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 opened new doors for Ali. He discusses his current role in the brand new musical WE LIVE IN CAIRO at New York Theatre Workshop that explores the Egyptian revolution of 2011. Ali opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, the pressures of awards season, and finding fulfillment beyond external accolades. Music is a central theme, as he talks about his personal journey with guitar and songwriting, and how music serves as a tool for expression and healing. This candid conversation offers deep insights into the artist's journey, the power of openness and community, and the role of art in fostering empathy and social change. Tune in to hear: Ali's experiences leading demanding productions like The Who's Tommy and how he navigated the emotional and vocal challenges. How his time with the COMPANY cast helped him embrace openness, joy, and a renewed sense of self. His reflections on awards season, dealing with expectations, and redefining success beyond external accolades. Thoughts on how art can serve as a catalyst for empathy, understanding, and social change. The Come Up pulls back the curtain on the perpetual journey of “making it.” Artists and creatives share insights, stories, and truths about the reality of being a human being in show business, with actor and generalist Matt Rodin. 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. Matt most recently played Jamie on the first national tour of the Tony Award-winning revival of Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY. Matt also recently starred in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Milwaukee Rep, RENT at Paper Mill Playhouse, 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, Kamala Harris, 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