Arielle Jacobs stars as Imelda Marcos in HERE LIES LOVE. She made her Broadway debut in IN THE HEIGHTS as Nina Rosario. She was starred on Broadway in Disney's ALADDIN, and WICKED. She starred Off-Broadway in BETWEEN THE LINES, and the world premiers of SOTTO VOCE and FARHAD OR THE SECRET OF BEING. In this episode, Arielle discusses the pride she feels telling the story of HERE LIES LOVE with an all Filipino cast. She shares how her parents supported her and her brother, Adam Jacobs, on...

Sammi Cannold is a theater director and Documentary Producer. She directed EVITA at New York City Center and A.R.T, RAGTIME at Ellis Island, and SUNSET BOULEVARD at the Kennedy Center. In this episode, Sammi shares how attending the memorial for the late Hal Prince led her to the opportunity to direct her upcoming Broadway debut HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO. She shares her views on agism in the theater industry and how understanding the world and the cultures creates a stronger artist. LINKS: HOW...

Faith Prince won a Tony for her outstanding performance as Adelaide in GUYS AND DOLLS. She also starred on Broadway in THE KING AND I, JEROME ROBBINS' BROADWAY, BELLS ARE RINGING, and A CATERED AFFAIR. In this episode, Faith reminisces about her work in music therapy and how it led her to the theater. She tells us why she moved her family and career to Los Angeles and she shares how she has learned to trust her instincts and open herself to healing and great joy through her work as a...

Lillias White has performed on Broadway for four decades. Her shows include DREAMGIRLS, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, CHICAGO and her Tony Award-winning performance in THE LIFE. She is currently starring in HADESTOWN as "Hermes". In this episode, Lillias discusses how she makes the role of "Hermes" in HADESTOWN uniquely her own. She shares her experience starting out on Broadway as a single mom, her fond memories of working with legendary composer Cy Coleman, and how trusting her instincts has guided...

Stages Podcast with Stephanie J. Block and Marylee Fairbanks interview Tony Award- winner Jessie Mueller

Nikki Renée Daniels has been in ten Broadway Shows including COMPANY, THE BOOK OF MORMON, THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS, ANYTHING GOES & LES MISERABLES. She starred in the role of Angelica Scuyler in the Chicago company of HAMILTON. In this episode, Nikki discusses her experience as the first black actor to play the role of "Bobbie" in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY. She shares how she decided to pursue musical theater over opera as a Soprano and the joys and...

Derek Klena earned a Tony Award nomination for originating the role of "Nick Heally" in Alanis Morissette's Broadway musical JAGGED LITTLE PILL. He has preformed on Broadway in ANASTASIA and is currently in MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL. In this episode, Derek shares the exhilaration and challenges of a semi-immersive performance portraying "Christian" in MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL. He shares memories of his American Idol audition and running between baseball games and theater rehearsals as a...

John Cariani is a playwright and Tony-nominated actor and has been seen on Broadway in The Band's Visit, Something Rotten!, and Fiddler On The Roof. In this episode, John discusses why weirdness is imperative to creating a compelling story. He shares his challenge with stage fright while on Broadway in The Band's Visit, his fun facts about his home state of Maine, and how a self-proclaimed "shy person" finds his voice through performing. Neuro Gum for 20% off Strip Makeup for 25% offRAGTIME...

Jordan Donica currently stars in Lincoln Center Theatre's revival of Camelot, which has earned him a Tony Award Nominee for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. His other Broadway credits include Freddy in My Fair Lady, Raoul in The Phantom Of The Opera, and Lafayette in Hamilton. His television career included Blue Bloods and Charmed. In this episode, Jordan discusses how he deepens the storytelling with his own life experiences as "Sir Lancelot" in the Broadway...

Robert Horn is a playwright, screenwriter and producer. He won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Book Of A Musical for his Broadway adaptation of Tootsie. His other musicals include 13, Disney Theatrical's Hercules and his current Tony-nominated musical Shucked. His television career includes Designing Women, Living Single, High Society, and more. In this episode, Robert shares how Shucked brings audiences together through the universal ideals of family, community and hope. He discusses how humor...

Betsy Wolfe is a Tony Award nominated actress and performer who is currently starring on Broadway in & Juliet. Her other credits include Falsettos, Waitress, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Bullets Over Broadway. In this episode, Betsy shares the joys and challenges of returning to Broadway with her Tony-nominated performance as ‘Anne Hathaway’ in & Juliet. She discusses how being a mom has changed the way she portrays her characters, her favorite Max Martin hits to sing in &...

Tiler Peck is a Principal Dancer with the New York City Ballet and is also an actor and author. Tiler has been seen on Broadway in The Music Man, On The Town, and Little Dancer. This episode, Tiler discussed the differences between dancing in a Broadway show and being part of the New York City Ballet. She shares how she felt making her Broadway debut at the age of 11, in the 2000 revival of The Music Man with Susan Stroman, explains the musicality and speed required to dance in the George...

Eva Noblezada is a Grammy Award winner currently starring in Hadestown as Eurydice, a role which earned her a Tony nomination in 2019. She also received a Tony Nomination for the role of Kim in the 2017 revival of Miss SaigonIn this episode, Eva shares the parallels between her personal growth and the evolution of Eurydice after four years with Hadestown on Broadway. She reveals how the courage to ask questions has helped her on stage and in life, and how therapy helps her find strength in...

Kennedy Kanagawa is a performer & puppeteer.  He has performed the role of Milky White in INTO THE WOODS in the Broadway revival and the special engagement U.S. tour.In this episode, we learn how Kennedy helped transform “Milky White” from a cardboard prop to a beloved multi-dimensional Character in INTO THE WOODS. He shares stories of puppetry, family and his journey with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s acclaimed fairytale musical, from New York City Center to Broadway to the U.S....

David Lindsay Abaire is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, screenwriter & lyricist.  His work spans Broadway and film and includes KIMBERLY AKIMBO, SHREK THE MUSICAL, GOOD PEOPLE, & RABBIT HOLE. In this episode, David shares how critically-acclaimed KIMBERLY AKIMBO transformed from a play to a musical over 20 years.  He talks about growing up on the South side of Boston, the women who continue to inspire many of his characters, and how he is driven to write the stories of...

Kevin Newbury is an award winning theater, opera & film director. His work has been featured on PBS GREAT PERFORMANCES, and his work has been celebrated at Cincinnati Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Carnegie Hall & The Kennedy Center.   Brandon Kazen-Maddox is a dancer, director and American sign language artist.  His work as an interpreter has been featured on CNN. In this episode, Kevin and Brandon talk in depth about the founding of the Up Until Now Collective, a New York City...

Micaela Diamond is an actress, performer & chef.  She starred as Babe in THE CHER SHOW, Peggy in TICK, TICK, BOOM! and Lucille Frank in the upcoming Broadway production of PARADE.  In this episode, Micaela shares the mental and physical...

Gavin Creel joins STAGES PODCAST this week. Gavin is a Tony and Olivier Award-winning actor and songwriter.  He is the co-founder of Broadway Impact. Gavin is currently on tour with INTO THE WOODS, starring as Cinderella's Prince and The Wolf,...

Tony Award-winning producer and co-founder of The Museum of Broadway, Julie Boardman joins us this week. In this episode, Julie discusses being a "disruptor," growing up in an entrepreneurial family, and she combined and immersive experience with groundbreaking moments in Broadway history to create the Museum of Broadway.  The Museum of Broadway MoonOmens

Happy New Year!  Stephanie and Marylee sit down and set intentions for 2023.  In this episode, Marylee shares the six steps to creating your own Sankalpa and how it helps you clarify your deepst desires and they discuss the power of vulnerablity and gratitude.   A Revolution in Resolutions Into The Woods Tour Tickets Join the mailing list for 2023

Stages Podcast has a contest this week!  Go to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave stars and a review, like our Instagram page, then send us a picture of your review on Insta and you will be eligible to win a Stages Podcast shout out from Marylee and Stephanie... AND... Stephanie J. Block will send you a personalized holiday greeting! Stephanie and Marylee are taking some time for family and friends and hope that all of you are pausing during this busy time to take in and focus on all the...

Bonnie Milligan is starring in the current Broadway hit musical KIMBERLY AKIMBO as Aunt Debra.  She received accolades for her performances in HEAD OVER HEELS and  KINKY BOOTS and is known for her amazing range and belt. In this episode, Bonnie talks about the loss of her father just days before she was called to audition for KIMBERLY AKIMBO. She weaves this personal story and grief into her Award-winning and hilarious portrayal of "Aunt Deb" in the critically acclaimed musical, and shares...

Larissa FastHorse is a 2020 MacArthur Fellow, award winning Native American playwright, choreographer & arts advocate. She is the co-founder of Indigenous Direction, the nation’s leading consulting company for Indigenous arts and audiences.  Her satirical comedy, The Thanksgiving Play was one of the top ten most produced plays in America last season  Other plays include What Would Crazy Horse Do?, Landless and Cow Pie Bingo, Average Family, Vanishing Point, and Cherokee Family Reunion. ...

Kevin Ryan has been the President and CEO of the Covenant House for the past 13 years and has helped countless kids. The Covenant House Sleep Out takes place on November 13, 2022.  This year marks Stephanie's 10th sleep out. In this episode, Kevin shares some of what he has learned in his three decades of working with homeless youth, describes how feeling seen empowers independence, and welcomes in his next stage as a Broadway producer. The Covenant House Sleep Out Mary Oliver Poetry...

Brandon Uranowitz is a three time Tony Award nominee for his work in AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, FALSETTOS, and BURN THIS.   In this episode, Brandon remembers what it was like growing up as a child actor, shares memories of his instant connection to Stephanie during the audition process for FASSETTOS, breaks down how he separates from. his character whil in Tom Stoppard's LEOPOLDSTADT, and channels his neuroses when Marylee surprises him with a ive personality test.  Leopoldstadt Marylee's CD ...