The BSB Podcast

For generations of readers, the Harry Potter series has been a place to escape into a world of magic, unforgettable friendships, and epic battles between good and evil. So when Harry Potter and the Cursed Child arrived, fans eagerly returned to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, ready for another adventure. And arrived they did, as Cursed Child has continued to entertain audiences on Broadway for eight years, bringing the magic to life in a way you've never quite seen before. While we grew up with the boy who lived, this play shines the spotlight on the next generation of young wizards, as they navigate the world of magic and perhaps the darkest adventure to date! We had the pleasure of speaking to Daniel Fredrick, who plays Ron Weasley, about what audiences can expect when they arrive at the Lyric Theatre in NYC!
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Daniel Fredrick talks about what it's been like to be a part of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child over the past two and a half years and how his interpretation of Ron Weasley has changed over that time. It's not every day that an actor gets to sit with a role for an extended period of time, so how has that pushed him with Ron? What themes and stage magic still speak to him? Check out this interview to find out all these answers and more!
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As a critic, I know that sometimes the most difficult part of writing is getting started. That initial hurdle has proven time and time again to be a challenge that can absolutely stop a project in its tracks. However, it's not the only problem we writers encounter when trying to put our words to the page. Writer's block, developing a character, and finding your hero's journey are all things that can derail your writing process before it even begins. However, Abbie Emmons is here to revolutionize the process, both through her YouTube channel and her latest novel, Make Your Story Matter: An Interactive Guide to Unlocking Your Brain's Storytelling Power and Writing a Book Readers Love! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Abbie Emmons discusses her own journey into writing and how what she discovered about the process pushed her to create Make Your Story Matter! Using psychology as the basis for her guide, Emmons asks writers to look for those universal emotions and truths in which every story can be told. What tricks of the trade does she suggest writers throw out, and which ones does she think they should embrace? And how does her book make the writing process as easy and simple as possible?
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What happens when your biggest competition is also the person who knows you best? In Athena, Gracie Gardner turns the fast-paced world of competitive fencing into something much bigger than a sport. Every lunge, parry, and point becomes part of a battle over friendship, identity, ambition, and the pressure to be the best. At first glance, the play seems to revolve around two talented teenage fencers chasing victory, but beneath the masks and blades lies a story about growing up, navigating complicated relationships, and discovering who you are when winning is no longer enough. Filled with sharp humor, quick dialogue, and moments of surprising vulnerability, Athena keeps audiences engaged from the opening scene to the final bout. It challenges viewers to consider how competition can both strengthen and damage relationships, making it as emotionally compelling as it is entertaining. That is why it needs a strong cast and crew to bring it to life, including director Shelby Seeley, fight director Joe Wright, and cast member Amanda Buchalter!
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Seeley, Wright, and Buchalter discuss what it's like to step into the world of Athena and bring it to Theatre Nova's stage! What is it about this story that spoke to each one of them? How has Athena challenged them in their respective roles? And why is this show unlike anything else they've ever worked on? Check out this interview to find out those answers and more!
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Our time at the Paris Opera House is almost over; however, we're not quite ready to leave the story of Christine Daaé and her Angel of Music behind. The love story in The Phantom of the Opera has captured audiences' hearts for decades, but there's so much more to appreciate in this Andrew Lloyd Webber musical than just the story itself! There's a brilliance to the magic happening in this production, as the staging is brilliant and the songs elevate it to a performance, not just a show. So before we say goodbye to this classic Broadway show, join us one more time as we dive into the music and stagecraft of The Phantom of the Opera!
In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko discuss the stunning stagecraft and enchanting music from the North American touring production of The Phantom of the Opera! This is one of the most impressive shows currently on tour, with sets that dazzle just as much as the Broadway production. Which songs were just as amazing as the first time we saw them? And would we see this show again? Check out this podcast episode to find out!
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I'm sure there's a time when we've all felt different or out of place because of something beyond our control. Something we would love to change about ourselves, if only we had the chance, and yet the real healing comes not just from learning to live with that difference, but from embracing it fully. It's this universal message that lies at the heart of Robert Montano's autobiographical one-man play, Small! We had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Robert Montano about the journey he's gone on to bring this show to the stage, and what it's like to share his story in such an intimate way!
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Montano discusses where the idea for Small originated from and how the story wouldn't have been possible without the support and encouragement from some very important people in his life. From some kind words from his late father to a story that came to be because of his mother, and even the integral work with people such as Chita Rivera, there are elements and influences that run throughout his work to make it what it is today. Exploring aspects of his adolescence, Small truly explores his time as a horse jockey and how that period of his life had a gigantic impact on the rest of his decisions. This is a story for the underdogs, and Robert Montano isn't afraid to share it!
