Tag Archives: Broadway

Broadway performer Stephanie Rothenberg 2017

Leave a reply

730x380-Blank1_edited-2


Stephanie Rothenberg is currently in the ensemble on Broadway in “Sunset Boulevard” with Glenn Close.

Prior to appearing in “Sunset Boulevard,” Rothenberg was a part of the original Broadway ensemble of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” starring Daniel Radcliffe and understudied the role of Rosemary, performing it many times opposite Radcliffe. She then assumed the role full time when Nick Jonas replaced Daniel.

Between Broadway appearances Stephanie starred as Maria in “The Sound of Music” at the Stratford Festival, she appeared in Aziz Ansari’s popular Netflix show “Master of None” and acted in an award winning short film that might be on its way to an Oscar nod in 2018.

I spoke with Stephanie between performances in New York, our conversation, which covers the highs and lows of life onstage, will inspire anyone who has had a bad audition, or a bunch of call-backs (but didn’t get the job) to work smarter and harder.

Show Notes

Stephanie’s previous podcast with me

Stephanie Rothenberg’s website
Follow Stephanie on Twitter
Follow Stephanie on Instagram
Sunset Boulevard The Musical

Writers Irene Sankoff & David Hein, Come From Away

Leave a reply

Come-From-Away_card

Irene Sankoff and David Hein, the co-writers of the hit Broadway show “Come From Away,” are my guests on this podcast.

Irene and David’s path to success began with a playful musical at the Toronto Fringe Festival, “My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding,” which attracted the attention of producer David Mirvish who brought the production to a larger theatre.

Mirvish also discovered “The Drowsy Chaperone” at the Toronto Fringe, so the pressure for “Wiccan Wedding” to succeed was high. Things went well and soon they were working on “Come From Away.”

“Come From Away” is set in the town of Gander, Newfoundland, in the week following the September 11 attacks, when 38 planes were ordered to land unexpectedly in the small town.

The people of Gander opened their homes and their hearts to the thousands of travelers, from all over the world, who were stranded.

Come From Away, Irene Sankoff and David Hein, podcast

In the podcast Irene and David reveal how their creative process began with a trip to Gander, Newfoundland to interview the town’s people and collect true stories that became the foundation for the musical.

They explain the development process, that included meaningful workshops with theatre students at Sheridan College’s Canadian Music Theatre Project and Goodspeed Musicals, a non-profit organization dedicated to musical theater based in Connecticut.

The students at both locations worked on the script and Irene & David discuss how significant this process was to shaping the show.

You’ll also hear how the show hits the sweet spot between David’s love of folk music and Irene’s love of Broadway musicals.

Click for the “Come From Away,” Original Broadway Cast Recording

Come From Away original cast recording

On opening night Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau attended the show and met with Irene and David.

Irene Sankoff and David Hein, come from away, justin trudeau

Click the arrow near the top of this page, or this iTunes link, to listen to this podcast about “Come From Away.”

Show Notes
Irene Sankoff and David Hein on Twitter.
Come From Away’s website for tickets, vdieos, etc.
Come From Away on Twitter.
Sheridan College Music Theatre Performance Program.
Goodspeed Musicals.
Washington Post article mentioning Trump’s decision not to attend opening night.
The Grand Theatre Gala with special guest Michael Rubinoff.
Review of “My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish-Wiccan Wedding” at the Toronto Fringe.
About Mirvish Productions
The Toronto Fringe.
Irene and David “A Love Story Times Two” by J. Kelly Nestruck.
“Come From Away” Original Broadway Cast Recording.

Ross Petty: producer, actor

1 Reply

Ross Petty

My interview with Ross Petty was recorded in 2016. It delves into his background on stage and his transition from being a performer to one of Canada’s most successful impresarios.

Ross Petty grew up in Winnipeg but was soon performing in London, Paris and New York.

His career includes performances at London’s West End and the legendary Lido Cabaret in Paris.

In the U.S. and Canada Ross played the title role in Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd,” directed by Hal Prince.

Ross made his Broadway debut in Arthur Kopit’s “Wings,” co-starred with Ginger Rogers and Sid Caesar in a national tour of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes” and created the role of Eddie Dorrance on TV”s “All My Children.”

He lives in Toronto with his wife Karen Kain, Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada.

For the past 20 years Ross has been producing family musicals in the tradition of the British pantomime.

Ross is one of Canada’s most successful and enduring theatrical impresarios.

If you’ve ever produced a show you’ll want to listen because Ross talks about how he went from being an actor in the show to taking over as producer, getting sponsors, hiring writers, actors, and being the driving force behind one of Canada’s most successful, ongoing theatrical events. He also mentions the steps he took to create financial stability after losing a lot of money on a production.

As well as doing all of the above, for 20 years Ross starred in the family musicals, most often wearing a dress.

Ross in Drag 2

Ross Petty

The Wizard of Oz. A Toto-ly Twistered Family Musical

This season Ross is producing a brand new version of The Wizard of Oz that will have children and adults alike clicking their heels (more than 3 times) to pop songs, dances, jokes, ad libs and a generous helping of audience participation.

Details, Details:
The Wizard of Oz: a Toto-ly Twistered Family Musical
Runs through – Jan. 5
The Elgin Theatre 189 Yonge St. Toronto
Tickets start at $27
1-855-599-9090
Book online