Stages Podcast

Stages Podcast goes beyond the resume and behind the scenes to explore the humanity behind the artistry. Tony Award winners Stephanie J Block and Marylee Fairbanks share intimate conversations with the greatest talents in the arts. Tony, Emmy & Grammy Award-winning guests share stories of inspiration, challenges, spirituality, and the creative process and Stages Podcast serves as a guide for young talent. Love where you are now with Stages Podcast.

The Big Bamboozler with Marla Mindelle 11/25/2024

The Big Bamboozler with Marla Mindelle Marla Mindelle is criminally deranged for writing and starring in her second musical, THE BIG GAY JAMBOREE. She co-created and starred as Céline Dion in the hit Off-Broadway show TITANIQUE, which won her the 2023 Lucille Lortel Award and Obie award. On Broadway she perfomed in SISTER ACT (Sister Mary Robert, Outer Circle Critics Nomination), Stepsister Gabrielle in CINDERELLA and SOUTH PACIFIC. Marla starred as Olivia in the Emmy- nominated series, “Special” (Netflix). In this episode, Marla talks about her surprise and delight of being back on stage in New York and how resiliency and humor are the corner stones of success. She candidly shares her ongoing challenges with tinnitus, and how it has affected her as a performer. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/34108806

Her Town with Julie Halston 10/28/2024

Her Town with Julie Halston Julie Halston is one of New York’s busiest actresses and was the recipient of the 2021 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award for her advocacy on behalf of The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Her Broadway credits are numerous, including Tootsie, Hairspray, Gypsy, Anything Goes, and The Twentieth Century. She received the Richard Seff Award for her acclaimed performance in You Can’t Take it with You and has garnered four Drama Desk nominations for her Broadway and off-Broadway work. Miss Halston was a founding member of Charles Busch’s legendary theatre company and co-starred with Mr. Busch in many productions including TheDivine Sister, Red Scare on Sunset and The Lady in Question. They starred together in the independent feature film, The Sixth Reel. In addition, Miss Halston recently completed the independent feature films, Intermedium and Simchas and Sorrows and Chosen Family with Heather Graham. Television credits include a recurring role on the latest “Gossip Girl”, guest roles on “The Good Fight”, “Almost Family” and “Divorce”. In addition, she has reprised her role of the popular character , Bitsy Von Muffling on the Sex and The City reboot, “And Just Like That” on MAX. Miss Halston’s web series, Virtual Halston was a pandemic hit with over 40 YOUTUBE. In this episode, Julie shares rehearsal room stories ranging from terrible to beautiful, her start as an actress and thoughts on living to the fullest. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/33573612

Food For Thought with Joanna Gleason and Chris Sarandon 09/23/2024

Food For Thought with Joanna Gleason and Chris Sarandon Tony Award winner Joanna Gleason (Into the Woods, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and actor and fellow podcaster Chris Sarandon (The Princess Bride, Fright Night, The Nightmare Before Christmas) join us for our Season 4 return! They discuss their favorite dinner conversations on Chris' "Cooking By Heart" podcast, growing into multi-hyphenate performers as a married couple and individual artists, and building family on-set in Joanna's newest venture as the writer and director of her new film, The Grotto. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/33113567

Us, Unedited 07/22/2024

Us, Unedited It's Summertime! In this episode, Stephanie and Marylee take a moment to connect and reflect before the Summer break, discussing their Tony Awards experiences -- now both as winners!; why cultural and societal expectations change between generations, how they each found a sense of belonging in the theater community and unique birthday celebrations. See you in the September! /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/31929027

G+F+A = J.S. with John Stamos 07/08/2024

G+F+A = J.S. with John Stamos Emmy-nominated actor John Stamos is a favorite of stage and screen, known widely for his work on hit shows like "General Hospital, "ER, "Full House," and the sequel on Netflix, "Fuller House." He has also starred on Broadway in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, CABARET, NINE, and BYE BYE BIRDIE, and is beloved for his musical collaboration over the years with The Beach Boys. His memoir, If You Would Have Told Me, is a universal story about love, loss, and the courage to embrace love once more. In this episode, John shares the ways writing a book forces you to reflect on your life, how his son watching "Uncle Jesse" helped him understand the "Full House" impact, and why he always asks for help in rehearsal rooms. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/31928477

