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[0:00] Robert Bannon: The Roundtable with Robert Bannon.

[0:30] Robert Bannon: I could not have been more excited at the beautiful Palace Theatre. Listen, people, this cast is bananas, and this story is bananas, and you need to be able to get your ticket. It's coming. They're in rehearsal. We stole our guests during lunch in their rehearsal. I don't even know how to say thank you. Jennifer and Miguel, they don't even know me. Thank you for taking your lunch. And me and Benjamin, me and Ben go way back. We go way back, and he's back. He's such a star. Star, star, star, stars across the board. The Lost Boys are here. Welcome to the show.

[1:05] Benjamin Pajak: Hi. We missed part of your intro, but the show's amazing.

[1:15] Robert Bannon: Yes. No, now I feel so much pressure in case you see it again. I hope it lives up to the expectation. Congratulations, everybody, on another show, another moment, and Broadway debut. So let's give it up for some of our Broadway debut. Can I start with, Jennifer, can I start with you? Congratulations.

[1:35] Jennifer Duka: Oh, thank you so much. Thank you. This is such an exciting moment, and this is your Broadway debut, and you just, you just graduated school?

[1:41] Jennifer Duka: Yes, I did. I just graduated from NYU in May, and then I booked this show, and I was like, my dream is literally coming true. So I feel like the luckiest human alive.

[1:55] Robert Bannon: You're only like, you look like you're 13 years old. How can you have graduated college?

[2:00] Jennifer Duka: Hey, perfect. I mean, I'm playing a 14-year-old in the show, so it works out great. Alan Frog is a classic character for sure. And speaking of frogs, Edgar Frog, Miguel.

[2:14] Miguel Gil: Hey, Robert. How are you?

[2:20] Robert Bannon: I saw you in Kinky Boots. I saw you on tour in Kinky Boots, and now you're just booking Broadway shows left and right.

[2:27] Miguel Gil: By Kinky Boots, I think Kimberly Akimbo Boots, but that's okay. And not to fret, don't you worry.

[2:33] Robert Bannon: Thank you so much. Thank you for coming to see me on tour. Apparently, I saw all the wrong shows. Maybe it was not even you. Maybe I was at Kinky Boots, and I did not even... What a messy show. I'm sorry you wasted your lunch for me, Miguel.

[2:42] Miguel Gil: Don't worry about it. Me and Kinky Boots have beef, though. Just kidding. See, that's what I'm talking about. You and your career from where you started and what you've done. The Jimmy Awards back in 2021, and you were there. And then to have this incredible Broadway career and now be originating this role on Broadway is quite the moment. So congratulations.

[3:02] Miguel Gil: Thank you so much. Thank you. It feels really special, and I'm so excited to have this step and this opportunity. I'm having so much fun.

[3:08] Robert Bannon: Now, Benjamin, Benjamin, Benjamin is taking time off from being a full-blown movie star. He's a Broadway staple. You've done multiple shows, incredible reviews for movies that you've done that we've gotten to talk about, and now you originate a brand new role on Broadway with this show. How does it feel for you?

[3:33] Benjamin Pajak: I couldn't be any more blessed to be in this school of a show with this school of a character and with these cool people. It's this whole cast, the whole crew, the set, when you see the set, it's like everything about this show is just a blessing in every way. And just to be a part of it is even a small part of it would have been just a dream come true. And it is a really cool way for me to just spend some of my time with these guys and make this cool show come to life. That was an amazing hit movie, and I think we're all just having a great time, and we can't wait to show it to everyone.

[4:04] Robert Bannon: So for you, Ben, you get to play Sam, and if you know the movie, you know it's a pretty iconic role, and the older brother, Michael, and all of the parts, the ins and outs of the story. What was the first time you saw this movie? Did you ever see it before you got the part or auditioned?

[4:28] Benjamin Pajak: Yeah, I saw it. Well, like you said earlier, at the time, I'd been doing a lot of film, and in the film industry, it's a cult classic, and it's something where if someone asked you, have you seen the film, and you said no, it was like a sin. So I felt like I had to see it. And I saw it when I was, I think I was 13, and I saw it with my mom, and I loved it. And it was like, I'm not a big horror movie guy. I could actually get through this movie, which was a good thing. But I loved it. And it's with one of my favorite actors, Kiefer Sutherland, too. But just to be able to bring an amazing movie like that and turn it into a musical is so cool. And even though it's changing every day, and sometimes it's a little crazy, it's amazing.

And I don't think any of us can wait any longer to just get to the theater. I'm so excited for people to be able to buy tickets and see the show. But you can buy tickets right now. You can go to Lost Boys Musical.com and get tickets. You can see the show at the end of March. And as time goes on to opening, and we're going to march this through this incredible Broadway season this year for sure. I'm super excited.

[5:41] Robert Bannon: So Jennifer, for you, oh gosh, the only thing, leave school and books a Broadway show. Oh, such a hater, Jennifer. So anyway, besides that, for you, what was your first experience with the movie? And now what was your journey to how many auditions did you go? Did you have representation that called you in? Did you just sit at Ripley Greer until someone saw you? What happened?

[6:06] Jennifer Duka: Yes. Okay. So I actually just got an email from the Telsey office like one day in my inbox. And it was like the Lost Boys Broadway. And I was like, um, what I need to do this self tape. So I taped for Alan. And then I taped for another role as well. And they liked both of those. So they asked me to come in person. And I just did all that material for Michael was in the room. And that was the first time I got to meet Michael Arden. And that was so lovely. We got to work on the scenes. And I could tell from there that he was an amazing director and very collaborative. And then they asked me back the next day to do like a movement call. And then a week later, Michael called me on the phone and offered me the part.

And I bawled. I was like, Oh, my gosh, like, could not believe that this was actually real life and that this was happening. Um, yeah, I feel so so grateful. Um, and I watched the film like during that whole audition process. And I absolutely loved it. I was like, this film has got it all like, it's scary. Like there's that horror element, but not too scary. Right? So I'm not that much of a horror person either. And then it's also really, really funny. Like I was cracking up at everything the Frog Brothers were doing. And like, it's sexy and like, cool. Like, it's like the perfect movie. It's the perfect movie. It's so fun. It is the perfect movie. And now it's gonna be the perfect Broadway show to go see this spring.

[7:40] Robert Bannon: So for you, Miguel, not the star of Kinky Boots, but not yet. What was your journey like to this to this role of when did you get heard? And what was the audition like? And then when did you hear you booked it?

[7:56] Miguel Gil: Yeah, um, I had an interesting process because I was I was I was an understudy in Kimberly Akimbo on Broadway. And while I was doing that process, I auditioned for a workshop of the Lost Boys like two years ago from now. Um, and I watched the movie, I got the self tape request, watch the movie. And I was like, Oh, I get this. Like, I love this. I get this. I and I just submitted a tape. And from the tape, I booked the workshop, which was crazy. And that was like a three week workshop. And I got to kind of like, I don't know, it was it was really, it was awesome for me. Because up to that point, I'd only done, I'd only been a cover in Kimberly Akimbo. And that was my first professional job. And this felt like my first real opportunity to like, create a character from what you know, we had a source material, but from for the theater from from the ground up a little bit, you know, with everybody else and in that collaboration.

And it was really, really cool from that to go to the we had one other workshop after that. And then, then they then I got the call that for this. And, you know, it was funny, because after each workshop, I feel like I had such an amazing experience. And then I would walk away from it feeling like, well, that was fun. You know, I was like, that was my moment in the sun. And I loved getting to be a part of it. And I was never expecting to continue. And when I got to continue, it just was like the biggest gift. And yeah, it's been such a fun experience.

[9:25] Robert Bannon: I'm so excited for you all. I don't think there's going to be a more fun show to see this season on Broadway than to see this show. So make sure you buy your tickets. So Benjamin, what's amazing about your career at such a young accomplished age, is that your first Broadway show, it's one thing to book a Broadway show with soup. I mean, the odds of booking a Broadway show are one in a quadrillion, then to be able to keep booking Broadway shows and expand your career into television and film, etc. What's it feel like that you're now like a Broadway vet, you're going to tell everyone else that's making their debuts how to get on the boards?

[9:57] Benjamin Pajak: That sounds so mean to the people who've done like four Broadway shows. Listen, I've only done two. But it's like, okay. To like to people like in this show who like, I just have so much respect to the people who like go from show to show and like learn like five different tracks. It's ridiculous. No, um, it's crazy. It's crazy to me that the same kind of process as Miguel, I auditioned for a workshop of it about a year ago. And at that time, my voice had just kind of started to change and drop. And it was weird. It was ridiculous. And I really, for some moments, it felt like I wasn't supposed to be there. And the fact that they, you know, let me go on with the show, when I left the workshop after actually, I was like, Well, whoever gets this role is going to have the time of their life because it's an amazing show.

And I was like, but when they when they offered it to me, and they were like, Do you want to come back to Broadway and do it? And I, I simply just could not believe it. And I was just so excited to, to revisit the material. I watched the movie like 35 times and got back and we started in January. And now we're where we are. We're almost at the theater. And it's, it's all coming together. And there you go. And it's, I think all of us are just for the bunch of us that have been with it for a while, and a bunch of us who are just new to it, it's just, all of us just want to get it out into the world for everyone to see. Because it's time. And we're ready.

[11:29] Robert Bannon: Yes. March 27 preview starts, so get your tickets and make sure you get over, head over to the theater, which is super exciting. Jennifer, you talk about this incredible cast. This cast has been, I mean, they're bananas, incredibly. So when you look at this cast of people that have, you know, Tony nominations and awards and television shows and all of that, what's it like? How did you describe Jennifer when you first got in the rehearsal room together and be able to meet and work together?

[11:59] Benjamin Pajak: I still remember the feeling I had like the first day of rehearsal walking into the room and like seeing part of our set for rehearsal had already been built and like the massive tables. I got so emotional; my eyes were watering because I was just like, oh my gosh, my dream is coming to fruition before my eyes. Meeting like, I was like big fans of some of these people who are in the shows, like seeing them on Broadway doing the thing that I wanted to do so badly. But everyone, like when I tell you everyone in the cast, every single human being is the sweetest, kindest, most generous person. That's just the truth. We've truly, I feel like, become a family, and it's a really nice space where we're able to share what's going on in our lives and get to know each other better through working on the show and, you know, just having simple conversations with one another.

It's so amazing; I feel so lucky to have met all of these wonderful people and to get to do this show with them. It's gonna be amazing. Look, I want to show you how young and modern I am. This is apparently called a QR code. They probably know if you scan your phone right here, it will take you right to the link you can buy your tickets. You don't even have to type anything. I'm 40 trying to stay young. So, Miguel, for you, how do you describe what your part is in this? If people have never seen it, what can we expect? How do you describe the story?

[13:36] Miguel Gil: Yeah, it's a good question. I will, the story as a whole, I'll start there, follows Sam and his family who moved to this town called Santa Carla. It's a little bit of a dark town that is in sunny California, and they're kind of looking for a fresh start, and they find something that they're not necessarily expecting. It's like a story about family and searching for a sense of belonging, and each of the family members kind of has their own journey through that. Sam meets us, Edgar and Alan, at a comic book shop, and our journey in the show is kind of to work with Sam to vanquish evil, destroy all vampires, save Santa Carla. We're not giving away the plot. Yeah, just kind of save. It's a movie, right?

People know the plot, or not, and that's okay. You guys can come see us and experience it in a whole new way because we really are taking that story and making it something new for the stage, but also honoring it as much as possible so people who have seen the movie will feel the nostalgia, and people who haven't will have their own lovely experience and love the characters as much as you would from the film.

[15:06] Benjamin Pajak: Yeah, I think that was just, you gave just the perfect amount, Miguel. That was perfect. There are vampires, maybe I can't give it away. Maybe you're gonna have to ask Ali right now. Kinky Boots with vampires is the new... Hey, I'm just letting you know. So, Benjamin, for you, there's gotta be music. I mean, you have Shoshana Bean, so that means we're singing. I mean, she was just on Broadway cutting up carrots in Hell's Kitchen, riffing and singing her face off. She comes off her Tony nominations and steps into The Lost Boys. You have people like Ali, who was incredible in Tommy, who also sings his face off. You have people like Paul Alexander Nolan, who can act. I mean, holy cannoli! So, Benjamin, what's the music like in the show? How do you describe it? What world does it live in?

[16:48] Benjamin Pajak: Let me tell you, the first thing I'll say is the Rescues, their career coming up to this point, just seeing them blossom as the three of them, their friendship is insufferable, and it's amazing because you see them, and they give us all the notes. They give us all the notes, but they're also like the most amazing people, and they're always there to just guide us through. I think this is the coolest way for them to put their music out into the world, for them to have started as this little indie rock band from LA and now be on Broadway and just release their music to the world in this way. I think it's the coolest thing, and we all are just like, we're all honored to sing the incredible music.

Just wait till you hear the score. I think it's incredible. Having a cool show is one thing, but also having music that complements it in this way makes the show. I think all of us would agree with that, and the Rescues have just done an incredible job of writing it for everyone. Personally, really, that was the thing that they said; they really wrote some of the music with us in mind, which I think is the coolest thing, and I love each and every one of them very dearly. Oh yeah, I mean, if you watch Grey's Anatomy or One Tree Hill or Pretty Little Liars, then you know that their music is out there on television. They write perfect storyteller songs, so you're gonna hear it for a show like this in particular.

[17:24] Jennifer Duka: I was thinking about y'all because I knew you were coming on here. It was lunch; I know you're in rehearsal, and I had like this thought, because I'm a theater kid and I did theater for a very long time. I thought like sometimes rehearsals are hard. You get new lines, you get new notes, you get new blocking. You have a tough day; you feel there's that imposter syndrome. There's, what am I doing? Am I going to get this show? Am I the biggest mess in the room? Everyone else is. How do you keep your sanity? How do you keep your mental health with this pressure and the love and the family that is in that room, but to make sure you're okay as you go through this and take this show to Broadway?

[18:56] Jennifer Duka: Yeah, I mean, I think that it's so cool that every day, like the script is changing, the music's changing, and the show is evolving. It's really cool to think about where it started and where it's come to now, and like we're all here trying to build the best show that we can and tell the best story. But yeah, it can get overwhelming. You can get into your head and listen to that voice that tells you that you're not good enough or whatever, but it's truly like the people around us that we lift one another up. I know that I could come to Benjamin or I can come to Miguel if I'm feeling down about something or, you know, struggling with something, and we'll just talk things out, and immediately I'll feel so much better.

If I come in the morning having a crap morning, truly, I just see one person's face, and I feel so much better. Everything's okay because I'm here; I'm in this room, we're making this beautiful show, and we're gonna be on freaking Broadway. What's there to be upset about?

[19:56] Miguel Gil: That's awesome. There's absolutely nothing to be upset about. This is your year; this is going to be it. I'm so excited for you. Miguel, I got a sneak peek at the playbill, and I also saw the website, and I have to say, you know, the other people in the show have wonderful bios in the playbill, but your ending of the bio, if you recall it, if you know, it's very... I never, I didn't read your bios. You win, Miguel! I loved it! You know, for the people who don't know, I ended it with, "Miguel doesn't believe in vampires but apologizes for the garlic breath."

[20:41] Miguel Gil: Yeah, I don't know if it's gonna make it to the actual playbill, but if you go on the website, you'll see it. I hope you know that was like option 50 out of like a hundred. I don't even know. I was trying to mastermind a joke in there that could be relatable to vampires. One of the other options was like, "The ushers are equipped with stakes in case you see a vamp. If you're in an evening show, watch out!"

[21:12] Robert Bannon: Well, I think it's perfect. Touche! That is your story, and I'm sure your family is so excited for reading your bio, coming from Venezuela, being on Broadway, your incredible career. We shout out to your family and to everybody here and in South and Central America. America's crazy, and I'm just excited for your story and the incredible work that you're doing out here on Broadway. So kudos to you! I'm sure your family is so excited for this.

[21:37] Miguel Gil: Yeah, thanks, Robert. I feel really honored, and it's one of my biggest motivators is representation. You know, I feel really touched seeing other Latinos on stage and feeling that honor to represent my people in this space. I also, like, I don't know a whole lot of other Venezuelans who are on Broadway. I know there are other Venezuelans on Broadway, but I feel really special getting to be here. I feel the support of my family, who worked really hard to get me even into the U.S., and so to see this dream come true is like I've had a lot of people raise me up and a lot of shoulders whom I sat on just to be here, so I feel really lucky.

[22:29] Jennifer Duka: Oh, that's such an... like I've been thinking about that too. I feel the same way that you're saying, Miguel. My parents, like what it took for them to come from the Philippines and come here and build this life for me and my brother. Growing up, I didn't really see a lot of people on the Broadway stages who looked like me. You know, there's Lea Salonga and Eva Noblezada, and I was like, okay, those are my girls; that's what I want to do. Now to think that I could be that inspiration or that person for other young Filipino actors is so special. I feel so lucky, and I just want other Asian Americans and other Filipinos to feel seen in theater and know that they can also get here and do amazing.

[23:00] Benjamin Pajak: And finally, this is the moment where you finally admit that they talked about their lineage, and since you look like you can be related to me, that I am your sole inspiration for your career.

[23:11] Robert Bannon: Thank you. I'm an American; I've been here my whole life. That’s really it.

[23:15] Robert Bannon: Everybody, you can see they're gonna have as much fun on stage as they are having off stage. Get tickets to lostboysmusical.com. Enjoy the rest of your lunch; enjoy the rest of rehearsal. Break legs! I'll see you all during previews or right after opening. I can't wait to be there in the audience, in the house, and see this incredible show. Congratulations on the... you already won! You guys are starting doing Lost Boys on Broadway, and we're so excited for it. Congratulations to all three of you! Everybody, make sure you get your tickets. Jennifer, Miguel, and my friend Benjamin, congratulations! Go get them; we'll see you all soon.