Two-time Cy Young Award winner, Bret Saberhagen steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 67! Throughout a big-league career that spanned parts of 16 seasons from 1984-2001, Saberhagen authored a legacy as one of the great right-handed pitchers of his generation. He'd go onto retire as a three-time All-Star with a sparkling 3.34 lifetime ERA and 167 wins to his name. Saberhagen takes host Al Malafronte through not only some of his highlights on the field which included a no-hitter and World Series MVP performance for the Kansas City Royals, but also his love of the performing arts. While pitching here on Broadway for the New York Mets, Saberhagen caught his fair share of theatre and even took on a few acting gigs of his own in Married with Children and The Scout. A man of many talents, he even did some singing and dancing in the classic 'Saberhagen Shuffle,' which recently saw a second life right here in New York City on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. These days, Saberhagen continues to do phenomenal work for SabesWings, a foundation he started with his wife Kandace. SabesWings aims to assist those suffering from financial medical toxicity because no patient should choose between treatment and everyday expenses. You can find more information on the foundation's website. Connect with Bret Saberhagen on Instagram: @bretsaberhagen 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

John Bolton kicks off 2021 in The Batter's Box for Episode 66! Bolton's esteemed Broadway career dates back to 1994 when he made his debut in Damn Yankees. One of the most versatile performers in the game, he's since gone onto appear in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Titanic, Contact, Spamalot, Curtains, A Christmas Story, Dames at Sea, and Anastasia. Over the years, Bolton has endeared himself to audiences as a true master of physical comedy. As discussed, he's a firm believer in the idea that theatre is the ultimate team sport, allowing him to maximize his value to any roster he's playing on. In a true Baseball meets Broadway crossover episode, Bolton also rehashes his experiences recording voiceovers for Damn Yankees with the legendary Mel Allen, his love of The Bad News Bears, and even his dog scaring Derek Jeter on the streets of Manhattan! Connect with John Bolton on Instagram: @itsjohnbolton and Twitter: @itsjohnbolton 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

Kimberly Williams-Paisley steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 64! Born and raised in New York, Williams-Paisley has been starring in film, television, and theater for more than 30 years. Now a New York Times Best Selling Author, she’s garnered tremendous praise and admiration through her performances in both installments of Father of the Bride, According to Jim, Nashville, Two and a Half Men, among dozens of other prominent credits. In this episode, Williams-Paisley joins host Al Malafronte to chat about her busy 2020, as her two latest projects have fast become holiday favorites. This season, she reprised her role as Claire in The Christmas Chronicles 2 which is now streaming on Netflix, and throughout the rest of this month, you can catch her in re-airings of A Nashville Christmas Carol which just premiered on the Hallmark Channel. In addition to everything Williams-Paisley has accomplished on the performing front, she also continues to do great work off-screen. In March, she and her husband Brad Paisley opened The Store, a grocery store in the Nashville area for indigent families who are looking to rebuild their lives apart from public assistance. You can find more information at thestore.org. Although Williams-Paisley now lives in Nashville, her love for The Big Apple has never wavered. She and Malafronte also talk about a mutual love for their hometown around the holidays and even look back at her time on Broadway in the Tony-winning The Last Night of Ballyhoo. On the sports front, she and her husband may be Nashville's biggest Los Angeles Dodgers fans, which led to plenty of great baseball anecdotes and stories. A particularly fun edition of Fastball Derby also ensues, and very much captures the spirit of this awesome conversation filled with plenty of laughs! Connect with Kimberly Williams-Paisley on Instagram: @kimberlywilliamspaisley and Twitter: @kimwilliamspais 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

Jen Lilley joins us for Episode 61! Lilley brings some good vibes to The Batter's Box as we kick off the holiday season, as her newest film USS Christmas premieres this Saturday at 10/9c on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. In conjunction with the film in which she stars, she's also created a wonderful new initiative titled Operation: Christmas is not Cancelled, benefitting both Toys for Tots and military families. You can find more info online at www.christmasisnotcancelled.com and win the ultimate Christmas for you and your family, all while helping those in need. This free-flowing conversation was filled with so many laughs, as Lilley and host, Al Malafronte chatted about anything from her days as a soap star on General Hospital and Days of Our Lives to high school rebellion to excessive rice purchases at the beginning of the pandemic. On the baseball front, there's even a brief history lesson on The Curse of the Bambino. Despite everything that's gone on in 2020, Lilley has truly had a banner year as an actress, parent, and even as a musician, having just released her first full solo album Hindsight this fall. Jen Lilley is the good stuff in show business, and that very much shines through in this episode. Connect with Jen Lilley on Instagram: @jen_lilley and Twitter: @jen_lilley 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

