musical theatre

Special guests and Walt Disney World cast members Roxanne & Bailey Canales join DTYBP to turn back the clock and revisit a retired WDW attraction, The Great Movie Ride (1989-2017)! The group dives into the history of the attraction in tandem with the creation of Disney-MGM Studios (now Disney's Hollywood Studios), shares about the pair of ruby slippers ("Dorothy's Shoes") in the queue throughout the 90s, Bailey reflects on accomplishing her lifelong dream of working on The Great Movie Ride, and Oz-related connections to the ride are both confirmed and debunked!

Show Notes:

• Sneak Peek at a Dinner in the Great Movie Ride
• Disney Wiki - The Great Movie Ride
• Yesterworld: The Untold History of The Great Movie Ride - Disney’s Beloved and Abandoned Attraction
• The Ruby Slippers of Oz: Thirty Years Later by Rhys Thomas
• The Slippers Documentary (2016)
• The Disney Oz Connection - Eric Shanower
• Andrew Kolb
• Irregular Choice
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

DTYBP Patreons have voted and the episode they asked for is HERE! Tara and EmKay continue their deep dive into Disney's "Rainbow Road to Oz," a 1957 proposed live-action film centered around the Land of Oz. Rabbit holes include a deep dive into the history of Disney's "Rainbow Road to Oz," the proposed Disneyland ride Rock Candy Mountain, and the Oz Disneyland Records.

Show Notes:

• "Walt Disney and the Rainbow Road to Oz" by David R. Smith
• "Walt's Journey to Oz" by Jim Korkis
• The Official Mickey Mouse Club Book by Lorraine Santoli
• Ravensburger
• The Disney Oz Connection - Eric Shanower
• Disneyland Oz Records
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

DTYBP Patreons have voted and the episode they asked for is HERE! Tara and EmKay begin their deep dive into Disney's "Rainbow Road to Oz," a 1957 proposed live-action film centered around the Land of Oz. Rabbit holes include a brief history of Walt Disney's involvement with Oz properties, a breakdown of the evolution of The Mickey Mouse Club, and a special shoutout to Patreon Mitchell with some very thorough "Return to Oz" Glinda theories!!!
Stay tuned for Part 2 dropping this Wednesday, where Tara and EmKay dive more into Disney's "Rainbow Road to Oz," the proposed Disneyland ride Rock Candy Mountain, and the Oz Disneyland Records.

Show Notes:

• "Walt Disney and the Rainbow Road to Oz" by David R. Smith
• Yesterland: The Wizard of Brahs at Disneyland
• "Walt's Journey to Oz" by Jim Korkis
• You Must Remember This Podcast - Six Degrees of Song of the South
• Peculiar Penguins by Ruth Plumly Thompson
• The Official Mickey Mouse Club Book by Lorraine Santoli
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

Friend of the pod Andrew Kolb, creator of OZ: A Fantasy Role-Playing Game joins the Slipperhood! Andrew shares his creative process in designing games, breaks down the basics of role-playing games, reflects upon his childhood love of Peter Pan and Oz, and more!

Show Notes:

• OZ: A Fantasy Role-Playing Setting (Amazon)
• OZ: A Fantasy Role-Playing Setting (IndieBound)
• OZ: A Fantasy Role-Playing Setting (Barnes & Noble)
• Andrew Kolb
• Lee Wiley Art
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

Brooklyn-based writer, poet and witch Kate Belew joins DTYBP's new series, Good Witches of the Concrete Jungle! Kate shares memories of delving into her imagination while playing at her grandparents' farm house as a kid, reflects on making Greenpoint her home, and of course shares her Oz memories and connections!

Show Notes:

• Kate Belew
• Magick & Alchemy Podcast
• Lee Wiley Art
• The Wicked Witch on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1975)
• Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power by Pam Grossman
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

Friend of the pod and Artistic Director of North Carolina's Land of Oz Theme Park, Sean Barrett, joins the Slipperhood! Sean recounts performing as the Scarecrow at Land of Oz since his teenage years, shares behind the scenes of Broadway's The Oz Project, and answers all your burning Land of Oz Theme Park questions!

Show Notes:

• Land of Oz Theme Park
• Broadway's THE OZ PROJECT: A Tribute to The Wizard of Oz & The Wiz
• Slipperhood Series: Brynn Williams (Broadway's The Oz Project!)
• Slipperhood Series: Steph Twomey (Dorothy at Land of Oz Theme Park!)
• Lee Wiley Art
• Ravensburger
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

Want to win a holiday gift bundle of eclectic Oz treasures?! It's time for our annual end of season giveaway! We can't wait to give away two gift boxes to two listeners as well as three VIP pod squad passes to three listeners for bonus content this upcoming winter.
To enter, please rate and review us wherever you rate podcasts. All previous Apple podcast rate and reviews since our debut in 2020 will be counted as one entry.
For any reviews submitted on non-Apple platforms, please email us a screenshot of your review at downtheybp@gmail.com or tag/DM us on instagram @downtheyellowbrickpod for two entries.
For FIVE extra entries, join our Patreon pod squad at any tier (linked below).
The winner could be YOU!

Show Notes:

• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

Writer, producer and director Will Graham joins the Slipperhood to peel back the curtain on 2022's TV Series "A League of Their Own," which he co-created with Abbi Jacobson! Will shares more about his own personal background with the world of Oz, details the evolution of the TV series, and delves into the plethora of Oz references sprinkled throughout the episodes. Will also shares more about his process writing and directing Episode 6, "Stealing Home," which is centered around the community of "Friends of Dorothy."

Show Notes:

• A League of Their Own
• Lee Wiley Art
• Toni Stone by Martha Ackmann
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

Brooklyn-based author and witch Pam Grossman joins DTYBP's new series, Good Witches of the Concrete Jungle, for Part 2! Pam reflects on the role beauty has played in the presentation of witches in pop culture, pays homage to Margaret Hamilton, shares about her job as a consultant on The Craft: Legacy and more.

Show Notes:

• Pam Grossman
• Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power by Pam Grossman
• What is a Witch by Pam Grossman
• @michaela.durisova
• Ravensburger
• The Road to Oz: The Evolution, Creation, and Legacy of a Motion Picture Masterpiece by Jay Scarfone and William Stillman
• Margaret Hamilton visits Mr. Rogers
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

Brooklyn-based author and witch Pam Grossman joins DTYBP's new series, Good Witches of the Concrete Jungle! Pam shares her background discovering magic in New Jersey and NYC, celebrates the Good Witches who guided her towards discovering her own practices, expands upon her deep relationship to nature and more.
Stay tuned for Part 2 dropping this Wednesday.

Show Notes:

• Pam Grossman
• Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power by Pam Grossman
• What is a Witch by Pam Grossman
• The Real Wizard of Oz: The Life and Times of L. Frank Baum by Rebecca Loncraine
• The Wizard of Oz Invented the ‘Good Witch’ by Pam Grossman
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

Tara & EmKay unpack the glorious hot mess extravaganza that was their journey to put together wallet-friendly red carpet looks for Judy Garland's 100th Birthday Gala this past June! Tune in for all the tea behind Tara's "Judy in the 1980s" inspired pantsuit and Irregular Choice poppy field shoes, EmKay's UK shipping debacle and broken zipper, unqualified red carpet advice and more, oh my!

Show Notes:

• Judy: A Garland Fragrance
• LightInTheBox
• Irregular Choice Poppy Field Shoes
• @dorkdujour (Hair & Makeup Artist)
• Nadine Merabi Red Katie Dress
• Amsterdam Cleaners & Tailors
• EmKay's Earrings
• EmKay's hair clips
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

LA-based friends of the pod Bruce and Clayton join the Slipperhood to gab all about Judy's 100th Birthday Gala at the Ebell of Los Angeles earlier this year! The quartet met in the courtyard of the Ebell during the event and proceeded to become fast friends thanks to their shared love of Oz and Judy. Bruce and Clayton discuss how they got to the event, highlights of the night (shout out Ruta Lee), celebrate Judy: A Garland Fragrance and share what Judy means to them.
Stay tuned for a special bonus episode dropping Wednesday where Tara and EmKay share all about their red carpet looks from the event, some instagram influencer hilarity and shipping drama!

Show Notes:

• @brucemerkle
• @OzHistory
• @WizardOfOzHistory
• Judy: A Garland Fragrance
• Get Happy! Exhibit
• House of Racanelli
• Tony Awards: Liza Minnelli & Lorna Luft Medley
• Tiffany @followtheyellowbrickgirl
• Tori @theozvlog
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

Playwright, composer, and actor Brian Quijada joins the Slipperhood to talk all about the yellow brick roads that led him to create his new musical "Somewhere Over the Border," which recently received a Rolling World Premiere! Brian shares about his musical influences, the real life family origin of "Somewhere Over the Border," what Oz means to him and more!

Show Notes:

• Brian's website
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

Writer Amy Chu and illustrator Janet K. Lee join the Slipperhood as a creative team to share their respective artistic journeys, their lifelong love of Oz, and provide a peek behind the curtain of creating a published work. Amy and Janet share more about the creation of their graphic novels, Sea Sirens and Sky Island, which gather inspiration from L. Frank Baum's novels.

Show Notes:

• Amy's website
• Janet's website
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP
• Ravensburger website

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: @emshray

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader

For the best part of a decade, Jordan Broatch has already been performing up and down the country in various productions from Ellen Kent operas to playing in Oliver at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Since graduating however, Jordan has established themselves at one of the most exciting newcomers onto the London stage, starring in 2 stellar productions at Southwark Playhouse. Many musical theatre fans saw them redefine the role of J. Bowden Hapgood in Anyone Can Whistle, starring opposite Alex Young and Chrystine Simone. The show was one of the biggest Sondheim revivals since the composer's passing and critics hailed Jordan as a "blazingly engaging" performer. An openly non-binary performer, they have also been a vocal advocate for more diversity and representation of queer characters in the industry. It seemed particularly appropriate that in Lift, he got to play an Avatar - one that is not male or female. Whilst the role was less showy than Hapgood, Jordan remained enthusiastic about the time spent in the show and now proudly calls their company members friends.

In this exclusive interview, Jordan Broatch sat down to reflect over the past year so far and expressed his gratitude for getting to make such an impressive debut. It doesn't seem surprising at all to learn that they've been involved in the industry for some time, albeit only recently graduating as an adult performer. Still, they are humble and insists they have more to learn and indeed, we should look forward to whatever Jordan has lined up next. They also describe to us their ambitions for their career, telling us their love for The Other Palace as well as Southwark Playhouse where they made their debut. Jordan also makes it clear they will only work on projects that make them happy and encourages others to do the same, hinting they would also be keen to explore work outside the realms of musical theatre too. It's a fascinating to hear the young graduate speak about his experience and we look forward to watching them continue to flourish in their career.

For the best part of three decades, Joanna Ampil has been recognised as one of the most prolific musical theatre acts to arrive onto the scene, taking on roles like Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Grizabella in Cats and Kim in Miss Saigon. After receiving a huge reception as Bloody Mary in South Pacific last year at Chichester Festival Theatre, she is reprising the role in the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical at Sadlers Wells Theatre, before heading on tour with the show. Although traditionally seen as a caricature, in Daniel Evans' new production, Joanna is given the opportunity to humanise this character and make her someone audiences are able to empathise with. It's an opportunity that she's fully taken advantage of as we are invited to see Bloody Mary through a new lens. Of course, Joanna's portrayal has also meant we are treated to a terrific performance as well as luscious vocals.

In this new interview, Joanna Ampil sat down to talk about how she felt it was really important to return to the show to tell Bloody Mary's story. After performing in a concert production of South Pacific in Manilla a few years prior to the Chichester run, she tells us about how surprised she was by how richly deep and antiracist the show really is. We also hear Joanna share her hopes for the musical theatre industry as in many ways, the industry is still continuing to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. She hopes audiences will return on larger scales to support the industry and that shows like South Pacific will continue that drive. As she prepares to go on tour, we hear her also talk about her experience working on productions all around the world from her home in the Philippines to the rest of Asia and of course here in the UK. It's a fascinating listen and we look forward seeing Joanna continue her role on tour in the coming weeks.

South Pacific plays at Sadler's Wells Theatre until 28 August and a list of tour dates can be found on southpacificshow.com

In a post-pandemic world, one of the brightest stars to light the London stage is Alfie Friedman. After bursting onto the scene earlier this year, Alfie Friedman has cemented himself as an actor to watch. Most recently, Alfie played Gabriel Davies in the hit Channel 4 drama The Undeclared War opposite the likes of Alex Jennings, Sir Mark Rylance and Simon Pegg where he also got to work under the careful direction of writer-director Peter Kostminsky. His performance earned much praise from critics and audiences, calling it one of the biggest breakthroughs of 2022. On stage, Alfie has also been making waves in the musical theatre scene, starring opposite his mother Maria Friedman in her Legacy show celebrating Stephen Sondheim, Marvin Hamlisch and Michel Legrand. Following this, Alfie went on to star in a new concert revival of The Witches of Eastwick as Michael Spofford, once again working under the watchful eye of Maria Friedman.

In this exclusive interview, Alfie Friedman shares what it's been like to thrust himself into the entertainment industry, getting to star in a hit Channel 4 drama and carrying on the Friedman legacy. We hear him reflect over the success he's earned over the last year and why storytelling continues to be important to him. After developing a large TikTok following, Alfie also tells us about why he loves connecting with audiences and sharing his optimism with the world. Following the death of his friend and mentor Stephen Sondheim, Alfie also takes the time to share his love for the beloved composer and pays tribute to the man who he credits as being one of the reasons why he's alive today. It's a fascinating interview with a young man who we expect to see continue rise in his career. 

After travelling around the world as Glinda in the international tour of Wicked, Carly Anderson has returned to the UK to make her Chichester debut as Polly in Crazy For You. The production has already won rave reviews from critics and audiences alike where we get to see her take on classic Gershwin numbers like I Got Rhythm and Someone to Watch Over Me. The latest revival also sees globally renowned Susan Stroman return to the show after her Tony and Olivier award winning turns in the original West End and Broadway productions of Crazy For You, something that Carly also recognizes as making this incarnation of the show particularly special. Stroman here has also paired her with Charlie Stemp as Bobby, one of the most acclaimed young performers on the West End stage today and we get to hear Carly express her excitement at starring alongside him.

In this brand new interview, Carly Anderson talks about her upbringing in a small Scottish town in Morayshire and how she grew to love musical theatre. We hear her reflect back on her time working in the musical theatre industry and the journey her career has taken her on. Chichester has also slowly become a more special place for the actress as she praises Chichester Festival Theatre's close engagement with the local community and how it's reputation as a leading producing house has been able to draw talent and audiences from around the country. As Carly Anderson also transitions out of the traditional ingenue roles in the musical theatre repertoire, she also tells us about her hopes for her career post-Crazy For You.

Crazy For You is running at Chichester Festival Theatre until 4 September with tickets available now!

After a 2 year absence from the UK theatre scene, Robert Tripolino has returned to make his Watermill Theatre debut in a revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Whistle Down The Wind. After critically acclaimed turns in Jesus Christ Superstar and High Fidelity, he also reunites with director and choreographer Tom Jackson Greeves to bring this beloved show to one of the UK's most prestigious regional venues. The actor-musical production is the first of it's kind in the show's history and boasts a strong cast of multi-talented talented actors.  Robert Triplolino, himself also a guitarist has been on the musical theatre scene for over 10 years now, first starting off in Australia in shows like A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and La Cage Aux Folles, before heading out on an international tour of Aladdin. Now as he prepares to open this eagerly anticipated revival, he also takes time to look back over the last decade as well as to talk about his hopes for the future.

In this special interview with the theatre actor, Robert Tripolino shares some exclusive insights into his career with all the ups and downs that has happened along the way. He tells us about his admiration for Tom Jackson-Greeves and his love for shows which have a big heart such as Whistle Down the Wind.  He also tells us about his passion for performing in smaller, more intimate venues too and the important connection he feels with his audience.  As well as being an actor, Robert is also a composer and regularly plays the guitar. Some of the shows he's written included Dreamsong which he discusses joyfully on this podcast as well as Guilty Pleasures and Death Suits You. Throughout our conversation, we hear him share his gratitude for the people who have helped him grow in his career.

Whistle Down the Wind plays at the Watermill Theatre from 22nd July until 10th September with tickets on sale now!

Get on your feet, listeners, because a dream guest joins the Slipperhood today. An exquisite artist, singer, humanitarian, daughter and sister, it's the one and only Lorna Luft! Lorna graciously joins fangirls Tara and EmKay to share about her experience in the creation of Judy: A Garland Fragrance, favorite memories growing up in a performing family, highlights of her own spectacular career on the stage and screen, and her thoughts on how to get involved in your community and make the world a better place through art and action. Vote for Lorna!

Show Notes:

• Lorna Luft
• Judy: A Garland Fragrance
• Down the YBP Etsy Shop
• Patreon - DTYBP

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: @emshray

Instagram:
@downtheyellowbrickpod
#DownTheYBP
Tara: @taratagtickles
EmKay: www.emilykayshrader.net
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/downtheyellowbrickpod
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/market/down_the_yellow_brick_pod

Music by: Shane Chapman
Edited by: Emily Kay Shrader