On The Main Stage with Ryan Haddad 06/24/2024

On The Main Stage with Ryan Haddad Ryan J. Haddad is an actor, playwright, and autobiographical performer known for his on stage and off. His acclaimed solo play, HI, ARE YOU SINGLE?, premiered at The Public Theater's Under the Radar Festival, and he continued his career with The Public, making his off-Broadway debut as a playwright and performer with his autobiographical DARK DISABLED STORIES, which was named a New York Times Critic's Pick. His latest work, HOLD ME IN THE WATER, was recently announced for the Spring 2025 season at Playwrights Horizons. In this episode, Ryan shares how he transforms his personal essays into plays, the importance of taking up space, and getting creative about accessibility in live theater. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/31837677

You & Me Kid with Lindsay Mendez 06/10/2024

You & Me Kid with Lindsay Mendez Tony Award winner Lindsay Mendez has graced the Broadway stage in everything from modern hits like WICKED to theater classics like CAROUSEL. She currently is becoming "old friends" with audiences in the smash success revival of Stephen Sondheim's MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. In this episode, Lindsay shares how she finds vulnerability in each of her characters, what it's like performing on Broadway while pregnant, and the advice that director Maria Friedman, who played "Mary Flynn" in the original production, has gifted her along their journey. Don't miss the tony Awards on Sunday, June 16th on Paramount Plus /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/31633392

Reciprocity with Danya Taymor 05/27/2024

Reciprocity with Danya Taymor Danya Taymor is a Tony Award-nominated director for her first musical work on Broadway in THE OUTSIDERS. She holds a multifaceted portfolio of work, directing Will Arbery's HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING, Jeremy O. Harris' DADDY, Khat Knotahaiku's GRAVEYARD SHIFT, Antoinette Nwandu's PASS OVER, Danai Gurira's FAMILIAR, Martyna Majok's QUEENS and many more. Danya is a recipient of several awards and fellowships for her work, including the Cullman Award for Extraordinary Creativity from Lincoln Center, Time Warner Directing Fellowship at Women's Project, 2050 fellowship at New York Theatre Workshop, and the Lincoln Center Directors Lab. In this episode, Danya discusses building trust and creativity in a rehearsal room, looking for theater spirits in Ireland, and getting the stamp of approval from S.E. Hinton herself. Don't forget to watch the Tony Awards SUNDAY JUNE 16th on CBS and Paramont+ /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/31452647

In The Center Of The Saddle with Betty Buckley 05/13/2024

In The Center Of The Saddle with Betty Buckley Known as "the voice of Broadway," acclaimed and award-winning performer Betty Buckley has made her mark in iconic roles like "Norma Desmond" in SUNSET BOULEVARD, "Grizabella" in CATS, "Margaret White" in CARRIE, and "Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood" in THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, just to name a few. In addition to her remarkable contributions on stage, she has release 16 solo albums and toured across the world. She has recently returned to the big screen in the highly anticipated thriller "Imaginary," playing in theaters now. In this episode, Betty discusses booking "Martha Jefferson" in the original Broadway company of 1776 on her first day in New York City, finding her voice through performing Bob Fosse's "Steam Heat" in her school talent show at 11-years-old, and hearing her younger self throughout pivotal moments in her multi-decade career. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/30582613

The Goddess with Jocelyn Bioh 05/13/2024

The Goddess with Jocelyn Bioh Tony Nominee Jocelyn Bioh is an Award-winning Ghanian-American playwright and actress. Her most recent play, JAJA'S AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING, is Tony-nominated for Best Play this season. Jocelyn’s work can be seen across screen and stage. SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY, won numerous awards including Lortel and Outer Critics Circle, and earned Drama Desk, Drama League, and Off-Broadway Alliance nominations. As an actress, Bioh received a Drama Desk nomination for IN THE BLOOD, and a Lortel nomination for her work in EVERYBODY. She is the Book writer for Broadway-bound musical GODDESS. Jocelyn has also written for TV on “Russian Doll”, Spike Lee's “She’s Gotta Have It,” and “Tiny Beautiful Things.” In this episode, Jocelyn discusses the history and spirituality within hair braiding, the importance of originality in the American musical theater, and how her perspective on work and life has changed with motherhood. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/31202082

Open To The Magic with John Tartaglia 04/29/2024

Open To The Magic with John Tartaglia John Tartaglia has been working as a professional puppeteer since the age of 16, as one of the youngest performers ever to be in the cast of "Sesame Street." He earned a Tony award nomination for his Broadway debut in AVENUE Q, with additional stage credits in Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and SHREK THE MUSICAL. John's producing debut came with his Emmy-nominated preschool series, "Johnny and the Sprites" for Disney Junior, followed by creating the acclaimed musical IMAGINOCEAN that was re-imagined for PBS Kids as "Jim Henson's Splash and Bubbles." He can be heard every week on SiriusXM on Broadway's "Sunday Funday with John Tartaglia." John's newest project, a reimagining of the beloved 1980s series "Fraggle Rock," is streaming now on Apple TV+. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/30951188

LOVE OVER FEAR with Jenn Colella 04/15/2024

LOVE OVER FEAR with Jenn Colella The personification of kindness, Jenn Colella, returns to Broadway as "Carrie Chapman Catt" in the new musical SUFFS. She shined on stage in IF/THEN, URBAN COWBOY, HIGH FIDELITY, CHAPLIN: THE MUSICAL, and was nominated for a Tony Award for her work in COME FROM AWAY. In this episode, Jenn discusses what she learned from her start in stand-up comedy, telling the suffragists' story during an election year, becoming a first-time mother, and transmuting fear into love when making choices. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/30750178

Intoxicated with Kelli O'Hara 03/18/2024

Intoxicated with Kelli O'Hara Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara has established herself as one of Broadway's brightest stars and greatest leading ladies. She has starred in FOLLIES, THE PAJAMA GAME, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, THE KING & I, and DAYS OF WINE & ROSES, just to name a few. She received an Emmy Award nomination for her work on "The Accidental Wolf" and can currently be seen on HBO's "The Gilded Age." In this episode, Kelli discusses finding a niche for voice when she moved to New York City, and what she's learned about herself through working with Adam Guettel for the past 20 years. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/30346443

Two Things with Tom Broecker 03/04/2024

Two Things with Tom Broecker Tom Broecker has helped bring your favorite sketch comedy characters to life for nearly 30 years, as an Emmy Award-winning costume designer for Saturday Night Live. He has also designed for hit TV series like Showtime's "The Big C," NBC's "30 Rock," HBO's "The Comeback," "House of Cards" on Netflix, the Mean Girls movie and more. In this episode, he discusses how his love for the rehearsal process led him to costume design, the power of being present and going with the flow during a live TV show, and the costume reflects the emotional state of a character. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/30165813

Leslie of The Lake with Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer 02/19/2024

Leslie of The Lake with Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer dazzles with an illustrious career on Broadway and beyond, originating roles in hit shows like BEETLEJUICE, SOMETHING ROTTEN!, ELF, and A CATERED AFFAIR. She is also known for her work in LEGALLY BLONDE, HAIRSPRAY, and her currently show-stopping performance as "The Lady of the Lake" in the Broadway revival of Monty Python's SPAMALOT. In this episode, Leslie discusses finding the freedom in loss, recreating an iconic role in her own way, and keeping up with cast text threads for 20 years. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29974593

Deconstructing Seth with Seth Rudetsky 02/05/2024

Deconstructing Seth with Seth Rudetsky Seth Rudetsky is a beloved Broadway music director, writer, and host of "Seth's Big Fat Broadway" and "Seth Speaks" on SiriusXM, where he gets to showcase his vault of musical theater knowledge. He and his husband, James Wesley Jackson, raised millions of dollars, with their live virtual show "Stars in the House," to support the theatre industry during the pandemic shutdown. In this episode, he discusses how he fell in love with musicals, the power of persistence, and the experience of playing the opening notes of RAGTIME with no rehearsal. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917338

