Box Seat Babes Podcasts

The Road to ’Wicked’: Movie and Musical Discussion | The Cosmic Curtain

With the Wicked movie adaptation just around the corner, The Cosmic Curtain host Brian Kitson wanted to revisit the novel and musical to explore what people can expect from the first Wicked movie. Joining him in this Wicked discussion is the incomparable Izzy Friedman, a fellow writer at The Cosmic Circus and Broadway enthusiast. Listen as the duo explores possible storylines that could be expanded upon, essential pieces of the story that need to be included, and why anything with Johnathan Bailey is worth watching. 
Wicked arrives in theaters on November 22! Are you excited about the film? Have you seen the Broadway musical before? What did you think of this episode? Let us know your thoughts on social media @mycosmiccircus and @boxseatbabes!
Wicked the movie stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, Johnathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard and many more!
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Devin Bowles Talks MJ The Musical, Now on Tour! | Exclusive Interview

MJ the Musical explores Michael Jackson's life through the songs that made him a pop music sensation. Having won four Tony Awards and becoming one of the highest-grossing musicals of all time, it makes perfect sense that MJ The Musical would tour North America!
Ahead of its premiere here in Detroit at The Fisher Theatre as a part of the Broadway in Detroit series of shows, Brian Kitson sat down with one of the show's stars, Devin Bowles, who plays Joe Jackson and Rob in MJ The Musical! In this exclusive Cosmic Circus Broadway interview, Bowles talks about his life journey from football player to Broadway star, what he connected with in this show, and what makes MJ The Musical so special! Enjoy!
For the full video of this interview visit our YouTube channel @CosmicCircusBroadway at https://youtu.be/BHADOmAj1oM?si=-V50M_tBAhwGq2nz
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MJ The Musical is at The Fisher Theatre in Detroit, Michigan from now until November 3, as a part of the Broadway in Detroit 2024-2025 season! This musical is currently in year two of its tour, so catch it when it arrives in a city near you!
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For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes
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Meadow Brook Theatre’s ’Strangers On A Train’: Travis Walter, Ron Williams & Stephen Blackwell | Exclusive Interview

With Strangers on A Train beginning its run last week, we've sat down with Meadow Brook Theatre's Artistic Director, Travis Walter, along with stars of this play, Ron Williams and Stephen Blackwell! In this interview, the two stars and director discuss why Strangers on a Train felt like the perfect show to begin the season with, what drew them to the project, how some of the character decisions and motivations came to be, and how this production has challenged them all in their respective roles. Enjoy!
Timestamps for this interview:
00:00 - Intro
00:40 - How is production going so far with Strangers on a Train? What has the audience reaction been?
04:35 - Talking about the opening scene, the banter and intensity and the dynamic between the characters.
11:42 - Impressive performances from the actors provide a lot for the audience to take in with every performance
15:27 - Perception of Guy's behavior from the audience
16:47 - Book (by Patricia Highsmith) vs Alfred Hitchcock film vs the play. How the hero and villain roles are presented, and the motives of the characters.
28:25 - The addition of "the mirror bit" 
30:00- Balancing humor & charm with an equally terrifying character
32:00 - Charles' return and audience reaction
35:30 - Guy's reaction and guilt about what happened
36;55 - Challenges of this production
43:05 - What are you hoping audiences will take away from Strangers on a Train?
47:20 - Outro
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For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes
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Jennifer Goff, Director of The Ringwald’s ’The Grown-Ups’ | Exclusive Interview

Simon Henriques and Skylar Fox wrote The Grown-Ups, which The Ringwald is opening up their 2024-2025 season with!
The show opened this past weekend and runs through November 4, and just before its debut, we were able to sit down with the director of this production of The Grown-Ups, Jennifer Goff! In this exclusive interview, Goff discusses what drew her to wanting to direct this story, which themes stick out to her the most, and the challenges of transitioning an outdoor show to a black box theater. Enjoy!
 
Timestamps for this interview:
00:00 - Intro
00:34 - How is the rehearsal process going for The Grown-Ups?
01:05 - What is The Grown-Ups about?
02:08 - What drew you to this story? What makes it unique?
05:41 - The show is closing just before the 2024 election, why was this the right time to tell this story?
06:16 - Challenges of bringing this play and story to life on stage?
08:49 - As the director, what's your process bringing your ideas to the stage?
11:40 - What themes in The Grown-Ups resonate with you the most?
12:30 - Outdoor vs indoor shows
14:02 - What do you want audiences to walk away with from The Grown-Ups?
14:35 - Outro
Find the video of this podcast on YouTube
For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes
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Director Krista Schafer of University of Detroit Mercy’s ’Witch’ | Exclusive Interview

Ahead of the production's debut on October 25th, Brian Kitson sat down with Krista Schafer, the director of the University of Detroit Mercy's Witch. In this interview, Schafer discusses what drew her to this production, how working with college actors differs from some of her past directorial work, how she's grown in this role, and what themes from Witch resonate with her the most. Enjoy the interview!
Timestamps for this interview: 00:00 - Intro 00:35 - How are rehearsals going so far for Witch? 03:43 - Managing technical aspects of the show as the director 07:35 - About Witch 09:45 - What makes this show unique 13:49 - How as Witch been updated from the original story? 14:25 - Exploring gender and gender roles in Witch 18:23 - Process of bringing a show like this to stage 22:48 - How has Witch challenged you as a director? 25:02 - Themes in this play that resonate the most with you? 27:27 - What's next for you? 29:15 - Outro
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Katherine Mutschler of University of Detroit Mercy’s ’Witch’ | Exclusive Interview

If you're looking for the perfect stage show for Halloween, the University of Detroit Mercy's theatre department has the show for you, as they bring Jen Silverman's Witch to life on their stage! Ahead of the production's debut, I sat down with one of the Witch's cast members, Katherine Mutschler, a senior at the university. In this interview, Mutscheler discusses her role in the play, how this production has pushed her as an actor, what she's most excited for audiences to take away from Witch, and where she sees her future in show business going. Enjoy the interview!
If you're in the Metro Detroit area, grab your tickets for University of Detroit Mercy's Witch, which runs for six shows beginning October 25!
Timestamps for this interview:
00:00 - Intro
00:35 - How are the rehearsals for Witch going so far?
01:45 - About Witch, the premise for the show and Kathrine's role in it.
03:40 - How the show has been updated/modernized from an old Jacobean story/play?
05:35 - Why tell this story now? A good story to tell for around Halloween.
07:03 - How does your character evolve over the course of the story?
08:30 - How has this production pushed you as an actor?
09:30 - What are the themes in Witch that resonate with you the most?
11:16  - Standout moments in the production
12:43 - What has been your experience with the University of Detroit Mercy's theatre department so far?
14:32 - Do you plan to continue acting after graduation?
15:20 - What is your dream role to play?
17:17 - What do you hope audiences take away from Witch?
19:10 - Show info, and outro
Find the video of this podcast on YouTube
For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes
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Some Like it Hot - Musical Comedy Review | The Cosmic Curtain

The second show in Broadway in Detroit's 2024-2025 season, Some Like It Hot is an adaptation of a 1959 film starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe! This musical adaptation is not an exact remake of the film, as it makes some major updates to some of the stories and characters.
Hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko were excited to discuss the show and have a fascinating in-depth discussion! Brian and RJ discuss some of the changes, how their personal experience helped to dictate their enjoyment of the show, stand-out performances, and moments from Some Like It Hot, and if they would see it again. Catch Some Like It Hot when it arrives in a city near you!
Timestamps 00:00 - Intros 00:53 - SPOILER warning for Some Like it Hot the musical and the movie discussed in this podcast, and general info about the show. 04:45 - Changes to the ethnicity of some of the characters from the film to POC. 09:30 - Sugar (Marilyn Monroe's character in the 1959 film) and the musical having a more modern approach to her character. 13:30 - Daphne/Jerry (Jack Lemmon's character in the film) and differences from the film. How the musical approaches a trans storyline. 20:18 - The older generation's reaction to the musical's trans aspects. (RJ's mom POV) 23:14 - Comparing this musical to how & Juliet handled a trans character, and audience reactions. 26:47 - Questions for the writers about the approach to the trans storyline. 27:14 - Moulin Rouge and & Juliet and aspects of the Jukebox musical having less of an impact on some audiences than a show like Some Like It Hot does for certain subjects. 28:45 - The crossdressing aspects of the film and shows like Mrs. Doubtfire and using it for comedy.  33:17 - Big band and the music in Some Like It Hot 38:31 - Stand out performers in the show 41:35 - The jokes and humor in the show 45:49 - Weak points 45:00 - The costumes and set 48:20 - Rewatchability of Some Like it Hot the musical 49:45 - Outros
Find the video of this podcast on YouTube
For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes
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Stephen Michael Langton of ’Some Like It Hot’ | Exclusive Interview