Julianna Guill steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 59! Guill's distinguished career on-screen now spans more than a decade and a half, with notable credits including Glory Daze, The Resident, Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, Crazy, Stupid, Love, Captain America: Civil War, among many others. In recent years, Guill has established herself as a face of the holiday season on Lifetime, as a key player in the network's annual It's A Wonderful Lifetime programming slate. This year she's starring in Christmas on the Vine, a new original movie premiering this Friday, November 13th at 8/7 c. This week she joins host Al Malafronte to not only chat about the film, but also the holiday season, her love of Broadway, and her latest endeavors on the other side of the camera as a director. Earlier in 2020, Guill made her directorial debut with the short-film Silent Date, which will soon be released worldwide. We even discuss some of the many ways in which her process as a director mirrors that of a great Major League manager. A native of North Carolina, and now a resident of The City of Angels, Guill even weighs in on the LA sports scene, the Dodgers' World Series victory, the bright future of the Atlanta Braves, and her all-time favorite baseball player. Connect with Julianna Guill on Instagram: @officialjguill 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

Lindsay Pearce steps into The Batter’s Box for Episode 56! Pearce was in the heart of her Broadway debut this past winter as the newest Elphaba in Wicked, fulfilling a lifelong dream going back to her days as a theatre kid in Northern California. Pearce grew up in a sports-heavy household, and as told in this episode, it was actually a moment on the softball field that led to her eventual theatre path. She got her start in show business after auditioning for The Glee Project in 2011, which earned her a two-episode arc during season 3 of Glee. She’s since performed in a number of stage productions throughout the west coast, in addition to more television work in shows such as Drop Dead Diva, Grey’s Anatomy, and Recovery Road. This week, Pearce joins host Al Malafronte to talk Wicked, the theatricality of Aroldis Chapman's record-setting fastballs, her hometown San Francisco Giants, and the brilliance of seasons 1-4 of Glee. The Seventh Inning Stretch also returns this week with a fun installment of Baseball meets Broadway trivia! Connect with Lindsay Pearce on Instagram: @lindsayheatherpeace 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

Anthony Rapp steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 54! A native of the Windy City, Rapp is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and baseball fan who's now visited more than 30 Major League ballparks. In this episode, he rehashes some of his favorite moments as a fan of one of America's most beloved teams, thoughts on performing in the postseason, his highs on Broadway, and the many parallels he sees between baseball and theatre. As told to host Al Malafronte, he was even in the midst of a performance at 54 Below on the night the Cubs won the pennant in 2016 and shares a phenomenal story about throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Wrigley Field during that championship season. A Drama Desk-nominee, Rapp's Broadway career dates back to age ten, and now spans more than 35 years. Some of his prominent credits from the stage include Rent, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and If/Then. His work in show business has also extended to the screen with credits such as Adventures in Babysitting, A Beautiful Mind, the film adaptation of Rent, and his current role in Star Trek: Discovery. Connect with Anthony Rapp on Instagram: @albinokid1026 and Twitter: @albinokid 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

Former MLB outfielder of 14 years, Shannon Stewart steps into The Batter’s Box for Episode 53! Stewart's career in the big leagues spanned from 1995-2008 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, and Oakland Athletics. A 1st-round draft pick in 1992, Stewart's talent and passion for his craft cemented his legacy as one of the best leadoff hitters of the late 1990s and early 2000s. During that time, he hit over .300 in six consecutive seasons from 1999-2004, scored 100+ runs four times, and accumulated a remarkable 202 hits in 2001. He'd go onto retire as a lifetime .297 hitter with a .360 On-Base Percentage, and 1,653 hits to his name. In this episode, Stewart discusses living up to the pressure of performing as a highly-touted 1st-round draft pick, as well as the dilemma of having to choose between baseball and football after high school; a decision that he parallels to young performers that have to decide between stage or screen acting. He also revisits his phenomenal 2003 season in which he found himself in the heat of a pennant race with the Minnesota Twins, as he'd go onto finish 4th in MVP voting that season as the ultimate catalyst for their division-winning cast. Stewart has some particularly fond memories of his nights on Broadway while battling against the New York Yankees, and shares some great behind the scenes stories of a particularly special era for the Big Apple through the eyes of a visiting performer. Just like Broadway, a lot has changed around baseball since Stewart's playing career ended, to which he provides some phenomenal insight, and big laughs when talking about his life in retirement. He even discusses which of his former teammates would make the best Timon and Pumba in The Lion King on Broadway! Connect with Shannon Stewart on Instagram: @sstew24 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

