The BSB Podcast

BSB Insider

The BSB Podcast is an official podcast of BSB Insider.

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255 episodes
Updated Saturday

Episodes255

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February 17 · 34 min
'Operation Mincemeat' Music and Stagecraft | The BSB Podcast
Are you ready for your next mission, agent? Should you choose to accept, we have the perfect assignment for you, one that, if done correctly, might just help us win the war! In your briefing, you'll find instructions to join in on our conversation about the music and stagecraft of this hilarious new Broadway musical, Operation Mincemeat! That's right, we're continuing our discussion of the Tony Award-winning musical, which went from a limited engagement to the show that keeps extending time and time again. In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the musicality of Operation Mincemeat and see how it stacks up comparatively to the other shows currently on Broadway. What classification would they place the songs and music in? Does it have an old Broadway feel, or is this more of a pop show, similar to Six or Hamilton? What about the staging stood out to these two theater critics, and did it add to the story or detract from it? These two also weigh in on who Operation Mincemeat is aimed at and give their final verdict on the show! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
February 16 · 27 min
Exclusive Interview: Kez Settle of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company's 'Poor Clare'
I think it's safe to say that most people want to do good in this world. Growing up, my mother would always tell my siblings and me that one of our only goals in life was to "Do good, shut up, and go home," which ultimately meant we should aspire to do good for those around us and live a life we feel good about. Similar to a doctor's code of honor, she wanted us to do no harm and spread kindness, which is also a sentiment that St. Clare of Assisi shares with her religious mission. It's St. Clare's story that lies at the core of Detroit Mercy Theatre Company's Poor Clare, their current production in their new black box theatre. We spoke with the director of this production, Kez Settle, about what audiences can expect from this show! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Kez Settle discusses what drew her to wanting to direct this show and if she was familiar with the story before coming onto the project. She also explores how this project blends a historical narrative with a modern aesthetic, and how that changes the story to make it feel more universal. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
February 15 · 17 min
Exclusive Interview: Maggie O'Reilly and Bryan Lark of 'As I Die and Wheeze!'
What's life without a little melodrama, amirite? Or I suppose I should be more specific...what is life without a little Southern melodrama in the form of a hilarious comedy? At least, that's what those over at Planet Ant are asking right now, as their production of As I Die and Wheeze! is currently playing in Ant Hall! While the cast and crew just celebrated their opening weekend, we had the pleasure of speaking with one of the playwrights of As I Die and Wheeze!, Maggie O'Reilly, and director Bryan Lark! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, O'Reilly and Lark discuss how this project has come to be at Planet Ant! O'Reilly explores her writing process with her writing partner and how they had the actors picked out before the show was even written. They discuss their collaborative writing approach, which mirrors Lark's approach to directing. The general idea is to make something wonderful and authentic by having everyone involved in the process help create it. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
February 15 · 23 min
Exclusive Interview: Briana O’Neal and Diane Hill of Theatre NOVA's 'Kayak'
There are shows that are purely for entertainment, and then there are some that leave us feeling unsettled, like a current moving beneath still water. Kayak is one of those plays that leaves audiences deeply moved and introspective about the world they live in and the people they surround themselves with. As its title suggests, the play becomes a vessel carrying its characters across emotional waters that are at once intimate and universal. We spoke to director Briana O'Neal and cast member Diane Hill of Theatre Nova's Kayak about how this production came to be and what audiences can expect. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Briana O'Neal and Diane Hill discuss what drew them to this product and how this production has been challenging. With most of the play consisting of monologues and Hill staying in one place, there's always the challenge of keeping the show moving and engaging, which both the director and the actress discuss. With a story that explores the intersection of our obligations to the world and environment with our personal lives and relationships, Kayak has plenty to digest and explore, all of which is discussed in this exciting interview! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
February 14 · 24 min
Exclusive Interview: Dani Cochrane & Cheryl Turski of Meadow Brook Theatre's 'What The Constitution Means to Me'
So many plays ask big questions about love, identity, or ambition. However, What the Constitution Means to Me asks something even bigger: What does a document written in 1787 actually mean for people living right now? Perhaps this is a question we should ask ourselves more often, but we think about it far too little. Heidi Schreck's work answers this question, though it may be far more personal—and complicated—than anyone expects. We spoke with two cast members from Meadow Brook Theatre's production of What the Constitution Means to Me, Dani Cochrane and Cheryl Turski, about the play's power and impact. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Cochrane and Turski discuss what drew them to this project and why What the Constitution Means to Me is so important to tell in this current landscape. These two actresses discuss how sharing the role in this Meadow Brook Theatre production has helped them both shape their performances, and how having someone else to bounce ideas off during character development is a rare gift. Cochrane and Turski discuss what it's like to step into another person's story and the weight of carrying Schreck's story in this show. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
