Episodes

  • #47 - Cady McClain - 3 Time Emmy Winner Steps into Orson’s Shadow

    #47 - Cady McClain - 3 Time Emmy Winner Steps into Orson’s Shadow
    Nov 22 2024
    Cady McClain joins us to discuss Orson’s Shadow now playing at Theater for the New City. Cady also takes us through her starring roles on All My Children, Days of Our Lives, As the World Turns and The Young & The Restless as well as her work in movies and television with Peter O’Toole, Bernadette Peters, Ted Danson and more. Also in this episode Lauren Bacall’s 1981 Tony Win for Woman of the Year. The cast announcement for Schmigadoon! At The Kennedy Center starring: Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice) as Josh Skinner, Sara Chase (The Great Gatsby) as Melissa Gimble, Kevin Del Aguila (Some Like It Hot) as Reverend Layton, McKenzie Kurtz (Wicked) as Betsy McDonough, Isabelle McCalla (Water for Elephants) as Emma Tate, Javier Muñoz (Hamilton) as Doc Lopez, Brad Oscar (Something Rotten!) as Mayor Menlove, Emily Skinner (Suffs) as Mildred Layton, and Ryan Vasquez (The Notebook) as Danny Bailey and Ann Harada will reprise her performance as Florence Menlove. Cady McClain is a history making three-time Emmy© Award winning actress, two-time Emmy nominated director, and an accomplished producer and writer who has worked for over 40 years in film, television, and theater. A Los Angeles Native, McClain spent 25 years living in New York City to pursue acting training and work in theatre. She is the first woman to have won three Emmys for three different characters on three different television shows and networks: "All My Children" (Best Juvenile, 1991), "As the World Turns" (Best Supporting Actress, 2004), and Days of Our Lives (Best Guest Performer, 2021). Additionally, she has earned eight Emmy nominations for her work in daytime. Other television credits include two episodes of "Law and Order: SVU" (with Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni), "Cheers" (with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson), and "St. Elsewhere" (with Christina Pickles). Off-Broadway credits include The Red Address by David Ives at Second Stage (w/ Kevin Anderson, dir. Pam Berlin), Much Ado About Nothing at Lincoln Center Theater (dir. Deloss Brown), A Comedy of Errors at Hudson Theater Guild (w/ Erik Jensen), and Quiet on the Set at Westbeth Theater Center (w/ Matt Servitto). Her Off-Off Broadway work includes Self-Offense at Cucuracha Theater and Inventions of Farewell at HERE Theater (dir. Estep Nagy). Regionally, McClain has appeared in Shirley Valentine at Cape May Stage, Barefoot in the Park at Westbury and Valley Forge Music Fairs, and productions with Axial Theatre, such as What the Constitution Means to Me (dir. Nate Flower) and Deer by Aaron Mark (w/ Alfredo Narciso, dir. William Roudebush). Her film credits include Alma Mater (w/ Will Lyman) and Home Movie (dir. Adrian Pasdar). Currently, McClain serves as the Artistic Director of Axial Theatre and is in her third year in the role. She also teaches scene study at Michael Howard Studios. More information can be found at cadymcclain.com. Cady McClain returns to the stage portraying Joan Plowright as Theater for the New City (Executive Director, Crystal Field) (155 First Ave. at E. 10th St.) presents a remount of Orson's Shadow by Austin Pendleton, directed by Mr. Pendleton and David Schweizer, as of November 8 through December 1. Axial Theatre, Oberon Theatre Ensemble, and Strindberg Rep collaborate with Fortify.space and Michael Howard Studios to bring back the highly acclaimed production from March, 2024. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • #46 - Nick Adams brings Superhero Energy to Drag! The Musical

    #46 - Nick Adams brings Superhero Energy to Drag! The Musical
    Nov 20 2024
    Nick Adams stops by to chat all things Drag The Musical. Sharing what it’s like to work with NKOTB Joey McIntyre, getting tips from the stars of RuPauls Drag Race, and creating the character with Alaska from the shows first incarnation. Nick also takes on a trip down memory lane of past shows Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, La Cage aux Folles, and Chicago and also starring the movie Fire Island on Hulu. Also in this episode Chris Colfer’s 2011 Gold Globe win. The first Tony Committee Meeting of the season including the following shows: Home, Oh Mary!, Job, Once Upon a Mattress, The Roommate, The Hiss of California, McNeal, Yellow Face, Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Left on Tenth, Romeo & Juliet. Nick Adams is a Broadway, film and television actor. He currently stars as Alexis Gillmore in the smash off-Broadway hit Drag The Musical. He recently starred as Cooper in the Emmy® nominated feature film Fire Island for which he received a Gotham Award. The film also won a GLAAD Award, Dorian Award, and garnered Hollywood Critics Association and People’s Choice Award nominations among others. Notably, Adams originated the role of Adam/Felicia in the Tony-winning Broadway musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which earned him an honor from the American Theater Hall of Fame, two Broadway Audience Choice Awards, and an Astaire Award nomination for Best Dancer on Broadway. He received national critical acclaim for his portrayal of Whizzer in the North American tour of Lincoln Center Theater’s Broadway revival of Falsettos, directed by James Lapine. Adams was the final actor to star as Fiyero in the first national touring production of Wicked. He originated the role of Alexis Gilmore in the Queerty and Broadway World Award-winning world premiere of Drag: The Musical in Hollywood, California, and can be heard on the studio cast album. Other Broadway credits include A Chorus Line, Guys and Dolls, Chicago, La Cage Aux Folles and The Pirate Queen. TV/Film highlights include FBI Most Wanted (ABC), The Holiday Exchange (Peacock/Amazon), Dallas Drake on The Other Two (Max), Sex and the City 2, An Englishman in New York, Still Waiting In The Wings, As the World Turns, Guiding Light, Go-Go Boy Interrupted, and It Could Be Worse (Hulu). Concerts: NY Pops (Carnegie Hall), Boston Pops, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, Erie Philharmonic, The National Arts Center Orchestra of Canada. Nick holds a BFA from the prestigious Boston Conservatory of Music. @thenickadams Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • #45 - Daryl Roth - A career in theater was Beshert

    #45 - Daryl Roth - A career in theater was Beshert
    Nov 13 2024
    Tony Winning Producer and Theater Owner Daryl Roth answers the age old questions what does a Producer to? What was it like to bring her friend Delia Ephron’s memoire Left on tenth to Broadway starring Juliana Margulies & Peter Gallagher? Daryl also discusses Kinky Boots, Titanique, Closer Than Ever, Clybourne Park, and the upcoming Picture of Dorian Gray and Sondhiem’s Old Friends. Daryl shares her love of dogs both in her life and on her stage. Also in this episode Kate Winslet’s greatest hits including 2009 Golden Globe Win for Revolutionary Road, The Holiday, Titanic and Finding Neverland. Jack Black in School of Rock, Jumanji and Dead Man Walking. Plus the upcoming Broadway Revival of Glen Gary Glen Ross staring Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk, Bill Burr, and Michael McKean. Daryl Roth is a 13 time Tony Award-winning Broadway producer and leading innovator in the American theatre, with a career spanning over three decades. Credited with some of the most thought-provoking productions in New York City and throughout the world, Ms. Roth has brought to the stage the works of many of our greatest dramatists, including Edward Albee, Paula Vogel, and Nilo Cruz; has helped shepherd the careers of new playwrights; and is the force behind the Tony and Olivier Award winning Best Musical Kinky Boots (Broadway, U.S. Tour, London, Toronto, Australia, Korea, Japan). Ms. Roth is honored to hold the singular distinction of producing 7 Pulitzer Prize-winning plays: Anna in the Tropics; August: Osage County (2008 Tony Award); Clybourne Park (2012 Tony Award); How I Learned to Drive; Proof (2001 Tony Award); Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women; and Wit. She champions stories that connect to the wider world through the stories they tell, and is particularly drawn to themes that include issues of gender and identity, family dynamics, stories with strong women at the core, and those that reflect her Jewish heritage. Among the more than 130 shows she has produced both on and Off Broadway include Larry Kramer’s seminal play about the AIDS crisis, The Normal Heart (2011 Tony Award); Paula Vogel’s award-winning play Indecent; Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron’s international hit play Love, Loss, and What I Wore; and Gloria: A Life, a play about the iconic Gloria Steinem.. Other prominent productions include Absolute Brightness; Angels in America; Between the Lines; Buyer & Cellar; Company; Curtains; Funny Girl; Edward Albee’s The Goat or Who is Sylvia; Into the Woods; It Shoulda Been You; The Kite Runner; Life of Pi; The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; War Horse; and The Year of Magical Thinking. Ms. Roth was at the forefront of creating philanthropic partnerships that reflect and respond to themes from her productions; inspiring audiences, and supporting and raising awareness for organizations. Some examples include W;t (New York Hospital); Love, Loss, and What I Wore (Dress for Success); The Normal Heart (Human Rights Campaign, Friends in Deed, amfAR, and The Actors Fund); Kinky Boots (True Colors Fund); and Life of Pi (World Wildlife Fund). The Daryl Roth Theatre, the landmark Off-Broadway venue on Union Square, opened its unique main theatre space in 1996. It is currently home to the hit musical Titanique. Dedicated to supporting a number of non-profit organizations, Ms. Roth is a Trustee of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Lincoln Center Theatre. Honors include The New Dramatists Outstanding Career Achievement Award; New York Living Landmarks Award; and the Lucille Lortel Lifetime Achievement Award. She is proud to have been inducted into the 2017 Theatre Hall of Fame and be named to Crain’s 2019 “50 Most Powerful Women in New York.” Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • #44 - Tommy Dorfman - 13 Reasons why you should see Romeo & Juliet

    #44 - Tommy Dorfman - 13 Reasons why you should see Romeo & Juliet
    Nov 6 2024
    Tommy Dorfman Star of Romeo & Juliet talks about what it’s like to work on the show of the season from one of the oldest playwright. Tommy discusses playing the duel role of The Nurse & Tibolt, the role of gender in this version directed by Sam Gold and the bond between Rachel Zegler’s Juliet and Tommy’s Nurse. We also discuss her hit series 13 Reasons Why, upcoming movie I wish you all the best written, directed and produced by Tommy and her upcoming memoir Maybe this will save me. Also in this episode: Julie Andrews Oscar win for Mary Poppins, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade performance line up of Hell’s Kitchen, Death Becomes Her, The Outsiders. Tommy Dorfman is an accomplished actress, writer, director, and producer whose work spans film, television, and theater. Best known for her breakout role in the hit Netflix series 13 REASONS WHY, Dorfman has since gone on to build a dynamic career, while consistently shining a light on her experiences as a trans woman in Hollywood. Most recently, Dorfman made her Broadway debut in Sam Gold’s adaptation of ROMEO + JULIET, starring alongside Kit Conner and Rachel Zegler. Opening on October 24 for a 20-week run, this production marks Dorfman’s return to the New York stage and her first acting role since publicly coming out as transgender. In this fresh take on the classic, Dorfman takes on dual roles as the “Nurse” and “Tybalt.” Recently, Dorfman directed her first feature film, I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST, starring Corey Fogelmanis, Alexandra Daddario, Cole Sprouse, and Lena Dunham. The highly anticipated debut feature premiered at SXSW in March 2024 to rave reviews. Up next, Dorfman’s memoir Maybe This Will Save Me will be published by HarperCollins in May 2025. Through her queer lifestyle platform CURRAN and production company DOWN THE LINE, Dorfman’s work focuses on telling stories that highlight distinct and diverse LGBTQ+ experiences. She has worked closely with GLAAD and the Ali Forney Center as well as spearheaded fashion campaigns focused on bringing queer talent front and center with companies like Coach, Valentino, and Calvin Klein. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • #43 - Noah Pyzik - Acting, Producing and Napping on his Dressing Room Floor

    #43 - Noah Pyzik - Acting, Producing and Napping on his Dressing Room Floor
    Oct 30 2024
    Behind the Awards goes backstage at Our Town to talk with actor Noah Pyzik. He talks about working with director Kenny Leon in this and Purlie Victorious. Noah explains what it’s like being a cast member and also an understudy. Noah also talks about his career as a producer and growing up as a theatre kid in Michigan. Also in this episode we discuss seeing Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler in Romeo & Juliet and Whoopi Goldberg’s Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Ghost. Noah Pyzik is an actor, producer, writer, and historian. He’s performed on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning production of Purlie Victorious and Our Town, and in New York at The Public Theater, Lincoln Center, La MaMa, Playwrights Downtown, The York Theatre, A.R.T./NY, National Queer Theatre, Theatre Row, The Tank, Teatro Latea, Snapple Theatre Center, Faison Firehouse, and Brooklyn Art Haus. He is the recipient of a New York Innovative Theatre Award, an Off-Broadway Alliance Award nomination, and various film festival honors. His upcoming producing credits include Off-Broadway’s Baldwin et Lucien, Botticelli in the Fire, The Zionists, and Foucault in Warsaw. @noahpyzik on Instagram Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • #42 - Lorraine Toussaint - is geeking out and so are we that Season 5 of The Equalizer begins this week

    #42 - Lorraine Toussaint - is geeking out and so are we that Season 5 of The Equalizer begins this week
    Oct 23 2024
    Lorraine Toussaint kicks off Season 5 of The Equalizer this week on CBS alongside her TV Niece Queen Latifah and drops by to chat about her 40 year career of Stage, Film and TV including Any Day Now Co-starring Annie Potts, Orange is the New Black, plus she talks about how Juilliard gave her the training needed to create her own language for Into the Bandlands, and of course her return to the stage after 18 years in Hamlet at the Delacourt as part of Shakespeare in the Park Directed by Kenny Leon. Also in this episode - Eila & Bruce take a field trip to the invited dress rehearsal of Maybe Happy Ending starring Darren Criss & Helen J Shen, Shirley MacLaine Oscar win for Terms of Endearment. Lorraine Toussaint began her career in theatre, before supporting performances in films such as Breaking In (1989), Hudson Hawk (1991), and Dangerous Minds (1995). As lead actress, she is best known for her role as Rene Jackson in the critically acclaimed Lifetime television drama series Any Day Now, from 1998 to 2002, and her recurring role as defense attorney Shambala Green in the NBC legal drama Law & Order. She later appeared as a regular cast member in the NBC police procedural Crossing Jordan (2002–03) and the TNT crime drama Saving Grace (2007–10). Toussaint received critical acclaim and an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her performance in the 2012 drama film Middle of Nowhere, written and directed by Ava DuVernay. In 2014, she played the role of Yvonne "Vee" Parker, the main antagonist in the second season of the Netflix comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black, for which she received critical acclaim and a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She also played the role of Amelia Boynton Robinson in the 2014 historical drama film Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay. Toussaint later co-starred in the ABC fantasy-drama series Forever (2014–15), the Fox comedy-drama Rosewood (2015–17), the AMC drama Into the Badlands (2018–19), NBC drama The Village (2019) and CBS crime drama The Equalizer (2021–present). Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins
  • #41 - James Monroe Iglehart - Blows his own horn in A Wonderful World

