Stages Podcast

Before the Falsettos 2016 Broadway revival cast reunites at Carnegie Hall this Fall, Stephanie and Marylee take a look back at favorite moments from their conversations on the podcast with some of the beloved tight knit family, including James Lapine, Andrew Rannells, Betsy Wolfe, Brandon Uranowitz, and Eden Espinosa.

Stages on YouTube catch up on old episodes now shown fully on video!

Schmigadoon Tickets!

Stephanie upcoming concerts

Norbert Leo Butz is a two-time Tony Award winner for his performances in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Catch Me If You Can. He originated the stage roles of "Fiyero Tigelaar" in Wicked, and "Edward Bloom" in Big Fish, and "Jamie Wellerstein" in The Last Five Years. He is also acclaimed for his stage work in Rent, Speed-the-Plow, and My Fair Lady, and on television in "Bloodline," "Mercy Street," and many more. Recently, he returned to Broadway as "Hermes" in Hadestown. In this episode, Norbert discusses how growing up with 10 siblings brought out his gift for performing, how building a routine supports his sobriety, and why he's saying yes to more projects that are joyful.

Hadestown Tickets

Stephanie upcoming concerts

Tickets to Schmigadoon

Outsiders tickets

After a brief intermission, Stephanie and Marylee return for the second act of Season 6! In this episode, they recap their Summer adventures, discuss the highly anticipated Falsettos reunion concerts at Carnegie Hall, and chat about Dolly Parton, & Psychics.

Jimmy Moses Stagedoor Meduim

Karen Rontowski Stand up Psychic

Jen's Pretty Pegs

Steph's concerts

Stephanie and marylee chat about summer plans, the Tony awards, Paddington, Schmigadoon, the secret behind getting a job done and so much more. Thanks for joining us. Will be back in September!

Tony Award-winning Director Sam Pinkleton brings his extraordinary vision to the Broadway revival of Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show at Studio 54. He is also known for his work on Cole Escola's Oh, Mary! on Broadway and in London's West End and Josh Sharp's Ta-Da!, and many more. As a choreographer, his work includes Stephen Sondheim's final musical Here We Are, Jeanine Tesori and David Henry Hwang's Soft Power and seven Broadway shows, including Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. In this episode, Sam discusses why being a people pleaser fits into his work as a director and choreographer, how a shared love of 1970s regional theater with Cole Escola led to Oh, Mary!, and embracing the energy of The Rocky Horror Show fandom.

Rocky Horror Tickets

Good Man Charlie Brown Tickets

Annie Lamott Books

Tony Award nominee Christiani Pitts makes her Broadway return in the acclaimed. two-hander musical Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York). She is also known for her performance as "Ann Darrow" in King Kong and "Jane" in A Bronx Tale. In this episode, Christiani discusses how becoming a mom has developed and stregnthened her storytelling, the experience of doing her first two-hander show, and the joke in the script that hooked her on Two Strangers.

Two Strangers tickets

Schmigadoon tickets

Anita Moorjani is a New York Times best selling author. Her book Dying To Be Me shares the story of her profound NDE (near death experience) and her spontaneous healing from end-stage lymphoma.

In this episode Anita shares what she felt and saw in her NDE, how she lives a fearlessly authentic life since her recovery, and the things that she believes are most important to healing and living a full life.

Anita's website

Wayne Dyer

Near Death Experience Research Foundation

James Ortiz is an American puppet designer, puppeteer, and actor who won an Obie Award for puppet design for The Woodsman, and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Puppet Design for the 2022 Broadway revival of The Skin of Our Teeth. He also received a Drama Desk nomination for his creation of "Milky White" and other puppetry work in the 2023 Broadway Revival of Into the Woods. Most recently, James brought the character of "Rocky" to life in the film adaptation of the beloved book, Project Hail Mary. In this episode, James discusses the challenges and triumphs of working on his first film, how his theater background served the scenes of improvisation on set, and how the play War Horse transformed the use of puppetry in live theater.