Style & Heart with George Brescia 01/22/2024

Style & Heart with George Brescia George Brescia is a renowned style expert, TV personality, and author of Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life. In this episode, he discusses how your wardrobe is the "window to your soul," the ways you can make fashion work for you, and why you'll see him doing the Electric Slide on QVC. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917353

A New Season with Stephanie J. Block & Marylee Fairbanks 01/08/2024

A New Season with Stephanie J. Block & Marylee Fairbanks For the Season 4, Stephanie and Marylee discuss their visions and vibes for 2024. They dive into their lifelong fandom for Barbra Streisand, share their favorite books of the year and play a guessing game to discover the meaning of new words. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917358

S3E27: Christmas on the Prairie with Alison Arngrim & Dean Butler 12/25/2023

S3E27: Christmas on the Prairie with Alison Arngrim & Dean Butler For the final episode of 2023, Marylee gifts Stephanie a surprise visit from "Little House on the Prairie" stars Alison Arngrim ("Nellie Oleson") and Dean Butler ("Almanzo Wilder"). Alison and Dean share behind-the-scenes stories from set, why they feel the show has withstood the test of time, and gush over Michael Landon's signature chin quiver. by Alison Arngrim by Dean Butler /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917363

S3E26: Clever and Curious with Alli Mauzey 12/11/2023

S3E26: Clever and Curious with Alli Mauzey Alli Mauzey is an acclaimed actress and singer known for her outstanding performances on Broadway. She starred as Glinda in WICKED, and HELLO DOLLY! with Bette Midler. She originated the role of "Lenora" in CRY-BABY, and is currently starring as "Pattie" in the Tony Award-winning KIMBERLY AKIMBO. In this episode, Alli discusses the joys and challenges of playing a "messy" character, early days of waiting tables at Tibbies Music Hall, and her adventures in raising monarch butterflies. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917373

S3E25: Acceptance & Surrender with Eden Espinosa 11/27/2023

S3E25: Acceptance & Surrender with Eden Espinosa Eden Espinosa is an Emmy-nominated voice actor. She has performed on Broadway in the roles of Elphaba in WICKED, Maureen in RENT, and the title role in BROOKLYN. She portrayed Trina in the national tour of FALSETTOS and I currently starring in Lincoln Center Theater's THE GARDENS OF ANUNCIA. She will lead the new musical LEMPICKA on Broadway this spring. In this episode, Eden discusses the power of multi-generational storytelling, the tight-knit bond of her FALSETTOS family, and how a practice of surrender has opened her life to new possibilities. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917378

S3E24: Shiny with Cheyenne Jackson 11/12/2023

S3E24: Shiny with Cheyenne Jackson "Cheyenne Jackson is a beloved leading man of stage and screen, known for his work on and off Broadway in XANADU, FINIAN'S RAINBOW, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, THE SECRET GARDEN, AIDA, ALL SHOOK UP, DAMN YANKEES and INTO THE WOODS. On screen, he starred in hit shows like 30 Rock, Glee and American Horror Story and in the Academy Award-nominated United 93. In this episode, Cheyenne recounts his high school days in rural Idaho, the magical experience of his kids seeing him perform on Broadway for the first time, and he and Stephanie share their love of Little House on the Prairie. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917383

S3E23: Full of Shiz with Quincy Brown & Kevin Bianchi 10/30/2023

S3E23: Full of Shiz with Quincy Brown & Kevin Bianchi Quincy Brown and Kevin Bianchi started Sentimental Men Podcast three years ago out of the love (and their obsession) over WICKED. They started out as two friends bantering and bickering about theater during the shutdown and have ended up with a hit podcast on Theatrely. In this episode, they join their favorite Elphaba, for the 20th anniversary of WICKED, go behind-the-scenes of the early days of rehearsals, talk about how their friendship began, and the insecurities and sentimentalities that connect us all -- as theater lovers and human beings. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917388

