This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:23] Grace Aki: Hi y'all. It's Grace Aki. I host Tell Me On A Sunday Podcast on Broadway Podcast Network. We're here live on the pink carpet here at the James Earl Jones Theatre for The Heart of Rock and Roll opening gala night. We are asking everybody their band name. We're talking to them about the show. I love the show deeply and this is a storytelling podcast so we're going to hear some stories.

[0:42] Chess Jacobs: My name is Chess Jacobs. And Chess this is your Broadway debut contributing to a show. How does that feel? This is my Broadway debut and it really feels full circle. I didn't predict it coming this early in my career or on this show so it's been amazing.

[1:08] Grace Aki: Can you give me one because this is a very storytelling podcast. Is there like a bizarre or fun or funny like wow this encompasses the company of this show's story that you can share with us?

[1:33] Chess Jacobs: Well you know actually I believe that this show is firmly a love letter to rock and roll, the 80s, and blue collar workers in the Midwest. And I fell in love with a child of a blue collar family from the Midwest from Wisconsin. And all of those things are about this show so I feel very connected to it. And anybody who loves love, loves people, loves rock and roll this is the show for you.

[1:55] Grace Aki: I love that. Well thank you Chess. Congratulations on your opening night.

[2:03] ♪ Musical number: "Working for a Living" — performed by Huey Lewis ♪

[2:13] Brian Usifer: Music supervisor, arranger, orchestrator. I have now heard iterations of this music that you have orchestrated for like years but you have not only set it in 1987 you've also set it in like 2017, 2018.

[2:29] Grace Aki: This is like a storytelling podcast that we do here and I'm curious if you have a story to share that is very like in the vein of this is what it's been like working on the show, this is the type of group that you've been working with. Like are there stories working with Huey or anything that you want to relay?

[2:46] Brian Usifer: I think, I mean there's a lot of stories but I guess the one that's coming to mind right away is you know when I have to do one of these arrangements we always start with the lyrics. And so John will send me the lyric and we'll talk about it and we'll talk about the scene and the character and like whatever we're doing. And I think it was before the first reading. It was when I was putting together all the original sort of versions of the arrangements and I got all the way to Hit Me Like a Hammer which is sort of in the later part of the second act. So I was mostly done with the show and I was like this is going great it's gonna be so easy. And I listened to the song and I looked at the lyric and I read the scene and I was like I don't get it.

And so I called John and I was like I think we should pick a different song I just don't think this is like the right, he was like no it is. And I was like okay be right back. So I you know I sat there I played and this went on for like I think two weeks. And I just didn't really get it. And so one night I sat down and I was like okay what would this song sound like if I had to write it from scratch. I'm gonna use the lyrics I'm gonna use the melody but like what would it be if I just sort of rewrote the song. And I sat down and I improvised it and I recorded it and that's what the arrangement is today.

[3:49] Grace Aki: Wow, no I love that. And I like the gut check of like no I know it's the right song. And when you see it in the show it's 100% the right song.

[3:55] Brian Usifer: Yeah it is.

[3:56] Grace Aki: That makes me so happy. Alright the last question is if you, and I know you actually have a band so you can actually answer with your band name. But if you were to make up a band name that's like using like a pet's name and then also your school mascot or something like that like what would the band name be?

[4:10] Brian Usifer: You know what the funny thing is I had a French Bulldog named Kevin and my school mascot was the Bulldog. So Kevin the Bulldog maybe? That would be like a ska band I think.

[4:20] Grace Aki: I was gonna say that's very like real big fish.

[4:22] Brian Usifer: Real big fish, yeah. See that's the thing you get it. See you have to pick the name first and then you know what kind of band you have.

[4:27] Grace Aki: Wow, wow that's how you need to be choosing your musicals from now on. You actually need to figure it out after the fact.

[4:33] Brian Usifer: That's right.

[4:34] Grace Aki: Thank you so much, congratulations. This has been incredible so have a good one.

[4:40] ♪ Musical number: "Hit Me Like a Hammer" — performed by Huey Lewis ♪

[5:06] Gordon Greenberg: Okay so Gordon Greenberg is the director etc. extraordinaire of this show. How long have you been working on this?

[5:13] Gordon Greenberg: For nearly a decade. We originally did it as a reading and we sort of thought long and hard about how best to tell the story and then developed it over years at the Old Globe and then in three readings and two workshops and it's been a long but wonderful process I have to say. And the fact that it's here feels kind of like a miracle and kind of amazing especially to be doing it with such a beautifully kind, talented and generous cast.

[5:44] Grace Aki: Yeah.

[5:45] Gordon Greenberg: And to do it like with Alan Seales in the building is especially meaningful to me.

[5:49] Grace Aki: So like the show has been set in the 2000s, the show has been set all over the place and now it's landed in 1987. What do you think makes that so special for audiences because like I've taken people that weren't alive in 1987 and they're like they feel like they're there. So like what what made you go this is it, this is why we have to do it now.

[6:07] Gordon Greenberg: I think seeing this show certainly for my generation is like Greece was for my parents. And when I was a kid I was definitely not alive in 1959 but I loved it and I just thought I wish I were alive in 1959 and that's what this show should do for kids. For my 14 year old nephew who saw it and said I wish I'm so sad I miss the 80s and went out and like sort of downloaded all of Huey's songs because they're all bops and they're all so much fun.

[6:34] Gordon Greenberg: They're all bops. There's so many people that I know that had never heard his music before which is shocking to me and hurtful but also hurtful. Personally hurtful. I was just like okay you hit me like a hammer bitch. But all this to say like they now are listening to the music and so when the album finally drops people are gonna lose their minds.

[6:50] Grace Aki: Yeah people are gonna love it and I think just also comparing the amazing arrangements that Brian Usifer did to the original he kind of takes it and blows it up and it's glorious.

[7:00] Gordon Greenberg: I'm so excited for you for everyone to see this and so proud and also a big shout out to the Broadway Podcast Network. A family that I'm a part of with Dracula which really gave birth to Dracula Off-Broadway here and all of the people that work there are wonderful. So I'm not just blowing smoke I'm just telling you how much I love Dory and Alan and everyone involved there. They're the best people.

[7:24] Grace Aki: Also rolling calls. Julie Halston. Richard Kine. Listen in.

[7:30] Gordon Greenberg: First of all Richard Kine name drop. Last question is if you were to have a band. You yourself. If you had a band what would the name be?

[7:35] Gordon Greenberg: Woman of the Year.

[7:41] Grace Aki: Woman of the Year.

[7:42] Gordon Greenberg: Yeah. I'd probably sing mostly Lauren McCall songs from the show Woman of the Year which has to be rediscovered also.

[7:48] Grace Aki: Okay so that's the next thing. I usually just sing it when I'm skiing but it would be great to sing in an actual band.

[7:54] Gordon Greenberg: Perfect.

[7:55] Grace Aki: Congratulations.

[7:56] Gordon Greenberg: Thank you.

[7:57] Grace Aki: Happy opening night. We will see you later.

[7:59] Gordon Greenberg: Thank you.

[8:25] Grace Aki: Oh my God you look amazing.

[8:28] Jonathan Abrams: Oh I'm the noose.

[8:30] Grace Aki: I'm so silly. A writer. A writer everyone. This is Jonathan Abrams by the way who wrote the book For the Heart of Rock and Roll. Joining me on Broadway Podcast Network today. You have such a storied history with this show with Huey with the piece. I was talking earlier about the fact that like you drove away with your wife from the wedding playing Huey Lewis. Like talk about you know like what are there stories that stick out to you of like why this show is meant so much to you as your first Broadway book writing gig.

[8:58] Jonathan Abrams: Well it's been over a decade of my life. So just that it's just like I've never worked longer or harder on any project that I've ever done. And at each juncture and with this great creative team and this great company and F has been with us for eight years. So it's just the idea of we really are more than just a group of people who work together. We've become a family of sorts and that is what is the most meaningful thing of this for me.

[9:26] Grace Aki: I couldn't agree with you more. It's kind of funny that somehow also you all have become Stone Incorporated and that you're keeping it all for each other. You're doing it all for your baby like you all are this small business in a way.

[9:37] Jonathan Abrams: We are all the small business in a way. This little engine that could and we're giving it all up for love as my wife will tell you. On our honeymoon flight to Australia I was working nonstop on a draft for whatever the reason. I don't remember why but like at our one year anniversary I was holed up in the hotel room working on a rewrite. Like we've sacrificed a lot for this show.

[10:01] Grace Aki: Yeah.

[10:02] Jonathan Abrams: And even now I have so much going on with film and television. Not that I in any way regret doing this but this was three months when I really couldn't afford to do it. But of course I did because it's so incredible.

[10:14] Grace Aki: You couldn't think of doing anything else.

[10:15] Jonathan Abrams: That's what makes theater so beautiful is that everyone that's doing it has sacrificed something at some point. They love the art form so much. So what are you excited for audiences to take away tonight as you kind of like open for your gala performance and also like usher in all the critics and the reviewers and all the New York elite. What do you hope that they take away from all of it?

[10:36] Jonathan Abrams: Well tonight I hope that our friends and family are proud of us. But as we go forward I just want audiences to have a good time. Maybe feel a little something. Smile. Laugh. And feel good about the choices that they've made in their life. That ultimately is the important theme that is at the heart of the heart of rock and roll is that whatever choice you've made in life it was the right choice in that moment and you can feel good about it.

[11:02] Grace Aki: I think that they do. I take that away now I'm seeing it for the seventh time. So I get it and congratulations on your Broadway debut.

[11:09] Jonathan Abrams: Thank you.

[11:10] Grace Aki: I love you so dearly. This is so magical. Congratulations. It really is.

[11:14] Jonathan Abrams: Oh my gosh.

[11:15] Grace Aki: Yes. Wait. I have a fun question for you. Lastly if you were to have a band that's not called The Loop. If you Jonathan had a band what would it be called?

[11:20] Jonathan Abrams: Could it be your first pet name and your school mascot? It could be anything in the world.

[11:28] Jonathan Abrams: Neon Thunder.

[11:30] Grace Aki: Neon Thunder. I think that's the second. That's actually the tagline of the heart of rock and roll is Neon Thunder.

[11:36] Jonathan Abrams: Perfect.

[11:37] Grace Aki: Thank you Jonathan.

[11:38] Jonathan Abrams: Thank you.

[12:07] Olivia Cece: How do you feel in terms of bringing this show from the workshops and all the things and then like rehearsing in New 42 and then bringing it to Broadway? It's such a wild time where you're like, go, go, go, go, go. Like, how has it felt for you?

[12:19] Olivia Cece: It has been exactly how you just described it. Go, go, go, go, go nonstop. But I feel like because we've been a part of every single step, that's why it's that much more special to have a night like tonight, because we've been there for the through and through. And it feels like we've grown something. We've created something and now we get to share it. And the sweat, literally blood, sweat and tears. We all have little things. It makes this so much more worth it. And we put our stamp on it.

[12:46] Olivia Cece: We've all created something completely new and better than we could have ever imagined. There is literally a comedic moment in the show that happens that was not in it that you perform. I think like three weeks into the preview process. And so people have come back and come back and going, oh, my God, did you see Olivia added this? It's magical, though. Thank you so much. I think that's what makes this all a process of joy. You're like, oh, I contributed to this art form. It's not just like I'm a body doing choreo. You're contributing to that.

[13:15] Olivia Cece: I think that was the coolest part is Gordon really got to know each of us. And he said, I have this idea for this dream sequence and I think you can do it, Olivia. And then it was just playing with me and playing with Mackenzie and Billy. And then you create something that's like yours. And to leave that behind is very special, especially being a dancer in the ensemble. I'm happy to have a little special mark on this show.

[13:35] Grace Aki: You have a couple, I promise. OK, so the last one is if you had a band, if Olivia had a band, what would be the band name? It can't be the loop, obviously. But it could be your pet name. And then, you know, the street you grew up on or your school mascot. It could be anything.

[13:51] Olivia Cece: I would say let's say maybe like that. OK, I love I was saying I love fire and I love flames like I've always been. Yeah. Or like lightning bolts. So maybe like the fire bolts would be kind of cool because I'm about to get a lightning bolt tattoo in honor of this show.

[14:06] Olivia Cece: Oh, my God. That's going to be my next tattoo. So and along with my idea of flames, I think maybe like, yeah, the fire bolts could be kind of cool. And I love a little rough around the edges, like rock feel. I love that. OK, so they're going to be playing at 54 Below in exactly two months. So please come see the fire bolts. Thank you so much. Congratulations. The opening night. Thank you very much.

