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 training. Her credits include the original West End productions & original cast recordings of & Juliet, Matilda, Mary Poppins, and Daddy Cool. Other West End productions: Wicked, Les Misérables, Dick Whittington, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Lorax, Ragtime. Other Theatre includes: Fiddler on the Roof, Romeo and Juliet, White Christmas, Guys and Dolls, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Sunshine Boys. Film: London Road. Television: “Casualty” and “Eastenders.” 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 music, media, characters, and campfires. As an actor, Matt recently starred in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Milwaukee Rep, and the upcoming musical film BEAU. In 2020, he released his first live solo album, Matt Rodin: Live at Home. Matt has also worked as a content producer and consultant for The Tony Awards, The Smithsonian Institute, SoulCycle, Hamilton, Cynthia Erivo, Ingrid Michaelson, Playbill, Broadway.com, Dear Evan Hansen, Write Out Loud, and more.  The Come Up is presented by Broadway Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices