The BSB Podcast

In the Wild West, legends aren't always born from the truth, and sometimes the most powerful weapon isn't a six-shooter, but the story people choose to believe. Meadow Brook Theatre invites audiences into a world of gunslingers, grit, and moral dilemmas with its production of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, a gripping Western drama that shows the frontier is more than dusty streets and quick draws. Based on Dorothy M. Johnson's short story and adapted for the stage by Jethro Compton, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance explores the complicated relationship between justice, violence, courage, and the legends that shape American history. At its heart is a story about the clash between civilization and lawlessness, where doing what's right isn't always as straightforward as it seems. Marley Boone and Brandon Ruiter bring this fascinating world to life, adding emotional weight and dramatic intensity, and we had the pleasure of chatting with them about what audiences can expect from this production!
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Marley Boone and Brandon Ruiter discuss what it's like to bring a story to the stage that features larger-than-life personalities, conflicting ideals, and plenty of tension. Does The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance explore the humanity beneath the familiar Western archetypes, or does it embrace them wholeheartedly? From the characters' complicated motivations to the timeless questions at the story's center, our conversation explores why this Western still packs a powerful punch.
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Some stories demand to be told, not because they offer easy answers, but because they force us to confront difficult truths. That is precisely the territory explored in Aftermath, the compelling new Off-Broadway play by acclaimed playwright David Zax. Blending deeply personal experiences with larger questions about humanity, identity, and the lasting consequences of extraordinary circumstances, Aftermath invites audiences to look beyond the headlines and consider the people whose lives are forever shaped by the events unfolding around them. At the heart of the production is a powerful reminder that behind every tragedy, conflict, or moment of upheaval are individuals carrying their own hopes, fears, memories, and struggles. Through intimate storytelling and emotionally charged performances, the play connects the audience with experiences that might otherwise feel distant or unfamiliar. We recently spoke with one of the production's stars, Awesta Zarif, about what it's like to step into a deeply personal story that can be difficult to sit with.
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Awesta Zarif discusses bringing this material to the stage, exploring the emotional complexities of storytelling in a story like Aftermath, and giving voice to perspectives that deserve to be heard. It's the kind of theatrical experience that challenges performers and audiences alike, asking them not simply to witness a story, but to engage with its deeper meaning. Where does her character, Mina, fit within the show? How does her presence force the other characters to confront truths they may be unwilling to face? Find out in this exciting interview!
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Some stories never lose their magic, and Dirty Dancing proves that a little romance, a lot of rhythm, and the courage to follow your heart can create an unforgettable experience. The beloved 1987 film has danced its way from the silver screen to the stage, bringing its iconic characters, unforgettable music, and sizzling choreography to audiences in a theatrical production that celebrates everything fans have loved for decades. We recently sat down with actress Ashley LaLonde to discuss bringing Dirty Dancing: The Musical to life onstage, the excitement and challenges of translating such an iconic story into a live theatrical experience, and what keeps this beloved production capturing audiences' hearts generation after generation.
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Ashley LaLonde discusses what it's like to join such a beloved show and to create a brand-new character for Dirty Dancing: The Musical! How does Elizabeth fit into the show, and does she affect Baby and Johnny's story? What are standout moments from LaLonde's time with this production? Listen to this interview to find out more!
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Love is rarely a straight line, and in The Last Five Years, it is anything but. Told through two perspectives moving in opposite directions, Jason Robert Brown’s emotionally charged musical takes audiences on a journey through a relationship's exhilarating highs and devastating lows, exploring the moments that bring two people together and the circumstances that ultimately pull them apart. With its intimate storytelling, unforgettable music, and unconventional structure, The Last Five Years offers a deeply personal look at love, ambition, sacrifice, and the complicated realities of making a relationship work. St. Dunstan’s Theatre brings this beloved musical to life with Andrew Martin and Alyssa Alonte stepping into the roles of Jamie and Cathy, two characters whose stories unfold in strikingly different ways. While Jamie experiences their relationship from beginning to end, Cathy tells her side in reverse, creating an emotional collision of memories, hopes, and heartbreak that makes the musical particularly compelling.
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, we sat down with Andrew Martin and Alyssa Alonte to discuss the challenges of bringing these complex characters to the stage, navigating the show's unique storytelling structure, and finding the emotional truth behind Brown’s powerful score. From the vulnerability required to portray a relationship unraveling to the musical moments that make The Last Five Years so unforgettable, the two performers offer a closer look at what makes this intimate production resonate with audiences.
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What happens when a woman who has spent her entire life trying to stay out of the spotlight suddenly becomes the most important person in the universe? That’s the wonderfully chaotic premise behind Everything Happens So Much, the new science-fiction comedy novel from the hilarious Andrew H. Murray. Blending absurdist humor, multiverse mayhem, and surprisingly relatable questions about life and identity, Murray’s upcoming book takes readers on an adventure where the ordinary can become extraordinary in the blink of an eye. Drawing comparisons to The Midnight Library and Everything Everywhere All at Once, Everything Happens So Much blends imaginative science fiction with the sharp comedic sensibilities of an author who also works as a broadcaster and comedian. We were so pleased to have Andrew H. Murray on to chat about his upcoming novel and what readers can expect!
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Andrew H. Murray shares where the idea for Everything Happens So Much came from and what it was like to bring Esme's world to life! What's it like to take your character throughout a multiverse of lives? Were any ideas cut from the final project? And what exactly was he hoping readers would take away long after they finish the final pages of this novel? Listen to this interview to get all those answers and so much more!
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In The Notebook: The Musical, one of the most unforgettable love stories comes to life through music, movement, and theatrical stagecraft. Based on Nicholas Sparks’ beloved novel, the musical transforms the romance of Allie and Noah into an emotionally rich stage experience, using a sweeping score and inventive production elements to bring their decades-spanning relationship to life. With music from Ingrid Michaelson and stagecraft that tries to capture The Notebook's world, what about this touring production stood out besides the love story? Let's talk about it in this discussion of The Notebook's music and stagecraft!
In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko discuss what sets this version of The Notebook apart from all previous iterations. How does the music help to enhance the experience? Did any particular songs stand out as shining moments? How did Ingrid Michaelson's work translate to the stage? How does the set design help tell Noah and Allie's love story? Find out these answers and our final verdicts on the show in this exciting podcast episode!
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Few love stories have endured quite like The Notebook, but the stage musical finds new ways to make its familiar romance feel immediate, intimate, and deeply theatrical. And perhaps most importantly, refreshing. From youthful romance and family expectations to memory, aging, and the enduring nature of love, the musical expands on the emotional world audiences know while giving its characters new dimensions to explore. But how well does The Notebook musical capture Allie and Noah's classic love story? That's the question that lies at the heart of our Story and Characters podcast discussion!
In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the story and characters within The Notebook musical. What's interesting or dynamic about the love story on stage that you can't get in the film or book? How does the notion of memory play into the overall story? Which character or performance really stood out in this North American touring production? Also, were there aspects of The Notebook that didn't translate well to the stage production? All those questions and more are answered in this exciting podcast episode!
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Few things are more entertaining than watching perfectly respectable adults completely lose their composure, and that is precisely where Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage finds its wickedly funny sweet spot. What begins as a seemingly civilized meeting between two sets of parents quickly spirals into an increasingly chaotic battle of egos, grievances, and barely concealed resentment. Beneath the sharp wit and outrageous comedy, however, the play offers a deliciously uncomfortable look at how quickly social niceties can crumble when people are pushed just a little too far. Inspired Acting Company is bringing this acclaimed dark comedy to the stage, inviting audiences to take a front-row seat as four adults attempt to navigate an evening that becomes considerably more explosive than anyone could have anticipated. We had a chance to talk with the Artistic Director of Inspired Acting Company, who is also one of the actors in the show, Jeff Thomakos, and the director of God of Carnage, Jonathan Kind!
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Jonathan Kind and Jeff Thomakos discuss what drew them to God of Carnage and what audiences can expect from this intimate play. Bringing Reza’s razor-sharp comedy to life, navigating the complicated relationships at the heart of the story, and balancing outrageous humor with uncomfortable truths, they discuss how Inspired Acting Company supports actors through the process and why stories like this one matter.
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Theater has a remarkable ability to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary, inviting audiences to see familiar experiences through an entirely new lens. At Theatre Nova, playwright Michael Alan Herman and director Briana O'Neal bring a new theatrical experience, Maestro, to the stage, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in a story that sparks curiosity, reflection, and conversation. Maestro turns a world of music and drama into a show that embraces the melodrama, striking a chord between a world long gone and the reality we live in now. As a venue known for championing adventurous, thought-provoking works, Theatre Nova provides a fitting home for a production that encourages audiences to look beyond the surface and engage with the ideas unfolding before them, making Maestro a match made in musical heaven. We recently spoke with Michael Alan Herman and Briana O'Neal about their time on this production and what audiences can expect when they attend Maestro at Theatre Nova!
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Michael Alan Herman shares where the idea for this show came from (spoiler alert: it was heavily influenced by a date with his wife!) and how he turned it from a thought in his head into a script on the page. Director Briana O'Neal talks about how vivid the story on the page is and how easily it felt to develop Maestro for Theatre Nova's stage! With a show bigger than life, both Herman and O'Neal embrace it and push the boundaries to create a show that is as hysterical as it is fun!
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'Tis the season for thrills and chills; however, those looking for some Halloween fun without the scares need look no further than Glenloe Trails' CarnEvil 2! This experience turns a simple walk through the woods into a full-blown, family-friendly descent into the macabre. With a trail that has more treats than tricks, elaborate lighting, some fun interactive features, and plenty of surprises lurking around every corner, CarnEvil 2 takes the concept of a Halloween attraction and makes it far more immersive. This is a world where Halloween feels alive, the unexpected is practically guaranteed, and every step forward comes with the question of what might be waiting just beyond the next turn. We recently spoke with Scott Schoeneberger, the creator behind Glenlore Trails and the mind helping bring CarnEvil 2 to life.
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Scott Schoeneberger has built an experience that goes beyond a simple walk through the woods, embracing the atmosphere, storytelling, visual spectacle, and theatricality that make a great Halloween event memorable. With CarnEvil 2, that vision gets even bigger, stranger, and more unpredictable, inviting audiences to leave the ordinary world behind and willingly step into the nightmare. Schoeneberger offers a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into creating Glenlore Trails’ latest frightfully fun-filled adventure, and why sometimes the best way to celebrate Halloween is to get completely lost in the dark forest and bright lights.
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