The And Scene Theater Podcast

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast! In Act 1, we discuss the summer lineups for Encores Off Center and Shakespeare in the Park, and adaptations moving back and forth between stage and screen. Then, in Act 2, Mike was fortunate enough to attend The Phantom of the Opera’s 30th Anniversary celebration, so he recounts the performance, people and party that helped ring in Phantom’s fourth decade on Broadway!  With Phantom being the longest running show in Broadway history, we thought it was an apt time to discuss why certain shows become record breakers.  What are the elements contained in those shows that allow them to run for decades?  We discuss. What do you think?  What qualities do you believe allow a show to run for years and years on end?  Let us know!  Also, we would like to bring you more of the topics you would like to hear about, so please get in touch with your feedback, and maybe we can have you on the shout discuss your theatrical passion! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! NEWS SOURCES Encores: https://www.americantheatre.org/2018/01/18/encores-off-center-announces-2018-summer-season/ Shakespeare in the Park: http://www.playbill.com/article/othello-and-a-return-of-twelfth-night-tapped-for-shakespeare-in-the-park Prom Queen: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/thames-valley-school-board-restore-prom-queen-the-musical-funding-1.4500443The Rose: http://www.playbill.com/article/bette-midler-film-the-rose-being-adapted-for-broadwayWest Side Story: http://www.playbill.com/article/steven-spielberg-and-tony-kushner-west-side-story-remake-issues-casting-call Phantom Empire State Building: https://www.facebook.com/ThePhantomOfTheOpera/videos/10155051053192051/

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast! In Act 1, we discuss friend of the podcast Robert W. Schneider (@RobWSchneider) bringing a TV classic game show to Broadway, one theater’s response to the #MeToo movement, and some updates to previous News items. In Act 2, we being one of our Theater 101 episodes by discussing the different types of theater/stages on which productions can be performed.  What are the pros and cons of using a proscenium stage?  What about an alley theater?  Or an end stage?  Find out in this week’s episode! What types of theaters have you performed on?  Have you directed a play?  What kind of staging did you use?  What worked, and what didn’t?  Let us know!  We would also like to bring you more of the topics you would like to hear about, so please get in touch with your feedback, and maybe we can have you on the shout discuss your theatrical passion! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! NEWS SOURCES Broadway Match Game: https://54below.com/events/broadway-match-game/ Circle Theatre: https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/article/Circle-Theatres-World-Premiere-THE-CONDITION-OF-FEMME-to-Explore-the-Many-Facets-of-Rape-Culture-20180117 Moulin Rouge: http://www.playbill.com/article/dates-set-for-world-premiere-of-moulin-rouge-musical-in-boston Russia: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/16/theater/russian-theater-directors-house-arrest-is-extended.html

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast! In Act 1, we discuss the healing power of theater in Colombia, who attended Broadway productions in 2017, and some shocking stats about theater in Indiana. In Act 2, we know some of you might be making plans to come to New York City to see some theater during Spring Break, or this summer. So, where are you going to eat?  Well, allow us to provide you with some ideas on where to dine pre- and post-show, both near Times Square, and downtown.  From legendary Broadway haunts, to places you can plan your own theater empire, we present to you this week some great places to dine and drink when attending NYC theater. Do you have any favorite bars or restaurants in New York City?  Any places you love to sit and talk about the show you just saw?  Let us know!  We would also like to bring you more of the topics you would like to hear about, so please get in touch with your feedback, and maybe we can have you on the shout discuss your theatrical passion! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! NEWS SOURCES Colombia: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-latin-america-42493885Bway Attendance: https://www.amny.com/entertainment/broadway-shows-attendance-1.16038562 Evansville: http://www.tristatehomepage.com/news/local-news/evansville-theatre-ranks-high-on-world-list/906924526Go-Gos: http://www.playbill.com/article/go-gos-musical-head-over-heels-eyes-summer-broadway-bow-at-the-hudson-theatre

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast! In Act 1, we discuss the comings and goings of the D.C. theater scene, Broadways HUGE take at the 2017 box office, the latest production at Playwrights Horizons, and Mike takes a point of personal privilege to discuss Broadway in inclement weather. In Act 2, we know that perhaps our acting glory days are behind us, but that doesn’t stop us from thinking about roles we would love to play!  This week we discuss our Top 5 Dream Roles.  We each considered our own criteria, so take a listen and see which roles we would still love to play.  Any producers out there want to cast us?!? What about you?  What are your dream roles?  Let us know!  We would also like to bring you more of the topics you would like to hear about, so please get in touch with your feedback, and maybe we can have you on the shout discuss your theatrical passion! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! NEWS SOURCESDC Theater: https://dctheatrescene.com/2018/01/04/big-changes-coming-2018/ Broadway Grosses: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/broadway-pulverizes-annual-box-office-record-hurdling-16-billion-1070517 Mankind: https://www.playwrightshorizons.org/shows/plays/mankind/

Happy New Year, and welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast! In our first Act 1 of 2018, we discuss a special production in Palo Alto, California, the casting of Jesus in the live TV version of Jesus Christ Superstar, and the good work being done by a theater in Oklahoma. In Act 2, we ring in the new year by presenting our Theater New Year’s Resolutions!  From seeing more Off-Broadway theater, to getting our own works produced, we are looking to make some changes to our theater lives in 2018. What about you?  Do you have any 2018 resolutions related to the theater?  Let us know!  We would also like to bring you more of the topics you would like to hear about, so please get in touch with your feedback, and maybe we can have you on the shout discuss your theatrical passion! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! NEWS SOURCESPalo Alto: https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/12/15/theater-sensory-sensitive-show-of-around-the-world-in-80-days-set/ JCS: http://www.playbill.com/article/john-legend-will-star-in-nbcs-jesus-christ-superstar-live Oklahoma: http://bit.ly/2CdEuE1 Summer: http://www.playbill.com/article/dates-set-for-summer-the-donna-summer-musicals-spring-2018-broadway-transfer

Welcome to this week’s (and this 2017’s FINAL) episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast! This week in Act 1, it wouldn’t be a week of theater news without discussing a new jukebox musical.  But this week, we have TWO!  As well, we discuss the continued efforts of the Parent Artist Advocacy League (@PAALTheatre), and a new four hour production being successfully staged in NYC. Then in Act 2, we couldn’t let the year end without one more test of your theater knowledge. That’s right, it’s time for another Theater History Pop Quiz!!  This week’s topic: Commedia dell’arte.  What do you know about this form of theatrical creativity?  Pick up your #2 pencil, and let’s find out! How did you do?  Did you learn anything new about Commedia? Let us know!  And please reach out to us on what subjects you’d like to hear about on upcoming shows.  We do this show for you so we want to bring you what you want to hear! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! NEWS SOURCES Temptations: http://www.playbill.com/article/temptations-musical-aint-too-proud-will-play-pre-broadway-engagement-at-the-kennedy-center Go-Go’s: http://www.playbill.com/article/go-gos-musical-head-over-heels-produced-by-gwyneth-paltrow-will-play-san-francisco-before-broadway-bow A Room in India: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/06/theater/a-room-in-india-review-theatre-du-soleil.html Theatre or Family: http://howlround.com/creating-a-family-friendly-work-environment

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast! This week in Act 1, we discuss Broadway addressing sexual harassment and assault, legal action taken against casting agents, and the latest on the Lin-Manuel Miranda-produced live action movie version of The Little Mermaid. Then in Act 2, we have a Review Round-up on six shows that have opened this fall: three with aspirations for Broadway (The Honeymooners, Mean Girls, and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical), and three that have already made it there (Once on this Island, The Band’s Visit, and SpongeBob Squarepants the Musical).  We take a look at how the critics viewed these shows, and offer our opinions on whether we think the shows will ultimately succeed. Have you had the opportunity to see any of these shows yet?  Do any of them pique your interest?  Any that you’d avoid like the plague?  Let us know! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! NEWS SOURCESTown Hall: https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-sexual-abuse-and-harassment-scandals-blowing-up-on-broadway Casting Agents: https://broadway.news/2017/12/05/broadway-league-files-suit-casting-directors-continue-push-union/ Hammerstein Award: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Coverage-The-York-Theatre-Gala-Honors-Tom-Jones-Harvey-Schmidt-with-2017-Hammerstein-Award-20171205 Little Mermaid Movie: http://www.playbill.com/article/disney-eyes-rob-marshall-for-live-action-the-little-mermaid  REVIEWS (links to all quoted reviews are found at the below aggregated links): Honeymooners: http://www.playbill.com/article/what-did-critics-think-of-the-honeymooners-musical Mean Girls: http://www.playbill.com/article/read-the-reviews-for-the-broadway-bound-mean-girls-musicals-world-premiere Summer: http://www.playbill.com/article/what-did-critics-think-of-summer-the-donna-summer-musical-world-premiere Once on this Island: http://www.playbill.com/article/read-the-reviews-for-broa