Broadway in Detroit is looking towards the next show that is arriving in just a few weeks. Some Like It Hot, an adaptation of the 1959 film starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe, opens in the Metro Detroit area on October 1st! We sat down with Stephen Michael Langton, who is a part of the ensemble as well as the understudy for Osgood!
In this interview, Langton spoke about how the show (in previews at the time of recording) is developing, what the challenges are for his roles, how he balances his mental health on the road, and his love of gaming.
Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:30 - About Some Like It Hot and what drew you to this show? 04:27 - Audition process 06:42 - Challenges to playing two different roles in the show. 10:20 - Getting into character 12:00 - How being in Newsies helped prepare you for Some Like It Hot 13:45 - Being a gamer: PC vs console and "comfort games." 15:35 - Protecting your mental health while on the road. 17:40 - How your role in Some Like It Hot pushes you as an actor 19:30 - Is there anything special or specific you try to do as you visit different cities during the tour? 21:50 - Outros
Find the video of this podcast on YouTube
For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes
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Moulin Rouge The Musical with The Box Seat Babes | The Cosmic Curtain

Hosts Brian Kitson and RJ Miller-Zelinko saw Moulin Rouge! The Musical on opening night at the Detroit Opera House and couldn't wait to share their thoughts in the latest episode of The Cosmic Curtain!
In this episode, they break down some of the show's highs and lows, whether the addition of more pop songs to the stage show from the film enhances the show or detracts from it, and how the duality of the tones works with the message of the show. Plus, listen as they discuss who the true villain of the musical is! 
 
Timestamps: Moulin Rouge! The Musical discussion and review
00:00 - Intros
00:45 - The 2001 Baz Luhrmann film which the musical is based on
05:00 - SPOILER WARNING for the movie and the musical
05:30 - Was the Moulin Rouge! The Musical a good adaptation of the movie?
08:50 - The 2 tones to the story, romance and tragedy. 
11:00 - Issues/problems that effect enjoyment of a show and things that can go wrong
18:00 - Balancing the tragedy for the audience, and what stood out about the show 
20:00 - Learning to love again
22:20 - Differences with the Duke in the musical and film
27:16 - Harold Zidler and his relationship with Satine. Is Zidler a villain?
35:10 - Juke Box Musicals and songs in this musical. 
43:30 - Audience interaction in this show
46:21 - Best songs in Moulin Rouge! The Musical
49:45 - Stand-outs from the cast in the show
54:15 - The use of lights in this show
57:27 - RJ's sister and the confetti cannon. The joy of theatre. 
01:00:00 - Overall/final thoughts on this show. 
01:05:33 - Rewatchability of Moulin Rouge! The Musical
01:07:00 - Outros
For more information, and tickets visit: https://moulinrougemusical.com/us-tour/home/
Find the video of this podcast on YouTube
For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes
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Robert Petkoff of ’Moulin Rouge The Musical’ | Exclusive Interview

Hello, chickens! And welcome to the Moulin Rouge, a magical place full of wonder and excitement! We're beyond excited for Moulin Rouge the Musical to finally make it to Detroit, as it's one of our favorites! Based on the 2001 Baz Luhrmann musical of the same name, this revamped jukebox musical brings a healthy dose of romance and just as much drama. Moulin Rouge the Musical is spending just about three weeks in Detroit, so ahead of its arrival, we sat down with Robert Petkoff, who stars as Harold Zidler in the show!
In this interview, Petkoff discusses what drew him to this role, what his audition process was like, how he balances the tonally difference aspects of the show, what some of the challenges have been to bringing Harold Zidler to life, and how his background in Shakespearean theater has helped him with his role in Moulin Rouge!
Timestamps for this interview:
00:00 - Intro
01:30 - Robert Petkoff talks about his character Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge
02:40 - The pop songs featured in Moulin Rouge the Musical
04:50 - Seeing it in NYC, an incredibly fun show
05:20 - Changes to The Duke's character, movie vs musical
06:33 - What sets the musical apart from the movie?
09:15 - The casting process
15:00 - Petkoff on what drew him to the character?
18:25 - Leading those big musical numbers
19:40 - Laughter in the performance
20:45 - Process to get into character
23:14 - Most challenging aspect of the part?
26:15 - How has your Shakespearean background helped with this role?
28:36 - Shows in one spot vs touring
32:20 - Traditions on tour, things to do in different cities
27:27 - Outros
For more information, and tickets visit: https://moulinrougemusical.com/us-tour/home/
Find the video of this podcast on YouTube
For more Broadway coverage, visit Box Seat Babes
Follow us on social media @boxseatbabes or visit our Linktree!