James Ortiz

Wanna see a Secretary Bird?

Marylee's Valentines Story

Schmigadoon Tickets

Dr. Anna Yusim is an internationally-recognized, award-winning, Board-Certified, Stanford- and Yale-educated Psychiatrist & Executive Coach who helps influential people achieve greater impact, purpose, and joy in their life and work. She is the best-selling author of Fulfilled: How the Science of Spirituality Can Help You Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life. As a Clinical Assistant Professor at Yale Medical School, Dr. Yusim is presently working to create a Mental Health & Spirituality Program / Center which will be a bridge between the Yale Medical School and Yale Divinity School. In this episode, Dr. Yusim discusses her passion for the marriage of dualities in science and spirituality, where creativity generates between our hearts, intuition, and minds, and how to find the path of most resistance in order to grow.

Anna's Book Fulfilled

Tickets to Schmigadoon!

Thinking Fast and Slow book

Cinco Paul is an Emmy Award-winning screenwriter, producer, and songwriter. He is widely recognized for his work on major animated hits like the DESPICABLE ME trilogy, THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS, THE LORAX, and HORTON HEARS A WHO. This season, he is producing his Apple TV musical comedy series SCHMIGADOON! on Broadway.

In this episode, Cinco talks about the creation of the Schmigadoon! television series, his mission trip to Japan in his early 20s, and what runs through his mind in the middle of the night.

Get your tickets to SCHMIGADOON!

Cinco's Podcast Make Him Watch It

Theo of Golden book

Kelli Barrett and Jessica Vosk are powerhouses of stage and screen. Kelli most recently graced the Broadway stage in the acclaimed revival of PARADE and has starred in DR. ZHIVAGO, WICKED, and on TV in FX's "Fosse/Verdon". Jessica recently finished her beloved run in HELL'S KITCHEN, after BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, FINDING NEVERLAND, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and more. She also shares in the WICKED sisterhood, which carries into their storytelling of BEACHES.

In this episode, they discuss the special bond it takes to portray "C.C. Bloom" and "Birdie White" in the classic friendship tale, how they ground in the characters, and what the original film means to their childhoods and love of theater.

Beaches Tickets

Stages Podcast join the cast sign up

Schmigadoon tickets

Two-time Tony Award-winning director Michael Arden takes on his next big story by bringing the iconic vampire film, THE LOST BOYS, to the Broadway stage this Spring. He was recently awarded for his work on MAYBE HAPPY ENDING and PARADE, as well as recognized for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, Deaf West's SPRING AWAKENING, and many more.

In this episode, Michael discusses how he juggles working on multiple directing projects while visualizing each story, the importance of building a team of trusted collaborators, and if he'll ever go back to acting.

Schmigadoon tickets

The Lost Boys Tickets

Plant wave

Marc Shaiman is an Emmy, Tony, and Grammy Award-winning composer and lyricist for his decades of work on stage and screen, including beloved Broadway hits HAIRSPRAY, SOME LIKE IT HOT, SMASH and acclaimed films When Harry Met Sally, The First Wives Club, Sister Act, Beaches, Sleepless in Seattle, Hocus Pocus, and many more. In this episode, Marc shares stories from his memoir, Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner, and discusses the power of believing in yourself, showing up, and saying "yes."

Order Marc's book

The Sweeney Sisters

View Stages Podcast on YouTube

Kelly Cervantes is an award-winning author, sharing her personal experiences with grief. Her debut book, Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When It's Time to Heal But You're Not Sure You Want To, is a USA Today best-seller. Her new memoir, The Luckiest: A Memoir of Love, Loss, Motherhood, and the Pursuit of Self, is available now. In this episode, Kelly discusses healing through remembering her loss, reshaping "everything happens for a reason" into making a reason, and finding gratitude in growing and evolving. Kelly's Book Cure Epilepsy.org Michael in Hamilton View epison on Stages on YOUTUBE

Happy Holidays to all our listeners!

