrical advertising agency, so Diana's brings some fun insider insight to how this strange business of show actually goes down.
45 min
91
Ep246 - Michael Urie & Ryan Spahn: Partners in ...
Having been together for over 14 years as real life partners, Michael Urie and Ryan Spahn now get to share the stage together as scene partners in parts specifically written for the two of them. Interestingly enough, this episode contains as much hidden relationship advice as it does theater advice and stories, as we dive into what really makes them successful as a couple after all this time, especially both being in such a tumultuous, competitive profession. They also share how they turned pandemic lemons into pandemic lemonade by experimenting with Zoom multicam, aka two cell phones in two different rooms, to make their at-home performances have a little extra pizzaz -- which them led them through the change opportunity rabbit hole that put them on stage together now.
42 min
92
Ep245 - Tovah Feldshuh: Bringing Real Mom Love ...
With a Broadway career spanning over 50 years, Tovah Feldshuh takes us through her journey as she shares her life as an actress, wife, and mother. While she loves politics, it's her love of people that motivates her to fight for what she believes in and help in every way that she can. Initially determined to go to Harvard Law School to stay close to her father, her brother encouraged her to apply for the McKnight Fellowship in acting and was eventually chosen as one of the four to attend the fellowship.
51 min
93
Ep244 - Julie Halston: Confidence, Clarity, and...
For a person who claims she can’t really sing or dance, Julie Halston sure has done a lot of Broadway musicals (and rightfully so!). Even during the pandemic, she remained booked and busy despite the circumstances. She even took to the internet to keep the fans entertained (after some persuasion and help from her friend, Jim) with over 40 episodes of her hit web series called “Virtual Halston”.
75 min
94
Ep243 - Elizabeth A. Davis: Defying Death Throu...
Elizabeth A. Davis is currently gracing the Broadway stage as Thomas Jefferson in “1776”, where she has the unique opportunity to showcase her actual violin skills at the same time. She talks about what it's like performing eight shows a week while pregnant, and the financial and societal expectations that come with it.
42 min
95
Bonus - "& Juliet" (exclusive) Red Carpet Openi...
Recorded Nov 17th, 2022, listen to exclusive interview with the cast of & Juliet from the red carpet on opening night!
22 min
96
Ep242 - Jefferson Mays: Making Storytelling Coo...
Jefferson Mays is currently on Broadway in his original interpretation of "A Christmas Carol" doing perhaps what he does best: playing multiple roles in a single show. Jefferson recalls the strange beginning of how it all started, which was when he and his wife ran smack into Matt Schackman, the Artistic Director of Geffen Playhouse, as they were walking their dogs. He was eventually inspired to base their version on Dickens’ original, one-man version.
40 min
97
Ep241 - Michael Mott: Composing for Actors
Nothing brings people together more than music and performing; Michael Mott got the best of both worlds as he prepares for his second annual holiday show, "Michael Mott & Friends,” happening in December, along with the release of a brand new single performed by the incomparable Jessica Vosk. Michael was also a professional actor for seven years and while he was grateful for all the work, he realized he was never fully happy.This led him to apply to the prestigious BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, which subsequently changed his life.. Aside from acting, he's also a successful composer and has always been passionate about music. He talks about finding his own style, writing for another person, his issues with the current things on Broadway, the craft that goes into making a musical theatre song, and the indescribable feeling and comfort music brings him that he wants to give back to listeners. A decade later, amongst all his writing and composing success, he even finds himself accepting roles again.
37 min
98
Ep240 - Anika Larsen: Being Real-Life Famous in...
Anika Larson is having a great time as she takes the challenge of both playing the mom on Broadway's "Almost Famous" and being the mom of two boys offstage. Anika's passion for saving the planet is contagious, and as a member of the Broadway Green Alliance and ambassador for Global Goals for Sustainability, she's making sure she can show and tell her children that she really tried to do what she can to pass on a healthy planet.
44 min
99
Ep239 - Robyn Hurder: Bringing the "IT Factor" ...
Currently playing the role of Marcia Murphey in the Broadway show, "A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical", Robyn Hurder shares how she got involved with the show and how she never thought it would be her biggest role to date.
45 min
100
Ep238 - Krysta Rodriguez: Opportunity is Not a ...
Currently starring as Cinderella in the Broadway revival of “Into The Woods”, Krysta Rodriguez is a talented actor, singer, and dancer with countless Broadway, TV and film credits. As the world starts to adjust to the new normal, she talks about her life and being thrust back on stage in a well-received show, which was completely unexpected for her.
54 min