[14:37] ♪ Musical number: "Is That the Way It's Supposed to Be?" — performed by Kevin Pariseau ♪

[14:57] Kevin Pariseau: My name is Kevin Pariseau and I'm in the ensemble of the show. So, Kevin, you have some arguably one of my favorite lines in the whole show. I'm not even kidding. You talk about childhood trauma for like point two seconds and it is the funniest. You get a huge laugh. Like was it when you were reading the script or it was a part of you like I'm going to kind of make a meal out of that scene?

[15:18] Kevin Pariseau: Well, interestingly, that scene of all the scenes in the show went through the most iterations to get to where it was. It started off as some sort of like therapy session for Otto Fjord. And now it has landed with, I think, the best lines that we ever had in it. And it just plays beautifully. So, yeah, but it was it went through a lot of journeys to get to where it is.

[15:40] Kevin Pariseau: I think it's the first time that the audience has fully set in that they are in for a lot of laughs on laughs on laughs because it doesn't take itself too seriously. But it also leans into like, hey, that is ridiculous.

[15:52] Grace Aki: Totally. And I can tell you that is important to have early enough on in the show that, you know, the sort of like sets a tone like, oh, that's the thing we're on. OK, that's the ride we're going to take. Yeah, you have to. And no better person to set this up because you're a Broadway veteran. This is so exciting.

[16:07] Grace Aki: How many how many Broadway opening nights have you had?

[16:09] Kevin Pariseau: I've had three, three, including this tonight. Yeah. Including the very famous opening night of Legally Blonde in 2008.

[16:18] Kevin Pariseau: That was really wonderful. 2007. What am I saying? Yeah. Yeah. It's history. And another pink carpet, maybe. Oh, my God. It was another pink carpet. Oh, my God. You're right.

[16:27] Grace Aki: So tell us if you had a band name that was not the loop, what would your band name be? And usually people go with their pet name plus their high school mascot. But you could kind of name anything. What would your band name be?

[16:41] Kevin Pariseau: I can tell it to you already. Mango chutney.

[16:43] Kevin Pariseau: Mango chutney. The favorite thing that I put on non. That's so funny. Just wait. Kevin Harris is going to be coming at fifty four below and Mango Chutney and Mango Chutney. Come and see it.

[17:11] Lorin Latarro: Lauren Latero is the choreographer that doesn't stop working. So please talk to me about the dance process. I know one time the show was set in like twenty seventeen and now it's set in nineteen eighty seven.

[17:25] Lorin Latarro: We went back and watched the video of that after Covid and we were like, well, this is not as much fun as it would be if it was set in the 80s. And I you know, I was a teenager in the 80s, so I was like, let's do this.

[17:35] Grace Aki: You know, it's magical. This is like a very storytelling podcast. Is there a story that sticks out in your brain of the process of working on the show, whether that's with creating that choreography or working with some of these incredible dancers that sticks out in your mind?

[17:50] Lorin Latarro: Well, Gordon was like, we should do like we should like dance on bubble wrap. So I have to say that I was like, OK, let's try that. And then we did. And it worked.

[17:59] Lorin Latarro: And it worked. It's literally it's such a highlight of the show. Everyone can't stop talking about it. And all like the little like, you know, individual people's reviews, they go and you have to come for the bubble wrap moment. And I'm like, yes, you have to.

[18:12] Grace Aki: Good, good, good. I'm very happy. It's amazing. All right. What is the band name that you would go with if it's not the loop? What would be Lauren Latero's band name?

[18:21] Lorin Latarro: Stiletto.

[18:23] Grace Aki: Stiletto. Actually, very hot, very hot. Congratulations on your opening night. Thank you.

[18:29] Lorin Latarro: Thank you.

[18:55] Lindsay Joan: I'm Lindsay Joan and I'm in the ensemble.

[18:57] Grace Aki: What you deliver vocally, physically, emotionally, you are unreal. Like, first of all, your delivery of a shoe in one moment, I will say it's camp. It's good. It's camp.

[19:10] Lindsay Joan: This is a very storytelling forward podcast. Like, is there a story that sticks out of like your association with the show that you're like, yes, this is a memory I will hold forever with this cast?

[19:20] Lindsay Joan: Yeah, you know, I remember I actually did a before a show goes to Broadway, we do something called workshops. So I did a workshop in August of this year. And it was a workshop where we were putting on a few of the numbers, not all of them for producers to come watch.

[19:36] Lindsay Joan: And I remember that the day that we went to do the show, we have a moment where I put in the time we were doing it, I put on like a little bubble wrap dress.

[19:45] Grace Aki: Wait, stop. I remember this. I was at new 42. And I remember being like, I hope this comes back.

[19:51] Lindsay Joan: Yes. So I love that dress so much. It's unfortunately it didn't make it to Broadway, but we had so much fun doing it at that workshop. And I remember it was real bubble wrap. And after this number was all done, it was kind of a more quiet moment in the show. And I went to go sit down back in my seat still in the bubble wrap and made the loudest popping sound you've ever heard in your life.

[20:09] Lindsay Joan: And it's this sincere, emotional moment. And then you just hear. And I was like, I'm so sorry. I ruined the show. But then they hired me again. So moral of the story. Pop all your bubble wrap.

[20:23] Grace Aki: Well, that's because everyone needs to follow Lindsay Joan because your voice is incredible. But I just I cannot wait to see more of you. You're so fantastic. And congratulations on your Broadway debut.

[20:32] Lindsay Joan: Thank you so much. That means a lot. Thank you.

[20:40] Grace Aki: OK.

[20:55] Robin Masella: I'm Robin Masella and I'm in the ensemble.

[20:58] Grace Aki: Robin has been in every Broadway show ever. I heard, by the way, that your wig was somewhere downstairs from Shock. Do you know about that?

[21:05] Robin Masella: Yes. Yes. So they shared a lot of the hair, you know, stuff. And all of a sudden there my name was on one of the heads.

[21:15] Robin Masella: Listen, Broadway is just expensive community theater. I'm like dedicated.

[21:19] Grace Aki: Everybody shares everything.

[21:21] Robin Masella: Everybody shares everything.

[21:21] Grace Aki: This is a very storytelling forward podcast. And I'm curious if there is a story that sticks out to you that kind of encompasses like what it's been like to work on the show and also just like in general something like this was a crazy thing that I'll never forget.

[21:33] Robin Masella: I have to say the thing that sticks out is just this group of people. Everyone is so amazing. My girls that I get to spend time with, we joke around that we in between shows have this like we eat our dinner, we turn down the lights, we all nap together, we all get ready together, we turn on our music and get ready for the show.

[21:51] Robin Masella: And it's really become a sisterhood. Obviously, we share a dressing room, so we're really close. But really the entire cast, principals, everyone is just such a family. And it's just so wonderful.

[22:00] Grace Aki: You can tell, though, everyone is so sweet. It's like the bizarre, like I'm just like, OK, no bad eggs. Interesting.

[22:06] Robin Masella: No, everyone's amazing. Everyone's amazing.

[22:08] Grace Aki: OK, so Robin, my question for you is that if you're not in the loop, what is your band name?

[22:13] Robin Masella: Oh, I think it's The Flipped with a Z. It's a hair flip with a Z. Two Z's.

[22:19] Grace Aki: ZZ Top versus The Flipped.

[22:23] Grace Aki: Congratulations on another Broadway show. You are unreal. The things that she brings to a company is unmatched. And there's a reason that every single choreographer wants to work with you. So congratulations.

[22:35] Robin Masella: Thank you so much. I'm just happy to be here.

[22:37] John Michael Lyles: I'm John Michael Iles and I play Eli.

[22:49] Grace Aki: John Michael, you are in the loop. You are the loop. You are the heart and soul of the heart of rock and roll.

[22:55] Grace Aki: My question to you is like this is a very storytelling forward podcast. Is there a story that sticks out to you that kind of like says like the band that you all have created, that you were kind of like the first day where you go, ah, now we're in it.

[23:08] John Michael Iles: Oh, interesting. When did we know? Oh, I know what it is. Because before rehearsals even started, I was like, y'all, I only know one drum beat. We all hadn't really gotten to know each other. But we needed to film some B roll for like commercials and stuff. So we all met. We were like, let's make this music video. Pretend we know how to play these instruments, you know, and we like really found our groove together.

[23:30] Orville Mendoza: How do you feel now on the drums?

[23:43] Producer Tyra Banks: Now playing at Madison Square Garden, The Blue Unicorn.

[24:13] Orville Mendoza: The Blue Unicorn! I like it, it matches the eye shadow.

[24:17] Producer Tyra Banks: Thank you, yeah.

[24:18] Orville Mendoza: Yeah, magical. Congratulations on another Broadway opening night. You're incredible on the show. You have so much heart, and also there's some funny moments, but also you really get down to the core of why the music is so important, and it's very cool to see, so come see it.

[24:35] Producer Tyra Banks: That means a lot, thank you.

[24:36] Orville Mendoza: Yeah, come through, y'all. When they play that music, ooh, that modern music, they pack it with a lot of style, but it's still that same old backbeat rhythm that really, really drives them wild. They say the heart of rock and roll is to be, and from what I've seen, I believe them. Now the old boy may be barely breathing, but the heart of rock and roll, the heart of rock and roll is to be taken.

[25:07] Orville Mendoza: Hi, I'm Orville Mendoza, and I play Fjord in The Heart of Rock and Roll. Fjord has had many different lives.

[25:11] Orville Mendoza: Oh my gosh, so many. So I've been involved with this show since the very first table read eight years ago, and Fjord started out as something completely different. I believe that character was a football coach who turned into a wedding planner, and it just kind of evolved over the years. And now we're like, oh, it's in the 80s, and you're like, yeah, it is.

[25:35] Orville Mendoza: Yes, yeah, and it's the crazy thing that it is now, which I'm loving and I'm sticking my teeth into. I was telling your co-workers, I will say, earlier, the fact that the thing that sets the tone for me in the show is your interview scene, because when you kind of drop that bomb of like, and this is how I came to be Fjord, it's like, this is the camp I'm here for. I think you all set the tone perfectly.

[25:57] Producer Tyra Banks: Absolutely, and we want to bring that. It's real, but it's also super campy. It's a tribute to John Hughes films. It's a tribute to all those crazy 80s rom-coms, and, yeah, right away we're showing you what page we're on, and come on that page with us. It's very inviting, and it's very warm in saying, hey, you can turn your brain off a little bit. There's going to be some heart, actually, but it's really fun and funny.

[26:23] Orville Mendoza: So my question for you is, if you can't be in the loop, what is the band name that you're going with for Robert Bendiga's own band and whatnot? I asked him earlier. I was like, we've got Orville. We're saying, okay, if you have a pet and a school mascot name, what is it?

[26:42] Orville Mendoza: It would probably be Fjord and the Vastus, because that's the thing I beat Bobby with in the show. You know, a lot of people have a lot to say about the spa scene. You know, and Corey Cott can take it. He's a warrior. I'm trying to hit him very gently, and he's like, no, bring it. I'm like, listen, if swept away doesn't get you, I guess there's another sauna scene.

[27:02] Producer Tyra Banks: Absolutely. We've got to set you up with a spa day, babe.

[27:04] Orville Mendoza: Yeah, totally. Oh, my gosh. Happy opening to you. You've worked so long on this show. You are so funny. You're so captivating. I would watch your own spinoff of Fjord's musical.

[27:16] Producer Tyra Banks: Oh, my gosh. Happy opening. You owe them to the Broadway gods.

[27:19] Orville Mendoza: That's right. Anyway, happy opening.

[27:21] Producer Tyra Banks: Thank you so much.

[27:22] Orville Mendoza: Of course. Thank you.

[27:23] Producer Tyra Banks: It's all right. Have a good time.

[27:25] Orville Mendoza: Cause it's all right.

[27:27] Producer Tyra Banks: Whoa, it's all right.

[27:35] Josh Breckenridge: I am Josh Breckenridge. I play Wyatt.

[27:38] Producer Tyra Banks: Josh, first of all, the look, the fit. Let's take a second.

[27:41] Josh Breckenridge: Let's take a second.

[27:44] Producer Tyra Banks: Are you kidding me?

[27:46] Josh Breckenridge: Or two, y'all, or two. I'll never lead you astray.

[27:48] Producer Tyra Banks: It is magical. I mean, you've had a million shows. But you deliver, I feel like, honestly, one of the most heartfelt moments where you take a stand. Not to give anything away.

[28:00] Josh Breckenridge: Uh-oh.

[28:01] Producer Tyra Banks: That's all right. That'll get people to come. Say the damn show.

[28:03] Josh Breckenridge: But truly, you offer so much fun, funny, but also nuance. I love your character in the show. And I love you and Zoe's chemistry. How has it been to work on the show?

[28:13] Josh Breckenridge: It's been amazing. I've been a part of it for the past seven years now. Since basically the beginning. It's been wonderful to see. It's been so many different things. Gone so many different directions.

[28:22] Producer Tyra Banks: The 80s.

[28:23] Josh Breckenridge: So many years. So many years. So many hands on it. And this is literally the best version that it has ever been. I'm so happy that this is the one that we get to introduce to New York and the world. I'm proud of this family and everything that we're bringing every night. Every single person on that stage and behind the scenes has had a part in the creation of this gem of a musical. And I'm proud to be a part of it.

[28:47] Josh Breckenridge: We talk a lot about collaboration and half of the time it's bullshit. And I feel like, actually, people are contributing. There are lines in the show that I know somebody came up with on the spot and they went, that's it.

[29:00] Producer Tyra Banks: Right, right.

[29:01] Josh Breckenridge: Seriously, it's a collaborative process. They say it takes a village, right? And really, our creative team has been astronomical. They've been so wonderful and open to changes. Huey himself. Jonathan Abrams. Everybody from the music team to script to direction have been open because we're the ones that are up there and they know that we have some great ideas.

[29:20] Josh Breckenridge: So it's been wonderful to kind of create this as a family and I hope everyone likes it.

[29:24] Producer Tyra Banks: It's there.

[29:25] Josh Breckenridge: No, they do. I've seen it seven times. My question to you is, if you're not in the loop, what is your band name? I know you make music anyway, so that's a little tough.

[29:35] Josh Breckenridge: Yeah.

[29:36] Producer Tyra Banks: Oh, my God. Well, I think in the theme of what I got on tonight and my character, the Pink Nerds.

[29:42] Josh Breckenridge: Why not?

[29:43] Producer Tyra Banks: Don't look like me.

[29:45] Josh Breckenridge: Don't look like me. Just bass. Come hear my bass notes.

[29:51] Producer Tyra Banks: Can I tell you what happened? Just because we have like two seconds, but literally the other night at the show, you were hitting those notes and a woman actually gasped because she didn't know they were coming from you. They thought they were coming from the orchestra and she goes, oh. And I was like, yeah honey, he's producing that.

[30:08] Josh Breckenridge: Yeah, it's rare that the musical theater, you know, can and includes that low on the piano. It's rare for baritones to get to shine, so I'm honored to also be a part of this show. Because of that, I get to sing in my register and not try to like, you know, be a super tenor.

[30:25] Producer Tyra Banks: There's room for all of us, yeah.

[30:26] Josh Breckenridge: Gasp at Josh Breckenridge, now at the Heart of Rock and Roll. Happy opening.

[30:29] Producer Tyra Banks: Thank you so much.

[30:30] Josh Breckenridge: Take care, guys.

[30:31] Producer Tyra Banks: Five, six, sweater vest.

[30:32] Josh Breckenridge: That's not me.

[30:33] Producer Tyra Banks: Don't look like me.

[30:35] Josh Breckenridge: Don't walk like me when you're out together.

[30:39] Producer Tyra Banks: That's not me.

[30:41] Josh Breckenridge: Don't act the same. Ain't got the same thing.

[30:44] Producer Tyra Banks: No one loves you like.

[30:46] Josh Breckenridge: No one loves you like.

[30:48] Producer Tyra Banks: No one loves you like I do.

[30:53] Josh Breckenridge: Boom.

[30:54] F. Michael Haynie: My name is F. Michael Haynie, and I play Glenneth Paltrow, also known as Glenn in the show.

[30:58] Producer Tyra Banks: I was like, did the creative team tell you that you could play Glenneth Paltrow?

[31:01] F. Michael Haynie: Nope, nope. Just Glenn in the script, but we all know.

[31:06] Producer Tyra Banks: It's Glenneth Paltrow.

[31:07] F. Michael Haynie: Glenneth Paltrow. Glenn owns Goop in 1987.

[31:11] Producer Tyra Banks: What do you feel is kind of, you've been with the show for a really long time.

[31:14] F. Michael Haynie: Seven years.

[31:16] Producer Tyra Banks: Seven years.

[31:17] F. Michael Haynie: Seven long years, and my question to you is, are there stories that stick out to you of like when you said, this is the family, this is the loop, this is like why I love music so much, because your character specifically talks a lot about like, but you love music, like you love music.

[31:30] F. Michael Haynie: I mean, for this particular iteration, because there have been so many families and so many loops, but where we have landed for the Broadway production, one of our first music rehearsals, it was me and Ray and John Michael, and we were working on this new song that the loop had never sung in performances, and we were just harmonizing together, and then Brian like stood up, Yusufur, and was like, hey, let's do that. Let's lean into that, and so the first day of rehearsal for Broadway, getting to rehearse with two friends of mine and create something new for this show felt so incredible because the music is the lifeblood of this show, and I think getting to sing together on day one just went like, yeah, there we are. There's the loop.

[32:09] Producer Tyra Banks: Yeah.

[32:10] F. Michael Haynie: Oh, I love that. I like it, especially when there's like a band in a show. The band has to feel tight.

[32:15] Producer Tyra Banks: Absolutely.

[32:16] F. Michael Haynie: Like it has to feel like a family.

[32:17] Producer Tyra Banks: Oh, yeah.

[32:18] F. Michael Haynie: We play video games downstairs during the show. We were the first people to decorate our entire dressing room. We have a Huey Lewis and the News carpet, and we have taken a picture of Huey Lewis on the Huey Lewis and the News carpet.

[32:28] Producer Tyra Banks: It's weird that we're not standing on a Huey Lewis and the News carpet, but I'll allow it.

[32:31] F. Michael Haynie: Many ways. It could have worked.

[32:33] Producer Tyra Banks: So we've been asking everybody, like if your band is not the loop and you're technically in the loop.

[32:37] F. Michael Haynie: Yes, yes, yes.

[32:38] Producer Tyra Banks: But if you, F. Michael Haynie, had another band, what would the band name be?

[32:41] F. Michael Haynie: Oh, that's so hard because I feel like everyone prepares album name, but I feel like my...

[32:48] Producer Tyra Banks: Pause.

[32:49] F. Michael Haynie: Everyone prepares album name? What's album name?

[32:51] F. Michael Haynie: Well, my album would probably either be Songs in the Key of F.

[32:56] Producer Tyra Banks: Hey, come on.

[32:57] F. Michael Haynie: Or like, you know, just like an F. I feel like I want to be that annoying person that a publicist gets mad at because you can't Google the name of it.

[33:05] Producer Tyra Banks: Like, how do you Google the letter?

[33:08] F. Michael Haynie: New York, New York!

[33:11] Producer Tyra Banks: Yeah.

[33:12] F. Michael Haynie: Well, you look magical.

[33:14] Producer Tyra Banks: Thank you.

[33:15] F. Michael Haynie: You look magical. Happy opening.

[33:17] Producer Tyra Banks: This is my favorite interview I've ever done in my life, so I can't believe it's happening, and I hope we get to have interviews every single time.

[33:26] F. Michael Haynie: Everybody's got choices, yeah, you know it's true.

[33:31] Producer Tyra Banks: What's right for me might not be right for you.

[33:35] F. Michael Haynie: We'll keep on dreaming as long as we can.

[33:40] Producer Tyra Banks: Try to remember and you'll understand.

[33:45] F. Michael Haynie: Ain't no living in a perfect world.

[33:49] Producer Tyra Banks: There ain't no perfect world anywhere.

[33:54] F. Michael Haynie: Ain't no living in a perfect world.

[33:58] Producer Tyra Banks: But you keep on dreaming of living in a perfect world.

[34:04] Tamika Lawrence: First of all, performed at MissCast on Monday, slayed the house, like, everything, and then also ran into this week of previews. You are so incredible. Your Grammy, like, you have everything. You just did this incredible Joe's Pub show where you did, like, an ego death. You contain multitudes as an artist. You bring so much of yourself to this. Like, I know I'm like, kind of like, blah, blah, blah, but you're so fantastic and magical.

[34:26] Tamika Lawrence: Like, I'm curious, like, what has been something that you're taking away from this production that you bring to Roz? Because I think that on the paper, Roz could be so many things, and what you bring is Tamika to Roz, and it's so special.

[34:43] Tamika Lawrence: Thank you. I think I just try to channel my mom. You know, Roz works in HR and sort of has had her dream deferred, and that's been my mom's story that she gave up a lot. You know, it's like the theme giving it up for love. My mom sort of stopped being a visual artist and started working in retail, which eventually led to HR so that she could buy me Christmas presents, and, you know, so she made a lot of sacrifices, and so Roz is my mother. That's what I try to bring to her.

[35:11] Producer Tyra Banks: Yeah.

[35:12] Tamika Lawrence: That's beautiful. I think that we, I mean, this show, I mean, it's so special to be able to be a part of a show like this. It's so special.

[35:19] Tamika Lawrence: It's so special. It's so special. It's so special. It's so special. It's so special. It's so special. It's so special. It's so special.

[35:15] Audience Q&A:

[35:45] Tamika Lawrence: If you aren't in the loop, what is your band name? What is Tamika Lawrence's band name?

[35:52] Tamika Lawrence: The Hats, because we all wear so many, yeah.

[35:55] Grace Aki: That's so good, especially as artists, man, you never stop.

[35:59] Grace Aki: Well, congratulations on another Broadway show.

[36:02] Tamika Lawrence: Sincerely, I worked on the album for Carolina Change, and it's one of my favorite memories of all time.

[36:06] Tamika Lawrence: What you bring to projects is, no one else can do it.

[36:09] Tamika Lawrence: So thank you so much for your artistry, and I hope you have a beautiful evening tonight.

[36:13] Grace Aki: Thank you, you too. Thank you, good to see you.

[36:38] Raymond J. Lee: Hi, I'm Raymond J. Lee, and I play JJ.

[36:41] Grace Aki: Ray, how many, I mean, this is like, what, like two, three Broadway shows in a year, I feel?

[36:46] Raymond J. Lee: Like, no, it's magical for you.

[36:48] Raymond J. Lee: It's like, it's been this and Sweeney, two completely similar shows, and I just feel lucky.

[36:53] Raymond J. Lee: I'm a Broadway kid that gets to be on Broadway, so I'm loving every single minute.

[36:57] Grace Aki: You're originating this great principal role, you're so funny.

[37:01] Grace Aki: I think that that's the thing about Ray that I've always taken away, is like, more comedy, more rom-com from you.

[37:06] Grace Aki: Like, I want to see you leading a romantic comedy.

[37:08] Raymond J. Lee: Well, this is the first time I'm originating a role in an original Broadway show, and to be able to kind of do what I want with JJ, and be as goofy and stonery, and it's been so much fun.

[37:18] Raymond J. Lee: And I feel very lucky, especially for all the Asian kids out there, to let them know that there's room for us.

[37:23] Grace Aki: Yeah, I will say, it's like nice also that there's not just one Asian person in this principal company.

[37:28] Raymond J. Lee: Yes, Zoe, Orville, me, Pandia, also Plato, our stage manager, like, so much awesome representation.

[37:35] Grace Aki: Yeah, it's really cool to see.

[37:36] Grace Aki: So, our question to everybody is, if you're not in the loop, which you are, you are.

[37:41] Grace Aki: Yes, probably in the loop.

[37:42] Grace Aki: What is your band name? What is Raymond J. Lee's band name?

[37:45] Raymond J. Lee: It could be a family band, you're a family man, so it could be anything.

[37:49] Raymond J. Lee: Well, I wear a mohawk in the show, so I thought, like, the mohawks would be kind of cool.

[37:52] Grace Aki: The mohawks?

[37:53] Raymond J. Lee: Or the corsets, the corseted mohawks, something.

[37:55] Grace Aki: The corseted mohawks?

[37:57] Raymond J. Lee: Yeah, we're the corsets! I mean, it would be hard to sing, but...

[38:00] Grace Aki: You're there for the looks.

