Matt sits down with actor, musician, and his ex-show-husband (from the national tour of COMPANY) Ali Louis Bourzgui. Known for his standout performance in the Broadway revival of The Who's Tommy, Ali shares how transitioning from the intense demands of Tommy to the camaraderie of COMPANY transformed his approach to both his work and personal life. They delve into the challenges of leading a high-octane show, the isolation that can come with it, and how embracing lightheartedness and community...

Matt Rodin sits down with Broadway royalty, Tony Award winner Beth Leavel. With a remarkable career spanning over four decades, Beth has become a true luminary in the theater world. She's celebrated for her Tony-winning performance in The Drowsy Chaperone and Tony-nominated roles in Baby It's You! and The Prom. Beth's résumé boasts 13 Broadway credits—including 42nd Street, Mamma Mia!, and Elf—plus countless performances at regional theaters nationwide. Recorded as Beth prepares for her...

Danny and Matt have a candid conversation about nuance, perspective, growing up, and the new Broadway musical HARMONY. Danny Kornfeld played Young Rabbi in Harmony off-Broadway and makes his Broadway debut in this role. Select theater credits include: Aunt Caroline in Renascence (Transport Group), Sondheim On Sondheim (Kansas City Lyric Opera), Wringer (City Center), Mark Cohen in RENT (20th Anniversary Tour), Fiddler On The Roof (Barrington Stage Company), Our Town (Theatre Aspen), and...

On this episode, a heartwarming, eye-opening, and candid conversation with two-time Tony Award nominee, writer, actor, and just all-around good dude, Alex Brightman. We go deep on everything from his relationship with mental health and medication over the last few years to what all the twists and turns of the entertainment business have taught him, and of course - The Shark is Broken. Alex Brightman is a writer and two-time Tony Award–nominated actor who has been seen on Broadway...

Arielle and Matt have an honest and heartfelt conversation about HERE LIES LOVE, her Bells Palsy diagnosis, what it looks like to truly love yourself, and the incredible story of her family's journey to the United States. Arielle Jacobs, a first-generation Filipino-American actress, was last seen on Broadway starring as Princess Jasmine in the smash-hit Broadway musical Disney’s Aladdin, and most recently starred as Delilah McPhee in the original Off-Broadway musical Between The Lines based...

Kevin Cahoon, Tony Award Nominee, "The World's Youngest Rodeo Clown", writer, director, and seasoned Broadway veteran, sits down for a joy-full conversation about his almost 30 years in the industry, what he loves most about what we do, and how SHUCKED has changed him. Kevin currently plays Earl Clark on FOX’s “Monarch.” Broadway: The Who’s Tommy, The Lion King, The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Wedding Singer. Off-Broadway: Hedwig and The Angry Inch (also Boston, San...

Jordan Donica, Tony Award Nominee and a truly philosophical prince charming, sits down for a conversation about community, what makes things contemporary, the fun in the work, and what he's learning and leaning into. Jordan is currently starring as Sir Lancelot in the Lincoln Center Theater production of Camelot, for which he received a Tony nomination. He previously starred as Jordan Chase in the CW’s Charmed and guest starred in the award-winning police procedural drama Blue Bloods. Jordan...

Micaela Diamond, Tony Award nominee and culinary celestial sits down for a conversation about everything from validation and vocal breaks to partnership, pasta, and PARADE. On May 2nd, 2023, Micaela was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as Lucille Frank in the Broadway revival of Jason Robert Brown's PARADE. This conversation was recorded in March 2023, just after opening night. Micaela made her Broadway debut as Babe in THE CHER SHOW. She recently appeared in both THE...

Khris Davis, dedicated actor and star of the new movie BIG GEORGE FOREMAN, sits down for an honest conversation about his passion for the work, spirituality, and what he's learned along the way. Khris Davis made his NY stage debut starring in The Royale at Lincoln Center (winner of Obie, Drama Desk, Theatre World and Clive Barnes awards; Drama League nominee). Making his Broadway debut, Davis also starred in Sweat (The Public Theater, Studio 54) and Fireflies (Atlantic Theater Company). TV:...

Karli Dinardo, Australian native and one of the most powerful dancers I've ever met, sits down for a conversation about the spiritual nature of dance, her role in Bob Fosse's DANCIN, and how being an immigrant in this city and business have shaped the woman she is today. At the time of recording and release, Karli is in Bob Fosse's DANCIN on Broadway. Karli's credits include - Broadway: Moulin Rouge! (OBC, Nini u/s). National Tours: Hamilton (OG Angelica Co, Peggy/Maria u/s), Flashdance (Alex...

Grace McLean, a one-of-a-kind performer, writer and composer, sits down for a conversation about finding your voice, creating your own work, embracing your weird, the Marx brothers, and BAD CINDERELLA. When this episode was recorded and released, Grace was performing as The Queen in Andrew Lloyd Webber's BAD CINDERELLA on Broadway. Grace is a performer, writer, and composer. Broadway: Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. Off-Broadway and Regional: Suffs (The Public), Cyrano (New...

Harry Turner, filmmaker and conservationist, sits down for a heartfelt conversation about the relationship between us and nature, mental health, and the power of the jungle. This episode was recorded in mid-February 2023. ‘Wildcat’ tells the story of Harry, a veteran suffering from depression and PTSD who enters the Peruvian Amazon and meets an American scientist running a wildlife center. Entrusted with the life of an orphaned baby ocelot, Harry lives in the deep Amazonian jungle and embarks...

