Ep. 28: Single and Fabulous, Exclamation Point (Feat. Ryan J. Haddad)

Podcast
Ryan J. Haddad in "Hi, Are You Single?"
Credit: Lawrence E. Moten III 

Every week, 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, Kathlynn and Jose commemorate Valentine’s Day. Last time they reviewed two dark romances and promised to find happy endings for V-Day. First, they talk about Malcolm and Marie on Netflix, leading Kathlynn to ask: why is this billed as a romantic drama? Following that, they talk about The Gay Divorcees, a band of real-life divorcees, who put together a visual album about how their marriages fell apart. Ah, l’amour…

Later Jose talks to writer/performer Ryan J. Haddad about his melancholy Hi, Are You Single? A one-person show inspired by his experiences as a gay man with a high sex drive and cerebral palsy. The play is available to stream at Woolly Mammoth Theatre through the month of February. Jose and Ryan spoke about gay bars, Grindr, I Love Lucy, and specific word choices we make on dating apps.

References:

Ep. 27: Why Producers Are a Show’s #1 Fan (Feat. Rashad V. Chambers and Miranda Gohh)

Podcast
Miranda Goh and Rashad V. Chambers
Courtesy of Miranda Goh and Rashad V. Chambers

Every week, 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, Alexi and Jose go Gaga over J.Lo at the Inauguration. This leads Jose to ask: why are official ceremonies always so somber? This is followed by their review of Adrienne Kennedy’s Etta and Ella on the Upper West Side. Furthermore, they talk about On Site Opera’s The Beauty That Still Remains, a collection of operas delivered by mail.

Jose interviews Miranda Gohh and Rashad V. Chambers of Theatre Producers of Color. A new initiative that seeks to train BIPOC producers over ten weeks. Jose talks to them about what it takes to be a producer, which leads to anecdotes about the shows that made them love theater.

References:

Ep. 26: Creating a Ritual Around Quarantine Theater (Ft. Heather Christian and Joshua William Gelb)

Podcast
Credit: Katie Rose McLaughlin for Theater in Quarantine

Every week, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. The podcast can be found 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, Kathlynn and Jose start by looking back at the attack on the Capitol by white supremacists. Which leads to the way in which theatrical elements can be put at the service of terror. They follow this with two reviews. First, they discuss Shotgun Players’ production of Loy A. Webb’s The Light. They follow this with a review of 1993, an audio drama by Finkle produced by the Keen Company.

Jose interviews Heather Christian and Joshua William Gelb. They are the composer and director/performer, respectively, behind I Am Sending You the Sacred Face. The show explores the life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Gelb plays her, in drag. Christian speaks about the way in which digital theater lacks ritual. Gelb gives insight into directing and performing from inside his closet.


References:

Ep. 25: So Long, 2020 (Feat. Stacy Osei-Kuffour and Whitney White)

Podcast
Stacy Osei-Kuffour and Whitney White

Every week, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. The podcast can be found 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.

Our last episode of 2020 is jam-packed with goodies. First up, Ayanna and Jose review a new digital production of Meet Me in St. Louis, and an audio version of A Christmas Carol. Next, Jose speaks to Animals playwright Stacy Osei-Kuffour, and director Whitney White, about the process of transforming their original vision into an audio play.

This is followed by Ayanna and Jose unveiling their favorite shows of the year. In addition, following a TTF tradition, we hear from some of our favorite artists as they reveal the art that made 2020 memorable for them.

References:

The Body of Work (Feat. Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty)

Podcast
Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty. Credit: Morris Macmatzen
Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty. Credit: Morris Macmatzen

Every week, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. The podcast can be found 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 special episode, Jose talks to Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty, the composers behind beloved musicals such as Ragtime, Once on This Island, and Anastasia. During the pause provoked by the pandemic, the duo went to their archives to put together a new album called Legacy: Two Song Cycles.

The double album features previously unreleased demos split into two song cycles. The first is called 1859: A Farmer’s Diary and features vocals by Jason Danieley and the great, late Marin Mazzie. The second, A Boy With a Camera, was inspired by photographs taken by Ahrens’ father in the 1950s. It features vocals by Steven Pasquale and Sarah Uriarte Berry.

The duo talked about why some songs never make it to the final version of the musical, and talk about what it means to look back at 37 years of work together. The episode includes a special appearance by Juju Nieto, a Dramaturgy student at Carnegie Mellon University who had some questions for the legendary music makers.

References:

Tiger Blood, Sondheim, and Tamales (Feat. Nicholas Rodriguez)

Podcast
Courtesy of Nicholas Rodriguez.
Courtesy of Nicholas Rodriguez.