[38:02] Raymond J. Lee: Yeah, there's something there.

[38:04] Grace Aki: Ray, happy opening, another one.

[38:06] Raymond J. Lee: I mean, listen, if Room 11 taught you anything, this room, this group of people, I feel like you all are such a tight-knit family, it's so magical.

[38:14] Raymond J. Lee: Oh, I'm so lucky to be in a room with F and with John Michael.

[38:17] Raymond J. Lee: We literally sit there playing video games, making each other laugh, having all sorts of gummy bears.

[38:23] Raymond J. Lee: It's fantastic.

[38:25] Grace Aki: Happy opening, Ray.

[38:26] Raymond J. Lee: Happy opening to all of us, yay!

[38:34] Tommy Bracco: My name is Tommy Bracco, and I play Danny Razzle.

[38:37] Grace Aki: Tommy Bracco, when are you not flipping all over the damn stage?

[38:42] Grace Aki: Not since the Nederlander have we seen someone go across the floor the way you do.

[38:46] Grace Aki: Please, like, tell me the stories of, like, this is a storytelling podcast.

[38:51] Grace Aki: I love this. Truly, like, what are the things that have stuck out to you of, like, and I'm going to tell my children this story of working on this show that has been so magical.

[38:59] Grace Aki: Y'all have gotten into so many hijinks, and also just, like, you've developed this character for yourself.

[39:04] Grace Aki: This is the first time this character's ever been in this show.

[39:06] Tommy Bracco: So, what I'm going to tell my children about, I love that question, because I haven't been on a show like this in a long time.

[39:10] Tommy Bracco: I haven't been on a show like this in a long time.

[39:14] Tommy Bracco: So, what I'm going to tell my children about, I love that question, because I haven't been on Broadway since 2019, and we had the pandemic.

[39:26] Tommy Bracco: Like, so much has happened. I met my fiancé during the pandemic, and he's going to be here tonight, and I feel, like, so excited and just, like, something that I'm really taking with me is that I get to share this part of who I am with my person now.

[39:38] Tommy Bracco: Like, finally, because, like, we met, and, like, he knows me so well, but you can't know me until you see this.

[39:50] Tommy Bracco: Like, this is part of me. So, like, tonight is the night that, like, yes, I get to live my dream, but I also get to share it with my person, and that's the person that I'm going to have my family with.

[40:01] Tommy Bracco: So, that's what I'm going to tell my kids.

[40:02] Grace Aki: Yeah, because he's, like, this is your forever person.

[40:03] Tommy Bracco: Yeah.

[40:04] Grace Aki: So, it's, like, even more magical.

[40:05] Tommy Bracco: Yeah, yeah.

[40:06] Grace Aki: So, it's pretty special.

[40:07] Tommy Bracco: It really is.

[40:08] Grace Aki: Okay, so, if Tommy as a human, not Danny Razzle.

[40:12] Tommy Bracco: Yep.

[40:13] Grace Aki: But if Tommy had a band, what would the name of the band be?

[40:15] Tommy Bracco: Oh, my God, I love you!

[40:17] Tommy Bracco: Oh, my God, I love all of you.

[40:20] Tommy Bracco: Oh, my gosh, you look so good.

[40:22] Tommy Bracco: You look incredible.

[40:24] Tommy Bracco: That's Corey's family.

[40:25] Tommy Bracco: Oh, my God, hi.

[40:26] Tommy Bracco: Oh, my gosh.

[40:27] Tommy Bracco: Welcome back to Broadway, babes.

[40:28] Tommy Bracco: Love you so much, Carly.

[40:29] Tommy Bracco: Oh, my gosh.

[40:31] Tommy Bracco: That dress, Carly, you look so good.

[40:33] Tommy Bracco: Okay, sorry, I'm back, I'm back.

[40:35] Grace Aki: Okay, so.

[40:36] Grace Aki: Yeah, what's the band name?

[40:37] Tommy Bracco: What was it?

[40:38] Grace Aki: What was what?

[40:39] Tommy Bracco: Oh, my band name?

[40:40] Grace Aki: Yeah.

[40:41] Tommy Bracco: Okay, so, my family, they cause drama and chaos wherever they go. We call ourselves the Functioning Dysfunctionals.

[40:46] Tommy Bracco: If I had to pick a band name, it would be the Functioning Dysfunctionals because somehow we get by, but just by the skin of our teeth.

[40:54] Grace Aki: Wow, wow.

[40:55] Grace Aki: Okay, well, I'm going to work on the album cover and we're going to do a demo next week because.

[40:59] Tommy Bracco: It's going to be like this.

[41:00] Tommy Bracco: That'll be the album cover.

[41:01] Tommy Bracco: It's just.

[41:03] Tommy Bracco: It's just.

[41:04] Tommy Bracco: My mother did my hair today.

[41:05] Tommy Bracco: It's hot.

[41:06] Tommy Bracco: I sat in my mother's chair.

[41:07] Tommy Bracco: The mullet is in full effect.

[41:10] Tommy Bracco: I don't know if she likes it.

[41:11] Tommy Bracco: I think that she's just tolerating it because I always do crazy things and they just, you know, it's like, oh, another one of Thomas' adventures. Here we go.

[41:19] Tommy Bracco: So, I think that's how they feel about the mullet. Just another adventure.

[41:22] Grace Aki: I got to tell you, you look good.

[41:24] Tommy Bracco: Thanks.

[41:25] Tommy Bracco: I kind of feel good.

[41:26] Tommy Bracco: I mean.

[41:27] Tommy Bracco: I really like it.

[41:28] Tommy Bracco: It's red.

[41:29] Grace Aki: Oh, peep, peep.

[41:31] Grace Aki: Oh, we met.

[41:32] Grace Aki: Oh, okay.

[41:33] Grace Aki: Go do your Broadway opening night.

[41:34] Tommy Bracco: I love you so much.

[41:36] Tommy Bracco: Love you both.

[41:53] Casey Cott: My name is Casey Cott.

[41:55] Casey Cott: And you're here for nobody in particular.

[41:58] Grace Aki: Right.

[41:59] Casey Cott: I'm just a fan.

[42:00] Casey Cott: I'm here for Huey mostly and a little bit for Corey.

[42:02] Grace Aki: I was going to say, like, how old were you when Newsies happened?