    #41 - James Monroe Iglehart - Blows his own horn in A Wonderful World
    Oct 16 2024
    James Monroe Iglehart chats with us about starring as Louie Armstrong as well as Co-Directing A Wonderful World. James shares stories of originating the role of The Genie in Aladdin, being part of Memphis and Hamilton. Not only has James had a wonderful stage career but he shares his prolific experience as a Voice Actor. Also in this episode Scarlett Johansson’s 2010 Tony Win for A View from the Bridge. Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher in Left on Tenth. Won for his Tony Award-winning performance as the Genie in the original Broadway production of Aladdin. Iglehart assumed the roles of the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the Broadway cast of Hamilton in April 2017. He recreated the role of King Arthur in the 2023 Broadway revival of Spamalot and played Louis Armstrong in the Broadway company of A Wonderful World. He can be heard as super producer Steve Jones in As The Curtain Rises, Broadway's first original podcast soap opera. More recently, Iglehart joined the cast of the animated webseries Helluva Boss, as both the Demon Lord of Lust Asmodeus/Ozzie and hellhound bodyguard Vortex, and Hazbin Hotel, as Zestial, as well having written for Marvel Comics, primarily one-shots featuring Spider-Man. Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • #40 - Ephraim Sykes - From Motown to Our Town

    #40 - Ephraim Sykes - From Motown to Our Town
    Oct 10 2024
    Ephraim Sykes stops by to discuss creating a George for this generation with Kenny Leon. He tells us all about the field trip on the first day of rehearsal to New Hampshire and how his career has been as series of pinch me moments from being in the original cast of Hamilton to playing Seaweed Stubbs in Hairspray Live and being a Temptation in Ain’t Too Proud. Ephraim shares how getting a scholarship to Alvin Alley changed his career path and what it was like to audition for and tap with Savion Glover to gain the lead role in Pal Joey for NYC Center Center’s Encores. Also in this episode Richard Gere’s 2003 Golden Globe win for Chicago. Eila & Bruce recount their trip to Our Town now in previews at the Barrymore Theater. Bruce also shares his experience at the Ogunquit Playhouse seeing The World Premier of My Best Friend’s Wedding The Musical Directed and Choreographed by Kathleen Marshall and Lead by Krystal Joy Brown, Tony Winner Matt Doyle, Telly Leung, Lianah Sta. Ana, Morgan Bryant and Zoe Jensen. Ephraim Sykes made his Broadway debut in 2009, joining the cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. He then earned a spot later that year in the Broadway premiere of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical Memphis. Sykes made his Off-Broadway debut originating the role of Benny in the 2011 revival of Rent at New World Stages and later that year, he returned to Broadway as part of the original cast of Disney’s Newsies. He followed this turn up as an original cast member of the 2013 Broadway premiere of Motown The Musical. In January 2015, Sykes returned off Broadway to The Public Theater, originating the role of George Eacker in the musical juggernaut Hamilton. After receiving wide acclaim, the production transferred to Broadway from July 2015, eventually winning the 2016 Tony Award for Best Musical. Sykes remained with the production until September 2016. His big break as a leading man came after being cast as David Ruffin in Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations. Following tryouts in Berkeley, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Toronto, the Broadway premiere opened at the Imperial Theatre in March 2019. Sykes earned his first Tony Award nomination for his efforts, followed by a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album in 2020. On screen, Sykes is known for playing Seaweed J. Stubbs in NBC’s Hairspray Live! in 2016. He has also appeared in 30 Rock on NBC in 2011, Leave It on the Floor (2011), NBC’s Broadway-centric musical series Smash (2013), as Marvin in Vinyl on HBO (2016), Marvel’s Luke Cage on Netflix (2016), Amazon’s Crisis in Six Scenes (2016), and the movie Detroit (2017). Make sure to check out Eila's book, "The Tony Awards", and all her other amazing books: https://amzn.to/43WMu5Y. Connect with Eila and Bruce: Instagram @behind_the_awards Eila @eilamell Bruce @cominghomewithbruce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins