West of Broadway Podcast

On this special 50th episode of West of Broadway, we head east to the 5th annual Broadway Con in New York City to celebrate musical theater with thousands of super fans! This being our 50th episode, we wanted to do something special, so we caught up with Broadway veteran Laurie Wells to talk careers, our love for musical theater and her partnership with a brand-new mentoring app called Shadow Star! Shadow Star is the premier Broadway mentoring mobile app designed to help those in search of a career in the performing arts. Get connected with Broadway Stars like Laurie who will become your biggest supporters and work to help you reach your full potential. Special thanks to Broadway Con for the incredible access! We hope you enjoy this series of interviews from the house floor of this 3-day event! Links: https://www.lauriewells.net/ https://www.shadowstarnyc.com/

Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ in Costa Mesa, California continues it's 2019 – 2020 Family Series with The Joshua Show: Episode 2 This family-friendly production plays February 1 and 2 in Samueli Theater. Will caught up with Joshua himself. Joshua holden is an Award-winning puppeteer and Ambassador joy.  He shares how he uses singing, tap dancing and a cast of zany puppets to thrill audiences of all ages in his whimsical production about friendship and the value of being yourself. SEGERSTROM CENTER for the arts.   February 1 – 2, 2020 Samueli Theater Tickets are $20 and are available online at SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling (714) 556-2787. Follow Joshua : https://instagram.com/ohmygoshuajoshua The joshuashow.com

On this episode of West of Broadway, Will talks with Tony Award-winner and five-time Tony Award nominee Laura Benanti who is bringing her one-woman act to Walnut Creek, California's Lesher Center for the Arts on Friday, January 31st. In her show titled, "Tales from Soprano Isle," Laura will be performing alongside a pianist for a night that will leave you in awe and in stitches. We also discuss her participation in the remarkable benefit album, "Singing You Home, Children’s Songs for Family Reunification" where she gathered other award-winning artists to raise money and awareness for families in need at our border. Featuring tracks from Lin-Manuel Miranda & Mandy Gonzalez, Josh Groban & Idina Menzel, Audra McDonald & Jason Robert Brown, Kristin Chenoweth, Cynthia Erivo, Ingrid Michaelson & Ana Villafañe, and a duet with Laura Benanti & Isabella Preston with backup vocals from the Broadway Baby Mamas. The album was conceived by Laura Benanti and produced by Benanti, Mary-Mitchell Campbell and Lynn Pinto. All artists, musicians, technicians and recording studios donated their time and talents to the project, so that a substantial portion of the proceeds from the English / Spanish language album will go directly to the non-profit organizations RAICES and ASTEP to help reunite and support families separated at the border. Available at: https://www.ghostlightrecords.com/singing-you-home-childrens-songs-for-family-reunification.html Lastly, we'll learn Laura's secret tip for staying focused, productive and at the top of her game! (Spoiler alert, It's meditation!) If you'd like to see Laura's show on the 31st, or just keep up with all the exciting projects she's working on, go to LauraBenanti.com where you'll find links to everything you need! Links: http://laurabenanti.com/ https://twitter.com/LauraBenanti https://www.instagram.com/laurabenanti/ https://lesherartscenter.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1303 http://westofbroadwaypodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/willarmstrongpr/ https://www.facebook.com/WillAndLara/

Welcome to part 2 of our series on Disney's Frozen 1st National Tour. Today we are connecting with Evan Strand one of the actors who plays the impressive and loveable Sven the Reindeer. Listen in as we learn about Evans path from Ballet, to firefighter training, to acting to dawning the intricate mantle of Sven. Frozen is currently playng at the world-famous Hollywood Pantages Theater and is embarking on the first leg of what promises to be an extensive tour of North America. Tickets are available at HollywoodPantages.com Additional Links: https://www.evanstrand.com/ https://www.instagram.com/evan.strand/ https://www.instagram.com/frozenthetour/ www.instagram.com/frozenbroadway/ www.instagram.com/hollywoodpantagestheatre/

Thank you for joining us on our first episode of 2020! Listen in as we speak with Mason Reeves, the exceptionally talented young man who has stepped away from his senior year at the University of Michigan to originate the role of Kristoff in Disney's Frozen National Tour. Currently playing at the Hollywood Pantages Theater til Feb. 2nd, tickets are available athttps://www.hollywoodpantages.com/ Additional Links:: https://www.masondreeves.com/ https://www.instagram.com/rasonmeeves/ https://www.instagram.com/frozenbroadway/ https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodpantagestheatre/

It's a special day in studio at West of Broadway! We are joined by the amazing Becky Lythgoe to discuss the 10th anniversary of Lythgoe Family Panto! Listen in as we discuss the upcoming presentation of A Snow White Christmas. In England, the holidays just aren’t the holidays without a trip to a classic Panto. Lythgoe Family Panto’s fun spin on Snow White brings all the slapstick fun and audience participation that Pantos are known for — and even features a pre-recorded video illusion of the Magic Mirror played by (how’s this for perfect casting?) actor-magician Neil Patrick Harris. Additional cast members include Garrett Clayton as The Huntsman, Disney’s Olivia Sanabia as Snow White and Destiny’s Child’s Michelle Williams as The Queen. Lythgoe Family Panto returns to the historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium with their 10-year anniversary production of A Snow White Christmas, December 13-22, 2019. LINKS: https://americanpanto.com/home https://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/2654040?_ga=2.154424378.309766481.1562368482-257887247.1562001810 https://www.instagram.com/lythgoepanto/ https://www.instagram.com/beckyblythgoe/ https://www.instagram.com/larascottmedia/ https://www.instagram.com/willarmstrongpr/

On this episode of West of Broadway, Lara Scott talks with Danielle Trzcinski, co-writer and star of Little Black Dress, the fearlessly funny ladies’ night out musical. Come learn about the making of a show that is one wild and unforgettable evening with its hilarious show-stopping musical numbers, “Magic Mike”-influenced dancing, and loads of improvised audience mayhem! Danielle Trzcinski and Amanda Barker saw an audience they never knew existed. Thousands of women who wanted to go to the theatre not just to see a show, but to have an experience where they could laugh, party, and let loose...oh, and see some stripping from a very sexy man. So, they grabbed a couple of their super talented friends—award-winning director Christopher Bond and Broadway vocal arranger and composer Natalie Tenenbaum—and together wrote the story of Dee and her best friend Mandy. Together we witness the girls’ major life events in their little black dresses—first job interview, first date, first awkward sexual experience, second awkward sexual experience, and more! Using hilarious improv, catchy songs, and a heartfelt story, Little Black Dress has made audiences across the globe laugh, cry, and party! Playing at the Kirk Douglas Theater in Culver City on Dec 3 - 15th. Tickets: https://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/kirk-douglas-theatre/guest-productions/little-black-dress/

In this episode of West of Broadway, Lara Scott talks with the Diva Donna herself, DAN’YELLE WILLIAMSON Currently starring in the national tour of Summer, The Donna Summer Musical. Now playing at the Hollywood Pantages Theatr til November 24th. Tickets available at HollywoodPantages.com Williamson, a Broadway veteran with a passion for storytelling, is delighted to share in the legacy that is DONNA SUMMER all over the US! Last seen in the American Premier of Life After and a Holiday Celebration Concert in Tokyo, Japan. Broadway: Memphis, Scandalous and Rocky. Additional credits: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Sister Act, Disgraced, Mamma Mia!, The Lion King (National Tour) and Wicked (Chicago). Film soundtrack: 12 Years a Slave. Agent: DGRW INC. IG: @dubbzlove / danyellewilliamson.com

On this episode of West of Broadway, Will and Lara speak with Michael A. Shepperd who is currently starring as “Miss Trunchbull,” in the La Mirada production of Matilda the Musical. LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT are thrilled to present the second show of their 2019-2020 season, Roald Dahl’s MATILDA, THE MUSICAL, book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, musical direction by Jennifer Lin, choreography by Kate Dunn and directed by Michael Matthews. MATILDA, THE MUSICAL will preview on Friday, October 25, 2019 (with a press opening on Saturday, October 26 at 8pm) and runs through Sunday, November 17, 2019 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada. For tickets, please call (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310 or buy online at www.lamiradatheatre.com. Group discounts are available.