Lila Coogan steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 52! Coogan made her Broadway debut at the age of 13 as Jane Banks in Mary Poppins and recently starred as Princess Anya in the First National Tour of Anastasia. This conversation rehashes her experiences as a child star on Broadway, growing up as a lifelong Yankee fan in her native Westchester, touring life, and even includes a fun round of Baseball meets Broadway trivia in this week's 7th Inning Stretch! Connect with Lila Coogan on Instagram: @lilcoogs 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

Former MLB All-Star, Shawn Estes steps into The Batter’s Box for Episode 51! Estes’ big league career spanned 13 seasons as a pitcher from 1995-2008, and he currently serves as one of the TV voices of the San Francisco Giants as a pre-and-postgame analyst on NBC Sports Bay Area. Over the course of his playing career, Estes won over 100 games, and his All-Star season in 1997 helped lead the Giants to their first division title of the 1990s. As the ace of their pitching staff that season, he posted a phenomenal 3.18 ERA, 19 wins, and 181 strikeouts across 201 innings. His career also included a stop in The Big Apple when he pitched for the New York Mets in 2002. In this episode, Estes discusses his memorable role in Subway Series lore as a member of the Mets when he was instructed to retaliate against Roger Clemens and the New York Yankees. Even all these years later, he still has an appreciation of New York as a mecca for baseball, music, and entertainment. He also discusses the mental edge needed for performers to thrive in both baseball and theatre, some of his highs with the Giants, and even the scandalous era in which he played. His insight on today’s game as a member of the media is also invaluable, and his master storytelling skills made for a really enjoyable conversation. Connect with Shawn Estes on Instagram: @shestes55 and Twitter: @sestes55 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

Becky Gulsvig steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 49! Gulsvig's Broadway credits include Hairspray, Legally Blonde, School of Rock, and most recently, Come From Away. A native of Minnesota, she's also a tremendous Twins fan with some classic ballpark stories from the Metrodome, Target Field, and the many stadiums she's gotten to visit over the years as a cast member in various touring productions. She even discusses her newest role as the coach of her daughter's softball team, and some of the highlights she's experienced over the years as a Broadway veteran of nearly two decades. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Becky Gulsvig on Instagram: @beckygulsvig Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Andy Karl steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 48! Karl is an Olivier Award Winner and 3-time Tony Award nominee with more than a dozen Broadway credits to his name. One of those credits includes a performance that's beloved by our sports fans in Rocky the Musical, in which he portrayed the iconic Rocky Balboa. With other Broadway credits that include Legally Blonde, Jersey Boys, Pretty Woman, and Groundhog Day, Karl has some great behind the scenes stories about 'championing through' those roles as told to host Al Malafronte in this episode. With an athletic background of his own, Karl also discusses working in percentages to make it through sometimes grueling Broadway schedules, as he says gearing yourself up for a show is in so many ways like gearing yourself up for a game. This mindset is not unlike what made Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. so successful for Karl's hometown Baltimore Orioles, and led to a fascinating conversation about what it would take a Broadway performer to achieve the equivalent of Ripken's record-setting streak of 2,632 consecutive performances on the field. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Photo: Walter McBride Connect with Andy Karl on Instagram: @andy_karl and Twitter: @andy_karl Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Jonalyn Saxer steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 46! An original cast member of Mean Girls on Broadway, Saxer pulled the ultimate utility player duty for her Tony-nominated team. She did this as not only a key cog in the show's ensemble, but also as the understudy for three of the show's lead roles. These included Regina George, Cady Heron, and of course Karen Smith. Saxer would then go onto star as Karen in the show's First National Touring Production starting in 2019, and will continue to do so once live theatre resumes. Saxer's Broadway career dates back to 2014, when she made her debut in Bullets Over Broadway, and her other Broadway credits include Honeymoon in Vegas, the CATS revival, and Holiday Inn. This episode is a lot of fun, as she and host Al Malafronte talk all things baseball and Broadway such as her leading roles in Mean Girls, the Miami Marlins' Coronavirus outbreak, the CATS movie, and Aroldis Chapman's record-setting fastballs. They even played some Baseball meets Broadway trivia in this week's edition of the 7th Inning Stretch! Connect with Jonalyn Saxer on Instagram: @jksaxer and Twitter: @jksaxer 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

Lesli Margherita steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 44! One of Broadway's resident funny girls, Margherita is a Laurence Olivier Award winner for her performance as Inez in the musical adaptation of Zorro on the West End, and has appeared on Broadway in Matilda the Musical and Dames at Sea. Margherita also just happens to be a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan. In this episode, she discusses everything from the roots of her passion for both sports and the arts, ruling your kingdom, and the parallels between Broadway and Moneyball. She and host Al Malafronte even played some Baseball meets Broadway (meets Muppets!) trivia in this week's 7th Inning Stretch! Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Lesli Margherita on Instagram: @queenlesli and Twitter: @queenlesli Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Allison Munn steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 41! Prior to launching a phenomenal career on screen that's spanned over two decades, Munn began her career in show business on the stages of NYC when she starred as Luisa in the Off-Broadway classic The Fantasticks for more than 500 performances. To this day, Munn credits her musical theatre background and performing in front of a live audience as part of the backbone to her success in the TV sitcom world. She's currently starring in The Big Show Show on Netflix, and her other screen credits include: That 70's Show, What I Like About You, One Tree Hill, and Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, & Dawn. This candid chat was the perfect blend of fun and insightful, and was also filled with plenty of great stories. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Allison Munn on Instagram: @allisonmunn and Twitter: @allisonmunn Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Tommy John steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 40! John's big-league career spanned 1963-1989, and remains one of the most important figures in baseball history. In 1974, he pioneered ulnar collateral ligamental reconstruction, since nicknamed "Tommy John Surgery," which he underwent after damaging the ligament in his throwing arm. Despite a poor outlook initially, he returned to being an effective pitcher, as more than half of his career wins came after his surgery. It has since become a common procedure among baseball pitchers. Throughout his 26-year Major League career, he cemented a legacy for both the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers as one of the greatest left-handed pitchers of all-time, as he retired as a 4-time Major League All-Star with prominent rankings in baseball's record books that include 700 Games Started (8th all-time), 4710.3 Innings Pitched (20th), and 288 Wins (26th). This episode not only rehashes some of John's career highlights, but also his candid thoughts on today's game, the grooming of young performers, pitching under the bright lights of Broadway, and his overall love of musical theatre. His son even appeared on Broadway in Les Misérables while John pitched for the Yankees! John has a real affinity for showtunes which is prominently displayed in this very special (and blatantly honest) chat. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Shereen Pimentel steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 39 of Break a Bat! At the time Broadway had shut down due to COVID-19, Pimentel had just begun performances in the revival of West Side Story on Broadway in which she stars as Maria. She did all this while simultaneously finishing her senior year at Julliard! Pimentel is certainly no stranger to the stage as she actually made her Broadway debut at the age of 9 when she portrayed Young Nala in The Lion King and discusses how making a mark in her industry at such a young age is not all that different from a young baseball player getting called up to 'The Big Show', and playing the game at a high level. We even played some Baseball meets Broadway crossover trivia in this week's edition of the 7th Inning Stretch! This episode also discusses the important role that a show like the re-imagined West Side Story revival can play in our culture amidst these troubling times. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Shereen Pimentel on Instagram: @shereenpimentel Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Carrie St. Louis steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 38! St. Louis made her Broadway debut in 2014 when she starred as Sherrie in Rock of Ages and has since gone onto star as Glinda in Wicked, and Lauren in Kinky Boots. This episode rehashes how St. Louis was able to make such a big impact on three powerhouse shows with three very different fanbases, as well as the process behind getting into some of the beloved characters she's taken on. In addition to this, she's also performed the National Anthem in more than half a dozen Major League ballparks and discusses not only her love of live sports but also the parallels between representing different franchises proudly both on stage and at the stadium. The conversation was not without big laughs, as St. Louis recounts some hilarious behind-the-scenes stories and mishaps from her career. While in Kinky Boots, she even had the opportunity to perform in front of Yankees great, CC Sabathia, and offered her thoughts on which Broadway musical would best suit the Yankees' flame-throwing closer/diva, Aroldis Chapman. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Carrie St. Louis on Instagram: @carriestlouis and Twitter: @carriestlouis Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Tanyon Sturtze steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 36 alongside host Al Malafronte and producer Alan Seales. Sturtze pitched for 12 seasons in the Major Leagues, 3 of which came on the stages of Broadway, as a member of the New York Yankees from 2004-2006. Sturtze's career is particularly unique in the sense that he found success in multiple roles to help serve his cast, as both a starting and relief pitcher. While performing primarily as a relief pitcher while dawning the pinstripes, he helped form one of the franchise's most lethal bullpens in team history in 2005 - a formula that came to be known as "TanGorMo" alongside Tom Gordon and Mariano "Mo" Rivera. Many Broadway performers can relate to raising their game on the grandest of stages, and Sturtze was no different, posting a 0.87 Earned Run Average against the Boston Red Sox that season - the team's arch-rival who he ironically grew up rooting for as a kid growing up in Massachusetts. In this episode, he discussed some of the highlights of his time as a Yankee, his thoughts on today's game, as well as a few of his memorable trips to The Great White Way. He even touches on which of his former teammates would make the best Broadway performers! In addition to this, he and his wife Erica have also founded the wonderful '56 Foundation' to help hospitalized children nationwide. You can find more info on the foundation at the56foundation.org Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Photo: Anthony J Causi Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Steven