Tag Archives: Crazy for You

Steve Ross, Actor


An accomplished actor, Steve Ross has performed at The Stratford Festival for 11 years. In 2014 he played Sancho Panza in “Man of La Mancha” and Moose in “Crazy for You.”

Currently Steve can be seen as Shrek at The Grand Theatre in London, On. where he plays the lead role. Towards the end of the podcast Steve discusses how he prepared for the role.

Steve’s performed at a variety of theatres including Chicago Shakespeare theatre, The Canadian Stage and the Neptune Theatre.

But Steve began acting later in life, after dropping out of Western University, and Sheridan College’s sports medicine programs. He would study at Brock University and the National Theatre School of Canada before finally choosing a life on the stage.

We discuss Steve’s love of comedy, his most bizarre audition for a TV commercial and the time he failed in the role of Edgar in “King Lear.”

Steve was an actor on the verbatim theatre piece “London Road” at the Canadian Stage. We discuss how it felt rehearsing with an ear piece….listening to the real voice of the character he played, in his ear.

We also talk about his mother, who suffered from depression, and the impact that had on his acting.

Links from the Podcast
Leah Cherniak
The National Theatre School of Canada
The Stratford Festival

Bethany Kovarik: Dancer

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Bethany Kovarik, Dancer, Dance Canada tour, crazy for you, ensemble swing Bethany Kovarik began dancing at the age of three. At the age of twelve she was travelling to New York City, and later Los Angeles, on dance scholarships.

Currently, Bethany is the ensemble swing in the Stratford Festival production of “Crazy For You.” As a swing, Bethany fills in anytime an ensemble member can’t perform. We discuss what it feels like to be prepared to perform every night, but rarely getting the chance.

Bethany also opens up about her teenage years and the rigorous world of dance competitions.

In 2010 Bethany graduated from Sheridan College’s three-year, music performance program.

Since then she’s been dancing on stages across Canada, including including Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre, London’s Grand Theatre, Calgary’s Stage West and several Drayton Entertainment productions.

Bethany Kovarik is a coordinator of the Dance Canada competition and pageant. She is also passionate about inspiring and educating others, especially young dancers, to live their highest and best self.

Links From the Podcast
Sheridan College Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance

Reviews of Stratford’s “Crazy For You.

Stratford’s “Crazy For You” on YouTube

Natalie Daradich: Actor

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Natalie Daradich, wicked, stratford festival, man of la mancha, crazy for you Natalie Daradich is a Canadian actor who received great reviews for her performance as Glinda in the U.S. touring company of “Wicked.”

Natalie is currently appearing at The Stratford Festival in “Crazy For You” and “The Beaux’ Stratagem.”

In his review of “Crazy For You,” the Toronto Star’s Richard Ouzounian wrote “Natalie Daradich is truly channelling the young Judy Garland throughout and that’s a very good thing, because it means open-hearted emotion, a prairie-wide smile, a voice that belts its way into your heart and a combination of sweetness and sexiness that’s irresistible.”

This is Natalie’s debut season at The Stratford Festival. Check out the spectacular dancing and music in this promo video for “Crazy For You.”

Natalie and I discuss her journey to success. It all began at Newtonbrook Secondary School in Toronto. After the drama teacher pointed out Natalie’s natural talent, Natalie enrolled at Sheridan college. Prior to attending Sheridan, Natalie had no formal dance training. She gives a shout out to the dance instructor at Sheridan, who gave her the confidence to excel in dance class.

Thanks to the folks below who submitted questions on Twitter. Natalie was grateful for the questions and took the time to respond to them all on the podcast.
Natalie Daradich, interview, podcast, stratford festival, man of la mancha, wtitter, crazy for you

Follow Natalie on Twitter.
Once the shows have opened check out reviews for “Crazy For You” and The Beaux’ Stratagem.”

My thanks to The Stratford Festival and Revel Cafe for their help with this interview.

Keith tomasek, theatre geeks,In this episode I give a shout to to the Theatre Geeks Podcast, who kindly me invited me to appear on their podcast last week. Broadway World called “Theatre Geeks” one of the top theatre podcasts, so give it a listen.