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The stage is set and the actors in place for another wonderful performance; however, there's something afoot at the Paris Opera House. Strange things have been happening for a while, and at the center of it all is the young Christine Daaé and her Angel of Music!  The mystery of The Phantom of the Opera has entertained audiences for decades and has recently begun to tour North America once again! Recently stopping at the Detroit Opera House as a bonus show to ATG Detroit's Broadway series this past season!
In this episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko journey to the Paris Opera House to explore the story and characters that inhabit the sacred halls. What secrets might they uncover within the catacombs below? Perhaps a favorite performance or two that wowed them, unlike anything they've ever seen before? Or a storyline that they've never quite resonated with as much as they have this time around? And just which side of the Phantom vs. Raoul debate do our two hosts reside? Those answers and more lie within this exciting (and perhaps haunted) podcast!
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We live in an age of media where those shows we loved growing up are making a comeback in monumental ways. Nostalgia is real, and the desire to return to a world that was vibrant and comfortable is not only desired but absolutely needed. We don't crave a reboot; we want a sequel that brings together those who made the original project so special, much like The Guild film, which is finally in the works from creator Felicia Day! As we approach the 20th anniversary, the cast and creatives behind the series are excited to return to The Guild once again, but they need your help to do so!
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, we sat down with Felicia Day to talk about her time with the original The Guild series and what it's like to step back into the world two decades later! Has her relationship with these characters changed since her initial run with them? What are her dreams for this particular project, for both the film itself and what it represents to the fans? Listen to this interview to find out!
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What's theater without a little magic? There's nothing quite like the stage magic that brings the musicals and plays to life each and every day on Broadway. However, in the heart of Times Square, there's another kind of magic happening that you may not even be aware of! No, it's not the magic of the Big Apple (although that is a special kind of magic if I do say so myself), but instead that of Jim Vines and Carl Mercurio at their show, The Broadway Magic Hour! Every weekend, these two magicians are charming audiences with a show full of magic and wonder, and we had the pleasure of chatting with Jim Vines!
In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko are joined by the one-of-a-kind performer Jim Vines to discuss not only his show in New York City but also his extensive career as a magician. What was the first magic trick that changed his life forever and pushed him to pursue magic as a career? Having produced quite a few shows, as well as winning championships and competing on Penn and Teller's show, what was a career highlight for Vines? The magician also talks about how this current show, The Broadway Magic Hour, came to be. What is his and Mercurio's process for developing a show like this one, and how did they adapt to society's changing times? Find out all those answers and more in this exciting episode of the BSB podcast!
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While many of us may have heard the name Oliver Twist, how many are familiar with his story? Originally published as a serial in the mid-19th century by Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist tells the tale of a young orphan who joins a gang of juvenile pickpockets and ultimately finds his family. It's a dark tale brimming with light that has found life outside the pages of a book, as in the musical Oliver! The stage production debuted in the early 1960's, winning three Tony Awards and eventually spawning a film that earned similar accolades. It's this incredible show and the just-as-impactful story that are coming to the Berman Center of the Performing Arts with Nicely Theatre Group's production of Oliver! We had the pleasure of speaking with two of the cast members, Sara Grice and Kevin Starnes, about what audiences can expect when the curtains come up!
In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Grice and Starnes talk about their previous relationship with the show material prior to the show and what it's like to be a part of the latest production from Nicely Theatre Group! How does Oliver! differ from some of the other productions they've been a part of? What's their favorite song from the production? And how exactly are they embodying these characters? Give this exciting interview a listen to find out!
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Do you hear that sound coming down the road? Faint at first but gaining volume with each passing moment, as something comes into focus. A parade of red plumes and shiny brass, indicating the approach of a marching band! It must be the North American touring production of The Music Man, coming to a city near you! This classic show recently came to the Fox Theatre in Detroit, MI, with a production that captured what makes this show iconic. However, how do the music and stagecraft hold up against the story of The Music Man? Well, that's just what we're about to explore in this part two discussion of The Music Man!
In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko explore the soaring ballads and impressive choreography of this touring production! Which of the songs really captured their attention, while others fell flat? What about the stagecraft really captured their hearts, and what made them wish for the show to end? Which of the performers stood out amongst the crowd? And most importantly, why does Brian love a funky horn solo so much? We'll get to the bottom of all these questions and more in this exciting new podcast episode!
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