The Theater Enthusiast Podcast Season 7 Episode 3- Jay Armstrong Johnson

This episode we are joined by actress Lesli Margherita!  Lesli is an Olivier Awarding winning performer and is best known for her originating the role of Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda on Broadway.  She also appear in Dames at Sea on Broadway and Emojiland off-Broadway.  Lesli has a ton on tv, film and regional theater credits and got her Olivier Award from her West End debut in Zorro the Musical.  You can also listen and/or purchase her album, Rule Your Kingdom which was recorded live at 54 Below.  We talk with Lesli about Broadway debut, how she really feels about slime tutorials. the importance in being ones self and much more! 

This episode we are joined by the founders of Holy City Arts & Lyric Opera, Dimitri Pittas and Leah Edwards.  Both Dimitri and Leah are opera singers and have brought their love of the arts and opera to Charleston, SC with founding Holy City Arts & Lyric Opera, also known as HALO.  We talk with them about what got them into singing opera, why art is so important, what they hope to bring to the audiences with their performances and events and much more!

This episode we are joined by actor Aaron C. Finley!  Aaron is currently in the ensemble of Moulin Rouge the Musical where is also understudies Christian and The Duke.  He is one of 5 original cast members left in Moulin Rouge!  Aaron made is Broadway debut in Rock of Ages and starred as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots. Other credits include It Shoulda Been You and the regional premier of Diner.  Aaron also travels the country with his symphony concerts of music from the 80s, Phil Collins and Genesis.

This episode we are joined by actor, writer, director, producer and teacher Colin Hanlon!  Colin made his Broadway debut in Rent. Other credits include Falsettos, In Transit, the original off-Broadway cast of I Love You Because, Submissions Only (my personal favorite!), Uncoupled and Modern Family. He also directed an acclaimed regional production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!  We chat with Colin about his career, his transition into writing and directing, his real feelings on the tv show SMASH, and much more!   

This episode we are joined by actor and filmmaker Tom Riley!  Tom was last seen on stage in the National Theatre's production of Dancing at Lughnasa.  Tom is best known for playing Leonardo Da Vinci in Da Vinci's Demons and made his Broadway debut playing Septimus Hodge in Arcadia.  He has a long list on theater credits and made his directing debut with his film The Toll Road.  We talk with Tom about his theater career, The Toll Road, his Broadway experience and much more!

*This episode of recorded at the very beginning of the actors strike*

This episode we are joined by actor Tam Mutu!  Tam was last seen in City Center Encores' production of Oliver and is known for originating the role of The Duke in Moulin Rouge! The Musical!   He made his Broadway debut in Doctor Zhivago as Yuri Zhivago and his other credits include Love Never Dies, City of Angels and Les Misérables.  We talk with Tam about what led him to theater, his love of sports, his take on new works vs. revivals, what he's learned from working on different projects and much more!

This episode we are joined by theater journalist and photographer Shoshana bwaySHO!  Shoshana talks about what got her into journalism, her transition from being a reporter in Texas to deciding to come back to New York, the importance of changing your name and much more!  You can follow Shoshana on social media at @bwysho and can subscribe to her Patreon!

This episode we are joined by cast members of the off-Broadway play The Inheritance of a Long-Term Fault!  Gabra Zuckman and Craig Wesley Divino give us insight into all things The Inheritance of a Long-Term Fault: why you should see it, why it's important piece of theater,  what it's like portraying different roles and much more.  Gabra also talks about her work as a voice performer and Craig talks about Fault Line Theatre, the theater company he has co-founded.  

The Inheritance of a Long-Term Fault is playing at Theatre Row now until December 23rd!

This episode we are joined by actor Elliot Cowan!  Elliot was last seen in the West End production of A Little Life in the roles of Brother Luke/Dr. Traylor/Caleb.  His other credits include 2:22 A Ghost Story, An Ideal Husband, A Streetcar Names Desire, Macbeth and Henry V.  He is also known for playing Mr. Darcy in Lost in Austen and his film debut, Alexander.  We talk with Elliot about his career, the importance of mental health and checking in with your fellow actors, role preparation, the stage door experience of A Little Life and much more!

This episode we are joined by Lauren Kennedy Brady!  Lauren is the Producing Artistic Director of Theatre Raleigh and her Broadway credits include Sunset Boulevard, Side Show, Les Miserables and Spamalot.  She has numerous regional credits and was the original Kathy in Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years.  We chat with Lauren about her career in New York and what brought her back home to Raleigh.  We also talk about all things Theatre Raleigh and her finding her calling in producing.