Stephanie and Marylee are moving to YouTube! Starting in Season Six, Stages Podcast will release full episodes (and maybe even some past episodes!). You'll still be able to find us whereever you get your podcasts but now you can watch full episodes!

Please head over and subscribe to the channel and share with all your friends!

Thank you all for the support and joy that you bring to all of us at Stages Podcast. We look forward to another season!

Love,

Stephanie & Marylee

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Renée Elise Goldsberry is a multi-hyphenate actress and singer, best known for originating the role of Angelica Schuyler in the groundbreaking Broadway musical HAMILTON, for which she won Tony® and Grammy® Awards and received an Emmy® nomination for the Disney+ filmed version.

She is also known for her work in RENT, THE COLOR PURPLE, THE LION KING, ALL IN: COMEDY ABOUT LOVE, GIRLS-5EVA, and THE GOOD WIFE, and will return to Broadway in THE BALUSTERS in Spring 2026.

In this episode, Renée shares memories of sharing the stage with Stephanie in their early careers and exploring life, faith, family changes, and motherhood in her acclaimed documentary, Satisfied, which is now available digitally.

Watch Satisfied Documentary

Who I Really Am album

Tickets to Stephanie J. Block Holiday Concerts

Tickets to Schmigadoon on Broadway

Jeff Hiller is a recent Emmy Award winner for his heartwarming performance as "Joel Anderson" on HBO's Somebody, Somewhere. Jeff has graced both the stage and screen in shows like American Horror Story: NYC, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and 30 Rock, and recently on stage in New York City Center's Encores! production of Urinetown. His new memoir, Actress of a Certain Age, is a humorous collection of autobiographical essays about an aspiring actor climbing his way to Hollywood. In this episode, Jeff shares how empathy folds into his storytelling, working through imposter syndrome, and the challenges he faced when writing a book, as a performer.

Actress of a Certain Age

Jeff's Emmy Speech

Brooke Shields DocumentaryPretty Baby

Dr. Martha Beck is a Harvard-trained sociologist, world-renowned coach on harvesting creativity and finding purpose, and New York Times best-selling author across her dozens of books, including The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self, Finding Your Own North Star, and her newest release, Beyond Anxiety: Curiosity, Creativity, and Finding Your Life's Purpose.

In this episode, Dr. Beck shares how to practice patience in consciousness, the power in both compassionate self-talk and being a compassionate witness, and how creativity works as a tool for anxiety.

Dr. Martha Beck

Stages Podcast YouTube

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Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard-trained neuroscientist and New York Times best-selling author, who began to develop her concept of "whole brain living" after experiencing a severe hemorrhage in the left hemisphere of her brain. She has written several books on her experience and learnings, including My Stroke of Insight and her latest work, Whole Brain Living: The Anatomy of Choice and the Four Characters That Drive Our Life. Dr. Taylors Ted Talk was the first talk to go viral. In it she describes her stroke and the life lessons that it gifted.

In this episode, Dr. Jill shares how our brain creates a perception of reality, the ways to tap into all of its "characters," and why it's healthy to do weird things every day.

Ted Talk

Dr. Jill

The Master and The Emissary by Iain McGilchrist

Andrew Durand has received a Tony Award nomination for his standout performance in DEAD OUTLAW. He plays the title role of Elmer McCurdy in this brilliant, dark musical comedy about a mummified corpse. The show is nominated for 7 Tony Awards including Best New Musical.

Andrew's Broadway credits include HEAD OVER HEELS, SHUCKED, INK, WAR HORSE and SPRING AWAKENING. He performed in the West End in THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG and Off-Broadway in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, GIGANTIC, LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST, THE WILD BRIDE, & THE BURNT PART BOYS.

In this episode, Andrew talks about the meditative process he undertakes to stand perfectly still for 45 minutes during the show, his years working in England in experimental theater and how his instincts have led him to unique shows.

DEAD OUTLAW tickets

GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK Live

PBS KISS ME KATE

The Tony Awards