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast! This week in Act 1, we discuss whether critics actually have any influence, a new women’s theater festival, and diversity coming to theater in Colorado. Most people who fall in love with the theater do so whilst performing on stage.  However, not everyone is going to earn a living on stage.  If you want to stay working in the theater, but won’t be a professional actor, what do you do?  Well, you listen to this week’s Act 2 and find out!  We run through some the other jobs in and around the theater, and discuss what those jobs are, why an actor would want to do them, and how to pursue them if they pique your interest. Were you an actor who is now working elsewhere in the theater?  Do you think you might be interested in one of these other vocations?  Let us know! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! SOURCES Critics: http://www.americantheatre.org/2017/11/28/tastemaking-in-a-post-newspaper-world/ Women's Voices: http://www.playbill.com/article/allison-janney-named-honorary-chair-of-2018-womens-voices-theater-festival Colorado: http://www.americantheatre.org/2017/11/29/dcpa-announces-playwrights-for-13th-annual-new-play-summit/ Betty Corwin: http://www.playbill.com/article/meet-the-woman-who-fought-to-record-and-preserve-broadway-shows

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast! This week in Act 1, we discuss the arrival of a large ape on Broadway, some interesting pre-show options in Paris, the recovery of the Houston Alley theater, and theater makes its way to TV again! In Act 2, with Thanksgiving now in our rearview mirror, the Holiday Season is officially upon us.  So, hearkening back to our childhood, we detail our theater wish lists for this year.  What are Mike and Meghan asking Santa to bring them this year?  Take a listen and find out! What is on your theater wish list this year?  Is there a specific show you’d like to see?  Is there a trend you’d like to theater, in general, to move toward?  Let us know! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! SOURCESKing Kong: http://kingkongaliveonbroadway.com/ Singin in the Rain: http://www.playbill.com/article/this-paris-production-of-singin-in-the-rain-is-unlike-any-youve-ever-seen Houston Alley: http://www.khou.com/mobile/article/entertainment/the-show-must-go-on-for-the-alley-theatre/493785694 Rise: http://www.playbill.com/article/nbcs-theatre-focused-drama-rise-sets-march-premiere

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast!  We welcome special guest, Billy McEntee (@WJMcEntee)!! This week in Act 1, we discuss a group in California using theater to help victims of wildfires recover, a new TV show that gets high school performers back together, and the actual expansion of theater arts in middle schools! In Act 2, Billy McEntee of Playwrights Horizons (@PHNYC) visits the show to discuss his career int theater, his current position in the communications department at Playwrights, and Playwrights’ mission to champion new American theater. Have you ever seen anything at Playwrights Horizons?  Have you ever been interested in communications and community outreach in the theater?  Let us know! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! SOURCESThe Imaginists: http://www.americantheatre.org/2017/11/07/know-a-theatre-the-imaginists-of-santa-rosa-calif/ Encore: http://www.playbill.com/article/kristen-bell-will-reunite-high-school-musical-cast-members-for-new-tv-seriesEducational Theater Foundation: http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/area-middle-schools-will-get-theater-arts-programs-with-help/article_a13cfddf-f9b6-5dde-b5ac-d0f3b9638239.htmlMichael Schur: https://kentremendousblog.tumblr.com/post/167394588758/tom-and-lin-manuel-an-appreciationjealous-rant

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast!  This week in Act 1, we discuss the an interesting pairing for particle physics, some Lin-Manuel Miranda news, and the new Boston theater group, Front Porch Collective. In Act 2, we start a new series on playwrights of color that you should know.  In the spotlight this week: Ayad Akhtar and Larissa FastHorse.  We discuss their work, and how each has addressed their place in America.  We plan on periodically coming back to this topic, so if you know of, or are yourself!, a playwright of color that you think we should highlight, let us know! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! SOURCESParticle Physics: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41699062 Lin-Manuel: http://www.playbill.com/article/lin-manuel-miranda-will-star-in-hamilton-in-puerto-rico Asian Characters: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-41608800 Front Porch Collective: http://www.wbur.org/artery/2017/11/06/front-porch-collective-theater 

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast!  This week in Act 1, we discuss the reopening of a major regional theater thought to be lost, a theater in an unusual spot in Singapore, and the President;s misconception of what a Broadway hit is. In Act 2, Meghan schools Mike on the differences between Production Drama vs Process Drama, and their uses in education.  What do these styles of theater bring to students, and how can they be utilized by educators to further childhood development? Have you ever participated in Process Drama before?  Do you think it was successful?  Are you an educator, and would you consider using Process Drama with your students in the future?  Let us know! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! SOURCESMoulin Rouge: http://www.playbill.com/article/moulin-rouge-musical-to-reopen-bostons-colonial-theatre-before-broadway-bow Singapore: https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2017/nov/01/avenues-trees-live-theatre-spa-why-singapore-airport-best-planet Chicago: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/news/ct-ent-actors-pay-study-1026-story.html Michael Moore: http://www.playbill.com/article/trump-responds-to-michael-moores-broadway-show