Every week, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. The podcast can be found 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 talks to Nicholas Rodriguez about his upcoming appearance in Sondheim Unplugged, at Feinstein’s/54 Below (Dec. 26). As well as the lessons he’s learned in 2020, how he’s acquired new skills in order to perform online, and his realization that there exist two kinds of people in the world.

The star of Tarzan and One Life to Live, reflects on a year where he learned that it was OK to slow down. He also shared his experience doing the Whole30 and looking forward to Christmas tamales. The actor will next appear in Some Enchanted Evening at Paper Mill Playhouse.

References:

Ep. 24: The Power of Will (Feat. Chad Austin and Bianca Marroquín)

Podcast
Chad Austin and Bianca Marroquín teamed up for the "I Will" Campaign.
Chad Austin and Bianca Marroquín teamed up for the “I Will” Campaign.

Every week, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. The podcast can be found 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.

This week, Alicia and Jose talk to Chad Austin and Bianca Marroquín. As the artistic director of Abingdon Theatre Company, Austin conceived the #IWILL campaign, meant to remind theatre makers who can’t be onstage right now, about the importance of hope. He recruited renowned artists, including Marroquín, to come up with reassuring messages that warm the heart and raise the spirit.

Marroquín was the first Mexican woman to play a Broadway lead, she has starred as Roxie Hart throughout the years in Chicago. She spoke about her love for the role and her admiration for Chita Rivera, who she played in Fosse/Verdon. Marroquín also did a segment in Spanish, which you will find below.

On the podcast, Alicia and Jose review The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Special starring drag superstars Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme, as well as the Hip Hop Nutcracker, streaming at Baltimore Center Stage.

References:

Have Yourself a Very Norm Lewis Christmas

Podcast
Norm Lewis performing at Feinstein's/54 Below. Credit: Nellie Beavers
Norm Lewis performing at Feinstein’s/54 Below. Credit: Nellie Beavers

Every week, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. The podcast can be found 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 talks to Broadway icon Norm Lewis about his new Christmas show at Feinstein’s/54 Below. Unlike years past, audience members can’t gather at the famed nightclub to be serenaded by Lewis. So he’s doing the next best thing by crafting an intimate evening filled with beloved holiday classics. As well as Lewis’ own takes on what makes “a Christmas song.” The show premieres on Dec. 17 and will be streamable from Dec. 18 – 31.

The star of Dessa Rose and Porgy and Bess, goes deep into his song selection process and explains his love for his band. He also reveals what’s in his letter to Santa this year, and shares his heartfelt wishes for our world.

References:

Ep. 23: A Streetcar Named Audio-play (Feat. Sullivan Jones and Robert O’Hara)

Podcast
A scene from "Slave Play" featuring Annie McNamara and Sullivan Jones. The latter is reunited with director Robert O'Hara in the Williamstown Theatre Festival/Audible production of "A Streetcar Named Desire." Credit: Matthew Murphy
A scene from “Slave Play” featuring Annie McNamara and Sullivan Jones. The latter is reunited with director Robert O’Hara in the Williamstown Theatre Festival/Audible production of “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Credit: Matthew Murphy

Every week, the culture critics at Token Theatre Friends bring their fresh perspectives to the performing arts on their podcast and video series. The podcast can be found 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 Alexi and Jose review The Wilma’s recent production of Heroes of the Fourth Turning. Which they compare to an episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Alexi even matches each Heroes character to a ROBH cast member. The two also discuss their love for Clarice Lispector when reviewing the digital world built for a production of Inside the Wild Heart.

The Friends also spoke with Tony-nominee Robert O’Hara and Sullivan Jones about their involvement in the latest audio production of A Streetcar Named Desire, as part of the Williamstown Theatre Festival with Audible. O’Hara directed the show and Jones starred as Mitch. Both have previously worked together on Slave Play, which received 12 Tony nominations earlier this year.

References:

Ep. 22: Kelly is Going to Prom (Feat. Alexandra Silber, Marike Splint, and Denisse Estefany Mendoza)

Podcast
Courtesy: Netflix

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

In this episode Jose and Kelly review Ryan Murphy’s adaptation of The Prom (now in select theaters, Dec. 11on Netflix). Therefore, they discuss how the Hollywood cast fares compared to the Broadway company. After that, Kelly discusses digital quest Thickett and The Mad Ones Engine.

Jose talked to the multitalented Alexandra Silber about the cast recording of Einstein’s Dreams and her novels. He also discussed the surprising romanticism of Google Earth with You Are Here creator Marike Splint, and did a segment in Spanish with Denisse Estefany Mendoza of ¡Niños Show Up!

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