Ep. 59: When You Know the Notes to Sing (Ft. Ashley Blanchet)

Podcast

Credit: Jeremy Daniel

 

In every episode, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. You can find the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher (look for the all-red logo). The video series is available on YouTube. The TTF theme song is by Sean Mason (with vocals by Angela Ramos). The video animation is by Brad Ogden, with logos by Jason Simon.

In this episode, Jose speaks to Ashley Blanchet who plays Maria in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of The Sound of Music. Blanchet speaks about playing one of the most iconic characters in musical history and making it her own. The conversation was recorded over the Thanksgiving holiday, which gives Blanchet to talk about the many things she’s grateful for. 

References

Ep. 58: En inglés with an Accent (Ft. Migguel Anggelo)

Podcast
 

In every episode, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. You can find the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher (look for the all-red logo). The video series is available on YouTube. The TTF theme song is by Sean Mason (with vocals by Angela Ramos). The video animation is by Brad Ogden, with logos by Jason Simon.

In this episode, Jose speaks to multidisciplinary artist Migguel Anggelo about his album English with an Accent and the eponymous theatrical piece he’ll present at Lincoln Center in early December. The vibrant artist shared his insights on working with ideas from his dreams, Paloma Faith & Lady Gaga, and the importance of finding collaborators you love, like the brilliant Jaime Lozano. 

References

Ep. 57: Artists as First Responders (Ft. The Bengsons)

Podcast
 

Courtesy of La Jolla Playhouse

In every episode, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. You can find the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher (look for the all-red logo). The video series is available on YouTube. The TTF theme song is by Sean Mason (with vocals by Angela Ramos). The video animation is by Brad Ogden, with logos by Jason Simon.

In this episode, Jose speaks to The Bengsons about Sovereignty Hymns, a series of spirituals they wrote in which they address a woman’s right to choose when it comes to reproductive liberty. The Hymns were first released by La Jolla Playhouse shortly after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022. Driven by powerful personal stories and The Bengsons’ exhilarating compositions, the songs became the alarm that reminds us that, as Abigail says, artists can be first responders. As always, a conversation with Abigail and Shaun is a balm for the soul, so enjoy and bask in their wisdom and light.

References

Ep. 56: Rhythm is Gonna Get’cha (Ft. Linedy Genao & Brandon Espinoza)

Podcast
 

Credit: Jeremy Daniel

 

In every episode, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. You can find the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher (look for the all-red logo). The video series is available on YouTube. The TTF theme song is by Sean Mason (with vocals by Angela Ramos). The video animation is by Brad Ogden, with logos by Jason Simon.

In this episode, Jose speaks to actors Linedy Genao & Brandon Espinoza who starred as Gloria and Emilio Estefan in On Your Feet! at Paper Mill Playhouse. They discuss the different paths they took to become actors and what they learned playing the real-life couple. Genao, who was recently cast as the lead in Bad Cinderella shares how she puts her banking skills to good use in theater, and Espinoza shares what it was like growing up onstage.

References

Ep. 55: Getting Candid with “Candida” Leads (Ft. Avanthika Srinivasan & R.J. Foster)

Podcast
 

Credit: Carol Rosegg

In every episode, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. You can find the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher (look for the all-red logo). The video series is available on YouTube. The TTF theme song is by Sean Mason (with vocals by Angela Ramos). The video animation is by Brad Ogden, with logos by Jason Simon.

In this episode, Jose speaks to actors Avanthika Srinivasan & R.J. Foster currently playing the leads in a revised Candida by Gingold Theatrical Group. The actors talk about falling in love with performance, starring in new works vs. revivals, as well as the ways in which they say goodbye to characters after a production ends its run. The play directed by David Staller runs through Nov. 19.

References

Ep. 54: Bergman’s Ark (Ft. FC Bergman)

Podcast

Courtesy of BAM

In every episode, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. You can find the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher (look for the all-red logo). The video series is available on YouTube. The TTF theme song is by Sean Mason (with vocals by Angela Ramos). The video animation is by Brad Ogden, with logos by Jason Simon.

In this episode, Jose speaks to members of the Belgian troupe FC Bergman. The boundary-pushing collective are bringing their majestic 300 el x 50 el x 30 el to BAM in Brooklyn this month. They talk about the ways in which they combine cinema and theater, some of their influences, and how this work, which they created a decade ago, speaks to them today.

References

Ep. 53: Scene with Solis (Ft. Octavio Solis)

Podcast

Credit: Gema Galiana

 

In every episode, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. You can find the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher (look for the all-red logo). The video series is available on YouTube. The TTF theme song is by Sean Mason (with vocals by Angela Ramos). The video animation is by Brad Ogden, with logos by Jason Simon.

In this episode, Jose speaks to playwright Octavio Solis. Solis’ new play, Scene with Cranes is having its world premiere at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater ) in Los Angeles. The poetic work deals with the aftermath of a tragedy that shatters a family. Solis speaks about how the play was inspired by Jean Sibelius and of the lessons his characters teach him as they come alive on the page. 

References

Ep. 52: Security, Stability, and South Asians in Theater (Ft. Ramita Ravi)

Podcast

Photo Credit: Rich Soublet

 

In every episode, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. You can find the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher (look for the all-red logo). The video series is available on YouTube. The TTF theme song is by Sean Mason (with vocals by Angela Ramos). The video animation is by Brad Ogden, with logos by Jason Simon.

In this episode, Isabel speaks to Ramita Ravi, actor and dance captain in Bhangin’ It. The La Jolla Playhouse musical, written by Mike Lew and Rehana Lew Mirza, with music and lyrics by Sam Willmott and Deep Singh, made its world premiere in San Diego from March 20th – April 17th, 2022. Ramita speaks on how the show’s process makes space for South Asians, consultancy in theater, and how she challenges the “starving artist” trope by creating ARTSWRK, a professional network for artists.

 

References

 

Ep. 51: To the Moon and Back (Ft. Jackie Burns)

Podcast

Courtesy of the artist

 

In every episode, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. You can find the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher (look for the all-red logo). The video series is available on YouTube. The TTF theme song is by Sean Mason (with vocals by Angela Ramos). The video animation is by Brad Ogden, with logos by Jason Simon.

In this episode, Jose speaks to performer Jackie Burns. The actor is currently starring in a musical adaptation of A Walk on the Moon where she plays Pearl, a woman grappling with her life choices during the summer of 1969. Burns, known for her roles in If/Then and Wicked, talks about her love for the 1999 film that inspired the musical, as well as what it feels like to be back on stage in the era of Covid.

References

Ep. 50: A Map to Making Music (Ft. Anthony McGill & Weston Sprott)

Podcast
 

Credit: Miran Kim/Eric Rudd

In every episode, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. You can find the podcast on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher (look for the all-red logo). The video series is available on YouTube. The TTF theme song is by Sean Mason (with vocals by Angela Ramos). The video animation is by Brad Ogden, with logos by Jason Simon.

In this episode, Jose speaks to clarinetist Anthony McGill and trombonist Weston Sprott, who also run Juilliard’s Music Advancement Program (MAP). The program is designed to recruit students from underrepresented communities in an effort to increase diversity in classical music. To celebrate the program’s 30th anniversary, the students and faculty have put together a special concert at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine on May 14. 

McGill and Sprott talk about what drew them to classical music (and their instruments of choice) as children, as well as why they like teaching and what they have learned from their students.

References