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast!  Meghan is back, and she tells us about the show she put up this week, to kick off Act 1.  We then discuss this week’s news regarding theater equality efforts, the ghosts of Broadway, and a theater festival in Cairo, Egypt. In Act 2, Mike and Meghan each give their Top 5 Title Showtunes.  In other words, what are the best songs that share a name with the show in which they appear?  The nominees considered are listed below.  So which did they choose? What do you think?  Was your favorite mentioned?  Do you have a different Top 5?  Let us know! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! SOURCESChange the Stage: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/news/ct-ent-actors-pay-study-1026-story.html Broadway Ghosts: http://www.playbill.com/article/scandals-and-secrets-of-the-supernatural-the-stories-behind-broadways-haunted-theatres Cairo: https://thetheatretimes.com/feminine-edition-womens-voices-prevail-2017-cairo-contemporary-theatre-festival/ Title Showtunes: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, 42nd Street, Avenue Q, Cabaret, Guys and Dolls, Hair, Hello Dolly, How to Succeed…, Jesus Christ Superstar, Little Shop of Horrors, Mame, Man of La Mancha, Oklahoma!, The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, The Sound of Music, Sunday in the Park with George, Sweeney Todd

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast!  Mike is flying solo this week, as Meghan is rehearsing and putting up anew production that we’ll talk about next week.  But for the here and now, in Act 1, Mike discusses a new theatrical discovery in Old Jerusalem, another(!) jukebox musical, and the surprising location of a theater troupe celebrating their 50th season. In Act 2, Mike was fortunate to win the change to purchase tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  The whole process of getting that opportunity, and then the ginormous prices he had to pay, got him thinking about ticket prices in general.  How did they get so high?  Was there  a catalyst?  And what can be done to curb their increase, let alone bring them down.  Mike gives his first monologue on ticket prices. What do you think?  Have you missed productions you really wanted to see simply because of price?  Do you have any idea on how to bring prices down?  Let us know! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! SOURCES Jerusalem Roman Theater: http://www.aikenstandard.com/ap/roman-theater-uncovered-at-base-of-jerusalem-s-western-wall/article_5504b968-b518-11e7-9175-1fa64413d4bb.html Tina: http://www.playbill.com/article/tony-nominee-adrienne-warren-will-star-as-tina-turner-in-world-premiere-of-tina-musical UCB: https://nyti.ms/2zlNgtB  Columbia: https://nyti.ms/2ziZ1Ry Ticket Price Sources: http://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1990/03/03/broadway-100-ticket/6f588fd4-1962-4f3a-b09a-6b7ce7cc0a25/?tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.0f20dd7ff31fhttps://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/06/how-did-broadway-tickets-get-so-expensive-blame-the-1/258346/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/08/business/broadway-theater-ticket-prices.html?_r=0 http://www.inflation.eu/inflation-rates/united-states/historic-inflation/cpi-inflation-united-states.aspxhttp://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/20/theater/theater-how-much-did-your-seat-cost.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/27/theater/broadway-adopts-a-plan-to-cut-costs-and-ticket-prices.html

Welcome to this week’s episode of the And Scene Theater Podcast!  It’s time for another SHOWdown!! But before we get to that, in Act 1, we discuss the latest Geniuses named in the theater world, a new cross-Atlantic theater partnership, and perhaps the new Hamilton? In Act 2, we have our second Broadway SHOWdown.  After facing off West Side Story and The Music Man in our first episode (ignore what Mike actually says in this episode), we pit two musical heavyweights against each other again.  This week, it’s the Knockouts of Ninety-Eight: Ragtime vs The Lion King!  Listen as we battle out over five rounds of musical mayhem! What do you think?  Do you agree with who won each round and the ultimate winner?  Are there other shows you’d like to see battle it out for Broadway historical supremacy?  Let us know! Connect with us on Twitter at @andscenepod, via email at andscenepod@gmail.com, and on Facebook at facebook.com/andscenepod. Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, or Stitcher, and leave us a rating (five stars please!).  Thank you for listening! SOURCES MacArthur Geniuses: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/11/arts/macarthur-genius-grants.html Public Works: http://www.americantheatre.org/2017/10/04/public-theater-to-bring-public-works-to-london/ Rhiannon Giddens: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/rhiannon-giddens-macarthur-genius_us_59dd9522e4b01df09b773836?utm_hp_ref=theatre The Lion King: Original Broadway Cast Recording: ©1997 Walt Disney Records Ragtime - The Musical: Original Broadway Cast Recording: ©1998 RCA Victor