Leo Reich, queer comedian/writer and sardonically self-referential member of Gen-Z, sits down for a conversation about not being funny, self-promotion, and straight people.  When this was released, Leo had just closed his solo show LITERALLY...WHO CARES Off-Broadway. Leo Reich is a comedian and writer - his smash debut show Literally Who Cares?! was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Dave Comedy Awards 2022 and culminated in a sold out show at EartH Hackney. He recently opened for Simon...

James T. Lane, saintly song and dance man and beacon of light, sits down for a conversation about the divine nature of creativity, addiction, recovery, showing up when it's hard, letting go of perfection, and making space for grace. When this was recorded and released, James was starring as Billy Flynn in the Broadway revival of CHICAGO. James grew up in the rich artistic city of Philadelphia. He started dancing at the age of 6 and at age 10, saw The Phantom of The Opera and fell in love with...

J. Harrison Ghee, minister of love and transcendent triple thread, sits down for an inspiring conversation about intention, purpose, love, and how each of us can free ourselves so that we can truly see ourselves. When this was recorded and released, J. was starring as Jerry/Daphne in SOME LIKE IT HOT on Broadway. J. Harrison Ghee is a North Carolina native and has been based in New York City for 13 years. J. has performed all over the world from Tokyo Disney Sea Resort to Norwegian Cruise...

Constantine Rousouli and Carrie St. Louis, TITANIQUE's Jack and Rose, sit down for a kooky crazy candid conversation about creating your own work, friendship, and building a life you love. This episode was recorded in January of 2023, while Constantine and Carrie were playing Jack and Rose, respectively, in the Off-Broadway hit TITANIQUE at the Daryl Roth Theater. Constantine Rousouli is not only one of the creators of TITANIQUE, he is also playing the iconic role of Jack Dawson made famous...

Arty Froushan, an actor and truly gentle man, sits down for a conversation about craft, identity, discipline, the definition of "artist", and this podcast. When this was recorded, Arty was in the midst of the Broadway run of Tom Stoppard's LEOPOLDSTADT. British Iranian actor Arty stars as 'Jonah' in both seasons of Amazon’s fantasy drama ‘Carnival Row' alongside Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevigne. His other TV credits include 'Strikeback' and 'Knightfall'. In 2022 he played skilled young knight...

Melanie La Barrie, a generous soul with a Calypsonian spirit, sits down for a candid conversation about the relationship between artist and audience, spirituality, new musicals and tiny miracles. When this was recorded, Mel had just made her Broadway debut in "& Juliet". Mel is originally from Trinidad where she was a Calypsonian and a radio DJ before moving to London and getting her Masters in Organizational Psychology. She booked her first role from an open call, with no formal...

Krysta Rodriguez, true triple threat and my OG Wednesday Addams, sits down for a candid conversation about identity, community, Sondheim, and the next generation of artists and actors. When this was recorded, Krysta had just wrapped up "double duty" performing as Cinderella in the revival of Into the Woods and rehearsing for The Collaboration. Krysta most recently starred in Netflix’s limited series “Halston” from Emmy-Award winning creator Ryan Murphy, starring as the iconic entertainer Liza...

Zachary Noah Piser, hilarious friend and awe-inspiring actor, singer, and (now) KPOP-er, sits down for a candid conversation about navigating the emotions that come with mounting a new show vs joining a long-running one, how he felt about being the first Asian-American Evan Hansen (in Dear Evan Hansen), and all things identity, relationships, and how we originally met. At the time of release, Zach is starring in the new Broadway Musical, KPOP. Zach has also appeared on Broadway as Boq in...

Bonnie Milligan, powerhouse performer and literal beam of light, sits down for a candid conversation about grief and faith, friendship, working with your heroes, and what she's learned in the past three years. Plus, how bonnie launched my entire career. At the time of release, Bonnie is starring in the new broadway musical Kimberly Akimbo. Bonnie was nominated by both the Drama League and the Outer Critics Circle for her Broadway debut in Head Over Heels, for which she also won the Theatre...

Lena Hall, inimitable actress and singer and the realest rock-chick you've ever met, sits down for a candid conversation about what happens after you win a Tony Award, work culture in the arts, giving 100%, social media, and her ideas for the future of the theater. At the time of release, Lena is starring as Audrey in the off-broadway hit: Little Shop of Horrors. Lena is a Tony award winner and Grammy Award nominee currently starring on the hit TNT television series “Snowpiercer” as Miss...

A quick re-introduction, 3 years later, for the new season of The Come Up. On The Come Up, host Matt Rodin sits with creative people to find out where they’re at, today, in the journey of becoming who they are. What unfolds are often inspiring, transcendental, and candid conversations about the reality of being a growing artist.  Matt believes that love is who we are. He taps into people’s light so that we can form deeper connections with ourselves and one another. He’s a queer maker of...

Ross Baum is a lot of things. He’s a composer, arranger, producer, vocal coach, and a performer and does ALL of those incredibly well. The reason why I wanted to sit down with him NOW is because the new musical Gun+Powder, which he wrote the music for, began rehearsals this week for the world premiere production that will open at the Signature Theater in DC this January. I felt like capturing how he’s feeling right now and hearing where he’s at as an artist and in his life, would make for not...