S3E22: The Make-up of Joe Dulude with Joe Dulude 10/23/2023

S3E22: The Make-up of Joe Dulude with Joe Dulude Joe Dulude is an award-winning make up designer and drag artist. His work includes WICKED, BEETLEJUICE, MATILDA, SPONGEBOB: THE MUSICAL, MJ: THE MUSICAL and many more. In this episode, Joe shares how nature inspires new ideas for colors, shapes and textures. He explains how he helps create a character from face chart on paper through completion on and actor's face, how his mentorship work brings new designers and artists to Broadway, and he and Stephanie reminisce on his record-making 7-minute "Elphaba" make-up application. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917393

S3E21: Fully Expressed with Leslie Odom Jr. 10/07/2023

S3E21: Fully Expressed with Leslie Odom Jr. Leslie Odom Jr. is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning actor & singer. He shot to stardom in HAMILTON in the role of Arron Burr and is now on Broadway in PURLIE VICTORIOUS. In this episode, Leslie discusses his experience bringing PURLIE VICTORIOUS back to Broadway as an actor and in his new role as producer. He shares how he trusts his gut in making decisions, the importance of re-connecting with himself to start each day, and the power of different narrators telling stories of American history. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917398

S3E20: The Immersion of Arielle with Arielle Jacobs 09/25/2023

S3E20: The Immersion of Arielle with Arielle Jacobs Arielle Jacobs stars as Imelda Marcos in HERE LIES LOVE. She made her Broadway debut in IN THE HEIGHTS as Nina Rosario. She was starred on Broadway in Disney's ALADDIN, and WICKED. She starred Off-Broadway in BETWEEN THE LINES, and the world premiers of SOTTO VOCE and FARHAD OR THE SECRET OF BEING. In this episode, Arielle discusses the pride she feels telling the story of HERE LIES LOVE with an all Filipino cast. She shares how her parents supported her and her brother, Adam Jacobs, on their paths to Broadway, and why she is a California girl at heart. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917403

S3E19: A Full Disco Ball with Sammi Cannold 09/11/2023

S3E19: A Full Disco Ball with Sammi Cannold Sammi Cannold is a theater director and Documentary Producer. She directed EVITA at New York City Center and A.R.T, RAGTIME at Ellis Island, and SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center. In this episode, Sammi shares how attending the memorial for the late Hal Prince led her to the opportunity to direct her upcoming Broadway debut HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO. She shares her views on agism in the theater industry and how understanding the world and the cultures creates a stronger artist. LINKS: /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917413

S3E18: Faith-isms with Faith Prince 08/28/2023

S3E18: Faith-isms with Faith Prince Faith Prince won a Tony for her outstanding performance as Adelaide in GUYS AND DOLLS. She also starred on Broadway in THE KING AND I, JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY, BELLS ARE RINGING, and A CATERED AFFAIR. In this episode, Faith reminisces about her work in music therapy and how it led her to the theater. She tells us why she moved her family and career to Los Angeles and she shares how she has learned to trust her instincts and open herself to healing and great joy through her work as a teacher. LINKS /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917418

S3E17: Reimagined with Lillias White 08/14/2023

S3E17: Reimagined with Lillias White Lillias White has performed on Broadway for four decades. Her shows include DREAMGIRLS, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, CHICAGO and her Tony Award-winning performance in THE LIFE. She is currently starring in HADESTOWN as "Hermes". In this episode, Lillias discusses how she makes the role of "Hermes" in HADESTOWN uniquely her own. She shares her experience starting out on Broadway as a single mom, her fond memories of working with legendary composer Cy Coleman, and how trusting her instincts has guided her in life and on stage. /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917428

S3E16: Big Feelings with Jessie Mueller 07/31/2023

S3E16: Big Feelings with Jessie Mueller Stages Podcast with Stephanie J. Block and Marylee Fairbanks interview Tony Award- winner Jessie Mueller /episode/index/show/528ca632-2fd9-4c8b-b620-0a86dc4c4cbd/id/29917433

Stages Podcast

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