February 13 · 18 min
Exclusive Interview: Tara Makar of Farmington Players' 'The Outsider'
If the world of politics is a circus, then The Outsider by Paul Slade Smith is the main stage in the big tent! This fast-paced comedy throws audiences into the chaotic world of campaigning, where image is everything, and honesty is almost a liability. With razor-sharp dialogue and perfectly timed farce, The Outsider pokes fun at media frenzy, political posturing, and the absurd mechanics of elections. Yet beneath the laughter lies a surprisingly hopeful question: what if the most qualified leader is the one who never wanted the spotlight at all? With The Outsider arriving at Farmington Players, we spoke with one of the cast members, Tara Makar, about her time on this production! In this exclusive BSB Insider Interview, Makar talks about what it's like to step into the witty world of Paul Slade Smith's play, and how quickly (and easily) it feels like this production at Farmington Players has come together. While the show deals with politics, Makar argues it's more like VEEP or Parks and Rec than The West Wing. The humor is biting, though also hysterical, which is what drew this actress to the show. The actress discusses having political experience through friends and family, and how she draws on reality to enhance the show. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
February 13 · 19 min
Exclusive Interview: Leta Chrisman of Stagecrafters' 'Murder on the Orient Express'
I've never ridden a train before in my life, unless you count the one at the Detroit Zoo, which seems like something everyone should do at least once in their life. However, if the train ride is anything like that in Murder on the Orient Express, I might think twice before stepping into the stagecoach. Stagecrafters' is bringing Ken Ludwig's adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel to their Main Stage over in Royal Oak, MI, an experience that will be as mesmerizing as it is chilling! We recently spoke with Leta Chrisman, who is serving as conductor for this production, about what it took to bring Murder on the Orient Express to the stage and what audiences can expect from this show at Stagecrafters! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Chrisman talks about what drew her to this project (hint: she has a deep love for the novel, and a passion for reading!) and what it's like to take a story that so many people know and give audiences something new and unexpected. She discusses the challenges of bringing a train to Stagecrafter's main stage and how lighting and sound help create a full picture for this production. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
February 10 · 41 min
Exclusive Interview: Terry Barber of 'The Best of Broadway: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber & More'
Who doesn't love the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber? As the composer of some of the greatest musicals to ever hit Broadway or the West End, Webber has cemented his place in theater history forevermore. Acclaimed Countertenor, Terry Barber, is bringing this composer's works, as well as a few other iconic Broadway shows, to The Brighton Center of the Performing Arts with his The Best of Broadway: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber & More! What is most definitely going to be a beautiful night, perfect for you and your Valentine, also happens to be a fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the Brighton High School (BHS) Student Tech Club. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, we spoke with Terry Barber about his personal journey into music and what it means to be a countertenor. As the creator of this program, he also discusses what goes into selecting the music and producing a show such as The Best of Broadway. Given the importance of community outreach to Barber, the countertenor discusses how he's giving back to the Brighton community and bringing high school choirs into his show. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
February 8 · 31 min
'Operation Mincemeat' Story and Characters | The BSB Podcast
Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction, and those stories typically make the best shows. Operation Mincemeat is a musical that burst onto Broadway last season after transferring from the West End, based on a true story about how the Allied powers turned the tide of World War II. The story is so wild that the only way to do it justice is to put it to music, which somehow works! We recently had the chance to catch the show on our annual NYC trip, and Operation Mincemeat definitely lived up to the hype! In this episode of the BSB Podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the story of Operation Mincemeat and why people are flocking in droves to see it. With a healthy dose of hilarity and just as much heart, there's plenty for audiences to connect with in both the story and characters. What aspects of Operation Micemeat's story spoke the most to us? Which character(s) did we feel ourselves drawn to more than the others? How does the show balance the comedic tones with the seriousness of an operation like this? Listen to this exciting episode to find out these answers and more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
January 30 · 39 min
'Oh, Mary!' | The BSB Podcast!
There are some Broadway plays that seem impossible to describe, and Oh, Mary! is absolutely one of those shows. While it is most definitely a historical comedy, this show uses history more as a guiding aspiration than a hard-and-fast rule to operate by. It relishes the wicked delight of looking at the life and times of Mary Todd Lincoln through a lens that isn't often used in history: comedy. There's more bounce in this show than Mary's bratty curls, as creator Cole Escola has created something that not only explores a historical figure but also reinvents what it means to be a part of American history. By exaggerating the past to the point of collapse, the production exposes the fragile myths we cling to, proving that sometimes the fastest way to understand history is to drag it into the spotlight and let it misbehave, making it the perfect show to kick off our podcast coverage from our 2026 New York City trip! In this episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko explore the absurdity of Oh, Mary! and the genius behind this one-of-a-kind Broadway play! From staging and direction to casting (which largely shapes the audience's experience), nothing is off-limits in this discussion. Which performances outshone the others on stage? How does this Broadway play not only embrace the farcical nature but also expand upon it? Listen to this podcast to find out all those answers and more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
January 28 · 24 min
Exclusive Interview: Cast of St. Dunstan's 'A Jukebox for the Algonquin'
The Algonquin senior living facility is in desperate need of some fun, and there are a few individuals living in the walls who have a plan to achieve that. A jukebox would definitely liven up the place, so a plan develops that ultimately explores themes of friendship, loneliness, and finding your tribe regardless of what stage of life you're in. St. Dunstan's Theatre's production of A Jukebox for the Algonquin explores the beauty within through tons of laughs and plenty of heart, something the cast understands intimately. We spoke with three of the cast members, Sandra Deering, Terie Spencer, and Denise Kallas, about their time in A Jukebox for the Algonquin. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Deering, Spencer, and Kallas discuss what drew them to this project and why a story such as A Jukebox for the Algonquin is so important. The cast discusses what it's like to step into these characters and how they bring them to life. While this show is said to be a dramedy, these three breakdown if A Jukebox for the Algonquin is more comedy than drama or vice versa. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
January 26 · 10 min
Exclusive Interview: Tiffany Stano of Pontiac IV Theatre's 'The Cottage'
Welcome to the family cottage, a quaint little house secluded in the English countryside, and immensely proud of it. For many, it promises rest and relaxation, either with the aforementioned family or a romantic getaway with your lover. It's in the latter that Sandy Rustin's play, The Cottage, exists, although not quite in the way you may think. Guests arrive here with suitcases full of hope, and perhaps a few too many secrets, many of which won't remain hidden for long. As those buried gems are revealed and treasured, The Cottage embraces the door-slamming, fast-paced hijinks of farce. Pontiac Theatre IV opened its production of The Cottage this past weekend, and we had the pleasure of speaking with the director of this play, Tiffany Stano, about what it has been like to work on this show. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Stano talks about her process for bringing a comedy like The Cottage to this local Pontiac stage! With a show that places great emphasis on comedy, the director discusses how they've worked with the actors and creatives to find the sweet spot for all involved. From the hilarious story to the impressive work of the cast, the director talks about what makes this production so special. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
January 23 · 21 min
Exclusive Interview: Bri Tomczak and Antoine Jackson of Rosedale Community Players' 'Intimate Apparel'
In the bustling streets of New York City, at the turn of the 20th century, where ambition collides with prejudice and desire hides beneath layers of fabric, Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage tells a deeply human story about longing, love, and survival. What begins as a story about corsets and letters soon unravels into a powerful exploration of emotional, physical, and social intimacy. Rosedale Community Players are bringing this incredible show to their stage, and ahead of its arrival, we spoke with two cast members, Bri Tomczak and Antoine Jackson, about what audiences can expect from Intimate Apparel. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Tomczak and Jackson discuss what drew them to audition for the show and what it's meant to them to be part of a production such as Intimate Apparel. From bringing their characters of Mrs. Van Buren and George to life, exploring victories and challenges to doing so, to what themes from the narrative stand out to each of them, you gain a sense of just how much each of these actors loves and respects the work of Lynn Nottage. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