Brault is a starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who used his passion for musical theatre to release an entire album of showtunes this offseason titled A Pitch At Broadway. Prior to his time as a Major League Baseball player, Brault was a simultaneous collegiate ballplayer and Vocal Performance major at Regis University, and ever since his call-up to the big leagues in 2016, his love for both mediums has never wavered. The song selection on A Pitch at Broadway covers selections from more than a dozen musicals including Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton, RENT, Waitress, among others, and also features guest performers spanning anyone from Tony-nominee Adam Pascal, and Brault's Pirates teammate Josh Bell. In this episode, Brault even takes us through his decision to cover the iconic 'Defying Gravity' from Wicked, and desire to break the stigma of the song typically not being performed by a male vocalist. We also discuss his thoughts on listening to cast albums prior to seeing a show, rule changes in an upcoming baseball season, and which baseball film would work best as a Broadway musical. Hosted by Al Malafronte Guest co-hosted by Doug Horowitz Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Photo: Justin Berl/Getty Images You can find more information about Steven's album at http://stevenbraultalbum.com/ Connect with Steven Brault on Instagram: @skoobuh and Twitter: @squidbrault Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Laura Bell Bundy steps into The Batter’s Box for Episode 34! Bundy is as well-rounded of a performer as there is in the game. Throughout her career, she's seen phenomenal success on stage, on-screen, as well as in the recording studio as a singer-songwriter. Her Broadway credits include the Tony-winning Hairspray in which she originated the role of Amber Von Tussle, as well as the musical version of Legally Blonde, in which she originated the role of Elle Woods and earned a Tony nomination of her own for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. On-screen, she co-starred in FX's Anger Management, and as a musician, she earned a CMT Music Awards nomination for 'Breakthrough Video of the Year' for her hit single Giddy On Up. In this episode, the boys dive into Bundy's passion for telling stories with music, moving to the other side of the camera as a creative with some exciting new projects in the works, and how the stage is her comfort zone. A big part of her success is attested to constantly changing as a performer, with full recognition of the ability to make adjustments after "every game you play," - and as discussed, one of the ultimate separators between a good and great baseball player. This conversation was super interesting for the boys, as it really dove into the psyche and processes of an All-Star performer as much as any other episode we've done to date. Hosted by Al Malafronte with appearances by Chris Katzmann (co-creator) and Alan Seales (producer) Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Laura Bell Bundy on Instagram: @laurabellbundy and Twitter: @laurabellbundy Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Jackie Burns steps into The Batter's Box for Episode 32 with host Al Malafronte, Chris Katzmann (co-creator), and Alan Seales (producer). Burns' phenomenal career on Broadway now spans more than a decade, with credits including Wicked, Hair, and If/Then, and she's also set to star in a stage adaptation of A Walk on the Moon next season. Burns holds the distinction of being the longest-tenured Elphaba in the storied Wicked franchise, playing the role in two separate stints --- the baseball equivalent of "pulling an Andy Pettitte." It was really interesting to hear her thoughts on a recovery path for Broadway upon its return, as well as what it was like getting to play her dream role of Elphaba for as long as she did - which was not without some hilarious behind the scenes stories, including what's known as the Emerald City's "No-Fly Days." She's also a die-hard sports fan with an athletic background of her own, so we were sure to play some fun Baseball/Broadway crossover games and even chatted about what would make a successful Broadway musical about our fanbase's unofficial mascot Aroldis Chapman, the Yankees' 6-time All-Star and flame-throwing closer. Special thanks to our friend Samara Finkle for helping put this one together. Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Jackie Burns on Instagram: @jackieburnsnyc and Twitter: @jackieburnsnyc Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Melinda Harrison steps into the 'remote' Batter's Box with host Al Malafronte and producer Alan Seales for Episode 30! A University of Michigan graduate, Harrison became the first Michigan Wolverines women's varsity swimmer to compete in the Olympics, representing Canada in the 200-meter backstroke in the 1984 Summer Olympics. She was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 2006; as the first woman swimmer to be inducted. Harrison has spent the last seven years studying the performance of elite athletes, entrepreneurs, executives, and those who have overcome significant personal challenges. In combination with her business experience, Olympic background, entrepreneurial energy, and community successes, she brings goal-driven commitment and accountability to each of her clients. Her new book Personal Next is due for release on April 21st and describes the arc of transition common to all high performers. These virtues are particularly important during the world health crisis, and in this episode, Harrison discusses what both Broadway performers and star athletic performers such as the Yankees' beloved All-Star closer/Broadway favorite Aroldis Chapman can do to best prepare themselves for what comes next in a very different performing environment upon returning to action. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Melinda Harrison on Instagram: @melindaharrison and online at www.melindaharrison.com Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Jeanna de Waal steps into the 'remote' Batter's Box with host Al Malafronte and producer Alan Seales for Episode 29! At the time of the Broadway shutdown, de Waal had just begun previews for Diana: A True Musical Story, in which she starred as Princess Diana. de Waal takes the boys through what she's doing to stay on her game during quarantine, and her excitement for Broadway's eventual return. These routines and emotions are not unlike those of a Major League Baseball player awaiting the start of the 2020 season. Her Broadway career spans over a decade, with other credits including American Idiot and Kinky Boots. She is also the co-founder of Broadway Weekends, a theatre camp for adults that is currently conducting online classes and workshops for those who need their performing fix! Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Connect with Jeanna de Waal on Instagram: @thebigdewaal and Twitter: @thebigdewaal Connect with Broadway Weekends online at: www.broadwayweekends.com and on Instagram: @broadwayweekends Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast

Bret Boone steps into the 'remote' Batter's Box with host Al Malafronte and guest co-host Doug Horowitz for Episode 28! Boone had a 14-year Major League career (1992-2005) as a member of the Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and Minnesota Twins. A 3-time MLB All-Star, 2-time Silver Slugger, and 4-time Gold Glove winner, Bret was one of the best 2nd Baseman of the late 1990s and early 2000’s. As a member of the Mariners in 2001, he enjoyed one of the greatest seasons ever for a 2nd Baseman, posting a .331 Batting Average, 206 Hits, 37 Homeruns, 141 Runs Batted In, 118 Runs Scored, and a .950 OPS. He's also a member of one of baseball’s greatest All-Star family lineages, as his grandfather (Ray), father (Bob), and brother (Aaron) were also All-Stars during their playing days. Boone takes the boys through what he’d be doing to prepare for a baseball season without a known start date due to the effects of the Coronavirus. As we’ve talked in the past about how fans help drive performance for baseball players and Broadway actors, it was really interesting to hear his take on how today’s players may respond to a season that opens to empty stadiums. We also look back on some of his fondest career memories which included some trips to the Big Apple on one of baseball’s biggest stages – the playoffs. Bret was the starting 2nd baseman on the 1999 Atlanta Braves who famously battled the New York Mets in that year’s National League Championship Series, and discussed the big stage dynamic of such an intense environment - largely heightened by his controversial teammate John Rocker. He also discussed how special it was to play in the old Yankee Stadium with the Braves during the 1999 World Series, and then as a member of the Seattle Mariners in the 2001 American League Championship Series in the immediate aftermath of September 11th. As his brother Aaron is currently the New York Yankees manager, he also touched on what it might be like to manage, and even face Aroldis Chapman, the team’s All-Star closer/Broadway favorite who routinely throws over 100 miles per hour. Hosted by Al Malafronte Produced by the Broadway Podcast Network Edited by Matthew Hendershot Photo: AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy, File Connect with Bret Boone on Instagram: @bretboone29 Connect with Break a Bat! on Instagram: @break_a_bat_podcast