On this episode of West of Broadway, Lara and Will get to talk to the amazing Adam Pascal who is currently appearing as Harold Hill in the beloved classic The Music Man. Best known for his leading role in the Broadway hit RENT, Adam Pascal will star in 5-Star Theatricals’ upcoming production of The Music Man, which runs October 18–27 at the Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks, California. Tickets available at: http://5startheatricals.com/the-music-man/?utm_source=cpc&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=music-man&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7sSEraCh5QIVSv7jBx1MNQK5EAAYASAAEgKmhvD_BwE

On this episode of West of Broadway, Lara Scott gets to speak with acclaimed soprano Shana Blake Hill, who will be one of the Guest Soloists for the upcoming Verdi Chorus Fall Concert Sound and Fury being presented November 16 and 17 in Santa Monica. 36 th Season The Verdi Chorus Fall 2019 Concert Sound and Fury 36th Season culminates with operatic sequences from Verdi’s Otello and Il trovatore, Puccini’s Turandot and Tosca, and Lehár’s The Merry Widow Guest Soloists include Alex Boyer, Shana Blake Hill, and Malcolm MacKenzie Two performances only November 16-17, 2019 First United Methodist Church, Santa Monica Venue: First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica, 1008 11th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403. Performances: Saturday, November 16 at 7:30 pm; Sunday, November 17 at 2:00 pm Tickets: Prices: $10.00 - $40.00 By Phone - (800) 838-3006 Online – www.verdichorus.org

Will and Lara are honored to have an opportunity to speak with the ICONIC Betty Buckley about life, pets and her upcoming performances at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and LA's Saban Theater. The Tony winner will be at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts October 17 – 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Samueli Theater. Segerstrom Center for the Arts proudly presents Tony Award® winner Betty Buckley October 17 – 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Samueli Theater. If you miss that, she'll be in LA's Saban Theater on November 2nd: http://www.saban.theater/tickets/ We hope you enjoy this special episode of West of Broadway!

On this episode of West of Broadway, Will and Lara talk with Mom Blogger and Lifestyle Expert Nikki Diaz of @NikkiDiazWorld about her experience at Opening Night of Pasadena Playhouse's production of Little Shop of Horrors starring George Salazar, MJ Rodrigues, and Amber Riely. Now playing until October 10th. Tickets available: https://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org/tickets-events/ Be sure to follow Nikki Diaz at: http://www.nikkidiaz.com/blog https://www.instagram.com/nikkidiazworld/ https://www.youtube.com/user/NikkiDiazWorld https://www.facebook.com/IAmNikkiDiaz/

THE NEW NATIONAL TOUR OF CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S DYNAMITE BROADWAY REVIVAL OF LEGENDARY MUSICAL MISS SAIGON is on it's way to Segerstrom Hall on October 1 – 13, 2019 and we got to talk with Emily Bautista who is starring as Kim! MISS SAIGON Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA October 1 – 13, 2019 Tuesday – Friday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets – Start at $26 In Person – The Box Office 600 Town Center Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily Online – SCFTA.org Phone – (714) 556-2787 Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily Group Sales – (714) 755-0236 Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday Advisory – MISS SAIGON contains some scenes and language which may not be suitable for younger audience members, including scenes of a sexual nature. Recommended for ages 14 and up.

On this episode of West of Broadway, Will talks about his experience at La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts seeing the West Coast premiere of "Grumpy Old Men the Musical." Spoiler alert, he loved it! and to top it off, the 2 are joined by Broadway, Film and television icon Ken Page to discuss his role as Chuck the loveable general store owner. They also get an opportunity to talk about some of Ken's other famous shows and roles, most notably the Disney classic Nightmare Before Christmas's Oogie Boogie. This McCoy Rigby production is playing until October 13th at La Mirada Theater for the Performing Arts and tickets are available at lamiradatheater.com *Rated PG-13