January 22 · 14 min
Exclusive Interview: Kevin Keller of Open Book Theatre Company's 'Clue'
Good evening, detectives, distinguished guests, and board game enthusiasts alike. Tonight, we’re gathered at Boddy Manor not just to solve a crime, but to investigate a mystery. Something's afoot, and it's up to us to figure out what's going on before the bodies pile up, but thankfully, we're not alone in this endeavor! No one knows what's going on in the manor more than Wadsworth, the trusty butler! We had the pleasure of talking with Wadsworth...well, more exactly, we spoke with the actor bringing this character to life at Open Book Theatre Company's production of Clue, Kevin Keller! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Keller discusses what it's like step into the shoes of a character such as Wadsworth and how he finds his own interpretation of the character for this production of Clue. He explores what it's like to bring the colorful (and scary) world of this Hasbro (originally owned by Parker Brothers) murder-mystery game, and how he keeps his energy up throughout most of the show. What are some of the challenges to bringing this character and show to life at Open Book Theatre Company's stage? Check out this interview to find out all that and more!
January 19 · 34 min
Exclusive Interview: CJ Williams, La'Paige, and Sheila Mac of 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf'
While theater has come a long way in the types of stories we're telling, there's always room for improvement. Representation in musicals and plays still has a long way to go, so it's important to shine a light on narratives that are often overlooked. The Chocolate Box Theatre Company is bringing Ntozake Shange's groundbreaking choreopoem, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf, to Ant Hall in Planet Ant, and we were able to speak with the founding members of this theatre company, CJ Williams, La'Paige, and Sheila Mac, about this production! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Williams, La'Paige, and Mac discuss what it's like bringing For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf to this local staple! Williams, who is directing this production, explores her history with Shange's work and why it's important to shed light on a story like this. La'Paige and Mac talk about the incredible work The Chocolate Box Theatre Company is doing and what it's like to be part of the cast and sisterhood of this production. With a focus on sisterhood and community, this production has shifted some aspects from the original stage production, and you can learn more in this exciting interview! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
January 16 · 27 min
'Shucked' Music and Stagecraft | The BSB Podcast
We're traveling one last time to Cobb County, to see what else the North American touring production of Broadway's Shucked the musical has to offer! Having previously spoken about the story and characters from this chuckle-fest of a musical, it's time to look at everything else that makes up this show! From the stage magic to the vocal gymnastics performed in so many of the songs, everything else is on the table in our Shucked Music and Stagecraft discussion! In this episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko discuss the music from Shucked, along with just about anything else that comprises the corniest show from Broadway. With a strong Broadway feel, this show blends a country music vibe to take audiences on an adventure unlike anything they've experienced before. Featuring one of the coolest sets we've seen in a long time, and some costumes that seem ripped from a Farmer's catalog, there's so much to break down from Shucked! Is there a specific song that spoke to the hosts the most? What part of the stagecraft did they appreciate? And how exactly does the corn mechanism work? Find out all these answers and more in this exciting episode of the BSB podcast! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
January 16 · 31 min
Exclusive Interview: Danae Ross, Sonya Ellis, and Nisa Miller of 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf'
Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf is not just a work to be read; it is an experience meant to be felt in the body, the heart, and the collective memory of Black womanhood. Through a sisterhood of voices, the author gives language to pain that has too often been silenced: abandonment, sexual violence, racism, self-doubt, and despair. Yet the work is never solely about suffering. It is equally a testament to survival, intimacy, and the radical act of loving oneself in a world that repeatedly denies Black women care and tenderness. This incredible piece of work is coming to the stage at Planet Ant in collaboration with The Chocolate Box Theatre Company, and we spoke with three of the cast members, Danae Ross, Sonya Ellis, and Nisa Miller, about the importance of a production like this one. In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Ross, Ellis, and Miller discuss how they've come to be in this production of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf, and what it's like to bring these universal stories of Black womanhood to the stage. Ellis and Miller talk about being with this production for almost a year, while Ross discusses what it's like to join the sisterhood and be part of a show that means so much to her. While what they explore can be intense, these three also discuss the joy that is infused in this work and their experiences in general. Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
January 14 · 23 min
Exclusive Interview: Nick Cortazzo and Mirabella Ziegler of Meadow Brook Theatre's 'All Shook Up'
What better way to celebrate the new year than with a musical featuring the King of Rock and Roll's songs? Meadow Brook Theatre, in collaboration with Oakland University's School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, is ready to slip on their blue suede shoes and grease their hair back, with their latest production, All Shook Up! We spoke with two of the leads of this Meadow Brook Theatre production, Nick Cortazzo and Mirabella Ziegler, about their time with All Shook Up and what audiences can expect from this musical! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Cortazzo and Ziegler discuss what drew them to this musical and how their characters factor into the narrative of All Shook Up. With a story from Joe DiPietro and influenced by William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, themes of love and identity are woven through the musical, which both actors discuss in detail. How do Chad (Cortazzo) and Natalie (Ziegler) find themselves in All Shook Up? Which songs are the most fun and challenging to perform in this MBT production? And how has this musical challenged both Nick Cortazzo and Mirabella Ziegler in their craft? Listen to this exciting interview to find out! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
January 9 · 29 min
'Shucked' Story and Characters | The BSB Podcast
What exactly is Shucked the musical about? Simple...it's a show about corn! Well, perhaps that's too simple; however, the marketing for this Broadway musical has focused on the fact that it's a show about corn and has not disclosed much else. Part of the show's appeal was the mystery surrounding it, leaving many to wonder exactly what Shucked was about. So, naturally, when it was announced that the musical would go on a North American Tour, the excitement was electric among those eager to learn more about its secrets. Well, today, we're pulling back the curtain on the story and characters of Shucked in this latest podcast discussion! In this episode of the BSB podcast, hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko break down the characters and story within the touring production of Shucked! Journey with these two to Cobb County to discover just what's so special about this corn! What about the story felt unique, and which beats felt overdone? Which characters made the show worth the trip, and where could there be some changes? From the humor to the heart, there's a lot to unpack about Shucked the musical, as this is easily the most corny show to have ever graced Broadway! Give this episode a listen to discover the answers to all these questions and more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!
January 8 · 38 min
Exclusive Interview: Em Rose Miller, Krypton Adams, and Ian Campbell of Rose Above Theatre's 'Hairspray'
It's time to grab your ultra clutch and get ready to make your hair as big as possible, as Hairspray is coming to Rose Above Theatre! For one weekend only, the cast and crew of Rose Above are looking to bring the fun-loving and free-wheeling musical to the Village Theatre at Cherry Hill! Hairspray delivers some incredibly important messages; however, it is packaged in one of the grooviest, most fun shows ever to grace Broadway. Director and actor Em Rose Miller, along with two other cast members, Krypton Adams and Ian Campbell, took some time out of their rehearsals to talk about their time on this production! In this exclusive BSB Insider interview, Miller discusses why it was the right time to bring Hairspray to the theater as their fourth main stage show! Cast members Adams and Campbell talk about what drew them to the show and how it's been to bring some of the nicest kids (and one of the sweetest moms for that matter) in town to life on stage! What messages from Hairspray really stand out to them, and which songs have proven to be the most difficult? Check out this interview to learn all these answers and more! Find the video of this podcast on YouTube For more entertainment coverage, visit BSB Insider Follow us on social media @bsb.insider or check out our Linktree!