[42:05] Casey Cott: Newsies happened when I was, I believe, 19.

[42:09] Casey Cott: Actually, Corey's Broadway debut in Newsies was on my birthday.

[42:13] Grace Aki: Oh, my gosh.

[42:14] Casey Cott: I forget the exact year, but yeah, he debuted on my birthday, which is incredible.

[42:18] Grace Aki: That's beautiful.

[42:19] Casey Cott: I was at that final performance. It was stunning.

[42:21] Grace Aki: But I recently saw you in Moulin Rouge! And I was like, these people are unstoppable.

[42:24] Grace Aki: Like, how has it been to be on, like, kind of compadres in this? Like, you're both working on, like, leading man shows right now. It's, like, wild.

[42:33] Casey Cott: Yeah, Moulin Rouge! was the most incredible experience.

[42:37] Casey Cott: Such a wild Broadway debut.

[42:40] Casey Cott: Thankfully, Corey's done this, so I could use him for wisdom.

[42:44] Casey Cott: And he was so generous just helping me, but also letting me kind of figure things out for myself.

[42:50] Casey Cott: And now I'm just his little brother here cheering him on.

[42:53] Casey Cott: I don't have any wisdom for someone of his caliber, but I'm just so excited to be here.

[42:58] Casey Cott: And to be here with our whole family celebrating Corey's fourth Broadway show is incredible.

[43:03] Grace Aki: Y'all are doing it together.

[43:04] Grace Aki: He's in the loop.

[43:05] Grace Aki: But if you had a band name, what would it be?

[43:07] Casey Cott: I just said Casey Cott and the Chicken Wings.

[43:10] Grace Aki: Is it because you like Chicken Wings?

[43:12] Casey Cott: I love Chicken Wings, so maybe a Buffalo Wild Wings sponsorship, you know?

[43:16] Grace Aki: What's the sauce for you?

[43:17] Casey Cott: Is it, like, traditional buffalo?

[43:19] Casey Cott: I like to mix buffalo and, like, a spicy barbecue and make, like, a spicy kind of barbecue buffalo sauce.

[43:26] Grace Aki: Sweetie.

[43:27] Casey Cott: Well, I get it.

[43:28] Grace Aki: It makes sense.

[43:29] Casey Cott: There we go.

[43:30] Grace Aki: Thank you for supporting your brother tonight.

[43:31] Casey Cott: You're amazing.

[43:32] Casey Cott: Thank you so much.

[43:33] Casey Cott: It's lovely to meet you.

[43:34] Grace Aki: So good to meet you, yeah.

[43:35] Casey Cott: And there's no mountain too high, no river too wide.

[43:40] Casey Cott: Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side.

[43:46] Casey Cott: Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide.

[43:54] Casey Cott: But I love you.

[43:56] Casey Cott: I love you.

[43:58] Casey Cott: Until the end.

[43:59] Casey Cott: Until the end of time.

[44:03] Grace Aki: You always look so fucking hot.

[44:05] Orfeh: Thank you, thank you.

[44:06] Orfeh: You know.

[44:07] Grace Aki: We're with Orfeh tonight.

[44:08] Orfeh: Fashion.

[44:09] Orfeh: Literally, Kevin Pariseau was just talking about, like, opening night of Legally Blonde and wondering if it was, like, a pink carpet.

[44:12] Grace Aki: It was a pink carpet, yeah.

[44:14] Orfeh: It was a pink carpet.

[44:15] Grace Aki: Okay, so you've had many music careers and, like, even one currently. If you were in a band right now, what would the band name be?

[44:19] Orfeh: Pink Carpet.

[44:22] Orfeh: No, I'm kidding.

[44:25] Orfeh: Orfeh's Bitches.

[44:27] Grace Aki: Listen, wouldn't we all like to be Orfeh's Bitches?

[44:29] Orfeh: Orfeh's Bitches, Orfeh's Angels, Orfeh's Pink Carpet.

[44:32] Orfeh: It all starts with Orfeh.

[44:34] Orfeh: And it should always end that way as well.

[44:36] Grace Aki: That's it.

[44:37] Orfeh: That's it.

[44:38] Grace Aki: Have a great night.

[44:39] Orfeh: Thank you so much.

[44:52] Grace Aki: Huey, it's Grace. Nice to see you.

[44:53] Huey Lewis: How are you?

[44:55] Grace Aki: Oh, my God. I love F.

[44:57] Huey Lewis: I love F.

[44:58] Grace Aki: Huey, I wanted you to know, I picked this dress out so that next to you, I'm the news.

[44:59] Huey Lewis: I love it.

[45:00] Huey Lewis: Yeah, we had to do it.

[45:01] Huey Lewis: It's very newsy.

[45:02] Grace Aki: It's very newsy.

[45:03] Grace Aki: Oh, Corey Cott, listening.

[45:04] Grace Aki: Huey, this has been such a long journey. It's meant so much to me to work on this show. Like, you're so incredible. What are you hoping people take away?

[45:08] Huey Lewis: Well, as I say, we're not trying to take away anything.

[45:09] Huey Lewis: We're not trying to take away anything.

[45:10] Huey Lewis: We're not trying to take away anything.

[45:11] Huey Lewis: We're not trying to take away anything.

[45:12] Huey Lewis: We're not trying to take away anything.

[45:13] Huey Lewis: It's so much to me to work on this show. Like, you're so incredible. What are you hoping people take away?

[45:18] Huey Lewis: Well, as I say, we're not trying to change your life, but we will change your evening.

[45:25] Grace Aki: That's right.

[45:26] Huey Lewis: And so it's fun, and it's entertaining, I hope.

[45:30] Huey Lewis: And, you know, the world's a pretty tough place right now, so it's nice to forget about it for two and a half hours.

[45:33] Huey Lewis: But more than that, it's not as if the show isn't about anything. It's about love, and the choices one has to make, you know?

[45:42] Huey Lewis: It's not easy all the time, and that's what this show's about.

[45:46] Grace Aki: Yeah, it's about the power of love and music, and you do all of that. So go enjoy your opening night.

[45:50] Huey Lewis: Thank you so much.

[45:51] Huey Lewis: Thank you.

[46:09] ♪ Musical number: "The Power of Love" — performed by Huey Lewis ♪

[46:43] ♪ Musical number: "The Power of Love" — performed by Huey Lewis ♪